ish) RA Ny i nt mh Mt \\ \ AN AY Mh 4 AY SS SS Se aoores ae = ae aS VX ASH NHIORM i tt } ie aN SN sits nN Aa? i AAetati tata ha tana tania 4) ONIN Ny : A Nit AWN AN ANN RA A SNe ARN SSAA AAS ORRR RAI SRD NOSE NXK SRR ROA EAA OKRA ONSNA x ya \\ a aN 0 My ERNE PNRM HWA eiralaaty th VE ON Nn el) NMS HHEMBRMNNH NIA RUMAH ITH RNIN OS RK MOS OI RN , NSH ah LER RA i) ‘ RS x ‘ Ny SNRs Weenananat x AM WN ay) i ua ni Mi Nhs Phare i HRM ) nn i , NH ANRHS iS \ NN ROAD AN i i i RN NORAD A TNR x NAN M) i} ‘\ ; leh HN a x ‘ ni i SE uh ‘ BEAMS) a nity Driate DL) MMA tetas Nh ‘ Hh OOS OOAMIAN NR A bat bate OHH vay x i WMI MAR) Nets i \S Vy } i) , "y tat i) RRS t i Y i} ‘ attdyi4 i} ii} } Has i) asta te 4h : 5 } : \ } i WSN ht i} i ; ‘ \ i AN ; ‘ yh eh SAND sh atetateal at : i} \ ISA YARN Diy NNtsitit Ny i RNS MMR WEARER SLO My ; SENN ih SUR SOSA RSNA SAN SUNN SH IN RRA MssFeaahceyitay ta RNR HUNMER AREER MRMR IDSA MRI HTD ny Rhy Wii, A VO ‘hy NIN Ri Hh SRE Oa \ MAMA) Wy ih AN its a ui H i 1} } a Hh 5 is a ASAIN ith vi sy i iN Ny x Nh i ni ‘i } I at i r ish SNR i, y ) t] I Nal ih) Ny th x Nat is a) ie i aN iatate si ER it Ae LS Rae 1 mt i a) ‘i Mt x xs Wik i! ! ai) TAN a SRR Ee a AN SENS an st A at ‘ aN | “ , ‘ MN ay DNR Asta} Parada At iN mi iY Rin if FO Vi iy Unit) : AR ine ¥ 5, ei) a Q UD ny aan ; NA iraiass 0 Bh } ' , Pasiaalsiisdetsh NRSRRRG i Sati ys HAIMA 4 ih \ AON! a SN nN ‘ ’ Sra ee Se SS = See f BRNIAW ARAN i SHMSHI PAN My a ‘ mf \ CHIN resesateth tase Nail i SERN RNAI a SA ; i) ti ' ' AINA RRA Nis Mie! iN i i py sli} ay Kit Pi Nye MMIC iN i iat 1 ‘i i Nin Nis aN, \ ‘ e i , Ny AOE a rae SUR D RNR ah i i Hau an My Age) SAMMI A ss saat ‘i eee aes See Spee oaeeee ‘ Hi 7 Rabi : RAKHI Mh RS WISMWRARI ANY SANNA ge 4 SE ae isis x i Hii i aN “ Nh ris ‘ Sh ah i i "% i) tages ¥, ARE pS SS Se =F a erat See LE a = a wh Bieta telat i BN Ai et \ ; ‘ oath as SET EAR RR ae eee = aa ") ai NUS ANN Se — = ws EE parma tiaae eg eee rete Six iy eft MARA Hf LN es HH th ht? a“ ) SANG = mS OS ae? pA ! ‘ . ‘ - » f ¢ ‘ : . ~ 3 ‘ * . . ‘ ‘ Ps 4 . t wr q ing r an "i Py 2 Pe - eee ial nie eel ulna he aah en Re CL er eh 8 fee bauates Vid 2.37 99S THE BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIRE VOL, EC Edinburgh: Printed by George Waterston & Sons FOR DAVID DOUGLAS, LONDON, . . SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT, AND CO., LIMITED. CAMBRIDGE, . MACMILLAN AND BOWES, GLASGOW, . . JAMES MACLEHOSE AND SONS, a\VAS BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIRE / WITH REMARKS ON THEIR LOCAL DISTRIBUTION MIGRATION, AND HABITS, AND ALSO ON THE FOLK-LORE, PROVERBS, POPULAR RHYMES AND SAYINGS CONNECTED WITH THEM BY GEORGE MUIRHEAD, FE.R.S.E., F.Z.S. ? MEMBER OF oe BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION, MEMBER OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLUB, ETC, IN TWO VOLUMES No more the screaming bittern, bellowing harsh, To its dark bottom shakes the shuddering marsh. VOL. Ii. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS 1895 [All rights reserved.] Nature never did betray The heart that loved her; tis her privilege, Through all the years of this our life, to lead From joy to joy. WORDSWORTH. . ae tan Fist : a ee O1S.AVTAR CONT EN Ts OF ¥ Ob. ACCIPITRES. FALCONID. Falco peregrinus. Falconry in Berwickshire, Falco subbuteo. >, cesalon. > tinnunculus. Pandion haliwetus. PELECANIDA. Phalacrocorax carbo. an graculus. Sula bassana. ARDEID®. Ardea cinerea. Nycticorax griseus. Botaurus stellaris. CICONIID.®. Ciconia alba. ANATID. Anser segetum. » Orachyrhynchus. 3, albifrons. Bernicla brenta. » leucopsis. Ss canadensis. Cygnus musicus. Cygnus Bewicki. Tadorna cornuta. Anas boscas. Spatula clypeata. Dafila acuta. Querquedula crecca. cA curcia. Peregrine Falcon, Hobby, Merlin, Kestrel, Osprey, STEGANOPODES. Common Cormorant, Shag or Green Cormorant, Gannet or Solan Goose, HERODIONES. Common Heron, Night Heron, Common Bittern, White Stork, ANSERES. Bean Goose, Pink-footed Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brent Goose, Bernacle Goose, Canada Goose, Whooper, . Bewick’s Swan, . Common Sheld-Duck, Mallard or Wild Duck, Shoveller, . Pintail Duck, Teal, . Garganey, . i 100 101 107 109 110 112 vi ANATIDA—continued. Mareca penelope. Fuligula ferina. an cristata. Bp marila. » Cclangula. Harelda glacialis. Somateria mollissima. Hdemia nigra. sath MN UUSC Oe Mergus merganser. », albellus. CoLUMBID&. Columba palumbus. a NUS. i livia. Turtur communis. Ectopistes migratorius. PTEROCLIDA. Syrrhaptes paradoxus. TETRAONID. Tetrao tetrix. Lagopus scoticus. PHASIANID. Phasianus colchicus. Perdix cinerea. Coturnix communis. RALLIDE. Crex pratensis. Porzana maruetta. Rallus aquaticus. Gallinula chloropus. Fulica atra. CONTENTS. ANSERES—continued. PAGE Wigeon, . : : : ‘ es Pochard, . : : : j oe ue Tufted Duck, . : : P . 18 Scaup Duck, . ‘ : : ae, VUE) Golden-EKye, . : : : 31 aZ0 Long-tailed Duck, . : : sete Wid. Eider Duck, - : ; . x welZs Common Scoter, : : i 226 Velvet Scoter, . : ? : a 27 Goosander, : : : ‘ ois Smew, : ‘ 3 - 130 COLUMB. Ring Dove, : ; : : pea ypian 31 Stock Dove, ‘ : ‘ : oA Rock Dove, : : : c - 145 Turtle Dove, . : , : > LoD Passenger Pigeon, . : : 1h DS PTEROCLETES. Pallas’s Sand Grouse, : ‘ rae tel bas: GALLINA. Black Grouse, . F A : rls Red Grouse, . : : ‘ ~ 162 Pheasant, . P ; : a) ZO Common Partridge, . : ; Si nd Whe} Common Quail, . 5 ; A J 49E90 FULICARIAE. Landrail, . ‘ ; : A . 294 Spotted Crake, . : : : we LOS Water Rail, - E : : -. 200 Moor Hen, X ‘ : i a” 202 Common Coot, . , ; : . 204 OTIDID. Otis tarda. CHARADRIID&. Charadrius morinellus. 55 pluvialis. Agialitis hiaticula. Vanellus vulgaris. Hematopus ostralegus. ScoLOPACcID. Phalaropus fulicarius. Scolopax rusticula. Gallinago major. an celestis. rn gallinula. Tringa alpina. >. striata. Machetes pugnax. Totanus hypoleucus. 3, ochropus. . calidris. » + Camescens. Limosa egocephala. Numenius arquata. Ac pheopus. LARID. Hydrochelidon nigra. Sterna fluviatilis. Larus nunutus. >» ridibundus. 3 © Canus. >» argentatus. sa UESCLLS: > marinus. » glaucus. Rissa tridactyla. Stercorarius pomatorhinus. os crepidatus. ie parasiticus. CONTENTS. ALECTORIDES. Great Bustard, LIMICOLA. Dotterel, : Golden Plover, . Ringed Plover, . Lapwing, Oyster Catcher. Grey Phalarope, Woodcock, Great Snipe, Common Snipe, . Jacksnipe, Dunlin, ; Purple Sandpiper, Fait, Common Sandpiper, . Green Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Greenshank, : Black-tailed Godwit, Common Curlew, Whimbrel, GAVIA. Black Tern, Common Tern, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Glaucous Gull, Kittiwake Gull, Pomatorhine Skua, Arctic or Richardson’s Skua, Long-tailed or Buffon’s Skua, Vii PAGE 207 210 221 224 225 231 232 233 240 241 244 246 247 245 250 252 254 256 257 258 263 264 265 266 268 275 279 285 286 287 288 292 293 294 Vili CONTENTS. PYGOPODES. ALCID. PAGE Alca torda. Razor- Bill, : : : : ape hath Uria troile. Common Guillemot, . 4 : A aby » grylle. Black Guillemot, R 4 : . 3803 Mergulus alle. Little Auk, : , : : - 3805 Fratercula arctica. Puffin, : ; : P ; 5) aihy7/ CoLYMBID&. Colymbus glacialis. Great Northern Diver, . : = 309 An septentrionalis. Red-throated Diver, . ; 4 iil PoODICIPEDID A. Podiceps cristatus. Great Crested Grebe, : : - ols $5 grisergent. Red-necked Grebe, . : : Aas ks, - nigricollis. Eared Grebe, . : : Ba fio?) » fluviatilis. Little Grebe or Dap ; . 9318 TUBINARES. PROCELLARIID. Procellaria pelagica. Storm Petrel, . : : : feel MiGRATION OF BIRDS IN BERWICKSHIRE, : ; ; 2 an ioe TABLE OF ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS MADE IN BERWICKSHIRE from 1799 until 1887, . : j : : : : eee CALENDAR OF MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF Brrps IN BERWICK- SHIRE, 1799-1887, . ; : : ? é : oo! BBE TABLE showing the earliest, latest, and average dates of He arrivals and departures of the true migratory birds which visit Berwickshire annually, with approximate notes regarding the average temperatures, and the prevailing winds, during the periods when their migrations took place, 1799-1887, . 351 TABLE showing mean monthly temperatures at Milne Graden, Berwickshire, 1857-87, . : ; ; : : , eb APPENDIX, Hawfinch, ; : : : ; : ‘ Sats! Great Spotted Woodpecker, - : : : : : . 309 ILLUSTRATIONS EM, VOL. tL PAGE BiLtuie Mire. By Joun Buair, . ‘ : : ; . Title-page HAWKSHEUGH, NEAR Fast Caste. By Joun Buarr, from Photograph, 9 Hawkx’s Hoop. By Mrs. Murirueap, . : ‘ ; é : 19 KIMMERGHAME Hovsr. By Mrs. Murrueap, from Photograph, . 20 MERLIN ON FALCONER’S GLovE. By GrorGE E. Lopes, F i 24 Osprey. By Mrs. MurrHeap, ; : ‘ : A ‘ - 29 Common Cormorants. By Mrs. Murrueap, . ; : . 32 SEA SHELL. By Mrs. Mourrqgeap, . c : ; ‘ - : 34 GANNET AND ITs Younc. By Mrs. Mutruzap, from Photograph by Wm. GREEN, Berwick-on-Tweed, . ; ; 5 : 38 Merroun. By the Hon. R. H. Scorr, . : : . facing page 48 Heron’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. MurrHEAD, . : ; 51 Hrrset Locu. By Mrs. Murrweap, from Photograph, : : 52 PLAN oF BILLIE MIRE AS IT WAS IN 1759 AND 1816. By GEORGE Murrueap, from Old Plans, : : : . facing page 58 Home CastLe. By Joun Buair, from Photograph, _. : : 63 CoLDINGHAM VILLAGE. By JouHN Biair, : : ‘ : ; 65 Tue Hue Moss, with DrrRincrons AND TWINLAW CAIRNS IN DisTaANcE. By Joun Buair, : . : . facing page 86 SHEPHERD’s Hovusre AT WEDDERLIE. By JoHN BLAIR, . : ; 89 CovE HARBOUR, NEAR CocKBURNSPATH. By JoHN BuaiR, . : 92 Barry’s STANE, NEAR REMAINS OF St. ABB’s Kirk. By JoHNn Buair, 94 4 ILLUSTRATIONS. Heap or Canapa Goosr. By Mrs. MurrHeEap, Wixp Swans. From Nature, by Mrs. MurrueEap, HEAD oF Bewick’s Swan. By Mrs. MurrHEAD, . Common WiuLp Duck’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. MurrHexap, Duns Casttr. By Mrs. Muirweap, from Photograph by GEORGE FortuNE, Duns, SaLMoN FISHING ON THE TWEED. By JouN Buair, TEAL’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. MurrHuap, Star Fisu. By Mrs. Murrweap, . Oup BRIDGE ON THE LEADER AT HARLSTON. By JouN Bair, SEA SHELL. By Mrs. MurIrRHEAD, . Appey St. BarHans. By Mrs. Muirueap, from Photograph, ErpER Ducx’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. Murrunap, Trap FoR CatcuinG Crass. By Joun Buatr, THe Wueat Stack Rock, NEAR Fast CastLe. By Joun BLAIR, from Photograph, . LADYKIRK ON THE TWEED. By JoHN BniAtR, Tuer Hirset. By Mrs. Murrueap, from Photograph, . Woop Picron’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. MurrueEap, . GALIUM APARINE. By Mrs. Murrueap, THE CLEAVER Rock, St. Asp’s Heap. By Joun Buair, facing page Doocot at Mertoun. By Joun Burr, Rocks ON WHITADDER AT EpRineron. By Joun Buair, MELLERSTAIN Housr. By Joun Bratz, from Photograph, Sprrau Housr. By Mrs. Murrueap, from Photograph, ByRECLEUGH. By JoHN BLAIR, . : ; 4 . facing page BLAEBERRIES. By Mrs. Murrueap, LEITHOLM VILLAGE. By JouN BLAtn, PAGE 95 98 99 106 108 109 112 ILLUSTRATIONS. Nisset Housr. By Joun Buarr, . CorNCRAKE’S Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. MurrHeap, Doorway, GREENKNOWE Tower. By Joun Brair, Coot’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. Murryeap, REMAINS OF BUNCLE CasTLE. By Mrs. Murrueap, from Photograph, GOLDEN PLover’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. Murrurap, RinceD Prover. By Mrs. MurrHeEap, Lapwine’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. Murrueap, . OysrER CaTcHER. By Mrs. Murrueap, Nentuorn Hovust. By Mrs. Murrueap, from a Sketch, Woopcock’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. MurrHeEap, LoNGFoRMACUS BRIDGE. By JoHN BLAtr, Sea WEED. By Mrs. Murrueap, . Common SANDPIPER’S NEst. From Nature, by Mrs. Murrueap, . OupcameBus DEAN. By JouN BLAIR, Common ReEpsHANK’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. Murrunap, . SEA SHELLS. By Mrs. Murrueap, Common Curtew’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. Murrynap, Sea SHELL. By Mrs. Muresan, . Crap. By Mrs. Murrueap, . TERNS AND THEIR Younc. By Mrs. Murrueap, . CoLp1ncHAM LocH. By Joun Brair, BLACK-HEADED GULL’s Nest. From Nature, by Mrs. Murrueap, Tor or Foun Carr, FROM CLIFF NEAR REMAINS OF ST. ABB’S Nonnery. By Joun Buarr, from Photograph, Guuu’s Foot. By Joun Buarr, HerRinG Boats at EyemourH. By Mrs. Muorrueap, from Photograph, . , ; ; : : : 2 ° xii ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Fror CargRk AND SKELLY. By JoHn BLAIR, . ; : . : 291 ON THE BERWICKSHIRE Coast. By the Hon. R. H. Scort, . : 292 SvEEPLE Rock, Perricowick. By JoHn Buair, . ; b : 294 EYEMOUTH, FROM NEAR THE Fort. By JonHn Buatr, . facing page 294 WuitrEHEuGH. By JoHn Buair, . . : : . facing page 298 PLAN oF St. ABp’s Hap, : : : : : . facing page 300 Common GuiLtemors. By Mrs. Murrunap, from Photograph by WILLIAM GREEN, Berwick-on-Tweed, . : ‘ 3 3 302 Horse Castie Cove. By Joun Brae, . 5 : : : . 304 Lirtte AuK. By Mrs. MurrHeap, : ; ; : ; , 306 Foun Carr AND THE Stack. By Jonn Buarr, from Photograph, . 308 SALMON FIsHERS’ SHIEL ON THE TWEED. By Joun Buair, . : 310 Coast oF BERWICKSHIRE, FROM THE NEIGHBOURHOOD oF CocK- BURNSPATH. By JOHN BLAIR, . : : : ; : 312 HorNDEAN CHURCHYARD. By JoHN Buarr, . : ; : : 314 WEDDERLIE House. By Joun Buair, . : C : : : 316 FIsHING ON THE Dyz. By JoHN Buatr, : : : : : 320 Sr. Asp’s Heap: Storm oN THE 14TH oF OcToBER 1881. By J. CAMPBELL Noste, R.S.A., : ; ; ; : : 323 SwatLows. By Mrs. MurRHEAD, 5 ‘ : , : : 328 Cuckoo. By Mrs. MuIRHEAD, . : : : : : : 350 THe ‘“Ripinc Tree” at SaLton, East Lorntan. By Mrs. MourrueEAD, from Photograph, . : ‘ ‘ : ; 358 WuirsoME VILLAGE. By JoHN BLAIR, . + . 5 A : 359 Porcu or AuTHOR’s Hovusr at Paxton. By JoHn Buair, . : 383 Brenives, By Joun Buair, . : : - : j : : 390 ACCIPITRES. Cay) FALCONIDZ.. THE PEREGRINE FALCON. BLUE HAWK, HUNTING HAWK, GOSHAWK, GAME HAWK, GREY HAWK, FALCON, COMMON FALCON. Falco peregrinus. The Blue Hawk, Che Hunting hawk, Che Goshawkh. A Faucon Peregrine seemed she of fremde londe. CHAUCER, Squire's Tale. As a Faucon fayre, That once hath failed of her souse full neare, Remounts againe into the open ayre, And unto better fortune doth herselfe prepayre. SPENSER, Fairie Queen. Tuts noble bird, which has obtained the name of the Hunt- ing Hawk on account of its having been so much used in former times for the chase, breeds annually on the sea-coast of Berwickshire, in the neighbourhood of St. Abb’s Head and Fast Castle, where it has had its eyrie from time immemorial.’ Writing in 1833 regarding a visit of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club to St. Abb’s Head on the 19th of June of that year, Selby, the well-known ornithologist, mentions that on reaching the cliffs immediately north of the Head, where they rise from the sea in fine, broken, and perpendicular faces to the height of several hundred feet, the attention of the members was attracted to the cry of two Peregrine Falcons—a male and a female—which were seen soaring at 1 In an ancient Rental of Coldingham drawn up after the battle of Falkirk in 1298, there is an entry of ‘‘ two aeries of Falcons,” which were doubtless situated on the adjoining coast. VOL. Il. A 2 THE PEREGRINE FALCON. a considerable height in the air, the cause of their solicitude being two of their young, which had apparently just quitted the nest, and which were seen perched on a projecting angle of the rock.’ The Rev. Andrew Baird, in his report on the united parishes of Cockburnspath and Oldecambus written for the New Statistical Account of Scotland in 1834, states that the “ Hunting Hawk” is frequently seen on the Redheugh Coast.” Mr. Robert Cowe, Oldcastles, who lived at Dowlaw for many years, has informed me that, from 1839 to 1850, it nested regularly every season near Fast Castle; and Mr. Archibald Hepburn, who contributed many interesting notes to Macgillivray’s History of British Birds, records in 1850 that “four pairs of the Peregrine Falcon breed on the coast of Berwickshire; one at Burnmouth, one at Petticowick Cove to the west of St. Abb’s, one at Ernesheugh, and a fourth at Fast Castle.”® My friend Mr. Hardy, Oldcambus, writes that the Peregrine nested at Halternsloup near Cold- ingham Shore in 1836 and 1853, and has occasionally bred in a steep, massive rock,* a short distance to the east of the Rammel Cove, since 1856. He adds that it had its eyrie at Fast Castle, Whitcheugh, and near Burnmouth, in 1857, and that it was from the last-mentioned locality that Mr. Baird of Newbyth sometimes got his Falcons. Mr. Robert Calder, Little Swinton, who spent his youth at Fairnieside, a farm on the coast near Burnmouth, of which his father was tenant, relates that the Peregrine often nested, previous to 1857, in “the cliff of the high perpendicular rock over- 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. i. p. 21. 2 New Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. ii. (Berwickshire), p. 299. 3 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iii. p. 71. + Mr. Hardy says that an old fisherman named James Fairbairn, who lived at the Cove, told him that long ago the Raven used to have its nest on this rock. 5 Letter from Mr. Hardy, Oldcambus, dated the 5th of November 1884. THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 3 hanging the well-known Gull Rock, and that Mr. Belany * frequently got the young Falcons from the nest there, and trained them, a man or boy being lowered down to the nest by a rope.” Two pairs of Falcons appear to have bred in the vicinity of St. Abb’s Head in 1859 ;° and in 1860 there was a nest in the precipice at Hawksheugh immediately to the east of Fast Castle, which seems to have been occupied on the 3rd of May 1865, when I visited that part of the coast with Mr. William Cowe, Dowlaw, who showed me the cliff at Hawksheugh up which his brother, Mr. Peter Cowe, was drawn with a rope to get the young Falcons from their eyrie in 1860.* Mr. John Wilson, Chapelhill, Cockburnspath, has kindly furnished me with the following interesting account of the taking of the young Falcons from their eyrie in the preci- pice at Hawksheugh in June 1866—the parties engaged in the adventure being Mr. Wilson, Mr. Frederick Smith, Hoprig, and Mr. William Cowe, Dowlaw. “The nest,” says Mr. Wilson, “ was just a little to the east of the castle, and from that point we could see the young ones sitting in it. We attached a blanket to a rope and dangled it over the nest, so that the Hawks might strike at it, and we thought we could draw them up to the top of the cliff while they 1 Mr. James Cockburn Belany was a surgeon in Ayton, and kept Hawks there at one time. On the oceasion of the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show at Berwick, in 1841, he exhibited his Falcons flying at Pigeons in the Magdalen Fields. He wrote a treatise upon Falconry, which was printed in Berwick in the above year. 2 Letter from Mr. Robert Calder, Little Swinton, dated 29th November 1884. 3 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iv. p. 131. 4 Mr. Peter Cowe, Lochton, who formerly lived at Dowlaw, informed me on the 5th of August 1886, that, in the beginning of June 1860, he took four young Peregrines out of their nest in the precipice at Hawksheugh, immediately to the east of Fast Castle. He was drawn up the face of the cliff from the beach, by four or five men stationed at the top of the rock, with a long rope, a chain being attached to the upper part of the rope to come in contact with the rocks and thus prevent the danger of it chafing on their sharp points. 4 THE PEREGRINE FALCON. were holding on by their talons. When they found they were being pulled up, they took to wing—being almost fully fledged—and alighted on the rocks down at the beach. We marked the spots where they settled, and, going down, had no difficulty in catching them, as they were too inex- perienced to attempt a second flight. I think we got four —Mr. Smith taking two and Mr. Cowe two. Mr. Smith reared his and had them six or eight months, when, after a long fast, they were fed unhooded, and fought over the food, the result being that one was killed in the fight, and the other died some days afterwards. Mr. Smith had begun to train them, and they would take long flights and come back at his call, and settle on his hand, but he had never flown them at game. Mr. Cowe reared one, and had it for a year or more, but it flew away and did not return, though it remained in the neighbourhood for several seasons, and used to attend him at a safe distance when he was out shooting, to pick up wounded birds.” ? Dr. Stuart of Chirnside records that upon one occasion a “cottoned ” fleeee—that is, one taken from a sheep out of health, and in which the wool is all matted together—was lowered over the precipice at Hawksheugh to the Falcon’s nest for the same purpose as the blanket was employed by Mr. Wilson and his friends.” The Peregrine is said to have bred at Blakey on the coast near Burnmouth in 1875, when a young one was found at the bottom of the rock there;* and Mr. Hardy notes that on the 12th of June 1877 he saw a pair of Falcons fly from their eyrie below the Standing Man or Souter Rock, a short distance to the west of the mouth 1 Letter from Mr. John Wilson, Chapelhill, Cockburnspath, dated the 2nd of July 1888. 2 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xi. p. 242. 3 Information from Mr. John Crockett, salmon-fisher, Burnmouth. THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 5 of Dowlaw Burn." The Peregrine nested at Fast Castle in 1879, and at Lumsden rocks in 1880.2 In 1881 it had its eyrie in the cliff at Hawksheugh, near Fast Castle ; * and in the following year it appears to have nested at Blakey.* Mr. J. Campbell-Noble has informed me that the eyrie was at Earnsheugh in 1885. On the 22nd of April 1886, a pair of Peregrines were seen by Mr. W. Evans, Edinburgh, at Fast Castle, where they appeared to be nest- ing; and the young were observed there in the following June.” The eyrie at Fast Castle was again occupied in the summers of 1887 and 1888.° In former times this species had its home in precipices on the banks of the Whitadder, and in the Lammermuirs, as well as upon the sea-coast. Mr. John Wilson, late of Edington Mains, the well-known author of British Agri- culture, has informed me that, about the beginning of this century, it bred every year in a high, red scaur at the “Blue Braes” on the south bank of the Whitadder, a short distance above Hutton Hall Mill, the nest being placed under an overhanging ledge of rocks immediately above a very deep pool called “Patie’s Pat.” The picturesque scenery on the river there, near the old tower of Hutton Hall ‘—the ancient seat of the Homes and the Johnstons —would then possess an additional interest to all lovers of 1 Mr. Hardy’s MS. Notes. 2 Mist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 387. 3 Information from Mr. W. Edington, Dowlaw. 4 Information from Mr. John Crockett, salmon-fisher, Burnmouth. 5 Information from Mr. W. Evans, Edinburgh. 6 Information from Mr. W. Edington, Dowlaw, in letter dated the 20th of July 1888. 7 One of the most picturesque seats on the banks of the Whitadder, mentioned in a ballad celebrating one of Johnnie Armstrong’s rides— Then they’re come on to Hutton-ha, They rade that proper place about ; But the laird he was the wiser man, For he had left na geir about. Pennant’s Tour, ii. p. 276. 6 THE PEREGRINE FALCON. nature, for, to its romantic beauty in the spring and early summer months, would be added the charm of A pair of Falcons wheeling on the wing, In clamorous agitation. WoRrpDswortTH, xcursion. My friend Dr. Stuart of Chirnside mentions that his brother-in-law, the late Mr. Abraham Edgar of Hutton Manse, was lowered over the cliff at the “Blue Braes” with a rope, about 1826, and took the young Falcons from the nest. The Peregrine seems to have occasionally frequented this neighbourhood for some years afterwards, for Mrs. Fairbairn, late of Allanton, relates that a specimen in the second year’s plumage was shot between Hutton Hall and the “Blue Braes” in 1833.2 The red scaur, which is now the home of a colony of Jackdaws, can be seen from a distance in the direction of Chirnside, and as it is of considerable height and precipitous, it was one of the most suitable places on the banks of the Whitadder for the eyrie of the Falcon. The rock under which the nest was placed has now fallen down, and the Peregrine has not bred there for the last sixty years.® : Lady John Scott-Spottiswoode of Spottiswoode has been so good as to inform me that, in former times, a “ Blue Hunting Hawk” used to rear its young at Corbie’s Heugh —a crag over the Bruntiburn—on Raecleugh Farm ;* Mr. Peter Scott, Lauder, whose father was for many years and 1 fist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xi. p. 242. 2 Information from Mrs. Fairbairn on the 17th of October 1887. 3 Mr. William Patterson, late of North Berwick Abbey Farm, who, when he was a boy, lived near Duns, has informed me that his father told him that the Laird of Hutton Hall estate, on which the Falcon’s nest at the ‘“‘ Blue Braes” was situated, had a pair of trained Falcons for hawking, and getting tired of keeping them, gave them their liberty. They remained in the neighbourhood of Hutton Hall and nested in the red scaur. This occurred about the middle of last century, and was said to have been the origin of the Falcon’s nest at the ‘‘ Blue Braes.” 4 Letter from Mr. P. Stormonth Darling, Kelso, her ladyship’s factor, dated the 5th of March 1886. THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 7 head gamekeeper to the Earl of Lauderdale, states that, about fifty years ago, the Peregrine nested annually on a precipice three or four miles up the Longcroft Water, in the parish of Lauder. Although it does not now breed in any of the inland districts of the county, it occasionally makes its appearance in localities at a distance from the coast. A male fre- quented the tall trees by the side of the Tweed near Paxton House for a short time in the summer of 1871, and a female was killed near Leitholm, on the 8th of May 1875, by a man who was shooting Cushats, the Falcon having swooped down at a stuffed Wood Pigeon which he had placed on the ground as a decoy.’ Dr. Stuart of Chirnside records that, on the 14th of January 1880, a Peregrine was captured by a gamekeeper at Edington, who, observing a Cushat newly killed near the place where young Pheasants were usually reared, set a trap by the side of the dead bird and secured the Falcon, which was in immature plumage.” In July 1881 a specimen was trapped near Quixwood. The Peregrine Falcon is generally to be found on the sea-coast of the county at all seasons of the year, but it is probable that the young migrate southwards in autumn along with other passing birds of this species, which then leave the northern regions of Europe for the south with the vast flocks of migrants on which they prey, and return in spring, at both of which periods the Peregrine is seen on migration at the lighthouses on the coasts of England and Scotland.’ It chooses for its nesting place a crevice or shelf in some lofty and inaccessible cliff on the sea-coast, and has eggs in 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. pp. 18, 19. 2 Ibid. vol. ix. p. 387. 3 Reports on the Migration of Birds, 1879-86. 8 THE PEREGRINE FALCON. April or about the beginning of May. It appears often to change the site of its breeding quarters from one favourite part of the sea-board to another, at irregular intervals, but sometimes continues to occupy the same eyrie for a number of years in succession. The eggs, which are generally deposited on the bare earth,! are three or sometimes four in number, and are of a dull yellow, thickly mottled and blotched with dark reddish brown. The young, which are at first covered with white down, are usually ready to be taken for taming about the second week in June, and towards the end of that month they may be seen sitting about the rocks in the neighbourhood of the nest. After leaving their eyrie, and until their first moult, the general colour of the upper parts of the young is brownish ash, the edge of each feather being rufous. The under parts are dirty white, with dark longitudinal streaks. In the adult birds of both sexes the upper parts are bluish slate colour barred with a darker tint—hence the local name of “ Blue Hawk ”—and the under parts rufous white, with dark brown transverse bars. The irides are dark hazel brown. The female, which is much larger and more powerful than the male, was, in the palmy days of hawking, known as “The Falcon,” whilst the male was called the “ Tercel- gentle.” ? The flight of the Peregrine is very rapid, and resembles 1 Mr. Peter Cowe has informed me that when he climbed to the Falcon’s eyrie at Fast Castle in 1860, he saw very little appearance of a nest in the crevice of the cliff where the young birds were; and Mr. John Wilson, Chapelhill, says that when he was engaged with Mr. W. Cowe taking the young Falcons in their eyrie there in June 1866, he observed scarcely any nesting materials around them. In the case of a Peregrine’s eyrie on an inland precipice in Inverness-shire which I personally examined in May 1866, the eggs were merely deposited in a little hollow scraped in the earthen floor of the crevice in the rock. 2 It is said to have derived the name of ‘‘ Tercel” from being about one-third smaller than ‘‘The Falcon,” but some authorities state that of the three young birds usually found in the nest of the Peregrine, two are females, and the third a male, which, on this account, is called the ‘‘Tercel.” See Harting’s Ornithology of Shakespeare, p. 52. THE PEREGRINE FALCON. 9 that of the Rock Dove. It searches over the open country or along the sea-shore for prey, which it takes by suddenly swooping down with a perpendicular or slanting descent, or by direct pursuit; but the Falcon always endeavours to keep above the quarry until a favourable opportunity of seizing it occurs. On the sea-coast it feeds chiefly upon sea-fowl and their young, and also on Rock Doves. In inland districts, game and Wood Pigeons form its principal quarry. The following places in the county appear to have derived their names from eyries of this Faleon :—-Hawksheugh, a cliff a short distance to the north of Bleakheugh, on the coast, about a mile north of Burnmouth; Hawksheugh or Castle- holes Heugh, near Fast Castle ; and Hawksheugh, a precipice on the coast near Cockburnspath. It is probable that Hawks- law,! a farm in the parish of Coldstream, and Huxton, a small farm near the Grange Wood in Coldingham parish, have derived their names from the same source. A _ part of Hallydown estate was known as Hawkslaw in 1764. 1 Called Hawkisland in a charter by Oliver Cromwell of the Lordship and Barony of Swinton, &c., dated the 26th of November 1656. See The Swintons of that Ilk and their Cadets, by Archibald Campbell-Swinton of Kimmerghame, July 1883. 2 Mr. Hardy’s MS. Notes. - ( 10 ) FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. Next will I sing the valiant Falcon's fame. Arial fights where no confederate brute Joins in the bloody fray; but bird with bird Jousts in mid air. SOMERVILLE, /e/d Shorts. BrErorE the introduction of the fowling-piece, and for cen- turies afterwards, until guns were so much improved that the art of shooting birds on the wing was acquired by sportsmen, hawking was one of the chief field sports in Scotland. It was a favourite amusement of many of our kings, noblemen, and others, who could afford the great expense which attended it, and ladies delighted to accom- pany the falconers to the field. It is a very ancient sport, having been followed in the East more than 2000 years ago; in England it appears to have been practised as early as the eighth century, and in the celebrated Bayeux Tapestry Harold is represented with a Hawk upon his hand. After the Norman Conquest it seems to have advanced rapidly, and in the succeeding centuries the rank of an individual was indicated by the kind of Hawk carried on the wrist—thus, the Gyr Falcon was carried by the king, the Peregrine by an earl, while to ladies belonged the Merlin. 1 The expense connected with falconry is mentioned in an Act of the Scottish Parliament the 1st of November 1600 :—‘‘ For sa-meikle as by common consuetude of all countries, special prohibition is made to all sorts of persons to slay Wyld- foull, Hair, or Vennison, except sik as by their revenues may bear the charges and burdings of the Hawkes, Houndes, and Dogges, requisite in sik pastymes,” &c. ° The gentle Faucon that with his fete distreineth The king’s hand. Cuaucer, The Assemble of Foules, 1561. FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. 11 The Ladye by the altar stood, Of sable velvet her array, And on her head a crimson hood, With pearls embroidered and entwined, Guarded with gold, with ermine lined ; A Merlin sat upon her wrist, Held by a leash of silken twist. 1 One of the earliest historical references to falconry in Scotland occurs in the Liber S. Marie de Melros, where we find it recorded that, in the reign of William the Lion, when Robert of Avenel gave to the Church of St. Mary of Melrose the territory of Eskdale, he reserved, along with the game, the eyries of Hawks—“ accipitrum et sperveriorum nidos.”? From the Hachequer Rolls of Scotland it appears that in 1263 Alexander 1. had a falconer at Forres.® The old Earls of Dunbar, the powerful descendants of Cospatrick, at one time had a residence at Earlston. “ At the east end of the village there was once a stronghold designated the Earls’ Tower, and on what is now termed the Hawk Kaim, the hawking house of the earls is believed to have stood.”* During the War of Independence, Patrick, the 4th Earl of March and Dunbar, strenuously supported Edward 1, and he and that great English king were on the most friendly terms. On one point they were thoroughly in unison—their mutual fondness for the noble pastime of hawking. This transpires among the Documents relative to he Hfistory eh ae Lee ue the ee o the z The an of the Last Mi instrel, canto vi. 5. Sir Walter Scott in his notes says: ‘‘A Merlin or Sparrow- “Hawk was actually carried by ladies of rank, as a Falcon was, in time of peace, the constant attendant of a knight or baron. Godscroft relates that when Mary of Lorraine was Regent, she pressed the Karl of Angus to admit a royal garrison into his castle of Tantallon. ‘To this he returned no direct answer; but, as if apostrophising a Goshawk, which sat on his wrist, and which he was feeding during the queen’s speech, he exclaimed, ‘The devil’s in this greedy glede ; she will never be full.’” —Hume’s History of the House of Douglas, 1743, vol. ii. p. 131. 2 Liber S. Marie de Metros, vol. i. p. 39: Bannatyne Club. 3 Hachequer Rolls of Scotland, 1264-1359, pp. 7-15. 4 << Harlstoun,” by James Tait, Falconhall, Kelso.—AHist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. v. p. 263. 12 FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. Lord Clerk Register, edited by the Rev. Joseph Stevenson ;1! and as the same Hawks which were used at Dunbar, the principal seat of the earl, would doubtless be taken to Earlston in the hawking season, the following entries have a certain local reference. First of all, the earl visits the king in England, and on that occasion presents him with a Goshawk (Astur) on departing, and leaves behind him his faleoner, whom the king afterwards allows to return home with a Falcon that the king had borrowed when staying in the castle of Dunbar, or, at least, had used when resident there :— ‘*HARL PATRICK.” 1296-7. & ia) tas To the Lord Patrick, Earl of March, on return- ing to his own parts, of the gift of the king, as his personal expenses of his journey home, by the king’s own hands at Ipswich, on the first day of January . xx — — ‘A CERTAIN FALCONER OF EARL PATRICK.” To Elias Spot, falconer of Earl Patrick of Dunbar, who remained with the king in attendance on John de Bickenore, with a certain Goshawk which the same earl had presented to the king during the season of Goshawks, licenced by the king to return to his said lord with a certain Falcon which the said king had in the Castle of Dunbar, in the foresaid year, of the gift of the said king, by his own hands, at Plumpton, the last day of April . : i— — To the same, of the gift of the same king, to detray his expenses in returning as foresaid is, to Earl Patrick, vizt:—From Plumpton into Scotland, for xilij days, and for feeding and liming [luring ?] his said Falcon, for the same time, by his own hands, in the same place, in the same day : - — Xvj ilij To the same, for his expenses for vij fe, poaine from London to the king, at the mandate of the king himself, on the xxiij day of April for the last reckoning, receiving by the day xijd, and for the expenses of two horses and a boy of his staying for vij days at the court before his departure towards Scottish parts as foresaid is, the last day of April for 1 Vol. ii, pp. 136, 137. FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. 13 1296-7. in Soy Oe the latest reckoning, receiving by the day vij.0, by his own hands, in the same place, the first day of May, of the giftoftheking! . . . . . — xj iiijd@ From an ancient Rental of Coldingham, drawn up after the battle of Falkirk, which took place on the 22nd of July 1298, we find that there were at Coldingham at that period two eyries of Falcons which were not saleable? On the 25th of October of that year Edward 1. of England eranted to Walter de Money all the eyries of “Falcons gentilz” in his demesne lands of Scotland, for his life, for the yearly payment of “deux piers bien affaitez.”? In 1329, shortly before the death of King Robert the Bruce, there appear in the Rolls payments for repairing and sur- rounding with a fence the house for his Hawks at his manor of Cardross.4 Later in the same century Falcons were brought to David u. from John of the Isles.° James II. seems to have been devoted to falconry, for in his reign faleconers were specially sent to Orkney for Hawks;® and in his seventh Parliament, which was “Halden at Edinburgh, the ninth daie of May, the zeire of God, ane thousand, foure hundreth, seventie foure zeires,’ he statutes and ordains—“That in time cumming na manner of persons take ane uther man’s hounds nor haulkes, maid or wilde, out of nestes, nor eggs out of nestes, within ane uther mannis ground, but licence of the Lord, under paine of ten poundes. And in lkewise that na egges be tane out of the Pertrickes nor Wilde-duik-nests, 1 T am indebted to Mr. Hardy for the above interesting extracts about Earl Patrick. 2 The Correspondence, Inventories, Account Rolls, and Law Proceedings of the Priory of Coldingham : Surtees Society, 1841. 2 Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland, vol. ii., 1272-1307, p. 261. 4 Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, vol. i., 1473-98, Preface, pp. cexlviii., ecexlix. 5 Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, vol. i., 1264-1379, p. 511. 6 Tbid. vol. viii. p. 276. 14 FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. under the paine of fourtie shillings.”' The numerous entries in the Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland of expenses connected with falconry during the reign of James Iv. show that “the champion of the dames ” was passionately fond of that sport, and we find one to the effect that “on monnunda the iiij da Januar” 1489, the king “raide to Lauder to the halkin,’? the extensive common there being well suited for that purpose. On the 19th of November 1496 he appears to have visited Home with his falconers,? where he remained for ten days, and would doubtless enjoy good sport with Lord Home and other noblemen of the Merse, for they would be able to show him not only abundance of the ordinary kinds of game, such as Partridges, Black-game, and Grouse, but like- wise Herons and Bitterns in the extensive marshes and bogs which then covered the surface of the county in every direction. “In pursuing the sport the faleoners rode on horseback, for the sake of following the rapid move- ments of the Hawks, and were accompanied by dogs for the purpose of ‘serving’ the Hawks or raising the quarry. This was sometimes done by persons who accompanied them on foot. Such were the ‘laddis that ran with the king at the halking,’ and the ‘childer that chasit dukis in the dubbis and set thaim up to the halkis.’”® 1 The Laws and Acts of Parliament made by the Kings and Queen of Scotland. Collected by Sir Thomas Murray of Glendook : Edinburgh, 1681, p. 64. 2 Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, vol. i., 1473-98, p. 127. 3 Ibid. p. 306. 4<*Tt was usual on excursions of the kind to be accompanied by a water-dog, because the Hawk and its prey sometimes both fell in the water; and in their struggles the Wild-fowl, from its greater power when on the surface of that element, frequently imperilled the safety of the Hawk by plunging and diving. The fowler, meanwhile watching his bird in case of danger, would send the dog to the rescue, which was so trained that it never attempted to injure the Hawk, but seized the Mallard, or whatever fowl it might be, and brought it to its master.”—Folkard, The Wild Fowler, p. 12. 5 Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, vol. i., 1473-98, Preface, p. celiii. FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. 15 A trained Falcon was of great value, and was a fitting present for a prince to give or receive. On the 21st of September 1488 James Iv. gave £180 to the “Erle of Angus for a Halk;”1 and large sums were paid for the expenses of faleconers going in the beginning of May to “the Northland for Halkis.” ° In a royal inspeximus granted by the same king at Edin- burgh, on the 24th of February 1490, of a charter in favour of the Prioress of the Cistercian Abbey of Coldstream, of a ploughgate of land in the town of Lanele, in the sheriffdom of Berwick, granted at “Caldstreme,” on the 24th of June 1489, by John Liddell of “ Lanele,” the reddendo is fixed at a pair of hawking gloves, or twelve pennies.’ In this charter hawkings, huntings, and fishings are specially con- veyed,* as was usual in deeds of the kind at that period. About this time it seems to have been the habit of gentlemen to carry their Hawks constantly with them, and even to take them to church. Alexander Barclay, who lived in the time of James v., thus alludes to this unseemly custom :— Into the church then comes another sotte, Without devotion, jetting up and downe Or to be seene, and to showe his garded cote ; Another on his fiste a Sparhawke or Fawcone. One time the Hawkes bells jangleth hye, Another time they flutter with their winges ; And now the houndes barking strikes the skye, Now sounde their feete, and now the chanyes ringes, They clap with their handes: by suche maner thinges They make of the church for their Hawkes a mewe, And canel for their doges, which they shall after rewe.? Mary Queen of Scots, like her ancestors, was fond of 1 Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, vol. i., 1475-98, p. 95. 2 Ibid. pp. 177, 200, 275. 3 Chartulary of the Cistercian Abbey of Coldstream, by the Rev. Charles Rodgers, 1879, Preface, p. xix. 4 Tbid. p. 51. 5 Sibbald, Chron. Scot. Poet., vol. ii. pp. 437, 438. 16 FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. hawking, and it is in her reign that we first hear of the gun being used in Scotland to kill wild-fowl, “ quhair- throw, the Noblemen of the Realme, can get na pastime of halking and hunting like as has bene in times by-past.” The destruction to sport, “be occasion foresaid,” seems to have been considered so serious, that on the 29th of May 1551 the Scottish Parliament passed the following Act-— “ Anent them that schuttis with gunnis at Deare and Wilde- fowle ” :—* The samin daye, for-sa-meikle as it was devised, statute, and ordained of before, that nane of Our Soveraine Ladies Leiges, sulde take upon hande to schutte with Halfe- hag, Culvering, or Pistolet, at Deare, Rae, Wilde-beasts, or Wilde-fowles, under the paine of death: Notwithstanding Our Soveraine Ladies Leiges daylie and continuallie in- contrair the tenour of the Actes maid thereupon, incurrand the paines conteined in the samin, schuttis with the Halfe- hag, Culvering, and Pistolette, at the saidis Wilde-beastes and Wilde-fowles, quhair-throw the Noblemen of the Realme, can get na pastime of halking an hunting, like as has bene had in times by-past, bee reason that all sik Wilde-beastes and Wilde-fowles ar exiled and banished, be occasion foresaid, etc: It is ordained that nane of Our Sov. Ladies Leiges, of quhat-sumever degree hee be of, take upon hande to schutte with Halfe-hag, Colvering, or Pistolet under the paine of death and confiscation of all their gudes. The taker sall have the escheit of the persones gudes hee apprehendis and sall be rewarded utherwaies, as accordis for his laboures.” ! On the 20th of June 1555 another Act was passed “Anent the slaying of wilde-beasts, wilde-fowles, halking and hunting,” whereby it was enacted that “na man take in hand to ryde or gang in their nichbouris corne in halking or hunting, fra the Feast of Pasche unto the 1 The Laws and Acts of Parliament made by the Kings and Queen of Scotland. Collected by Sir Thomas Murray of Glendook: Edinburgh, 1681, p. 142. FALCONRY IN BERWICKSHIRE. V7 time that the samin be schorne, and that na man ryde or gang upon quheate na time of the zeir, and that na Partrick be taken unto the Feaste of Michael-mes. Ten poundes for the first fault, twentie poundes the nixt, and the thrid fault escheitting of their guds moveable.”! \eeusnd free x | pyaizuy BJOUD! 7 Mojs/Dy irs é a ae —_* 7 } t THE COMMON BITTERN. 59 from the above road to a short distance beyond Causeway- bank, as it was in 1816. For the use of the plan of the western part I am indebted to Colonel Milne-Home of Wedderburn, and for that of the eastern portion I have to thank Mr. John Blackadder, Blanerne, who has likewise kindly favoured me with some notes regarding the drainage of the Mire. This, it appears, was done by deepening the western outlet of the superfluous waters of the Mire, and cutting a deep cast or ditch along the centre of the valley to lead the water to the western outlet. Mr. Blackadder, in his notes, says: “Sir William Hall of Whitehall, about the year 1780 or 1785, when the Duke of Bridgewater’s canals were working in Lancashire, had a survey made for a canal from Eyemouth to Duns, to pass through Bille Mire, Billie Burn, and the ravine south of Elfole, and terminate near the present Manse. The cast was cut in the year 1801 or 1802. John Wait and Thomas Wilkie, Chirnside, were the contractors. Several people in Chirnside remember the whole of the Mire on the east of the Mire Bridge being covered with water, one cart only being able to pass at a time where the present bridge is built. The edges of the swamp were covered with rushes and black-headed reeds or canes, which were cut by the people of the adjoining villages for thatching their houses. After the cast was made, Mr. George Logan, tenant of Auchencrow Mains, drained his side of the bog, and for several summers employed his men and horses before harvest to cut the present Mire Brae road, carting the earth which came from the cutting— some thousands of loads—and spreading it on the moss to firm it. During the drainage operations he discovered upwards of twenty querns or hand corn-mills, supposed to be some of those left by General Leslie’s army when it crossed the Mire near the site of the causeway stones, which are yet to be seen at this point. It would seem that the 60 THE COMMON BITTERN. cast which was made in 1801 or 1802 removed only a part of the water from the Mire, which therefore remained much in its natural state, and that the inhabitants of the neighbouring farms still occasionally heard The Bittern sound his drum, Booming from the sedgy shallow, Scorr, Lady of the Lake, for Mr. William White, Lennel Hill Farm, has informed me that he remembers hearing the Mire Drum in the Mire when he was a boy living with his father at Causewaybank between 1815 and 1825. He went to reside at Causeway- bank in the former year, and lived there for upwards of sixty years. He says that the Mire was then much in its natural state, and that it was not effectually drained until about 1830 or 1835.1 Mr. John Blackadder states that the late Mr. David Aitchison, Oldcastles, told him that his (Mr. Blackadder’s) father, about the beginning of this century, shot the last Mire Drum that was seen in Billie Mire, and that it was killed towards the east end of the bog, near Blackburn; also that the late Mr. Archibald Hood, Sunnyside, who often went out to shoot in company with the late Mr. Blackadder, gave a corroborative account of the incident. Mr. Wilson of Welnage informed me on the 4th of May 1886, that an old man named Jamie Slight, who used to live at Nethermains, near Chirnside, told him that he had frequently shot the Bittern at Billie Mire before it was 1 During the drainage operations the roots of oak and other trees were dis- covered. The farm steward at Causewaybank informed me when I visited the site of Billie Mire with Mr. John Blackadder on the 28th of April 1886, that when Mr. White, the tenant of Causewaybank, had occasion to bury horses or other animals which died on the farm, graves were dug for them in the soft soil of the Mire, and at the depth of five or six feet pieces of bog oak were found, also hazel nuts. He said that some years ago a considerable quantity of bog oak was discovered, and that a gentleman in the neighbourhood got it for the purpose of having a table made with it. THE COMMON BITTERN. 