48 Mr. Hepburn on the Habits of 



had horns springing from long bony pedicels, and with some- 

 what of the convex forehead of the Bison. 



In conclusion I may observe, that various speculations have 

 been entertained as to the origin and descent of the different 

 races or varieties of domesticated cattle, and of such as still live 

 in a wild or a half-reclaimed state, as the White Cattle of Chil- 

 lingham and other parks. By some, the gigantic Bos primigenius 

 is supposed to be the type or root from whence they are all 

 derived ; others, and I think with greater probability, are of 

 opinion that they owe their origin to other primitive varieties or 

 species, the intermixture of which has produced the numerous 

 races of domestic cattle of this and other countries ; a deduction, 

 however, which renders the determination of the type or root 

 from which each has been derived a matter of most difficult solu- 

 tion, but which also holds good in regard to the origin or types 

 of other animals long domesticated, such as the Dog and the 

 Horse. 



Notes on the Habits of the Rook in East Lothian. 

 By Archibald Hepburn. 



As the Rook is a bird which derives his chief subsistence either 

 directly or indirectly from the labours of man, so reasoning, 

 partly from a few data and partly from analogy, we may infer 

 that the numbers of this species have kept pace with the pro- 

 gress of agriculture. The following extract from a Statute rela- 

 tive to these birds, of date 1424, throws some light not only on 

 this subject, but upon the physical features of the country. 



" Item, — For thy that men considderis that Ruikes biggand 

 in Kirk zairdes, orchardes, or trees, dois greate skaith upon 

 cornes : It is ordained, that they that sik trees perteinis to, lette 

 them to big, and suffer on na wise that their birdes flie away : 

 And quhair it be tainted that they big, and the birdes be flowin, 

 and the nest be funden in the trees at Beltane (1° of May) the 

 trees shall foirfaulted to the King, and hewin downe, and five 

 schillings to the Kingis unlaw." 



About the middle of last century a spirit of enterprise broke 

 out amongst the farmers in the south of Scotland, which led to 

 splendid results. The proprietors planted woods and enclosures 

 for profit and shelter ; the tenantry began to drain, to fallow 

 their lands, to cultivate turnip, red clover, and potatoes in the 

 field ; the sheltering woods, the variety of crops, and the frequent 

 stirrings of the land consequent upon improved practices, were 

 all conducive to the increase of the Rook ; so much so, that in 

 the united parishes of Whitekirk and Tynningham, wherein 



