i$§ Natural History in Scotland, 



situated a short mile from this place, and are overgrown with birch and 

 willows, and a shrub commonly called gale (ikfyrica Gale, Smith's English 

 Flora, vol. iv. p. 239.) ; and surrounded by large and deep ditches, which, 

 after any extraordinary fall of rain, overflow their banks, and sometimes 

 cover the whole with water. I hope that at some future period I may be 

 able to give you a more copious account of this interesting place, but I 

 shall not at present trespass any farther on your patience. I am. Sir, &c. 

 — A. Wright. Askam Bryariy York, Nov. 25. 1830. 



Art. III. Natural History in Scotland, 



The Birds in the Plantations at Abbotsford. — During the month of Oc- 

 tober, the plantations throughout the grounds at Abbotsford, which are as 

 yet mixed with a large proportion of larch, swarmed with titmouses of 

 different species, namely, Parus major, P. caeruleus, P. caudatus, and 

 P. palustris. Their clear sharp lively call was heard incessantly everyr 

 where through the woods, which seemed to swarm with them, and 

 the number was surely twenty times as many as are bred in the district. 

 One of the species, P. caudatus, long-tailed titmouse, is by no means a 

 common bird in the breeding season; and P. palustris, or marsh titmouse, 

 I never saw at that period. 



They were all extremely restless, as is natural to the kind, and seemed 

 constantly intent and eager in the pursuit of food ; and it appeared to me 

 that the escape of the most minute insect, or even egg concealed in the 

 crevices of the bark, or in the junctions of the branches, was almost im- 

 possible, so incessant and continued was the himger-edged scrutiny, and 

 such the numbers of this little lynx-eyed bird. They spread over woods that 

 are irregularly connected, and extend for about three miles in length, and 

 perhaps about a mile in breadth. There can be little doubt that they 

 were a passing flock of migrators, either collected by some mysterious in- 

 stinct from the innumerable native woods of our own northern counties, or 

 sojourners from the still farther north ; and, in the meantime, it would be 

 gratifying if any of your correspondents would inform the writer whether 

 this genus of birds is known to congregate and migrate together in great 

 numbers. — W. , near Melrose, Nov. 10. 1830. 



Botanical Exchange. — Sir, In Vol. III. p. 470., I noticed a letter offer- 

 ing an exchange of ornithological specimens Will you allow me to make 

 use of your pages to solicit a similar exchtmge of botanical preparations 

 with any of your readers. The plants of Cornwall and Scotland I could 

 offer for those of Ireland or Wales, or of the eastern or midland counties 

 of England. Among your numerous readers there may be some to whom 

 this proposal will be acceptable ; and if so, I shall be glad to exchange lists 

 of desiderata and duplicates with them. The lists need not be limited to 

 the particular districts named. A letter, addressed " H. C. W., College 

 Post Office, Edinburgh," will be immediately answered. I am, Sir,&c. — 

 H. C. W. 



The IR^ubus tilicefolins, a native of Germany, and not hitherto considered 

 to be indigenous in this country, I found in August last, by the side of the 

 small river Broom, in the west of Ross-shire, and afterwards in Strath Olass, 

 in Inverness-shire, the first on gravel, and the last on sand ; and since that 

 I found the plan^. in the remains of an old natural wood, near Selkirk, on 

 a clay soil, where it grows much taller, reaching nearly 8 ft. It is a beau- 

 tiful plant, and would be very ornamental in a shrubbery. — W. L. Selkirk- 

 shire, Nov. 1833. 



