The Annals 



of 



Scottish Natural History 



No. 50] 1904 [APRIL 



FROM A SOLWAY NOTEBOOK. 

 ROBERT SERVICE, M.B.O.U. 



THERE have been few years, during the lifetime of any 

 of us more remarkable in point of weather than 1903. 

 Beginning with typical winter days in January, a February 

 of abnormal storminess followed, and after that spring 

 came on early, seeming to herald a season of precocity and 

 fineness such as all the old meteorological proverb -makers 

 believed should succeed a wild February. 



The birds early began their northward flight Lapwings 

 were passing up during the whole of daylight on I2th 

 February, and a big general movement of Curlews took 

 place from 5 to 8 p.m. on I5th February, during a drizzling 

 dark evening. The Swallows arrived on the Galloway 

 coast so early as 23rd March (Kempleton, Kirkcudbright), 

 and three days later they were seen at Lochmaben in 

 Dumfriesshire. 



These were probably members of a flock that had 

 pushed their way up the Irish Channel in advance of the 

 general body, for Swallows were reported in North Devon, 

 and at Dublin on 22nd March. Rhubarb was gathered for 

 table use by I5th March from the open field, and Goose- 

 berries were in full flower by ist April. But this was too 

 50 B 



