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The Great Snipe (Scolopax major). 
A specimen of this bird was shot by Mr W. Boyd of Greenock, 
in September, 1868, on the lands of Corsehouse, in the parish of 
Stewarton, as narrated in Gray’s “Birds of the West of Scotland.” 
The species has likewise been shot in Kenfrewshire, on the borders 
of our district. 
The Common Snipe (Scolopax gallinago). 
Abundant in suitable localities over the district. The great 
amount of drainage, however, which has been effected during the 
last twenty years, has been the means of banishing the snipe 
from former waste lands now under cultivation. Numbers are 
yet observed in the larger drains and ditches bounding the grain 
and grass fields of the low country. 
The Jack Snipe (Scolopax gallinula). 
Strictly a winter visitant, and found in some numbers in small 
marshes and moist meadows. 
The Curlew Sandpiper (Tringa sub-arquata). 
Not commonly met with, although it is probably seldom absent, 
during the winter months, from Loch Ryan, Luce Bay, Garliestown 
shore, and the Bay of Wigtown. It can only be regarded as a 
straggler on other parts of the coast of either county, and is, for 
the most part, seen there on its arrival in the beginning of 
autumn. 
The Knot (Tringa canutus). 
So far as our observations extend, this species is rather rare in 
our district. It never appears on our shores in flocks of more 
than three or four birds. One was taken on the lantern at the 
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, in September, 1866; but Mr Gray, 
who happened to be there at the time, was informed by the 
keeper that he had never seen one in the district before. 
The Dunlin (Tringa variabilis). 
This extremely variable species, as regards size, colouring, and 
length of bill, is found in great numbers on the sea-coast, in 
sandy bays, and muddy estuaries, and is also met with, sparingly, 
during summer, breeding on the margins of little fresh water 
