G 
moors, ruined castles, ancl the banks of our brawling rivers, as if 
telling us, in their changed notes of autumn, that they are reluc¬ 
tantly preparing to quit our shores. 
It only remains to be added, that considerable care has been 
bestowed in authenticating the information contained in this 
catalogue. We have traversed a large extent of both counties in 
quest of species, and have, for the last fifteen years, been almost 
daily adding to our observations from which the short notes on 
each of the birds have been selected. These pleasant rambles 
and excursions, undertaken of late years for the twofold object of 
investigating the ornithology and palaeontology of the glens and 
hills of Ayrshire, have enabled us to give a somewhat accurate 
idea of the species to be found within their boundaries. A con¬ 
siderable number of the birds enumerated have been procured by 
ourselves, and preserved as cabinet specimens, and we have 
seldom introduced a species that has not come under our own 
personal notice. For some of the specimens obtained, we have 
been indebted to Dr William Anderson, now of Brigus, New¬ 
foundland, whose observations have likewise been of service to us. 
One or two remarks on certain birds injurious to farmers have 
been inserted on the authority of Mr Anderson, who has for some 
years directed his attention closely to their habits, and who has 
now matured these at a time when a full knowledge of the 
subject is of some importance both to the bird student and 
agriculturist. 
R. G. and T. A. 
Glasgow, October, 1SG9. 
