BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
eggs taken near Dumfries, contiguous to the Lochar Moss ; 
and that on January 1st, 1909, a bird of this species was 
shot at Powfoot (Ruthwell). 
From elsewhere the Water-Rail is reported as occasionaUy 
seen in winter in Kirkconnel, Morton, Closeburn, Holywood, 
Glencairn, Johnstone, Tinwald and Kirkpatrick- Juxta ; 
but I should be sorry to give the impression that the omis- 
sion of any other parish signifies that the bird is unknown 
there. As has already been stated, this species is believed 
to be a resident which owing to its shy and retiring habits 
has gained the epithet uncommon ; and it is probably to be 
found in suitable locaUties throughout the county far more 
generally than is at present supposed. 
Sir WiUiam Jardine states that "white varieties sometimes 
occur "* but there is nothing in the context to show that this 
statement refers to local individuals ; and I am not aware 
of any such varieties obtained in the county. 
THE MOOR-HEN. Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus). 
Local names— Water-hen ; Stank-hen ; Stankie. 
A common resident on our lochs and rivers. 
The trivial name of this species had its origin at the time 
when " moor " was equivalent to " mire " and marsh t J 
and the more common local name of stankie is derived 
from the Latin stagnum, a still pond or pool. 
The Moor-hen has of late years considerably mcreased, and 
has become a nuisance in its augmented numbers because of 
the amount of ^ Pheasant's food ' it takes in the wmter months 
When Wild Duck are artificiaUy reared, the mischief it 
does in this respect is more manifest, and in their earhest 
* Nat. Lib., 1842, Vol. XII., p. 329. 
t Man. Brit. Birds, 1899, p. 517. 
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