BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 283 
than the scaup, and we have frequently shot specimens 
on the Annan, during winter, fifteen or twenty miles from 
the sea ; the weather was always, however, severe when this 
bird appeared, seldom more than a pair were seen together, 
and they were far from being shy, trusting rather to falhng 
down the river when danger appeared, and not attempting 
to fly unless surprised or approached very near."* In 
those days this species was regarded solely as a winter- 
visitant, but T. C. Heysham has a note of a "Tufted drake 
shot on the Solway on July 15th, 1838,"t a remarkable 
date at that period, even though it probably does not refer 
to an occurrence within our boundary. 
During the winter of 1878-1879, when all wild-fowl were 
greatly tamed by the severity of the weather, many Tufted 
Ducks were obtained ; and I am informed by Mr. J. Hark- 
ness that about 1888 he shot several birds of this species 
near Hayberry Mill (Ruthwell). The Rev. W. McDowall 
writes me that he saw a Tufted Duck on Duncow Loch in the 
winter of 1890-1891, and Mr. Myles Quinn shot one in 
Lochar Moss in 1900 or 1901. In winter the lower reaches 
of the Cairn, the Nith (as at Carnsalloch) and of the Annan, 
become the haunts of these birds, and Mr. Milne Home 
writes me that he beheves the species occurs in Eskdale, 
while Mr. James Malcolm tells me that one was once shot 
at Eskside near Langholm. I have shot Tufted Duck at 
the Starn Loch (Penpont), and I have reliable information 
as to their appearance at Craigielands (Moffat) and Castle 
Milk (St. Mungo). Doubtless the species occurs elsewhere, 
but so loose is the application locally of the name " golden- 
eye " that many records have to be suppressed, as it is 
uncertain whether these refer to F. cristata or C. glaucion. 
So far I have dealt with the local occurrences of the 
Tufted Duck in winter. From evidence at hand it is 
beheved that it was in the spring of 1890 that the species 
nested for the first time in the county : this was at Loch- 
* Nat. Lib., 1843, Vol. XIV., p. 143. 
t H. A. Macpherson, Zoologist, 1887, pp. 385, 386. 
