Occurrences of Rare Birds 25 



During one week in the previous month (November) 

 the sum total brought in by punts and shore gunners 

 reached two hundred and thirty-five birds. 



The brent this year at a certain place, have been ex- 

 ceedingly wary, and only some thirty of this kind have 

 been brought down, though they have been as numerous 

 as ever. 



Fame Islands has been called the " birds' sanctuary," 

 and judging by the numbers at ebb and half -flood tides, 

 it is patent that the locality is a great attraction for the 

 winged tribe, though whether — judging by the slaughter in 

 its vicinity — it is really in the true sense a sanctuary or 

 hallowed spot, I will leave my readers to form an opinion. 



It should be mentioned that the Water Rail was shot 

 a season or two ago, and can be seen preserved, and 

 the pretty purple Sand-piper or " Tinker " is often met 

 with. 



Every kind of bird may be seen at times on the shores, 

 from the diminutive Golden-crested Wren — which usually 

 arrive in large numbers in mid-November — to the huge 

 Heron and the gigantic Crane, a monster standing six 

 feet, but of the latter it should in all truth be stated 

 that this bird has made only one appearance, in November 

 last, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. From 

 some correspondence in the " Field," it appears the bird 

 escaped from a private collection at Moipeth. 



For several years it has been noted that visits are paid 

 by the Hoopers, or Wild Swans, in parties of four, six, 

 or even eight, and these visits have been annual, mostly 

 during severe weather. 



A string of fourteen were seen to pass over the ' ' I^aw " 

 in close proximity to the harbour. They were evidently 

 making for Budle Bay, which is in a south-easteily 

 dir<ction. Though common on the Scottish shores, 

 they aie undoubtedly considered a great prize to a 

 sportsman. 



Three members of the Wheat Ear family of birds arrived 

 on April 9th, and from careful observation it has been 

 shown for several years that the bird invariably arrives 

 whilst the Cheviots are clothed in a mantle of snow. 