61 drained ; also that John Davidson, an aged farm servant at Oldcastles, who had been brought up there, had mentioned to him that in his youth he had often heard the Bull o’ the Bog bellowing at night in the vicinity. Mr. Thomas Hewit, Auchencrow, stated to me on the 23rd of June 1886, that in his younger days he had fre- quently heard old people speak of hearing the Bull o’ the Bog in the neighbouring Mire; and Mr. John Ferguson, Duns, relates that he has got similar accounts from villagers at Chirnside. A male Bittern was shot at the Hirsel in 1817, and another in the following year ;! and a specimen was killed at Redheugh, in the parish of Cockburnspath, by Mr. Johnston, on the 6th of December 1834.2 Mr. Kelly, Lauder, writing in 1875, says: “I have ascertained from Mr. Simson that Huntleywood Moss was once (1810) a favourite haunt of the Bittern, or ‘ Bull o’ the Bog;’ and for thirty years later occasional birds have been gotten, but it is now quite deserted.”® The last example seen in the neighbourhood of Mellerstain, according to Mr. John Thomson (writing in 1886), was “shot on Minchie Moss about forty years ago.” Mr. John Aitchison, plasterer, Duns, informed me on the 20th of May 1886, that a Bittern was shot by John Hogg, gamekeeper, Preston, about 1851, on the estate of Cumledge near the Knebs Rocks, on some rough ground by the side of the Whitadder, not far from the place where the old Waulk Mill stood. It was killed in the “ back end” of the year, and was “ stuffed ” by Mr. Henderson, cabinetmaker, Duns. It was seen in his hands by Mr. Aitchison, Mr. W. Duns, builder, Mr. W. Marshall, blacksmith, and Mr. Thomas Cockburn, baker, all 1 These specimens are in the Hawick Museum, where I saw them on the 27th of August 1890. The labels upon them state that the birds were preserved by ‘John Wilson, College Preserver of Birds and Quadrupeds to the Museum in the University of Edinburgh.” ? Hist. Ber. Nat, Club, vol. i. p. 66, 3 [bid, vol, vii. p. 305, 62 THE COMMON BITTERN. of Duns. In October 1882 Mr. Andrew Brotherston, bird- stuffer, Kelso, informed me that a Bittern was seen and heard at Lithtillum or Ferneyrig Bog, about 1874, by Mr. W. Paterson, gamekeeper to Sir John Marjoribanks of Lees, Bart. There can be little doubt that in ancient times, long before the days of agricultural improvement and drainage, while as yet the Merse was covered with bogs and morasses which are now drained, the Bittern was found in every dis- trict of the county ;' and it may be well supposed that King James Iv., who frequently resorted to Bathgate Bog? to fly his Falcons at the Bittern there, would not fail to take an opportunity of trying their mettle at this noble quarry in some of the Berwickshire marshes, when he visited Lauder ® and Hume Castle * with his falconers. The bird was in olden times esteemed as a luxury for the table, and ranked with the Heron.® It was formerly comparatively plentiful in the fen districts of England, where it bred. It still visits many parts of that country, and occasionally Scotland, on migration during the winter months, especially in severe seasons. The latest recorded instance of its nest being found in Great Britain was at Upton, in Norfolk, on the 30th of March 1868.° The Bittern is very shy and retiring in its habits, hiding in thick reed beds during the day, and generally leaving these only by night or when accidentally disturbed. Seebohm says: “Its flight is slow, steady, and silent, and, 1 See The Haigs of Bemersyde, by John Russell, Advocate, 1881. 2See Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, 1473-1498, Preface, p- eclii. 3The King “‘raide to Lauder to the halkin” on the 4th of January 1489,— Ibid. p. 127. 4The King went to Hume Castle, apparently on a hawking expedition, with Hannay and Alexander Law, falconers, on the 19th of November 1496, and remained there ten days.—Jbid. p. 306. 5 Birds of Norfolk, Stevenson, vol. ii. p. 173. 6 Yarrell’s British Birds, fourth edition, vol. iv. (1884-85), p. 209, THE COMMON BITTERN. 63 like its allies the Herons, its legs stretch out behind in a line with the beak, the head being drawn up between the shoulders whilst flying. It is far more nocturnal in its habits than any of the Herons, and the boom or love song of the male is heard at all hours of the night during the breeding season, and never in the day. It is a weird, unearthly noise, not to be dignified by the name of note, and may be heard at a considerable distance. The bird is so shy that the noise is instantly stopped on the slightest alarm. Some writers have likened it to the bellowing of a bull; others think it resembles the neighing of a horse; whilst more imaginative ornithologists trace in it a resem- blance to their ideal of demoniac laughter. It consists of two parts—one supposed to be produced as the bird inhales, and the other as it exhales its breath. Naumann attempts to express it on paper by the syllable ii-prumb, repeated slowly several times. The call-note, which is common to both sexes, is a hoarse croak like the ca-wak of the Night Heron, or cry of a Raven, and is sometimes heard when the birds are on migration; but the ‘boom’ is only heard from the reeds, and as it is uttered the bird is said to stand with its neck stretched out and its beak pointing upwards.” ? 1Seebohm, British Birds, vol. ii. (1884), p. 504. HERODIONES. ( 64 ) CICONUD, THE WHITE STORK. Ciconia alba. Where the Rhine loses its majestic force In Belgian plains, won from the raging deep By diligence amazing and the strong Unconquering hand of Liberty, The Stork Assembly meets, for many a day Consulting deep and various ere they take Their arduous voyage through the liquid sky. THOMSON, Autumn. A FINE specimen of this very rare bird was shot in a field on the farm of Blackpotts, near Coldingham, in 1848, and was for many years in the collection of Mr. William Patter- son, Abbey Farm, North Berwick, where I have frequently seen it. The White Stork occasionally visits the British Islands during the spring and autumn migrations, but has seldom ‘occurred in Scotland. It winters in Africa, and in summer breeds in most of the countries of Europe, where its arrival in spring is looked upon with great pleasure by the inhabit- ants. It migrates by day, and at a great height. Seebohm says that its flight differs somewhat from that of the Heron, the neck being stretched out instead of being folded up until the head comes between the shoulders; and that, though the legs are stretched out behind, and the neck and bill extended in front, they are not in a straight line as in that bird, but both legs and neck are slightly drooped, so as to form a distinct curve. The Stork feeds chiefly on frogs and fish, but lizards, snakes, small animals, young birds, and insects, are all THE WHITE STORK. 65 devoured by it. Its supposed antipathy to snakes is thus referred to by an ancient Scottish poet :— The Cygonie that foul so whyte Quhilk at the serpents hes despyte Come granen to the ground.1 1 Burel’s Pilg., Watson’s Coll., ii. 27.—From Jamieson’s Scot. Dict. VOL, II. ANSERES. ( 66 ) ANATIDA:. THE BEAN GOOSE. WILD GOOSE, SMALL GREY GOOSE, NARROW-BILLED GREY GOOSE. Anser segetum. The Mild Goose, THE PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. WILD GOOSE, SHORT-BILLED GREY GOOSE. Anser brachyrhynchus. The Wild Googe. And Wyld Geis eik claking by nychiis tyde, Attour the ciete feand hard I glyde. GAWIN DouGLas, A Description of Wynter. “A straw for your wandering spirits,” said Adam Woodcock, ‘‘ I mind them no more than an Erne cares for a string of Wild Geese.” SIR WALTER Scott, The Abbot. IMMENSE flocks of Wild Geese frequent Berwickshire during the autumn and spring months, consisting of the Bean Goose, with its Pink-footed congener; and as the relative number of the two kinds is a matter of conjecture, owing to the similarity of their plumage—whilst their habits are 1Seebohm says: ‘‘The Pink-footed Goose can scarcely be regarded as more than a local race, or an island form of the Bean Goose. With the exception of the fact that its notes are said to be sharper in tone and more rapidly repeated than those of the Bean Goose, it is not known to differ from that bird in any of its habits.” —British Birds, vol. iii. (1885), pp. 498, 499. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 67 alike—it has been considered advisable to include them both in this article. The arrival of the Wild Geese in autumn is looked upon by the country people as a kind of land-mark in the calendar, being a subject of popular observation ; and when they come before their usual period it is said to be a sign of an early winter. They are generally seen for the first time in the season passing high overhead in a wedge-shaped flock,? the attention of the people in the neighbourhood being usually attracted to them by the well-known “ Honck, honck,” of the birds; and, when they are descried, they are usually seen in stately and marshalled flight three or four hundred feet high in the air. Amongst many records of their arrival in the county in autumn from 1800 to 1886, kindly given to me by Mr. Hardy, Oldcambus, the earliest is dated the 1st of October 1884, when they came to the Broad Bog, near Penmanshiel, just as harvest ended, and continued there in great numbers ; the average date of their first appearance in autumn is the 26th of October, when they are generally observed flying from the north-west to the south-east. They have certain favourite resorts, which are usually on bare, open, moory ground, such as in the locality last mentioned, or the Hule Moss in the parish of Greenlaw. They also frequent large open fields where they can have a good view of the approach of an enemy. When a flock 1The Earl of Haddington mentioned to me in a letter in 1887 that, in his experience, the most of the Wild Geese seen in Berwickshire are Bean Geese. Mr. Gray, writing of this species in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, vol. vii. p. 465, says: ‘‘ This bird seems to have been very scarce in the winters of 1874-75, the Pink-footed Goose having apparently taken its place. Unusual numbers of the latter bird have been seen and killed in Berwickshire and EKast- Lothian, and even in Stirlingshire, where it has hitherto been a complete stranger.” 2 It is supposed that by flying in the shape of a wedge, or a straight line, they cut the air with greater ease individually than if they flew in a confused flock, and that the leader drops behind when fatigued, his place being taken by another bird, 68 THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. has selected a spot on which to alight, the Geese may be seen circling slowly round and round, first at a consider- able height, and then gradually getting lower and lower until they reach the ground, when they all stand motion- less for some time, with erect head and neck, watching attentively. If nothing suspicious is noticed, they com- mence feeding, one of their number, however, always acting as a sentinel to warn the others of any appearance of danger. When the sentinel gives the note of alarm the Geese run up to him, and, uttering their loud grating cries, take to flight, at first without any order, though after gaining some height they assume their usual wedge shape. There is no better sport with the gun in this country than stalking Wild Geese, the sportsman having to exercise all his powers to get within range of these wary and almost unapproachable birds. Sometimes he has to crawl on his hands and knees for long distances, behind hedges and dykes, and often along wet ditches; but these difficulties are all forgotten when his hopes are crowned with success.! Unwearied patience, persevering toil, Alone can crown the fowler’s eager hopes, Whate’er the season or whate’er the sport. VINCENT, Fowling. The late Earl of Wemyss was well known in Berwickshire as a keen and successful stalker of Wild Geese, and many anecdotes are related of his skill. One day, about twenty- five years ago, when fox-hunting near Reston, he was in- formed that some Wild Geese were frequenting the farm of Heughhead, then occupied by Mr. Joseph Allan, and although his Lordship’s residence, Lennel, was about sixteen 1 John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe—the Bibliomania Duke—‘‘lay for hours together, though snow fell at the time, beside some lonely spring in the Cheviot Hills, where he expected the precarious chance of shooting a Wild Goose when the dawning should break.”—Chamb. Scot. Biog. Dict., iii. p. 309. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 69 miles distant, he returned to Heughhead early on the fol- lowing morning with his gun, and after a difficult stalk succeeded in shooting two Geese out of a flock on Draeden Field. He sometimes used a stalking pony to get up to the watchful birds, keeping it walking in front, between him and them, to conceal his approach? Stalking Wild Geese requires all the strength and ardour of youth on the part of the sportsman, and yet we find from the following letter, written by Mr. Alexander Brown, gamekeeper, Gosford Lodge, that in 1871 Lord Wemyss, then in his seventy-sixth year, was still enjoying that exciting sport :—“ Gosford Lodge, Longniddry, October 9th, 1886. I can quite well remember the occasion of my dear old master shooting the Wild Goose of which you speak. It was in the Bog Field on Little Swinton Farm, about 7 o’clock on the morning of the 15th of March 1871. There was a large flock, and his Lordship got within forty yards of them. On the following Saturday he shot other two Geese on Simprim Mains, not far from Ladykirk Lodge, about 11 o’clock in the forenoon. His Lordship was riding a dun pony. It was the last year we were at Lennel.’”’? Great flocks of Wild Geese frequented the farm of Fenton- barns, near Drem, East-Lothian, in the autumn, winter, and spring months of 1867-68. They began to come there about the end of November and left in the beginning of April. The grass lands, as well as those sown with wheat after potatoes, were their principal resorts; but they had certain favourite fields upon which they alighted and fed, and seemed to prefer those which were either quite flat or had rising ground in the centre, from which they could 1 For this information I am indebted to Mr. James Bertram, the present tenant of Heughhead Farm. 2 Mr. James Hardy’s MS. Notes, 1842. 3 This letter was written to Mr. John Miller, Ladykirk West Lodge, now forester to Colonel Milne-Home of Wedderburn, at the Grange, near Coldingham. 70 THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. easily observe the approach of an enemy. They very seldom ventured near any of the hedges, but generally kept about the middle of the field at a considerable distance from the fences or ditches, and were exceedingly vigilant and wary. Although I tried very often to creep up to them when they were feeding, I never succeeded in doing so, the birds always discovering me before I got near enough to use my gun with effect. The only way of getting within range of them which I found successful was by marking a flock from a distance with a telescope and then concealing myself behind a thick part of the hedge of one of the adjoining fields in the line of flight usually taken by the Geese when rising from the particular ground on which they were sitting. Before gomg to my place of conceal- ment I used to instruct a boy in what direction to put them up, and, if he managed well, they sometimes came straight over my head within shot. In that way I had the satisfaction of bringing down a Goose occasionally with my gun. They sometimes sat all night in the fields when there was moonlight, but generally resorted to Gullane Sands in the evenings and returned to their feeding grounds in the mornings, shortly after sunrise. In Berwickshire Geese appear occasionally to remain on the open moors at night. When they are seen winging their way from the north- west to the south-east it is probable that they are proceeding to Fenham Slakes in Northumberland, and when flying high to the north-west, Gullane Sands in East-Lothian may be their destination. They continuously frequent many locali- ties in the county during the autumn months, and stay throughout the winter, when the weather is open, the latest recorded date at whieh they have been observed being the 22nd of May 1886, when Mr. Clay, Kerchesters, saw a flock of twenty flying over “ Gibbs’ Cross” field on the farm of THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 71 Wedderlie about 7 p.m., and heard a Cuckoo at the same time. He considered this to be unusually late for Wild Geese in that neighbourhood. During spring they are very fond of visiting ground newly sown with oats, which they greedily devour.’ They likewise do considerable damage to young grass, and render the pasturage foul with their droppings.” They are sometimes trapped on the fields which they frequent * by ordinary rabbit traps being set and carefully covered with fine soil on the ground where they feed, but when any are caught the flock does not usually return to the same spot for a season.* As the haunts of Wild Geese in Berwickshire are grad- ually getting fewer in number, and many localities which were frequented by them in former times are now forsaken, the following list of farms and fields in each parish of the county which are still visited by them may not be without interest, and may prove useful for future reference. The information contained in the schedule has been supplied by the correspondents whose names are given below, and whom I take this opportunity of thanking for their kindness in responding to my enquiries. 1 “ March 20th, 1858.—One of the outer fields on Penmanshiel, surrounded by moor, was once an extensive bog, its name being the Braid Bog. Finished sowing it to-day. It was then frequented by Wild Geese, which at night ate the corn not fully harrowed in.”—J. Hardy’s MS. Notes. 2“ October 5th, 1837.—One Goose will eat as much as a sheep, besides what it will defile. Sheep will not graze after them.”—J. Hardy’s MS. Notes. 3 Mr. Joseph Caverhill, Abbey St. Bathans, informed me on the 18th of January 1887, that Wild Geese had been sometimes trapped on Godscroft Woodheads by Mr. James Hunter. He told me at the same time that, in the autumn of 1886, Mr. William Allan made a successful double shot at Wild Geese on the farm of Bow- shiel, bringing down a Goose with each barrel of his gun; and that in the spring of that year Mr. David Purves, gamekeeper, Butterdean, killed two Geese in the same way on Harelawside. Mr. Caverhill likewise mentioned that Mr. John Moffat, Bankhead, killed seven Geese on Fannanside, near Godscroft, in the autumn of 1885. 4 A female Wild Goose was caught in a trap at Penmanshiel Moor in October 1842. The Geese never went near the spot where it was trapped during the remainder of the season.—J. Hardy’s MS. Notes. 72 Parish. Farm, Fields on which the Wild Geese alight. Date when they come in Spring, with Remarks. Date when they come in Autumn, with Remarks. Abbey St. | Quixwood. Bathans. Abbey St. Bathans. Barnside. Broomhill & Yellow Craigs, two large fields ad- joining each other. Abbey St. Bathans Moor. Whiteburn.} On all the fields of the farm. Godscroft. | On fields Shanno- bank. Cocklaw. Bunkle. Preston. Blanerne Fast. that are sown with oats. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Name and Address of Correspondent, They do not alight | In October. They| John Hogg of in spring, but are seen passing over from the south in April. From 12 to 30 in a flock. They do not alight in spring. Usually come in March. Not often seen after first week of April, generally travelling north. From middle of March to middle of April. Two Wild Geese were seen ona field on Cocklaw in March 1882. have alighted only once iu the last 15 years— about 5 years ago. Are seen passing over from north to south. About 30 to 100 in a flock. The first week of October, They stay about a week, coming from north and departing south- wards. 60 to 70 in a flock. In the beginning of October. Generally come from north, going south- wards. 10 to 20 in a flock. They come from middle of Octo- ber to middle of November, gen- erally travelling southwards. They very seldom comein autumn. Flock seen alight- ing on this farm 6 or 8 years ago. Quixwood, Grantshouse, 21st Oct. 1886. James Shiel, gamekeeper, Abbey St. Bathans, Grants- house, 12th Oct. 1886. James J. Ran- kine, Barnside, Grantshouse, 7th Oct. 1886. George Cockburn, Whiteburn, 4th Oct. 1886, William Hunter, Godscroft, 29th Sept. 1886, Thomas Cock- burn, steward, Whitsome New- ton, 16th March 1886. James Purves, gamekeeper, Mordington, 12th April 1884. Damhead, Herd’s Acres, 32 acre field, on hilltop. Beginning of March. Often see large flocks flying north in spring. Wild Geese have been seen on farm several times during last 15 years. A flock of 13 was seen on Dam- head Field on 13th Oct. 1886. Seen in autumn. John Barrie, gamekeeper, Preston, Duns, 13th Oct. 1886. John Blackadder, East Blanerne, Chirnside. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 73 Hild oie Date when they | Date when they Name and Parish. Farm. Wil 4G © | come in Spring, | come in Autumn, Address of Stiohe with Remarks. with Remarks. Correspondent. ght. Bunkle— | Lintlaw. | Bogieside. Large flock Robert Bruce, continued. settled in field gamekeeper, called Bogieside} Blanerne, Chirn- on 14th Oct. side, 25th Oct. 1886. 1886. Mayfield. | About 52 | They used to come W. Dunlop, May- years ago | in March and field, 12th Oct. they used | April. 1886. to fre- quent all the tields on the farm, but none have been seen on it for 25 years. Channel- | Glengelt. Sometimes alight} Thomas M. Skir- kirk. on Glengelt ving, Glengelt, fields, but not so} Channelkirk. often now as for- merly. They visit the farm in October and November. Over- Road Field,| In March; cease | In October; Robert Sharp, howden. | Croft Field,| coming about cease coming Overhowden, and Hill end of April. about end of 12th Oct. 1886. Field. Come from November. south, go north. | Come from Flocks large. north, go south. Flocks small, Bower- Flock of 6 John Fleming, house. alighted on farm| Jun., Bower- on 6th Oct, 1886.) house, 8th Oct. They came from] 1886, the east. Wild Geese have al- ways frequented the farm. Hartside. | Fields sown] Come in March Not seen in John Bertram, with corn.| and April gener-| autumn. Hartside, Ist ally. Oct. 1886. Chirnside. | Edington About 1845 a flock John Wilson, Mains. alighted on the Welnage, Duns, farm on a knoll 14th May 1886. in the field in front of farm house, three of which were shot by Mr. Wilson’s brother. Cockburns-| Ecclaw. In April. From | In October. John Darling, path. south to north. From north to Eeclaw, Cock- south. burnspath, 21st Oct. 1886. Edmond- | Camps. dean. EEE EEE 74 Fields on which the Wild Geese alight. Parish. Farm. Date when they come in Spring, with Remarks. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Cockburns-| Bowshiel. path— continued. Oak Tree Field, Tunnel Field. Redheugh. | Frequent Moor, Redheugh Hill, and Meikle Blacklaw. A pair seen on Fairside Field for a few days in Feb. 1887, one of which was shot. Broad Bog fields (100 acres in ex- tent), sur- rounded by moor, on which they often rest. They feed on all the sur- rounding farms. Penman- shiel, en esa SSS SS ee After the corn is sown. About 15 or 20 in a flock. They usually come in the second week of April, and leave about the middle of May. As many as 200 have been counted on the Broad Bog after the fields were sown. They have always fre- quented these fields, but many more than usual have been seen during the last two seasons. Flocked through March and April 1836 and 1837 on Penmanshiel Moors. One was caught in a trap on the Moor in Oct. 1842. The Geese never went near the spot where it was trapped all the remainder of the season. Flock seen on Penmanshiel 21st Feb. 1863. Early year. Wild Geese re- appeared 9th March 1865. Large flock, 50 or 60, have fre- quented Broad Bog and How- park high ground for three Date when they Name and come in Autumn, Address of with Remarks. | Correspondent. In October. 2 William Allan, shot 8th Oct. 1886. Flocks consist of about 50 or 60. Bowshiel, Cock- burnspath, 9th Oct. 1886. John Allan, Red- heugh, Cock- burnspath, 30th Sept. 1886, and Feb. 1887. About the begin-| Arthur Hardy, ning of October, | Penmanshiel, and leave about| Ist Dec. 1886. the end of Nov- ember. 101 were counted ina flock in Aug. 1886, but they generally break up into smaller flocks. James Hardy, Oldcambus.— MS. Notes. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 75 ae Date when they | Date when they Name and Parish. Farm. | wild Geese | COMe in Spring, | come in Autumn, Address of alight with Remarks, with Remarks. | Correspondent. Cockburns-| Penman- weeks, resorting path— shiel— to each alter- continued.| continued. nately. They are damaging the grass.—29th April 1879. 8th Feb, 1880.— Small returning flock seen on 27th March; a great flock on moors behind Penmanshiel and Howpark, where they con- tinued eating much grass until the 24th April following. 7th March 1881,— Came in great numbers to moors at Pen- manshiel, and continued until 31st March, 8th Oct. 1886.— Wild Geese at Penmanshiel Broad Bog. 13th Nov.—They have damaged a great deal of corn on the moor exposed during October, owing to the bad weather of that month. They alighted on the stubble and pulled the sheaves to pieces. They sit in the middle of the field during the day. Colding- |Renton- | Fifty Acre |Come when fields Alexander C. ham. barns. and Green-| are sown with Hastie, Renton- wood corn, and remain barns, 18th Oct. Fields. for a week or 1886. ten days in the vicinity. Mont North Hill | About April, and | Not seen on farm | R. J. Scott, Mont Albane. and Moor | frequent newly in autumn. Albane, Reston, Hill. sown oat fields 7th Oct, 1886. and young grass. Last seen on farm in spring 1882. 76 Fields on 6 which the Parish. Farm. Wild Geese alight. Colding- | North Easter and ham— Fala- Wester continued.| knowe Lamb Lees. Cairncross.| Ladypark. Auchen-_ | Liddleshill. crow Mains. Crosslaw. Cold- Milne Easter- stream. Graden Mondy West Knowes. Mains. Lees. Lees Haugh. Hawks- law. Skaith- Big Ingram, muir. Hill, and Brown's Butts, &c. Hatchet- | Wild Geese nize. used to visit the farm regu- larly about 30 years ago. They sometimes alighted on Lith- tillum. 3 were shot on the Date when they come in Spring, with Remarks. In April. Flocks smaller in spring than in autumn. Flock seen on Ladypark 26th and 27th Jan. 1887. They do not visit the farm in spring. Occasionally seen on back fields. Occasionally alight in March and April. Last seen about 11 or 12 years ago. They sometimes alight in March on Lees Haugh, and swim on Learmouth Stream on the Tweed. There are usually from 3 to 20 in a flock. Rarely alight. They fly over the Butterlaw | fields, but do not farm, alight in spring. Small flocks. Date when they come in Autumn, with Remarks. About end of October and beginning of November. From 7 to 25 in a flock. In November. About 20 ina flock. Not seen on farm in autumn, They visit the farm from middle to end of October, seldom later. From south-east to north-west. Pretty large flocks. In some years they do not visit the farm. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Name and Address of Correspondent. John Wood, North Fala- knowe, Cold- ingham, 8th Oct. 1886. John Miller, forester, Grange, Coldingham, 31st Jan. 1887. Thomas Calder, Auchencrow Mains, 4th Oct. 1886. Thomas Cock- burn, steward, Whitsome New- ton, 16th March 1886. John Miller, Milne Graden, Coldstream, 12th Oct. 1886. Thomas Hood, factor, Lees, Coldstream, 23rd Oct. 1886. James A. Somer- vail, Hawkslaw, Coldstream, 2nd Oct. 1886. J. Shaw, Skaith- muir, 4th Oct. 1886, J. Fulton, Hatchetnize, 7th Oct. 1886. Parish. Cran- shaws. Eccles. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 77 Farm. Rawburn. Cran- shaws. Printonian, Lochton. Fields on which the Wild Geese alight. Date when they come in Spring, with Remarks, Date when they come in Autumn, with Remarks, On all the| They usually ap- cultivated fields on the farm when in young grass or oat stubble. The two fields most frequented are Crow- hill and Old Plan- tation Field. pear in spring, about the middle of March, and though they oc- easionally alight they do not stay long. In spring they come from the south and go north. The flocks are not so large in spring as in autumn— usually about 30. Wild Geese have always visited Rawburn Farm occasionally, but they have been more numerous of late years, owing to more land being culti- vated now than formerly—the attraction appar- ently being the young grass fields. Sometimes, | They come in although seldom, April, tlying from south to they alight} north. on the Whitadder Braes. Langbank, | At seed-time. Bowmaker Hill. Occasion- ally seen on farm. Cairns- mill, Alicefield. Occasion- ally alight on farm, but not often. Easter Ridley, Sand Pit Field. Haugh. In autumn they come from the 20th of October to the middle of November, and, if not molested, usually stay about two weeks. They come from the north and go south, Usually about 50 in a flock. Name and Address of Correspondent. H. Hewat Craw, Rawburn, 5th Oct. 1886, In October, flying | John 8. Bertram, from north to south. Flocks large, often about 100 ina flock. Cranshaws, 2nd Oct, 1886. They do not visit | George Ruther- the farm in autumn. ford, Printonian, 5th Oct, 1886, Peter Cowe, Loehton, Cold- stream, 7th Aug. 1886. Small flocks some-| Mark Cossar, times come. flock of 7 fre- quented Alice- field in 1882 for 5 days. One shot on the 20th October 1884. A | Greenknowe, 16th Oct. 1886. John Thomson, gamekeeper, Kimmerghame, 3rd Nov. 1886. G. Nisbet, game- keeper, Nesbit House, Duns, 12th Oct. 1886. 78 THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Beene Date when they | Date when they Name and Parish Farm Wild Geese | Come in Spring, | come in Autumn, Address of alight. with Remarks. with Remarks. Correspondent. Edrom— |Kimmer- | Bog Field 3 seen on Bog John Gray, Bell- continued. ghame Field in autumn] shiel, 7th Oct, Mains. of 1883. 1886. Duns. Kidshiel- | Pilgrim’s | During seed-time | Have not seen Thomas Johnston, haugh. Acre. in spring, and them on farm Kidshielhaugh, continue for two} in autumn. Duns, 6th Oct. or three weeks. 1886. Hardens. | Harelaw Seldom alight in | Come about first | John H. Laurie, Field in spring. week in October, | Hardens, Duns, Duns and give upcom-| 15th Oct. 1886, Parish. ing about end of same month, Fogo. Printonian.| Sieverig, |Ifopenspring, |From middle of | William Thomp- Calfward, | from middle of | October to the son, game- Wester February to first] end of same keeper, Charter- Muir. week in April. month. From15} hall, 11th Oct. They always to 35 in a flock, 1886, come from north- west, and return in same direc- tion. About 20 to 60 in a flock. Fogorig. | Riselawrig, Stagpark, Bowshot, Trainmine. Ryselaw. | Long Hill | Stay a short time | Visit the farm for} James Anderson, and West | inspring. Flocks}| a short time in steward, Ryse- Shot smaller inspring} autumn. They law, 9th Oct. Dykes. than in autumn.| come from the 1886. They come from | north-west and south-east and go south-east. go north-west. Flocks larger in autumn than in spring. Sisterpath.| Chesters, | They do not feed | They come after | Thomas Torrance, East and in spring on harvest, and give| Sisterpath, 2nd West farm, but are up coming when} Oct. 1886. Wormrigg,| seen passing corn gets scarce, both 50 over. One was | They come from acre fields;} shot on Wester the ponds on sometimes} Fawrig on 2nd Kyleshill Moor alight on April 5 or 6 years| (this is also adjoining | ago. They have | known as the fields. not returned to | Hule Moss), and that field since then. return there, Two were shot on East Worm- rigg Field in November 1883. There have not been so many since that year. About 40 passe over Sisterpath on the 25th Sept. 1886—the first flock this season. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 79 Eielis an. Date when they | Date when they Name and Parish. Farm. Wild G i ese | come in Spring, | come in Autumn, Address of alight. with Remarks. with Remarks. Correspondent. Foulden. |Foulden | Mill Pond. On 14th Novem- |G. Millican, New ber 1878 a flock | Foulden New Mains. alighted on the Mains, 6th Mill Pond. Noy. 1886. James Purves, gamekeeper at Foulden, shot one of them. Foulden |Damhead | Seen passing high | Seen only once H. Hewat Craw, West Field. overhead in in last 20 years. | Foulden West Mains. spring, from About 10th Mains, 5th Oct. middle of March| November, 15 1886. to middle of years ago, two April, going alighted on north. Damhead Field when sown with wheat. Large flocks pass high overhead in end of October and November, going south. Gordon. Rumble- | Lilrigand | Come in March Come in October, | John Jamieson, ton Law. | Hill. and untilabout | and remain until] gamekeeper to the 20th April. snow-storm Lord Hadding- If put up, they occurs. ton, in Gordon fly to Greenlaw- District, 9th dean and Hally- Oct. 1886. burton. Fallside. Only once seen Alex. White, on farm duringa | Fawside, 8th gale in autumn. | Oct. 1886. Middle- Betty Field,} About 20th Feb. | They have not Middlethird. third. Todrig to 10th March. been known to Bank and | From 10 to 50 alight in Moor. in a flock. autumn. Rumble- If the winter be James M‘Pher- ton, open, the Geese son, gamekeeper, Rumble- come about the Mellerstain, 13th ton Law, middle of Oct. 1886. Hexpath. November, and do not leave until April. general they come from a northern direc- tion, and leave in the same way, both in spring and autumn. As many as 200 sometimes in a flock. About 20 years ago they frequented some lower down tields on Meller- stain Estate. In 80 Fields on \ which the Parish. Farm. | wild Geese alight. On most of the fields. Greenlaw. | Bedshiel. Old Green- law. Angelrow. | Shed Park. Greenlaw- dean, Hally- burton, and neigh- bourhood. Greenlaw | The Hule Moor. Moss, a sheet of water ex- tending to about 17 acres, Hutton. Broad- Gordon meadows.| Law. Date when they come in Spring, with Remarks. For the last 24 years have only been seen on farm once or twice. They visit the farm during winter and spring, and are sometimes seen on the Mill Pond, which is in the Shed Park. They appear to come from the north, and leave in the same direction. They come from February to April. If the winter be mild, a consider- able number remain all the season about the Hule Moss, leaving when frost sets in, and returning imme- diately atter the water is open. All depart about the 20th April. Date when they come in Autumn, with Remarks. They come in autumn and when the winter is mild; they seldom leave until spring. They come in October, and continue coming as late as Decem- ber. They come from north-east, and go south in flocks of 20 to 100. As many as 700 have been seen ina flock on Greenlawdean. They usually arrive about the Ist of October. Their stay de- pends on the weather; when frost sets in they leave, and return again when the wea- ther becomes mild. They come from the north, and usually go southward. They arrive in flocks, not ex- ceeding 50 or 60 birds, until they aecumulate to nearly 1000 in number. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Name and Address of Correspondent. Edward Lithgow, Bedshiel, 20th Oct. 1886. William Duncan, Old Greenlaw, 19th Oct. 1886. James Burton, Angelraw, 11th Oct. 1886. W. Smith, game- keeper, Duns Castle, Duns, 11th Oct. 1886. Thos. Smith, gamekeeper, Marchmont, 15th Oct. 1886. A flock was seen 30} D. Hosick, Hut- years ago sitting on the Gordon Law Field. ton Mains. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 81 Parish. Farm. Hutton— | Hutton continued.| Mains, West Fishwick. Spital Mains, Clarabad. Paxton South Mains. Sunwick. Ladykirk. Langton. | Langton Lees. g Woodend, | On high Choicelee. VOL, II. Fields on which the Wild Geese alight. Date when they come in Autumn, with Remarks. Date when they come in Spring, with Remarks. A flock was seen on Big Moor Field about 15 years ago; and on a field of West Fishwick, next Winfield, about 10 years Big Muir Field. ago. Wild Geese used sometimes to alight on Spital Mains and Clara- bad Farms, but have not done so for many years. Two were shot some years ago by Mr. Stow- Compton-Lundie on Spital Mains. A small flock alighted on the Toll Field a few years ago. Wild Geese used Toll Field. to visit the fields about the moor long ago. Name and Address of Correspondent. Gamekeeper, Broadmeadows, 12th Oct. 1886. W. Compton- Lundie of Spital, Spital House, Oct. 1886. John Nesbit, Paxton South Mains, 8th Oct. 1886. “Tn spring Wild Geese frequent the country.”— Rey. Thos. Mills, Minister of Lady- kirk, in Old Stat. Acct. of Scot. (1793), vol. viii. p. 74. Stubble fields and young Tass, Very seldom come in spring. Visit farm in Feb. | Come to farm in fields near | and March, September and Damhead. | Come from October. Flocks south-west, go number from 6 north-east. to 50. North Hill, | March and begin- | September and Birks, ning of April. October. Come when these} Come from from north and fields are | south and go gosouth. Flocks in young north. large. grass. Occasionally visit | Thomas Torrance, farm in autumn. Langton Lees, 23rd Oct. 1886. J. 8. Brash, Woodend, 15th Oct. 1886. Alexander Penny, Choicelee, 13th Oct. 1886; and George Mercer, 8th Oct. 1886. 82 Parish. Lauder. Fields on which the Wild Geese alight. Farm. Blythe. Higher fields on the farm. Thirle- stane. The Brae Field, and other fields. Date when they | Date when they come in Spring, with Remarks. Occasionally visit farm in spring. They come from the south, but do not stay long. They appear to feed on the farm during the day, and leave for the moss on Hally- burton Farm in the evening. I do not think that they come so often to the farm as they did some time ago. Come in April, and occasionally in May. They come from south-east, and go south by east. Boon, and | Cribbs- Cribbs. bank, and Candle- maker Fields. Corsbie. Leger- Candle- wood. maker Field. They are not ob- served to visit farm in spring. come in Autumn, with Remarks. In autumn they come from north and go south- east. They do not visit the farm now as fre- quently as they did 16 years ago. They occasionally frequent farm in autumn. A flock here at present, and been so for past 10 days. Wild Geese often visit Corsbie Farm. When I went to Legerwood in 1841, Wild Geese alighted in a field called Candlemaker, and for some years afterwards (always in the month of April), on their way north. In com- ing back in autumn they passed overhead without alight- ing. After the large field—90 acres—was divided and the plantation grew up, the Geese gave up alight- ing on the farm. They never visit the farm now. It is 35 years since they fre- quented it. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Name and Address of Correspondent. Geo. M‘Dougal, Blythe, 30th Oct. 1886. Robt. Bruce, Thirlestane, 12th Oct. 1886. Robert Shirra Gibb, M.B., C.M., Boon, 25th Oct. 1886. John Logan, Legerwood, 9th Oct. 1886. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 83 Ballain Date when they | Date when they Name and Parish. Farm. Wild Ge : come in Spring, | come in Autumn, Address of ‘ali oie ©! with Remarks. | with Remarks, | Correspondent. Longfor- | Ellemford.| Girthgate |The Geese do not W. Elliot, Ellem- macus, Hill; visit Ellemford ford, 30th Oct. Teindhill. | Farm now, but 1886. pass over it in large numbers in autumn, The last time I saw them sitting on the farm was in April 1865, on a newly-sown field called Girthgate. There would be about 200 in the flock. They used to alight also on the Teindhill field, in which the old manse of Ellemford stood. Fellcleugh.} Moorylaw. | Occasionally visit} Autumn, after J. Johnston, high-lying fields | the harvest. Fellcleugh, in spring about | Have seen them] 18th Jan. 1886. seed-time, frequent farm for 3 weeks at a time. Retreat. Cairnfield, | Used to come to P. Hastie, Milne Shepherd’s} farm in spring Graden, 10th House and autumn Sept. 1884, Field. some years ago. Duddieslea. | Occasionally in James Bertram, spring. In flocks Retreat, 8th Oct. of from 10 to 30, 1886. Longfor- Seen in autumn Colonel Brown of macus. flying about the Longformacus, hills, and feed- Oct. 1886. ing on Rawburn young grass lands. A flock of 6 or 8 Rev. George Cook, alighted a few The Manse, years ago on the Longformacus, Dye, near the Oct. 1886. Heron’s Hole. Mording- | Lamber- | Brother- Have not been They occasionally | James Mein, ton. ton. stone and | noticed on the visit the farm in| Laiberton, Millburn—] farm in spring. September or 28th Oct. 1886. two knolly October. fields close to the coast. Camp Field.| On 1st Jan. 1884 James Purves, a flock of 20 gamekeeper, alighted on the Mordington, Camp Field. 12th April 1884. Mording- | Big Moor, | They seldom James Purves, ton Jock’s alight. Saw gamekeeper, Mains. Park. two in March Mordington, 1882 on the Big Moor Field. 11th Oct. 1886. 84 THE BEAN GOOSK AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Fields on be naat thd Date when they | Date when they Name and Parish. Farm. Wild G eese | Come in Spring, | come in Autumn, Address of ‘alicht with Remarks. with Remarks. Correspondent, ght. Oldham- | Butter- Camps, Come in middle | Arrive in October | Thomas M‘Kinlay, stocks dean. Gowl, of March, and and leave in Butterdean, 8th (detached) Longbank.| leave about end | November. Noy. 1886, of April. They visit Butterdean Farm. Swinton. | Little Bog Field | Mostly arrive in | They also visit the| John Miller, Swinton. | used to be| March. One was} farm in autumn.| Milne Graden, formerly shot by the late 12th Oct. 1886. visited ; Lord Wemyss on now the 15th March 1871. Geese They usually alight on come from the the field south-east, and in front of | in leaving fly the farm- | north-west. house. Do. Seven very large} Thomas Calder, Wild Geese were} Swinton Hill, seen sitting 9th Oct. 1886. within 100 yards of Little Swin- ton stackyard on 6th Oct. oT an ane winto i ill] Mareh and April. | October an omas Calder, Syn, ‘ oe Bay They give Me November. The} Swinton Hill, East Low | coming about late Mr. James 9th Oct. 1886. Fields the end of the H. Calder shot along the latter month, one on Nisbet march Hill Field about with the middle of Simprim. November 1860. Lord Wemyss used to come to shoot the Wild Geese long ago with a white stalking pony. Simprim Frequent farm in John Miller, Mains. spring. The late Milne Graden, Lord Wemyss 12th Oct. 1886. shot 2 on this farm on 22nd March 1871. Greenriggs.| Flat fields | Over 30 years Mark Cossar, at the side| ago, when the Greenknowe, ofthe Leet.| flat land on 16th Oct, 1886. Greenriggs Farm was in grass and un- drained, Wild Geese used to alight there, and were stalked occasionally by the late Earl of Wemyss. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 8 Fields on F Date when the Date when they Name and Parish. Farm. weniges: come in See come in Autumn, Address of alight. with Remarks. with Remarks. Correspondent. West- West- Occasionally, but James Gibson, ruther. ruther not often. Have Westruther Mains. observed them Mains, West- alight on the ruther, 20th farm only three Oct. 1886. times. Cammer | Pond Field, | They come about | They arrive about | Robert Lyal, Laws. Wood the end of March, | the middle of Cammer Laws, Park, and give up com-} October, and 9th Oct. 1886. Backrig ingabouttheend]| leave about the Park. of April. Theyare| end of Novem- very fondofgrass| ber, but occa- that has been sionally stay sown down with-} later. The aver- out acrop. The] age number ina flocks are usually | flock varies from smaller in spring| 40 to 60, but as than in autumn. | many as 150 have been seen, Hindside- About 8 years ago John Young, hill. two were shot on gamekeeper, this farm near Spottiswoode, the village of 11th Oct. 1889. Houndslow bya Spottiswoode gamekeeper. They used to come R. Renton, Spot- in spring to tiswoode, 30th Easter Langrigs Aug. 1886. Field, where there was a pond. Wedderlie, | Outer Come in March if | Occasionally W. Anderson, House, weather be good,| comein autumn | shepherd, Wed- Edgar and generally in | during October, | derlie, 1st Oct. Hill, April. Flocks Flocks small. 