2878 Birds. 



The Snow Bunting is very rare. The only example T ever saw was 

 one that I shot in a stubble-field, in November, 1841. 



The Goldfinch appears at rare and uncertain intervals. 



The Siskin and the Lesser Redpole are more common, and are to 

 be seen almost every year, either in winter or early spring. The for- 

 mer bird appears to feed chiefly on the seeds of the alder. 



The Common Crossbill occurs at irregular intervals, feeding princi- 

 pally on the seeds of the larch. 



The While-winged Crossbill is very rare. I have only known one 

 instance of its occurrence within the last ten or twelve years. 



The Common Quail has been shot once or twice in this district. 



The Red-necked Grebe. A single bird of this species was captured, 

 in an exhausted state, on the thrashing pond at this place, in January 

 last. 



The Little Grebe appears at irregular intervals on our rivers, gene- 

 rally in winter. I do not think it breeds in this county. 



The Common Gull is often seen in stormy weather, and sometimes 

 in spring frequents particular localities for a considerable time. I 

 observed this during the past spring, when several of these birds were 

 constantly to be seen hovering over a particular field of young corn 

 for upwards of a fortnight. 



One of the Black-backed Gulls, probably the Lesser {Larusfuscus), 

 is occasionally seen by our larger rivers, as the Teviot, but is very 

 wild and wary. I have generally remarked it in autumn. 



Archibald Jerdon. 



Mossburnford, near Jedburgh, 

 June 11, 1850. 



Unnecessary destruction of rare Birds. — May I entreat you to interpose the au- 

 thority of your editorial pen, to prevent the pursuit of Ornithology degenerating into 

 an exterminating warfare against our rarer denizens, and all our occasional visitors of 

 the feathered tribe ; and the ' Zoologist,' despite its name, becoming little more than 

 an obituary of the slain. That men engaged in the " emollient " study of Natural 

 History should do such truculent deeds as are not unfrequently recorded in your pages, 

 is sufficiently surprising : that they should publish their doings surpasses comprehen- 

 sion ! I have been led to make this appeal to you by the perusal, in your last number, 

 of Mr. C. A. Delmar's feats in exterminating golden orioles, at Elmstone. It appears 

 that a pair, that rested there last year, fell to the gun of this active exterminator, and 

 were transferred to his brother's museum. Not content with having thus amply fur- 

 nished 'iheir museum, another bird that made its appearance in the same locality this 

 season, was subjected to the like fate : and still unsatiated, " we looked the place well,'' 



