INTRODUCTION. xxi 



tion. In the summer of 1877 the Stock Dove {Columha 

 mnas) appeared at Paxtou, and is now rapidly extending 

 along the wooded banks of the streams, and in other suitable 

 localities, Eooks, Jackdaws, and House Sparrows have in- 

 creased in nearly every parish. In June 1888, Pallas' Sand 

 Grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), a new visitor to the district, 

 was found at Foulden West Mains, and shortly after- 

 wards in the neighbourhood of Abbey St. Bathans and 

 Quixwood. 



Having thus briefly surveyed the level region of the 

 Merse, let us now turn to the upland districts of the 

 county. 



The Lammermuirs consist of a broad range of rounded 

 but lofty hills,^ rising at Scenes Law, in the parish of Lauder, 

 to 1 G83 feet above the level of the sea. They are intersected 

 by numerous valleys, through many of which small streams, 

 fed by sykes and rills from the adjacent bogs, gurgle over 

 their rocky beds, and form the sources of the Whitadder, 

 Blackadder, Leader, Eden, Dye, and Eye, which water the 

 lower grounds of the county. 



On the outskirts of the hills cultivation has extended, 

 cattle and sheep now browse there on green pastures, and 

 the yellow grain waves in the autumn sun ; but, higher up, 

 the purple heather still perfumes the air. We are there in 

 the home of the Eed Grouse, the Black Cock, the Curlew, 

 and the Plover ; and Nature can be seen in much the same 

 garb as she appeared to the hunter of old as he pursued 

 the Pied Deer, the Wolf, and the Wild Boar in their native 



1 Eighteen of the highest summits, with their respective altitudes above sea- 

 level, are Tarf Law (1248 feet). Dun Law (1292), Black Hill (1299), Byrecleugh 

 Ridge (1335), Lamb Rig (1339), Wether Law (1379), Hog Hill (1395), South Hart 

 Law (1437), Wedder Law (1460), Ninecairn Edge (1479), Waddels Cairn (1490), 

 Meikle Law (1531), North Hart Law (1578), Wedderlairs (1593), Hunt Law 

 (1625), Willie's Law (1626), Crib Law (1670), and Seenes Law (1683).— Orc^«ance 

 Gazetteer of Scotland, 1886. 