1886. Gibb’s large—up to 60 Cross birds. The Geese visit the farm only when tlie fields mentioned are in young grass, 82 Geese were seen sitting on Gibb’s Cross Field on 3rd March 1885, Hally- About 18 years Matthew Craig, burtons. ago they used steward, Wed- sometimes to derlie, Aug. 1886. frequent the flat mossy ground to the west of Wedderlie House. Harelaw. Come in spring to visit the Farm steward at the mossy grass fields of the farm. farm in autumn. Harelaw, West- ruther, 24th April 1885, 86 THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Helgson Date when they | Date when they Name and Parish. Farm. Wild Geese | Come in Spring, | come in Autumn, Address of alight with Remarks. with Remarks. | Correspondent. Whitsome. | Winfield. Whitsome- hill. Leetside. | Whitsome | Laws. and White Field. Rippleton. Catehbhill and Merry- lees Fields. | Gordon Law] They visit the farm, but not regularly every year now as they did from 25 to 46 years ago. They come in March and April, their visits de- pending upon the weather. They arrive from the south-east, and leave in a north-westerly direction. Very rarely visit this farm. Visit the farm sometimes, but not so often as they did for- merly. Very seldom visit Have | this farm. seen them only twice on it during last 20 years. They do not come reguarly, but sometimes visit the farm in October and November. They have been known to stay a week at a time, feed- ing on the young grass fields. Arrive from the north-west, and leave in a south- easterly direc- tion. The flocks are larger in autumn than in spring. Occasionally alight in autumn, but not often. John Clay, Win- field, 10th Oct. 1886. James Craw, Whitsomehill, 14th Oct. 1886. David Herriot, Leetside, 11th Oct. 1886. Thomas Torrance, Whitsome Laws, 23rd Oct. 1886. The Hule Moss—a picturesque sheet of water on a lonely part of Greenlaw Moor, between Marchmont and Dogden Moss, and extending to nearly seventeen acres—is a favourite resort of Wild Geese.! A correspondent who is well acquainted with their habits informs me that they usually come to this haunt in October and November, though he has seen them there as early as the middle of September and as late as December. In spring they frequent the Moss from February to the 1See Sheet xxi. 4, 54, Ordnance Survey Map of Parish of Greenlaw.. The extent of the water is 16°869 acres. : 7 ie i a i ; “ee fh mA 1) SN lalla i 4 tal Hi ‘ af { \ 4 ws i H "i a | i Hi SSS E=> == SS SS — SE = a by Os aul. a Dine Cbd = ————SSSSSS = f a le +a ie, wen nay THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 87 middle of April. They generally arrive in the dusk of the evening, and alight about the middle of the lake, where they remain for some time, afterwards swimming ashore to rest on the heather until the morning, when they depart to feed on the stubble fields. When alighting they sweep down with a sloping flight into the water, and on windy nights they are seen flying low over the moor. Mr. Loney relates that about fifteen or sixteen years ago a gamekeeper at Marchmont shot seven Wild Geese at the Moss in one night, when it was so dark that he could not see where the birds fell. On going in search of them next morning he found five lying in the water and two on the heather at its edge. He says that the Geese come regularly every year to the Moss in spring and autumn. Greenlaw Moor is extensive, and comparatively flat ; and, as the sheet of water called the Hule Moss has no banks surrounding it, the Geese can float on its surface in safety, the approach of an enemy even at a distance being easily observed. I visited the Hule Moss with Mr. Loney and Mr. John Blair, artist, on the evening of the 14th of July 1886, when the accompanying sketch was made by Mr. Blair. The Moss then presented a beautiful and inter- esting appearance, with its clear water rippling in the breeze, and gleaming from afar in the light of the setting sun. From its southern edge, looking towards the north, were seen the two Dirringtons, Great and Little, towering towards the sky, in connection with which the following popular rhyme relating to the weather is sometimes heard :— When Dirrington puts on its hood, And Cockburn Law its cowl, A the herds o’ Lammermuir Ken that it will be foul. Behind the Dirringtons, and in the direction of Wedderlie, could be observed the Twinlaw Cairns, around which the 88 THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. beautiful ballad of “The Battle of Twinlaw ”! has thrown a halo of romance like the soft purple light of the evening which then coloured the landscape. Far away in the distance to the south-west the Eildons rose above the horizon, bringing recollections of “the wondrous Michael Scott ” and The words that cleft Eildon Hills in three, And bridled the Tweed with a curb of stone.? Mr. Hardy says that boys in the county believe that the Wild Geese in their flight can form all the letters of the alphabet. They sometimes call to the Geese— Tring a’ tring o’ Wild Geese Black Jock forenent. Another rhyme heard among children in Berwickshire is— Wild Geese ! Wild Geese ! how far will ye flee, To Herrington and Berrington and owre the Red Sea? Where do ye sit? Down the water-fit. Where do ye stand? On the dry land. When heavy snow is falling in large flakes the Berwickshire boys say that The folk o’ the East are plucking their Geese, And sending their feathers to me, O !4 The Wild Goose appears to have been much used for the table in Scotland in olden times, for we find the Scottish Parliament in 1551 fixing the price of the “ Wild Guse of the great kind” at “ twa shillinges.” 5 The Bean Goose has yellow legs and the middle portion 1 New Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. ii. (Berwickshire), p. 73. 2 Lay of the Last Minstrel, canto ii. 13. 3 Tn the neighbourhood of Saltoun, in East-Lothian, I have heard boys thirty years ago calling to the flocks of Wild Geese, as they passed high overhead in the air, ‘‘ Make A, make O,” and so on. 4 A similar rhyme is heard in East-Lothian— ‘“The folk o’ the East are plucking their Geese, ‘And sending their feathers to our toon.” 5 Laws and Acts of Parliament of Scotland, by Sir Thomas Murray of Glen- dook: Edinburgh, 1681, p. 145. THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 89 of the bill orange, whilst in the pink-footed variety these parts are flesh-coloured. In both birds the “nail” at the tip with the base of the bill is nearly black. Although it is probable that the Grey-lag Goose (Anser cimereus) visits Berwickshire at the same season as the other species, yet there appears to be no record of its occurrence in the county. It differs from the subjects of our notice by having the lower back of a lavender grey, some of the feathers of the under parts blackish brown, and the bill flesh-coloured, without any black on the “nail” or at the base, where there is a narrow margin of white feathers. BD ay i) EH 17 Wii) r = ai Tipe es “i, Y OW, ee 2 of, fy "aN Q tha ifeny ~ eee > ANSERES. ( 90 ) ANATIDE. THE WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. LAUGHING GOOSE, BALD GOOSE, WHITE-FACED GOOSE. Anser albifrons. dailda Googe, Winter's not gone yet if the Wild Geese fly that way. SHAKESPEARE, King Lear. I have a wie lairdschip down in the Merse, The nyneteenth pairt of a Gusse's gerse, And I wo na cum every day to wow. SCOTTISH BALLAD. THE White-fronted Goose is very like its Bean and Pink- footed congeners in size, general colour, and appearance, but it may be easily distinguished from them by the white feathers on the forehead and round the base of the bill, and the black bars on the lower part of its breast. It frequents bogs and marshes more than they do, and is not considered to be so difficult to stalk. This species probably visits the county in small numbers in autumn and spring, but the only authentic record of its occurrence in Berwickshire, which I have been able to obtain, is that of an example shot in the Sandpit Field, on the farm of Greenknowe, by the gamekeeper of Kimmer- ghame estate, on the Ist of February 1884, who informed me that it was alone when he killed it. It was identified by Mr. George Bolam, Berwick-on-Tweed, shortly afterwards. ANSERES. (9h) ANATIDA. THE BRENT GOOSE. THE BLACK-FACED BERNICLE GOOSE, BRAND GOOSE, BLACK- HEADED BARNACLE, RING- NECKED BARNACLE, CLATTER GOOSE, HORRA GOOSE, WARE GOOSE, BLACK GOOSE. Bernicla brenta. Mild Goose, From the frozen North, where Winter's hand, With sway despotic and untam'd, locks up The shrinking world ; o'er the wide ocean borne On vig'rous wing, pour forth the feather d tribes Diverse and strange. REV. JOHN VINCENT, Fowling. TuE Brent Goose is a winter visitor, and is the smallest of the various species of Wild Geese which are found on our shores. It is occasionally seen off the coast of Berwickshire during the winter months, but it seldom visits the interior of the county, the only instance of its occurrence in the Merse with which I am acquainted being that of an imma- ture specimen in the possession of Mr. Allan of Peelwalls, which was shot on Billie Mains Mill Pond about thirty years ago. Immense flocks frequent Fenham Flats, near Holy Island, in Northumberland, from autumn until spring, where numbers are frequently killed, as they are excellent birds for the table. This species feeds chiefly upon marine plants! and insects. 1 Mr, Andrew Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, records that in the early part of February 1879 he had two Brent Geese sent to him for preservation, and their stomachs were filled with grass-wrack (Zostera marina). He adds that they had probably been feeding on the slakes between Fenham and Holy Island, where this plant occurs in great abundance, and where so many Brents were killed at the time above mentioned that they were selling at one shilling each.—Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. viii. p. 537. 92 THE BRENT GOOSE. The ancient Scottish name of the Brent Goose was the Rood, Rude, or Rute Goose, and we find Queen Mary, in her fifth Parliament (1st of February 1551) fixing the price of this bird at “auchteen pennies.” The Brent Goose can at once be distinguished from the Bernacle Goose by its black head and the white patch on the side of the neck. Young birds of the year have not the white patch. ANSERES. (93 ) ANATID&. THE BERNACLE GOOSE. THE WHITE-FACED BERNICLE GOOSE, CLAIKIS, CLAKIS, CLAIK GOOSE, BARNACLE, WHITE-CHEEKED BARNACLE, LAND BARNACLE. Bernicla leucopsis. ils Goose, All Water-foullis war swemand thair gude speid ; Alse out of growand treis thair saw I breid, Fowlis that hingand be thair nebbis grew. GAwWIN DouG.aAs,! The Palace of Honour. THIS winter visitor, which can be easily distinguished from the Brent Goose by its white forehead and cheeks, is occa- sionally seen off the coast of the county. It seldom visits the inland parts of Berwickshire, but stragglers have been sometimes shot at a distance from the sea. Mr. Lockie in- forms me that one visited Dod Mill Pond in the autumn of 1883, and remained there for about two months. It became somewhat tame, and used to follow the farmyard ducks, but disappeared when the pond became frozen over in winter. Mr. John Wilson, Chapelhill, Cockburnspath, writes that a flock of ten Bernacle Geese visited Chapelhill Farm in January 1876, when he shot two of them. It is a very noisy bird, and both when feeding and on the wing keeps up a continual cackling sound. Its food consists chiefly of grass and bents. 1 Gawin Douglas, who was born in 1475, was Rector of the parish of Preston- kirk, in East-Lothian, 1496, and in 1509 Dean of the Collegiate Church of St. Giles, Edinburgh. He was made Bishop of Dunkeld 1516, and died of the plague in London 1522, 94 THE BERNACLE GOOSE., In olden times it was believed that this Goose was generated from the Barnacle (Lepas anatifera), and Hector Boece, our oldest historian, gives a curious account of The Scottish Barnacle, if I might choose, That of a worme doth waxe a winged goose. Its price was fixed by the Scottish Parliament in the time of Queen Mary (1551) at “auchteen pennies.” It is an excellent bird for the table. ANSERES. ( 95 ) ANATIDA. THE CANADA GOOSE. THE CRAVAT GOOSE. Bernicla canadensis. They flock together in consent, like so many Wild Geese. SHAKESPEARE, Henry IV, Tus large and handsome Goose has occasionally occurred in Berwickshire. Five specimens were shot at Dowlaw mill pond by Mr. William Cowe on the 14th of May 1867,’ and one or two have been killed on the Leader, near Lauder.” Dr. Stuart of Chirnside records that Mr. Millican, Foulden New Mains, saw a flock feeding in his mill pond there on the 16th of July 1882. Supposing them to be tame birds, he incautiously approached them, when they took wing and flew over in the direction of Blackburn.’ As this species is kept on a large pond at Gosford, in East-Lothian, with other water-fowl, and it rears its young there, it is probable that the examples seen in this county have come thence. This bird is about forty-one inches in length, and may be known by its black head and neck, while a white patch extending from under the chin to behind the ears has given it the name of the Cravat Goose. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vi. p. 435. 2 Tbid. vol. vi. p. 18, and vol. viii. p. 147. % Thid. vol. x. p. 573. ANSERES. (96 ) ANATIDA:, THE WHOOPER. ELK, WHISTLING SWAN, WILD SWAN. Cygnus musicus. The Wild Swan, ’Twere sweet to mark the setting day On Bourhope's lonely top decay ; Thence view the lake,’ with sullen roar, Fleave her broad billows to the shore ; And mark the Wild Swans mount the gale, Spread wide through mist their snowy sail, And ever stoop again, to lave Their bosoms on the surging wave. SiR WALTER Scott, Marmion. THE earliest record of an appearance of the Wild Swan in the county occurs in a diary kept by Captain Bell, of the Berwickshire Militia, who, about the beginning of this century, resided at Linthill, near Eyemouth. The entry in the diary is as follows :—“ October 23rd, 1800.—Saw three Wild Swans—not flying high. Got in the last of my corn crop—oats—weather fine.” Writing in August 1834, the Rev. J. S. Goldie, minister of Coldstream, says that Wild Swans have been shot in that parish ;” and in January 1835 the Rev. John Turnbull, minister of Kyemouth, mentions that “a few months ago several Swans made their appearance in the bay of Eye- 1$t. Mary’s Loch. 2 New Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. ii. (Berwickshire), p. 206. THE WHOOPER. 97 mouth, one of which was shot.”1 Mr. Hardy, Oldcambus, relates that about 1843 three were seen, one of which was captured at Heughhead, and another near Press. Mr. Wilson of Welnage has informed me that a specimen was killed on the Whitadder, near Cumledge, about thirty years ago. The late Mr. Wilson of Cumledge got the bird stuffed, and kept it for many years. During the very severe winter of 1879-80 several Wild Swans frequented the Tweed between Paxton and Berwick, some of which were obtained, one of them (a very large male) being in my collection. According to Mr. Millican, Foulden New Mains, four others visited his mill pond in winter a few years ago, and re- mained about six weeks. When disturbed, they rose, and after flying a mile or two round in a circle, returned to the pond. He saw them rise from the water one morning, and, after mounting high in the air by circling round and round, make straight off towards the sea at Lamberton, whence they did not return. The Wild Swan does not breed in any part of Scotland, but visits this country on the autumn and spring migrations, its numbers depending upon the severity of the season. It frequents the sea-coast of Berwickshire, but is sometimes seen on the rivers and inland ponds of the county. The whole length from the point of the bill to the end of the tail is five feet, and the weight about twenty-four pounds. The front of the bill is black, and the posterior part yellow. The general colour of the young birds is greyish brown. In the list of prices of game fixed by the Scottish Par- liament in the reign of Queen Mary (1551), the Swan is entered at five shillings. A curious old custom in connection with the Swan is 1 New Statistical Account of Scotland, ae ii. (Berwickshire), p. 322. VOL. II, G 98 THE WHOOPER. alluded to by Dunbar in his “ Prayer that the King war John Thomsoun’s Man” : '— I wald gif all that ever I have To that conditioun, sa God me saif, That he had vowit to the Swan,” Ane yeir to be Johne Thomsoun’s man. 1 The phrase was proverbial for a person who was ruled by his wife. 2«¢ (B74 e = GALLINA: ( 158 ) TETRAONIDA. THE BLACK GROUSE. BLACK-GAME, BLACK-COCK——THE MALE; GREY HEN—THE FEMALE. Tetrao tetriz. Che Black-Cock, Che Grey ben, The livelong day Lord Marmion rode: The mountain path the Palmer show'd, By glen and streamlet winded still, Where stunted birches hid the rill. They might not choose the lowland road, For the Merse forayers were abroad, Who, fired with hate and thirst of prey, Had scarcely failed to bar their way. Oft on the trampling band, from crown Of some tall cliff, the deer looked down ; On wing of jet, from his repose In the deep heath, the Black-Cock rose. Scott, Marmion. ALTHOUGH the great extension of cultivation during the last hundred years and the enclosing and draining of many parts of the moors and boggy grounds of the county have considerably reduced the area suitable for Black Grouse, yet it is probable that, in certain localities, they are more plentiful than they were in the beginning of the present century, when shootings were not preserved, and birds of prey were unmolested by gamekeepers. In support of this conjecture I may state that in some extracts from a diary which was kept by Captain Bell of the Berwickshire Militia, from 1802 to 1826, kindly supplied to me by Mr. Hardy, I find that, between 1803 and 1814, he frequently shot over the moors at Kettleshiel, Bedshiel, Scarlaw, Longfor- macus, Monynut, Barnside, Godscroft, Quixwood, and Whit- THE BLACK GROUSE. 159 chester, and although he often makes mention of seeing and killing a few “ Moor-fowl,” he does not allude to any Black Grouse being observed or shot. In the neighbour- hood of Lauder this bird does not appear to have been known before the early part of the present century, for Mr. Scott, late gamekeeper of Thirlestane Castle, informs me that he was told by an old dyker named Chisholm that about the time mentioned it was first seen in that locality at a place called Langshaw, about six miles south of Lauder. A specimen was shot at Woodhead Hill on Lord Lauderdale’s estate some time afterwards, and the man who killed it had not seen a bird of the kind be- fore. It was forwarded to the Earl, who was staying in London at the time, and who sent word that it was a Black-Cock. Mr Kelly, in his Account of some of the Birds of Lauderdale, says: “ Of the Berwickshire precincts of Lauderdale the Black-game does not appear to have been an acknowledged occupant till 1830.”' These state- ments would seem to suggest that it was by no means a plentiful bird in the county long ago. Unfortunately, very little is said about the game, or birds generally, by the writers of the reports on the various parishes in Berwick- shire, which are given in the Old Statistical Account of Scotland (1795), and not much more information on these subjects is supplied in the Mew Statistical Accownt (1835). This is to be regretted, for, if some notices of the wild animals and birds found in each parish had been given, they would now have been of great value for comparison with the fauna in the respective localities at the present time. One of the reporters in the New Statistical Account, who alludes to the various kinds of game in his parish, is the Rev. George Fulton Knight, minister of Mordington, who, writing in February 1835, states that the common varieties, 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 523. 160 THE BLACK GROUSE. “as Hare, Partridge, Black-Cock, Dotterel, and Wood-Cock, are plentiful.” The “ Black-Cock” mentioned in Mr. Knight's list then frequented Lamberton Moor, and continued to do so, as I have been informed by the proprietor of Mordington Estate, Major Campbell-Renton, for many years after the above date; they became extinct about 1870, when a Grey Hen was shot near Mordington House. There were none seen for some years afterwards in the neighbourhood, until the winter of 1882, when a Black-Cock and three Grey Hens appeared; but since then they have regularly bred every year on the moor in small numbers. If a line be drawn on a map of Berwickshire from Coldingham Village to Earlston, it will divide the county into two halves of nearly equal size. The northern half is the district in which the Black Grouse is at present found in greater or less numbers, and includes the follow- ing parishes:—Abbey St. Bathans, Buncle, Channelkirk, Cockburnspath, Coldingham, Cranshaws, Duns, LEarlston, Gordon, Greenlaw,? Langton, Polwarth, Legerwood, West- ruther, Lauder, and Longformacus. I have observed that this species is numerous in the neighbourhood of Cattle- shiel and Bedshiel, as many as eleven brace having been killed at the latter place in a day’s shooting in August about the year 1882 by the late Mr. Hume-Purves of Purves Hall. The best bags of Black-game in the county are gener- ally made on Spottiswoode Estate, concerning which the following notes have been kindly supplied to me by Mr. John Young, gamekeeper to Lady John Scott Spottiswoode 1 The gamekeeper at Mordington informed me on 9th December 1887 that there were then fifteen Black Grouse on Lamberton Moor. 2 Mr. W. Smith, head gamekeeper, Haddo House, Aberdeenshire, informed me on the 4th December 1891 that he once found as many as seven nests of this bird in a day while searching for Pheasants’ eggs in Foulshotlaw Wood, Berwickshire, in the end of April 1878, the nests being placed amongst dead Scotch fir branches. THE BLACK GROUSE. 161 of Spottiswoode, 1881, 17 brace; 1882, 344 brace; 1883, 20% brace; 1884, 32 brace; 1885, 38 brace; 1886, 24 brace; 1887, 13 brace; 1888, 154 brace; 1889, 22 brace; 1890, 64 brace; 1891, 2545 brace; or in all, 2484 brace in eleven seasons. The heaviest bag in one day was made on Flass Farm, on the 15th of September 1887, when 7 brace were killed. On the 16th of October 1887, 6 brace were got on Cattleshiel Farm. The favourite haunts of this species are the lower slopes of the Lammermuirs, where fir plantations and thickets of birch, as well as stunted willow coverts, afford it shelter. In the early part of the shooting season the young birds are easily approached as they lie concealed in long heather, rushes, or ferns; but later, in autumn and winter, Black Grouse are very wild and wary, and will not allow the sportsman to come near them. The principal food of this bird is heather; the seeds of rushes, and wild berries of various kinds are also eaten; while in autumn it visits the stubble fields on the skirts of the moors in search of barley and other grain. In winter it feeds upon the buds of the Scotch fir.’ It is polygamous, and in spring, during the time of the “lek,” severe fights take place between the rival males. The nest is generally placed on the ground under a low bush or tuft of heather, and contains from six to ten eggs of a yellowish white, speckled with reddish brown. Amongst the prices of the various kinds of game fixed by the Scottish Parliament in the reign of Queen Mary (1551), those of the Black-Cock and Grey Hen are stated to be “sex pennies” the “ peece.” 1 Mr. Smith, head gamekeeper, Haddo House, Aberdeenshire, says he has seen numbers feeding on Scotch fir buds at Kyleshill, and Backlea Woods near Polwarth, Berwickshire. VOL, II. L GALLINZ. ( 162 ) TETRAONIDA, THE RED GROUSE. MUIR-FOWL, MOOR-FOWL, MOOR-COCK, MOOR-HEN, GOR-COCK RED GAME, RED PTARMIGAN. Lagopus scoticus. MWuir-fowl, Muir-cock, Muir-hen. With earliest spring ..... B ilaye teyte the Gor-cock's call Is heard from out the mist, high on the hill ; But not till when the tiny heather bud Appears, are struck the spring-time leagues of love. Remote from shepherd's hut, or trampled fold, The new joined pair their lowly mansion pitch, Perhaps beneath the juniper's rough shoots ; Or castled on some plat of tufted heath, Surrounded by a narrow sable moat Of swampy moss. GRAHAME, Birds of Scotland. A.tHoucH the Red Grouse is indigenous to Berwickshire, the first notice of it which I can find with reference to this county is in Godscroft’s MS. History of the Homes of Wedderburn, written in 1611, where that author, writing of his brother, Sir George Home of Wedderburn, who was born about 1550 and died in 1616, says: “He was very hand- some and well-proportioned, and of great strength and swift of foot. He was a keen hunter, and delighted in hawking. He was so much given to that sport that he built a hunting lodge, called Handaxe Wood,’ in the Lammermuir Hills, in which he often spent the night. He had Hawks called 1 A locality in the neighbourhood of Byrecleugh. THE RED GROUSE. 163 Merlins and Falcons, and afterwards another kind called Tercells, which he delighted in even in his old age. He caught both Partridges and Muir-fowl.”’ Mr. Campbell- Swinton of Kimmerghame mentions, in the Den of the Merse, that in a diary commenced by George Home of Kimmerg- hame in 1694, he finds the following entry referring to a day in June about the above date :—“To the setting at Kettleshiel, where the dog sett several times; but it was either an old fowl who rose before the net was ready, or young fowls that were scattered; so that there was none catched by the net but one old hen; but a hawk of Cavers took severals, and some were marked down where they sat and were taken.”* These references show that upwards of two hundred years ago the pursuit of Muir-fowl was, as now, considered to be excellent sport, and was enjoyed by gentlemen in the county. In the Old Statistical Accownt of Scotland, which was written in 1795, Muir-fowl are mentioned in two of the reports on the parishes in Berwickshire. Thus the reporter on Legerwood parish says: “The tracts covered with heath are frequented by Muir-fowl, and the cornfields are haunted by Partridges. During the long-continued and intense severity of the year 1794-95 many of these wild animals perished with cold and hunger, and many in the extreme weakness to which they were reduced became an easy prey to whatever chose to pursue them.”* In the account of Abbey St. Bathans parish the writer says: “On the lands are plenty of Muir-fowl, Partridges, and Plover.” In the early years of the present century, before the days of game preservation, Grouse seem to have been 1 MS. History of the Homes of Wedderburn, 1611. 2 Page 60. 3 The probability is that Red Grouse are here referred to, although the “old hen” may refer to Black Grouse. 4 Old Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. xvi. p. 486. * Ibid, vol. xii. p. 66. 164 THE RED GROUSE. very scarce on the Lammermuirs, for in a diary kept by Captain Bell of the Berwickshire Militia in 1812-14, I find the following entries :—“ 1812, Aug. 18th—Went to the moors at Kettleshiel and Bedshiel from nine till after two o'clock. Saw only fourteen birds—did not get a shot. 1813, Aug. 12th—From one to three o’clock tried the muirs of Scarlaw, and saw only a few birds, and they were very shy—got only one. Aug. 13th—Tried the muirs at Longformacus—saw none; then Barnside, Gods- croft, Monynut, Quickswood—saw very few, which were very shy. Got only one shot. 1814, Aug. 20th.—Tried the muirs of Kettleshiel and saw six birds, and did not get a shot. Sept. 10th.—Killed at Whitchester one muir- fowl; a very long shot with No. 7.” In the New Statistical Account (1835) only one writer mentions Red Grouse as inhabiting his parish in Berwick- shire—the Rev. Andrew Baird, minister of the united parishes of Cockburnspath and Oldcambus, who says that “it is tolerably abundant ;” but this must be due to omis- sion. The following is a list of the various parishes in the county where this bird is now to be found:— Abbey St. Bathans, Channelkirk, Cockburnspath, Coldingham, Cran- shaws, Duns, Earlston, Gordon, Greenlaw, Langton, Lauder, Legerwood, Longformacus, Mordington, Oldhamstocks, Pol- warth, and Westruther. It is considered to be very plentiful in the neighbourhood of Byrecleugh, the Duke of Rox- burghe’s shooting lodge, in the parish of Longformacus, and at Carfrae, in the parish of Channelkirk. As instances of the abundance of Grouse in these two localities, I may mention that Mr. James Smith, shepherd, Byre- cleugh, told me in July 1886 that the Duke, about 1871, killed on the 13th of August, between nine A.M. and six P.M., 69 brace of Grouse to his own gun; and at a Grouse drive in 1885 his Grace shot 35 birds from one ee be My, Tats 7 ipl) tig oes kd < ae es at Lie i BS a ie = ’ z Hi, “ 1b, Me SS eee ih ie ee ae be = v4 any Dad Mae 4 y iw ' 7 ee) wY) 4 # vy, i A THE RED GROUSE. 165 “box.”! Sir George Houston-Boswall, Bart. of Blackadder, informed me, on the 6th of September 1886, that when he was shooting with Lord Tweeddale near Carfrae Mill on the Lammermuirs on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of August in that year, the following bags of driven Grouse were got by a party of nine guns :—12th August, 161 brace;? 13th August, 85 brace; 14th August, 122 brace; in all, 368 brace. The 85 brace were got between Lammerlaw and Carfrae Mill. Colonel Brown of Longformacus tells me that very large bags of Grouse were got during the shooting season of 1872 on the whole of the Lammermuirs, the greatest number being obtained on the Byrecleugh ground, where over 700 brace were shot in a fortnight by three guns. On the 12th of August 1882, Mr. George Turnbull of Abbey St. Bathans, Lord Low, and another gentleman, whilst shooting on Ellemford moors, bagged 274 brace of Grouse; on the 12th of August 1889, 20 brace; and on the 12th of August 1891, 20% brace; all killed over dogs. On the 25th of November 1887, 21 brace were got there by Mr. George Turnbull, Mr. Hunter of Thurston, Mr. John Miller, Manderston, Mr. Brooks, Oxenden Tower, and Mr. George Muirhead, Paxton, the birds being driven over the guns. These moors have long been celebrated as a favourite resort of Grouse, and as early as 1639 we find David Hume in his Poemata Omnia® thus referring to them :— 1 The following note appeared in the Berwickshire News of the 13th of September 1888 :—‘‘ On the Byrecleugh moors a party consisting of the Duke of Roxburghe, the Marquis of Bowmont, Lord Kensington, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brown of Longformacus, have bagged 450 brace of Grouse. Birds reported to be strong and plentiful.” 2 Colonel Brown says this is the largest bag of Grouse ever killed on the Lammermuirs in one day, and, with the exception of 1872, the season of 1886 was the best for Grouse on these hills in his experience. 3 Davidis Humii, Wedderburnensis, Poemata Omnia, Parisiis, 1639. 166 THE RED GROUSE. Collis erat modico tollens fastigio clivo Miscet ubi Albenti! se Dius? hospes aque Gleba uber: Cererisque coma formosus ; et umbra Arborea : et Flore numine amcenus ager. Fons saliens sole a medio declivis ad ortum Illimes leni murmure volvit aquas, Hine dense circum salices, corylique, rubique Alitibus fidum perfugiumque feris. Dives ager late ad dextram perdicibus illis, Quas humilis tenui nutrit Erica coma. Hic me seu casu, seu jam tibi amica, Cupido, Clam tulit in casses flava Diana tuas Incautum, dum sector ; et in fruticeta paventes Specto agat ut pennd prepete Nisus aves. Exec ITI. A short distance to the north of Ellemford lies David Hume’s patrimonial estate of Godscroft,? in the parish of Abbey St. Bathans. Quixwood adjoins Godscroft, and here, on the 13th of August 1889, Mr. Hogg and party (five guns) got 28 brace, and two years later, on’ the 12th, 26 brace. On Spottiswoode estate 23 brace were killed on Flass moor on the 14th of August 1886 (two guns); 24 brace on the 15th of August 1888 (two guns); and 254 brace on Cattleshiel ground on the 12th of August 1889 (two guns). The total bags of Grouse got on this property were—in 1881, 734 brace; 1882, 91 brace; 1883, 964 brace; 1884, 644 brace; 1885, 124 brace; 1 Fluvius inter Lammyrios montes, vulgo Whytwater dictus. 2 Alius fluvius vulgo Daye dictus, in Albentum fluvium influens. (TRANSLATION. ] There was a hill rising to a point with a moderate slope where the tributary, the Daye, mixes itself with the Whytwater—of fruitful soil—and beautiful with corn; and a leafy shade: and a field pleasant to the Goddess of Flowers. fp + —_ ee me LIMICOLA. ( 231 ) CHARADRIIDA THE OYSTER CATCHER. SEA PIE, SEA PIET, PIANET, MUSSEL PICKER. Hematopus ostralegus. Che Sea Pict. The seamew, seapye, gull, and curlew, here doe keepe, As searching every shole and watching every deepe, To jind the floating fry, with their sharpe piercing sight, Which suddenly they take by stouping from their height. DRAYTON, Polyolbion. THE coast of Berwickshire is so precipitous that it is not suited to the habits of the Oyster Catcher, and on that account the bird is not much seen on the shores of the county. Mr. Hardy records that it is sometimes noticed in the neighbourhood of Redheugh and Sicecar Point in spring and autumn.! It is fond of frequenting sandy bays, with banks of shingle, where it feeds on molluscs and marine insects. Mr. John Thomson has informed me that an Oyster Catcher was seen at Mertoun in December 1881. Sir William Jardine records that a specimen was killed at Dryburgh. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 110; also vol. ix. p. 404. LIMICOLE. ( 282 ) SCOLOPACIDA. THE GREY PHALAROPE. COOT-FOOT. Phalaropus fulicarvus. Far away To either hand, the broad, curved beach stretch'd on ; And / could see the slow-paced waves advance, One after one, and spread upon the sands, Making a slender edge of pearly foam Just as they broke. ATHERSTONE. THis pretty bird, which is a little larger than a common Sandpiper, is a very rare visitor to Berwickshire. The only recorded instance of its having been found in the county is that of a male which was shot at Girrick Pond, near Nenthorn House, on the 19th of November 1875. It was alone, and had frequented the pond for several days when it was killed. This species breeds in the circumpolar regions, and its reddish plumage in summer presents a striking contrast to its delicate grey colour in winter. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 502. LIMICOLE. ( 233 ) SCOLOPACIDA, THE WOODCcocK: Scolopax rusticula. Oft at this season, near an oozy spring, O’erhung by alder boughs, the Woodcock haunts ; (Sure harbinger, when thus so early come, Of early winter tedious and severe) ; There he imbibes his watery food ; till, scared By man and dog, upward, on pinion strong, He springs, and o'er the summits of the grove, flies far, unless, flashing, the quick-aimed tube Arrest his flight, and bring him lifeless down, With his long bleeding bill sunk in the marsh. GRAHAME, Sritish Georgics—‘‘ November.” THE Woodcock is found in small numbers in most of the woods and plantations of Berwickshire during the late autumn, winter, and early spring months, and in some instances a few have been known to remain in the county through the summer to breed, the nest and eggs having been found in one or two localities. With the exception of those which stay to nest, the whole of the Woodcocks which are seen in our woods during the shooting season leave for their breeding quarters in the northern parts of Europe in March and April; while it has been observed that those which breed in the county disappear towards autumn, having probably migrated southwards. The autumnal flights of this species from the north generally arrive in Berwickshire about Octo- ber and November. In some years the birds are much 1 Colonel Brown of Longformacus has informed me that the Woodcocks which stay during summer in the woods about the Watch Water leave early in autumn. He says that in the neighbourhood of Longformacus the autumnal flights appear earliest on Cranshaws Hill. 234 THE WOODCOCK. more plentiful than in others, which may depend on the severity or otherwise of the weather in the north of Europe, and also on the influence of the prevailing winds during the period of migration. Mr. Selby of Twizell House, North- umberland, the well-known ornithologist, says, with regard to the migration of the Woodcock: “I have found that these birds always come over in the greatest bodies in hazy weather with little wind, and that blowing from the north- east.” He adds that “ the first flights, which seldom remain longer than for a few days and then pass southwards, consist chiefly of females; whilst, on the contrary, the subsequent and latest flights, which continue with us, are principally composed of males.” Woodeocks generally make their first appearance in autumn in the neighbourhood of the sea-coast about Lam- berton,® Fast Castle, and Redheugh,* where they sometimes drop into hedges and turnip fields on their arrival,’ being exhausted by their long flight; but they soon spread inland and take up their quarters for the season in their usual haunts. Some woods, amongst which may be mentioned the Grange Wood in the parish of Coldingham; Buncle Woods in the parish of Bunele; Edington Hill Wood ° in the 1 Dr. Johnston in his 2ZS8. Notes mentions 1852 as a year when Woodcocks were unusually plentiful in Berwickshire. Yarrell also refers to great numbers being found that year in Norfolk. 2 Yarrell’s British Birds, fourth edition, vol. iii. pp. 321, 322. 3 Woodeocks are often found in the early part of the season, poor, weak, and exhausted, probably from their long flight across the German Ocean.—Old Statistical Account of Scotland, Mordington Parish, vol. xy. p. 182. 4 The first cold, misty east wind used to bring the Woodcocks to Redheugh, and amongst the turnips at Oldcambus East Mains. They were exhausted when they arrived. The gamekeeper usually finds them early on Dowlaw Braes.— Mr. Hardy’s ZS. Notes. 5 They are sometimes found in very unusual places on their first arrival. Mr. Alexander Leitch, Fairneyside, near Ayton, has informed me that about eight o’clock on the morning of the 13th of November 1884 he found a Woodcock in a lambing shed at Fairneyside, and it escaped through a hole in the roof. 6 Dr. Stuart records that the gamekeeper at Edington Hill informed him on the 18th January 1886 that 184 couple of Woodcocks were killed in Edington Hill Wood during the season 1885-86.—Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. xi. p. 241. THE WOODCOCK. 235 parish of Chirnside; and the Moor Plantation near Whit- chester in the parish of Longformacus, are favourite haunts of this bird, and in these it is usually found in greater numbers during the shooting season than elsewhere. One or two Woodcocks may be generally found during the winter months in the woods about Paxton, where they appear to have certain favourite retreats. I have seen them oftenest in the Well Mire Wood, the Crow Dean Wood, and the Old Heronry Wood; but they also resort to the plantations on Nabdean Farm. During the severe snowstorm in the end of December 1874, Woodcocks in numbers frequented the woods at Paxton. They were generally found about the sides of the burns in the plant- ations, where the ground was comparatively free from frost, and where they searched under the fallen leaves and in the soft earth for worms and insect food. At the be- ginning of the severe weather the Cocks, on being flushed, flew off very rapidly, but after the storm had continued for a week or two they seemed to get weak and rise with reluctance from their haunts, flew slowly, and alighted at a short distance from the place where they rose! The burn which runs through the Well Mire Wood and falls into the Whitadder never freezes in the hardest frost; and as the ground along its course is soft, it is easily penetrated by the bill of the Woodcock, and is one of their favourite resorts when snow lies on the ground and the frost is severe. The Old Heronry Wood is a romantic and beauti- ful dean through which a small stream meanders before it joins the Tweed a short distance to the west of Paxton 1 On the 17th December 1884 my friend, the Rev. Thomas Marjoribanks of Pres- tonkirk, told me that during the severe frost of January 1881 Woodcocks were seen haunting all the small springs in the neighbourhood of East Linton, and the boys were throwing stones at them. When curling on the Tyne he noticed the birds continually flying over the rink on their way to and from the springs, and they were so weak in their flight that the curlers threw their brooms at them, and two were killed in this way. They flew just like bats. 236 THE WOODCOCK. House. The banks on each side of the rivulet appear to have been originally planted with silver, scotch, and spruce firs, but of these only a few giants now remain, towering above their neighbours of a younger generation to the height of upwards of one hundred feet. When a storm of snow occurs with continued frost, the winter sun melts the icy covering on spots exposed to his rays along the sheltered southern slopes of the dean, and here the Wood- cock may be occasionally found during the day, turning over the fallen leaves and dead herbage in search of food. In mild weather it sits concealed in the woods, and at night resorts to swampy places and marshes in the neigh- bourhood of its haunts to feed. No bird is more highly prized by the sportsman than the Woodcock, not only on account of its variable flight, which tries his skill with the gun, but also from its well- known reputation as a luxury for the table. The uncer- tainty when and where the bird will rise adds a further zest to the sport, as it is frequently flushed unexpectedly, and makes off amongst the trees with the speed of a Sparrow Hawk. Right up he darts amongst the mingling boughs ; But bare of leaves they hide not from my view His fated form, and ere he can attain Th’ attempted height, with rapid flight to cleave The yielding air, arrested by the shot, With shatter’d wing revers’d and plumage fair Wide scatt’ring in the wind, headlong he falls. Vincent, Fouling. When the covers in the neighbourhood of Legerwood and Chapel were young, excellent sport was sometimes got there with Cock, as many as twenty or thirty couple being occasionally killed in a day’s shooting.’ In some years 1 Mr. Patterson, Ancrum Woodhead, informed me on the 27th October 1887 that, about forty years before that time, he, in one day’s shooting at the end of a THE WOODCOCK. 237 heavy bags are made in the Dunglass Woods near Cock- burnspath, 1864 being remarkable in this respect, when forty-seven couple were got during the season. Only fifteen couple were obtained there in 1891-92. On the 16th of November 1875 seven couple were bagged in the Whitfield covers on Ayton Estate Colonel Brown of Longformacus tells me that on the 8th of November 1876 eight couple were shot in Watch Cover. Seven couple were procured in the Harelaw Craigs Wood on Duns Castle Estate in a day’s shooting in the winter of 1875.4 In the Spottiswoode home covers four couple were brought down on the 15th of December 1887;° and as many were got on the 21st of November 1890 in the Ferneyrig covers, in the parish of Eccles.6 Five Cock were shot in the covers at Paxton, in the parish of Hutton, on the 15th of Novem- ber 1887; and Mr. Macbraire of Broadmeadows has in- formed me that one day about 1864 he killed six at Tweedhill over a steady old pointer. The Woodcock is an early breeder, generally making its nest, which consists of a slight hollow in the ground lined with dry grass and leaves, about the outskirts of the woods. The eggs, which are four in number, and are yellowish white, spotted with grey and reddish brown, are usually found in the month of April, but sometimes later. Writing under date the 31st of May 1885, Mr. Hardy says: “A pair of Woodcock are breeding this year in the Oak Wood above Nesbit Haugh, near Penmanshiel snow-storm, got to his own gun 214 couple of Cock in the young plantations on Legerwood Farm, chiefly round the Legerwood and Whitslaid marches. He has known as many as 30 couple killed in a day on Chapel. 1 Mr. John Bolton, gamekeeper, Dunglass, Cockburnspath, 8th February 1892. 2 Mr. Hugh Fraser, late gamekeeper at Ayton Castle, December 1891. 3 Information from Colonel Brown on 10th March 1887. 4Mr. W. Smith, gamekeeper, Duns Castle. 5 Mr, J. Young, gamekeeper, Spottiswoode, 17th December 1891. 6 Mr, George Landles, gamekeeper, Ferneyrig, 22nd December 1891. 238 THE WOODCOCK. Tunnel! They had four eggs, but one was broken by the discoverer of the nest. June 4th.—They have left their nest with an addled egg and some egg-shells in it, taking with them two hatched young.” A paragraph in the Berwickshire News of the 21st of August 1884 states that “a few days ago a young Woodcock was found in Duns Castle Woods under circumstances which showed that it had been bred there. In the spring of 1886 a Wood- cock’s nest with four eggs was got in these plantations; and another containing the same number of eggs was dis- covered in the Peely Braes Wood, near Duns Castle, by Mr. William Smith, gamekeeper there, on the 3rd of April 1890, who informed me that from the appearance of the egos at the time when they were found incubation had only recently begun, and that they were hatched in fifteen days. It is now well known that in the evening the Woodcock carries its young between its legs and pressed against its breast with its bill, from the dry places in the woods where they are hatched, to soft swampy spots in the neighbour- hood, where they can feed. Externally the female cannot be distinguished from the male bird. The peculiar markings on the first quill feathers are not constant, and are thought to be indicative of age rather than of sex.? The average weight of a Woodcock is twelve ounces; young birds are much lighter, being seven or eight ounces.® A popular saying sometimes heard on the Borders is 1 Mr. Abraham Mack, Abbey St. Bathans, told me on the 5th of July 1886 that he found a Woodcock’s nest near the side of Penmanshiel Wood in the summer of 1827. It had two eggs, and was on a dry knowe amongst some stumped heather near some birch bushes. He saw the old bird sitting on the nest several times, 2See The Field, 9th January 1886. 3 Ihid, THE WOODCOCK. 239 that “one Swallow does not make a summer nor one Wood- cock a winter.” ! In the reign of Queen Mary the Scottish Parliament fixed the price of the “ woodde-cokke ” at “four pennies.” 2 1 Borderer’s Table Book, vol. vii. p. 215. 2 Laws and Acts of Parliament made by King James I. and his Royal Successors, by Sir Thomas Murray of Glendook, Kt. and Bt., 1681. LIMICOLA:. ( 240 ) SCOLOPACIDA. THE GREAT SNIPE. DOUBLE SNIPE, SOLITARY SNIPE, WOODCOCK SNIPE. Gallinago major. And long-bill’d Snipe, that knows approaching rains. WILson, Loch Winnoch. Tuis bird is rarely seen in Berwickshire. A specimen was shot by the Earl of Haddington in a dry grass park on the farm of Lightfield, near Mellerstain, in the autumn of 1865;! and another was killed by Mr. Stow Compton- Lundie in a field at Spital House, in the parish of Hutton, about the same time.” Mr. Kelly records that an example was got by Mr. Scott, gamekeeper, Thirlestane Castle, in 1870; and Mr. George Low told me in November 1882 that his brother, the Hon. Lord Low, saw a Great Snipe on Ellemford ground a few years previously. It is known to be a visitor to the British Islands while on its way to its southern winter quarters, its arrival gener- ally taking place between the middle, of August and the middle of October. It may be distinguished from the Common Snipe by its greater size, and by the under parts being more pro- fusely and closely barred. Seebohm says that the chief distinction lies in the tail; in the adult Great Snipe the terminal half of the four outside tail feathers on each side is pure unspotted white, whilst in the Common Snipe it is chestnut-buff, with a sub-terminal dark-brown bar. 1 Turnbull’s Birds of Hast-Lothian, p. 48. 2 Information from W. Compton-Lundie, Esq. of Spital, 10th February 1886. 3 Hist, Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p, 523. i LIMICOLA. ( 241 ) SCOLOPACID, THE COMMON SNIPE. MOOR OR MIRE SNIPE, HEATHER BLEATER, BLITER OR BLUTTER. Gallinago ceelestis. Che Mire Snipe, Che Heather Wlutter, Amid these woodless wilds, a small round lake I’ve sometimes marked, girt by a spungy sward Of lively green, with here and there a flower Of deep-tinged purple, firmly stalked, of form Pyramidal—the shores bristling with reeds, That midway over wade, and, as they bend, Disclose the water lily dancing light On waves soft-rippled by the July gale, fitther the long and soft-billed Snipe resorts. GRAHAME, Birds of Scotland. In former times when reedy pools, bogs, and mires abounded all over the county, the Snipe would be much more plenti- ful than it is now; for agricultural improvements and drainage have left it very few swampy spots on which to rest the sole of its foot. It is, however, still found during the autumn in considerable numbers in suitable places, such as about Legerwood Loch, Lurgie Loch,! and Redpath Bog, and on the wet moors and mosses of the hills*—Harelaw Moor, in the parish of Westruther, having been a favourite 1 Mr. Black, Girrick, says that this loch or bog, which is dry in summer, is much frequented by Snipe in autumn and winter, when he has seen as many as fifty or sixty upon it in aday. The site is covered with natural birch and rough hill grass.—Notes from Mr. Black, 12th January 1888. 2 Mr. Walter Elliot, Hollybush, informed me on the 16th of August 1887 that there is a bog on the march between Ellemford and Harehead Farms where Snipe are very plentiful in August and September. As many as fifty may be put up in walking over it. VOL. IL. Q 242 THE COMMON SNIPE. resort until it was drained. Although a few Snipe breed in suitable localities throughout the county, yet it is probable that most of those which we see during the shooting season are visitors from the northern parts of Europe, which have joined our native birds; for this species is occasionally seen on migration at the lighthouses on the Farne Islands and Isle of May in autumn, and again in spring when it returns northwards." There is no better sport with the gun than Snipe shoot- ing when the birds are fairly plentiful, but, unfortunately, this is seldom the case in Berwickshire. The “Scape, scape ” of the game as it rises and makes rapidly off with its zig-zag flight is always a pleasing sound in the sportsman’s ear, and the first Snipe which falls to the gun in youth, like the first Woodcock, is long remembered. In the Grouse shooting season it is occasionally killed in small numbers in the Lammermuirs, and sometimes rises before Partridge shooters in damp turnip fields in the Merse. On these occasions as old Drayton calls it in his Polyolbion, gives variety to the bag, and forms an agreeable addition to the table afterwards. During severe frost and snow in winter the bird is very often pressed for food, and may be seen frequenting the sides of brooks, ditches, and open drains by road sides, or even close to houses and villages. It is then much tamer than usual, and does not fly far when disturbed. It is like- wise found about the sea-side in autumn and winter. In March and April, according to the season, the Snipe begins to make a peculiar humming or bleating sound when on the wing. The bird soars high up in the air, and the humming 9? the “pallat-pleasing snite, 1 See Reports on the Migration of Birds, 1879-86. 