Miscellanea, by Mr James Hardy. 513 



was no difficulty in getting other food. Some specimens that I 

 obtained at that time, had the head nearly black, the grey ends 

 of the feathers being rubbed off." 



Greenfinch, (Coccothraustes chloris), — On the 14th April, I 

 noticed above a whinny bank, one either fixing on the site of its 

 nest, or serenading its partner. It kept hovering in the air, with 

 its gay wings spread out, or sailed round in a circuit ; and then 

 seated itself on a bush and uttered spree I spree I with apparent 

 glee. Three days after, it continued sailing backwards and for- 

 wards over this centre of attraction, ejaculating a variety of notes* 

 as well as its brief cheery song. About harvest it becomes very 

 mischievous, among early ripening patches of corn ; aud is at all 

 seasons a common bird. 



Siskins and Eedpoles. — Siskins have been observed some 

 years to frequent the old alder trees at the Pease Bridge ; and 

 also those at the sides of the Tower burn, near the Pease Mill. 

 Mr Ferguson informs me that the gamekeeper at Dunse Castle 

 sees Siskins in the plantations there throughout the season ; so 

 that there is a likelihood of some of them breeding there. Of 

 date March 8th, 1876, Mr Ferguson thus writes: "The game- 

 keeper at Dunse Castle, tells me that, for several years past, he 

 has seen almost daily during the winter months, a flock of from 

 20 to 30 Siskins — invariably accompanied by a like number of 

 Eedpoles — feeding on the fruit of some alders growing at the 

 margin of a pretty large pond or " damhead" near his house* 

 So far as he can judge, the number of males and females seems 

 to be about equal. In the summer season they disappear ; but 

 he has more than once seen a solitary bird in the woods above 

 Dunse Castle, and he is confident that a few pairs remain all the 

 year through. If this be so, there can be no doubt that they breed 

 about the place, although he has never succeeded in finding a 

 nest. The Kedpole is never seen exsept in winter." Mr Broth- 

 erston, writing March 14th, says: "We have the Siskin still 

 here ; I got a pair from Peatrig bog on the 9th. They are to be 

 gotten there every winter." I was told, that in January, 1876, 

 among the alders by the Lill burn, on Ilderton Moor, 24 Siskins 

 were shot; a very unnecessary piece of cruelty, in order to obtain 

 a few specimens to stuff. Eedpoles, during winter often visit the 

 birch woods near Penman shiel, to feed on the birch seeds. They 

 remain only for a short time. 



Crossbill, (Loxia curvirostra). — Five or six years ago, Thomas 

 Elliot, in Betchant Wood, killed 8 or 10, out of a flock of 40 or 

 50 Crossbills. 



Starling. — Starlings are as plentiful nesting in old decayed 

 alders on the upper part of Lill burn, as in the Back Wood of 

 Langleyford. There is no one to disturb them in that remote 



