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Zoological Notes. By Andeew Beotheeston, Kelso. 



Swallow (Hirundo rusticd), L. — A young bird of a dingy white 

 colour, was shot at Wallace Nick, near Kelso, in the end of 

 August, 1875. There was another observed at the same time, 

 but it escaped. Of late years this species has been decreasing 

 about Kelso, for which, I can see no apparent reason, especially 

 as its congener, the Martin, is as plentiful as ever it was if 

 not more so. But the falling off seems to be only very local, as 

 I saw many old birds at Lochton, Sept. 27th, 1875 (this was after 

 they had left here), and on October 5th, there were some hun- 

 dreds of young birds resting on the telegraph wires leading to 

 the race-course. I could not detect an old bird amongst them. 

 From this it would appear that the old and young birds migrate 

 in separate flocks. 



Roller (Coracias garrula), Penn. — A fine female of this rare 

 and beautiful species was shot at Scremerston, Northumberland, 

 by Mr P. Cowe, on the 22nd of Sept. 1875. (I believe there was 

 another shot at Dalhousie, on October 4th, following.) When 

 first seen it was perched upon a " stook," from which it alighted 

 on the ground now and then. When the stomach was opened it 

 was full of beetles. 



Quail {Perdix cotumix), Lath. — About the 24th of Sept., 1875, 

 a Quail was shot near Eccles, Berwickshire. Upon making en- 

 quiry, I learned that there had been a large number liberated by 

 a gentleman, a -short time previously in that neighbourhood ; so 

 that in all probability this example was one of them. I believe 

 that many of the specimens that are obtained in this country, are 

 either escapes from game-dealers, or set at liberty like the above. 

 Out of the thousands that are imported alive annually to this 

 country, many birds make their escape. I may here mention, 

 that when a school boy, there was a nest and 13 eggs got in a 

 corn-field at Perneyhill, near Ednam. 



Great Shrike (Lanius excubitor), L. — Mr Cowe was also fortu- 

 nate in securing two very fine specimens, both males, of this com- 

 paratively rare bird. One of them he shot at Lochton, Berwick- 

 shire, in the end of October, 1875, the other at Scremerston, 

 December 16, 1875. In both birds the breast was indistinctly 

 barred and freckled, and the black patch on the cheek was con- 

 tinued above the eyes, most distinct in the last killed, although 

 it appeared to be the younger bird. The other had the rump 

 nearly white, which seems to be one of the specific distinctions of 

 L. excubitor oides. One or two spots in the closed wing is, I think, 

 of little use, either as a specific mark or denoting age ; the one 

 got at Scremerston, and also one that I have, whish was got near 

 Berwick a few years ago, has two spots, while the Lochton bird 



