xxiv INTRODUCTION. 



there fringing the sides of the rocky streams, afford shelter 

 to the Willow Wren, which gladdens the solitary angler 

 with its song. 



In winter the region is very desolate, wandering flocks of 

 Snow Buntings being the only small birds which frequent 

 the gloomy hills at this dreary season of the year. 



The Lammermuirs slope down to the sea in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Cockburnspath, where the scenery changes 

 completely, for we now look out upon the wide expanse of 

 the German Ocean, and hear the sound of the restless waves 

 dashing against the rock-bound shore, 



The whole of the coast of Berwickshire is bold and 

 majestic, with numerous lofty precipices, which rise at 

 Earnsheugh to the height of five hundred feet above the 

 surging waters which wash their base, being the highest 

 cliffs on the eastern sea-board of Great Britain. Here and 

 there along this iron-bound shore great craggy rocks, tower- 

 ing isolated stacks, and low skerries stand out as bulwarks 

 against the inroads of the ocean, whilst at intervals may be 

 seen dark caverns hollowed out by the ceaseless action of 

 the tides, in which the Eock Dove rears its young in safety 

 amid the spray of waves which never rest. 



On yonder point, where the shelving reefs are being 

 rapidly covered by the advancing tide, we see a small group 

 of Herons patiently waiting for their finny prey ; and on a 

 dark crag a little further from the beach tlie swarthy Cor- 

 morant sits in undisturbed repose. blocks of Mallards 

 float in security on the surface of the heaving waters, the 

 Golden Eye dives at intervals beneath the surf, whilst 

 the Eider displays his parti-coloured plumage to his sober- 

 suited mate. 



When the sky lowers, and the turbulent ocean, rendered 

 furious by the rising winds, wreathes the sea-girt rocks 

 with foam, and drives the white spray high above the 



