Mr Muirhead on the Birds of Paxton. 383 



the thick hedge which runs along the side of the Eiver opposite 

 Paxton House. I frequently heard the Sedge Warbler singing 

 there, in its peculiar manner, in the summer of 1873 and 1874. 



26. Blackcap. Sylvia atricapilla. This melodious bird is 

 numerous in the Policy "Woods in summer, where the rich notes 

 of the male may be heard during the breeding season. It builds 

 mostly in the bushes about the Old Heronry, and in the Cow 

 Dean, near Avenue Bridge. Several pairs also frequent the 

 "Well Mire plantation at the side of the Whiteadder, and nestle 

 there. The young Blackcaps after they are able to fly seem to 

 feed a great deal on elderberries. 



27. Whitethroat. Sylvia cinerea. Several pairs of this 

 attractive bird breed every year amongst the bushes at the side 

 of the Tweed, near the Boathouse I have not observed the 

 Lesser "Whitethroat (Sylvia currucaj, nor the Garden "Warbler 

 (Curruca hortensis) about here. 



28. "Wood "Warbler. Sylvia sihilatrix. I have noticed the 

 Wood Warbler seldom in this neighbourhood. I saw one in 

 the shrubbery at Wedderburn Castle, near Dunse, about the 

 middle of May, 1874. 



29. Willow Warbler. Sylvia trochilus. The Willow War- 

 bler is very plentiful in the woods here. It builds in the Wester 

 Strip, in the policy, every year. 



30. Golden Crested Eegulus. Regulus cristatus. The 

 Golden Crested Wren frequents the woods here, at all seasons of 

 the year. It may generally be observed amongst the tops of the 

 trees, in the Wester Strip. 



31. Great Tit. Parus major. The Great Tit is not plentiful 

 but may be seen in the plantations all the year round. I noticed 

 them most frequently in the Cow Dean plantation, near the 

 Badger's Holes. 



32. Blue Tit. Parus cceruleus. This lively little bird is our 

 most common Titmouse, and frequents the woods, hedges, and 

 farm-yards. 



33. Cole Tit. Parus ater. The Cole Tit is generally to be 

 seen flying about the trees in the Wester Strip, searching for 

 food. It appears never to be a moment at rest, and its attitudes 

 when it is hunting for insects on the branches of the Scotch and 

 spruce firs, are very amusing. It is the Titmouse which I see 

 most frequently in the plantations. 



34. Marsh Tit. Parus palustris. I have noticed this Tit- 

 mouse in the woods, in this neighbourhood, but it does not 

 appear to be plentiful. 



35. Longtailed Tit. Parus eaudatus. The Longtailed Tit- 

 mouse is pretty numerous in the plantations here, where it 

 generally flies about in small flocks amongst the tops of the trees. 

 Its nest has been found several times at the Primrose Bank. 



1 W 



