1885-86.] Edinburgh Naturalists' Field Club. 293 



herded together in flocks. They are described as breeding early 

 in foreign countries, as well as in other quarters of Great Britain ; 

 but many certainly did not incubate on the occasion of their notable 

 visit to Stobo. The winter of their sojourn was unusually mild, 

 snow not lying on the ground until February and March, and then 

 only to a slight extent. Other parts of Peeblesshire were also 

 visited by the birds at that period. In 1879, on 14th September, 

 I again saw a baud of seven Crossbills ; and towards the end of 

 1883 these birds appeared twice or thrice during winter. 



The Water Eail [Rcdlus aquaticus) is very seldom met with in 

 Stobo. Its sombre colours, assimilating well with its habitats, 

 may perchance enable it to elude more frequent notice. One which 

 was shot by a burn-side at the foot of the hills, not far from here, is 

 now in my collection. 



The Goosander [Mergus merganser) is seen occasionally ou the 

 Tweed in winter. Two were shot in the district, out of a small 

 flock, on February 8, 1877, one having in his mouth a newly 

 caught minnow, which he evidently intended for a honne bouche — a 

 laudable desire never to be consummated, as death overtook him 

 ere he could swallow his victim. 



The Oyster-Catcher [Hcematopus ostralegus), although not actu- 

 ally obtained in the parish, has been known to pass through it on 

 its way up and down the course of the Tweed, and one was shot in 

 July 1876 just outside the boundary. 



With the mere mention of the lovely plumaged Kingfisher 

 [Alcedo ispida), which visits us at rare intervals, this completes 

 the list of species selected for remark. 



The acquisition of the material from which these notes have 

 been culled afforded me very great delight. Indeed, how few 

 keener pleasures are there than those which attend the discovery 

 of a rare bird ? But in addition to this pleasing excitement, the 

 study of ornithology is one in every way calculated to lead us to 

 higher thoughts of the Great Author of Nature, who, in the variety 

 and beauty of the feathered creation, as much as in any other of 

 His works, has made abundant provision for the enjoyment of man- 

 kind. 



List of Species identified at Stobo. 



Common Buzzard, Buteo vulgaris. \ Great Tit, Pariis major. 



Rough-legged Buzzard, Buteo lagopus. ; Cole Tit, Parus ater. 

 Merlin, Falco cesalon. Long-tailed Tit, Acredula caudata. 



Sparrow-Hawk, Accipiter nisus. I Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa gri- 



Kestrel, Falco tinnuncidus. 



Tawny Owl, Strix aluco. 



Long-eared Owl, Asio otus 



Grey Shrike, Lanius excuhitor. ' Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida. 



Blue Tit, Partis cceruleus. 1 Raven, Corviis corax, 



sola. 

 Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa atrica- 

 pilla. 



