120 Birds and Lepidoptera, by Mr. A. H. Evans. 



thought that they had been killed by being dashed against the 

 rocks. Perhaps they were, but after dissecting them, I am more 

 inclined to think that they were choked, as the mouth and gills, 

 especially of the "Wrasses, were completely blocked up with sand 

 and mud, although it may have got there after death. They are 

 all preserved for the Berwick Museum. 



VII. The Green Cod (Merlangus virens), Cuvier. — The stomachs 

 of two Divers, which were shot in the end of December, 1876, 

 between Berwick and Spittal, were full of this fish, averaging 

 about 6 inches in length; from which it would appear to be 

 plentiful about the mouth of the Tweed. The GreeD Cod is now 

 generally considered to be the young of the Coalfish — M. Car- 

 bonarius, Cuv. 



Birds and Lepidoptera observed at or near Scremerston. 

 By Mr Arthur H. Evans. 



Birds. 



Sparrow Hawk {Accipiter fringittarius). — I have noticed that 

 this bird generally builds its own nest, or at any rate only 

 founds it on a "Woodpigeon's ; while the Kestrel, on the contrary, 

 appears to use an old Magpie's or Crow's nest. The Kestrel is 

 not found in any of the woods at Scremerston itself ; but the 

 Sparrow Hawk is not uncommon. 



Long-Eared Owl (Otus vulgaris). — This bird is very plentiful 

 in the fir plantations, though there do not seem to be any Tawny 

 or Barn Owls for at least 3 miles round. The general number 

 of eggs in a nest hereabouts is five, which, I believe, is more 

 than usual in other parts. They usually build in old Magpies' 

 nests, preferring those of the preceding year ; unless in the case 

 of building year after year in the same nest, which they often do. 



The earliest nests are about 28th March, and others may be 

 found as late as the latter part of May. 



Tawny Owl (Surmum aluco). — Breeds in Berrington Dean and 

 at Horncliffe and Branxton. 



Spotted Flycatcher {Muscicapa grisola). — One pair breeds on 