2 Mr. Hardy in his MS. Notes writes: ‘‘1840, March 16th.—Snipe bleating this morning at Penmanshiel. This is an early year. 1836, April 19ti.—Snipe piping to-day in the air. 1848, Jwne 16¢h.—Snipe bleating to-day.” THE COMMON SNIPE. 243 is heard when it is descending rapidly.!. There is consider- able difference of opinion amongst ornithologists regarding the origin of the sound, but the greatest weight appears to be attached to the theory that the sound is caused by the vibration of the feathers of the wings during the descent of the bird. Mr. Hardy says that people in the Lammermuirs call the bird the “‘ Mire Drum,” on account of the peculiar noise which it makes in the air :— Oh, how I love the moorland scene of spring Beneath the smile of morning’s ruddy glow, The whir of heath-cock and the curving wing Of snipe high booming o’er the marshy flow. This species has often been found breeding in the neighbourhood of Penmanshiel. A nest discovered there by Mr. Hardy, in a bog, was made of withered sprits (Juncus articulatus) and a few grasses. It had four eggs, and their tips were placed inwards around the centre of the nest. It also rears its young occasionally amongst the herbage by the side of Dowlaw Mill Pond, and Colonel Brown has informed me that the nest is frequently found in the moors about Longformacus. . here her house she forms, Here warms her fourfold offspring into life. GRAHAME, Birds of Scotland. The eggs are yellowish or greenish white, spotted towards the larger end with several shades of brown. - The food of the Snipe consists of worms and insects, which it procures by boring in moist or swampy ground with its long bill. 1 Mr. Hardy in his MS. Notes writes: ‘1863, April 16th.—Two days ago at Penmanshiel Moss, Snipe were circling round the moor, now rising aloft, then descending humming.” * Yarrell’s British Birds, fourth edition, vol. iii. pp. 344, 345. 3 The nest was found very late in the season, namely, on the 17th of J uly 1845. —Mr, Hardy’s MS. Notes. LIMICOLA. ( 244 ) SCOLOPACID:. THE JACKSNIPE. JUDCOCK, JID. Gallinago gallinula. For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane, Tf I would time expend with such a snipe, But for my sport. SHAKESPEARE, Of¢hed/o, Act i. Sc. 3. THE Jacksnipe is a much smaller bird than its common congener; and generally arrives in the county from its breeding grounds in the northern parts of Europe in small numbers towards the end of September or in October. It remains with us throughout the winter and early spring until March or the beginning of April, when it leaves for the arctic regions, where it spends the summer. In its general habits the Jacksnipe resembles the Common Snipe, and is fond of frequenting marshy places where the herbage is rough. Here it sits closely concealed when not feeding, and is often difficult to put up, even with the assistance of a good dog. When it rises from the ground its flight is slow, zig-zag, and wavering, and on this account it is sometimes missed by the sportsman who thinks it is sure to fall to his gun. I have occasionally seen five or six shots fired at a specimen which, with short flights, kept moving from one part of the bog to another, and rising each time close to the shooter’s feet. The Jacksnipe does not utter any cry when it is flushed, and although it is a 1 From its small size as contrasted with the Whole, or Common Snipe, it is called the Half Snipe in Norfolk.—Swainson’s Polk-Lore of British Birds, p. 169. THE JACKSNIPE. 245 very small bird, it is considered a delicate morsel for the table; hence the old French quatrain :— Le bécasseau ! est de fort bon manger, Duquel la chair resueille ’appetet, Il est oyseau passager et petit, Et par son goust fait des vins bien juger. During severe weather in winter, when its usual haunts are frozen and covered with snow, it may be seen frequenting * the sides of open drains and ditches in search of its food, which consists of insects of various kinds. There is no reliable record of this species having bred in the British Islands. 1 Tt is so called by the game-dealers in Paris. —EH. Rolland, Fawne Populaire de la France, tome ii. p. 358. LIMICOLE. ( 246 ) SCOLOPACIDA. eB Ee OD Pe PURRE, STINT, SEA SNIPE, PLOVER’S PAGE, SEA LARK, RED-BACKED SANDPIPER, OX BIRD, OX EYE. Tringa alpina. The puet, godwit, stint, the palate that allure, The miser and doe make a wastefule epicure. DRAYTON. THE precipitous coasts of Berwickshire are not suitable for the Dunlin, which loves sandy flats projecting into the sea and the mud banks found at low water in the estuaries of rivers, where it feeds in great flocks during autumn and winter. Although most of the birds which compose these flocks migrate in spring to the north of Europe to breed, many betake themselves at that season to wild moorlands in various parts of Scotland, where they rear their young. After the nesting season is over, the birds which have bred in this country are joined at the sea-shore by great flocks which have returned from colder regions. Although there is no record of the nest of the Dunlin having been found in Berwickshire, yet the presumption is that the bird has bred on the moors about Longformacus, for Colonel Brown has informed me that on the 16th of July 1885 he shot a Dunlin on swampy, mossy ground, high up, near where the “Grey Mare” and the “Grey Mare’s Foal” (two detached boulders) le on the moor. The nest of this species is usually placed amongst short heather, or under a tuft of grass, and is sometimes difficult to find. The eggs, which are four in number, vary con- siderably in colour—from pale green to pale buff, spotted with two shades of reddish-brown. LIMICOLA. ( 247 ) SCOLOPACIDAE. THE PURPLE SANDPIPER. Tringa striata. The Sandpipers, A tiny flock, innumerable, as round And round they flew, bewailed their broken ranks. DELTA, The Fowler. THe Purple Sandpiper is occasionally seen during winter frequenting the low, tide-covered rocks on some parts of the coast of Berwickshire, including Greenheugh Point, near Oldcambus, where Mr. Hardy says he has observed a small flock popping up and down close to the edge of the sea, like so many mice at play. At ebb-tide it searches amongst the sea-weed ‘on the rocks for small marine creatures of various kinds, and when the tide is flowing in it seems to be fond of feeding close to the edge amid the splashing spray. This species usually makes its appearance on the coast in October, and departs in May for its breeding grounds in the north of Europe. LIMICOL. ( 248 ) SCOLOPACIDAE. THE BUOULE Machetes pugnax. Of flesh of birds—roast, grilled, or fried ; Of hare or rabbit, woodcock, snipe ; Of partridge, pheasant, plover, wipe,} Of larks for breakfast, or for supper, (Ox these I love to cram and stuff). There's nothing nicer than a fattened ruff. FOLKARD. THIS interesting bird was formerly plentiful in the eastern counties of England, where it bred in great numbers, but, owing to drainage and other causes, it is now rarely seen there in the nesting season. It is, however, observed in small flocks on spring and autumn migration. There are very few recorded instances of the occurrence of the Ruff in Berwickshire. Mr. Charles Watson, Duns, mentions that a female was shot near Burnmouth in October 1873,? and Dr. Stuart of Chirnside, writing on the 11th of September 1876, says: “Two rare birds made their appear- ance at Edington Mains Mill Pond the other day. Mr. Wilson’s groom shot one, but the other escaped. Mr. Wilson sent the bird to Dr. Duns of the New College, Edinburgh, who made it out to be the Reeve, the female of the Ruff. I should also mention that the bird which escaped was a young bird, much lighter in the plumage than the one shot. The Reeve was observed to be feeding it with insects from the pond.”* Mr. Andrew Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, states that, on the 22nd of September 1 The ancient name of the Lapwing. 2 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 127. 3 Ibid. vol. viii. p. 195, THE RUFF. 249 1881, he received two specimens in winter plumage from Lennel, near Coldstream.t In these cases the birds appear to have been on autumn migration from their breeding grounds in the north of Europe to their winter quarters in the countries south of the Mediterranean. Mr. Robert Gray remarks that the Ruff is found in small flocks on the shores of the Firth of Forth,? and on the muddy parts of the estuary of the Tyne—chiefly in September—when its stay is short and its movements uncertain.® During the breeding season the males have a singular addition to their usual plumage in the shape of long feathers on the neck and sides of the head, which form a frill or ruff—hence the name of the bird—and at this time their plumage varies greatly in colour. The Ruff is polygamous, and desperate fights occur in spring amongst the males. When so engaged they used to be caught with clap-nets in the fens in great numbers. It has been held in high estimation for the table, and Folkard, writing in 1864, says: “At the present day the price paid for fattened ruffs is often as much as four guineas per dozen, almost as expensive as ortolans, and they are con- sidered by some gastronomes as equally delicious. They are fattened for the table with bread and milk, hempseed, and sometimes boiled wheat, but if expedition is required sugar is added. This latter method of feeding makes them per- fectly fat in a fortnight.” * 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 562. 2 Ibid, vol. vii. p. 465. 3 Ibid. vol. viii. p. 52. 4H. C. Folkard, The Wild Fowler, pp. 313, 314. LIMICOLA. ( 250 ) SCOLOPACIDA. THE COMMON SANDPIPER. SANDY LAVEROCK, SAND LARK, WATER LAVEROCK, SAND SNIPE, SUMMER SNIPE, KILLIELEEPSIE, KITTIE-NEEDIE, WILLY-WICKET, WEET-WEET. Totanus hypoleucus. The Sandp Laberock, Along the river's stony marge The Sand-lark chants a joyous song. WORDSWORTH. Axsout the end of April or beginning of May this pretty bird returns from its winter quarters in Africa to the sides of the Tweed, Whitadder, Blackadder, Leader, Eye, and other waters in the county, where it breeds in considerable num- bers throughout the summer, departing southwards again in September. Shortly after its arrival it may be seen in pairs haunting the gravelly edges of the streams, and flitting from stone to stone along their winding courses. The angler, as he wanders by the river side amongst the beautiful woods and wild flowers which border many of his favourite pools, loves to hear the joyous song of the Sandpiper, which, intermingled with the rippling sound of the water, falls pleasingly upon his ear. If his basket be well filled, contentment reigns in his breast as he rests upon some dry grassy turf for a few minutes whilst recalling to mind the delightful words of old Isaac :— “Tl tell you, scholar, when I last sat on this primrose THE COMMON SANDPIPER. 251 bank, and looked down those meadows, I thought of them, as Charles the Emperor did of the city of Florence, ‘that they were too pleasant to be looked on, but only on holidays,’ as I then sat on this very grass I turned my present thoughts into verse, ‘twas a wish, which I’ll repeat to you :— I in these flowery meads would be : These crystal streams should solace me ; To whose harmonious bubbling noise I with my angle would rejoice.” The “Sandy Laverock’s” nest is looked upon by the boys of the county as “rare,” being somewhat difficult to find. It is often placed amongst the herbage not far from the margin of the water, in a slight hollow scraped out by the bird and lined with a little dry grass. The eggs, which are four in number, are reddish-white, spotted with brown. LIMICOLE. ( 252 ) SCOLOPACIDA. THE GREEN SANDPIPER. Totanus ochropus. Age ueBec birds of passage piping up and down. TENNYSON. ONE morning about the middle of September 1877 the gamekeeper at Paxton House, while walking with his gun in the Wester Grass Park, near my house, heard a shrill whistle over his head, and, looking up, saw two birds like Snipes flying rapidly towards the Tweed at a considerable height in the air. He fired at them, when one fell, which he brought to me, and I found it to be a beautiful specimen of the Green Sandpiper. Mr. Hardy records a male shot near Chirnside on the 1st of May 1876;1 and, writing under date the 22nd of August 1877, says: “After a continuation of wet weather several temporary pools were formed in the dean at Oldcambus, which were frequented by Wild Ducks; and the restless Redshanks, leaving the sea-side, circled round the margins. To one of the loneliest also a Green Sandpiper resorted for a few days. It appears to delight in quiet tarns and remote watercourses, where it can pick up worms undisturbed. This is the character of the situations in which hitherto I have surprised this occa- sional autumnal visitant.”2 It was observed at Oldcambus on the 17th of July 1879.2 Mr. George Bolam, in a letter to me dated the 25th of August 1884, writes: “It may interest you to know that yesterday Mr. Evan Sanderson 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. viii. p. 196. 2 Tbid. vol. viii. pp. 528, 529, 3 Tbid. vol. ix. p. 401. THE GREEN SANDPIPER. 253 and I saw a Green Sandpiper on the Whitadder near Clarabad Mill.” Mr. James Purves, gamekeeper at Mor- dington, has informed me that he has twice shot this species on that estate, the first instance being in a bog at the “Lang Belt” plantation, and the next in a ditch lead- ing to Mordington Mains upper damhead. Mr. Andrew Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, mentioned to me on the 19th of March 1885 that, about the middle of August 1884, three examples were shot on a pond on the march between the farms of Lochton, in the parish of Eecles and Harpertown. Mr. John Thomson, Maxton, tells me that a specimen was shot near Ninewells in the second week of January 1891.1 The Green Sandpiper is very erratic in its movements, and is a visitor to the British Islands on spring and autumn migration. 1 Letter dated the 29th of January 1891. LIMICOLA. ( 254 ) SCOLOPACIDA. THE COMMON REDSHANK. SEA SNIPE, POOL SNIPE, SAND COCK, RED-LEGGED SNIPE. Totanus calidris. The Sea Snipe. The rede-schank cryit my fut, my fut. COMPLAYNT OF SCOTLAND. Tue Redshank is found during the autumn, winter, and spring months on some parts of the coast of Berwickshire, such as the neighbourhood of Oldcambus, where Mr. Hardy occasionally sees small flocks about Greenheugh and Siccar Point from about the beginning of July until the end of April. Although the great majority of the Redshanks are migratory, and leave our shores in spring for their breed- ing grounds in the northern parts of Europe, returning again in autumn, yet many remain in Great Britain throughout the summer and rear their young in suitable localities. Mr. Gray says that a few pairs breed in the Lammermuirs.?”, Mr. Tweedie, Swinton Public School, kindly sent to me a note on the 8th of April 1889, saying that a pair of Redshanks had again returned to a field of tussocky grass on the farm of Swinton Hill, lying immediately to the 1 Leyden, in his Glossary to The Complaynt of Scotland, makes out the ‘‘ rede- schank” to be the Fieldfare ; but I cannot see how the Fieldfare can be the bird referred to, as its legs are dark-brown, and not red. The Redshank was known by the same name as at present several hundred years ago, at the time when the Complaynt was written (1513-42), and is frequently mentioned in the household books of the 5th Earl of Northumberland, circa 1512, and of the L’Estranges of Hunstanton circa 1527. 2 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. viii. p. 51. THE COMMON REDSHANK. 255 south of the village, where it was supposed they had bred in the previous year; and shortly afterwards he showed to my wife the nest containing four eggs, which she sketched on the spot. The Redshank generally breeds in wild, marshy places, and the nest is but a slight depression in the ground, lined with a little dry grass. It lays four eggs, somewhat like those of the Lapwing in general appearance, though they have a lighter ground colour and redder spots. It is very noisy when the nest is approached. The food consists of worms and small aquatic creatures of various kinds. A rock called “ Redshank’s Rock,” on the coast, a little distance to the north of Coldingham Shore village, has apparently derived its name from this bird. 1On approaching its nesting ground in the field on Swinton Hill Farm I observed that the birds became very noisy, and flew round about me uttering loud calls. Occasionally they alighted on the top of the hawthorn hedge and sat there for a short time. LIMICOLA®. ( 256 ) SCOLOPACID. THE GREENSHANK. GREEN-LEGGED HORSEMAN, GREATER PLOVER, GREENSHANK SNIPE. Totanus canescens. The wandering flocks, expelled from northern shores, In varied forms pursue their trackless way, Courting the genial aspect of the south, Whilst iron winter holds his despot sway. T. HUGHES, As there are no suitable haunts for the Greenshank on the coast of Berwickshire, such as mud-flats, slakes, or marshes, it is very seldom seen, only two instances of its occurrence in the county being recorded. In March 1871 a specimen was shot by Mr. James Trotter, gamekeeper, Paxton House, as it rose from a large ditch which runs through Paxton North Mains Farm and joins the Whitadder at Clairvale Wood. Mr. Andrew Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, informed me that a female of this species was killed at Lochton, in the parish of Eccles, in August 1884. This bird is generally found on the coasts of oe British Islands when it is passing to or from its principal breeding grounds in the northern parts of Europe, although a few nest in the north of Scotland. It is frequently seen on the shore about Holy Island from August to October, where it is shy and wary. It is larger than the Redshank, and its legs are olive-green. The food consists of worms, insects, crustaceans, and other small marine animals, It is an excellent bird for the table. LIMICOL. ( 257 ) SCOLOPACID. THE BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. Inmosa cegocephala. The Godwits running by the water's edge. JEAN INGELOW. LIKE the Ruff, the Black-tailed Godwit was in former times plentiful in the fen districts of England, where it bred; but it is now known there only as a migrant in spring, while passing to its breeding grounds in the north of Europe, and in autumn on its return southwards. It is very rarely seen in Berwickshire, the only instance of its occurrence in the county known to me being that of a specimen which was shot at Dowlaw, near Fast Castle, by Mr. William Cowe about 1864, and which is preserved in the collection of Mr. Peter Cowe, Lochton. The Godwit was accounted a great dainty for the table, and birds fattened on bread and milk were, in the time of Pennant, sold for 5s. each. It is classed along with the Ortolan by Cowley in the following lines :— Nor Ortolans, nor Godwits, nor the rest Of costly names that glorifie a feast. VOTES IT. R LIMICOL ZE. ( 258 ) SCOLOPACID:. THE COMMON CURLEW. WHAUP, WHAAP, STOCK WHAAP, WHITTERICK. Numenius arquata. The Whaap. Wild as the scream of the Curlew, From crag to crag the signal flew. Scott, Lady of the Lake. Ye Curlews calling thro’ a clud. Burns, Elegy on Captain Matthew Henderson. THE Curlew is usually associated in our minds with the heaths and mosses of the Lammermuirs,' where from spring to autumn it may be seen flying in wide circles round the moors uttering its well-known call. Although the peculiar ery from which the bird derives its English name has an eerie and melancholy sound to some ears, yet to others it is very pleasing.” The late Mr. Hewitson says: “I have never traversed the lone wild heath, deserted, except by the feathered race, and at a moment in which I have felt the 1 It is plentiful on Coldingham Moor.—J. Bowhill, 1st April 1886. It abounds on the moors and mosses around Spottiswoode and in the Earlston district. It also frequents the east end of the moss at Legerwood Loch, and Corsbie Bog, near the Tower.—W. Lockie, 28th July 1886. 2 The Rev. John Sheppard, minister of the Parish of Muirkirk, in Ayrshire, relates that: ‘‘ A country gentleman from the West of Scotland, who lived in a parish very similar to Muirkirk, both in soil and climate, being occasionally in England for a few weeks, was one delightful summer evening asked out to hear the Nightingale, his friend informing him at the same time that this bird was a native of England, and never to be heard in his own country. After he had listened with attention for some time, upon being asked if he was not much delighted with the Nightingale, ‘It’s a’ very gude,’ he replied in the dialect of his own country, ‘but I wadna’ gie the wheeple of a Whaup for a’ the Nightingales that ever sang.’”—Old Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. vii. p. 601. THE COMMON CURLEW. 259 solitary dreariness of the scene, that the wild cry of the Curlew, so much in accordance with all around me, has not come like the voice of a companion to my ear, and produced a delightful feeling of gratitude to that Being who has thus adorned with life and beauty the most sterile and least interesting of His works; and I have thought how great would be the void in the creation were we deprived of this one branch of His glorious productions.” ! In the solitudes of the Lammermuirs the cries of the various birds which are found there—the oft-repeated “ Peese-weep” of the Lapwing, the “Cok, cok, cok” of the Grouse, and the plaintive whistle of the Golden Plover —are drowned by the clamour of the Whaup when the wanderer intrudes upon its domain, reminding one of the lines of Leyden :— How wild and harsh the moorland music floats, When clamorous Curlew scream with long-drawn notes. Mr. Hardy in his MS. Notes says: “At Penmanshiel Curlews call about six o’clock in the evening and carry on much later. Their first note is like “Powit, powit,” quickly pronounced — usually twice. When sailing or rising up and down it is “ Powit,’ slowly repeated, or the repetition of “ POdit-po-oit, po-oit.” In Berwickshire and in other counties of Scotland this bird is called the “ Whaap.” This seems to be an ancient name, for we find the Scottish Parliament in the time of Queen Mary (1551) enacting “that the wylde-meit and tame meit underwritten, be sald in all tymes cumming of the prices following :—the Quhaip, vl. d.”. Jamieson in his Scottish Dictionary gives “ Quhaip, Quhaup, Whaap,” as sig- nifying a Curlew, and he also gives “ Quhaip, Quhaup,” as 1 Hogs of British Birds, vol. ii. p. 322. 260 THE COMMON CURLEW. the name of “a goblin or evil spirit, supposed to go under the eaves of houses after the fall of night, having a long beak resembling a pair of tongs, for the purpose of carrying off evil doers;” and he adds, “This goblin appears to have borrowed its name from the Curlew.” The habit which this species has of flying about in the grey dark of evening, uttering its somewhat eerie cry, has doubtless associated the bird with goblins, witches, and the like. Sir Walter Scott in his Black Dwarf makes Hobbie Elliot say : “ What needs I care for the Mucklestane-Moor ony mair than ye do yoursell, Earnscliff? To be sure, they say there’s a sort of worricows and lang-nebbit things about the land, but what need I care for them ?” An amusing anecdote in connection with the Cwlew is related by a gentleman in Berwickshire who had employed a village carpenter to fit up a glass case for a collection of stuffed birds in a room of his house. Going one morning to see how the work was proceeding, the carpenter, pointing to a number of birds which were standing on the floor at the opposite side of the room, said: “They’re some funny- looking birds owre there. Now what d’ye ca’ that yin wi the lang neb?” “Oh,” said the gentleman, “that is a Curlew.” “Oh aye,” remarked the carpenter, “I mind when I was at the schule learnin, ‘The Curlew tolls the 999 knell of parting day. Dr. Henderson in his Popular Rhymes of Berwickshire! says that the people on the Lammermuirs are called “Lammermoor Whaups,” as dis- tinguishing them from the inhabitants of the lower dis- tricts. The Curlew is found on the shores of Berwickshire about Oldeambus during autumn, winter, and early spring. It generally leaves the coast about the middle of March for 1 Popular Rhymes of Berwickshire, p. 29. THE COMMON CURLEW. 261 the Lammermuirs, where it breeds, and towards the end of July it begins to return to the sea-side. As numbers of this species are seen passing the lighthouses! on the coasts of England and Scotland during spring and autumn on migra- tion, it is probable that our Berwickshire birds receive additions to their numbers from these in spring, and that some of those which are bred in this county leave us in autumn for more southern regions, their places being filled up by the autumn migrants from the Highlands of Scotland or more northern climes. The nest of the Curlew commonly consists of a slight hollow amongst short grass, heather, or rushes, lined with some dry bents or other similar material. The eggs, which are large and pear-shaped, are three or four in number, olive green, blotched and spotted with olive brown, and are gener- ally placed in the nest with their small ends together. The food of this bird when on the moors in summer consists of worms and insects,? while on the coast in winter it picks up sandworms and other small marine creatures. On the ground the Curlew generally walks about in a stately manner, and as it is very wary and difficult to approach, I have seldom succeeded in stalking it. When in a flock the birds sometimes fly in the shape of an arrow- head, with a few of them straggling behind. It is an excellent dish for the table when young and feeding on the moors. In the Helogues of Alexander Barclay, which were written a few years after the battle of Flodden, the poet, referring to the dainty meats at that date, says a shepherd at court must not think to get “ swanne nor heron, 1 They frequently strike the lanterns of the lighthouses at night, 2 Mr. Hardy in his MS. Notes, dated the 9th of July 1842, says: ‘* Lauder- dale forester’s opinion was that Whaups were no nice in their feeding, and eat snails and worms and they kind o’ things.” 3 Sibbald’s Chron. Scot. Poet., vol. il. p. 426. 262 THE COMMON CURLEW. curlew nor crane,” and he again includes it in the following list of delicacies :— The crane, the fesaunt, the pecocke and curlewe, The partriche, plover, bittorn, and heronsewe, Seasoned so well in licour redolent, That the hall is full of pleasant smell and sent. LIMICOLE. ( 263 ) SCOLOPACID. THE WHIMBREL. LITTLE WHAUP, LITTLE CURLEW, TANG WHAUP, MAY FOWL, HALF CURLEW, CURLEW JACK. Numenius pheopus. A bird of passage! gone as soon as found. POPE. THis bird is very rarely seen in Berwickshire, there being only one instance recorded of its occurrence in the county. This was in the neighbourhood of Lambden, in the parish of Greenlaw, a fine specimen of a male having been shot there in the beginning of September 1874.1 The Whimbrel much resembles the Curlew in its general appearance and habits, but it is considerably smaller in size, as its East-Lothian popular name of Little Whaup indicates. Mr. Robert Gray says it is a well-known bird on the Dunbar coast in autumn when on migration southwards.” Seebohm says that, so far as is known, the only breeding places of the Whimbrel in the British Islands are in the Orkneys and Shetlands and the north of Sutherlandshire.* 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 287 2 Ibid. vol. viii. p. 51. 3 Seebohm, British Birds, vol. ii. p. 100. GAVIA. ( 264 ) LARIDZ. THE BLACK TERN. STERN, SCARE CROW, BLUE DARR, CAR SWALLOW, CLOVER-FOOTED GULL. Hydrochelidon nigra. We hold our course o'er the deep, or the land, O'er the swelling tide or weed-grown strand. ELizA Cook, Song of the Seagulls. THE only precise record of the occurrence of this bird in the county is by the late Dr. George Johnston, who, in his MS. Notes, kindly placed at my disposal by his daughter Mrs. Barwell Carter of The Anchorage, Berwick-on-Tweed, states that a Black Tern was taken at Springhill, near Cold- stream, on the 9th of May 1851, the information regarding its capture having been communicated to him by Miss Anne Hunter. This species formerly bred in great numbers in the eastern counties of England, but is now only a visitor to the British Islands on spring and autumn migrations.! Mr. Robert Gray says that it is rare on the Dunbar coast, only one or two examples having been shot there.” 1 Yarrell’s British Birds, vol. iii. p. 517. 2 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. viii. p. 55. F GAVIA. ( 265 ) LARIDA.. THE COMMON TERN. PICTARNIE, TARNEY, TARRET, PICKET, SPURRE, SCRAYE, KIRMSU. Sterna fluviatilis. Che Sea Swallow, We are safe and joyous when mad waves roll, We sport o'er the whirlpool, the rock, and the shoal ; Away on the winds we plume our wings, And soar the freest of ali free things. ELIZA Cook, Song of the Seagulls. THE Common Tern, which is a summer visitor to the shores of Scotland, is occasionally seen on the Berwickshire coast from May to September, where it may be easily distinguished from the Gulls by its smaller size and forked tail. I have sometimes observed it near St. Abb’s Head, whither it probably came from the Farne Islands, where it breeds in considerable numbers. The food of this species consists chiefly of the fry of fishes, sand eels, and crustaceans. GAVIA. ( 266 ) LARIDA. THE (LITTLE Gwe e. PIGMY GULL, LITTLE MEW. Larus minutus. Not down the breeze more blithely flew, Skimming the wave, the light sea-mew. Scott, Lord of the Isles. THERE are only two instances on record of the occurrence of the Little Gull in Berwickshire, and both of these were at Coldingham Loch. Mr. Hardy, in some notes on this bird, which are given in the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, says: “Mr. Andrew Wilson writes to me that a specimen, of this rare occasional winter visitant was pro- cured at Coldingham during the stormy weather in the end of December 1869, and is now in his collection.”! In the same publication Mr. Andrew Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, writes: “I saw an immature specimen of this beautiful little Gull on the 16th of August 1877 at Coldingham Loch. All the time I was at the loch—about an hour—it was flying gracefully about, busy catching insects, frequently lifting them from the surface of the water, and only occa- sionally alighting for a few seconds. In its manner of flight it resembled the Sea Swallow, especially at a distance ; indeed, the first sight I got of it I thought it was one of those birds. But on a nearer approach—and it came very near, not being in the least shy or afraid—the square tail showed the difference at once. The Little Gull in the collec- 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vi. p. 84. a a | THE LITTLE GULL. 267 tion of the late Mr. Wilson of Coldingham, and which was in similar plumage, was obtained at the same place.” ! This species is an irregular visitor to the shores of the British Islands on migration and in winter. In summer it feeds chiefly on insects, which it catches on the wing, and in winter it picks up small marine creatures of various kinds by the sea-shore. Like our own well-known Black-headed Gull, the Little Gull nests in large colonies on lakes and marshes, its best- known breeding quarters being near Lake Ladoga, in Russia. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club., vol. viii. p. 522. GAVIE. ( 268 ) LARIDE. THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. PICMAN, PICTARNIE, PICKMIRE, PEWIT GULL, LAUGHING GULL, BLACK-CAP GULL, BLACK-CAP, HOODED MAW, RED- LEGGED GULL, MIRE-CROW, SEA-CROW. Larus ridibundus. The Pickie, Che ~Pickiematy, The Pictarnic, The Peg-hirnet, Perfytelie thir Pikmawis, as for priowris, With thar party habitis, present tham thar. HOLLAND'S Houlat, circa 1453. ** What do you see extraordinary about that bird, Hector? It's but a seamaw.” “* Tt’s a Pictarnie, Sir,” said Edie. ScoTT, Antiguary. Owi1nG to the drainage of many of the pools and marshes which formerly abounded in Berwickshire, the breeding quarters of the Black-headed Gull in the county have been considerably reduced in numbers since the beginning of this century, but several nesting stations still remain. Of these the most important are the Everett Moss, in the parish of Legerwood, and Bemersyde Loch, in the parish of Merton. The Everett Moss, which is also known as the Pickie Moss, Dowie Den Moss Loch, or Legerwood Loch, is situated about a mile to the north of Legerwood, where, on looking eastwards from the rising ground near the road, it may be seen lying in a hollow in the fore- ground, with the top of old Corsbie Tower peering above the trees a mile further in the same direction, and Home Castle in the distance keeping watch over the Merse. The THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 269 loch, which extends to about twelve acres, is surrounded by flat marshy ground on the north and west; whilst a fir wood of considerable size forms its southern boundary. In summer the surface is almost completely covered with sedges, rushes, and other aquatic plants, through which broad lines of open water appear winding about. Here the Black-headed Gull finds a congenial breeding place, and on approaching the loch during the nesting season it may be seen on the wing in immense numbers! wheeling round and round in circles over the swamp, while little can be heard but its incessant cackling screams. The nests, which are placed amongst the rough herbage of the loch, are so numerous that it is said that upon one occasion as many as sixty dozen of eggs were taken in a night by people from the neighbouring farms, who sold them to the district carrier for 4d. per dozen. The eggs vary in number from two to three, and are greenish olive-brown, blotched with dark umber. The Gulls generally begin to return to the loch from the sea-side,” where they have spent the autumn and winter months, about the end of February or beginning of March, and nesting operations commence in May. ‘The young, which are distinguished by grey marks on their plumage, may be seen on the wing with their parents in July, and towards the end of that month, or in the beginning of August, the loch is deserted by the Gulls, which then leave their breeding quarters and fre- quent the sea-shore until the following spring. I have been favoured by Mr. John Thomson with the following account of Bemersyde Loch, which, as already mentioned, is another breeding station of the Black-headed Gull in 1 Mr. James Smail, referring to the Gulls at Legerwood Loch, says: ‘‘ When startled from their nests they are so numerous that they rise on the wing like a white cloud.” —Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. viii. p. 105. 2 Mr. Hardy says that about Oldcambus the Black-headed Gull leaves the coast in March and begins to return about the middle of July.—MW/S. Notes. 270 THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. Berwickshire :—“ From time immemorial water-fowl have found a congenial haunt in Bemersyde Loch. In the summer time this stretch of swampy ground at the present day hardly merits the name of loch, for by drainage its dimensions have been gradually reduced until it has become a boggy hollow, the greater portion of which is covered by a luxuriant growth of sedges, reeds, rushes, and many other water-loving plants. The spaces of open water are very insignificant. In winter it attains greater proportions, and, rising to a considerable height, forms a pretty sheet of water. It lies in the northern portion of the parish of Mertoun and close to the Third, where, in former days, stood a peel tower in which members of the ancient family of Haig were wont to reside, Not far off were the towers of Brotherstone, Whitrig, and Sandyknowe, the last only remaining. The loch lies in a hollow where the properties of Mertoun and Bemersyde join, and on more than one occa- sion it had been the cause of strife and bitter feeling be- tween the proprietors of the two estates until 1678, when it was divided between Dryburgh and Bemersyde. ‘This division continued for two hundred years, but in 1879, by an amicable arrangement between Mr. Erskine and Colonel Haig, the latter purchased the half of the loch severed in 1678; thus the entire loch, as it now exists, belongs to Bemersyde. Judging from the conformation of the ground the loch must have been formerly of very considerable extent and depth. The first drainage opera- tions were most probably carried out during the lifetime of Anthony Haig, the 18th laird of Bemersyde. Drain- age has in more modern times greatly reduced its level and contracted its boundaries; still there are yet over fifty-five acres partially covered with water or liable to complete submersion. It is a favourite breeding haunt of the Black-headed Gull, and about fifteen hundred pairs THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 271 annually resort thither to rear their young. They are seldom disturbed. Large numbers of Wild Ducks, Water Hens, Coots, Snipes, and Lapwings nest there; Herons are frequent visitors, and the Bittern is a tradition. In winter the loch is the haunt of immense flocks of wild-fowl, includ- ing the Wigeon, Teal, Wild Duck, Pochard, Golden-Eye, and Goosander; Wild Geese visit it, and Swans have been occasionally seen and oftener heard. Whitrig Bog, on Lord Polwarth’s estate, is close at hand, and with the exception of the Gulls it has always a share of the birds above noted.” During spring, when ploughing and sowing operations are in progress, the Black-headed Gull is frequently seen in the neighbourhood of its haunts, following the ploughmen in large flocks to pick up any grubs and worms which may be turned up. An’ whan the year smiles, an’ Lav’rocks sing, My man Jock an’ me shall be doin’ o’t ; He'll thrash, an’ I'll toil on the fields in the spring, An’ turn up the soil at the plowin’ o’t. An’ whan the wee flow’rets begin then to blaw, The Lav’rock, the Peasweep, an’ skirling Pickmaw, Shall hiss the bleak winter to Lapland awa, Then we'll ply the blythe hours at the sawin’ o’t.} In the summer months the Black-headed Gull is often seen frequenting the Tweed in small flocks, and it is also observed on the Leader. Mr. Hardy, in his interesting account of a meeting of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, which was held at Ednam on the 30th of May 1883, says with refer- ence to Birgham : “ The celebrated historical haugh stretches away in a spacious open plain bounded and encircled by the broad Tweed, whose waters, flashing in the sunlight, are skimmed by the Black-headed Gulls, engaged in the pursuit of minnows or water insects, their lively forms finely relieved 1 Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, by Andrew Scott, Bowden, 1811. 272 THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. against the brightness.”! It may also be observed haunting the streams immediately below Coldstream Bridge in search of prey, where its sprightly and graceful motions lend addi- tional beauty and interest to the lovely scenery. Mr. Lockie remarks that it frequents the Leader about Earlston. This species appears to be omnivorous, but its chief food consists of earthworms, grubs, wire-worms, insects, crusta- ceans, molluscs, and small fish. During the winter the head of this Gull is white, streaked with grey, and there is a patch of grey before the eye and behind the auricles. In March the head and upper part of the neck become dark-brown, making the bird look as if it had a black cap on its head ; hence several of its local names. Both Yarrell and Seebohm state that the feathers of the head actually change colour in spring, and do not moult. Mr. Andrew Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, says: “That it is the result of moulting, in some cases at least, I am thoroughly satisfied. On the 15th of March 1876 I ex- amined the head of an adult male, in which the change was nearly completed, only a few scattered white feathers were left, all of which were old and easily detached, so much so that, excepting a few at the base of the bill, they came off when I was skinning the bird. The black feathers, on the contrary, were al] young, new, and in various stages of growth, some fully developed, others just appearing. I examined several examples of the same species in March 1877, all of which showed unmistakable signs of moulting on the head, and also on the rest of the body, excepting the large feathers.” ? The late Dr. Colville Brown of Berwick writes on the 9th of April 1879: “ For the last three years I have closely watched the change of colour in the Black-headed Gull, and I am now quite convinced this proceeds from moulting and 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. x. p. 253. 2 Ibid. vol. viii. p. 187. THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 273 not from the feathers altering in hue. This happens earlier or later, just as the spring is early or late. In 1877 I observed many Gulls with the brown tinge quite as distinct in the end of January as I did this year at the end of February, and precisely in the same way does the weather affect their departure from the sea-side to their inland haunts. In warm springs they go away early; in cold they remain three or four weeks later with us. Some individuals put on their dark head-dress earlier than others, and these are the first to take their departure. The moult itself begins on the occiput, and spreads over the top and sides of the head; and the slaty-black feathers behind the eye are also shed, and replaced by the sooty-black feathers common to the whole head.” ? Mr. Robert Gray mentions that an albino Black-headed Gull of pure spotless white was shot near Cockburnspath in 1874.2. Amongst former breeding quarters of the Black- headed Gull in the county, which are now deserted, the following may be mentioned: Billie Mire,’ the “Hen Poo ” 4 1 Hist. Ber. Nat Club, vol. viii. p. 531. 2 Ibid. vol. vii. p. 466. 3 Mr. Alexander Nisbet, rabbit-catcher, Chirnside, informed me on the 22nd of May 1886 that he was born at Blanerne in 1819, and that Mr. John Allan, Billie Mains (father of Mr. John Allan of Peelwalls), had frequently told him that when he (Mr. John Allan, sen.) was a boy he used sometimes to wade into the water at Billie Mire for Picmaws’ or Pickies’ eggs. This would be about the beginning of this century. 4Mr. William Duns, Duns, told me on the 20th of May 1886 that, down to about 1835, thousands of Pictarnies used to frequent the ‘‘Hen Poo” in the breeding season ; and that about 1825, when St. Mary’s Cottage at the north end of the lake was being built, the workmen engaged at the cottage used to place a long ladder between the edge of the water and the islands on which the Gulls had their nests for the purpose of procuring the eggs, which they ate. The islands were completely covered with the nests, and great baskets of eggs were collected and brought to Duns. Some years after this the late Mr. Hay caused fires to be kept burning on the islands during the nesting time of the Gulls, and this had the effect of completely driving the birds away. Myr. Hay did this because he disliked the great noise which they made by their screams when they were flying in clouds over the lake. It must have been subsequent to 1842 when the Gulls were banished, for I find Mr. Hardy in his M/S. Notes writing in June of that year as follows: ‘‘ At this period the Pickies or Pictarnies built in abundance on one island in the ‘Hen Poo’ at Duns Castle, and that the eggs were taken by using a boat to reach the island.” VOL) Tt. S 274 THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. at Duns Castle; Dogden Moss,! in the parish of Greenlaw ; Corsbie Bog,? on the borders of the parishes of Legerwood and Gordon; and Redpath Bog, in the parish of Earlston.® There is a field on Shannobank Farm, near Abbey St. Bathans, called the “Gull Mire,” and as it has the appear- ance of having been a swamp at one time, it was probably a breeding place of the Black-headed Gull formerly before it was drained. 10On the 24th of April 1885 the farm steward at Harelaw, near Westruther, mentioned to me that before the Dogden Moss was drained great numbers of Black-headed Gulls used to breed there every year. He had seen them twenty years ago. This Moss is mentioned by the late Dr. Henderson in his Popular Rhymes of Berwickshire, p. 68 :— Lift one, lift a’, Baith at back and fore wa’; Up and away wi’ Langton House, And set it down in Dogden Moss. 2 “¢Corsbie Moss was once the haunt of the Black-headed Gull, but has been deserted since it was drained.” —Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 236. 3 Mr. Brownlie, Haugh Head, Earlston, wrote to me on 27th October 1887 : *¢ An old man named Sandy Boyd, who lives at Redpath, says that when he was a boy the bog there used to be white with Pickiemaws. This would apply to fifty years ago.” — — i GAVIA, ( 275 ) LARIDA. THE COMMON GULL. SEA-MAW, MEW OR MALL, SEED BIRD, GREEN-BILLED GULL. Larus canus. The Gull Maw. Moor, moor the barge, ye gallant crew! And, gentle ladye, deign to stay! Rest thee in Castle Ravensheuch, Nor tempt the stormy firth to-day. The blackening wave is edged with white : To inch and rock the sea-mews fly ; The fishers have heard the Water-Sprite, Whose screams forebode that wreck is nigh. Scott, Lay of the Last Minstrel. Dorine the autumn, winter, and spring months the Common Gull occasionally comes in flocks from the sea-coast to the interior of the county, where it frequents land which is being ploughed, and grass fields, feeding upon worms and grubs. Its sudden appearance inland in large flocks is, however, looked upon by the country people as a sure sign of an approaching storm of wind and rain, and this has given rise to the following rhyme which is sometimes repeated by children in Berwickshire, as well as other parts of Scotland :— Sea Gull, Sea Gull, sit on the sand, It’s never good weather when you’re on the land. Dr. Henderson of Chirnside, in his Popular Rhymes of Berwickshire, mentions the following curious superstition : Maggie Shaw’s Crockie is a broad, flat stone, about a mile to the north of Eyemouth. This stone was placed over the 276 THE COMMON GULL. remains of an old woman who hanged herself, and who, in the shape of a white Sea-Maw, is said to be frequently seen at night—sitting on the “* slitty stane, Green wi’ the dew o’ the jaupin’ main.” ** Cold blows the stormy wind, The waves are rushing loud ; The moon is in the wane— No star looks through the cloud ; High on yon bare, cold rock, Old Maggie sits alane ; Ik night at twal o’clock, She sits upon the stane.” The Common Gull does not breed upon any part of the Berwickshire coast at the present time. The well-known ornithologist, P. J. Selby, mentions in a “Notice of the Birds observed in the neighbourhood of St. Abb’s Head on 18th July 1832,” which was read to the members of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club on the 19th of September in the same year, that “this bold headland is also the great breeding station of Larus Canus, or the Common Sea-Maw; it affects the upper ledges and recesses of the precipices, and was observed in great numbers, but so shy as not to be approached within gunshot. The Larus rissa, or Kittiwake, is also numerous, but does not breed in com- pany with the other, selecting in preference the small pro- jecting angles, which barely admit of room for the reception ° of their eggs and young.”