BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 297 
in a list of "Birds of rare and beautiful plumage " obtained 
at Sarkfoot in 1854 and stuffed by Mr. Andrew Plender- 
leath of Longtown,* Cumberland ; and a " Buff Breasted 
Merganser is recorded from Dumfries district on January 
2nd, 1858,t while a fine male was sent to WilUam Hastings 
for preservation from Stranfasket (Glencairn) in December 
1886^ In 1888 Mr. John Corrie records a single specimen 
kiUed on the Cairn in recent years, now in the gun-room 
at Crawfordton.t This bird, shot by the late Sir George 
Walker, may still be seen there, a sadly-faded rehc of 
what was once a fine male. Mr. T. Ranken writes me from 
Dalswmton (Kirkmahoe) that the Goosander is seen on the 
Kiver Nith occasionally, and that his keeper shot two in 
1899. Mr. Hugh Mackay mentions in his MS. notes that a 
specimen sent him for preservation in January, 1895, when 
shot, vomited three eels varying from twelve to fifteen inches 
in length. Dr. J. W. Martin states in 1901 that an occasional 
bird IS seen during the early months of the year on the Cairn 
but that he only once saw a male,§ and on December 27th, 
1902, I shot a right and left at Goosanders on Scaur Water 
below Penpont. I noticed that the delicate rosy "blush" on 
the breast of the male faded appreciably within ten minutes 
of the bird being shot. None of these birds were seen on the 
bcaur subsequently until December 30th, 1909, when I saw 
two males and five females. Richard BeU of Castle O'er 
writes m 1905 that this species frequents the River Esk 
nearly every winter " and at that season are m splendid 
plumage and colour."|| He also mformed me that in 1906 
a few Goosanders were to be seen on the river there as late 
as March 28th. Miss Wallace records a male and two 
females shot by a poulterer at Lochmaben on January 24th 
1906 ; and in 1907 a Goosander was kiUed by flying against 
• Dumfries Courier, March 28th, 1854. 
t Naturalist, 1858, Vol. VIII., p. 117. 
% Trans. D. and G. Nat. Hist. Soc, November 10th, 1888. 
I Op. cit, December 13th, 1901. 
II My Strange Pets, p. 135. 
