THE OBNirnOLOOY OF BERWICKSHIRE. 253 



dom, most of wliich contain a large proportion of the fir tribe, the 

 seed of which is its chief subsistence. 



The only member of the Sturnidte* is the common starling, which 

 we note as a permanent resident, for, though it changes its feeding- 

 ground according to the seasons, it never appears to be far distant, as 

 we observe the few pairs that nidificate at Twizell frequently visit 

 their haunt during winter, and when not engaged in incubation. The 

 members of the Corvidfe, or crow family, are eight in number, all of 

 which are permanent residents, except the Eoyston or grey-backed 

 crow [Corvus comix), which is here a periodical winter visitant, its 

 summer retreat being the northern parts of Scotland, Norway, &e. 

 In its form and habits it is intermediate between the carrion crow 

 ( Cor. corone) and the rook ( Cor. frugllegus), though, we believe b}- Dr 

 Fleming, it is still considered as a mere variety of the former, an 

 opinion in which, it is scarcely necessary to say, we do not acquiesce : 

 as a species, it seems to us as well marked as any in the genus. The 

 jay, one of the handsomest members of the family, is thinly dissemin- 

 ated in the district, a few are generally resident in the larger woods, 

 such as those of Detchant, Fenwick, Kyloe, &c. The red-legged chough 

 {Fregilus graciilus) another of the family whose distribution is local, 

 and limited to districts where high and precipitous rocks abound, 

 finds a congenial retreat in the precipices of St Abb's Head and 

 adjoining coast : here it is not uncommon, but being a bird of wary 

 habit, it is very difiicult to approach within gunshot, and specimens 

 are not easily obtained. Of the Scansorial tribe, the Pimis major 

 (^reat spotted woodpecker) is the onl}^ species belonging to the Picidae 

 that we venture to insert in the list, having at different times met 

 with a few individuals, during the period of their migrations, within 

 the limits of the Club, viz., one at Haggerstone, and two or three at 

 Twizell. The wry-neck ( Yunx torquilla) and hoopoe ( Upupa Epops), 

 belonging to the same tribe, are only admitted as very rare visitants, 

 one of the former having been killed at Twizell, and two or three 

 specimens of the latter within our limits. In the numbers of the 

 cuckoo or gowk ( Cuculus canorus) Avhich visit us annually, we think 

 we perceive a great decrease within the last twenty years ; this we 

 also attribute to the advance of agriculture and to the inclosure of those 

 wastes and open lands which, in a natural state, produced a more 

 abundant supply of caterpillars, the favourite food of the cuckoo, than 

 they now do under the system of husbandry to which they are 

 subjected. 



Of the Columbidse belonging to the Easorial order, we possess two 

 permanent residents, viz.; the ring-dove or cushat {Columha pahimlus), 



* Rose-pastor, killed at Tweedmonth and Ladythorn. 



