134 Zoological Notes, 1873, by Mr, Andrew Broth erston. 



all the specimens I have got here being during the winter. 



Spotted Crake (Crex porzana). — J, S. Dudgeon, Esq,, 

 shot an adult female at Greenknowe, near Gordon, October 

 18th, 1873. The only other specimen I have seen in the 

 district was got at Graden, October 19th, 1868. Query, 

 were these birds here all the summer, or were they migrat- 

 ing southwards, the middle of October being the usual time 

 of migration ? (Now in Kelso museum.) 



Birds that are Increasing. — The Water Rail (Rallus 

 aquaticus) appears to be increasing in the district, although 

 its favourite haunts are decreasing. It is not an uncommon 

 species, but on account of its shy, retiring habits it is seldom 

 seen. Another bird that is getting more plentiful in this 

 neighbourhood is the Barn Owl (Strixflammea). They used 

 to breed in the Abbey, but they left it when it was being 

 repaired six years ago, and have not yet returned. I believe 

 the jackdaws have taken possession of their old quarters, 

 but they have made the most of their altered circumstances, 

 and have taken to building in hollow trees. " The white owl 

 builds its nest for the most part in old and deserted, as well 

 as in existing buildings and ruins, chimneys, eaves, or 

 mouldering crevices, barns, dove-cots, church steeples, pigeon 

 lofts, and, but very rarely, in hollow trees." (Morris's 

 " British Birds," i., 212.) This owl has sometimes a very 

 late brood. I saw two young ones that were taken from 

 the nest, October 6th, 1873. And I have seen them later 

 with the " Paddy down " on them. Mr. R Christison, in 

 November last, wishing to take one alive, baited a trap with 

 a mouse, and placed it high up on a tree which was 

 frequented by these birds. In. the morning the trap was 

 sprung, but instead of an owl it held a rat, which upon 

 examination appeared to have been killed by an owl. The 

 owl must have had the rat in its claws when it tried to get 

 the mouse ; but, by being too greedy, it lost both, but kept 

 its liberty. The Kingfishers are also getting more numerous ; 

 but they must have many enemies besides man, else they 

 would be much more plentiful than they are. 



Ermine (Mttstela erminea). — Mr. Hewitson, Southfield, 

 caught one at Sunlaws hill, in a mole trap, on the 10th of 

 December, 1873. Owing to the mild season, the change to 

 its winter dress was far from complete. Would it be 

 pursuing the moles for food, or merely using the runs for 

 winter quarters ? The Ermine, and likewise the common 



