516 Miscellanea, by Mr James Hardy. 



" Birds of East Lothian," p. 22, says "it has frequently been 

 seen in the parishes of Dirleton and Athelstaueford " Some years 

 since, during the partridge season, Mr Henry Collingwood shot 

 two Quails, in the vicinity of Lilburn Tower 



Dotterel, (Oharadrius morinellus). — Dotterels frequent, al- 

 though in less numbers than formerly, the heights of most of the 

 upland farms in the east of Berwickshire, bordering the moors. 

 Their favourite resort is old leas ploughed up, where there are 

 clods and stones to protect the glittering beetles, that constitute 

 their favourite food. They arrive about the 6th and 7 th of May j 

 — never before the 5th, says one. The flocks are never large, 

 and the birds at first are easily approached. They have now be- 

 come less wary, since they are not interfered with. Dotterels 

 were once numerous at Penmanshiel, on the heights above Eed- 

 heugh, Howpark, and Kenton Bell. Again, on the west th n y 

 frequented Ecklaw Hill, Blackburn Mill, and some of the high 

 farms round Abbey St. Bathans. About two years since a small 

 returning party of six or seven appeared in autumn, on Redheugh 

 hill ; out of which two brace were shot. Last season Mr. James 

 Clark shot one on the farm of Springfield, and has it stuffed. 

 They appear to be scarce near Belford. Some years since one 

 was shot out of a flock of five or six, at Middleton Hall. 



Heron, (Ardea cinerea). — Three years ago, on aflat spot among 

 some dangerously steep rocks, near Siccai Point, a Heron's nest 

 was come upon. . The young ones had been deserted, after being 

 nearly full grown. The nest was made of large sticks, and had 

 many fish bones about it. Dr. Charles Stuart informs me, that 

 he has discovered a heronry, with at least 50 nests, in the Pistol 

 Plantation, Blackadder, situated due south from the forester's 

 house on the Berwick turnpike. 



Redshank, (Totanus calidris). — A cowardly, suspicious bird. 

 When alarmed, head and neck continue to move up and down, 

 while it keeps a listening attitude. If there is no danger appre- 

 hended, its agitation quietens down. 



Sandpiper, {Totanus hypoleucos). — The male when singing car- 

 ries his wings elevated. On May, 25th, I saw them seeking 

 food in pairs, sometimes wading into the streams. If one was 

 left alone, it commenced plaining, like a forsaken child. On May 

 20th, I came upon a nest, below a heather bush, on a bank 

 above the Coldgate Water, in Langleyford vale. It was a 

 shallow depression, without any structure, among moss and 

 fescue-grass, and about the size of the nest of a thrush. The 

 eggs are larger than those of a missel thrush, reddish white, 

 with brown blotches aud dots. The startled bird shuffled along 

 the ground, with its wings spread out, and every white patch on 

 the tips of its tail feathers displayed ; and it emitted a wheepling 