* In a paper on “ Observations on the Birds observed in the neighbourhood of Cockburns- path in April and those at St. Abb’s Head in June 1833,” read to the same Club on the 17th of July 1833, Selby again repeats the statement that the Common Gull then bred at St. Abb’s Head, for he says: “This species [the Herring Gull—Larus argentatus| had not been observed during our 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. i. p. 19 THE COMMON GULL. 277 excursion in July 1832, having taken its departure from those haunts previous to our visit, the Common Gull (Larus Canus), which breeds in great numbers on the rock to the south of the Head, being the only species then visible.” * Mr. Archibald Hepburn, in his “ Notes on some of the Mammalia and Birds found at St. Abb’s Head,” writes: “On the 20th of June last [1851], accompanied by my friend, Mr. Robert H. Broughton, I hired a boat at Coldingham Shore to visit St. Abb’s, for the purpose of procuring speci- mens of birds and making observations on their habits and distribution along the coast. No Common Gulls (Larus Canus) breed about the Head, but there is a most extensive colony on the Ernesheugh, about two miles to the westward ; their nests are placed on the grassy ledges; and although these birds abound on the eastern shores of East-Lothian and Berwickshire throughout the year, yet this is the only breeding place known to me in the south-east of Scotland.” * Mr. Howard Saunders, in vol. ii. of the revisal of Yarrell’s British Birds, 1882-84, pp. 613, 614, says with reference to the breeding of the Common Gull (Larus Canus) on the coasts of England: “ During the summer the ‘common’ species are either the Herring Gull or the Kittiwake; and, without making any dogmatic assertions, the editor can safely say that during the past twenty years in which his attention has been given to the question, he has failed to obtain any proof whatever of the nesting of Larus Canus on any part of the English coast. Nor is the evidence satis- factory as to the asserted nesting of this species in the cliffs of St. Abb’s Head, or, indeed, in any precipitous cliffs what- ever, in the ordinary acceptation of the words. The Common Gull selects, as a rule, the comparatively low shores of small islands, either on the sea-coast or up the arms of the sea; and it is also partial to grassy islands in lochs; but although 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. i. p. 21. 2 Ibid. vol. iii. p. 75. 278 THE COMMON GULL. its nests may be found on broken ground, or even on small crags, yet flat surfaces are far more to its taste’ Mr Seebohm, in his British Birds, vol. iii. p. 317, states that “the Common Gull (Larus canus) is intermediate in its habits between the inland and marine species; it breeds indifferently on an island off the coast or on the cliffs of the mainland, and is equally satisfied with an island on an inland lake, or the banks of a mountain tarn.” The fact that the Common Gull (Zarus canus) is not found breeding on any part of the Berwickshire coast at the present day does not prove that Mr. Selby and Mr. Hepburn—two well- known and experienced ornithologists—-were wrong in their statements as to its breeding about St. Abb’s Head in 1832 and 1851, for, like the Kittiwake, which formerly nested there in large numbers, and is not now found breeding on any part of the Berwickshire coast, it may have deserted that locality as a breeding station. Mr. Hepburn states distinctly that, when he visited St. Abb’s Head on the 20th of June 1851, there was “a most extensive colony of Larus Canus on the Earnsheugh, about two miles to the westward,” and that “their nests are placed on the grassy ledges.” } On the 27th of September 1887 I wrote to Mr. Hep- burn on the subject, and on the 4th of October following he replied: “I beg to assure you that I adhere to the accuracy of the statements contained in the article on ‘Some of the Mammalia and Birds found at St. Abb’s Head, Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iii. p. 75, and I may add that I always found Dr. Johnston a faithful and attentive editor of the papers submitted to the Club; also, that the Common Gull was a frequent visitor to my native fields in the interior of East- Lothian; that the Herring Gull was common along the sea-shore, and several pairs bred on the Bass Rock, and I had in my early days three pets of this species.” 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iii. p. 75. a GAVIA. ( 279 ) LARIDA. THE HERRING GULL. GULL MAW, WILLIE GOW, CAT GULL, SILVERY GULL. Larus argentatus. The Gull Baw, Che Common Euil, Bold-wingéd sea-bird ! why so lonely straying Far from thy rocky home, Round which the wild sea-breezes still are playing Above the ocean foam ? Say! dost thou hail from yonder cliffs so hoary— From yon rude caverned halls, Where strong Fast Castle, famed in olden story, Still lifts its ruined walls ? WALTER CHISHOLM.1! Tuts Gull is more plentiful on the sea-coast of Berwickshire than any other kind, and is found there at all seasons of the year. It is, however, to be seen im the greatest numbers about St. Abb’s Head, where its harsh, cackling cries fill the air during the breeding season.” Proceeding round the sea-coast from Lamberton on the eastern boundary of the county to the Cove, towards Cock- burnspath on the western limit, the first breeding station of the 1 Mr, Walter Chisholm in his boyhood resided for some years at the upland farm of Dowlaw, near Fast Castle, and here, at the early age of twenty-one, he died on the Ist of October 1877. His poems, edited by Mr. William Cairns, formerly of Oldcambus, are published by Mr. Thin, Edinburgh. 2 Mr. Archibald Hepburn, in his ‘‘ Notes on Birds found at St. Abb’s Head,” Hist. Ber. Nat. Club., vol. iii. pp. 74, 75, says, with regard to the cries of the Herring Gull: ‘‘their hoarse guttural cackle resembling Kaak-ka-kaak, varied only by a sharp loud scream like ‘ Pee-ul,’ filled the air.” Mr. Hardy, in his MS. Notes, compares the cries of some Gulls of this kind, which he heard at Fast Castle on the 12th of June 1877, to those of a cat. 280 THE HERRING GULL. Herring Gull which we reach is a high rock on the shore, about a mile north of Burnmouth village, called the “ Gull Rock.” Here a considerable number breed, and a few nests are found at Bleak Heugh, a rocky precipice about half a mile further north. There are no colonies of this Gull between Bleak Heugh and the Lighthouse on St. Abb’s Head, but on the rocks below the Lighthouse there are a few scattered nests, and we next find it rearing its young on the Cleaver Rock. A short distance further west is Foul Carr, a great precipitous rock standing out in the sea near the part of the Head called the Rampart, and here we find the principal breeding quarters of the Herring Gull on the Berwickshire coast. A fine view of the western slope of the top of this rock with its turfy ledges, where the gulls have their nests, and where they are seen sitting in numbers during the breeding season, may be had from the edge of the cliff immediately to the north-east of the ruins of St. Abb’s Nunnery. From this point I have frequently watched them with a binocular as they sat on their nests or tended their young, and from it the vignette at the end of this article was taken on the 20th of July 1887. About a hundred yards westwards the Little Channeler Rock juts out into the sea, and there another colony of this species is found breeding. Immediately to the north-west of the Little Channeler stands the lofty rocky island of Skelly, forming the most northern point of Berwickshire, with Flot Carr adjoining it. On the northern precipices of both of these rocks the Herring Gull nests. Passing the pretty little harbour of Petticowick and Broadhaven Bay we reach West in Thirle Bay, where on the grassy ledges of the Ravensheugh and Thrummie Carr a few more nests of this bird are observed. Further to the west on the rocks below the Uilystrand Brae and at Snuffiehole Stells more occur, also at Maw Carr. Before reaching the Brander Cliffs, where THE HERRING GULL. 281 there are some more nests, we pass the Moor Baits! and Dowlaw Burn Foot, where a few nests are seen on the rocks between the Standing Man and the Big Byrips. We now reach the ruins of Fast Castle,? where on looking west- ward on a clear day the view is magnificent, embracing the Bass, North Berwick Law, and the adjoining coast of East- Lothian. The situation of the castle is very lonely, and around its decaying walls the only sounds now to be heard are the constant beating of the waves on the rocky coast, Mix’d with the seafowl’s shrilly moans. Scort. Rounding the point at Fast Castle we see the Black Mask Rock with a number of Herring Gulls’ nests upon it, and still keeping westwards we pass Geddes’ Haven and the Little Rooks, and then we reach the Gull Rock and Maw Craig, near the mouth of the Wolden Lee Burn, the most westerly breeding places of the Herring Gull on the Ber- wickshire coast.2 This point is about three-quarters of a mile to the west of Fast Castle. The nest of the Herring Gull is formed of grass and moss, and the eggs, which are generally three in number, are light olive-brown or greenish, blotched and spotted with dark umber. Many years ago the eggs of this and other Gulls 1 Mr. Robert Darrie, fisherman, Coldingham Shore, informed me, on the 29th of June 1887, that this was such a favourite spot for fishing for codlings that the following rhyme is sometimes heard amongst the fishermen :— Come ye soon, or come ye late, Ye’ll a codlin get at Moor’s Bait. 2 Here the Princess Margaret, daughter of Henry vu. of England, slept on the night of the 1st of August 1502, when on her way to Edinburgh from Lamberton Kirk, where she had been betrothed to James Iv. of Scotland. About a hundred years later the gloomy fortress was the scene of dark plots in connection with the Gowrie Conspiracy, for here Logan of Restalrig resided. Fast Castle is the ‘‘Wolf’s Crag” of The Bride of Lammermuir. 3 This Gull is, however, occasionally found breeding further westwards. Mr. Hardy notes, under date 30th June 1886: ‘‘A Herring Gull’s nest was found yesterday by Professor Lebour’s pupils on rocks near Siccar—between it and Redheugh.” 282 THE HERRING GULL. were eagerly sought after by some of the fishermen on the Berwickshire coast, but now they do not appear to go often on egging expeditions. Mr. Hardy notes that about forty years ago “the fishers at Burnmouth went twice a week in ‘Gull time’ round the rocks which the Gulls frequent to get their eggs. They sometimes got as many as eighty or ninety in a morning, and found them quite as edible as hen eggs. About the above-mentioned time a very adventure- some boy named Kerr—son of William Kerr, fisherman, Burnmouth—was killed by falling from a steep yellow- coloured rock called Dunkirk, on Fairneyside Farm. He was hung round with eggs in handkerchiefs, and had a bonnetful also, when the portion of the rock he held by proved treacherous and down he fell on the black rocks below and was killed. The only expression his three com- panions heard was ‘ae Johnnie.’ Some time before this two boys were killed at St. Abb’s Head by falling over the rocks when in search of Gulls’ eggs. The first notice which the mother of one of them got of the accident was from the children who had gone with him to the Head coming home crying.” The food of the Herring Gull consists of fish, crusta- ceans, star-fishes, and other marine creatures. It likewise feeds upon dead fish and other garbage cast ashore by the waves, and also eats eggs. Mr. Hardy has known it to feed upon the fragments of a bottle-nosed whale which had been carted to the fields at Oldecambus for manure; also under date 1st September 1868, he writes: “ At present when the sea is rough the Herring Gulls are sitting on the oat stubble, and sometimes I see them seated on the stooks. At Siccar 1 Mr. Robert Gray writes: ‘‘I have repeatedly observed that on the Berwick- shire coasts and elsewhere Herring Gulls, and especially young birds, feed to a great extent upon star-fishes. One of which I shot on the 11th of September vomited, when it fell, ten specimens of Asterias rubens, two of which measured nearly three inches across the rings.” —Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 466. THE HERRING GULL. 283 Point, where they sit on the rocks, amongst their droppings are large quantities of oat husks, mixed here and there with mussels and limpets and shells of Purpura lapellus ; they seem to feed much upon limpets, and hence frequent the rocks where these are found.” This Gull derives its common name from its habit of following shoals of herrings, whose presence off shore is indicated by its hovering over them in flocks, and every now and then dropping to the water and capturing a fish, reminding us of the following lines of Charlotte Smith :— And hosts of sea-birds, clamouring loud, Scent with wild wing the welcome shoal, Swift o’er the animated current sweep, And bear their silver captives from the deep. Captain Norman, R.N., of Cheviot House, Berwick-on- Tweed, has favoured me with the following interesting note : “While walking along the cliff edge between Burnmouth and Eyemouth on the 16th of August 1887 my attention was arrested by the large number of Gulls which were clustered at intervals along the coast. I suspected that these birds marked the position of the fixed nets for salmon, and that they were waiting for the appearance of an inshore shoal of herring, which turned out to be the case. Taking my station, binocular in hand, above the site of one of the nets, I awaited the course of events. I had not long to wait, for in a few minutes the water seemed quite alive with silvery herrings, whose passage along shore had been inter- rupted by the curtain of the net, or that part of it with which the salmon first come into contact, and which turns their course. The Gulls became very much excited, and were soon in the midst of the shoal by hundreds.” In winter and spring this species is occasionally seen in the interior of the county, where it frequents the grass fields and ploughed land to search for worms and grubs. Its 284 THE HERRING GULL. appearance in numbers in the inland parts is considered to be an indication of the approach of tempestuous weather, as mentioned by Grahame in his British Georgics :— No sign of gathering storm, both wind and rain, Is surer than the sea-fowl’s inland flight. Sir David Lindsay, in his Complaynt of Scotland, also alludes to this Gull foretelling stormy weather, for he says: “The Swannis murnit because the gray goul mau pronosticat ane storme.” The Herring Gull is sometimes kept as a pet in gardens, and Mr. Hardy relates that “one which belonged to Mr. William Calder, Gunsgreen, used to go down to the water Kye to wash itself and then returned. A boy in Ayton kept one for a long time, and it used to fly daily to the Eye to wash itself, returning on buoyant wing to the heart of the village. Boys about Oldcambus sometimes catch Gulls by placing a worm on a fishing-hook with a long string attached to the hook.” GAVIA. ( 285 ) LARIDA.. THE LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. YELLOW-FOOTED GULL. Larus fuscus. The Gull WBaw., As wave meets wave within some rocky bay, When varying currents hold their whiten'd way ; When the shrill sea-mew with unwearied cries, Skimming the sea with restless pinion, flies ; When deep’ ning clouds foretell the wintry gale, And the gaunt mariner clews up the satl, SCAFE’S King Coal's Levee, p. 35. THIS species is seen in small numbers on the coast of Ber- wickshire at all seasons of the year, and a few pairs breed on the Cleaver Rock, Foul Carr, and other precipices about St. Abb’s Head in company with the Herring Gull. It occasionally visits the Tweed and the Whitadder* in winter and spring. It feeds chiefly upon small fishes and dead animals thrown on shore by the tide. The nest is made of dry grass, and contains two or three eggs, which vary in colour from yellowish-grey to olive- brown, with spots of purplish-grey and dark-brown. The feet of this Gull are yellow; hence the proverb: “ As yellow as a gull’s fit.” 1 On the 4th of April 1887 I observed a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls sitting on the gravel at the junction of the Dye and the Whitadder, GAVIA. ( 286 ) LARIDZ. THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. BLACK-BACK, CARRION GULL, GULL MAW. Larus marinus. Gull Wa, The sea-birds shriek above the prey, O'er which their hungry beaks delay. BYRON. Tus large Gull is occasionally seen on the Berwickshire seaboard, chiefly in the neighbourhood of St. Abb’s Head, but it is not found breeding on any part of the coast of the county at the present time. Mr. Archibald Hepburn, in his “Notes on some of the Birds found at St. Abb’s Head in June 1851,” says: “The boatman informed me that a single pair of the Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) breeds annually on the Flood Carr,! adjoining the Skelly Rock. The Bass can likewise boast of one or two pairs of these noble birds.”2 About 1855 Mr. Wilson of Coldingham gave Mr. Hardy a list of birds which were then found at St. Abb’s Head, and in it this species is mentioned as frequenting that locality, but seldom nesting there. The large size, black back, and loud harsh cry of this Gull easily distinguish it from any of its congeners. Its flight is very powerful, and it seldom allows itself to be approached within gunshot, being very wary. It feeds on fish, carrion, and garbage thrown on shore by the tide; it is also very destructive to eggs, and robs the nests of Guille- mots and other birds. 1 Called also Flot Carr. 2 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iii. p. 74. GAVIA. ( 287 ) LARIDA. ¢ Lee GHhAw cows) GU, BURGOMASTER, GOLDEN MAW. Larus glaucus. Not swiftly—but as fly The sea-gulls, with a steady, sober flight. ByRON, Don Juan. Dvrine winter this large Gull is frequently seen on the coast of Berwickshire, but generally in immature mottled plumage, in which stage, Mr. George Bolam remarks, that even at a distance, it may be distinguished from the young of the Great Black-backed and other Gulls by its steady, soaring flight! A young bird was shot at Eyemouth on the 19th of December 1882.7 The Glaucous Gull breeds in the arctic regions, and is only a winter visitor to the British Islands. It is a greedy and voracious bird, and feeds largely upon carrion and gar- ' bage of all kinds. It frequently robs other Gulls of their prey. d 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 170. 2 Ibid. vol. x. p. 200. GAVIA. ( 288 ) LARID. THE KITTIWAKE GULL. BLACK-FOOTED KITTIWAKE, ANNET, TARROCK. Rissa tridactyla. The Kaitiewake, Che Cirrlic. Above, around, in cloudy circles wheel'd, Or sailing level, on the polar gale That cool with evening rose, a thousand wings, The summer nations of these pregnant cliffs, Play d sportive round, and to the sun outspread Their various plumage, or in wild notes hatl'd His parent-beam. MALLET, Amyntor. THis beautiful Gull formerly bred in great numbers on the high precipitous rocks at St. Abb’s Head, but does not now nest on any part of the Berwickshire coast. Mr. John Renton of Chesterbank, who in 1794 wrote the report on the parish of Coldingham for the Old Statistical Account of Scotland, says, with regard to the sea-fowl which were then found in that parish: “ There is also a prodigious number of sea-fowls known by the name of Scouts and Kittiwakes, with a mixture of Sea Gulls, that arrive in the spring yearly upon the high and inaccessible rocks on the south side of St. Abb’s Head. They breed incredible numbers of young, and when the young are ripe, but before they can fly, the gentlemen in the neighbourhood find excellent sport by going out in boats and shooting great numbers of them; when they are killed or wounded they fall from the rocks into the sea, and the rowers haul them into their boats. Their eggs are pretty good, but their flesh is very bad, yet the poor people THE KITTIWAKE GULL. 289 eat them. They leave the rocks about harvest, and none of them are ever seen here before the next spring.’ Selby, in his “ Account of the Birds observed at St. Abb’s Head on the 18th of July 1832,” which appears in the first volume of the History of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, remarks that : “The Larus rissa or Kittiwake is also numerous, but does not breed in company with the other [Zarus canus], select- ing in preference the small projecting angles, which barely admit of room for the reception of their eggs and young.?” The next notice of the Kittiwake on the Berwickshire coast is by Mr. Archibald Hepburn, who, in his “ Notes on some of the Mammalia and Birds found at St. Abb’s Head on the 20th of June 1851,” says: “ Next to the foolish Guillemot, the Kittiwake (Larus tridactylus) is by far the most numerous bird about the Head. Unlike the other species of gull found here, they showed no preference for the tufts of grass grow- ing on the precipices, but built their nests in crevices or ledges of rock, sometimes solitary or in small colonies, which again were occasionally distinct from, and at other times intermingled with, the nests of the Guillemot. This gull derives its name from its well-marked cry, ‘ Kitty-week,’ sharp stress being laid upon the last syllable when the bird is angry or alarmed.”® Macgillivray, writing in 1852, mentions St. Abb’s Head as one of the principal breeding stations of the Kittiwake in Scotland* About 1855 or 1856 the late Mr. Andrew Wilson of Coldingham gave to My. Hardy, Oldcambus, a list of the birds which were then found breeding at St. Abb’s Head, and in it this species is mentioned as nesting at Skelly, Foul Carr Rib, and the Rampart. About 1857 Mr. Hardy submitted the list to Mr. Francis Purves, who was well acquainted with the birds at 1 The Statistical Account of Scotland, by Sir John Sinclair, Bart., vol. xii. p. 57. 2 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. i. p. 19. 3 Ibid. vol. iii. p. 74. 4 History of British Birds, vol. v. p. 518. VOL. II. Je 290 THE KITTIWAKE GULL. St. Abb’s Head, and in commenting upon it Mr. Purves noted that “the Kittiwake has deserted the Skelly and Foul Carr Cove or Rib, and now chiefly resorts to the Ramparts. This is since they were so much tormented by the large Newcastle steamboats calling in and firing at them. They are also fewer in number.” Under date August 1857, Mr. Hardy writes in his MS. Notes: “ Kittiwake dwindling away at St. Abb’s Head; this is supposed to be on account of their being so much shot at by the London and Leith steamers.” On the 11th of August 1886, when I was on a visit to St. Abb’s Head for the purpose of marking on the twenty-five inch Ordnance Survey Map of the coast the breeding stations of the various birds which are found there, Mr. Robert Thorburn, fisherman, Coldingham Shore,! in- formed me that the Kittiwake reared its young numerously on the perpendicular precipices of the Cleaver Rock long ago, but that none had bred about St. Abb’s Head for the last twenty years. It would thus appear that between 1857 and 1866 the Kittiwake gave up nesting there. This species is now found in small numbers on the coast of Berwickshire during the winter and early spring months,” and is occasionally seen on the Tweed, but it is not observed in the inland districts of the county frequent- ing the grass fields or ploughed land, like the Common and the Herring Gulls. Its great breeding stations in the vicinity are the Bass Rock and the Farne Islands, where it arrives in vast numbers in spring. After the nesting 1 Mr. Thorburn told me that he was seventy-seven years old, and had fished about the Coldingham coast all his life; also that he had accompanied the ‘¢Sappers and Miners,” when they surveyed the coast at St. Abb’s Head about 1857, to tell them the names of the rocks. He appeared to be well acquainted with the breeding places of the birds about the Head. 2 Mr. Hardy notes under date 25th March 1874: ‘‘A number of Kittiwakes associated in a party with Common Gulls on the Pease Sands.”—AHist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 279. Also on 21st December 1874: ‘‘ Kittiwake seen passing on the sea banks,”—Jdid. vol. vii. p. 282. THE KITTIWAKE GULL. 291 season most of the birds proceed southwards, only a few remaining to spend the winter, but it is supposed that the latter are supplemented by others migrating from the north. The food of this Gull consists chiefly of small fishes and other soft marine animals. SAM ant W94. GAVIA, ( 292 ) LARIDE. THE POMATORHINE SKUA. Stercorarius pomatorhinus. From the frozen north, where Winter's hand With sway despotic and untam'd locks up The shrinking world ; o'er the wide ocean borne On vig’rous wing, pour forth the feather'd tribes Diverse and strange. REV. JOHN VINCENT, Fowding. In the autumn months this visitor from the arctic regions is occasionally seen on the coast of Berwickshire, where, in the middle of October 1879, great numbers were observed, as well as on the shores of Northumberland, many of them being shot for preservation as specimens. The Pomatorhine Skua has a rapid flight, is bold and rapacious, and fre- quently robs Gulls of their prey. It breeds in the polar regions. oe GAVIA. ( 293 ) LARIDA. THE ARCTIC, OR RICHARDSON’S SKUA. TEASER, SKAIT BIRD, DIRT BIRD, DIRTY ALLAN. Stercorarius creprdatus. Ignorant elf, ape, owl yrregular, Skaldit skaitbird, and common skandelatr ; Wansukkit funlin, that Nature made ane Yrie, Baith John the Ross and thow sall squeil and skirle, Gif eir I heir ocht of your making matr. THE FLYTING OF DUNBAR AND KENNEDY, circa 1508. THE Arctic, or Richardson’s Skua is sometimes seen on the coasts of the county during the autumn and winter months, being a visitor from the north. A mature male was shot by Mr. Cotesworth on the farm of Whitefield, near Cowden Knowes, on the 12th of November 1874, this being the only instance of the bird having been found in any inland district of Berwickshire. This Skua occurred in unusual numbers from Coldingham to Cramond in the winter of 1874-75, when, as recorded by Mr. Hardy, a male and a female were shot at Coldingham Shore.* Richardson’s Skua may be distinguished from the Poma- torhine Skua by its smaller size, and narrow, pointed, central tail feathers. Like that bird, it has a powerful and rapid flight, resembling that of a Hawk, and is a great robber of Gulls and Terns, which it chases until they drop their prey. It likewise feeds upon the eggs and young of other birds, and garbage thrown up by the tide. Its principal breeding quarters are in the arctic regions. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 288. 2 Ibid, vol. vii. p. 261. 3 bid. vol. vii. p. 517. GAVIA. ( 294 ) LARID&. THE LONG-TAILED, OR BUFFON’S SKUA. Stercorartus parasiticus. When the ocean rolls the proudest, Through the foam the sea-bird glides. ScoTrT. Durinc the storms of the autumn of 1879 great flocks of Skuas visited the coasts of England and Scotland, amongst which were considerable numbers of this species, an example being shot at Eyemouth in November of that year. It was a mature bird, and had the central feathers seven inches longer than the other plumage of the tail.’ The Long-tailed Skua resembles Richardson’s Skua in its general habits, and may be distinguished from the latter by its smaller size and longer central tail feathers. It breeds in Lapland and other northern regions. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 169. on Ba TE ; . ae: z ae = 23 See = = ony ee ———e sey cr 7 i I BF Soi PYGOPODES. ( 295 ) ALCIDE. THE RAZOR-BILL. COMMON AUK, MARROT, SCOUT, SEA CROW. Alca torda. The Coulter Peh. The billows burst, in ceaseless flow, Upon the precipice below. The steepy rock, and frantic tide, Approach of human step denied. Str WALTER SCOTT, SELBY, writing on the birds observed at St. Abb’s Head on the 18th of July 1832, says: “Upon the ledges of the rocks the Guillemots (Uria troile) and Razor-bills (Alca torda) were seen in great numbers, ranged in order, tier above tier, and looking at a distance like armies of pigmies ; these upon the least alarm utter their peculiar curring kind of note, which, when mixed with the screams of the Sea Gull and Kittiwake, and heard from a distance, or softened by the murmurs of the waves, produces a wild though not disagreeable species of concert well according with the nature of the scenery which surrounds them.”’ Mr. Archibald Hepburn, in his “Account of the Birds found at St. Abb’s Head on the 20th of June 1851,” remarks that: “The Razor-bill (Alca torda) is pretty common, but not nearly so abundant as I had anticipated from the numbers found on the Bass; indeed, they did not appear to be so numerous as the Herring Gulls. They generally frequented 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. i. p. 19. 296 THE RAZOR-BILL. loftier ledges than the Guillemot cared to occupy, and that in little parties, separately, or mixed with other species, and occasionally a solitary bird might be seen tenanting a snug eranny.”’ In a list of birds which frequent St. Abb’s Head, given to Mr. Hardy in 1855 or 1856 by the late Andrew Wilson of Coldingham, it is stated that the “Coulter Neb” (Alca torda) then nested at the Rampart, Skelly, and Foul Carr Cove; and comments on this list in 1857 by the late Mr. Francis Purves show that it was then found on all parts of the Head. From the above statement it would appear that the subject of our notice was formerly much more plentiful at St. Abb’s Head than it is at the present time, when it is found breed- ing in small numbers only, along with colonies of Guillemots, on the ledges of the high precipitous rocks which run into the sea near the ruins of the ancient nunnery. When I visited this haunt in the end of June 1886, very few Razor-bills were to be seen, whilst the ledges were covered with hundreds of Guillemots. In size, colour, and habits, this species resembles these birds, and it returns to its nesting places in spring about the same time. Its single egg, which is usually deposited on the bare rock, is smaller and more oval than that of the Guillemot, and is white, blotched, and spotted with reddish-brown. During autumn and winter the Razor-bill is found off the coast of the county, where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. It swims with great ease, and is an expert diver. Mr. Hardy, writing on the effects of the severe winter of 1878-79, mentions that in February 1879 numbers of dead Razor-bills were found washed ashore near Oldcambus.? 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iii. p. 73. 2 Tbid. vol. ix. pp. 126-389. PYGOPODES. ( 297 ) ALCID/A.. THE COMMON GUILLEMOT. FOOLISH GUILLEMOT, WILLOCK, MURRE, MARROT, SCOUT, SKIDDAW, SCUTTOCK, SEA HEN. Uria troile. The Scoot, Che Warrot.’ The baron hath the landward park ; the fisher hath the sea ; But the rocky haunts of the sea-fowl belong alone to me. MARY Howl Tt, Song of the Sea-Fowler. THE magnificent promontory of St. Abb’s Head, where the dark sea-girt rocks tower to a vast height above the restless waves below, is the favourite haunt of the Common Guillemot in Berwickshire. Here it may be seen during the breeding season in closely-packed colonies on the rocky ledges of the gloomy precipices, which are whitened by the mutings of countless generations of sea-fowl. When a boat approaches the bottom of the cliffs, and the birds are alarmed, vast numbers dash headlong from their eggs towards the sea, their harsh chattering screams, mingled with the clamorous eries of Gulls and other sea-fowl, reminding us of the fol- lowing quaint description by old Dunbar :— The air was dirkit with the fowlis That come with yawmeris, and with yowlis, With skryking, skryming, and with scowlis, To tak him in the tyde. 1 Scout’s Croft, near Coldingham ; Scout Cave, on the coast south from Eye- mouth ; and Scout Point, near Gunsgreen, have evidently derived their names from this bird. 2 So called by the Cove fishermen.—J. Hardy. 298 THE COMMON GUILLEMOT. Proceeding round the coast from Lamberton on the east to Cockburnspath on the west, the first colony of Guillemots which we reach is at Whiteheugh, immediately to the north of the village of Coldingham Shore. Here multitudes of birds are seen on the whitened ledges of the overhanging cliff, sitting erect in rows, and so closely wedged together that every available space seems to be occupied by them. As we draw near, their loud, hoarse, curring notes, which they appear to utter in concert from time to time, have a peculiar but not unpleasing effect upon the ear, and are in keeping with the wild nature of the surrounding scenery. When heard on a calm summer night, as the shades of darkness are beginning to creep over the rocky coast, the discordant screams of the innumerable sea-fowl, now swell- ing loudly along the face of the cliff and again dying away in the distance, produce a weird and fearful sound which clings to the memory, and reminds the listener of the stories of the gibbering hobgoblins, witches, and warlocks of the past, who, wi’ monie an eldrich screech and hollow, frightened the ancient inhabitants of the county. On passing from the Whiteheugh towards St. Abb’s Head a small breeding station of this species is seen on the cliffs immediately to the east of the Lighthouse, and after rounding the Head considerable colonies are found on the Cleaver Rock, Foul Carr, the precipices at the Ramparts, Skelly, and Flot Carr. There is also a nesting place on the face of the steep cliff which looks towards the west, between West Hurker and Petticowick Harbour." When we reach 1 James Melville in his Awtobiography mentions the spring of delicious water which still exists at Petticowick. Describing his flight in an open boat towards Berwick in June 1584, to escape from his persecutor Arran, he says: ‘‘It fell dead calm about the sun drawing laigh. Coming under the Craig, we rowed in within a pretty little howe betwixt the Main and the Head, where, easily going a-land, we refreshed us with cold water and wine, and, returning to our boat, sleeped the dead THE COMMON GUILLEMOT. 299 Broadhaven Bay a small colony is seen on the rocks there, and another at the Raven’s Heugh; further on at Thrummie Carr we find another occupying the most westerly breeding place of the Guillemot on the coast of Berwickshire. Dr. Johnston of Berwick, in his address to the Berwick- shire Naturalists’ Club on its first anniversary meeting held at Coldstream, 19th September 1832, referring to a visit of the Club to St. Abb’s Head in July of that year, remarks that: “Many of the rocks are insulated, of a pyramidal form, and soar to a great height. The bases of most are solid, but in some pierced through and arched. They are covered with the dung of innumerable flocks of birds which resort here annually to breed, and fill every little projec- tion, every hole which will give them leave to rest. Multi- tudes were swimming about, others swarmed in the air and stunned us with the variety of their croaks and screams. Kittiwakes, Sea-mews, and Black-headed Gulls, Guillemots, Auks, and Corvorants are among the species which resort hither.” * In his “ Notes on some of the Birds found at St. Abb’s Head on the 20th of June 1851,” Mr. Archibald Hepburn states that: “The Guillemot (Uria troile) breeds in count- less thousands; ledge above ledge was crowded with birds sitting on their solitary egg laid on the bare rock, and at the report of a gun the birds would waddle to the edge: springing downwards with outstretched legs to break their fall, they sped away on rapid pinion to the open sea. On approaching the base of one of the stupendous cliffs a large flock of these birds, which were reposing on a rocky shelf a foot or two above the water, dashed into the sea; some of the night, but needed nane to wake us, for soon be the daylight appeared there was sic a noise of fowls on the craig and about us, because of their young anes, that we were almost pressed to launch out.”—Melville’s Autobiography, pp. 169, 170. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. i. pp. 5, 6. 300 THE COMMON GUILLEMOT. fluttered along the surface ere they acquired an impetus for flight; others swam about the boat in the most confiding manner, and delighted us all with their graceful move- ments.”' He likewise refers to the Guillemot as being more numerous than any other kind of bird at the Head, and the Kittiwake Gull standing next to it in numbers.? An interesting paper on “ St. Abb’s Head and its Bird Life ” was read to the Natural History Society of Glasgow by Mr. Harvie-Brown on the 26th of April 1881, who, in alluding to his own observations on the occasion of a visit to the Head on the 25th of July 1880, remarks that “The Guillemot must be much scarcer now than in Hepburn’s time.” 3 Judging from the above records, and from what I have noticed during the last few years when occasionally visiting St. Abb’s Head in the breeding season, as well as from in- formation obtained from old fishermen who have frequented the Head all their lives, it would appear that the Guillemot has greatly diminished in numbers within the last thirty or forty years. It is difficult to account for this decrease satisfactorily, but probably it may have proceeded from various causes, amongst which may be mentioned the vast quantities of Guillemots’ eggs which were formerly taken by the fishermen,‘ and also the marked increase of the Herring Gull, whose nest-robbing propensities are well known. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. iii. p. 73. 2 Tbid. vol. iii. p. 74. 3 Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, 26th April 1881. 4Mr. Robert Thorburn, fisherman, Coldingham Shore, who is seventy-eight years old, and has fished in the neighbourhood of St. Abb’s Head all his life, told me on the 11th of August 1886, when he accompanied me to the Head, that, about forty years ago, he took as many as 180 Guillemots’ eggs off Foul Carr in one day, and that he sold the eggs for 1d. each. The eggs of the Guillemots, which occupy the ledges of the precipitous cliffs at the Ramparts, appear to be taken at present by men or boys descending with ropes to the nests, for I have frequently observed strong wooden stakes firmly driven into the ground on the top of precipices to which ropes had evidently been hitched. Mr. Hardy’s MS. Notes bear that about 1837 Guillemots’ eggs were sold at 4d, per dozen. —.—_— oo = ee // ia Sell i; BC #stABBS HEAD. Garr 9 (\ y) 2 EI A YK a H ay tre = Seale. 100 200 200 400 500 100 Jokn Barthalomew&& Co... Edin . : j - daises + 1 Ce wa SUITE igee at 0 Aj 7 = squire a 7 y ; Rautn obenity the Boal th ae mathe é "e er as" ay 4 ri bei rel 4 led at exh Gage in at te ere and its Bird Life bP Gilg: row hy & wit! alia e et 4, ¥isi' to He) re i ry y . be hs gt « than “Sey ‘ ‘ hg i Hephura i a z Pewee | iv ; ; ak i hove} ¥ visitigg I Srout, Te ‘Ye , aie oF eager! od PORTANT fe allo: 4 Me : " ip Li. ) , + a * ) 7 7 a “ f * _ } I ‘ \ + q t - } i { ul ‘ yy 1 i a Y i . ' \ | : a | “? H hu : iy xy ANY os “ at Migs Sa : FastCastle 0 Mla Te, Siccar Point ., Swallow crac PYGOPODES. ( 313 ) PODICIPEDIDA. THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE. CRESTED DOUKER, TIPPET OR SATIN GREBE,! GAUNT, CAR GOOSE, GREATER LOON, GREY OR ASH-COLOURED LOON. Podiceps cristatus. Thou cream-faced Loon / Where got st thou that goose look ? SHAKESPEARE, Macbeth, Act v. Sc. 3. DvurinG the autumn, winter, and spring months the Great Crested Grebe is occasionally found off the shores of the county in small numbers. Mr. Hardy mentions that of late years it has been noted as an annual winter visitor, and that it was very numerous in 1879, when some were seen lingering on the coast as late as the 3rd of May.2 He adds that in the spring of 1880 it was observed for the last time in the season on the 22nd of March, and reappeared on the 20th of December following? In 1881 it left the coast on the 29th of April, and was not noticed in the autumn of that year; only two or three examples were seen in the spring of 1882.4 The smooth, silky breast of this Grebe is used for making ladies’ muffs, and on this account the bird is frequently pursued by men with guns in a boat, when it dives with such rapidity that it can be shot only after a long chase. 1 ‘From the glossy, silky white skin of the breast being used by furriers for cape trimmings and tippets.”—Swainson’s Folk-Lore of British Birds, p. 215, 2 Mr. G. Bolam records that he saw a specimen in 1881 as late as 30th May on the Tweed near Berwick Bridge.—Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. x. p. 395. 3 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 391. 4 Tbid. vol. ix. p. 552. 314 THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE. Seebohm says that it has not hitherto been known to breed in Scotland, but that it nests in some parts of England and Ireland.t It feeds generally on fish, frogs, and aquatic insects, and numbers of its feathers are usually found mixed with the food in its stomach on dissection. 1Seebohm, British Birds, vol. iii. p. 455. voile Yi ve = Laps b Dy ua Th (4 Li pe SAIS C ye ete we as Vwi Blas font wf Sud, Z t, ¥ Marinate gn Chim Aparel ~ Le gpa f rt Fg ag 4 PYGOPODES. ( 315 ) PODICIPEDID. THE RED-NECKED GREBE. GREY-CHEEKED GREBE. Podiceps griseigena. Now up, now downe againe, that hard tt is to prove, Whether under water most tt liveth, or above. DRAYTON. THE Red-necked Grebe is sometimes seen on the coast of Berwickshire during the winter months, and occasionally in the inland parts of the county, generally in severe weather. Mr. Hardy mentions that a specimen which was shot at the Harbour Pier, Coldingham Shore, on the 10th of December, 1875, in winter plumage, was added to Mr. Wilson’s collec- tion ;1 and Mr. Gray records that a beautifully marked bird was killed at Coldingham on the 14th of February 1879.” Mr. J. Logan Mack, Coveyheugh House, has informed me that Mr. Andrew Caverhill, Crichness, sent to him a Red-necked Grebe on the 2nd of February 1881, which was killed on the Lammermuirs during a snowstorm by a shepherd, who knocked it down with a stick. Mr. Compton-Lundie of Spital kindly presented to me a fine specimen of a male in immature plumage, which was shot on the Whitadder at Clarabad mill cauld on the 2nd of February 1888. This species is considerably less than the Great Crested Grebe, while, like that bird, it dives with great facility. It feeds on fish and aquatic insects. 1 Hist. Ber, Nat, Club, vol. vii. p. 517. 2 Ibid. vol. viii. p. 502. 316 THE RED-NECKED GREBE. Although the Sclavonian Grebe (Podiceps auritus) is doubtless a frequenter of our shores from autumn to spring I have no record of any example of this bird having been obtained in Berwickshire. PYGOPODES. ( 317 ) PODICIPEDID. THE EARED GREBE. THE BLACK-NECKED GREBE. Podiceps nagricollis. Birds, small and great, of endless shapes and colours, Here flew and perch'd, there swam and dived at pleasure ; Watchful and agile, uttering voices wild And harsh, yet in accordance with the waves Upon the beach, MONTGOMERY, ALTHOUGH this is the rarest of the five species of Grebes found in the British Islands, Mr. Robert Gray states that it seems to occur regularly every winter in suitable locali- ties alongshore between Berwick-on-Tweed and Belhaven,! which includes the whole of the Berwickshire coast. Mr. Andrew Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, informed me on the 19th of March 1885 that, some time previous to this date, a specimen was shot on Lithtillum Loch, which is situated on the march between the parishes of Coldstream and Eccles. This is the only instance with which I am acquainted of the bird having been got in the county, but an example killed on the Tweed near Berwick in March 1881 is in my collection. The Eared Grebe may be distinguished from the Sclavonian by the former having the bill slightly recurved, while in the latter it is straight. In its habits and food this bird resembles its congeners. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 465. PYGOPODES. ( 318 ) PODICIPEDID. THE LITTLE GREBE OR DABCHICK. DIPPER, DIVER, DIEDAPPER, DIVEDAPPER, DOUCKER, LITTLE DOUCKER, BOMETIE, MITHER 0’ THE MAWKINS. Podiceps fluviatilis. Che Dipper. Upon this promise did he raise his chin, Like a dive-dapper peering through a wave, Who, being look'd on, ducks as quickly in. SHAKESPEARE, Venus and Adonis. THE Little Grebe is a permanent resident in the county, being found in spring, summer, and autumn on the lakes and ponds where it breeds; and in winter on rivers and along the sea-coast when its other haunts are covered with ice. It is a very expert diver,? and its habits are lively and engaging, especially during the nesting season, when the young may be seen floating about on the surface of the water, their parents coming up from beneath at short inter- vals to feed them. Mr. Hardy notes that it arrived at Townhead Pond, where it breeds, on the 8th of April 1882, and that it leaves that resort in the autumn. Mr. John Thomson wrote to me on the 3rd of May 1886 that . it nests regularly at Mertoun, and at Hullidean Mill Pond, 1 Mr. W. Lockie, Spottiswoode, gives this as the local name of the bird in that locality. 2 Mr. Black, farmer at Girrick, in the parish of Nenthorn, tells me that he has frequently shot at this Grebe on the Eden, but without success, as the bird always dived before the charge reached it. 3 Mr. W. Evans, Edinburgh, has informed me that he saw the Little Grebe on Townhead Pond on the 22nd of April 1886. THE LITTLE GREBE OR DABCHICK. 319 Bemersyde. Mr. W. Lockie says it is met with in con- siderable numbers on Legerwood Loch, and that in winter it frequents the bogs about Westruther and Spottiswoode. The Mill Pond at Foulden New Mains, according to Mr. Millican, is also a favourite resort. I have sometimes observed it on Nabdean Mill Pond, and on the Tweed at Paxton in the winter and early spring months. Mr. A. Kelly, Lauder, relates that “ Mr. Scott shot a pair of Little Grebes in January 1875 in St. Leonard’s Cauld. When he first came in sight of them they were standing on a broad hemming of ice enclosing the water, but this was only momentary, as both plunged into the water and reappeared in the same place, and this action was repeated over and over again. They were feeding, he thought, on the spawn of trout. He crept nearer them under cover of the branches to get within shot. Perceiving that they were watched, they instinctively kept in the water, only occasionally putting up their beaks for air in the current—the ice preventing them from getting under shelter of the willows and other strong herbage at the sides. Many years before that date Mr. Simson, Lauder, obtained a specimen from the same place.”2 Mr. Kelly adds that this bird is very uncommon in his neighbourhood. The Rev. George Cook of Longtor- macus has informed me that Mr. Smith of Whitchester shot two examples on the Dye in 1879. Dr. Stuart relates that a specimen was found dead at the side of the Whit- adder, near Blanerne, after the ice broke up in December rs 79.° 1 Mr. Brotherston, bird-stuffer, Kelso, writing on the effects of the severe winter of 1878-79, says that the Little Grebes were found to be in good condition, and that, in addition to the remains of aquatic insects and their larve, one had a quantity of salmon roe in its stomach.—Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. viii. p. 538. 2Mr. A. Kelly, ‘‘On some of the Birds of Lauderdale.”—Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. pp. 305, 306. 3 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 407. 