BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 281 
pieces of water, they are frequently observed. In the first 
week of January, 1909, Wigeon were unusuaUy abundant in 
the estuary of the Nith. In very hard weather they become 
tame ; and during the winter of 1878-1879 : " The Mallard, 
Teal, Wigeon and Pochard, . . . about the end of 
December and early in January could easily have been 
struck down with a stone as they sat about the shore in a 
weak almost helpless state from privation."* During their 
stay on our coast they move about from one locahty to 
another, leaving those feeding-grounds when the grass grows 
old, for pastures new." In March and April the return 
migration takes place ; but the fact that in 1908 seven pairs 
were seen on a loch four miles from the Dumfriesshire 
boundary, so late as April 20th, leads one to hope that the 
Wigeon may soon quahfy to be described as one of our 
nesting-species. 
The Wigeon breeds in northern Europe and Asia, migrating 
south in winter. For many years it has been known to nest 
m the north of Scotland, and its breeding-range is extending 
southwards. 
THE POCHARD. FuUgula ferina (Linn^us). 
^itlble^lochr^*' *° Solway estuaries, and certain 
Of the Pochard Sir WiUiam Jardine writes in 1843 : " We 
have once or twice shot this species, during winter, in the 
River Annan."t In the Catalogue of the Birds contained in 
the collection of Sir William Jardine, are recorded two 
specimens from Dumfriesshire, one from Castle Loch, 
Lochmaben, obtained by J. Gould ; the other from Hen 
Moss, Jardine HaU, shot by Sir WiUiam himself. 
* Trans. D. and G. Nat. Hist. Soc, November 7th, 1879. 
t Nat. Lib., 1843, Vol. XIV., p. 147. 
