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MUSCICAPIDJE. 
The Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola). 
A quiet and unobtrusive species, generally distributed. It 
builds in gardens, sometimes close to dwelling-houses; at other 
times in rocky niches, and on the main stems of trees at a distance 
from such habitations. It feeds upon various insects, including 
moths and butterflies, and is fond of a conspicuous perch from 
which it can easily detect its passing prey. 
MERULIDJE. 
The Common Dipper ( Cinclus aqmticus). 
Very common on most of the rivers and streams of both 
counties, on the banks of which it breeds in various situations. 
We have seen its nest on inaccessible walls of rock, underneath 
bridges, in abrupt banks, on moss-covered rocky boulders, and in 
holes of trees. In severe winters the families of the previous 
summer appear to re-assemble, and forage together at open pools. 
We have noticed as many as five perched on the ice, and diving 
into holes broken by ourselves to admit of their access to the 
water. One of these birds frequented for some months the beams 
of a wooden bridge thrown across the water of Girvan at Enoch 
farm. It roosted every night in the same spot, and its first act 
in the morning was to take a “header” into the stream, and 
re-appear at a little distance from the bridge, after which it flew 
off to its ordinary haunts. 
The Missel Thrush ( Turdus viscivorus). 
Now tolerably common, although a somewhat rare bird thirty 
years ago. Flocks of ten or twelve assemble in autumn, 
and frequent the fields about the time the crops are gathered. 
They seem partial to potato lands. It is now a very common 
species in the neighbourhood of Girvan. We observed about 
twenty feeding daily on Knock-a-vallie, near the shore, in 
June, 1869. 
The Fieldfare ( Turdus pilaris). 
A familiar winter visitant, resorting to the coast line in hard 
weather, where it turns over the rejectamenta left by the tides in 
search of larvae, etc. 
