342 NOTES—BOTANY. 
I have since learnt that the two birds were given to an innkeeper 
at Alwinton, who in turn passed them on to Mr. Thompson, who 
did a little bird-stuffing in his leisure time. The weather being 
warm at the time, however, both were allowed to lie too long before 
being skinned, and had to be thrown away. 
Before I left Harbottle I had many a chat both with Mr. 
Thompson and Mr. Taylor, the keeper, and though both took an 
interest in birds, especially the former, I do not think that either 
were sufficiently experienced in ornithology to prevent them 
mistaking a female Merlin in the brown stage of plumage for 
a Kestrel. 
I have little doubt that such a mistake was the foundation for 
their belief that this Merlin was breeding with a female Kestrel. 
I may state that the two eggs are still in my possession, and are at 
the service of anyone who still credits the accuracy of the original 
report. 
I have written this paper in the hope that it may catch the eye 
of some member of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Field Club. 
August 17th, 1892. 
NOTES—BOTANY. 
Extinction of Jasione montana near Ripon.—This plant may now . 
pronounced extinct. It was gathered near Hutton Conyers by Mr. T. Simpso 
twenty years ago, and has not ad found a since, and it was the pe place 
where it grew in this veh ape iy d.—Tuos. C. HrstincTon, No. 2, North 
Road, Ripon, October 3rd, 18 
Casuals —I have to report a number of plants gathered in this 
district during Arighat rai ‘September last. On the banks of the Skell, Xanthine 
strumarium (a oe = ch I believe is a dangerous one where poo are) wer 
Setaria viridis. uppose these are but casuals, but they s m hardy an 
ne like he ‘beautiful two- Govenct rose-pink Geranium, which I bees 
s G. endressii, and which has supplanted the-indigenous vegetation and establish 
tel in large patches like a weed in one of our lanes. As to how these casuals 
ave been introduced, not much doubt can be entertained. The cart the 
scutchings and ren of the flax they spin at the Bishopton Mill and tip them 
they have not been seen the last two season 
ers — SBentkinres solstitialis. 
The others a 
Melilotus parviflora, Chenopodium vulvaria. 
Hesperis pes soem Shenoposion hybridum 
Linaria min Chenopodium m polyspermum 
A see tt Setaria viridis 
& Schnede ue Intybus. Phalaris canarienss. 
Trifolium incarnatum. Bromus secalin 
Xanthium strum Bromus veluti 
—THos. CLARKE HEsLINGTON, No. 2, North Road, Ripon, Gaske ae = 
