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



Nov. 22. The flocks of Wood-pigeons began to arrive in the 

 Pease dean. They betook themselves to the clover fields 

 during the day. 



Nov. 23. Eight Eider Ducks at Siccar ; sexes equal, A savage 

 fight between two males, sousing each other, and plashing up 

 the water. Great flocks of Larks. Lapwings heard at evening. 



Nov. 27. The flocks of Wood-pigeons reached this ; frequenting 

 the clover fields. They were equally numerous on the 28th, 

 till some of the gamekeepers began firing among them, when 

 they left. 



Dec. 1. Starlings in numerous bands on the leas among sheep ; 

 and other companies were noted elsewhere. They were never 

 seen hereabouts before in such assemblages. 



Dec. 2. Fieldfares and Snow-buntings in flock. "Wild Ducks 

 become less numerous on the coast after this date. A single 

 Golden Plover heard at evening. 



Dec. 6. A Grey Wagtail seen near Pease Bridge. Immense flocks 

 of Starlings in pasture fields. 



Dec. 11. The great snow-storm had begun, [but there was less 

 snow here than most of places. Redshanks came up from the 

 sea to open springs and pools, and a Snipe or two frequented 

 them till the snow left. 



Dec. 12. Eazor-bill (Alca Torda) driven ashore ; and I heard of 

 a Guillemot (Uria Troile) about the same time, proving that 

 they are still off the coast. No Mallards at sea. 



Dec, 14. Twelve Lapwings at turnip field. Fieldfares scattered 

 over fields ; no Cormorants. 



Dec. 15. Woodcock at open pools and streams along the coast. 

 Plover heard in sea-side fields. A pair of Stone-chats among 

 the sheep in fold, on the moor at Penmanshiel. 



Dec. 17. More snow. Great flocks of Larks. Fieldfare fre- 

 quents the sheep-fold. 



Dec. 18. Kittiwake driven ashore, a two-year' s-old bird in winter 

 dress. Plovers on sea-side fields. 



Dec. 19. About thirty Mallards, three Herons, and three Cor- 

 morants at sea. Many Fieldfares, Eedwings, and Missel 

 Thrushes continued for several days after this to frequent the 

 sea-banks at Siccar, where these were exposed to the melting 

 influence of the sun's forenoon rays; working with all their 

 might in digging at the softened clay, and in turning up old 

 sheep dung, to procure insect food. One male Stone-chat at- 

 tended them, as well as several Sea-pipets. The Pigeons of 

 the sea-caverns betook themselves in a body to the stackyards, 

 and attacked the stack sides. 



Dec. 21. Kittiwake seen passing on the sea-banks. 



Dec. 22 A detachment of Starlings resorted to the stackyard and 

 soon made themselves at home, feeding among the domestic 



