BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 75 
reared in captivity.* A. G. More in 1865, on the authority 
ot Mr. W. G. Gibson, says that this species breeds occasion- 
ally m Dalswinton Woods,t and Mr. R. Service records 
m his diary under June 20th, 1888, that Robert Maxwell 
told him that " there are many Siskins at Dalswinton and 
a few breed." The wood referred to is now no longer 
standing, and the species has ceased to nest in that 
locality. 
Mr. N. E. Douglas Menzies of Newtonairds (Holywood) 
writes me that his keeper, Shields, who has often seen the 
fcMskm m autumn, found a nest about 1902 in a young 
plantation. Mr. William Laidlaw informs me that this species 
has nested in South Eskdale ; in 1902, below Langholm 
and also in Mr. Carthew Yorstoun's policies ; in 1903* 
near Tarras, and again in 1906, when he caught " a young 
one, new flown which could not feed itself." The same year 
a pair were seen nesting at the second milestone on the 
Carlisle Road below Langholm ; and another pair nested on 
Mr. Carthew Yorstoun's property. In 1907 a young one 
was caught by Mr. Tweddle, junior ; and in July 1908 
a pair were seen near Langholm. Mr. James Cowan 
writes me from Glencairn : "In August, 1905, I caught a 
young Siskm in nest-plumage near the lake above Craw- 
fordton House. I only saw three birds in company at the 
time, the one I caught and two others, one of which was a 
cock bird in adult plumage. I did not see any more 
feiskins that year till well on in October, when I saw 
considerable flocks of them. I have not come across 
their nest m this district, so I cannot say that they actually 
bred here." 
Elsewhere throughout the county the Siskin appears 
irregularly in the winter, sometimes in large flocks and is 
often reported as frequenting alders by the sides of streams 
Durmg the winter of 1888 they were numerous on the 
* Dumfries Courier, July 31st, 1855. 
t Ibisy 1865, p. 129. 
