20 MR SELBY'S NOTICE OF BIRDS 



carlo) was also seen occasionally flying past, but at a considerable dis- 

 tance from the shore. On our return, and to the south of Northfield, a 

 small flock of the young of the Larus ridibundus, black-headed or 

 pewit gull, were observed : these in all probability had come recently 

 down from Dunse or Pallinsburn, both great breeding stations in this 

 district. 



Observations on tlie Birds observed in the neigltbourhood of Coldbrandspath 

 in April, and those at St AbUs Head in June, 1883. By P. J. SELBY, 

 Esq. (Read July 17. 1833.) 



cold ungenial weather which prevailed till the end of April, re- 

 tarded the arrival of our summer visitants, at least ten days or a fortnight 

 beyond the usual average period of their appearance ; and, from this cause, 

 on the day of our excursion to Coldbrandspath and Dunglass, which, it 

 will be recollected, took place on the 16th of April, not a single warbler 

 or migratory bird came under our notice of any species. This, indeed, 

 I anticipated from the backward state of vegetation, as I have for many 

 years remarked, that the arrival of our songsters is regulated by, or ra- 

 ther accords with, the first appearance of particular flowers, or the burst- 

 ing of the buds of certain trees. Thus, the willow-wren (Sylvia Tro- 

 chiluf) and black-cap ( Curruca atracapilla) are never seen till the larch 

 becomes visibly green. The greater pettichaps (Curruca hortensis) 

 and wood-wren (Sylvia sibilatrix} are considerably later, making their 

 appearance with the bursting of the elm and oak. The spotted fly- 

 catcher (Muscicapa grisola) is seldom seen before the oak is partly ex- 

 panded ; and so with respect to the sedge- war bier (Salicaria Phraymites), 

 grasshopper- warbler (Salicaria Locustella), and others. 



The only bird which attracted notice was the dipper ( Cinclus aquati- 

 cus), which we observed skimming along, and following the various wind- 

 ings of the rivulet which flows at the bottom of Dunglass Dean. This 

 neat and compact bird is the peculiar inhabitant of clear and rapid run- 

 ning streams in hilly or mountainous districts ; being of very rare oc- 

 currence upon the slow and sluggish rivers of the flat or champagne parts 

 of the country. It is one of our earliest and, I may add, sweetest song- 

 sters, commencing its lay as early as the latter end of January, or be- 

 ginning of the following month, and its first brood is generally fledged 

 or able to quit the nest by the middle of May. It dives with great fa- 

 cility in pursuit of its prey, but certainly does not walk at the bottom 

 of the water, as asserted by some writers ; the same exertion of the wings 

 being necessary as well to keep it beneath the surface as give it pro- 

 gressive motion, that we see used by all the natatores and true diving 

 birds. The fry and spawn of fishes, insects, and caddis bait, which is 



