212 Ornithological Notes, by Mr. T. H. Gibb. 



chattering and screaming the live-long day. On the 31st, 

 the busy throng increased still more, and became restless 

 and uneasy in their movements, whilst ever and anon they 

 darted into the tree and became lost in the foliage ; their 

 errand doubtless being to test the quality and ripeness of 

 the fruit. Towards evening, the starlings commenced the 

 initiative and began the attack. On the morrow (the 1st 

 September), the starlings recommenced their onslaught ; 

 and now a goodly number of their softer billed companions 

 joined them in the spoliation. On the 2nd September, as 

 with one impulse, blackbirds, thrushes, and starlings in- 

 augurated a general foray ; and towards evening the tree 

 had lost one-half of its fruit ; and on the evening of the 

 following day, I could scarcely observe a single berry. Thus 

 in a little over two days, the tree, though a large one of its 

 kind and containing many bushels of fruit, was completely 

 stripped by the combined attacks of the birds. 



Winter Migrants. — Many of our winter visitants have 

 been more than ordinarily numerous, snow buntings especi- 

 ally. Previous to the snowstorm, they were distributed in 

 large flocks on our upland moors ; but, strange to say, I 

 have not seen a single mountain finch. Generally speak- 

 ing, when the former are abundant so also are the latter ; 

 but this year, so far as the vicinity of Alnwick is concerned, 

 is an exception to the rule. I have not seen so many 

 woodcocks here for a great number of years. During the 

 storm, our hedge-rows and open water runners were tenanted 

 by many a hapless bird. Golden-crested wrens, redwings, 

 . and fieldfares were very plentiful ; the last-named being 

 spread far and near in large flocks. Large flights of ducks 

 were seen early in the season along our sea-board ; and our 

 rivers and loughs have been well stocked with mallard and 

 teal, with an occasional pochard, golden- eye, and female 

 goosander. Many flocks of wild geese, too, have passed 

 along from north to south. The numbers of wood pigeons 

 have been truly prodigious ; reminding me forcibly of the 

 flocks of passenger pigeons I have seen in America. I have 

 no doubt at all that these birds visit us in large numbers 

 from other countries ; probably Norway and Sweden, for I 

 cannot think that those bred in this country, could turn out 

 in such vast multitudes in the winter season. Doubtless 

 our own country birds, when concentrated in flocks, will 

 produce an imposing force ; but this would necessarily en- 



