similar increase has been observed in several other parts of the south of Scotland, and north of England.

All the stone-chats (Saxicola) are to be found. The most uncommon is S. rubicola, of which a few pairs may be met with about waste brushwood, or whin-covers, during the whole year. The red-start (Phoenicura ruticilla), is an occasional summer visitant, preferring those parts of the country which abound most in copsewood.

Of the warblers, the three willow-wrens are found. The woodwren (Silvia sibilatrix) is chiefly confined to the woods on Dryfe. Lesser pettychaps (S. hippolais) very rare. Greater pettychaps (S. hortensis) abundant, and, though seldom observed, is often betrayed by its melody. The black-cap (S. atricapilla) is occasionally seen; and the sedge-warbler (Salicaria phragmites) in marshes where there is a little cover. The golden-crested-wren (Regulus cristatus) breeds here in small numbers; but during winter, when the migratory flocks have arrived, is very abundant.

Of the Titmice, five species are abundant; but the marshtit (Parus palustris), and cole-tit (P. ater), and long-tailed-tit (P. caudatus), are found chiefly in winter. A few pairs of the latter breed about Jardine-Hall; but the greater part seek the more extensive woods about Raehills, and return during winter to the lower lands.

The gray wagtail (Motacilla boarula) is found here for a few weeks in spring and autumn, when passing to and from their breeding-places among the hills. The yellow wagtail (M. flava) very common on the banks of the Annan, and is particularly noticed here as being a bird extremely local in its distribution.

The common meadow and tree pipits are abundant.

The common bunting (Emberiza miliaria) is migratory, and is met with in autumn in small flocks, and breeds in the lower pasture-lands. It also is a bird of local distribution. The snow-bunting (Plectrophanes nivalis) appears in the higher grounds in immense flocks during winter, and in severe weather visits the edges of the Annan, feeding among the sand or gravel.

The mountain finch (Fringilla montifringilla) is a winter visitant in large flocks, delighting to feed on beech-mast.

The siskin (Carduelis spinus) appears at uncertain intervals in very large flocks.

The common linnet (Linaria vulgaris) abundant. Of the lesser red-pole (L. cannabina) a few pairs breed, but large flocks arrive

in spring and autumn, and smaller parties sometimes remain during winter. The mountain linnet (L. montium) is seen but seldom. The northern linnet (L. borealis) has been seen only once or twice. It is not commonly known in Scotland.

Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is found in flocks during autumn and spring, but few in number, having diminished much of late years. In 1819 and 1820, flocks of many hundreds frequented the holms on the Annan, but of late not more than from ten to twenty have been seen together.

The raven (Corvus corax) passes over occasionally, betrayed by his croak. The hooded-crow (C.cornix) is a rare visitant, and generally found with the common corbie. The jack-daw (C. monedula) is sometimes seen varied with white. The jay (Garrulus glandarius) is very rare.

Swallows abound. But the numbers of the window-martin (Hirundo urbica), and swift (Cypselus murarius), have diminished much since the old mansion-house of Jardine-Hall was pulled down; previous to which numerous colonies of swifts built in the rents of the walls, and two or three pairs of martins tenanted every window. Now (1832) a few pairs only of each are to be found; a striking instance of the change of locality, which is constantly taking place. The martins are strictly gregarious, living in large colonies, like rooks and herons.

The spotted fly-catcher (Muscicapa grisola) common.

The common night-jar (Caprimulgus Europæus) is frequently seen, and is abundant in the opposite parishes of Lochmaben and Johnstone.

The land-rail, corn-crake, (Crex vulgaris), very abundant. The king-fisher (Alcedo ispida) occasionally seen on the Annan during winter.

The common creeper (Certhia familiaris) abundant in winter. In the breeding season it retires to the more extensive woods. The turtle-dove (Columba turtur) was once shot in Jardine-Hall garden.

The pheasant (Phasianus torquatus) was introduced here about ten years ago, and is now tolerably abundant.

The black-cock (Tetrao tetrix), and grouse (Lagopus Scoticus), abound in the higher parts of the parish; the former has, within these few years, extended to the lower district.

The quail (Coturnix vulgaris) is occasionally met with in Sep

tember and October at the time of migration.

bred here, and produced large bevies.

In 1819 they

Water Birds.-The common heron (Ardea) frequents the river from the heronry at Halleaths, a mile or two distant.

The bittern (Botaurus stellaris) once frequented this parish, but has not been observed of late years. It is still found, however, in Lochmaben and Johnstone.

The water-rail (Rallus aquaticus) is met with in ditches and about Perch-hall Loch. The spotted gallinule, or water-crake, (Crex porzana), is found around the same loch. The common coot (Fulica chloropus) breeds there also, but leaves it on the approach of winter.

The common curlew (Numenius arquata) is very abundant in the upland pastures, where it breeds, retiring on the approach of winter.

The green sandpiper (Totanus ochropus) occasionally seen on its migratory passage. Common sandpiper (T. hypoleucos), during summer abundant both in Annan and Dryfe. Greenshank (T.glottis) is seen sometimes on the Annan. Common woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), and snipe (S. gallinago), and jack-snipe (S. gallinula), all common,—the latter migratory.

