GLENCORSE, PENTLAND HILLS. 463 



Aud. I see it, on the top twig of that ash-tree. Do you 

 wish to have it ? 



Orn. I do, but it is ofF; so, let us proceed. Akhough the 

 first of May is considered as the commencement of our summer, 

 yet vegetation, as you perceive, has made Httle progress. The 

 larch, a native of the Tyrol, I believe, has its leaves, of the 

 most lively green, more advanced than those of any other tree, 

 excepting these poplars, equally exotic ; the beautiful large 

 purple buds of the plane-tree are ready to burst ; from some of 

 them leaves have already protruded ; the beech is almost as 

 bare as in winter, and the ash shews nothing as yet but its 

 singular black buds. 



Aud. It is wonderful to see how far behind the hawthorn 

 hedges are compared with those about Edinburgh, although 

 these have the advantage of a southern exposure. There are 

 several Willow Wrens, and a single Swallow. What summer 

 birds have arrived ? 



Fhys. On the 25th I shot two Wheatears in the King's Park, 

 and on the 29th two Yellow Wagtails, five Chimney Swallows, 

 a Window Martin, and a Bank Swallow, at Colt Bridge. 



0)m. The hollow there is a favourite place with Swallows 

 at their first arrival, especially when the wind is easterly, and 

 I have seen them there a fortnight before they were to be ob- 

 served in the town. They were seen at Airthrie, near Stir- 

 ling, on the 14th of April, and at Lasswade on the 20th. The 

 Willow Wren is the only other species that I have yet met 

 with. 



Atid. These green hills are very pretty. I suppose this nar- 

 row pass leads to the glen of which you have spoken. 



Orn. It is Glencorse. How few larks we hear to-day ! I 

 suppose they are busily occupied in forming their nests. See ! 

 there are two Whinchats on the bushes by the brook. Let 

 me try one of them. Not killed. I suppose the gun is in bad 

 trim, or the shot too large, or the powder bad, or, what is more 

 likely, my aim has been ill-directed. 



Aud. Let Physiophilus take the gun, while you and I clear 

 our eyes with a pinch. There must be some birds among these 

 thickets. 



