278 Arrival, Departure, &c, of Birds, by Mr. Jas. Hardy. 



Feb. 24. Only three Ducks at sea, and one Heron. Herons were 

 scarce this winter, the burns and ponds being open. Lesser 

 Black-backed Gull seen off Siccar. 



Feb. 25. Four Eider Ducks in pairs. Five Herons at shore, 

 being frosty inland. Twenty-four or twenty-five Curlews. 

 Fourteen Wild Ducks. The numbers show how the assemblages 

 vary. A male Stone-chat came to the dean, and became resi- 

 dent. 



March 1. Curlews in the turnip-fields. Lapwings in their lower 

 breeding haunts, and calling by moonlight. 



March 6. No Mallards. Snow-buntings heard. Curlews visited 

 the moors at Penmanshiel to-day. 



March 7. Several young grey Gulls with the old at sea. 



March 9. Several Moor-pipets in the sheep-fold. 



March 10. Snow. Twelve Lapwings driven down to the sheep- 

 fold. Fieldfares also at the fold. 



March 11. Snow-buntings visible. Stone-chat remains in the 

 dean. 



March 13. Five Lapwings at the fold. Mallards at sea-coast 

 broken into parties of three, nine, five, and five respectively ; 

 the gregarious ties becoming loosened. Only seven Curlews at 

 Coast, and one Heron. 



March 14. One Black-headed Gull seen. 



March 17. Only one Mallard at sea. 



March 20. Snow-buntings at sea-banks. Great numbers of Cur- 

 lews in the bogs at Drakemire, which lies on the Dunse road 

 at Bunkle Edge. 



March 21. Seven Curlews at the shore. Only one Cormorant. 

 Gulls become clamorous if one looks over the bank at them 

 resting or swimming about. One Grey Wagtail, the first, at a 

 small stream. Seven Eider Ducks, four males and three 

 females. 



March 22. Common Humble-bee abroad, and Nettle Butterfly, 

 or " Witch." Blackbird attempting to whistle. Pied Wag- 

 tail heard. 



March 23. Bedshanks were numerous on 21st; but only three 

 are visible to-day along a considerable line of coast. Twelve 

 Curlews still there, and nine Wild Ducks, widely dispersed, 

 the bands having broken up. One Pied Wagtail seen at the 

 sea-side. Jackdaws building. Fifteen Lapwings in a flock 

 passing northwards. One Heron only. No Cormorants visible, 

 except one fishing at sea. They left early this year, a storm 

 on the 19th March having scattered them ; they never reas- 

 sembled. They are accustomed to leave for days when the 

 rough sea dashes over the favourite resorts, where they rest, 

 sleep, and preen their plumage. Peregrine Falcon visited the 

 sea- banks. 



