290 ORNITHOLOGY OF ST. ANDREWS. 



Ivy Wren, Anorthura troglodytes. — Very abundant. Its song is very similar 

 to that of the Redbreast, but more shrill and lively. A pair of these interesting 

 little birds build annually among the Raspberry-bushes in the garden. We have 

 also every year two or three of their nests built of withered Beech-leaves in the 

 Juniper and other bushes, which however are never inhabited. I have always 

 observed the nest to be lined with feathers. In one of the many severe days 

 which we have had during the past winter, I saw five or six of these little birds 

 in the afternoon creep into a Swallow's nest built on the house here, where they 

 would probably remain during the night, protected from the stormy blasts. 



Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida. — A single specimen of this splendid little bird (the 

 only one that I know of having been seen in this neighbourhood) was shot on the 

 Kinnes-burn (see p. 43) about half a mile from St. Andrews, in the spring of 

 1834. The specimen, which was stuffed, is still in the possession of the person 

 who shot it. 



Ring Pigeon, Columba palumbus. — Very common. During the late storm, 

 when the ground was covered with snow, immense flocks of this Pigeon visited 

 the gardens here, and made great havoc among the vegetables which were above 

 the snow, and the leaves of which they devoured. But when the snow began to 

 melt they betook themselves to the Turnip-fields, where they were equally, if not 

 more destructive, as they not only devoured the leaves but hollowed-out the sides 

 of many of the Turnips also.* 



Peewit Lapwing, Vanellus cristatus. — Abundant during the summer months. 

 I first observed it here last year on the 27th of March, on which day there was a 

 considerable fall of snow, and it took its departure about the beginning of 

 November. This year I saw one on the 12th of February, when the ground was 

 covered with snow, and on the 5th, 8th, and 12th of this month I saw flocks of 

 them flying north. 



Chimney Swallow, Hirundo rustica. — I first observed the Swallows here in 

 1836 on the 25th of April, and last year they were three days later in making 

 their appearance, namely, on the 28th of April. On the 30th of September last 

 year I observed them congregating in great numbers, as if preparing to take their 

 departure for a warmer clime. I did not see them after that day. 



Corn Crake, Crex pratensis. — Heard the cry of this bird for the first time in 

 1836 on the 16th of May. I however heard him some days sooner last year, 

 namely, on the 13th of May. 



Hooper Swan, Cygnus ferus. — Several flocks of this large and magnificent bird 

 were seen passing over the river Eden during the late storm. One particularly 

 numerous flock was observed very close on shore and near the ground, about 



* Is our correspondent certain of this ? If so, the fact is new to us.— Ed. 



