434 Zoological Notes, by Mr Andrew Brotherston. 



Merlin, (Falco cesalori). — This bold little marauder has 

 been during the year just past more than ordinarily num- 

 erous. Several specimens have been shot in the vicinity of 

 Alnwick ; and I have also observed more Merlins than either 

 Kestrels or Sparrow-hawks : indeed, for many years past the 

 former have been oftener seen than the two latter birds. This 

 may be accounted for by the fact that the Merlin is a more 

 difficult bird to trap than the species allied to it, which 

 unfortunately fall ready victims to the fatal pole-trap of the 

 gamekeeper. The winter migrants generally have not been 

 so numerous this season. 



Alnwick, January 10th, 1873. 



Zoological Notes, 1872. By Mr Andrew Brotherston, 

 Kelso. 



Waxwing, (Ampelis garrulus), Linn. — An adult female 

 of this elegant bird was shot at Rosebank, Kelso, by J. J. E. 

 Brown, Esq.., on the 20th April, 187*2. One of the specimens 

 of this bird that are in the Kelso Museum was killed at the 

 same place upwards of thirty years ago. 



Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris). — A cream-coloured variety 

 was caught at Roxburgh Castle, June 18th, 1872. It was a 

 young bird. 



Turtle Dove, (Colitmba Turtur), Linn. — An adult female 

 was shot near Edrington, about three miles west from Ber- 

 wick, October 21st, 1872. This is unusually late for a 

 migratory bird, although Morris records one shot in Perth- 

 shire " so late as the 20th of October, in the year 1834." 

 This is a rare species on the Borders, but not uncommon 

 farther south, especially in Kent. 



Night Heron, (Ardea nycticorax), L. — A young male of 

 this very rare bird was shot at Goswick, on the 5th of 

 December, 1872. As far as I am aware, this is only the 

 third specimen recorded in this district : one a male, at 

 the Hirsel, in the spring of 1823 ; another, an immature 

 female, near Alnwick, November 24th, 1870; and the 

 present instance. In the immature plumage this bird is so 

 unlike the adult, that they have been described as different 

 species by various writers. Morris's description of the young 

 bird fits this in every respect except the colour of the iris, 



