50 The Ornithology of the Dunbar Coast, by Robt. Gray. 



of the Pennsylvanian Pipit (Anthus ludovicianus) in some 

 numbers near Broxmouth, about thirty years ago, at which 

 time I took daily notice of the birds as they frequented the 

 partially frozen stream, issuing from the pond in the Duke 

 of Roxburghe's policies. The Shore Lark (Alauda alpestris) 

 has occurred at the Tyne estuary to the west of the town — 

 a small flock, from which at least three birds were procured, 

 having appeared there in January, 1859. Ten years later — 

 namely, in November, 1869, another specimen was obtained 

 there. Swarms of Snow Buntings often appear on the 

 coast in autumn and winter ; and among the Corvidae the 

 Carrion and Hooded Crows are well-known visitors to the 

 shores at low water in the winter months ; at that season of 

 the year they subsist on stranded fishes, and often upon 

 birds that have been shot at and lost by the shore shooters. 

 Many times I have found Golden Plovers, Redshanks, and 

 other waders torn open and partly devoured — birds which I 

 had killed the night previously, though unable to retrieve 

 them in the darkness. 



The Kingfisher is fortunately becoming more plentiful, 

 and is now seen with tolerable frequency on various parts 

 of the coast near fresh water pools, or at the junction of any 

 small stream with the sea. This seems a favourite haunt 

 everywhere. 



I have elsewhere commented upon the Wood-pigeon, 

 which, of late years, has certainly not become diminished, 

 although upwards of 130,000 birds were reported to have 

 been killed during the space of little more than six years, 

 ending June, 1870. I attribute this remarkable fact to the 

 circumstance that very large flocks of these birds come to 

 us from more northerly latitudes. I have myself seen them 

 alighting on the beach at daybreak, apparently just in from 

 a long and fatiguing flight. 



There are now no haunts of the Rock dove in East Lothian, 

 so far as I know, except the Bass Rock. Berwickshire, 

 however, can still boast of several breeding caves, although 

 it is doubtful whether the birds can be regarded as of a pure 

 breed. The Turtle dove has also occurred off shore in spring. 



Among the game birds, I have observed that Pheasants 

 and Partridges frequently repair to the beach in spring and 

 autumn, where they possibly find attraction in the larvse 

 that are ^bred among the decayed seaweed. In 1863, one 



