BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 229 
In many instances a Heron has made its nest in some 
wood for only one season, and no attempt has been made 
to chronicle such occurrences. It is beHeved that throughout 
the county many suitable woods and plantations are thus 
tenanted, and it is to be feared that the birds are often given 
no chance of returning a second year. 
Heronries existing in Dumfriesshire in 1908. 
Parish, 
How long in existence, etc. 
Source of Information. 
Annan . . 
Mount Annan. Since the memory of man. Some- 
times as many as three nests ; usually one nest in 
Scots Fir. From 1900-1902 no nests, but birds 
returned in 1903. 
P. A. Pasley-Dirom, 
20.iv.l908. 
Woodcockair. On Silver-Firs, four nests in 1907, 
usually one or two. 
W. Thorburn, 
3.vii.l908. 
Daiton . . 
Kirkwood. One or two nests annually ever since 
I can remember, and in 1908 four ; three in 
Larches, one in Scots Fir. 
A. J. Steel, 18.vii.l908. 
ESEDALEMUIB . . 
Crurie. On tall Spruces. Three pairs were 
only known to nest, say, fifty-five years ago. 
Nests robbed, but since then a few pairs in woods. 
This year, 1908, they have congregated in one 
wood and have twelve nests. 
Rev. R. BeU, 25.V.1908. 
Glencairn 
Shaw Wood. Two or three nests ; two in 1908. 
For many years. 
C. Laurie, 23.vi.1908. 
KlEKCONNEL 
Libry Moor Plantation. In Spruces from twenty 
to forty feet high ; usually four or five nests ; 
much bothered by Carrion-Crows. 
K. and R. M. Buchanan, 
16.iv.l908. 
KiRKMAHOE 
Dalswinton Loch. On island. About 1822 only a 
few, but they increased greatly. As many as one 
hundred and fifty birds have been counted at one 
time. 
In 1853 forty-nine nests ; two on Birch, three on 
Silver-Fir, four on Ash, four on Oak, four on Larch, 
seven on Spruce, twenty-five on Elm trees. Nests 
all placed if not on the very summit of the trees, at 
least as high as may be. Before the Herons 
established themselves they had a series of severe 
battles with the Rooks. 
1862. They are less numerous than they were. . . 
1874. Thirty-two nests, mostly on Ash and Larch 
trees. 
1908. Fourteen to fifteen nests, mostly in high old 
Elms ; some in low Scots Firs, fifteen to twenty 
feet from ground ; believed to be decreasing. 
1909. Only three nests. 
Thomas Maxwell, 
October 17th, 1862, 
Naturalist, 1853, Vol, 
III., p. 161. 
Thomas Maxwell, 
October 17th, 1862. 
D. Tait, 28.ix.1908. 
T.Ranken, 14.vi.l909. 
Duncow. On high Firs ; only a few. Have been 
there at least twenty years. 
Rev. W. McDowall, 
4.vi.l908. 
