XX INTRODUCTION. 



1830 the work was finally completed, and the spongy 

 swamps — the ancient home of the Black-Headed Gull, 

 the Snipe, and the Water-Hen — were finally laid dry. 

 Whilst the haunts of the Wild Duck were thus destroyed, 

 vast flocks of Wild Geese still continued to visit every 

 part of the Merse during the autumn, winter, and early 

 spring months, where they fed on the young grass and 

 wheat-fields. 



The climate of the district had greatly improved, 

 and ague, which had hitherto tormented the rural popu- 

 lation, was gradually banished. Woods now formed a 

 striking feature in the landscape, and afforded abundant 

 shelter to the Blackbird, the Mavis, and the smaller 

 warblers, whose joyous songs were heard where formerly 

 only the melancholy cry of the Plover disturbed the silence 

 of the plain. The Pheasant, which had been introduced 

 about 1815 at Thirlestane Castle, and a few years later at 

 Spottiswoode and The Hirsel, began to attract the atten- 

 tion of the landed proprietors, the plantations affording 

 sufficient cover for this beautiful bird. About 1840 the 

 preservation of game, which hitherto had received only 

 partial attention, seems to have become general. Partridges 

 increased to a great extent, owing to the abundance of 

 food supplied by the enclosed and well- cultivated fields 

 and the destruction of birds of prey, such as the Hen- 

 Harrier and the Sparrow-Hawk, together with their four- 

 footed enemies. 



After the middle of the present century the Missel Thrush 

 became comparatively plentiful ; and the Starling, as well as 

 the Wood Pigeon, multiplied greatly. In many of the rocky 

 precipices on the banks of the Tweed, Whitadder, and Black- 

 adder, the Barn Owl still nested and reared its young, 

 although it has now (1889) almost entirely disappeared, 

 whilst its tawny congener is heard hooting in every planta- 