320 THE LITTLE GREBE OR DABCHICK. The Little Grebe is seldom seen on the wing, and its awkward gait on land is thus alluded to by Pope :— As when a dab-chick waddles through the copse On feet and wings, and flies, and wades, and hops. The nest, which is rather large and flat, is composed of aquatic plants, and is generally placed amongst reeds, rushes, or other coarse herbage with little attempt at concealment ; the eggs, which are from four to six in number, are white when first laid. They soon, however, become stained, and of a dirty yellow colour, for the bird generally covers the egos with decaying water weeds on leaving the nest. The food of this species, which it mostly obtains under the surface of the water, consists of small fishes and aquatic insects of various kinds. Quantities of feathers are fre- quently found in its stomach. Ae . 2 VE we i yi) y My a y Lipp Sey) ‘ aussi ly Mt TUBINARES. ( 321 ) PROCELLARIIDA. THE STORM PETREL. MOTHER CAREY’S CHICKEN, STORMY PETREL, LITTLE PETREL, STORM FINCH, WITCH OR WATER WITCH, MITTY, SPENEY, SEA SWALLOW. Procellaria pelagica. The Stormy Petrel, Che Mother of Carey Chicken. O'er the deep! o'er the deep! Where the whale, and the shark, and the swordfish sleep / Outfiying the blast and the driving rain, The Petrel telleth her tale in vain / For the mariner curseth the warning bird, Who bringeth him news of the storm unheard, B, CORNWALL. THE Rev. John Turnbull of Eyemouth mentions that in particular states of the weather this bird is seen at no great distance from the coast ;? and Mr. Hardy notes that it was seen at Coldingham Shore on the 7th of January 1861. It is sometimes driven inland during very stormy weather, and as instances of this it may be mentioned that the occurrence of a specimen at Oxton, six miles north from Lauder, is recorded by Mr. Kelly,? and another, which was got at Cranshaws, in the Lammermuirs, many years ago, was stuffed by Mr. W. Duns, Duns. 1 The Petrel is so named from the French pétre/, a diminutive of Pétre, 7.e., Peter ; and the allusion is to the apostle walking on the Sea of Galilee. Whilst skimming along the waves its legs hang down, and the feet seem to touch the water, presenting the appearance of walking.—Swainson’s Polk-Lore of British Birds, p. 211. 2 New Statistical Account of Scotland (Berwickshire), vol. ii. p. 322. 3 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 306. VOL. II. x 322 THE STORM PETREL. Mr. Gray, writing of the effects of the storm of the 14th of October 1881;1 on bird-life in the Firth of Forth, after alluding to the various sea-fowl which had been driven by the violence of the hurricane to take shelter near the coasts, says: “Simultaneously there appeared large numbers of Storm Petrels, many of which were blown some distance inland, where they were captured—records of the birds having been caught or otherwise dispersed having reached me from Dunbar and the Lammermuirs. The main body, however, remained in the Firth eight or ten days, during which time the birds frequented for the most part the lee side of Inchkeith, quite near to the anchored ships that had been forced there for shelter. A lesson, indeed, might have been derived from their presence by the captains of ocean- going steamers, several of whom, impatient of delay, had set sail—in some cases oftener than once—only, however, to re- turn, partially disabled, to their former anchorage. The Petrel, actuated no doubt by an unerring instinct, wisely remained under shelter; and I would venture to say that in any future case, when these birds are seen under such circum- stances, much expense might be saved by masters of wind- bound vessels if they quietly remained at their anchorage until the Petrels let them know when it was time to leave. I commend this observation to my friend Mr. Buchan, the excellent Secretary of the Scottish Meteorological Society, as 1 During this terrible and disastrous storm, when the sea, lashed into unpre- cedented fury by the hurricane, overwhelmed upwards of one hundred and fifty fishermen, with their boats, from the villages on the sea-coast of Berwickshire, the Storm Petrel was seen at various places along the shore. Mr. Campbell-Noble of Coldingham has informed me that during the height of the tempest a boat, belong- ing to Alexander Wilson of Coldingham Shore, was driven with some others round by St. Abb’s Head. When the boat was in momentary peril of being dashed to pieces on the rocks as it was rounding the most dangerous part of the Head, and the men were lying on the deck with their arms through the bulwarks, a “half- lang” lad, named Thomas Wilson (John’s Tam), stretching out his legs, touched one of the men, and said, ‘“‘Geordie! yonder’s a Stormy Petrel!” The man, apparently looking upon this remark as most untimely, was heard to reply, ‘Stormy Petrel! If I could get at ye, I would Stormy Petrel ye.” THE STORM PETREL. 323 a means of increasing the interest, if not the importance, of future weather forecasts.” 4 The Storm Petrel is about the size of a Sparrow, and is one of the smallest web-footed birds. It breeds on various parts of the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, and feeds on small fishes, crustaceans, and molluscs. 1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. x. pp. 85, 86. ( 324 ) MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN BERWICKSHIRE. Birds, joyous birds of the wandering wing ! Whence is it ye come with the flowers of spring ? HEMANS. : Wild birds that change Their season in the night, and wail their way From cloud to cloud. TENNYSON. For many years past the Migration of Birds has attracted the attention of ornithologists, and although much informa- tion has been collected regarding it since the days of Gilbert White, whose delightful work on the Natural History of Selborne is a perennial source of pleasure to all lovers of Nature, yet much has still to be obtained before the subject can be fully elucidated, and removed from the region of conjecture. We find that with the approach of the cold weather in autumn certain species of birds, such as the Swallow, leave the county for southern climes, whilst somewhat later in the same season, others, like the Wild Goose, come here from northern regions and take up their abode with us for the winter. With the return of the genial weather in spring the former appear here again in their usual haunts, whilst the latter fly away to the north to spend the summer in Lapland or Siberia. These are true migrants, as distin- guished from birds of passage, such as the Dotterel, which only visits the county for a short time in spring on its way northwards to its nesting grounds, and again in autumn on its way southwards to its winter quarters. In addition to the true migrants and this bird of passage, we have partial migrants like the Thrush and the Redbreast, the majority of which pass southwards in winter and return MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 325 in spring—a comparatively small number remaining with us during the winter months. Speaking generally, scarcity of food and unsuitability of climate appear to be the chief causes of migration, and it is probable that they have been the origin of the habit, for birds have the means of moving rapidly across sea and land from one part of the surface of the earth where the conditions do not meet their requirements to another where they find what they want. Thus Siberia, which, during the short warm summer of that latitude, affords an ample supply of food and a suitable climate to the multitude of birds which migrate thither from their southern winter quarters to breed, is deserted by them on the approach of winter, when the land becomes deeply covered with snow and all the rivers and lakes are ice-bound. With the advent of summer the snow and ice disappear and the birds return to find abundance of food and a congenial climate for the rearing of their young. It is believed that in comparatively recent geological times Great Britain was connected by dry land with the continent of Europe, and that the birds on their passage across the North Sea still follow the old coast lines of the connecting ground, although these have for ages been covered by the water. Geological changes usually take place very slowly, and it is probable that many thousands of years elapsed before the dry land which connected Britain with the continent of Europe finally disappeared under the surface of the sea. During the period when the land was slowly sinking it may be supposed that there would be long tracts of it stretching into the sea on both sides, with a series of islands between them, and that the migratory birds would naturally travel along the coast as far as they could and then fly from island to island until they reached the opposite side. When the islands finally disappeared 326 MIGRATION OF BIRDS. under the waves, the birds would continue to take the same route as before, but would extend their flight from shore to shore. The Mediterranean Sea is also crossed by several stretches of submerged land which formerly connected Europe with Africa, and it is found that the principal routes taken at the present time by migratory birds when crossing that sea are over these stretches. It is probable that, owing to the causes above men- tioned, certain species of birds have migrated to a greater or lesser extent ever since they appeared in any consider- able numbers on the surface of the earth, and that a hereditary tendency to migrate in autumn and spring has _ become a part of their nature, in the same way as a hereditary tendency to point game has become a part of the nature of a well-bred pointer, for a young dog of this kind which has never seen game will often point it on the first occasion on which the dog is taken into the field. Birds while on migration fly very high in clear weather, when, doubtless, they can see a great extent of the surrounding country. That they are guided on their journey by experienced leaders who have migrated in previous years, and who thus know the landmarks to guide them on their way, is very probable. It is not likely that the young intuitively know the route to be taken on migration any more than a young untrained homing pigeon knows the direction in which to fly to reach its cote, when it is conveyed a long distance away from its native haunt. A homing pigeon is gradually trained to return from long distances by taking it away from its dovecot for short distances in the first place, and increasing these by degrees to enable it to become acquainted with the landmarks of the intervening country. Many homing pigeons are lost if they are flown during foge weather, thus showing that they are guided in their flight MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 327 by looking on the earth beneath them. When birds on migration are overtaken by a very dark night or a fog they descend from their high line of flight towards the surface of the sea or land, and it is on these occasions that they are seen flying round about the lighthouses in a state of apparent bewilderment. On this account it has been thought that dark nights and hazy weather are favourable for migration, but there is nothing to support this view, except that on these occasions the birds are seen at the lighthouses on the coast. In clear weather they doubtless fly both during the day and night at such an immense height that they are not visible to the unaided eye. With the help of a telescope, however, they have been observed migrating at a height of about four miles above the surface of the earth and travelling at a rate of about forty miles an hour. At this speed and with a favourable wind they could cross the widest part of the North Sea in about eight or nine hours, and from the coast of Holland to England in about one-third of that time. Birds on migration seldom fly ‘either directly against or with the wind, but generally within three or four points of it. It is supposed that during hazy weather, with dark nights, when birds on migration fly low, they enter Berwick- shire by two routes—one being across the Tweed from the adjoining county of Northumberland, where the sea-board is low, and the other from the neighbouring county of East Lothian, where the shore has little elevation. The sea-coast of Berwickshire is very lofty and precipitous, and on a dark night the high black cliffs probably appear like a barrier to the birds while they are approaching the land from the German Ocean and flying at no great height above the waves. They consequently continue their flight along the open sea towards the Firth of Forth, on reaching which numbers of them doubtless spread over the low grounds 328 MIGRATION OF BIRDS. of East Lothian, whence a portion of them ultimately find their way to Berwickshire over the Lammermuirs, or along the land which skirts the sea in the neighbourhood of Cockburnspath. It has been observed that while thousands of birds are seen on migration at the lighthouses on the Farne Islands and the Isle of May, where the adjoining coasts are low, very few, if any, have been noticed at the lighthouse on St. Abb’s Head, where the coast is very high. In clear weather it is probable that the birds pass directly from above the German Ocean into the interior of Berwickshire, and there descend from their lofty flight. In apparent support of the above views with regard to the routes by which birds on migration enter the county, it may be mentioned that the recorded dates of the first arrivals in Berwickshire of some of the typical migrants as given in the following tables have been compared with the corre- sponding dates of their first appearances at the Farne Islands and the Isle of May, and it has been found that in some years the birds were observed in Berwickshire before they were noticed at either of these stations, while in other years they were seen at the Farne Islands or the Isle of May before they were noticed in this county. ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 329 TABLE OF ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS made in Berwick- shire from 1799 until 1887, including the earliest, latest, and average dates of the arrival and departure of migratory birds.! Birps. TRUE MIGRANTS. Birds which arrive in spring and leave in autumn. PASSERES. TURDIDA. Rine Ovzex (Turdus torquatus) Arrives in spring Sings Has young Leaves in autwnn SYLVIIDA, WHEATEAR (Sawicola cenanthe) Arrives in spring Nests Has young Leaves in autumn WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn Repstarr (Phenicura ruticilla) Arrives in spring Nests Has young Leaves in autumn WHITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) Arrives in spring Sings Leaves in autumn BLAcKoaP (Sylvia atricapilla) Arrives in spring Sings Leaves in autumn GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia sali- caria) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn First Year of Observation. 1860 1875 1877 1857 1836 1877 1882 1863 1837 1883 1850 1850 1874 1872 1857 1875 1873 1849 1874 1883 1879 1883 Salud ret lh pest os | 2s Earliest Latest Average pa = Date. Date. Date. nue slic eo Ro | 73 1886 | 13 | 15th Feb. 1872 | 22nd May 1884 | 7th April. 1884 3 | 22nd Mar. 1875 | 7th May 1884 __| 8th April. 1885 3 | 16th April 1882 | 16th June 1877 | 7th May. 1883 4 | 20th Oct. 1883 | 22nd Noy. 1857 | 11th Nov. 1886 | 23 | 28th Feb. 1876 | 4th May 1885 9th April. 1 | 7th April 1877 1 | 19th June 1882 1885 | 10 | 6th Aug. 1873 | 14th Oct. 1879 | 7th Sept. 1887 | 10 | 7th April 1872 | 15th May 1884 | 21st April. 1884 2 | 1st Sept. 1884 | 12th Oct. 1883 | 20th Sept. 1887 | 17 | 24th April 1872 | 17th May 1883 | 2nd May. 1 | 19th May 1850 1 | 28th June 1874 1883 4 | 6th Sept. 1878 | 8th Nov. 1872 | 28th Sept. 1887 | 16 | Ist May 1874 22nd May 1885 | 11th May. 1881 2 | 5th May 1875 21st May 1881 | 13th May. 1885 | 10 | 15th Aug. 1873 | 13th Oct. 1884 | Sth Sept. 1887 | 10 | 18th April 1875 | 22nd May 1880 | 4th May. 1881 2 | 23rd April 1874 | 30th April 1881 | 27th April. 1884 2 | 17th Sept. 1884 | 27th Sept. 1883 | 22nd Sept. 1884 2 | 22nd May 1884 | 25th May 1879 | 23rd May. 1884 2 | 17th Sept. 1883 | 17th Sept. 1884 | 17th Sept. 1 For voluminous notes of the arrival and departure of migratory birds in Berwickshire from 1799 until 1887, from which this Table and the Calendar which follows it have been chiefly prepared, I am indebted to the kindness of I have also to thank my brother, Mr. Frank Muirhead, for the great assistance which he has given to me in the preparation of the Table and the Calendar. my friend Dr. James Hardy, of Oldcambus. 330 BIRDs. TRUE MIGRANTS —continued. PASSERES--continued. CuHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus colly- bita) Arrives in spring Wittow Wren (Phylloscopus trochilus) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn Woop WREN (Phylloscopus sibi- latriax) Arrives in spring Sings Leaves in autumn SepcE WARBLER (Acrocephalus scheenobeenus) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Acro- cephalus neevius) Arrives in spring Note heard MOTACILLIDE. TREE Pirir (Anthus trivialis) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn (last seen) MUSCICAPIDA. SporreD FLycATCcHER (Muscicupa grisola) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn HIRUNDINID. SwAaLtow (Hirwndo rustica) Arrives in spring Flocks Leaves in autumn Martin (Chelidon urbica) Arrives in spring Flocks Leaves in autumn Sanp MArtTIN (Cotile riparia) Arrives in spring Flocks Leaves in autumn CYPSELID/. Swirr (Cypselus apus) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn CAPRIMULGIDA. NicuTsarR (Caprimulgus Ewro- peus) Arrives in spring Note heard Nests First Year of Observation 1874 Last Year of Observation. 1884 1888 1888 1887 Number of Observations. Lo) mor Earliest Date. 23rd Mar. 1882 4th April 1882 15th Aug. 1879 24th April 1874 3rd May 1875 3rd Aug. 1882 9th May 1881 Ist Sept. 1884 28th May 1888 28th May 1888 30th April 1887 27th Oct. 1837 19th May 1881 27th Aug. 1881 11th April 1803 10th Aug. 1857 11th Sept. 1881 21st April 1874 2ist Aug. 1860 11th Sept. 1881 24th Mar. 1884 15th Sept. 1880 llth Sept. 1881 1ith May 1883 5th Aug. 1881 8th May 1848 27th May 1837 27th July 1839 ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 23rd April 1874 9th May 1885 29th Sept. 1881 22nd May 1880 30th May 1883 10th Sept. 1883 23rd June 1842 9th June 1876 9th June 1876 18th May 1885 25th May 1883 Ist Sept. 1884 11th May 1850 21st Sept. 1884 9th Oct. 1874 14th May 1877 29th Sept. 1876 9th Oct. 1874 15th May 1877 29th Sept. 1876 9th Oct. 1874 30th May 1863 12th Sept. 1879 5th June 1886 3rd July 1843 Average Date. 9th April. 28rd April, 6th Sept. 10th May. 17th May. 21st Aug. 26th May. 3rd June. 3rd June. Sth May. 22nd May 29th Aug. 26th April. 30th Aug. 25th Sept. 3rd May. 4th Sept. 24th Sept. 25th April. 22nd Sept. 22nd Sept. 15th May. 22nd Aug. 17th May. 14th June. Fn ————— ———————————————— ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 331 a aS KS) seB i ah] ass : Os |] os | OG Earliest Latest Average BERDE: Se \eblee Date, Date. Date. ~ oO aS #2| 82 | 22 &O}]HO ro) TRUE MIGRANTS—continued. PASSERES—continued. CUCULID. Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) Arrives in spring 1821 | 1887 | 29 | 4th April1833 | 27th May 1872 | 2nd May. Note last heard 1837 | 1881 6 | 18th June 1837 | 1st July 1838 28rd June. Young in nest 1842 1 | 1st July 1842 Leaves in autumn 1881 1 | 25th Aug. 1881 FULICARIA. RALLIDA. LANDRAIL (Crex pratensis) Arrives in spring 1800 | 1887 | 12 | 1st May 1880 29th May 1812 | 11th May. Leaves in autumn (last seen) 1881 1 | 22nd Sept. 1881 LIMICOLZ. SCOLOP ACID. Common Sanprirer (Totanus hypoleucus) Arrives in spring 1875 | 1887 2 | 28th April1887 | 29th April 1875 Birds which arrive in auturnn and leave in spring. PASSERES. TURDIDA. Repwine (Turdus iliacus) Arrives in autumn 1860 | 1884] 5 | 27th Oct. 1879 | 14th Dec. 1878 | 16th Nov. Leaves in spring 1877 | 1879 | 2 | 6th April1877 | 29th April 1879 | 17th April. FIELDFARE (Turdus pilaris) Arrives in autumn 1799 | 1886 | 22 | 12th Oct. 1874 | 19th Dec. 1871 | 7th Nov. Leaves in spring 1813 | 1887 14 | 6th Feb. 1864 15th May 1887 | 7th April. FRINGILLIDA. BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifrin- gilla) Arrives 1857 | 1881 | 3 | 23rd Dec. 1874 | 15th Jan. 1881 | 4th Jan. EMBERIZIDA. Snow Buntine (Plectrophanes nivalis) Arrives 1812 | 1886 16 | Ist Oct. 1851 20th Jan. 1884 | 9th Nov. Leaves 1881 1 | 28th Mar. 1881 ANSERES. ANATIDA. Beran Goose (Anser segetum) and Pink-Foorep Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) Arrive in autumn 1800 | 1886 | 22 | Ist. Oct. 1884 | 15th Dec. 1881 | 26th Oct. Leave in spring 1801 | 1886 | 23 | 9th Jan. 1864 | 1st May 1884 _ | 23rd Mar. BIRD OF PASSAGE. LIMICOLA, CHARADRIIDZ. Dorreret (Charadrius morin- ellus) Arrives in spring on passage to the north 1836 | 1886 | 13 | 12th April 1882] 19th May 1840 | 3rd May. Leaves in spring for north 1836 | 1883 6 | 25th April 1882 | 6th June 1836 | 20th May. Seen in autumn on passage to the south 1837 | 1875 | 5 | 26th Sept. 1837 | 30th Sept. 1875 | 28th Sept. a a eee LEN ie JE A ET I a a 332 Birps. BIRDS WHICH ARE PARTIAL MIGRANTS. PASSERES. TURDIDA. Sone THrusH (Turdus musicus) Sings in spring Has young MisseL THrusH (Turdus visci- vorus) Sings in spring Nests Flocks BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) Sings in spring Nests Has young SYLVIIDA. SronEcHar (Sawicola rubicola) Arrives in spring Has young Leaves in autumn Note.—A few spend the winter in Berwickshire, REvDBREAST (Erithauca rubecula) Sings in spring Has young Sings in autumn WREN (Troglodytes parvulus) Sings in spring Sings in autumn MOTACILLIDA:. Prep Waerait (Motacilla lugu- bris) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn Note.—In mild seasons a few remain in sheltered places in Ber- wickshire throughout the winter. Grey Wacrait (Motacilla sul- phurec) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn Note.—A few remain in Berwick- shire during mild winters. Mravow Pipir (Anthus pratensis) Arrives in spring Leaves in autumn Note.—A few remain in Berwick- shire during winter. Rock Pirir (Anthus obsewrus) Seen on sea-shore in spring Has eggs Seen on shore in autumn Note.—A few remain in Berwick- shire during winter. First Year of Observation. 1801 1836 1843 1837 1822 1801 1837 1843 1837 1874 1837 1838 1860 1814 1849 1863 1836 1873 1849 1878 1856 1880 1868 1868 1878 Last Year of Observation. 1887 1887 1884 1877 1881 1883 1850 1886 1884 1884 1882 1881 1882 1882 1887 1883 1886 1879 1883 1885 1884 1882 Number of Observations. 20 10 ry ane eo nen Earliest Date. 19th Jan. 1882 27th April 1887 10th Jan. 1884 15th April 1860 19th Sept. 1822 19th Jan. 1882 1st May 1837 10th May 1850 8th Feb. 1864 15th June 1874 15th Sept. 1849 30th Jan. 1876 5th May 1879 16th Aug. 1868 4th Feb. 1849 24th Oct. 1863 17th Jan. 1868 27th Sept. 1883 Ist Jan. 1883 2nd Oct. 1879 4th Mar. 1856 4th Sept. 1883 17th Jan. 1868 10th July 1868 5th Oct. 1878 ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 12th Mar. 1875 ist July 1839 10th Mar. 1881 6th May 1877 19th Dec. 1871 12th April 1881 19th June 1843 8th May 1886 4th July 1884 17th Dec. 1882 25th Feb. 1838 22nd June 1881 16th Oct. 1836 21st April 187 26th April 1847 21st Oct. 1874 18th May 1881 18th Noy. 1878 4th May 1880 12th Nov. 1880 25th April 1879 6th Oct. 1882 Average Date. 20th Feb. 17th May. 9th Feb. 24th April. 26th Oct. 26th Feb. 30th May. 21st Mar. 21st June. 31st Oct. 12th Feb. 22nd May. 14th Sept. 4th April. 15th Mar. 4th Oct. 10th Mar. 25th Oct. Ist April. 27th Sept. 21st Mar. ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. Ga oe a yen og | og ral eten $2 | 53 BIRDs. Re | ae vo Yo mn mn HO | 32 mO}]HO BIRDS WHICH ARE PARTIAL MIGRANTS—continued. PASSERES—continued. FRINGILLIDA. LINNET (Linota cannabina) Sings 1836 | 1879 Flocks 1836 | 1880 ALAUDID. SkKyLarK (Alauda arvensis) Sings in spring 1801 | 1887 Sings in autumn 1833 | 1875 Flocks in autumn 1857 | 1880 LIMICOLA. CHARADRIIDA. LaPwine (Vanellus vulgaris) Arrives in spring 1837 | 1887 Has young 1836 | 1881 Flocks in autumn 1842 | 1883 SCOLOPACIDA. Wooncock (Scolopax rusticula) Arrives in autumn 1835 1883 Leaves in spring 1836 | 1886 Note.—A few remain in Berwick- shire and nest during summer. Common SnIiPE (Gallinago cwlestis) Drums in spring 1837 | 1879 Nests 1843 | 1883 GENERAL OBSERVA- TIONS ON BIRDS. PASSERHES. SYLVIUDA. Hence Sparrow (Accentor modu- laris) Sings in spring 1838 | 1887 PARIDA. Great Titmouse (Parus major) Spring note heard 1849 | 1882 BLvE Titmouse (Parus ceruleus) Spring note heard 1860 MUSCICAPIDA. Pirp FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa atricapilla) Seen in spring 1872 | 1885 Note.—This bird is occasionally seen in the county about the second week of May. FRINGILLIDA. CuarFincH (Fringilla celebs) Sings in spring 1840 | 1887 Nests 1850 | 1876 Flocks 1850 EMBERIZID. Corn Buntine (Emberiza mili- wria) Sings 1849 | 1884 Number of Observations. bo Ot 12 10 10 Hes Or Earliest Date. 6th Feb. 1874 2nd Sept. 1874 2nd Feb. 1801 13th Sept. 1875 26th Oct. 1857 3rd Jan. 1885 1st May 1874 15th June 1842 5th Oct. 1882 24th Mar. 1883 16th Mar. 1840 10th April 1883 17th Jan. 1864 4th Feb, 1849 2nd Mar. 1860 9th May 1885 30th Jan. 1887 2nd May 1857 24th Sept. 1850 31st Dec. 1863 Latest Date. 30th April 1836 31st Dec. 1880 10th Mar. 1881 2nd Oct. 1837 16th Dec. 1880 25th Mar. 1877 10th June 1838 23rd Oct. 1860 9th Nov. 1884 3rd May 1881 12th May 1837 17th July 1845 15th Mar. 1881 13th April 1881 12th May 1877 333 Average Date. 13th Mar. 11th Oct. 17th Feb. 24th Sept. 21st Nov. 16th Feb. 25th May. 20th Aug. 18th Oct. 14th April. 15th April. 4th June. 21st Feb. 5th Mar. 13th April 1886 | 16th Feb. 10th May 1850 Ist May 1884 6th May. 29th Feb. 334 ORNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. Birps. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS—continued. PASSERES—continued. YELLOW Bontine (Emberiza cit- rinella) Sings Flocks STURNIDA. Sraruine (Sturnus vulgaris) Spring notes heard Nests Floeks CORVIDAL. Rook (Corvus frugilegus) Begins to nest Young appear on outside of nest STEGANOPODES. PELICANIDA. Common CorMoRANT (Phalacro- corax carbo) Seen on sea-coast in spring Seen on sea-coast in autumn GANNET OR SOLAN GoosE (Sula bassanm) Seen in spring off coast ANSERES. ANATID, MALLARD OR WILD Dock (Anas boseas) Leaves sea-coast in spring Has young Returns to sea-coast in autumn COLUMB2, COLUMBID:. Rine Dove (Columba palumbus) Coos PHASIANID&. Common ParRTRIDGE (Perdix cinere) Pairs Has eggs Has young FULICARIZA. RALLIDA, Moor HEN (Gallinula chloropus) Returns to ponds in spring Common Coor (Fulica atra) Returns to ponds in spring Nests Leaves ponds in autumn HH Ca an Be) ee| se 3p ar mes - oe |os | 2s Earliest Latest Average BS z al E re z Date, Date. Date. aan|mun)] se He sQlQlinzsa —BO}]HO ro) 1837 | 1875 7 | 6th Feb. 1874 | 29th April 18387 | 19th Feb. 1850 1 | 24th Sept. 1850 1872 | 1878 5 | 11th Jan. 1877 | 22nd Feb, 1872 | 26th Jan. 1872 | 1883 6 | 38rd Mar. 1883 | 7th June isso | 25th April. 1857 | 1885 9 | 25th Aug. 1881 | 19th Dec. 1871 | 6th Oct. 1884 | 1887 4 | 22nd Feb, 1884 | 4th Mar. 1886 | 28th Feb. 1887 1 | 29th April 1887 1862 | 1886 | 17 | 8th Jan. 1875 20th April 1872 | 26th Feb. 1863 | 1886 | 12 | 6th July 1872 | 26th Oct. 1877 | 17th Aug. 1873 | 1883 7 | 30th Mar, 1881 | 38rd May 1877 | 15th April. 1857 | 1886 | 13 | 8th Feb. 1873 22nd April 1857 | 24th Mar. 1877 | 1887 3 | 30th April 1887 | 16th June 1877 | 15th May. 1873 | 1884] 11 | 18th Sept. 1879 | 8rd Noy. 1873 | 12th Oct. 1884 | 1887 4 | 30th Jan. 1887 | 12th Mar, 1884 | 25th Feb. 1849 | 1882 4 |15th Jan. 1882 | 4th Mar. 1856 | 12th Feb. 1843 | 1872 2 | 18th June 1872 | 19th June 1843 | 16th June. 1837 | 1885 4 | 19th June 1872 | 30th June 1885 | 25th June. 1837 | 1886 | 12 | 24th Feb. 1883 | 7th April1886 | 18th Mar, 1881 | 1886 4 | 7th Mar, 1881 | 24th May 1882 | 9th April. 1882 1 24th May 1882 1881 1 | 29th Oct. 1881 MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. — 335 oy Gof n 2S|28/ 55 sd sr aS . os | os | oS Earliest Latest Average PE MEME TSE Date. Date. Date. EO 140/148 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS—continued. LIMICOLA:. CHARADRIIDA, GoLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis) : Spring notes heard 1823 | 1884 | 11 | 8rd Jan. 1857 | 28th April 1836 | 24th Feb. First seen in spring 1800 | 1886 | 13 | 9thJan. 1864 | 28th April 1836 | 10th Mar. Flocks 1836 | 1856 3 | 14th Aug. 1856 | 20th Sept. 1836 | 29th Aug. SCOLOPACIDA. | Common CuRLEW (Nuwmenius arquata) Returns to moors 1837 | 1887 | 16 | 24th Jan. 1880 | 26th April 1872 | 12th Mar. Spring notes heard 1836 | 1886 | 11 | 3lst Jan. 1879 | 30th May 1863 | 14th Mar. _ Returns to sea-shore 1836 | 1886 | 12 | 16th June 1875 | 30th Sept. 1836 | 6th Aug. GAVIA. LARIDA. BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus) Leaves sea-coast in spring 1813 | 1886 9 | 8rd Jan. 1882 | 9th April1S77 | 10th Mar. Returns to sea-coast 1868 | 1884 | 14 | 22nd June 1878 | 7th Aug. 1872 | 15th July. PYGOPODES. PODICIPEDIDA. LittLeE GREBE (Podiceps fluvi- atilis) Returns to pond in spring 1886 1 | 22nd April 1886 Leaves pond in autumn 1876 1 | Ist Noy. 1876 CALENDAR OF MIGRATIONS & OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS IN BERWICKSHIRE. 1799—1887. Jan. | 2 Grey Wacrain (Motacilla sulphurea) seen 1883. of twenty-one observations, 1849-86. ) (Earliest 3) Se GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis) spring notes heard 1857. (Earliest of eleven observations, 1823-84.) BLACK-HEADED Guu (Larus ridibundus) left coast 1882. (Earliest of nine observations, 1813-86. ) Lapwine (Vanellus vulgaris) seen inland 1885. twenty-four observations, 1837-87.) BramMeiine (Fringilla montifringilla) arrives. of three observations, 1857-51.) Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) seen at coast 1875, (Earliest of seventeen observations, 1862-86. ) (Earliest of (Average date 336 Jan, MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 9. 10. 11. 15. 17. I) 20. 24. 26. 30 3l. GoLDEN PLoveER (Charadrius pluvialis) seen 1864. (Karliest of thirteen observations, 1800-86. ) Witp GEESE (Anser segetum and Anser brachyrhynchus) last seen 1864. (Earliest of twenty-three observations, 1801-86.) MissEL THrvshH (7'urdus viscivorus) began to sing 1884. (Harliest of ten observations, 1843-84. ) STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) spring notes heard 1877. (Earliest of five observations, 1872-78. ) ParrripGE (Perdix cinerea) began to pair 1882. (Harliest of four observations, 1849-82. ) BraMBuine (Fringilla montifringilla) arrived 1881. (Latest of three observations, 1857-81.) Hever Sparrow (Accentor modularis) began to sing 1864. (Earliest of ten observations, 1838-87.) Prep Wacrait (Motacill/a lugubris) appeared 1868. (Earliest of twenty-four observations, 1836-87.) Rock Prpitr (Anthus obscurus) seen on sea-shore LSE. (Earliest of six observations, 1868-84. ) Sone TurusuH (7urdus musicus) began to sing 1882. (Earliest of twenty observations, 1801-87. ) BLACKBIRD ( 7'urdus merula) commenced to whistle 1882. (Earliest of sixteen observations, 1801-83.) Snow-Buntine (Plectrophanes nivalis) came 1884. (Latest of sixteen observations, 1812-86.) CurLEw (Numenius arquata) returned to moors 1880. (Earliest of sixteen observations, 1837-87.) STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) whistles. (Average date of five observations, 1872-78. ) Repsreast (Zrithaca rubecula) singing 1876. (Earliest of ten observations, 1838-82. ) CuHaAFFINCcH (Fringilla celebs) in song 1887. (Karliest of fifteen observations, 1840-87.) Rine Dove (Columba palumbus) cooing 1887. (Earliest of four observations, 1884-87.) CurLEw (Numenius arquata) first spring notes heard 1879. (Earliest of eleven observations, 1836-86. ) SkYLARK (Alauda arvensis) singing 1801. (Earliest of seventeen observations, 1801-87.) WREN (Troglodytes parvulus) in song 1849. (Earliest of six observations, 1849-82. ) GREAT Titmouse (Parus major) spring notes heard 1849. (Earliest of five observations, 1849-82.) Yerttow Buntine (Lmberiza citrinella) singing 1874. (Karliest of seven observations, 1837-75. ) Linnet (Linota cannabina) began to sing 1874. (Earliest of four observations, 1836-79. ) FIeELpFARE (J'urdus pilaris) left 1864. (Earliest of fourteen observations, 1813-87.) Sronecuat (Sazicola rubicola) observed 1864. (Earliest of fifteen observations, 1837-86.) ” MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 337 12. 15. 16. ie gy 20. 21. 22. 24. 25. 26. 28. Wiip Duck (Anas boscas) left sea 1873. (Earliest of thirteen observations, 1857-86.) MisseL TurusH (Z'urdus viscivorus) sings. (Average date of ten observations, 1843-84.) GoLpEN-Hye (Fuligula clangula) appears on coast. (Average date of six observations, 1879-86.) RepBreEast (Hrithaca rubecula) sings. (Average date of ten observations, 1838-82. ) PartTRIDGE (Perdix cinerea) pairs. (Average date of four observations, 1849-82. ) Rine Ovzut (Turdus torquatus) seen 1872. (Harliest of thirteen observations, 1860-86.) CuaFFIncH (Fringilla celebs) sings. (Average date of fifteen observations, 1840-87.) Larwine (Vanellus vulgaris) appears inland. (Average date of twenty-four observations, 1837-87.) SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) sings. (Average date of seventeen observations, 1801-87.) YELLOW Buntine (Hmberiza citrinella) sings. (Average date of seven observations, 1837-75.) Sone Turusu (7'urdus musicus) sings. (Average date of twenty observations, 1801-87.) Hepce Sparrow (Accentor modularis) sings. (Average date of ten observations, 1838-87.) STARLING (Stwrnus vulgaris) first spring notes heard 1872. (Latest of five observations, 1872-78.) Rook (Corvus frugilegus) began to nest 1884. (Earliest of four observations, 1884-87.) GoLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis) calls. (Average date of eleven observations, 1523-54. ) Moor Hew (Gallinula chloropus) returned to ponds 1883. (Earliest of twelve observations, 1837-86. ) REDBREAST (Hrithaca rubecula) began to sing 1838. (Latest of ten observations, 1838-82.) Rinc Dove (Columba palumbus) coos. (Average date of four observations, 1884-87.) BLACKBIRD (Z'urdus merula) whistles. (Average date of six- teen observations, 1801-83.) Common Cormorant (Phalacrocoraz carbo) appears at sea-coast. (Average date of seventeen observations, 1862-86. ) WHEATEAR (Sazicola wnanthe) arrived 1876. (Earliest of twenty-three observations, 1836-86. ) Corn Buntine (Hmberiza miliaria) sings. (Average date of four observations, 1849-84. ) Rook (Corvus frugilegus) begins to nest. (Average date of four observations, 1884-87.) BuvueE Tirmovse (Parus ceruleus) spring note heard 1860. STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) nested 1883. (Earliest of six observations, 1872-83.) VOL. II. Y 338 Mar. 99 MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 4, 12. 13. 14, 23. Meapow Prrir (Anthus pratensis) seen 1856. (EHarliest of twelve observations, 1856-83.) ParrripGe (Perdixz cinerea) began to pair 1856. (Latest of four observations, 1849-82.) Rook (Corvus frugilegus) began to nest 1886. (Latest of four observations, 1884-87.) Great TirmousE (Parus major) calls. (Average date of five observations, 1849-82.) Coot (Fulica atra) returned to ponds, 1881. (Harliest of four observations, 1881-86.) MissEL THRUuSH (Z'urdus viscivorus) began to sing 1881. (Latest of ten observations, 1843-84.) SkyLarK (Alauda arvensis) began to sing 1881. (Latest of seventeen observations, 1801-87.) Grey Waerarit (Motacilla sulphurea) arrives at Oldcambus. (Average date of twenty-one observations, 1849-86.) GoLpEN PLoveER (Charadrius pluvialis) appears in neighbourhood of coast. (Average date of thirteen observations, 1800-86. ) BLACK-HEADED GuLL (Larus ridibundus) leaves sea-coast. (Average date of nine observations, 1813-86.) Sona Tuaruso (Zurdus musicus) commenced to sing 1875. (Latest of twenty observations, 1801-87.) Rine Dove (Columba palwmbus) began to coo 1884. (Latest of four observations, 1884-87.) Cur.Lew (Numenius arquata) returns to moors. (Average date of sixteen observations, 1837-87.) Linner (Linota cannabina) sings. (Average date of four observ- ations, 1836-79.) Corn Buntine (Emberiza miliaria) arrives at Oldcambus. (Average date of nine observations, 1856-84.) Curtew (Numenius arquata) calls. (Average date of eleven observations, 1836-86.) Hever Sparrow (Accentor modularis) began to sing 1881. (Latest of ten observations, 1838-87.) Prep WaataiL (Motacilla lugubris) appears. (Average date of twenty-four observations, 1836-87.) SnrPE (Gallinago celestis) ‘‘drummed’’ 1840. (Earliest of six observations, 1837-79.) Moor HEn (G@allinula chloropus) returns to ponds. (Average date of twelve observations, 1837-86.) GoLpEN-Eye (Fuligula clangula) returned to sea-coast 1886. (Latest of six observations, 1879-86.) StonecHAt (Saxicola rubicola) appears in neighbourhood of coast. (Average date of fifteen observations, 1837-86.) Rock Prerr (Anthus obscurus) on sea-shore. (Average date of six observations, 1868-84. ) Rine Ovzeu (J'urdus torquatus) began to sing 1875, (Harliest of three observations, 1875-84. ) CutrrcHarr (Phylloscopus collybita) arrived 1882. (Earliest of six observations, 1874-87.) MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 339 Mar. 23. Witp GrxsE (Anser segetum and Anser brachyrhynchus) leave. 23 24, 28. 30. aa 10. 11. 12. (Average date of twenty-three observations, 1801-86.) SanD Martin (Cotile riparia) arrived 1884. (Earliest of four- teen observations, 1840-87.) Woopcock (Scolopax rusticula) left 1883. (Earliest of ten observations, 1836-86. ) Witp Duck (Anas boscas) leaves sea-coast in spring. (Average date of thirteen observations, 1857-86.) Lapwine (Vanellus vulgaris) seen inland 1877. (Latest of twenty-four observations, 1837-87.) Snow-Buntine (Plectrophanes nivalis) left 1881. SoLaAN GEESE (Sula bassana) seen off coast 1881. (Earliest of seven observations, 1873-83.) Merapow Preir (Anthus pratensis) arrives. (Average date of twelve observations, 1856-83. ) WreEN (Troglodytes parvulus) sings, (Average date of six observations, 1849-82. ) Wititow Wren (Phylloscopus trochilus) arrived 1882. (Earliest of twenty-six observations, 1836-87. ) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) arrived 1833. (Earliest of twenty- nine observations, 1821-87.) Repwine (7'wrdus iliacus) left 1877. (Earliest of two observa- tions, 1877 and 1879.) FrevprareE (7wrdus pilaris) leaves. (Average date of fourteen observations, 1813-87.) Rine Ovuzen (Turdus torquatus) arrives. (Average date of thirteen observations, 1860-S6. ) Wuincuat (Saxicola rubetra) came 1872. (Earliest of ten observations, 1837-87.) WHEATEAR (Saxicola enanthe) nested 1877. Moor Hen (Gallinula chloropus) returned to ponds 1886. (Latest of twelve observations, 1837-86. ) Rine Ovuzen (Turdus torquatus) sings. (Average date of three observations, 1875-84.) WHEATEAR (Sawxicola enanthe) arrives. (Average date of twenty- three observations, 1836-86. ) CuirrcHarr (Phylloscopus collybita) comes. (Average date of six observations, 1874-87.) Coot (Fulica atra) returns to ponds. (Average date of four observations, 1881-86.) BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus) left coast 1877. (Latest of nine observations, 1813-86.) SnrPE (Gallinago celestis) had eggs 1883. (Earliest of three observations, 1843-83. ) SwaLLow (Hirundo rustica) arrived 1803. (Earliest of forty- three observations, 1800-87.) GoLDEN-Eye (Fuligula clangula) left coast 1881. DotTreREL (Charadrius morinellus) arrived 1882. (Earliest of thirteen observations, 1836-86. ) 340 Apr. MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 12. 13. 14, 15. 16. Lip 18, 21. 22. 24. 20. Buackerrp (Turdus merula) began to whistle 1881. (Latest of sixteen observations, 1801-83.) Rine Dove (Columba palumbus) had eggs 1887. CuaFFincH (Fringilla celebs) commenced to sing 1886. (Latest of fifteen observations, 1840-87.) Great TrrmouseE (Parus major) spring note heard for first time in season 1881. (Latest of five observations, 1849-82.) Woopncock (Scolopax rusticula) leaves. (Average date of ten observations, 1836-86.) Misset TurusH (Turdus viscivorus) nested 1860. (Earliest of three observations, 1837-77.) SNIPE (Gallinago celestis) ‘‘drums.” (Average date of six observations, 1837-79.) Sotan Goose (Sula bassana) appears off coast. (Average date of seven observations, 1873-83.) Rine Ouzeu (Turdus torquatus) had young 1882. (Earliest of three observations, 1877-83.) Repwine (7J'urdus iliacus) leaves. (Average date of two observ- ations, 1877 and 1879.) BuacKkcaP (Sylvia atricapilla) arrived 1875. (Earliest of ten observations, 1849-87.) Hoopep Crow (Corvus cornix) left 1884. Common CormMoRANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) seen on coast 1872. (Latest of seventeen observations in spring, 1862-86.) WREN (Vroglodytes parvulus) began to sing 1879. (Latest of six observations, 1849-82. ) Martin (Chelidon urbica) arrived 1874. (Karliest of twenty observations, 1836-86.) Wiip Duck (Anas boscas) left sea-coast 1857. (Latest of thirteen observations, 1857-86. ) LirtLy GREBE (Podiceps fluviatilis) returned to ponds 1886. BuackeaP (Sylvia atricapilla) began to sing 1874. (Earliest of two observations, 1874 and 1881.) CuirrcHarr (Phylloscopus collybita) arrived 1874. (Latest of six observations, 1874-87.) WiLLow WREN (Pahylloscopus trochilus) arrives. (Average date of twenty-six observations, 1836-87.) MisseL Turusu (Zurdus viscivorus) nests. (Average date of three observations, 1837-77.) Woop WREN (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) returned 1874. (Earliest of eleven observations, 1874-87.) RepstArt (Phenicura ruticilla) arrived 1872. (Earliest of seven- teen observations, 1850-87.) Rock Prrrt (Anthus obscurus) seen on sea-shore 1879. (Latest of six observations, 1868-84.) Srarine (Sturnus vulgaris) nests. (Average date of six obsery- ations, 1872-83.) Sanp MartIN (Cottle riparia) arrives. (Average date of four- teen observations, 1840-87.) Apr. 25. May 1. MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 341 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. DorreREL (Charadrius morinellus) left 1882. (Earliest of six observations, 1836-83. ) Prep WacralL (Motacilla lugubris) appeared 1847. (Latest of twenty-four observations, 1836-87. ) SwaLtow (Hirundo rustica) arrives. (Average date of forty- three observations, 1800-87. ) PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) had young 1887. (Earliest of six observations, 1839-87.) Curtew (Numenius arquata) returned to moors 1872. (Latest of sixteen observations, 1837-87.) Sone Turusu (T'urdus musicus) had young 1887. (Earliest of ten observations, 1836-87. ) GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis) first spring notes heard 1836. (Latest of eleven observations, 1823-84. ) GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis) seen for first time in spring 1836. (Latest of thirteen observations, 1800-86. ) Common SAnvPIPER (Totanus hypoleucus) arrived 1887. Repwine (Turdus iliacus) left 1879. (Latest of two observa- tions, 1877 and 1879.) YeELLow Buntine (HLmberiza citrinella) in song 1837. (Latest of seven observations, 1837-75. ) Rook (Corvus frugilegus) young appeared outside of nest 1887. BuackcaP (Sylvia atricapilla) began to sing 1881. (Latest of two observations, 1874 and 1881.) TREE Pipir (Anthus trivialis) arrived 1887. (Earliest of five observations, 1879-87.) LinnEt (Linota cannabina) in song 1836. (Latest of four observ- ations, 1836-79.) Witp Duck (Anas boscas) had young 1887. (Earliest of three observations, 1877-87. ) BLACKBIRD (7'urdus merula) nested 1837. WHITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) arrived 1874. (Earliest of sixteen observations, 1857-87.) Corn Buntine (Hmberiza miliaria) singing 1884. (Latest of four observations, 1849-84.) Lapwine (Vanellus vulgaris) had young 1874. (Earliest of five observations, 1836-81.) LANDRAIL (Crex pratensis) arrived 1880. (Earliest of twelve observations, 1800-87. ) WILD GEESE (Anser segetwm and Anser brachyrhynchus) seen 1884. (Latest of twenty-two observations, 1800-86. ) Cuarrinon (Fringilla celebs) nested 1857. (Earliest of three observations, 1850-76. ) Repstart (Phenicura ruticilla) arrives. (Average date of seventeen observations, 1850-87. ) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) arrives. (Average date of twenty- nine observations, 1821-87.) Woop WRN (Pahylloscopus sibilatrix) singing 1875. (Earliest of four observations, 1875-87. ) 342 MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. May 3. 10. ile Martin (Chelidon urbica) returns. (Average date of twenty observations, 1836-86.) Woopcock (Scolopax rusticula) left 1881. (Latest of ten observ- ations, 1836-86. ) Soran GoosE (Sula bassana) seen off coast 1877. (Latest of seven observations, 1873-83. ) DorrereEL (Charadrius morinellus) arrives. (Average date of thirteen observations, 1836-86.) WHEATEAR (Saxicola enanthe) arrived 1885. (Latest of twenty- three observations, 1836-86. ) BiackcaP (Sylvia atricapilla) comes. (Average date of ten observations, 1849-87.) Meavow Pirrr (Anthus pratensis) appeared 1880. (Latest of twelve observations, 1856-83.) Reppreast (Hrithaca rubecula) had young 1879. (Earliest of five observations, 1860-81.) WHITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) in song 1875. (Earliest of two observations, 1875 and 1881.) Misset THrusH (J'urdus viscivorus) nested 1877. (Latest of three observations, 1837-77.) CuarrincH (fringilla colebs) nests. (Average date of three observations, 1850-76.) Rine Ovuzen (J'urdus torquatus) has young. (Average date of three observations, 1877-83.) Rivne Ovzen (J'urdus torquatus) singing 1884. (Latest of three observations, 1875-84.) SronecHAT (Sawicola rubicola) appeared 1886. (Latest of fifteen observations, 1837-86. ) TREE Prpit (Anthus trivialis) returns. (Average date of five observations, 1879-87.) Nieutsar (Caprimulgus ewropeus) arrived 1848. (HKarliest of eight observations, 1837-86. ) SepGk WARBLER (Acrocephalus schawnobenus) came 1881. (Earliest of nine observations, 1842-84.) WitLtow WREN (Piylloscopus trochilus) arrived 1885. (Latest of twenty-six observations of date of arrival, 1836-87.) Piep FLycarcHER (Muscicapa atricapilla) seen 1885. CHAFFINCH (Fringilla cclebs) nested 1850. (Latest of three observations, 1850-76.) BLACKBIRD (Z'urdus merula) had young 1850. (Earliest of two observations, 1843 and 1850.) Woop WREN (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) arrives. (Average date of eleven observations, 1874-87.) WHITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) arrives. (Average date of sixteen observations, 1857-87.) SwatLow (Hirundo rustica) returned 1850. (Latest of forty- three observations, 1800-87.) Swirr (Cypselus apus) arrived 1883. (Earliest of thirteen observ- ations, 1849-85.) May 11. MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 343 12. 13. 14. LG 18. 19. 20. Dale 22. LANDRAIL (Crex pratensis) comes. (Average date of twelve observations, 1800-87.) Snree (Gallinago celestis) “drummed” 1837. (Latest of six observations, 1837-79.) Prep FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa atricapilla) seen 1877. WHiITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) is heard singing. (Average date of two observations, 1875 and 1881.) Martin (Chelidon urbica) arrived 1877. (Latest of twenty observations, 1836-86. ) FIELDFARE (7Z'urdus pilaris) left 1887. (Latest of fourteen observ- ations, 1813-87.) WHINcHAT (Saxicola rubetra) came 1884. (Latest of ten observ- ations, 1837-87.) Sanp Martin (Cottle riparia) returned 1877. (Latest of four- teen observations, 1840-87. ) Swirt (Cypselus apus) arrives. (Average date of thirteen observ- ations, 1849-85.) Wi1p Duck (Anas boscas) has young. (Average date of three observations, 1877-87.) Sone Turusu (Turdus musicus) has young. (Average date of ten observations, 1836-87.) Repsrarr (Phenicura ruticilla) arrived 1883. (Latest of seven- teen observations, 1850-87. ) Nicursar (Caprimulgus ewropeus) comes. (Average date of eight observations, 1837-86. ) Woop WREN (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) sings. (Average date of four observations, 1875-87.) Grey Waerar (Motacilla sulphurea) appeared 1881. (Latest of twenty-one observations, 1849-86. ) TrEE Prpir (Anthus trivialis) arrived 1885. (Latest of five observations, 1879-87.) Sporrep FiycarcHEr (Muscicapa grisola) came 1881. (Earliest of five observations, 1881-86.) ReEvDsrart (Phenicura ruticilla) nested 1850. DotrerEL (Charadrius morinellus) arrived 1840. (Latest of thirteen observations, 1836-86. ) DorreReL (Charadrius morinellus) leaves. (Average date of six observations, 1836-83. ) WuHIncHat (Saxicola rubetra) comes. (Average date of ten observations, 1837-87. ) WHITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) singing 188]. ~ (Latest of two observations, 1875 and 1881.) Reppreast (Hrithaca rubecula) has young. (Average date of five observations, 1860-1881.) GARDEN WARBLER (Sy/via salicaria) arrived 1884. (Earliest of two observations, 1879-84. ) SporreD FiycarcHEeR (Muscicapa grisola) arrives. (Average date of five observations, 1881-86. ) Rine Ovzen (Turdus torquatus) came 1884. (Latest of thirteen observations, 1860-86. ) 344 May 22. ”? MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 29; 30. 