Birds. 6843 



paper, when a number of the flies buzzed out into my face, much to 

 my regret ; but I succeeded in counting upwards of 70, and I am 

 quite sure there were more than 100 in all, but, in order to be under 

 the mark, we will say there were 70. Now, it is a well-known fact 

 that both birds assist in rearing their young. Well, say that they 

 visit the nest every ten minutes (which is likewise under the mark), 

 and that every time of doing so each bird conveys 70 insects ; this in an 

 hour amounts to 840 ; in a day of twelve hours, which is but a short 

 day for a swallow at that season of the year, to 10,080 ; in a week of 

 seven days, to 70,560 ; and in a fortnight, to 141,120. Now, 1 think 

 this is a pretty good number for the short space of fourteen days. 

 But if we carry the calculation a little further, by supposing that the 

 birds rear two broods in a season, although the number is often 

 three, we have, at the ratio at which we have been counting, a total 

 of 282,240 insects destroyed by two birds alone in rearing their 

 two broods. It may be said that this is nothing in comparison with 

 the countless numbers of insects which are constantly springing into 

 life during summer. Granted. But let it be borne in mind that I 

 have only been speaking of a single pair of birds, and that, too, on a 

 very limited scale, and exclusive of their own keep. If one pair of 

 birds can do so much, what will not 'the thousands of swallows and 

 other insectivorous species do ? Most of the insects in the mouth of 

 the one in question consisted of gnats, &c. 



Nightjar {Caprimulgus europaeus). Of late years this species 

 would appear to have become more numerous, but it is still very far 

 from being plentiful. 



Ring Dove [Colamha palumhus), or, as we have it, Cushie Doe. 

 This bids fair to be one of the greatest pests the farmer will have to 

 encounter with respect to his crops. They have increased amazingly 

 within the last few years, and the damage they do is incalculable. 

 This increase is caused by the almost total destruction of the hawk 

 tribe, which aided greatly to thin their numbers. 



Rock Dove (C llvia). A few pairs frequent and breed in the 

 caverns along our coast, one at Melrose being the most noted. It is 

 a rare case, however, to get a pure specimen, as domestic pigeons 

 from the farms near sometimes^ breed with them. I have seen white 

 specimens, as well as those of a sand-colour. 



Turtle Dove (C. turtur). Three or four specimens of this species 

 are said to have been seen, and some of them obtained, within the 

 county, but whether wild ones, or individuals that had escaped, has 

 not been ascertained. 



