426 Zoological Memoranda, by Mr James Hardy. 



specimen of the Tree Falcon, which was shot lately in this 

 neighbourhood (Dunse). It is \2\ inches long and 28% 

 broad." 



Food of the Kestrel. — On the 5th July, I surprised a 

 Kestrel, which had just killed a young rabbit. It had com- 

 menced eating the brain and the side of the head, and next 

 the neck penetrating to the heart. There were two Jackdaws 

 waiting on beside it, for their share after the hawk had been 

 satisfied. 



Pied Flycatcher, (Muscicapa luctuosa). — There are vari- 

 ous recent instances of the occurrence of this pretty species 

 over a considerable extent of country. The Rev. F. R. 

 Simpson writes that it has re-visited him this season, and he 

 has reason to believe that it bred at Middleton Hall, near 

 Belford. Mr R. G. Bolam mentions that one was shot at 

 Linden, by Mr Ames's gamekeeper, and is now at Linden ; 

 also that the nest and eggs have been seen at Weetwood 

 Hall, but not the bird. Mr Bold wrote me that a pair was 

 seen at Long Benton, on the 15th and 16th of May. Mr 

 Stevenson has seen it for two successive years at Dunse. 

 Some years since, when passing in company with Mr Jerdon, 

 a shooting lodge of the Earl of Haddington, near Longshaw, 

 on the Alwen water, we saw a pair fly from the creepers in 

 front of the house. 



Habits of the Pied Wagtail. — On May 31, 1 observed 

 one at a grassy pool near Oldcambus, repeatedly hovering 

 with spread tail backwards and forwards, almost sweeping 

 the surface, to catch water insects ; and then at each course 

 seat itself on stones at the brink till it resumed the hunt, 

 which appeared to be successful at those times when its wing 

 brushed the water. I have also seen this bird rushing 

 excitedly hither and thither, in a zig-zag manner, picking 

 the flies from the points of grass ; and on another occasion it 

 seated itself on a stone wall, and darted into the air after 

 insects, always returning to the spot whence it flew up. In 

 the Pebble Burn, I noticed three beautiful Grey Wagtails 

 engaged in the pursuit of moor butterflies ; but they did not 

 appear to be very successful. 



The Rock Pipet. — On December 23, there were numer- 

 ous winter-gnats, and the small black flies named Borbori, 

 on the high sea-banks. Three of the Sea Pipets were walk- 

 ing among the grass, and, like Wagtails, vibrating their tail 



