1882-83.] Edinbtirgh Naturalists Field Club. 95 



the size of the bird. In fact, if all birds emitted sound in propor- 

 tion to their bulk, taking the Wren as our basis, we would look for 

 a noise little short of thunder from the Blackbird or others of simi- 

 lar calibre. The Spotted Flycatcher could be readily detected from 

 the peculiar manner of catching its prey, but on the whole seemed 

 to be rather sparsely distributed, considering the apparent suita- 

 bility of the ground. Of the Bunting family, the Yellow-hammer 

 could be heard whistling his rather monotonous and melancholy 

 note in all the fields around the village. The senseless but now 

 almost defunct superstition regarding this beautiful little bird is a 

 matter with which most people are tolerably conversant, but for 

 the benefit of those who may be tinaware of its existence, a very 

 few words may be devoted to the subject. Within the memory of 

 many still living, it was believed by the generality of country folks 

 to be in some manner or other mysteriously connected with the 

 Arch-Enemy himself. The zeal of our ancestors in the cause of 

 so-called religion was of so ardent a nature (although it is at the 

 same time notorious that their own private characters would not 

 always bear strict investigation), that they necessarily felt it a diity 

 to " abjure the devil and all his works " — especially his works. So 

 the unfortunate Yellow- Yorlin being one of these, it fell under their 

 proscription, and was destroyed whenever occasion offered. This 

 silly notion had evidently a common origin with those grosser 

 superstitions that led to the biirning of witches and similar acts of 

 intolerant cruelty. But as in these more enlightened times such 

 deeds are impossible, so also the aversion to the harmless bird is 

 gradually dying out. It has not wholly disappeared, however, as 

 in a few districts of the Highlands the belief still smoulders in the 

 breasts of the older portion of the community, who have all the 

 will to put their dislike into action, but, deterred by the better 

 sense of the younger generation, have no resource left them but 

 to imitate the example of that pattern of amiability, Tam o' Shanter's 

 wife, and " nurse their wrath to keep it warm." 



There now remain only two classes of birds to notice — viz., the 

 Titmice and Warblers. Of the former, the Great Tit, Blue Tit, and 

 Cole Tit were as usual numerous among the woods and copses. 

 Perhaps no order of birds save the Swallows display such constant 

 and restless activity, being perpetually on the move hunting for 

 food, and in their search clinging to the trunks and branches of 

 trees in a variety of fantastic attitudes that cannot fail to call forth 

 admiration, more particularly from the ease and grace with which 

 the changing motions are performed. The most beautifully dressed 

 of all the group is undoubtedly the Blue Tit or Blue Bonnet ; and 

 being a more frequent visitor to the neighbourhood of houses and 

 gardens than the Cole or Long-tailed species, it is on that account 

 more easily observed, the other two affecting Pine forests and 



