28 The Ruthwell Citoss. 



at my approach, I soon discovered a young iour or five days old 

 fledgling croucliing on the heath. The young bird was covered 

 for the most part with soft downy feathei's of a tawny hue, 

 although the Avings were already beginning to show the charac- 

 teristic brown barring of the mature bird. The colouration 

 generally was in marked harmony with the surroundings. 

 During the time I was occupied in examining the interesting 

 youngster, the parent bird continued to hover near me, uttering 

 an incessant " Wheet, Wheet !" a note in which solicitude and 

 anger were curiously blended. 



Later on I had an opportunity of interviewing Mr Davidson, 

 shepherd, who was the first to discover the nest. He says the 

 discovery was purely accidental. Chancing to pause on his 

 walk across the hill, he saw the- bird sitting at his feet, and 

 wondered why it did not take to flight. It was only when he 

 stooped to examine the bird that he discovered its secret. 



The nest was visited several times subsequently, both by him 

 and by other members of his family, but the bird never 

 appeared to be alarmed, and was always reluctant to leave its 



eggs- 

 It is a matter for satisfaction that a species, which occurs so 

 sparingly, was permitted to rear a brood in safety. Mr 

 Davidson's conduct calls for commendation, and my personal 

 acknowledgments are due both to him and to Mrs Davidson for 

 their courtesy and kindness. 



2. Regarding the Origin of the Ruthwell Cross. 



By Mr James Barbour. 



The popular account of the origin of tlie Ruthwell Cross 

 derived from tradition affirms that on being conveyed by sea 

 from some distant country it was shipwrecked at a place called 

 Pi'iestwoodside, in Ruthwell Parish, and the pillar, so destined 

 it was thought, was erected there. Subsequently the monu- 

 ment was I'emoved from its original site for conveyance to the 

 interior, and by way of propitiation for the success of the venture 

 a widow's oxen were engaged, and put to the yoke. After pro- 

 ceeding some way, however, the tackling gave way, and the cross 

 stranded. It was re-erected on the spot where it fell, and a place 

 of worship was reared over it, which became the church of the 

 Parish. 



