THE WHOOPEE. 97 



mouth, one of which was shot." ^ Mr. Hardy, Oldcambus, 

 relates that about 1843 three were seen, one of which was 

 captured at Heughhead, and another near Press. Mr. 

 Wilson of Welnage has informed me that a specimen was 

 killed on the Whitadder, near Cumledge, about thirty years 

 ago. The late Mr. Wilson of Cumledge got the bird stuffed, 

 and kept it for many years. During the very severe winter 

 of 1879-80 several Wild Swans frequented the Tweed 

 between Paxton and Berwick, some of which were obtained, 

 one of them (a very large male) being in my collection. 

 According to Mr. Millican, Foulden New Mains, four others 

 visited his mill pond in winter a few years ago, and re- 

 mained about six weeks. When disturbed, they rose, and 

 after flying a mile or two round in a circle, returned to the 

 pond. He saw them rise from the water one morning, and, 

 after mounting high in the air by circling round and round, 

 make straight off towards the sea at Lamberton, whence 

 they did not return. 



The Wild Swan does not breed in any part of Scotland, 

 but visits this country on the autumn and spring migrations, 

 its numbers depending upon the severity of the season. It 

 frequents the sea-coast of Berwickshire, but is sometimes 

 seen on the rivers and inland ponds of the county. 



The whole length from the point of the bill to the end 

 of the tail is five feet, and the weight about twenty-four 

 pounds. The front of the bill is black, and the posterior 

 part yellow. 



The general colour of the young birds is greyish brown. 



In the list of prices of game fixed by the Scottish Par- 

 liament in the reign of Queen Mary (1551), the Swan is 

 entered at five shillings. 



A curious old custom in connection with the Swan is 



1 Neio Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. ii. (Berwickslih-e), p. 322. 

 VOL. II. G 



