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Ornithological Notes. By George Bolam, Berwick-on- 

 Tweed. 



Short-Eared OwL - (/S/m Brachyotus). — This owl occasionally 

 breeds on Whitsun-bank, where I have taken its nest placed 

 amongst the heather. 



Eaven (Corvus Cor ax). — In March, 1878, I saw a raven near 

 Marshal Meadows, soaring over the cliffs on the sea shore ; 

 whilst I was watching it another came flying past me, and the 

 two went off together in a southerly direction. 



Hooded Crow (Corvus Comix). — On the 14th April, 1877, I 

 took a nest of this species containing five eggs, in a small planta- 

 tion near Skirlnaked, about 3 miles from Wooler ; it was placed 

 like that of the Carrion Crow, near the top of a Scotch fir and 

 the eggs were very much incubated. The bird was on the nest 

 when found and after being disturbed flew about in company 

 with some carrion crows, several of which had nests in the same 

 plantation, but as only one "Hoodie" was seen, it is possible it 

 may have had a black mate and not one of its own colour. 



Quite lately I saw near Berwick a crow with a patch of grey 

 ''hoodie" colour on the back between the wings, the remainder 

 of its plumage being quite black. Though varieties of this des- 

 cription are according to Mr Hancock not uncommon in the 

 North of Scotland, where the hooded crows breed inconsiderable 

 numbers, they do not appear to be of common occurrence in this 

 district. 



Rose- coloured Pastor (Pastor roseus).— -One was found in a 

 garden near Ancroft, in a disabled state, in August, 1877, and is 

 now preserved in the Berwick Museum. 



Tree (Sparrow (Fringilla montana). — Quite common here all 

 the year round, breeding in holes in the town walls and other 

 convenient places. It seems to be the general opinion that it is 

 a scarce bird, so far at least as Berwickshire and Northumber- 

 land are concerned. It breeds, however, at various places along 

 the coast between Berwick and St Abb's Head, and when at the 

 latter place in June of last year, I saw several pairs and found at 

 least three nests, all of which had young ; and I also observed 

 several birds at Eeston Station. At Ancroft and at Scremer- 

 ston too it is found frequenting most of the old quarries and lime 

 kilns. We considered it rare at Weetwood, where I have seen only 



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