The Avifauna. 



8s 



finger in the presence of strangers with an air of the 



greatest unconcern. Nothing pleased us more than to 



see it fishing. Putting _ 



some hve minnows 



or sticklebacks in a 



plate among water, 



it would dart down, 



quickly secure its 



prey, and before 



swallowing would kill 



it by beating it 



against the side of 



the plate, according The pet kingfisher. 



to hereditary habit. Like most pets, this bird came 



to an untimely end. 



The Curlew is seldom seen in the district, but 

 while sitting on the wall of Craigmillar Castle some 

 years ago, seven curlews flew over our head, when a 

 gentleman fired and brought one down — an old cock, 

 and a splendid specimen. Once or twice they have 

 been seen on the irrigated meadows here. 



The Barn Owl is frequently seen at Craigmillar. 