The lapwing (Vanellus cristatus) abundant. Golden plover (Charadrius pluvialis) breeds in the parish, and is found in large flocks during winter. The common dotterel (C. morinellus) was met with last spring in a flock of about twenty birds. A few pairs of the ring dotterel (C. hiaticula) breed annually on the Annan. Common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) has been seen straggling up the Annan as far as Jardine-Hall.

Golden-eyed duck (Clangula vulgaris) ascends the river during winter in small flocks, most of them in the plumage of the first year; they swim up the shallow streams, and destroy considerable quantities of spawn. The scaup (Fuligula marila); the tufted duck (F. cristata); pochard (F. ferina); pintail (Anas acuta); and wigeon (Mareca penelope), are all found here. The first four are met with but seldom; the last more abundant.

The common wild-duck (A. boschas), and teal (A. crecca), are abundant, but diminishing in numbers yearly.

The wild swan (Cygnus ferus) is sometimes seen in severe winters. The bean goose (Anser ferus) in flocks frequent the flat moors and holms in the same season. The white-fronted goose (A. erythropus) is sometimes seen in small flocks. The goosander

(Mergus merganser), male and female, ascend the Annan during winter in small flocks, in which, like the golden-eyes, those of immature plumage, and females are most abundant.

The little grebe (Podiceps minor) is common in the river during winter in pairs, or in small parties of five or six. The dusky grebe (P. cornutus) has been met with once or twice.

The red-throated diver (Colymbus septentrionalis) has been once met with in immature plumage, or as the speckled diver of Bewick. The lesser black-backed gull (Larus marinus) is to be seen on the river during spring and summer almost every day.

The common gull (L. canus) in autumn and winter frequent the pasture and plowed fields in considerable flocks; the greater part, in the plumage which gives them the name of winter-gull.

The black-headed gull (L. ridibundus) breeds here, and comes occasionally during winter, frequenting the river, or following the plough.

The common tern (Sterna hirundo) is sometimes seen fishing in the Annan in spring and autumn.

II. CIVIL HISTORY.

Historical Events.-The only historical event worth noticing, connected with the parish, is stated in the following extract, from Chalmers' Caledonia, who gives as his authority, "the Royal Wardrobe Accounts:" "On the 7th of July 1300, Edward I. who was then at Applegarth, on his way to the siege of Caerlaverock, made an oblation of seven shillings at St Nicholas' altar in the parish church at Applegarth, and another oblation of a like sum in the same church, at the altar of St Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in honour of this martyr, whose translation was commemorated on this day."

Resident Proprietors, &c.—Sir William Jardine, Bart. well known for his attainments in natural history, and particularly for his valuable works on ornithology, resides constantly at his seat at JardineHall in this parish. The land-owners are six, viz. Sir William Jardine, Bart., John Herries Maxwell, Esq. of Munshes and Dinwiddie, John James Hope Johnstone, Esq. of Annandale, James Seton Wightman, Esq. of Courance and Lamonbie, Alexander Rodgerson, Esq. of Sibbaldbie, and the Honourable David Williamson Robertson Ewart, one of the Senators of the College of Justice.

Parochial Registers.-The earliest entry of baptisms is in September 1694,-of marriages December 1694, and of deaths 1777.

From the first mentioned date to April 1715, the register is regular and complete; from that time to 1749, none were kept; from 1749 to 1777, it was kept partially, and from the last date to 1832, it is regular and complete, in all the three branches.

Antiquities.-Till within these few years, the traces were visible of the foundation of a large oblong building, on the moat of Applegarth, now forming part of the minister's garden. Whether it had been, as it is supposed, the site of the church visited by Edward in 1300, or of some humbler and more modern erection, cannot now be ascertained. In trenching the moat for garden ground, a few rough squared blocks of red sandstone were dug up; and probably it had undergone the operation of trenching at some former period, in order to procure building stones. A small portion of

carved stone was found at the same time, and is now in the minister's possession, in appearance part of one of those ornamental stone crosses which in former times, were the usual appendages of Romish churches, and many of which are to be seen still standing in front of ancient monasteries in the Highlands and Hebrides. Within 200 yards of the manse, and on a small eminence, stood till lately an arched vault, the remains of one of those border keeps so common in the neighbourhood of the debateable land. It has now fallen in. About 500 yards farther to the eastward, there were found eighteen or twenty years ago, about four or five feet under the surface, the remains of a large chest, or rather its iron work, the wood having long since decayed, consisting of corner-bands, hinges, portions of the lock, &c. all of the fleur-de-lys pattern, besides a piece of ornamental work of iron, the purpose of which it is not easy to discover. It has been conjectured, in the absence of every thing like evidence, that this chest may have formed part of the equipage belonging to Edward, as it is stated in the Caledonia, that the king waited some days at Applegarth the arrival of his baggage. These articles are now in the possession of Sir William Jardine. -A venerable thorn called "the Albie Thorn," stands in a field. within 500 yards of the church, which it is said was planted on the spot where Bell of Albie fell, while in pursuit of the Maxwells after the battle of Dryfe sands.-A similar memorial marks the spot, about half a-mile distant in Dryfesdale parish, where it is said Lord Maxwell himself, at that time warden of the Western Marches, was killed.—Part of the ruins still remain of the parish church of Sibbaldbie, now annexed to Applegarth.-Roman stations are visible in several places. On Dinwiddie hill and on