504 Zoological Notes, by Andrew Brotherston, Kelso. 



frequents the same places, but in greater numbers ; some of these 

 birds (the Blackcap) remain very late with us. I got one at 

 Ednam on Dec. 25th, 1865, and saw another at Edenmouth, Oct. 

 20th, 1872. A rarer species is the Wood Warbler, S. sylvicola. 

 Although it prefers the larger woods, I have seen it several 

 times in gardens about Kelso. The Grasshopper Warbler, 

 S. locustella, is a regular and not uucommon visitor to many parts 

 of Scotland, but. I have never detected it in this neighbourhood. 

 Shy and vigilant in its habits, it may have escaped notice. 



The Dunlin, {Tringa variabilis), Selby. — I have seen occasion- 

 ally during the summer season, on the margin of Yetholm Loch, 

 although I have never found the nest ; it most likely breeds in 

 the marshy ground at the south-west end of the Loch. It is said 

 to breed in the same sort of places as the Snipe, several pairs of 

 which breed annually in the bogs between the Loch and Primside. 



Great Snipe, {Scolopax major), Penn. — The Solitary Snipe will, 

 I believe, be more frequent on the Borders than is generally 

 supposed. I have seen it several times in the autumn at Yetholm 

 Loch. And from the descriptions of various sportsmen, I have 

 been convinced that they had shot that species. But as is too 

 often the case with rare birds, if eatable, they go to the pot, and 

 if not, to the " gamekeepers' museum," or they are left to rot 

 where they fall, like the common Snipe it will sometimes allow 

 of a near approach before rising, but when on the wing it flies 

 much slower and heavier than that species. 



Kingfisher.— Very few specimens of this beautiful bird have 

 been seen on the Tweed in this locality, during 1875. There is 

 now not over one for every six which might have been seen be- 

 fore the flood of 1874. referred to in last year's "Proceedings," 

 p. 285. In seme of the smaller streams, as the Bowmont, it 

 appears not to have made any difference, the water not rising so 

 high in them. (Mr. Gray mentions the case of a nest which he 

 saw on Girvan water, in which the " entire family group" were 

 drowned). 



Canada Goose, (Anser Canadensis). — In addition to the five 

 which were shot by Mr. Cowe, Dowlaw, (see "Proceedings," 

 1872, p. 435), I have since learned that Mr. J. Johnson, of 

 Tweedbank, got three about the same time at Adderstone Mains. 



Missel Thrush, (Turdus viscivorus), L. — This bird is of a shy, 

 wild nature, except while nesting, when it is the opposite. The 

 i, est is usually placed in the cleft of a tree, frequently on a road- 

 side, or in the vicinity of a house or garden. When sitting on 

 eggs the female is not easily frightened from her post. Striking 

 the tree with a stone, and even firing a gun close to the nest, I 

 have seen have no effect whatever. They will not allow the near 

 approach of any larger bird with impunity, both birds unite to 