14. BuackeaP (Sylvia atricapilla) arrived 1880. (Latest of ten observations, 1849-87.) Wuirteturoat (Sylvia rufa) returned 1885. (Latest of sixteen observations, 1857-87.) Woop Wren (Phylloscopus sibilatriz) arrived 1880. (Latest of eleven observations, 1874-87.) GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia salicaria) comes. (Average date of two observations, 1879-84.) Coor (Fulica atra) returned to ponds 1882. (Latest of four observations, 1881-86.) SporreD FLycaATcHER (Muscicapa grisola) arrived 1883. (Latest of five observations, 1881-86.) Lapwine (Vanellus vulgaris) has young. (Average date of five observations, 1836-81.) GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia salicaria) arrived 1879. (Latest of two observations. ) SEDGE WARBLER (Acrocephalus schenobenus) arrives. (Average date of nine observations, 1842-84.) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) arrived 1872. (Latest of twenty-nine observations, 1821-87.) NicuTsarR (Caprimulgus europeus) heard 1837. (Earliest of two observations, 1837 and 1843.) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Acrocephalus nevius) heard 1888. (Earliest of two observations, 1876-88. ) LANDRAIL (Crex pratensis) arrived 1812. (Latest of twelve observations, 1800-87.) Swirt (Cypselus apus) arrived 1863. (Latest of thirteen cbserv- ations, 1849-85.) CurRLEW (Numenius arquata) spring note heard 1863. (Latest of eleven observations, 1836-56. ) Woop WREN (Phylloscopus sibilatriz) singing 1883. (Latest of four observations, 1875-87.) SnrreE (Gallinago cclestis) has eggs. (Average date of three observations, 1843-83.) NicuTsarR (Caprimulgus europeus) arrived 1886. (Latest of eight observations, 1837-86.) DotrEeREL (Charadrius morinellus) left 1836. (Latest of six observations, 1836-83. ) STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) nested 1880. (Latest of six observ- ations, 1872-83.) GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Acrocephalus nevius) heard 1876. (Latest of two observations, 1876-88. ) LAPWING (Vanellus vulgaris) had young 1838. (Latest of five observations, 1836-81.) Corn Buntine (Emberizia miliaria) arrived at Oldcambus 1884. (Latest of nine observations, 1856-84.) PARTRIDGE (Perdix cinerea) had eggs 1872. NiegutTsar (Caprimulgus ewropeus) is heard, (Average date of two observations, 1837 and 1843.) * : q ; c- a Pe oe ee ee a ae ee 7 ae gt ae ge a - ee oP, ee ee ee June 14. MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 345 15. 16. 18. 19. 21. PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) has young. (Average date of six observations, 1839-87.) StronecHat (Sawicola rubicola) had young 1874. (Earliest of three observations, 1874-84.) Lapwine (Vanellus vulgaris) began to flock 1842. (Earliest of twelve observations, 1842-83. ) Ring Ovzex (Turdus torquatus) had young 1877. (Latest of three observations, 1877-83. ) CurLEW (Numenius arquata) returned to shore 1875. (Earliest of twelve observations, 1836-86. ) Witp Duck (Anas boscas) had young 1877. (Latest of three observations, 1877-87.) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) last heard 1837. (Earliest of six observations, 1837-81.) BLACKBIRD (Z'urdus merula) had young 1843. (Latest of two observations, 1843 and 1850.) WHEATEAR (Saxicola enanthe) had young 1882. PARTRIDGE (Perdiz cinerea) had young 1872. (Earliest of four observations, 1837-85.) STonEcHAT (Sazxicola rubicola) has young. (Average date of three observations, 1874-84. ) ReEeDBREAST (Hrithaca rubecula) had young 1881. (Latest of five observations, 1860-81.) BLACK-HEADED GuLL (Larus ridibundus) returned to coast 1878. (Earliest of fourteen observations, 1868-84.) SEDGE WaRBLER (Acrocephalus schenobenus) arrived 1842. (Latest of nine observations, 1842-84. ) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) last heard. (Average date of six observations, 1837-81.) PARTRIDGE (Perdizx cinerea) has young. (Average date of four observations, 1837-85.) Repstart (Phenicura ruticilla) had young 1874. PARTRIDGE (Perdix cinerea) had young 1885. (Latest of four observations, 1837-85.) Sone Turusu (7urdus musicus) had young 1839. (Latest of ten observations, 1836-87. ) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) last heard 1838. (Latest of six observations, 1837-81.) NieguTsar (Caprimulgus europeus) first heard 1843, (Latest of two observations, 1837 and 1843.) SronrecHat (Saxicola rubicola) had young 1884. (Latest of three observations, 1874-84.) Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) seen on sea-shore 1872. (Earliest of twelve observations, 1863-86. ) Rock Prrit (Anthus obscurus) had eggs 1868. BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus) returns to sea-coast. (Average date of fourteen observations, 1868-84.) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) young were seen flying 1842. 346 MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. July 17. pees ee age ails Aug. 3 Prete ey pertnens t panne eee Ao la: lo: 55>.) LB. Aare Wp se 20: pn Peas Bevin” 4 ou os iy, ee she eek ous Sept. 1 SnrPe (Gallinago calestis) had eggs 1845. (Latest of three observations, 1843-83.) PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) had young 1877. (Latest of six observations, 1839-87.) NiguTsar (Caprimulgus ewropeus) nested 1839. Woop Wren (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) left 1882. (Earliest of two observations, 1882 and 1883.) Swit (Cypselus apus) left 1881. (Harliest of seven observations, 1873-85. ) WHEATEAR (Sawicola wenanthe) left 1873. (Earliest of ten observ- ations, 1863-85.) CurLEW (Numenius arquata) returns to sea-shore. (Average date of twelve observations, 1836-86. ) BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus) returned to coast 1872. (Latest of fourteen observations, 1868-84.) SwaLLtow (Hirundo rustica) flocked 1857. (Harliest of four observations, 1857-85.) GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis) flocked on moors 1856. (Harliest of three observations, 1836-56. ) WHITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) left 1873. (Harliest of ten observa- tions, 1873-85. ) Wittow WRreEN (Phylloscopus trochilus) left 1879. (Earliest of nine observations, 1857-84. ) RepDBREAST (Hrithaca rubecula) in song 1868. (Earliest of eight autumnal observations, 1814-82.) Common CormorRAnNT (Phalacrocorax carbo) first seen on sea- coast. (Average date of twelve observations, 1863-86. ) Laprwine (Vanellus vulgaris) flocks. (Average date of twelve observations, 1842-83.) Woop WREN (Phylloscopus sibilatriz) leaves. (Average date of two observations, 1882 and 1883.) Martin (Chelidon urbica) flocked 1860. (Earliest of four observations, 1857-80.) Swirt (Cypselus apus) leaves. (Average date of seven observa- tions, 1873-85. ) STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) flocked 1881. (EHarliest of nine observations, 1857-85.) Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) left 1881. SrporreD FiycaTcHER (Muscicapa grisola) left 1881. GoLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius pluvialis) flocks on moors. (Aver- age date of three observations, 1836-56. ) SwaLLow (Hirundo rustica) flocks. (Average date of four observations, 1857-85.) SroTrteD FLycaTcHEeR (Muscicapa grisola) left 1884. Wuuncuar (Saxicola rubetra) left 1884. SepGE WARBLER (Acrocephalus schenobanus) left 1884. oe ae, ACh ee ee ey ee le ae ee Sept. ” ?? MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 347 10. 1 12. 13. 14. 15. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 24. Linnet (ZLinota cannabina) flocked 1874. (Earliest of six observations, 1836-80. ) Merapow Pirir (Anthus pratensis) left 1883. (Earliest of five observations, 1880-85. ) Martin (Chelidon urbica) flocks. (Average date of four observ- ations, 1857-80. ) Repstart (Phenicura ruticilla) left 1878. (Earliest of four observations, 1872-83.) Wittow WrReEN (Phylloscopus trochilus) leaves. (Average date of nine observations, 1857-84.) WHEATEAR (Saxicola wnanthe) leaves. (Average date of ten observations, 1863-85. ) WuHirTeTHROAT (Sylvia rufa) leaves. (Average date of ten observations, 1873-85. ) Woop WReEN (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) left 1883. (Latest of two observations, 1882-83). SwaLitow (Hirundo rustica) left 1881. (Earliest of twenty- three observations, 1822-85. ) Martin (Chelidon urbica) left 1881. (Harliest of thirteen observations, 1836-85. ) Sanp Martin (Cotile riparia) left 1881. (Earliest of nine observations, 1836-85. ) Swirt (Cypselus apus) left 1879. (Latest of seven observations, 1873-85. ) SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) singing 1875. (Earliest of four autumnal observations, 1833-75. ) REDBREAST (Hrithaca rubecula) sings. (Average date of eight observations, 1814-82.) StonecHAT (Saxicola rubicola) left neighbourhood of sea-coast 1849. (EKarliest of thirteen observations, 1837-84.) Sanp Martin (Cotile riparia) flocked 1880. (EHarliest of two observations, 1876 and 1880.) BuiackeaP (Sylvia atricapilla) left 1884. (Earliest of two observ- ations, 1883 and 1884.) GARDEN WARBLER (Sylvia salicaria) left 1883 and 1884. Witp Duck (Anas boscas) returned to sea 1879. (Earliest of eleven observations, 1873-84. ) MisseL THRusH (Z’urdus viscivorus) flocked 1822. (Earliest of eight observations, 1822-81.) GoLDEN PLovER (Charadrius pluvialis) flocked on moors 1836. (Latest of three observations, 1836-56. ) SwaLLow (Hirundo rustica) flocked 1884. (Latest of four observations, 1857-85. ) Sanp Martin (Cotzle riparia) leaves. (Average date of nine observations, 1836-85.) LANDRAIL (Crex pratensis) left 1881. SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) sings. (Average date of four autumnal observations, 1833-75. ) 348 Sept. 24. Oct. MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. CuarFFincH (Fringilla celebs) flocked 1850. Yrtiow-Bontine (Emberiza citrinella) in flocks 1850. Martin (Chelidon urbica) leaves. (Average date of thirteen observations, 1836-85. ) Swatiow (Hirundo rustica) leaves. (Average date of twenty- three observations, 1822-85.) DorrerEL (Charadrius morinellus) seen 1837. (Earliest of five autumnal observations, 1837-75.) BuiackeaP (Sylvia atricapilla) left 1883. Prep Waeralt (Motacilla lugubris) disappeared 1883. (Earliest of five observations, 1873-83. ) Meapow Prrrt (Anthus pratensis) leaves neighbourhood of Old- cambus. (Average date of five observations, 1880-85.) Repstart (Phenicura ruticilla) leaves. (Average date of four observations, 1872-83.) DorrerREL (Charadrius pluvialis) is seen on migration south- wards. (Average date of five autumnal observations, 1837-75.) Wittow WrReN (Phylloscopus trochilus) left 1881. (Latest of nine observations, 1857-84.) Martin (Chelidon urbica) flocked 1876. (Latest of four observ- ations, 1857-80. ) Sanp Martin (Cotile riparia) flocked 1876. (Latest of two observations, 1876 and 1880.) DortrEREL (Charadrius morinellus) seen on migration southwards 1875. (Latest of five autumnal observations, 1837-75.) CurLew (Numenius arquata) returned to shore 1836. (Latest of twelve observations, 1836-86. ) Snow-Buntine (Plectrophanes nivalis) arrived 1851. (Earliest of sixteen observations, 1812-86.) Witp GEESE (Anser segetum and Anser brachyrhynchus) seen 1884. (Earliest of twenty-two observations, 1800-86. ) SkyLaRK (Alauda arvensis) singing 1837. (Latest of four autumnal observations, 1833-75.) Grey Waeraltt (Motacilla sulphurea) left neighbourhood of Old- cambus 1879. (Earliest of two observations, 1878 and 1879.) Piep Wacratt (Motacilia lugubris) disappears. (Average date of five observations, 1873-83.) Rock Prert (Anthus obscurus) seen on sea-shore 1878. Woopcock (Scolopax rusticula) arrived 1882. (Earliest of twelve observations, 1835-83. ) STARLING (Stwrnus vulgaris) flocks. (Average date of nine observations, 1857-85.) Swa.tow (Hirundo rustica) left 1874. (Latest of twenty-three observations, 1822-85.) Martin (Chelidon urbica) left 1874. (Latest of thirteen observ- ations, 1836-85.) Sanp MartTIN (Cottle riparia) left 1874. (Latest of nine observ- ations, 1836-85.) Oct. 9 MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS. 349 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. 18. 20. 21. 23. 24. 26. 29. 31. Lyynet (Linota cannabina) flocks. (Average date of six observ- ations, 1836-80. ) Wuincaat (Saxicola rubetra) left 1883. (Latest of two observ- ations, 1883 and 1884.) Wiip Duck (Anas boscas) returns to sea. (Average date of eleven observations, 1873-84.) FIELDFARE (7urdus pilaris) arrived 1874. (Earliest of twenty- two observations, 1799-1886. ) WHITETHROAT (Sylvia rufa) left 1884. (Latest of ten observ- ations, 1873-85.) WHEATEAR (Saxicola enanthe) left 1879. (Latest of ten observ- ations, 1863-85. ) Repereast (Lrithaca rubecula) singing 1836. (Latest of eight autumnal observations, 1814-82.) Woopcock (Scolopax rusticula) arrives. (Average date of twelve observations, 1835-83.) Rine Ovuzex (Vurdus torquatus) left 1883. (Earliest of four observations, 1857-83. ) Prep WaeratL (Motacilla lugubris) disappeared 1874. (Latest of five observations, 1873-83.) Laewine (Vanellus vulgaris) flocked 1860. (Latest of twelve observations, 1842-83.) Wren (Troglodytes parvulus) singing 1863. Misse, THrusH (Z’urdus viscivorus) flocks. (Average date of eight observations, 1822-81.) SkyLARK (Alauda arvensis) flocked 1857. (Karliest of three observations, 1857-80. ) WILD GEESE (Anser segetum and Anser brachyrhynchus) are first seen. (Average date of twenty-two autumnal observations, 1800-86. ) Common CormoRANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) first seen on sea- coast 1877. (Latest of twelve observations, 1863-86. ) Repwine (Turdus iliacus) arrived 1879. (Earliest of five observations, 1860-84. ) TREE Preit (Anthus trivialis) left 1837. Coor (Fulica atra) left ponds 1881. SToNnECHAT (Sazxicola rubicola) leaves neighbourhood of sea-coast. (Average date of thirteen observations, 1837-84.) LirrLe GREBE (Podiceps fluviatilis) left ponds 1876. Witp Duck (Anas boscas) returned to sea 1873. (Latest of eleven observations, 1873-84.) FIELDFARE (J'urdus pilaris) arrives. (Average date of twenty- two observations, 1799-1886. ) Repstart (Phenicura ruticilla) left 1872. (Latest of four observations, 1872-83.) Snow Buntine (Plectrophanes nivalis) arrives. (Average date of sixteen observations, 1812-86.) Woopcock (Scolopax rusticula) arrived 1884. (Latest of twelve observations, 1835-83.) 350 Noy. 11. MIGRATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS, 12. 16. 18. 21. 22. rales 16. 17. 23. 26. 31. Rine Ovzen (Turdus torquatus) leaves. (Average date of four observations, 1857-83.) Meravow Pipir (Anthus pratensis) left 1880. (Latest of five observations, 1880-85.) Repwine (7'urdus iliacus) arrives. (Average date of five observations, 1860-84. ) Grey WacrTalit (Motacilla sulphurea) disappeared 1878. (Latest of two observations, 1878 and 1879.) SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) flocks. (Average date of three observations, 1857-80.) Rine Ovzeu (Turdus torquatus) left 1857. (Latest of four observations, 1857-83.) REDWING (Turdus iliacus) arrived 1878. (Latest of five observ- ations, 1860-84. ) Linnet (Linota cannabina) left Oldcambus 1878. Witp Grgse (Anser segetum and Anser brachyrhynchus) first seen 1881. (Latest of twenty-two observations, 1800-86.) SkyLARK (Alauda arvensis) flocked 1880. (Latest of three observations, 1857-80. ) StonecHar (Sazicola rubicola) disappeared 1882. (Latest of thirteen observations, 1837-84.) MisseL Torus (Zwrdus viscivorus) flocked 1871. (Latest of eight observations, 1822-81.) FIeLpFrareE (Turdus pilaris) arrived 1871. (Latest of twenty- two observations, 1799-1886. ) StTaRLine (Sturnus vulgaris) flocked 1871. (Latest of nine observations, 1857-85.) BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla) arrived 1874. (Earliest of three observations, 1857-81.) Corn Buntine (Emberiza miliaria) arrived at Oldcambus 1863. (Earliest of nine observations, 1856-84.) Corn Buntine (Hmberiza miliaria) singing 1863. 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( 358 ) FRINGILLIDZ. APPENDIX. THE HAWFINCH. GROSBEAK, CHERRY FINCH. Coccothraustes vulgaris. Miss GEorRGINA MILNE-HomE, Milne Graden, has kindly informed me that a female Hawfinch was caught in a fruit net in the garden at Ladykirk on the 2nd of September 1892. It was kept in a cage for a few days, when it was identified by Mr. John Brotherston, gardener at Milne Graden, who had frequently seen this species in the south of England. The Hawfinch has seldom been observed in Scotland. Mr. Eagle Clarke, F.L.S., records in the Annals of Scottish Natural History,’ that on the 3rd of August 1894 a speci- men of this bird in immature plumage was. captured in a net placed over a strawberry bed in the garden of Mr. Dundas of Arniston, Mid-Lothian. 1 The Annals of Scottish Natural History, 1894, pp. 195, 196. Ree PICARLA. ( 359 ) PICID. THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. PIED WOODPECKER, WITWALL, WOOD PIN, FRENCH PIE. Dendrocopus major. My friend Dr. Charles Stuart of Chirnside has been so good as to let me know that this species was found by Mr. John Ferguson, Duns, nesting in a hole in an ash tree in the woods of Duns Castle, in the summer of 1894.! Mr. William Smith, late gamekeeper at Duns Castle, has informed me that on the 12th of July 1887 he shot a young Great Spotted Woodpecker in Duns Castle woods, which, by its appearance, had only recently left the nest ; and that a few days afterwards he noticed three others sitting on the top of a tall larch tree in the same plant- ations near St. Mary’s Cottage. 1 Mr. William Evans, F.R.S.E., records that he found the Great Spotted Woodpecker rearing its young in the same tree in Duns Castle Woods on the 29th of May 1895.—Annals of Scottish Natural History, July 1895. ( 360 ) IL—INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS IN VOL. II. LATIN NAMES. PAGE Accipitres, . ; ? : 1 Ardeide, 4 < : c 39 Ardea cinerea, c : : 39 Anseres, . : 5 : 66 Anatide, ; n P A 66 Anser segetum, . ‘ ‘ 66 » brachyrhynchus, . : 66 9 albefrons, . : A 90 Anas boscas, . - : 5 elton Alectorides, . : : eg DAUD ABgialitis hiaticula, : . 224 Alcida, : ‘ , 7 ado Alca torda, . , ; Pl ab Botaurus stellaris, : : 53 Bernicla brenta, . - : 91 5 leucopsis, é ‘ 93 ay canadensis, . Z 95 Ciconiide, . ‘ 2 ; 64 Ciconia alba, ‘ ‘ ; 64 Cygnus musicus, . - : 96 a) Bewicki,. . ‘ A 99 Columbe, . ; : tol Columbide, . : : lle! Columba palumbus, : elo er @nads, . 3 - 141 An vig, ~~. x . 145 Coturnix communis, .« a= 190 Crex pratensis, . ; 3, oe Charadriide, 5 : 24 ZO Charadrius morinellus, . + palo ae pluvialis, . 1 R221 Colymbide, . ; ! - 309 Colymbus glacialis, : et) es septentrionalis, . 311 Coccothraustes vulgaris, Sabot Dajila acuta, : 5 a LOD Dendrocopus major, Hetopistes migratorius, . Falconide, Falco peregrinus, . Falco subbuteo, », «salon, », tinnunculus, . Luligua ferina, 55 cristata, . 35 marila, . * clangula, Pulicarie, Fulica atra, . Fratercula arctica, Galline, , é Gallinula chloropus, Gallinago major xp calestis, 35 gallinula, Gavie, . Herodiones, . Harelda glacialis, . Hematopus ostralegus, . Hydrochelidon nigra, Lagopus scoticus, . Limicole, Limosa wgocephala, Laride, Larus minutus, > ridibundus, 37 CONUS, » argentatus,. A DEY >» marinus, » glaucus, , dbellus, Machetes pugnax, . Mergulus alle, Nycticorax griseus, Numenius arquata, 53 pheopus, Qdemia nigra, os USCA, Otidide, Otis tarda, Pandion halivetus, Pelecanide, . Phalacrocorax carbo, » graculus, Pterocletes, Pteroclida, Phasianide . Phasianus colchicus, Perdix cinerea, Porzana maruetia, Phalaropus fulicarius, . Pygopodes, Podicipedide, Podiceps cristatus, 55 griseigena, as migricollis, i Jluviatilis, Procellariide, Procellaria pelagica, Arctic, or Richardson’s Skua, Auk, Little, Bittern, Common, Bean Goose, . Brent Goose, Bernacle Goose, Bewick’s Swan, Black Grouse, Bustard, Great, . Black-tailed Godwit, Black Tern, . : Black-headed Gull, PAGE 113 128 130 248 305 52 258 263 126 127 207 207 27 30 30 315 317 318 321 321 293 305 53 66 91 93 99 158 207 257 264 268 ENGLISH Querquedula crecea, 55 circa, Rallide, Rallus aquaticus, . Rissa tridactyla, Steganopodes, Sula bassana, Spatula clypeata, . Somateria mollissima, Syrrhaptes paradoxus, . Scolopacide, . Scolopax rusticula, Sterna fluviatilis, . Stercorarius pomatorhinus, a crepidatus, BS parasiticus, Tadorna cornua, . Turtur communis, . Tetraonide, . Tetrao tetrix, Tringa alpina, 5 striata, Totanus hypoleucus, ee ochropus, $3 calidris, . » canescens, Tubinares, Uria troile, . » grylle, . Vanellus vulgaris, . NAMES. Black-backed Gull, Lesser, . ” », Great, i) Buffon’s Skua, Black Guillemot, . Common Cormorant, Cormorant, Common, 9 Green, Common Heron, . a Bittern, . Canada Goose, . : Common Sheld-Duck, . ae Scoter, . 362 INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS. Common Partridge, » Quail, Crake, Spotted, Common Coot, Coot, Common, Catcher, Oyster, . Common Snipe, 4 Sandpiper, a Redshank, Common Curlew, . Curlew, Common, Common Tern, fs Gull, 5 Guillemot, Crested Grebe, Great, Duck, Wild, oy destin ville >, Lufted, » scaup, , », Long-tailed, » Hider, Dove, Ring, . » ~»6 40CK; 3 Rock, a . urtle; Dotterel, Dunlin, Diver, Great Nor (een, », Red-throated, Dabchick, Eider Duck, Eared Grebe, Falcon, Peregrine, Green Cormorant, Gannet, Goose, Solan, Bean, : Pink-footed, | pbrent, ,, Bernacle, . » Canada, Garganey, Golden-Eye, Goosander, White-fronted, . Grouse, Pallas’s Sand, . ss Black, » Red, Great Bustard, Golden Plover, Grey Phalarope, Great Snipe, : Green Sandpiper, . Greenshank, Godwit, Black- (ailed: Gull, Little, . : ,, Black-headed, », Common, » Herring, ; » Lesser Black- backer Great Black-backed, Gr ab Black-backed Gull, Glaucous Gull, Gull, Glaucous, », Kittiwake, . Guillemot, Common, AS Black, Great Northern Diver, . ,, Crested Grebe, Grebe, Great Crested, ;, Red-necked, », Hared, 5 Little, Great Spotted Weodpecked! Hobby, Heron, Common, . », Night, Herring Gull, Hawfinch, Jacksnipe, Kestrel, : Kittiwake Gull, Long-tailed Duck, Landrail, Lapwing, Little Gull, : Lesser Black-backed Gull, Long-tailed Skua, Little Auk, », Grebe, =a INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS. Merlin, Mallard, Moor Hen, Night Heron, ” Northern Diver, Gr eats Osprey, Oyster Catcher, Peregrine Falcon, Pink-footed Goose, Pintail Duck, Pochard, Passenger Pigeon, Pigeon, Passenger, Pallas’s Sand Grouse, Pheasant, Partridge, Common, Plover, Golden, » Ringed, Phalarope, Grey, . Purple Sandpiper, Pomatorhine Skua, Puffin, . Petrel, Storm, Quail, Common, Ring Dove, . Rock Dove, . Red Grouse, . Rail, Water, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Redshank, Ginnion, Richardson’s Skua, Razor-Bill, ; Red-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Blue Hawk, . Black Cormorant, Bull o’ the Bog, Black-Cock, . Bell-poot, Blutter, Heather, 224 248 254 293 295 311 315 Shag, Solan Goose, Stork, White, Swan, Bewick’s, Sheld-Duck, Common, Shoveller, Scaup Duck, Scoter, Common, . », Velvet, Smew, . ‘ Stock Dove, . : Sand Grouse, Pallas’s, . Spotted Crake, Snipe, Great, », Common, Sandpiper, Purple, e Common, i Green, Skua, Pomatorhine, », Richardson’s or Avec », Buffon’s or Long-tailed, Storm Petrel, eal ied Duck Turtle Dove, Tern, Black, , Common, Velvet Scoter, White Stork, White-fronted Goose, W hooper, Wild Duck, . Wigeon, Water Rail, . Woodcock, Whimbrel, Woodpecker, Gra patie BERWICKSHIRE NAMES. | Cormorant, Black, a5 Watch, 5 Stair, Coal-and-Candle-Licht Duc ic Cud-Doo, Culbert, 363 PAGE 33 35 64 99 100 107 119 126 127 130 14] 155 198 240 24] 247 250 252 292 293 294 321 110 118 151 264 265 364 INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS. PAGE Cushie, . ; : ; pelo Cushie Doo, . : : 5a. glaltl Corn Crake, . ; ‘ =p) ahG4: Crake, Corn, ; , . 194 Common Gull, . ; £279 Coulter Neb, : - 295 Chicken, Mother of Tee b huaoeL Drum, Mire, : : : 53 Duck, Wild, : : On Duik, Tael, . ‘ 5 Ie Duck, Sea, . 120 », Coal-and- Gandia: Tichi. 122 Dunter, ; : : Peele Doo, Cushie, ‘ : op digi! Woo; : : : 3) les Dove, Turtle, : : Roe Dipper, : : - Bate) Faisan, ; ‘ : ye) ZO Goshawk, ] Guise, Solan, ; ; : 35 Goose, Wild, : 66, 90, 91, 93 Grey Hen, . : : : 158 Gull Maw, . 275, 279, 285, 286 Pe UOMMINOD, es ts Set) Hawk, Blue, ; . : 1 », Hunting, . 1 Hunting Hawk, . ; : 1 Hawk, Keelie, . A : 25 Hurant, é ; : ; 39 ‘Huron, : : : ; 39 Heronsheugh, : : : 39 Hen, Grey, . : F DS 55 Water, 4 ‘ a Aly Heather Blutter, . 2 il eel Keelie, . A : : : 25 Keelie Hawk, 5 : ‘ 25 Kaitiewake, . : , . 2 288 Laverock, Sandy, : . 250 Mire Drum, . : : ‘ 53 Muir-fowl, . ; . 2) S62 Muir-cock, . : ‘ . 162 Muir-hen, . : : Ae loys PAGE Mire Snipe, . : : 241 Maw, Gull, . 275, 279, 285, 286 Marrot, 2 9295 Mother of Carey Ghickea! 321 Neb, Coulter, 295 Norie, Tammie, 307 Paitrick, 178 Pliver, . 221 Pluver, 221 Peeseweep, 225 Piet, Sea, 231 Pickie, . 268 Pickiemaw, . 268 Pictarnie, 268 Peg-birnet, 268 Petrel, Stormy, 321 Stair Cormorant, . : 30 Scart, . 30, 33 Solan Guise, . ; 35 Swan, Wild, - 96,99 Shieldrake, . 100 Sea Duck, 120 Sea Piet, 231 Snipe, Mire, 241 Sandy Laverock, . 250 Sea Snipe, 254 Snipe, Sea, 254 Sea Swallow, 265 Swallow, Sea, 265 Scoot, 297 Stormy Petre: 321 Tael Duik, 110 Teuchit, 225 Tirrlie, 288 Turtle Dove, 303 Tammie Norie, 307 Watch Cormorant, F : 30 Wild Goose, : 66, 90, 91, 93 Wild Swan, . . 96, 99 Wild Duck, 101 Wigeon, 120 Water Hen, . 202 Whaap, 258 ‘ INDEX TO PROVERBS. Il.—INDEX TO PROVERBS IN VOL. II. POPULAR RHYMES, SAYINGS, AND WEATHER LORE ABOUT BIRDS. Brernacte Goose: belief in olden | LANDRAIL: rhyme, 196. times about origin, 94. Common Birrern : “ Bogle of Billie Myre,” 53. Common CornmMoRANT: weather prog- nostic, 31. Common CuRLEW : name associated with goblins, &c., 260. Common GULL: weather prognostic, 275; rliyme, 275; superstition, 276. Common Herron: saying of Archi- bald, seventh Karl of Angus, at Ancrum Moor, 40; weather prog- nostic, 42. Common PartripGEe: French pro- verb, 186 ; rhyme, 189. GANNET: saying of salmon fishers, 36. GOLDEN PLOVER: weather prognos- tic, 222, 223. HERRING GULL: weather prognos- tic, 284. LAPWING: weather lore, 226 : regard- ed as a bird of ill-omen, 228, 229 ; weather prognostic, 229; rhymes and sayings, 229. Lesser BLACK-BACKED GULL: pro- verb, 285. MALLARD : saying, 106. Rep Grouse: weather prognostic, 169. RED-THROATED DIVER: prognostic, 311. Rock Dove: superstition, 149 ; say- ings, 149, 150. SrorM PETREL: origin of name, 321; weather prognostic, 322. WiLp GoosE: arrival, sign of sea- sons, 67; belief amongst boys, 88; rhymes, 87, 88; saying about geese, 106. WHOooPER: vows to the Swan, 97. Woopcock: popular saying, 239. Woop PIcEon : sayings, 140. weather I1.—TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX TO VOL. II. Abbey St. Bathans, Parish Wild Geese Report, 72 ; Golden-Kye on Whitadder, 120; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164; bags got, 162 ; numbers in end of last century, 163 ; contents of crop, 168; Par- tridge shooting, 181; Common Quail, 191; Dotterel, high grounds visited by great numbers in former times, 211, 214; on heights in recent years, 212, 214, 216, 218; Black-headed Gull, 274; Little Auk found dead, 306. Abbey Farm, North Berwick, 64. Aikenga, Lapwing, 229. Albentum fluvium, 166. Alyth, Forfarshire, Wood Pigeon, 137. Ancrum Moor, Common Heron, 40. Ancrum Woodhead, 236. Angelrow, Wild Geese, 80. Arniston, Hawfinch, 351. Auchencrow Mains, 54; drainage of Billie Mire, 58; Wild Geese, 76. Auchencrow, notes on Billie Mire by Mr. Thomas Hewit, 61. Avenue Bridge at Paxton, 142. Ayton, Hawks kept by Mr Belany, 3; Billie Mire, 54, 57; Parish Wild Geese Report, 72; Pallas’s Sand Grouse got at Whitfield, voracity of 366 TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 156; Water Rail, 201; high grounds visited by Dotterel in former times, 211; Woodcock in lambing shed, 234; tame Herring Gull, 284. Ayton Castle, Osprey found, 28; Pheasant shooting, 173; Partridge shooting, 182. Backlea Woods, Black Grouse, 161. Bamborough, 100. Bankend, 156. Barnside, Wild Geese, 72; Black Grouse, 158; Red Grouse shoot- ing in 1813, 164. Bass, Gannet, 35, 36, 37; seen from Fast Castle, 281; Kittiwake Gull, 290; Razor-bill, 295; Puffin, 306. Bastenrig, Dotterel, 210. Bathgate Bog, James tv. hawking the Common Bittern, 62. Bedshiel, Wild Geese, 80; Black Grouse, 158, 160; Red Grouse shooting in 1812-14, 164. Belhaven, 317. Belvidere, Common Heron, 45. Bemersyde, 62; Little Grebe, 319. Bemersyde Loch, « haunt of the Mallard, 102; a nesting station of Black-headed Gull, 268; Mr. John Thomson’s account of loch, 269, 270, 271. Berrington, rhyme Geese, 87. Berrybank, 54; Partridge shooting, 183. Berrywell, Water Rail, 201. Berwick, Grace Griffith’s execution and White Pigeon, 149; popular saying regarding pigeons associat- ing with Rooks, 150; Dr. Colville Brown’s account of moulting of Black-headed Gull, 271. Berwick Bounds, Common Quail, 191. Berwick Bridge, 313. Berwick-on-Tweed, Falcons at High- land and Agricultural Society’s Show in 1841, 3; Wild Swans, 97; Eared Grebe, 317. Berwickshire, heather burning, 169 ; migration, 327, 328; Ornithologi- cal observations, 329. Big Blake Law, Dotterel, 216. Big Byrips, nest of Herring Gull, 281. Big Wood, Salton, Cushats, 134. Billie, Partridge shooting, 182, 183. Billie Burn, drainage of Billie Mire, 57, 59; Water Rail, 201. about Wild Billie Castle, ruins of, 55. Billie Mains, 54, 55; Brent Goose shot, 91; Shoveller killed, 107 ; 273. Billie Mill, 56. Billie Mire, formerly a haunt of the Common Bittern, 53; meeting place of English and Scottish Commissioners, 54; Fosterland Burn, 55; Auchencrow Burn, 55 ; Billie Mire Burn, 55; Draeden Burn, 55; MS. notes on the plants formerly found here by the late Dr. Henderson, Chirnside, 57; birds, 58; state in end of last century, 58; plan in 1759, 58; Mr. John Blackadder’s notes about drainage of the Mire, 59; pro- posed canal between Duns and Eyemouth, 59; Mire bridge, 59; notes by Mr. William White, Lennel Hill, 60; last Bittern shot, 60; bog oak and hazel nuts discovered, 60; old people in Chirnside having heard the Bull o’ the Bog, 61 ; Wild Duck, 101; Flapper shooting, 104; Spotted Crake, 199; a breeding station of Black-headed Gull in former times, 273. Billie Mire Burn, 55, 56. Birch Hill, Norham, 310. Birgham, Pochard on the Tweed, 116; Black-headed Gull, 271. Blackadder, Kestrel, 26; Common Heron, 45; frequented by the Mallard, 103; Moor Hen, 202; Common Sandpiper, 250. Blackadder Estate, Pistol Plantation, favourite roosting place of Wood Pigeons, 136. Blackadder House, Stock Dove’s nest, 143. Blackburn, 54; ‘‘ Mire Drum ” shot, 60; 95; Dotterel, 217. Blackburn Mill, Dotterel, 216. Blackburn Rigg Peat Moss, Land- rail in winter, 196. Blackcastle Rings, Kestrel, 26. Blackerston, Dotterel, 213, 214, 215, 220. Black Hill, Dotterel, 215. Black Hill, Longformacus, 106. Black Mask Rock, near Fast Castle, nests of Herring Gull, 281. Black’s Mill Burn, shooting Wild Ducks in 1812-14, 104. Blackpotts, Coldingham, Stork, 64. White TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 367 Blakey, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 4, 5; Kestrel, 26. Blanerne, Merlin, 21; Billie Mire, 58, 59; Teal on Whitadder, 111 ; Partridge shooting, 184; 273; Little Grebe found on Whitadder, 319. Blanerne, Hast, Wild Geese, 72. Bleak Heugh, near Burnmouth, 280. Blue Braes, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 5, 6. Blythe, Wild Geese, 82. Blythe Edge, Dotterel, 219. Blythe Moor, Common Heron, 47. Blythe Water, Dotterel, 219. Boiling Park, Common Heron, 43. Bonky!, Partridge shooting, 182. Bonkyl Lodge, 56. Boon, Wild Geese, 82; White Par- tridge, 189; Dotterel, 219. Borthwik, 134. Boundreigh Water, Dotterel, 219. Bowerhouse, Wild Geese, 73; Com- mon Quail, 190. Bowshiel, Wild Geese shot, 71; Wild Geese, 74; Dotterel, 217. Braid Bog, Penmanshiel, Wild Geese, 71. Brander Cliffs, nests of Herring Gulls, 280. Brander Cove, Green Cormorant nesting, 33, 34. Brighton Aquarium, Guillemot, 201. Broad Bog, Dotterel,.215. Broad Bog, Penmanshiel, Wild Geese, 67. Broadhaugh, effects of weather on Moor Hen, 203. Broadhaven Bay, 280; small colony of Common Guillemots, 299. Broadmeadows, Wild Geese, 80. Broadshawriy, Merlin nesting, 24. Brokholes, Dotterel, 213, 218. Broomhouse, Pheasant shooting, 174; Partridge shooting, 184. Brotherstone Tower, 270. Bruntaburn, Common Heron, 44. Bruntiburn, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, severe Bunele, 54. Buncele Church, 56. Buncle Parish, report on Wild Geese, 72; Mallard, 106; Black Grouse, 160; Dotterel in former times, 211, 215; Woodcock, 234. Buncle Wood, Common Heron, 43, 56; a favourite haunt of Wood- cock, 234. Burnmouth, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 2, 4; Osprey, 29; Rock Dove, 145; Coot, 204; female Ruff shot, 248; Herring Gull, 280; fishermen collecting eggs of Gulls for sale, 282; Captain Norman’s account of Herring Gull feeding on shoal of herrings, 283. Butterdean, Wild Geese, 84; Com- mon Quail, 190. Byrecleugh, Merlin, 24; Common Heron, 47; bags of game got by the Duke of Roxburghe in 1886 and 1872, 164, 165 ;; White Grouse shot, 168 ; Partridge, 179. Byrke Houses, 141. Byreloch Heugh, Green Cormorant, 33. Cairncross, Wild Geese, 76. Cairnsmill, Wild Geese, 77. Caldra, Partridge shooting, 184. Caldron Cove, Green Cormorant, 33. Cammer Laws, Wild Geese, 85. Cardross, falconry, King Robert the Bruce’s Hawk-house, 13. Carfrae Mill, large bags of Red Grouse got in 1886, 165. Casileholes Heugh, Peregrine Falcon, 9 Cattleshiel, Black Grouse, 160, 161 ; George Home of Kimmerghame hawking Grouse, 163; Red Grouse shooting, 166. Caulderon Cove, Rock Dove, 145. Causewaybank, 54, 56; plan of Billie Mire, 59, 60; bog oak and hazel nuts found in Billie Mire, 60. Cavers, 154. Channelkirk, Dotterel, 218. Channelkirk Parish, report on Wild Geese, 73; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164. Chapel, Woodcock shooting, 236. Chapel, near Duns, Gannet, 35. Chapelhill, flock of Bernacle Geese, 93 Charterhall, Pheasant shooting, 174 ; Partridge shooting, 184. Cherrytrees, 212. Chesterbank, Dotterel, 210, 215; Mr. John Renton’s account of the Sea-fowl at St. Abb’s Head, 288. Chirnside, 54; Dr. Henderson, 55; Bille Mire drainage, 59; Sheld- duck shot, 100; Dr. Henderson’s lamentations about change on the face of Nature, 102; Wood Pigeons eating vegetables in gardens, 138 ; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Com- 368 TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. mon Quail, 191; Lapwing, 225; 248; Green Sandpiper shot, 252 ; 273; 352. Chirnside Mill, 57. Chirnside Parish, report on Wild Geese, 73; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Water Rail, 201; Woodcock, 235. Choicelee, Wild Geese, S81. Circle Plantation, Common Heron, 44, Cleaver Rock, St. Abb’s Head, 146; nest of Herring Gull, 280; Lesser Black-backed Gull breeding, 285 ; nesting of Kittiwake Gull in for- mer times, 290; colonies of Com- mon Guillemots, 298. Clairvale Wood, Greenshank, 256. Clarabad, Common Heron, 45; Wild Geese, 81 ; Coot, 204. Clarabad Mill, Green Sandpiper seen, 253. Clarabad Mill Cauld, Red-necked Grebe shot, 315. Coal Point, Lamberton, Kestrel, 26. Cockburn, Pochard shot on Whit- adder, 116; Partridge, 178 ; 213. Cockburn Braes, Osprey, 28. Cockburn Law, popular rhyme about the weather, 87. Cockburn Mill, Osprey, 273. Cockburnspath, Peregrine Falcon, 2 ; flock of Bernacle Geese at Chapel- hill, 93; 115; Albino Black-headed Gull shot, 273; migration, 328. Cockburnspath Parish, Common Heron, 45; Common Bittern, 61 ; report on Wild Geese, 73 ; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Black Game, 160; Red Grouse in 1835, 164; Common Quail, 190; Dotterel, 210; Dotterel in former times, 211; Dotterel in recent years, 212. Cocklaw, Ayton, Wild Geese, 72. Coldingham, Peregrine Falcon, entry of two aeries of Falcons in ancient rental, 1; falconry, 13; priory falconry, 13, 54; immigra- tion of Ring Dove, 133; Rock Dove, 149; shrine of St. Ebba and White Pigeon, 149; 286; Kittiwake Gull, 289 ; occurrence of Arctic or Richardson’s Skua in unusual numbers, 293; Mr. Andrew Wilson’s list of birds which frequent St. Abb’s Head, 296, 297; Black Guillemot, 308 ; incident in great storm of 14th October 1881, 322. Coldingham Loch, Pochard shot, 115; Coot, 204; occurrence of Little Gull, 266. Coldingham Moor, Curlew plentiful, 258. Coldingham Parish, report on Wild Geese, 75; Velvet Scoter, 127; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164; Dotterel, 210; Dotterel in former times, 211; Dotterel in recent years, 212; Woodcock, 234; Little Gull, 266, 267. Coldingham Priory, Fosterland Burn, 55, 56; 208. Coldinghamshire, *‘ Crachochtre,” 56. Coldinghamshore, Peregrine Falcon, 2; Osprey, 29 ; Long-tailed Duck, 122; 145; Common Redshank, 255; visit of Mr. Archibald Hepburn in 1850, 277; 281; 290; Arctic or Richardson’s Skua shot, 293; Common Guillemot, 298 ; notes about Guillemots’ eggs, 300; Red-necked Grebe shot, 315; Storm Petrel, 321, 322. Coldlands, 55. Coldstream, Cistercian Abbey of, faleonry, 15; Wild Swans shot, 96; 146; priory ‘‘columbis” and “*columbarijs,” 148; Ringed Plover, 224; 299 ; Great Northern Diver killed, 310. Coldstream Bridge, Black-headed Gull haunting Tweed there, 272. Coldstream Parish, Common Heron, 43; report on Wild Geese, 76; Black Tern, 264; Eared Grebe, ole Corbie’s Heugh, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 6. Corsbie, Wild Geese, 82. Corsbie Bog, a breeding quarter of the Black-headed Gull in former times, 274. Corsbie Tower, 268. Cove Harbour, Eider Duck, 123. Cove, near Cockburnspath, 279 ; 297; Great Northern Diver found in nets, 309. Cove Shore, Wigeon, 113. Coveyheugh House, 315. Cowdenknowes, 54 ; Stock Dove, 143; 199; 293. Craig Taw, Common Cormorant, 31. Cramond, 293. Cranshaws, Wild Geese, 77; Land- rail in October, 196; 209; Storm Petrel got, 321. ~—— nb caw SP < - TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 369 Cranshaws Hill, autumnal flights of Woodcock, 233. Cranshaws Parish, report on Wild Geese, 77; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse 164; Dotterel in for- mer times, 211; Dotterel in recent years, 212. Cribbs, Wild Geese, 82. Crichness, 315. Crosslaw, Wild Geese, 76. Crow Dean Wood, Paxton, Wood- cock, 235. Crumles Bridge, Common Heron, 44. Cumledge, Common Bittern shot, 61; Wild Swan killed, 97. Daurnae, 217. Dawikkis, Common Heron, 40. Daye, 166. Dirringtons, Great and Little, popu- lar rhymes about the weather, 87. Dirrington Law, Wild Duck shoot- ing, 104. Dod Mill, Common Heron, 47 ; Ber- nacle Goose, 93. Dogden Moss, 86; Water Rail, 201 ; a breeding station of the Black- headed Gull in former times, 274. Dow Cave, 145. Dowlaw, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 2 ; Merlin’s nest, 24; Common Cor- morant, 30; Canada Geese shot, 95; Velvet Scoter, 127; derivation of name, 149; Common Quail, 190; Coot, 204; a favourite haunt of Dotterel, 212, 216, 217, 218; Black-tailed Godwit shot, 257; 279. Dowlaw Braes, arrival of Woodcock, 234. Dowlaw Burn, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 5. Dowlaw Burn Foot, nests of Herring Gulls, 281. Dowlaw Dean, 217. Dowlaw Mill Pond, 146; Common Snipe nesting, 243. Draeden Burn, 55. Draeden Field, Heughhead, Karl of Wemyss stalking Wild Geese, 69. Drake Mire, derivation of name, 106. Drakestruther, name derived from Wild Duck, 106. Dronshiel, Dotterel, 219. Dryburgh, Common Heron, 49; Stock Dove, 143 ; Oyster Catcher, 231. Dryburgh Estate and Bemersyde Loch, 270. ; VW Ob. TE: Drygrange, Stock Dove, 143. Dunbar, falconry, 11, 12; Pallas’s Sand Grouse seen, 155; Black Tern, 264. Dunglass, Wood Pigeon destroying broccoli, 138 ; Partridge shooting, 183; Dotterel, 217. Dunglass Dean, Common Heron, 45. Dunglass Woods, large bag of Wood- cock, 237. Dunkirk, 282. Duns, Hobby, 20;59; 219; 248; 273; Little Auk caught, 306; 321 5 352, Duns Castle, Common Heron, 47 ; Pintail Duck seen, 109; Stock Dove shot, 142; Stock Dove’s nest, 143; Pheasant shooting, 173; Partridge shooting, 183; 219; 220; Black-headed Gull at Hen Poo in former times, 273. Duns Castle Lake, a favourite retreat of Mallard, 102; Shovellers ob- served, 107; visited by Pochard, 116; Tufted Duck, 118; Golden- Eye, 120; Long-tailed Duck, 122 ; Kider Duck, 124; Velvet Scoter seen, 127; Water Rail shot, 201; Moor Hen, 202; Coot, 204, 205. Duns Castle Woods, Common Heron, 43 ; young Woodcock found, 238 ; Woodeock’s nest found, 238; Great Spotted Woodpecker, 352. Duns Law, 141. Duns Parish, report on Wild Geese, 78; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164: introduction of Pheasant, 171. Duns Railway Station, Spotted Crake found dead, 198. Dye, Common Heron, 44, 45, 47; frequented by the Mallard, 103 ; Lesser Black-backed Gull, 285; Little Grebe shot, 319. Dye Cottage, 106. Dykegatehead, 223. Eariston, Falconry, 11; Teal, 110; Black Grouse, 160; 200; Curlew on moors, 258. Earlston Parish, Black Grouse, 160 ; Red Grouse, 164; Dotterel in former times, 211; Black-headed Gull, 274. Earl’s Tower at Hariston, Falconry, TA. Hast Blanerne, 56, 215, 218, 220. East Linton, Woodcock in January 1881, 225. 