570 The Migration of Birds. By James Hardy. 



Bcattered; 14 or 15 Grebes in the sea; Herons, except one, had left the 

 coast. Mar. 8, Lapwings returned to Penmanshiel ; and on 15th, Curlews 

 and Golden Plovers also ; Grey Wagtail arrived. Mar. 16, Lapwings on 

 breeding ground near Cockburnspath. Mar. 17, mild, Pied Wagtail arrived ; 

 Water-hen returned to inland pools ; 22 Curlews still on sea-banks, and 7 

 or 8 Redshanks ; Cormorants scarce this spring. Mar. 20, after great gales 

 a strong party of Grey Linnets settled in a furzy dean here, and all along 

 the furzy spots on the coast between this and Fast-castle, and many 

 continued and bred ; the bird is more generally diffused this spring by 

 way-sides, feeding on dandelion seeds, than I have seen for several years ; 

 pair of Eiders appeared on coast, and 3 or 4 Grebes at sea. Mar. 22, Pied 

 Wagtails again. Sowing oats ; Rock Pipits following the harrows. Mar. 

 24, sowed barley. Mar. 25, no arrivals on the coast near Cockburnspath ; 

 a pair of Grey Wagtails seen. N.B. — "Kitchen midden" — ^broken bones 

 of animals and numerous limpets and periwinkles discovered in rabbit 

 holes at the Kip Rock, Cove Shore, Cockburnspath. Mar. 28, very cold, 

 only 1 Curlew left on coast ; Woodcocks have been very scarce during 

 spring and last autumn, and only one or two at a time ; 2 were seen during 

 the week, and 1 for the last time to-day. The Coast near Fast-castle is one 

 of the points for the arrival of Woodcocks, whence they become dispersed 

 over the lower country between it and the Pease dean. Apr. 4, no Curlews, 

 Redshanks, Wagtails, nor Cormorants on the coast ; 1 Wheatear and several 

 Moor Pipits at Penmanshiel. April 11, dry, but cold. " Chiff-chaff " in 

 Pease dean, in two localities ; Wheatears had been prevalent at Elsdon- 

 burn in Cheviot in beginning of week ; two male Pied Wagtails at night ; 

 Brown Owl has eggs. Apr. 15, 20 Eider Ducks off Siccar. Apr. 20, a 

 single Wheatear on coast, passing northwards ; 1 Redshank still left ; 

 Wild Geese left Penmanshiel outer fields ; a week after another company 

 succeeded, and they also left by May 1. Apr. 23, one Dotterel seen near 

 Dowlaw. Apr. 25, continued cold up to date. At Bilsdean shore, near 

 Dunglass, under shelter of the cliffs, a small party of Swallows and House 

 Martins sporting ; 2 Oyster Catchers there, Grey and Pied Wagtails like- 

 wise ; Ring-ousel at top of Dowlaw dean. Apr. 27, very cold. A single 

 Willow Warbler in hedge ; single Swallow visited an old nest at Penman- 

 shiel. Apr, 29, milder, 2 Curlews on coast ; 2 male Wheatears arrived ; 

 same day a party of 18 of these birds crossed the fields at Penmanshiel, 

 flying from clod to clod, and perching on walls ; a single Swallow here. 

 May 4, milder. A few Willow Wrens singing ; 1 Whitethroat and a small 

 crowded party of Willow Wrens arrived in dean ; 2 Pied Wagtails and 2 

 Wheatears, a Swallow, and 4 or 5 Martins seen on coast. May 6, wind K, 

 cold, female Tit-lark {Antlvm trivialis) on tree in Pease dean ; several 

 Willow Warblers ; 2 Wood Wrens arrived ; no Blackcaps. May 7, Willow 

 Warblers numerous ; only i Whitethroat as yet. May 8-12, observations 

 continued at Harpertoun and Tweedside. May 8, weather grey and cold. 

 Redstarts calling in wood next Harlaw ; Willow Warblers general ; 

 Swallows present, but scarce. May 9, Corncrake heard near Kelso. May 

 10, forenoon, walked between high hedges on roads and lanes between 

 Hassington and Crosshall. Seldom have I seen so few small birds within 



