84 The Scottish Naturalist. 



now in flower ; but Crocuses are not yet out, though pushing up rapidly for a 

 week past. — Andw. Brotherston, Shedden Park Road, Kelso. 



The Effect of the late Storm on our Wild Animals in the North-east 

 of Scotland. — Considering the length and severity of the storm we have just 

 passed through — a storm the like of which has not been known, I believe, 

 within the memory of any one living — doubtless a few notes as to its effect on 

 our wild animals may not be out of place in the columns of the ' Scottish 

 Naturalist.' Truly, the marks left by the storm upon these creatures are 

 such as must continue to be seen for some time to come. Partridges in this 

 part of the country have been almost annihilated, hundreds of them being 

 found dead or dying ; and even in this famished condition they have been 

 sent to the various game-dealers in town. Many of the birds I have seen, and 

 it may be safely said that most of them had not an ounce of flesh on the whole 

 body. Many gamekeepers also, to whom I have spoken on the subject, say 

 that there is but little chance of partridge-shooting for next season at least ; 

 and on some estates they already speak of giving the birds a season or two's 

 rest. 



Grouse, in the more exposed districts, have also perished in considerable 

 numbers ; as have also Pheasants on estates where these birds were not regu- 

 larly fed. 



Wood-pigeons have been seen in some districts lying dead in dozens in the 

 turnip -fields, evidently unable to pick from the frozen bulbs, where such 

 might chance to be exposed, a morsel sufficient to sustain life. One gentle- 

 man tells me he saw on his estate some of this species feeding on a dead 

 companion. 



Woodcock have also suffered considerably, some I have seen being mere 

 skeletons ; — whilst many of our song and other small birds — such as Thrush, 

 Blackbird, Redwing, Lark, Greenfinch, Linnet, &c. — in some instances boldly 

 forced their way among the poultry at the farmyards, endeavouring to share 

 in what might be given there, but too often failing to obtain even there a 

 picking, were driven to seek rest on the house-tops or some neighbouring 

 tree, ultimately to succumb to the pangs of hunger, dropping lifeless on the 

 snow beneath ; and over the breadth of the country they have perished in 

 thousands. 



Deer have also been in great straits. On many estates efforts have been 

 made to relieve the poor animals by supplies of hay, straw, and turnips being 

 carried to their haunts. Beans and oats have also been laid out for their 

 benefit ; but in such forests where this has not been done, hunger has com- 

 pelled them to break through the fences and wander over tlie country, often 

 to fall a prize to some sportsman on whose land they are not seen in ordinary 

 seasons. 



Hares and rabbits, too, have also suffered sorely ; the latter being so thin 

 that for a considerable time I saw one game-dealer ofl'ering them at twopence 

 each, the usual price being, when skinned, is. 2d. to is. 4d. each. As to 

 rarities among the feathered tribes, they Iiave been conspicuous by their entire 

 absence. Not one have I seen or heard of all the winter, and every one 

 to whom I have spoken on the subject has given a similar answer. Truly, 

 the severity of the past winter has been such upon every creature, from man 

 downwards, that few will wish to see a repetition of it for many a year to 

 come. — George Sim, Aberdeen. 



