The Migration of Birds. By James Hardy. 571 



so much covert ; 2 or 3 Whitethroats haunted some furze bushes where the 

 view was open, and a Willow Warbler or Chaffinch was heard at wide 

 intervals, but no other bird; no Swallows. In afternoon Cuckoo heard 

 twice ; Starlings were general, and Larks in the fields not scarce ; Mag- 

 pies visible. May 12, Whitethroat heard near Edenhall, where a newly- 

 arrived Sedge Warbler sang, and also a Blackcap in a hedge near Harper- 

 toun. At Kelso large band of Swifts playing among Martins ; Swifts also 

 at Cornhill, where a Corncrake was calling in a field ; Swallows at Old- 

 cambus on return. May 14, single Garden Wax'bler among currant bushes 

 in garden singing at intervals. Left that evening. May 15, first Whin- 

 ch&t at a drain along with a Pied Wagtail ; 1 Sand Martin seen; several 

 Whitethroats. May 19, Corncrake heard ; Swifts at Berwick. May 21, a 

 single Lesser Whitethi-oat (Sylvia sylviella) seen near Paxton House. It 

 had a feather in its mouth as if nesting. Two young birds had been got 

 at Berwick in September, 1881, and the one preserved closely resembles 

 the Paxton bird. May 22, Garden Warbler on ash tree at Oldcambus 

 examining the flowers for insects ; a single Spotted Flycatcher on coast 

 near Redheugh seated on a dog-rose bash in a wild sequestered hollow 

 below precipices ; 4 or 5 Whitethroats thei'e also, and a Ring-ousel. 3 

 male Sedge Warblers more inland. May 26, Sedge Warblers advancing 

 inland; Martins, Swallows, and Sand Martins general. May 27, 

 Grey Linnets feeding on dandelion seeds. May 28, 3 pairs of 

 Stonechats bred in dean this summer. May 29, Sedge Warblers near 

 Daddo and Shellaci'es; and Grey Flycatchers in a wood. June 7, young 

 Stonechats flying. June 28, Curlews and Black-headed Gulls on coast. 

 July 2, young Whitethroats ont. July 4, young Stonechats out with old 

 birds. July 10, young Whinchats. July 15, Fledged nestful of Grey 

 Wagtails above Oldhamstocks ; Wheatears numerous near Aikengall. 

 Whinchats and Stonechats there also, and 2 Blackcocks. July 19, Sedge 

 Warbler has nest in a field of barley, among the long com ; perches in 

 song on the corn-tops, or rises from them singing in the open. July 24, 

 Redshanks on the shore. July 25 and 26, At Duns Castle. Several Red- 

 starts seen ; Mr Ferguson said these birds were very common about the 

 Castle woods, wherever there were heaps of stones ; the Stock-dove there 

 frequents some of the roots of blown-down trees ; several Teals breed 

 about the lake; the Coots seldom leave except dui-ing the very severest 

 winters. July 27, Whitethroat commenced visiting garden for caterpillars. 

 July 28, Wheatears on coast ; brood of Chimney Swallows out ; Pied Fly- 

 catcher at foot of Pease dean. Sept. 1, Warblers and small migrants had 

 disappeared ; numerous fiocks of Grey and Green Linnets on stubble-fields, 

 where wild mustard had abounded. Lapwings returned to turnip-fields, 

 where the foliage was much hurt by the caterpillars of the Diamond Moth, 

 which was very prevalent this season generally. Sept. 8 and 10, Meadow 

 Pipits frequenting grass-fields ; several young Pied Wagtails also, and a 

 Wheatear. Sept. 7 and 13, Stonechats old and young continued on the 

 coast ; 1 1 Herons on coast. Oct. 1 and following week. Wild Geese came 

 to Penmaushiel as harvest ended, and continued in great numbers. Seen 