2A 370 East Lothian, rhyme about Wild Geese, 87; Shoveller breeding, 108; increase of Cushats about 1859-60, 134; Wood Pigeon nest- ing in hawthorn hedges, 139; heather burning, 169; popular name of Whimbrel, 263 ; Common Gull on shore, 277; migration, 327, 328. East Lothian Coast, 281. Hast Mains, Lauder, White Part- ridge, 189. Kast Reston, 56. Ecclaw, Wild Geese, 73. Eeclaw Hill, Dotterel, 216. Hecles Parish, Common Heron, 48 ; report on Wild Geese, 77 ; Wood- cock shooting, 237; Green Sand- piper shot, 253 ; Greenshank, 256 ; Kared Grebe, 317. Eden, Common Heron, 45; fre- quented by the Mallard, 103, 105 ; Wigeon near Nenthorn, 113. Edington, Peregrine Falcon cap- tured, 7; Partridge shooting, 181, 182; cream coloured Partridge, 189. Edington Hill Wood, a favourite haunt of Woodcock, 234; large bag of Woodcock, 234. Edington Mains, Wild Geese, 73; Common Quail, 190; occurrence of Water Rail, 199; Mr. John Wilson’s account of country in former times, 208 ; 213. Edington Mains Mill Pond, Rutt shot, 248. Edington Mill Cauld, Great Northern Diver shot, 309. Edmondsdean, Wild Geese, 73 ; Dot- terel, 217. Ednam, 271. Edrington, Turtle Dove shot, 151 ; introduction of Pheasants, 172. Edrom Mains, Teal frequenting urn. al Hdrom Parish, Common Heron, 45 ; report on Wild Geese, 77 ; Golden Plover, 221. Hildons, 88. Elfole, 59. Hilemford, Common Heron, 44; Wild Geese, 83; Teal on Whit- adder, 110; Golden-Eye, 120; bags of Red Grouse got, 162, 166 ; Great Snipe seen, 240; Common Snipe, 241. English Lake District, nesting of Dotterel, 210. TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Ernesheugh, Peregrine Falcon’seyrie, 2, 5; colony of the Common Gull in 1850, 277, 278. Eskdale, Falconry, 11. Everett Moss, 199; or Dowie Den Moss, Pickie Moss, or Legerwood Loch, a nesting place of Black- headed Gull, 268, 269. Eye, Osprey, 28; Common Heron, 46; 54; 57; frequented by the Mallard, 103; Common Sand- piper, 250; tame Herring Gull, 284. Eyemouth, 59; Wild Swans, 96; Smew shot, 130; 145; Lapwing, 229; 275; 283; young Glaucous Gull shot, 287; Long - tailed Buffon’s Skua shot, 294; 297; Storm Petrel, 321. Eyemouth Parish, Dotterel in former times, 211. Fairlaw, 54, 55. Fairneyside, Rock Dove, 145; Coot, 204 ; Woodcock in lambing shed, 234; Herring Gull, 282. Fairnieside, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 2. Fala, Dotterel, 218. Faldonside, 218. Fallside, Wild Geese, 79. Fangrist, Kestrel, 26. Fannanside, Wild Geese killed, 71; Pallas’s Sand Grouse shot, 156. Farne Islands, Common Cormorant nesting, 30; Hider Duck, 123; Common Snipe seen on migration, 242 ; Common Tern breeding, 265; Kittiwake Gull, 290; migration, 328. Fast Castle, Peregrine Falcon’s eyrie, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8; Kestrel, 26; Green Cormorant, 33; Eider Duck breed- ing, 123; nest with young found, 124; Rock Dove’s resorts, 146; Rock Dove, 146; Woodcock’s arrival in autumn, 234; Black- tailed Godwit, 257 ; 279; cry of Herring Gull, 279; Herring Gull, 281. Felicleugh, Common Heron, 44; Wild Geese, 83 ; Stock Dove, 1438. Fenham Flats, immense flocks of Brent Geese, 91. Fenham Slakes, Wild Geese, 70. Fentonbarns, near Drem, shooting Wild Geese, 69. Ferneycastle, 54, 55. TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 371 Ferneyrig Covers, Woodcock shoot- ing, 237. Finchy, Uong-tailed Duck on the Tweed, 122. Firth of Forth, Common Cormorant, 30; Ruff, 249; Black Guillemot, 304; Storm Petrel, 322; migra- tion, 327. Flass, Black Grouse, 161. Flass Moor, Red Grouse shooting, 166. Fleurs, Shoveller obtained, 107. Flodden, 261. Flood or Flot Carr, St. Abb’s Head, Great Black-backed Gull breeding in 1851, 286. Flot Carr, St. Abb’s Head, Herring Gulls’ nests, 280 ; colonies of Com- mon Guillemots, 298. Fogo Parish, report on Wild Geese, 78. Fogorig, Wild Geese, 78. Ford, 303. Forres, Falconry, 11. Fosterland Burn, 54, 55. Foulden, Common Quail, 191 ; Dot- terel sent to London for Mr. Wilkie of Foulden, 213; 220. Foulden Bastle, voracity of Wood Pigeon, 137 ; Common Quail, 191 ; Little Auk shot, 305. Foulden Estate, Little Auk, 305. Foulden New Mains, Wild Geese, 79; flock of Canada Geese, 95; visit of Wild Swans, 97 ; Wigeon on Mill Pond, 113; Little Grebe, 319. Foulden West Mains, Wild Geese, 79; Garganey shot, 112; Pochard shot on mill pond, 116; Pallas’s Sand Grouse caught, 155; Part- ridge shooting, 181; Coot, 204; Dotterel, 219. Foulden Parish, Common Heron, 44; report on Wild Geese, 79 ; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Dotterel in former times, 211; in recent years, 212: Foul Carr, St. Abb’s Head, principal breeding quarters of the Herring Gull, 280; Lesser Black-backed Gull breeding, 285; colony of Common Guillemots, 298; taking of Guillemots’ eggs, 300; Puffin nesting in 1851, 308. Foul Carr Cove, Razor Bill nesting in 1855, 296. Foul Carr Rib, nesting of Kittiwake Gull in former times, 289, 290. Foulshotlaw Wood, Black Grouse, 161. Gateside School, Common Heron, 44. Geddes’ Haven, 281. Gibbs’ Cross, Wedderlie, Wild Geese, 70. Girrick, Parish of Nenthorn, Kes- trel, 26; Mallard feeding on “laid” barley, 103; shooting Wild Duck on the Eden, 105; Wigeon, 114; Grey Phalarope, 232; 241. Glengelt, Wild Geese, 73. Glen Urquhart, Inverness-shire, Merlin, 23. Godscroft, Wild Geese, 72; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Black Grouse, 158; Red Grouse shooting in 1813, 164 ; bag of Red Grouse got in 1878, 166; Common Quail, 191; number of Dotterel shot, 213, 214. Godscroft Woodheads, Wild Geese trapped, 71. Gordon, Dotterel, 219. Gordon Bog, Wigeon killed, 113. Gordon Moss, Shovellers got, 107. Gordon Parish, report on Wild Geese, 79; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164; Black-headed Gull, 274. Gosford, Hast Lothian, Canada Goose, 95. rowkscroft, Lapwing abundant, 229. Grampians, nesting of Dotterel, 210; Dotterel, 211. Grange Wood, a favourite rest of Woodcock, 234. Greenburn, 54. Greenhaugh, Mallard, 102. Greenhead, 54, 55. Greenheugh, Rock Dove, 146. Greenheugh, Oldcambus, Common Redshank in small flocks, 254. Greenheugh Point, near Oldcambus, Purple Sandpiper occasionally seen, 247. rreenknowe, Wild Geese, 77 ; White- fronted Wild Goose shot, 88; Spotted Crake shot, 198. Greenlaw, Merlin, 22; Water Rail, 200; Coot, 204, Greenlaw Dean, Wild Goose, 80; Dotterel, 219. Greenlaw Moor, Kestrel, 26; Wild Geese at the Hule Moss, 80, 86, 87. Greenlaw Parish, report on Wild Geese, 80; Hule Moss, 86; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164; 372 TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Dotterel in former times, 211; Dotterel in recent years, 212; Whimbrel, 263; Black-headed Gull, 274. Greenriggs, Wild Geese, 84. Green Stane, Common Cormorant, 30. Grey Mare, 246. Grey Mare’s Foal, 246. Gull Rock, Peregrine nest, 2. Gull Rock, Fast Castle, Rock Dove, 146. Gull Rock, near Burnmouth, 280. Gull Rock, near mouth of Wolden Lee Burn, one of the most westerly breeding places of the Herring Gull on the Berwickshire coast, 281. Gullane Sands, Wild Geese, 70. Gunsgreen, ‘* Dow Cave,” 145 ; tame Herring Gull, 284; 297. Falcon’s Haddo House, Aberdeenshire, 160, 161. Hallyburton, Wild Dotterel, 219. Halternsloup, nesting of Peregrine Falcon, 2. Handaxe Wood, falconry, 18 ; hunt- ing lodge of Sir George Home of Wedderburn, 162. Harbour Loch, Coldingham Shore, Long-tailed Duck, 122. Harcarse, Water Rail, 201. Hardens, Wild Geese, 78. Harehead, Common Snipe, 241. Harelaw, Wild Geese, 85; 156; Dotterel, 220. Harelaw, Craig’s Wood, Duns Castle Estate, Woodcock shooting, 237. Geese, 80; FTTarelaw Cove, Green Cormorant, Harelaw, Westruther, 274. Harelaw Moor, Golden Plover’s nest, 222; Common Snipe, 241. Harelawside, Wild Geese killed, 71 ; Lapwing, 227. FTarperton, 253. Harryburn House, Lauder, Little Auk caught, 305. Hartlaw, derivation of name, 209. Hartside, Wild Geese, 73; deriva- tion of name, 208. Hatchetnize, Wild Geese, 76. Haugh Head, near Earlston, 274. Hawk Kaim at Eariston, Falconry, ii Hawksheugh, sheep’s fleece used to capture young Peregrine Falcons, 1 Hawksheugh, near Burnmouth, de- rivation of name, 9. Hawksheugh, near Cockburnspath, derivation of name, 9. Hawksheugh, near Fast Castle, Pere- grine Falcon’s nest, 3, 5; deriva- tion of name, 9. Hawkslaw, Wild Geese, 76. Hawkslaw in Parish of Coldstream, derivation of name, 9. Hawkslaw, formerly a part of Hally- down Estate, 9 Headchester, appearance of Dotterel in September, 217. Hebrides, 293. Heligoland, 221. Hen Poo, Duns Castle, a breeding station of Black-headed Gull in former times, 273. Heron Scaur on the Dye, 47. Heron's Hole on the Dye, 47. Hlerrington, rhyme about Wild Geese, 87. Heughhead, Karl of Wemyss stalk- ing Wild Geese, 68, 69; Wild Swan captured, 97. Heapath, Wild Geese, 79. FHind’s Cleugh, derivation of name, 209. Findsidehill, Wild Geese, 85. TTirsel, Common Heron, 43; Night Heron shot by the Karl of Home, 52; Common Bittern shot, 61; Smew killed, 130; Pheasant shooting in 1810, 1816, and 1821, LAE Hirsel Lake, a favourite haunt of the Mallard, 102. Hirsel Loch, Coot, 204. Holy Island, Brent Geese, 91; Sheld- Duck, 100; Greenshank frequently seen, 256. Home, falconry, visit of King James Iv., 14. Home Castle, 268. Horn Burn, 56; drainage of Billie Mire, 57. Horncliffe, 2138. Horsecastle Cove, St. Abb’s Head, 303. Horseley, Dotterel, 213, 218. FHoundslow, Dotterel, 20. Howpark, Dotterel, 213, 216, 218. Hule Moss, in parish of Greenlaw, Wild Geese, 67; 86; description of situation, 87; Shoveller shot, 107. f TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 373 Hullidean Mill Pond, Bemersyde, nesting of Little Grebe, 318. Humbie Wood, 134. HTume Castle, visit of James Iv. with falconers, 62. Huntleywood Moss, formerly a haunt of the ‘‘ Bull o’ the Bog,” 61. Hutton, Red-throated Diver caught, all. Hutton Bridge, 142. Hutton Hall, Peregrine Falcon, 5, 6. Hutton Hall Mill, Peregrine Fal- con’s nest at Blue Braes, 5, 6. Hutton Mains, Wild Geese, 81. Hutton Parish, Common Heron, 45 ; report on Wild Geese, 80; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Water Rail, 201 ; Coot, 204 ; Woodcock shoot- ing, 237. Huxton, in parish of Coldingham, derivation of name, 9. Iceland, Red-throated Diver, 312. Innerwick, Dotterel, 218. Isle of May, migration of Cushats, 133; Common Snipe seen on migration, 242; Black Guillemot, 304; migration, 328. Jura, Red-throated Diver, 312. Kaeter Well, 225. Kaimes, turnips first sown in Ber- wickshire, 132. Kelloe, Partridge shooting, 184. Kelso, white Wood Pigeon, 140; 154; 248; 253; 256; Mr. Andrew Brotherston’s account of moult- ing of Black-headed Gull, 272; 317. Kettleshiel, hawking at, 18; Black Grouse shooting, 1803-14, 158; Red Grouse shooting, 1812-14, 164; Dotterel, 220. ‘Kidshielhaugh, Wild Geese, 78. Kimmerghame, Hobby, 20; George Home of Kimmerghame hawking Grouse at Kettleshiel, 163; Water Rail, 201. Kimmerghame Estate, White-fronted Wild Goose shot, 88. Kimmerghame Mains, Wild Geese, 5 Kirkheugh, Rock Dove, 145. Knebs Rocks, Common Bittern shot, 61. Knock Hill, Merlin, 22. Kyleshill, Black Grouse, 161. Ladykirk, Common Cormorant, 31 ; Hawfinch, 351. Ladykirk Lodge, 69. Ladykirk Parish, Wild Geese, 81. Lake Ladoga, Russia, Little Gull’s breeding quarters, 267. Lambden, occurrence of Whimbrel, 263. Lamberton, Wild Geese, 83, 97; Rock Dove, 145; Turtle Dove obtained, 151; a favourite haunt of Dotterel, 212; bag of Dotterel killed in 1857, 213; Dotterel shooter, 215; Dotterel, 220; Woodcock’s arrival in autumn, 234 ; 279; 298. Lamberton Coal Point, Kestrel, 26. Lamberton Kirk, 281. Lamberton Moor, ‘‘ Cockit-Hat” plantation, occurrence of Merlin, 22; Merlin pursuing Snipe, 22; Black Grouse, 160. Lammerlaw, large bags of Red Grouse got in 1888, 165. Lammermuir Whaaps, 259, 260. Lammermuir Hills, Peregrine Fal- con nesting in precipices, 5; Sir George Home’s hunting lodge, Falconry, 18; Stock Dove, 143 ; Sir George Home of Wedderburn hawking Red Grouse in olden times, 162; Partridge, 178; Dotterel, 218; Common Red- shank nesting, 255; Curlew abundant from spring to autumn, 258. Lammermuirs, Merlin, 21 ; popular rhyme about the weather, 87; Black Grouse, 161; Red Grouse scarce in 1812-14, 164; large bags of Red Grouse got in 1886 and 1872, 165; Grouse disease, 167; cries of Red Grouse, 168 ; heather burning, 169; Common Quail, 190; Golden Plover plentiful, 221; Lapwing, 226, 227; Curlew nesting, 261; Red-necked Grebe killed, 315; occurrence of Storm Petrel, 321, 322; migration, 328. Lammyrios montes, 166. Lanele, Faleonry, 15. Lang Belt plantation, Mordington, Green Sandpiper, 253. Langshaw, Black Grouse, 159. Langstruther Bog, nest of Golden Plover, 222. Langton, Pheasant shooting, 175 ; Partridge shooting, 185. Langton Burn, Common Heron, 47 ; 374 TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. Wild Duck shooting, 105; Teal, 110. Langton House, 274. Langton Lees, Wild Geese, 81. Langton Parish, report on Wild Geese, 81; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164; 209. Lapland, 294. Lauder, Falconry, visit of King James Iv., 14; Hobby, 20; visit of King James tiv., Common Heron, 41; Lauder, Common Heron, 43; visit of James Iv. with falconers, 62; Pochard in Leader, 116; Black Grouse, 159 ; 223, 224; Little Auk caught, 305; Little Grebe, 319; 321. Lauderdale, Merlin, 21; Wild Duck, 101; Wigeon, 113; folk- lore about Pigeons, 149; Black Grouse, 159; introduction of Pheasant, 171; 216; Dotterel, 219. Lauder Parish, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 7; report on Wild Geese, 82; Mallard, 106; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164; Dotterel in former times, 211; Dotterel in recent years, 212. Leader, Osprey, 28; Common Heron, 46 ; Canada Geese killed, 95; Teal breeding near Lauder, 110; flock of Wigeon, 113; Pochard near Lauder, 116; Golden - Eye, 120; Goosander, 128; Water Rail, 201; Moor Hen, 202; Ringed Plover, 224; Black-headed Gull, 271; Black- headed Gull frequenting stream near KEarlston, 272; Common Sandpiper, 250. Leader Haughs, 226. Lees, Wild Geese, 76; Pheasant shooting, 174; Partridge shoot- ing, 184. Leet, Wild Ducks’ eggs, 106. Leetside, Wild Geese, 86; Mallard visiting barley fields, 103. Legerwood, Wild Geese, 82; Mal- lard damaging barley fields, 103 ; Red Grouse in end of last century, 163; Woodcock shooting, 236, 237. Legerwood Loch, a haunt of Mallard, 102; Shovellers shot, 107; Teal, 110; Water Rail, 201 ; Coot, 204; Common Snipe found in consider- able numbers, 241; Little Grebe abundant, 319. Legerwood Parish, report on Wild Geese, 82; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164; Dotterel in former times, 211 ; Black-headed Gull, 268. Leitholm, Peregrine Falcon killed, 7. Lennel, Karl of Wemyss stalking Wild Geese, 69. Lennel Hill Farm, Mr. William White’s notes on drainage of Billie Mire, 60. Lennel, near Coldstream, occurrence of Ruff, 249. Lightfield, near Mellerstain, Great Snipe shot, 240. Lighthouse, St. Abb’s Head, 146; Herring Gull, 280; Common Guillemot, 298. LAnthill, Wild Swan, 96 ; sign of bad weather, 227. Linthill House, Dotterel, 219. Lintlaw, 54, 55; Wild Geese, 73; occurrence of white Wood Pigeon, 139. Lintlaw Burn, 55, 56. Lithtillum or Ferneyrig Bog, Com- mon Bittern seen and heard, 62. Lithtillum Loch, Common Heron, 43; Eared Grebe shot, 317. Little Billie, 55. LittleChanneller Rock, St. A bb’s Head, colony of the Herring Gull, 280. Little Rooks, Hider Duck, 124; 281. Little Swinton, Wild Geese, 84. Intile Swinton Farm, Earl of Wemyss stalking Wild Geese, 69. Lochend, Pheasant, 171. Lochton, Wild Geese, 77; Sheld- Duck killed, 100; Water Rail, 201; Green Sandpiper shot, 253 ; Greenshank killed, 256, 257. Long Birgham, Pintail Duck on the Tweed, 109. Longcroft Water, nesting of Pere- grine Falcon, 7 Longformacus, Common Heron, 47 ; - Wild Geese, 83; Black Grouse, 158; Red Grouse shooting, in 1813, 164; autumnal flights of Woodcock, 233; Woodcock shoot- ing, 237 ; Common Snipe nesting, 242; Dunlin shot in July, 246; 319. Longformacus House, Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156. Longformacus Parish, Common Heron, 43 ; report on Wild Geese, 83; Duck ponds, 106; Mallard, 106; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, ae a TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 375 164; Dotterel in former times, 211; Dotterel in recent years, 212; Woodcock, 235. Low Bells, Landrail’s nest, 196. Luggy, Common Heron, 45. Lumsden Moss, Teal, 110. Lumsden Rocks, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 5. Lurgie Loch, Common Snipe, 241. Magdalen Fields, Falcons at High- land and Agricultural Society’s Show in 1841, 3. Maggie Shaw’s Crockie, 275. Manderston, Pheasant shooting, 173; Partridge shooting, 183. Marchmont, Common Heron, 44, S86; Wild Geese shot at the Hule Moss, 87; Tufted Duck killed, 118; 131; Wood Pigeon breaking topmost shoots of fir trees, 138 ; Pheasant shooting, 176; Partridge shooting, 184; 219. March Wood, Common Heron, 44. Marygold, 54; white Wood Pigeon, 139: Marygold Burn, 56. Maw Carr, nest of Herring Gull, 280. ; Maw Craig, near mouth of Wolden Lee Burn, one of the most westerly breeding places of the Herring Gull on the Berwickshire coast, 281. Maxton, 253. Mayfield, Merlin, 21; 54; Wild Geese, 73; Dotterel, 215. Meikle Law, Merlin, 24. Mellerstain, last Common Bittern, : 61; Passenger Pigeon shot, 153 ; Pheasant shooting, 174 ; Partridge shooting, 183 ; peculiarly marked Partridge, 189; late Landrail, 196. Mellerstain Downs, Dotterel, 210. Melrose, falconry, 11. Merlin Grain, a ravine near Meikle Law, Merlin, 24. Merse, falconry, visit of King James 1v., 14; formerly covered with bogs and morass, Common Bittern, 62. Mertoun, heronry, 48, 49; Stock Dove, 143 ; Oyster Catcher, 231 ; nesting of Little Grebe, 318. Mertoun House, Common Heron, 43, 50, 51. Mertoun Parish, Common Heron, 43; Black-headed Gull, 268. Middlethird, Wild Geese, 79. Millfield, 3038. Milne Graden, Teal on the Tweed, 111; Pheasant shooting, 173; Meteorological Notes, 351-57; 358. Milne Graden West Mains, Wild Geese, 76. Minchie Moss, Common Bittern, 61. Mont Albane, Wild Geese, 75. Monynut, Black Grouse, 158; Red Grouse shooting in 1813, 164. Moor Baits, nest of Herring Gull, 281. Moor Plantation, Whitchester, a favourite resort of Woodcock, 235. Mordington, Stock Dove, 148; Black Grouse, 159, 160 ; Pheasant shoot- ing, 175; Partridge shooting, 185; ten brace of Dotterel shot, 220; 253. Mordington Mains, Wild Geese, 83 ; Common Quail, 191 ; Green Sand- piper observed, 253. Mordington Parish, report on Wild Geese, 83; Red Grouse, 164; Dotterel, 210 ; Dotterel in former times, 211; Dotterel in recent years, 212 ; Woodcock, 234. Moristons, Dotterel, 210. Moss Maw, Lapwing’s nest, 227. Mucklestane Moor, Hobbie Elliot’s ‘‘lang-nebbit things,” 260. Muirkirk, Ayrshire, story about the ** wheeple of a whaap,” 258. Murraylawrig, Merlin, 22. Nabdean, Woodcock frequenting plantation, 235. Nabdean Mill Pond, Water Rail, 201; Little Grebe, 319. Nenthorn, Wigeon on the Eden, 113 ; Dotterel, 210. Nenthorn Parish, Dotterel in former times, 211. Nesbit House, Common Heron, 45. Netherbyres Mill, Osprey, 28. Newbigging, Lauder, Wigeon in pond, 113. Newbyth, Peregrine Falcons got from Burnmouth by Sir David Baird, Bart., 2; Falcons kept there, 19. Newmills, Lauder, Wigeon on Leader, 113. Ninewells, Green Sandpiper shot, 253. Ninewells Old Bridge, Osprey, 27. Nisbet, Pheasant shooting, 174; Partridge shooting, 184. Nisbet House, Common Quail, 191. North Berwick, Gannet, 37. 376 TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. North Berwick Law, 281. North Cleugh, Coot, 205. North Falaknowe, Wild Geese, 76. Northumberland, Shoveller breed- ing, 108; Tufted Duck breeding, 118; migration, 327. Northumberland Coast, 100. Oak Wood near Penmanshiel, Wood- cock nesting, 237. Old Bound Road near Paxton, Poch- ard shot on Whitadder, 116. Oldcambus, Peregrine Falcon, 2; Kestrel, 25 ; Common Heron, 46 ; Rock Dove, 146; effects of wet summer on Partridges, 186 ; Moor Hen; 203; 2135) 218; Green Sandpiper frequenting Dean, 252; Common Redshank on coast, 254; Curlew on shore, 260; Black- headed Gull leaving coast in spring, 269; 279; Herring Gull feeding on fragments of bottle- nosed whale, 282; ways of catch- ing Gulls with hooks, 284; 289; Razor Bills washed ashore in severe winter of 1878-79, 296; Great Northern Diver found on shore, 309 ; ornithological observ- ations, 329. Oldcambus and Cockburnspath Parish, Red Grouse in 1835, 164. Oldcambus Hast Mains, arrival of Woodcock, 234. Old Camp at Milne Graden, Common Cornerake, 31. Oldcastles, 54; Billie Mire, 60, 61. Old Craw Ha’, Osprey, 28. Old Greenlaw, Wild Geese, 80. Oldhamstocks, Dotterel, 218. Oldhamstocks Parish (detached) re- port on Wild Geese, 84; Red Grouse, 164; Common Quail, 190 ; Common Quail nesting on Spring- field Farm, East Lothian, 191. Old Heronry Wood, Paxton, Com- mon Heron, 45; Stock Dove’s nest, 141 ; Woodcock, 235. Olister Dub, Common Heron, 43. Orkney, Falconry, 13; Dotterel nesting, 211; Whimbrel, 263. Orleans, France, Common Quail, 192. Overhowden, Wild Geese, 73. Oxton, occurrence of Storm Petrel, a2). Park, 218. “« Patie’s Pat,” poolonthe Whitadder, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 5. Paxton, Crow Dean Wood, Merlin, 21; Finchy, Merlin, 21 ; Common Cormorant, 31; Common Heron, 35; Wild Swans on the Tweed,97 ; Sheldrake on the Tweed, 100; Teal on the Tweed, 111; Wigeon on T'weed, 113; Pochardon Tweed, 115; Tufted Duck on Tweed, 118; Scaup Duck on Tweed, 119 ; Long- tailed Duck on Tweed, 122 ; Hider Duck on Tweed, 124; Common Scoter on Tweed, 126; Ring Dove feeding on beechnuts, 133 ; migra- tion of Cushats, 133; Shooting Cushats in Wester Park, 133; Wood Pigeon feeding on young leaves of beech tree, 138; Pigeon nesting near house, 139; popular saying comparing frost-rime to White Pigeon, 150; 155: Pheasant shooting, 174; Common Quail, 191; Landrail, 194; Moor Hen’s nest in wooden spout, 203; fav- ourite retreats of Woodcock, 235 ; Woodcock shooting, 237; Red- throated Diver on Tweed, 311; Little Grebe, 319. Paxton House, Peregrine Falcon seen, 7; Stock Dove’s nest, 141, 142, 143; Green Sandpiper shot, 252; Greenshank shot, 256. Paxton North Mains, Greenshank shot, 256. Paxton South Mains, Wild Geese, Pease Burn, Coot, 205. Pease Sands, Kittiwake Gull, 290. Pech Stane, 55. Peelwalls, 273. Peely Braes Wood, Duns Castle, Woodcock’s nest discovered, 238. Penmanshiel, Kestrel, 25; Wild Geese, 71; Wild Goose trapped, 71; Wild Geese, 74, 75; Wood Pigeon, 137; Dotterel, 215, 216; Golden Plover, 221; Lapwing, 227; Woodcock’s nest, 238; Common Snipe bleating, 242, 243; Curlew’s cry, 259; Little Auk found, 305. Perthshire, Tufted Duck feeding, 118. Petticowick Cove, Peregrine Falcon’s eyrie, 2. Petticowick Harbour, 146; 280; Common Guillemot, 298. Pickie Moss, Dowie Den Moss, Everett Moss or Legerwood Loch, 7 2.0 ve ee eS TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 377 nesting station of the Black- headed Gull, 268. Piper’s Cove, Rock Dove, 145. Piper's Knowe, 54. Pistol Plantation, Common Heron, 43; Blackadder, a favourite roost- ing place of Wood Pigeons, 133. Plover’s Cairn, 223. Plovering Haugh, 223. Polwarth, 131. Polwarth Parish, Common Heron, 44; Black Grouse, 160; Red Grouse, 164. Prenderquest, 56; Partridge shoot- ing, 181, 182. Press, Wild Swan captured, 97. Preston, Wild Geese, 72; Dotterels’ wing feathers used for fly dress- ing, 215. Preston Cleugh, 56. Prestonkirk, 93 ; 235. Printonian, Wild Geese, 77, 78. Pyper Knowes, Landrail, 195. (uiawood, Peregrine Falcon trapped, 7; Merlin, 22; Wild Geese, 72; Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Black Grouse, 158; Red Grouse shoot- ing in 1813, 164; bags of Red Grouse got in 1889 and 1891, 166 ; Partridge shooting, 181; Dot- terel, 213, 214, 215. Raecleugh, derivation of name, 208. Raecleugh Farm, Peregrine Falcon’s nest, 6. Raecleugh Head, Pallas’s Sand Grouse shot, 156; derivation of name, 208. Rammel Cove, Peregrine Falcon breeding, 2; Rock Dove’s resorts, 146. Rampart, St. Abb’s Head, 280; nest- ing of Kittiwake Gull in former times, 289, 290; Razor Bill nest- ing in 1885, 296; colonies of Common Guillemots, 298 ; taking of Guillemot’s eggs, 300. Raven's Craig, Fellcleugh, Stock Dove’s nest, 143. Ravensheugh, St. Abb’s Head, nest of Herring Gulls, 280; colony of Common Guillemots, 299. Ravews Knowe, near Tibbie Fowler's Glen, Kestrel, 26. Rawburn, Wild Geese, 77 ; Dotterel, 218. Redheugh, Peregrine Falcon, 2; Common Bittern, 61; Wild Geese, 74; Bewick’s Swan cast ashore, 99; high grounds in neighbour- hood a favourite haunt of Dotterel, 212; Dotterel in autumn, 216, 217; Oyster Catcher, 231; Wood- cock’s arrival in autumn, 234; arrival of Woodcock, 234; Her- ring Gull’s nest, 281. Redheugh Shore, 146. Redpath Bog, 199, 200; Common Snipe, 241; a breeding station of the Black-headed Gull in former times, 274. Redpath, near Harlston, 274. Redshank’s Rock, Coldingham Shore, 255. Rentonbarns, Wild Geese, 75. Renton Bell, Dotterel, 216. Renton Hall, Haddington, Common Quail, 192. Restalrig, 281. Retreat, Osprey, 28; Wild Geese, 83; Pallas’s Sand Grouse shot, 156 ; Dotterel, 213, 215, 218. Romorantin, Loir-et-Cher, France, Turtle Doves plentiful, 151. Ross-shire, Dotterel nesting, 211. Rough Head, Common Heron, 45. Roxburghshire, Tufted Duck breed- ing, 118. Rumbleton, Wild Geese, 79. Rumbleton Law, Wild Geese, 79; 219. Ryselaw, Wild Geese, 78. St. Abb’s Head, Peregrine Falcon’s eyrie, 1, 2, 3; Green Cormorant, 34; Rock Dove, 145, 146; Com- mon Tern, 265; Common Gull, 276, 277, 278; Herring Gull in great numbers, 279; cry of Her- ring Gull, 279; boys killed while searching for Gulls’ eggs, 282; Great Black-backed Gull occa- sionally seen, 286; breeding of Kittiwake Gull in former times, 288, 289, 290 ; Razor Bills plenti- ful in 1832 and 1851, 295; Razor Bills now scarce, 296 ; a favourite haunt of the Common Guillemot, 297 ; notes on Guillemots by Mr. Archibald Hepburn in 1851, 299 ; Guillemots not so plentiful as formerly, 300; Guillemots leav- ing cliff after breeding season, 301; Ringed Guillemot, 302; Black Guillemot shot, 303, 304; Puffin, 307, 308; incident in con- nection with Storm Petrel in 378 TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. great storm of 14th October 1881, 322; migration, 328, 351-355. St. Abb’s Nunnery, 280. St Johws Farm, Foulden, Common Quail, 191. St. Leonard’s Cauld, on Leader, Goosander, 128; Little Grebe shot, 319. St. Mary’s Cottage, Duns, 273. Saltheugh, Common Heron, 45. Salton, Wild Geese, 87 ; Cushats on wheatfield, 134; ‘‘ Big Wood,” 134; Pheasant, 171. Saltowvs Wood, Common Heron, 42. Sandy Knowe Tower, 270. Sauldre River, Lotr-et-Cher, France, Turtle Dove’s nest, 151. Scarlaw, Black Grouse, 158; Red Grouse shooting in 1813, 164. Scartheugh, Milne Graden, Common Cormorant, 31. Scart Rock, Common Cormorant, 30. Scout Cave, near Eyemouth, 297. Scouts’ Croft, near Coldingham, 297. Scouts’ Point, near Gunsyreen, 297. Shannobank, Wild Geese, 72; num- ber of Dotterel shot, 213, 214. Shannobank Farm, field called the Gull Mire, a breeding station of Black - headed Gull in former times, 274. Shetlands, Whimbrel, 263. Shillum Dikes, 55. Siccar, 146; Herring Gull’s nest, 281. Siccar Bay, Golden-Eye, 120. NSiccar Point, Kestrel, 26 ; Common Cormorant, 30, 31; Heron’s nest, 45 ; Oyster Catcher, 231 ; Herring Gaull on rocks, 283 ; Common Red- shank in small flocks, 254. Simprim Mains, Earl of Wemyss stalking Wild Geese, 69; Wild Geese, $4. Sisterpath, Wild Geese, 78. Skaithmuir, Wild Geese, 76. Skelly, Razor Bill nesting in 185d, 296; colonies of Common Guille- mots, 298. Skelly, St. Abb’s Head, Herring Gull’s nest, 280. Skelly Rock, St. Abl’s Head, Great Black-backed Gull breeding in 1851, 286; nesting of Kittiwake Gull in former times, 289, 290. Slighouses, 54; source of Draeden Burn, 55, 56. Snuffichole Stells, nests of Herring Gulls, 280. Soldier's Dyke, Dowlaw, locality frequented by Dotterel, 217. Spott, 207; Spottiswoode, Hawking at, 19; Gan- nets, 35; Common Heron, 47 ; Teal, 110; Black Grouse, 161 ; introduction of Pheasants, 171 ; Pheasant shooting, 176; Partridge shooting, 185; Coot, 204; 220; Woodcock shooting, 237 ; Curlew abundant, 258 ; Little Grebe, 319. Spottiswoode Estate, bags of Red Grouse got, 166. Spital, Pheasant shooting, 174 ; Partridge shooting, 184; 315. Spital House, Pallas’s Sand Grouse, 156; Water Rail, 201; Great Snipe shot, 240. Spital Mains, Wild Geese, 81. Springhill, near Coldstream, Black Tern captured, 264, Standing Man or Souter Rock, Pere- grine Falcon’s eyrie, 4; nest of Herring Gulls, 281. Stoneshiel, 54, 55. Stirling Fauld, Dowlaw, locality frequented by Dotterel, 217. Sunnyside, 55, 60. Swnvick, Wild Geese, 81. Sutherlandshire, Whimbrel, 263. Swallow Craig, Common Heron, 45 ; Rock Dove’s cave, 146. Swinton, Partridge shooting, 185 ; Common Redshank, 255. Swinton Hill, Wild Geese, 84; Com- mon Redshank nesting, 255. Swinton Mill, Wild Duck shooting, 104. Swinton Parish, report on Wild Geese, 84; Mallard, 106. Tantallon Castle, falconry, Mary of Lorraine and Earl of Angus, iM The Anchorage, Berwick-on- Tweed, 264. The Camp, near Foulden, 305. The Isles, faleonry, 13. Thirlestane, Wild Geese, 82; Dot- terel, 219. Thirlestane Castle, Hobby, 20; Com- mon Heron, 43; Black Game, 159; introduction of Pheasants to coverts, 171 ; Common Quail, 190 ; Great Snipe got, 240. Thirlestane Castle Sawmill, Kestrel, 26. Thrummie Carr, nest of Herring Gull, 280; the most westerly TOPOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 379 breeding station of Common Guillemot in Berwickshire, 299. Tookey Cove, St. Abb’s Head, Black Guillemot, 303. Townhead, Cockburnspath, Coot, 204, 205. Townhead Mill Pond, Teal, 110. Townhead Pond, near Cockburnspath, Little Grebe nesting, 318. Tweed, Osprey, 27 ; Common Cor- morant, 31 ; Common Heron, 42, 45, 48, 49; Wild Swans in severe winter of 1879-80, 97; Sheld- Duck near Paxton, 100; Pintail Duck shot, 109; Teal near Paxton, 111; Wigeon at Paxton, 113; Pochard at Paxton, 115 ; Pochard at Birgham, 116; Tufted Duck at Paxton, 118; Scaup Duck at Paxton, 119; Golden-Eye, 120; Golden-Eye at Lochton, 120; Long-tailed Duck, 122; Hider Duck seen at Paxton, 126; Goos- ander, 128; Stock Dove’s nest near Paxton, 141; Rock Dove, 148 ; Landrail, 194, 196; Ringed Plover, 224 ; Woodcock shooting, 237; Common Sandpiper, 250 ; Green Sandpiper, 252; Black- headed Gull in small flocks, 271 ; Lesser Black-backed Gull, 285; Kittiwake Gull occasionally seen in spring, 290; Great Northern Diver shot, 310; Red-throated Diver sometimes seen on river, 311; Black-throated Diver, 312; Great Crested Grebe, 313; Eared Grebe, 317; Little Grebe at Pax- ton, 319. Tuchit Yetts, 225. Twinlawford, 223. Twinlaw Cairns, 87. Twizell House, 234. Tyne, Hast Lothian, Common Sand- piper, 251. Tyne Estuary, Ruff, 249. Uilystrand Brae, nests of Herring Gull, 280. Warlawbank, 54; source of Foster- land Burn, 55. Watch Cover, Woodcock shooting, 237. Watch Water, Woodcock, 233. Waulkmill (Cumledge) Common Bit- tern, 61. Wedderburn, falconry, 17, 18; Sir George Home’s Hawks called Mer- lins, 22; Red Grouse hawking in olden time, 162 ; Pheasant shoot- ing, 173; Sir George Home hawk- ing Partridges, 179; Partridge shooting, 183. Wedderburn Castle, Common Heron, 47; Wild Duck shooting, 105; Teal, 110. Wedderburn North Lodge, former haunt of Teal, 110. Wedderlie, late stay of Wild Geese, 71; Wild Geese, 85, 87. Wedderlie Farm, White Grouse seen, 168. Wellmire Wood, Paxton, migration of Ring Dove, 133; Woodcock, 235. Welnage, notes by Mr John Wilson on Billie Mire, 57; 60; 214. West Fishwick, Wild Geese, 87. West Hurker, Common Guillemot, 298. West Mains Brae, Common Heron, 43. West in Thirle Bay, nests of Herring Gull, 280. Westruther, 200; Golden Plover, 222, 223; 274; Little Grebe, 319. Westruther Mains, Wild Geese, 85; Dotterel, 220. Westruther Parish, Common Heron, 44; report on Wild Geese, 85; Black Grouse, 160; 209; Dotterel in former times, 211,220; Common Snipe, 241. Whitadder, Peregrine Falcon’s nest in former times, 5, 6; Kestrel, 26 ; Osprey, 27, 28 ; Common Heron, 45; 54, 56,57; Wild Swan killed, 97; frequented by the Mallard, 103 ; Wild Duck’s nest, 104; Teal near Ellemford, 110; Teal near Blanerne, 111; Pochard shot near Old Bound Road, 116; Pochard killed above Cockburn, 116; Gold- en-Eye at Abbey St. Bathans, 120 ; Goosander, 128; Ring Dove, 132, 133; near Hutton Bridge, Stock Dove’s nest, 142; Stock Dove’s nest near Edrington, 143 ; Stock Dove’s nest near Fellcleugh, 143 ; Rock Dove, 148; ‘Turtle Dove shot near Edrington, 151; Moor Hen, 202; Coot, 204; Dotterel, 214; 235; Common Sandpiper, 250; Green Sandpiper seen, 253 ; Greenshank, 256; Lesser Black- backed Gull, 285 ; Great Northern Diver at Edrington Mill Cauld, 380 MIGRATION AND OBSERVATION INDEX 309; Red-throated Diver some- times found on river, 311; Red- throated Diver killed near Preston, 311; Red-necked Grebe shot at Clarabad Mill Cauld, 315; Little Grebe found at Blanerne, 319. Whitburn, Common Quail, 190. Whitchester, Black Game, 159; Red Grouse shooting in 1814, 164; Little Grebe shot on Dye, 319. Whiteburn, Wild Geese, 72; Dot- terel, 214. Whitefield near Cowdenknowes, Arctic or Richardson’s Skua shot, 293. Whitehall, 59; Pheasant shooting, 173; Partridge shooting, 182. Whiteheugh, Peregrine Falcon’s eyrie in 1857, 2. Whiteheugh, near Coldingham Shore, colony of Common Guillemots, 298. Whitelaw, a favourite haunt of xolden Plover, 221. Whiterig, Partridge shooting, 181, 182. Whitesomehill, Wild Geese, 86. Whitfield near Ayton, 156; Wood- cock shooting, 237. Whitrig Boy, Mr. John Thomson’s account of Wildfowl found there, 271. Whitrig Tower, 270. Whitslaid, Woodcock shooting, 237. Whitsomehill, a favourite haunt of Golden Plover, 221. Whitsomelaw, Wild Geese, 86. Whitsome Parish, Common Heron, 43; report on Wild Geese, 86; Golden Plover, 221. Whitsome Village, Water Rail, 201. Whittingham, Pheasant, 171. Whytwater, 166. Wild Duck Ha’, derivation of name, 106. Winden Cairn, Golden Plover’s nest, 222. Windylaw Cove, Rock Dove’s nest, 146. Winfield, Wild Geese, 86. Wolf’s Crag, 281. Woodend, Wild Geese, 81. Woodhead Hill, Lauder, Grouse first seen, 159. Black Yarrow, 226. Yetholm Loch, Tufted Duck breed- ing, 118. IV.—MIGRATION AND OBSERVATION INDEX TO VOL. L AND VOL. II. Auk, Little (Mergulus alle), ii. 305. Bean Goose (Anser segetum). See Goose, Bean. Blackeap (Sylvia atricapilla), i. 60, 61; i. 329, 340, 341, 342, 344, 347, 348, 352. Blackbird (Turdus merula), i. 27, 30); i. 332, 336, 337, 340, 341, 342, 344, 345. Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla), 1, L6G; Os ieol iodo. 350; a00) 304. Bullfinch (Pyrrhula ewropea), i. 176. Bunting, Corn (Hmberiza miliaria), i. 181; ii. 333, 337, 338, 341, 344, 350. Bunting, Reed (Hmberizascheniclus), i. 187 Bunting, Snow (Plectrophanes nivalis), i. 189, 190; ii. 331, 336, 339, 348, 349, 355. Bunting, Yellow (Lmberiza citrin- ella), 1. 183; wu. 334, 336, 337, 341, 347. Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris), i. 302. Buzzard, Rough-legged (Buteo lago- pus), i. 305. Chaftinch (Fringilla celebs), i. 163, 164; ii. 333, 336, 337, 340, 341, 342, 347. Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), i. 69, 70; ii. 330, 338, 339, 340, apes Coot, Common (fulica atra), i. 334, 338, 339, 344, 349. Cormorant,Common (Phalacrocorax ————eeeee TOs VOL. 1.-AND VOL. IL. 381 carbo), ii. 334, 335, 337, 340, 345, 346, 349. Crake, Spotted (Porzana maruetta), ii. 198 Crow, Carrion (Corvus corone), i. 210,20. Crow, Hooded (Corvus cornix), i. 214; ii. 340. Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), i. 274; 1. 331, 339, 342, 344, 345, 346, 354. Curlew, Common (Nwmenius arquata), ii. 260, 261, 335, 336, 338, 341, 344, 345, 346, 348. Diver, Great Northern (Colymbus glacialis), ii. 309. Diver, Red-throated (Colymbus septentrionalis), ii. 311. Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus), li. 210-220, 324, 331, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 348, 355. Dove, Ring (Columba palumbus), li. 132, 133, 334, 336, 337, 338, 340. Dove, Turtle (Turtur communis), ii. 15. Duck, Long-tailed (Harelda glaci- alis), ii. 122. Duck, Pintail (Dujfila acuta), ti. 109. Duck, Tufted (fuligula cristata), i. 118. Duck, Scaup (Fuligula marila), ii. 119. Duck, Wild (Anas boscas). See Mallard. Dunlin (7vringa alpina), ii. 246. Fieldfare (Jurdus pilaris), i. 18; ii. 331, 336, 339, 348, 349, 350, 354. Flycatcher, Pied (Muscicapa atri- capiia), i. 133; i: 3383, 342, 343. Flycatcher, Spotted (Muscicapa grisola), 1. 1381; 11. 330, 343, 344, 346, 353. Gannet or Solan Goose (Sula bassana), ii. 35, 36, 384, 339, 340, 342. Garganey (Querquedula circia), ii. 11 Godwit, Black - tailed cegocephala), ii. 257. Golden-Eye (Fuligula clangula), ii. 120, 337, 338, 339. Goosander (Mergus merganser), ii. 128. Goose, Bean (Anser segetum) and Goose, Pink-footed (Anser brachy- (Limosa rhynchus), ii. 66-89, 324, 331, 336, 338, 341, 348, 349, 350, 355. Goose, Bernacle (Bernicla leucopsis), li. 93. Goose, Brent (Bernicla brenta), ii. 91 Goose, Solan (Sula bassanw). See Gannet. Goose, White-fronted (Anser albi- JSrons), 11. 90. Grebe, Hared (Podiceps nigricollis), ierelige Grebe, Great Crested (Podiceps cristatus), ii. 313. Grebe, Little (Podiceps fluviatilis), li. 335, 340, 349. Grebe, Red-necked (Podiceps griset- gena), li. 315. Greenfinch (Coccothraustes chloris), 1. 154. Greenshank (V'otanus canescens), ii. 256. Gull, Black-headed (Larus ridi- bundus), li. 335, 338, 339, 345. Gull, Glaucous (Larus glaucus), U1. 287. Gull, Little (Larus minutus), ii. 267. Hen, Moor (Gallinula chloropus), ii. 334, 337, 338, 339. Hobby (Falco subbuteo), ii. 20. Jacksnipe (Gallinago gallinula), ii. 244, Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), ii. 25. Landrail, (Crex pratensis), 11. 194, 196, 331, 341, 348, 344, 347, 354. Lapwing ( Vanellus vulgaris), ii. 225, 226, 333, 335, 337, 339, 341, 344, 345, 346, 349. Linnet (Linota cannabina), i. 170; ll. 333, 336, 338, 341, 346, 349, 350. Mallard or Wild Duck (Anas boscas), li. 334, 336, 339, 340, 341, 348, 345, 347, 349. Martin (Chelidon urbica), i. 141, 143; ii. 330, 340, 342, 343, 346, 347, 348, 353. Martin, Sand (Cottle riparia), i. 144, 145; ii. 330, 339, 340, 343, 347, 348, 353. Nightjar (Caprimulgus ewropeus), i. 258 ; ii. 330, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 353. 382 MIGRATION AND OBSERVATION INDEX Osprey (Pandion haliwetus), ii. 27. Ouzel, Ring (Zurdus torquatus), 1. a2, 34; i. 329, 337, 338, 339, 340, 342, 344, 345, 349, 350, 351. Owl, Long- eared (Asio otus), i. 287. Owl, Short- eared (Asio accipitrinus), i. 289. Partridge, Common (Perdix cinerea), ii. 334, 336, 337, 338, 344, 345. Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), ii. 341, 344, 345. Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachy- rhynchus). See Goose, Bean. Pipit, Meadow (Anthus prisensis), i. 114, 115; ii. 332; 337, 339, 342, 347, 348, 350. Pipit, Rock (Anthus obscurus), i. 118; ii. 332, 336, 338, 340, 345, 348. Pipit, Tree (Anthus trivialis), i. 116 ; ii. 330, 341, 342, 348, 349, 353. Plover, Golden (Charadrius pluvi- alis), 11. 221, 335, 336, 337; 338) 341, 346, 347. Pochard (Fuligula ferina), ii. 115, 116. Puffin (Mratercula arctica), ii. 307. Quail, Common (Coturnix com- munis), ii. 190. Rail, Water (Rallus aquaticus), 11. 200. Redbreast (Hrithaca rubecula), i. 50, 51; ii. 324, 332, 336, 337, 342, 343, 345, 346, 347, 349. Redpoll, Lesser (Linota rufescens), (els Redshank, Common (Zotanus cal- idris), li. 254. Redstart (Phenicura ruticilla), i. 47; ii. 329, 340, 341, 343, 345, 347, 348, 349, 351. Redwing (T'urdus iliacus), i. 14, 15 ; ii. 331, 339, 340, 341, 349, 350, 354. Rook (Corvus frugilegus), ii. 334, 337, 338, 341. Ruff (Machetes pugnax), i. 248. Sandpiper, Common (7'otanus hypo- leucus), ii. 250, 331, 341, 354. Sandpiper, Green (7 otanus ochro- pus), ii. 252, 253. Sandpiper, Purple (Tringa striata), ii. 247. Scoter, Common (Hdemia nigra), ii, 126. Scoter, Velvet (Hdemia fusca), ii ale Shoveller (Spatula clypeata), ii. 107. Siskin (Carduelis spinus), i. 152. | Skua, Arctic, or Richardson’s (Ster- corarius crepidatus), ii. 293. | Skua, Long-tailed, or Buffon’s (Ste7- corarius parasiticus), ii. 294. Skua, Pomatorhine (Stercorarius pomatorhinus), ii. 292. Skylark (Alauda arvensis), i. 251, 252; ii. 333, 336, 337, 338, 347, 348, 349, 350. Snipe, Common (Gallinago celestis), li. 242, 333, 338, 339, 340, 343, 344, 345. Snipe, Great (Gallinago major), li. Smew (Mergus albellus), ii. 130. Sparrow, Hedge (Accentor modu- laris), ii. 333, 336, 337, 338. Sparrow, House (Passer domesticus), i. 158, 159. Sparrow, Tree (Passer montanis), i. 160. Starling (Stwrnus vulgaris), i. 194, 195; ii. 334, 336, 337, 340, 344, 346, 348, 350. Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola), i. 44, 45; li. 332, 336, 338, 342, 344, 345, 347, 349, 350. Swallow (Hirundo rustica), i. 135, 136, 138; ii. 324, 330, 339, 341, 3438, 346, 347, 348, 353. Swan, Bewick’s (Cygnus Bewicki), ii. 99. Swift (Cypselus apus), i. 256; ii. 330, 343, 344, 346, 347, 353. Teal (Querquedula crecca), i. 110. Tern, Common (Sterna fluviatilis), ii. 265. Thrush, aie ees viscivorus), mh 10, HR G BBPA RB Bi S8i/s 338, 340, 310, a 349, 350. Thrush, Song (Turdus musicus), i. 3.4. bs 11: 324; 302, d00; calsoass 341, 343, 345. Titmouse, Blue (Parus cwruleus), 1, 98); il. daa; oo/- Titmouse, Cole (Parus ater), i. 93. Titmouse, Great (Parus major), i 91; ii. 333, 336, 338, 340. Titmouse, Long-tailed (Acredula caudata), i. 89. Wagtail, Grey (Motacilla sulphurea), i. 111, 112; ii. 332, 335, 338, 343, 348, 350. HOPMAN VOL. IT. Wagtail, Pied (Motacilla lugubris), i. 108, 109; i. 332, 336, 338, 341, 348, 349. Warbler, Garden (Sylvia — sali- caria), i. 63, 64; i. 329, 343, 344, 347, 352. Warbler, Grasshopper phalus nevius), i. 793 ii. 344, 353. Warbler, Sedge (Acrocephalus scha- nobenus), i. 753 11. 3380, 342, 344, 345, 346, 353. Wheatear (Saxicola wnanthe), i. 36, 37; li. 329, 337, 339, 342, 345, 346, 347, 349, 351. Whimbrel (Nwmenius pheopus), i. 263. Whinchat (Saxicola 41, 42; ii. 349, 351. Whitethroat (Sylvia rufa), i. 57, (A croce- 330, rubetra), i. 329, 339, 343, 346, C44 aa Bovoke f Outirs frase at faxtne" 383 58; ii. 329, 341, 342, 3438, 344, 346, 347, 349, 352. W hooper (Cygnus musicus), ii. 96, 97. Wigeon (Mareca penelope), ii. 1138. Wild Goose. See Goose, Bean, and Pink-footed. Woodcock (Scolopax rusticula), ii. 233, 234, 333, 339, 340, 342, 348, 349, Woodpecker, Great Spotted (Den- drocopus major), i. 263. Wren (Troglodytes parvulus), 1. 102; li. 332, 336, 339, 340, 349. Wren, Golden-crested (Regulus cristatus), i. 65, 66. Wren, Willow (Phylloscopus troch- alus), 1. 71, 72; i. 330, 339, 340, 342, 346, 347, 348, 352. Wren, Wood (Phylloscopus sibila- {71z), Ie io, (£5 i. 300, 340, 342, 343, 344, 346, 347, 352. =e V.—INDEX TO NAMES ( 384 ) VOLe LAND. YOR olf LATIN NAMES. Accipitres, . Ardeidi, Ardea cinerea, Anseres, Anatide, Anser segetum, . : », brachyrhynchus, Acrocephalus schanobenus, a NLVIUS, « Accentor modularis, Acredula caudata, Anser albifrons, . Anas boscas, Anthus pratensis, >, trivial, . 5, obscurus, Ampelide, . Ampelis garrulus, Alectorides, Aygialitis hiaticula, Alaudide, . Alauda arvensis, Alcedinide, Alcedo ispida, Aluco flammeus, . Asio otus, Asio accipitrinus, Alcide, Alca torda, Accipitres, . Accipiter nisus, . Botaurus stellaris, Bernicla brenta, . ae leucopsis, re canadensis, . Buteo vulgaris, VOL, AND PAGE i a li. 39 li. 39 Buteo lagopus, Ciconiide, . Ciconia alba, Cinclide, Cinclus aquaticus, Cygnus musicus, . >, Bewicki, . Columbe Columbide, Columba palumbus, Chelidon urbica, Columba enas, Cotile riparia, Columba livia, Certhiide, . Certhia familiaris, Carduelis elegans, Me spinus, Coccothraustes chloris, Coturnia communis, Crex pratensis, Corvide, Corvus monedula, > corone, Charadriide, Charadrius morinellus, Corvus cornix, » Jrugilegus, Charadrius pluvialis, . Corvus corax, Cypselida, . Cypselus apus, Caprimulgide, Caprimulgus europeus, Cuculide, . Cuculus canorus, OF BIRDS IN VOL. PA te ii. ii. AND GE 305 . 64 i. 64 i. 85 . 85 . 96 99 131 4ils31 i. 131 . 141 . 141 . 144 . 145 . 146 146 . 148 . 152 . 154 i. 190 . 194 . 197 . 207 . 210 . 210 i. 210 i. 214 . 216 221 . 240 256 256 258 . 258 . 273 . 273 INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS IN VOL. I. AND VOL. II. 385 Circus cyaneus, . Colymbide, Colymbus glacialis, Ae septentrionalis, Coccothraustes vulgaris, Dafila acuta, Dendrocopus major, Brithaca rubecula, Hetopistes migratorius, Emberizide, Emberiza miliaria, i citrinella, An scheniclus, . Falconde, . Falco peregrinus, 3, subbuteo, », «salon, >», tinnunculus, Fuligula ferina, . ar cristata, - marila, '- clangua, Fringillide, Fringilla celebs, . Of montifringilla, Fulicarie, . Fulica atra, Falconide, . Fratercula arctica, Galline, Garrulus laces, Gallinula chloropus, Gallinago major, an celestis, Ae gallinula, Gavie, : Herodiones, Harelda glacialis, Hirundinide, Hirundo rustica, Hematopus ostralegus, Hydrochelidon nigra, . Halivetus albicilla, . MOL. IL i. 261 ; VOL, AND PAGE rh i. ii. 296 309 lynx torquilla, Laniide, Lanius excubitor, >, collurio, . Lagopus scoticus, Linota cannabina, », rufescens, » jflavirostris, Loxia curvirostra, Limicole, Limosa wegocephala, Laride, Larus minutus, . », ridibundus, 3) CONUS, » argentatus, >» fuscus, » marinus, . glaucus, Me on lide, Motacilla lugubris, a sulphurea, . Mareca penelope, Mergus merganser, », abellus, . Muscicapide, Muscicapa grisola, ss atricapilla, Machetes pugnax, Mergulus alle, Nycticorax griseus, Numenius arquata, + pheopus, Oriolide, : Oriolus galbula, « “demia nigra, aa LSC, Otidide, Otis tarda, . Passeres, Pandion hadiechia Pelecanide, Phalacrocorax carbo, - graculus, 2B VOL, AND PAGE i. 265 i. 123 i. 123 i. 127 il. 162 i. 168 i. 172 i. 174 1lAo ii. 210 ii. 257 il. 264 ii. 266 ii. 268 il. 275 ii. 279 ii. 285 ii. 286 ii. 287 i. 108 i. 105 np | ii. 113 ii. 128 ii. 130 i. 131 i. 131 i. 133 ii. 248 ii. 305 rh )74 ii, 258 ii. 263 i. 120 i. 120 ii. 126 ii. 127 ii. 207 ii. 207 ri a! i. 27 ii. 30 ii. 30 li. 33 386 Phenicura ruticilla, Phylloscopus collybita, 5 trochilus, * sibilatria, Parida, Parus major, a5 ©6©=«-scUUOPY,, »» palustris, . 59 CORT UTCUB, Pterocletes, . Pteroclide, . Passer domesticus, » montanats, Phasianide, Phasianus colchicus, Pyrrhula ewropea, a enucleator, Perdix cinerea, . Plectrophanes nivalis, Pyrrhocorax graculus, Porzana maruetta, Pica rustica, Phalaropus fulicarius, Picide, Pygopodes, . Podicipedida, Podiceps cristatus, » griseigena, ¥ nigricollis, » fluviatilis, Procellariide, Procellaria pelagica, . Querquedula crecca, 3 circia, Regulus cristatus, Rallida, Rallus aquaticus, Rissa tridactyla, Steganopodes, Sula bassana, Sylvuda, Saxicola eS ‘3 rubetra, Sazxicola rubicola, Sylvia rufa, PA i i i i Ts i i i i VOL, AND GE i. 47 Sylvia atricapilla, 5, salicaria, Sittida, Sitta cesia, ; Spatula clypeata, Somateria mollissima, Syrrhaptes paradoxus, Sturnide, Sturnus vulgaris, Scolopacidw, Scolopax rusticula, Sterna fluviatilis, Striges, Strigide, Strix aluco, Stercorarius pomator hin US, . . crepidatus, 5 parasiticus, Turdide, Turdus musicus, . 3 viscivorus, » wacus, » pilaris, 5 variis; », merula, » torquatus, Tadorna cornuta, Troglodytide, Troglodytes parvulus, Turtur communis, Tetraonide, Tetrao tetria, Tringa alpina, », striata, Totanus hypoleucus, », ochropus, sf calidris, 3 canescens, Tubinares, . Upupide, Upupa epops, Uria troile, » grylle, Vanellus vulgaris, INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS IN VOL. I. AND VOL. IT. me ee ee INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS IN VOL. I. AND VOL. II. ENGLISH NAMES. Arctic or Richardson’s Skua, ii. 293 Auk, Little, Blackbird, . Bittern, Common, Blackcap, . Bean Goose, Brent Goose, Bernacle Goose, Blue Titmouse, . Bewick’s Swan, . Black Grouse, Brambling, Bullfinch, . Bunting, Corn, A Yellow, a Reed, . », Snow, Bustard, Great, . Black-tailed Godwit, Black Tern, , Black-headed Gull, Barn Owl, . Black-backed Gull, tale 3 Great, Buffon’ ‘ Skua, Buzzard, . Black Goslanst, Buzzard, Rough-legged, ” Honey, Common Cormorant, . Cormorant, Common, a Green, Common Heron, », bittern, Chiffchaff, . Cole Titmouse, . Canada Goose, . Common Sheld- Back: a WCOber, Creeper, Tree, Chaffinch, ; Common Partridge, ; Crossbill, : Corn Bunting, ii. 305 i, 25 ii. 53 i. 60 ii. 66 ii. 91 ii. 93 Common Quail, . Chough, ; Crake, Spotted, Common Coot, Coot, Common, . Carrion Crow, Crow, Carrion, . », Hooded, . Catcher, Oyster, Common Snipe, . 5, Sandpiper, . » Redshank, By Curlew, Curlew, Common, Common Tern, . Cuckoo, . Common Gull, Common Guillemot, . Crested Grebe, Great, Dipper, . Duck, Wild, », Pintail, » Tufted, 55 Scaup, . », Long-tailed, Eider, Dove, Ring, » Stock, 35 Rock, », Turtle, Dotterel, . Dunlin, Diver, Great Meathern, ;, Red-throated, Dabchick, . p Eider Duck, Eagle, Sea, Eared Grebe, Falcon, Peregrine, Fieldfare, . : Flycatcher, Spottallst ys Pied, 387 VOL, AND PAGE 388. INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS IN VOL. I. AND VOL. II. Green Cormorant, Gannet, Goose, Solan, Garden Warbler, tolden-crested Wren, Goose, Bean, »» Pink-footed, Grasshopper Warbler, Goose, White-fronted, Great Titmouse, Goose, Brent, »» Bernacle, », Canada, . Grey Wagtail, Garganey, . : Golden Oriole, . Golden-Kye, Great Grey Shrike, Grey Shrike, Great, Goosander, Goldfinch, . Greenfinch, Grouse, Pallas’s Sand, rr. blacks . » Red, trosbeak, Pine, xreat Bustard, Golden Plover, . Grey Phalarope, Great Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Godwit, Black- tailed: Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1, 26); Gull, Little, », Black-headed, », Common, . », Herring, s, Lesser Black- healed. Great a 5 Great Black-backed Gull, Glaucous Gull, Gull, Glaucous, . 5, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Common, . i Black, Great Northern Diver, VOL, AND PAGE ii. jreat Crested Grebe, Grebe, Great Crested, » Red-necked, »» Hared, » Little, Hobby, Heron, Common, » Night, Hedge Sparrow, House Fe Hen, Moor, Hooded Crow, Hoopoe, Herring Gull, Hen-Harrier, Harrier, Hen, Hawfinch, . Jay, . Jackdaw, . Jacksnipe, . Kestrel, Kingfisher, Kittiwake Gull, Long-tailed Titmouse, . em Linnet, Lesser Redpol, : Landrail, Lapwing, . Little Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Long-eared Owl, Long-tailed Skua, Little Auk, » Grebe, Missel Thrush, . Merlin, : Marsh Titmouse, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Martin, Martin, Sand, Magpie, VOL, AND - AGE . 313 . 313 i. 315 317 . 318 ii, 20 ii. 39 il. 52 i. il. i. i. ii. . 296 . 296 . ddl i. 83 156 202 214 271 279 . 200 . 207 . 244 li, 25 1. 267 il. 288 A 89 » 122 . 168 Ren lee. . 194 . 225 . 266 . 285 . 287 . 294 . 805 . 318 INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS IN VOL. I. AND VOL. II. VOL. AND PAGE Moor Hen, ; ; . ii, 202 Night Heron, . ; Ab te BZ Nuthatch, . ; ; . i 100 Nightjar, . ; , . 1, 258 Northern Diver, Great, . ii. 309 Osprey, . : : en Bs Ouzel, Ring, . ; ; i, 32 Oriole, Golden, . : a 120 Oyster Catcher, ; s i. 251 Owl, Barn, : a 5 », Long-eared, 3 ee OT. ;, Short-eared, i » Tawny, i Peregrine Falcon, . : ii. 1 Pink-footed Goose, . Piers a Pied Wagtail, . > 1) ee kOe Pintail Duck, . 5 oa AOD Pipit, Meadow, . : Hes Fy bi bs: Pochard, . ; : , ate ALD Pipit, Tree, ‘ : a oa 8 | om Beck,» : 7, ae LIS Pied Flycatcher, ‘ , % 180 Passenger Pigeon, . . ii. 153 Pigeon, Passenger, . . 3 188 Pallas’s Sand er i, H--15b Pheasant, . : oh 3 190 Pine, eo : BAG Fie We Partridge, Common, . 7) aD 2S Plover, Golden, 5 . i. 221 » Ringed, : ; i 224 Phalarope, Grey, : . ii 232 Purple Sandpiper, . . ii. 247 Pomatorhine Skua, . 3 is 292 Puffin, : - - it 307 Petrel, Storm, . ; + i O21 Quail, Common, , . ii 190 Redwing, . ; : a a TA Ring Ouzel, ? ; a, Tee Redstart, . , F : i. 47 Redbreast, : : : i. 50 Rock Pipit, , P sods AS Red-backed Shrike, . ams Pej Ring Dove, : ; ARES Fb I Rock ,, : : . ii, 145 Red Grouse, Redpoll, Lesser, Reed-Bunting, Rail, Water, Rook, ; Ringed Plover, . Raven, Ruff, . ; : Redshank, Common, . Richardson’s Skua, Razor-Bill, Rough-legged Buzzard, Red-throated Diver, . Red-necked Grebe, Song Thrush, Shag, Solan Goose, Stonechat, Stork, White, Sedge Warbler, . Sparrow, Hedge, Swan, Bewick’s, ; Sheld-Duck, Common, Shoveller, . ; Scaup Duck, ; Shrike, Great Grey, . Scoter, Common, 31 Velvet, ; Shrike, Red-backed, . ' Smew, Spotted Flycatcher, ; Swallow, : : Stock Dove, Sand Martin, Siskin, _ Sand Grouse, Pallas’s, B, Sparrow, House, » ‘Tree, Snow-Bunting, . Starling, F Spotted Crake, . Snipe, Great, ;, Common, Sandpiper, Purple, so Common, Skylark, Sandpiper, Green, VOL. PA 389 AND C 390 VOL. AND PAGE Swift, : ; 1.9256 Short-eared Owl, i, 289 Skua, Pomatorhine, . li, 292 ,, Richardson’s, or Arctic, 11. 293 Buffon’s, or Long-tailed, 11. 294 > Sea Eagle, . i. 307 Sparrow- Hawk, i. 311 Storm Petrel, ii. 321 Thrush, Song, . : : teal », Missel, . i. 8 rs White’s, see Titmouse, Long-tailed, i. 89 op Great, 1 91 5 Cole, i, 93 ae Marsh, 1. 95 an Blue, i. 97 Teal, . ; < ” See ky) Tree Pipit, 2 : 2) LG Tufted Duck, . ‘ - Abas Tree Creeper, . : ae ia lAG Turtle Dove, . F peels pil Tree Sparrow, . : 4) Heel60 Twite, : , : be M74: Tern, Black, . : . ii. 264 ;, Common, . : =) 11.265 Tawny Owl, : : A nb PRY Velvet Scoter, . ; eee 7 White’s Thrush, Wheatear, . Whinchat, . Whitethroat, Warbler, Garden, White Stork, . ‘ Wren, Golden-crested, sy Wallowa». Willow Wren, Wren, Wood, Wood Wren, Warbler, Sedge, - Grasshopper, White-fronted Goose, Whooper, . : Wild Duck, Wren, : : Wagtail, Pied, . Be Grey, - Wigeon, Waxwing, . - Water Rail, Woodcock, : ; j Woodpecker, Great Spotted, 1.261 ; Whimbrel, Wryneck, . Yellow-Bunting, VOL. INDEX TO NAMES OF BIRDS IN VOL. I. AND VOL. II. AND ’ ae Tees Ua Wa ae ae ek ¥ =} ie Bec O) Ks ON SPORT & NATURAL HISTORY PUBLISHED BY DAVID DOUGLAS OCTOBER 1895. One Volume, Royal 8vo. 50s. net. WITH 40 FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCENERY AND ANIMAL LIFE, DRAWN BY SIR GEORGE REID, P.R,S.A., AND J. WYCLIFFE TAYLOR, AND ENGRAVED BY AMAND DURAND. NATURAL HISTORY & SPORT IN MORAY By CHARLES 8ST JOHN AUTHOR OF “‘ WILD SPORTS IN THE HIGHLANDS” EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS 1882 One Volume, Small 4to. 24s. ALso A CHEAPER EDITION, WITH LITHOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS, Demy 8vo. 12s. MDS ¢ hon ole eS MM Cot Corsnoy Be “, G [LLU STRATED iS y _ EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. MD CCCLXXI. ne One Volume: New and Revised Edition, with Illustrations From Nature by various Artists. Royal 8v0. 31s. 6d. WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH OR THE CAMP-FIRES OF THE EVERGLADES By CHARLES E. 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