572 The Migration of Birds. By Robert Renton. 



at Oldcambus on Nov. 6, when in the evening a great band passed over 

 seawards. Oct. 13, a single Whitethroat on furze associated Avith Stone- 

 chats ; severe gales of wind for three days had perhaps diverted ic from its 

 course ; it was perched in the sun, and followed the Stonechats. Oct. 16, 

 Larks numerous in small flocks for some time back ; wind from the north. 

 Oct. 18, 3 Grey -backed CroAvs passing across sea-side fields. Oct. 20, Wild 

 Ducks returned to the sea ; 14 or 15 going inland at night. Nov. 5, a 

 single Fieldfare heard ; on the llth there were many small flocks. Nov. 

 6, an immense string of migratory Wood Pigeons passed overhead flying 

 southwards; so numerous that one could scarcely imagine so many were 

 left in the countrv. 



FANS BY EAELSTON, 1883. By Egbert Eenton. 



Jan. 1, White ChaSinch shot at Fans, it was a very light cream colour. 

 Two years ago there were 2 Albino Chaffinches seen here ; both unfortu- 

 nately shot. Feb. 6, a Sentinel Butcher Bird shot at Gordon. Feb. 12, a 

 large flock of Fieldfares in the fields ; 16 Lapwings seen. Feb. 22, 

 plentiful. Feb. 19, Herring Gull still keeping inland ; Wood Pigeons, pair. 

 Feb. 20, Eooks carrying sticks to their nests ; Jackdaws in pairs. Mar. 3, 

 Starlings building nests; Herring Gulls left; Black-hoaded Gulls have 

 returned. Mar. 10, Wood Pigeons sitting on eggs at Fans moss. Mar. 

 24, dead Mountain Finch; weather has been very severe of late. Apr. 1, 

 Wheatear arrived. Apr. 6, Black-headed Buntings seen in numbers. Apr, 

 8, Curlews and Lapwings have nests but no eggs. Apr. 10, Snipes began 

 to pair. Apr. 13, saw three nests of Lapwings with three eggs each. Apr. 

 14, House Sparrows and Chaffinches preparing their nests. Apr. 24, young 

 Eooks plentiful in Mellerstane woods. May 5-10, very cold weather. May 

 13, Cuckoo heard; seen on 15th. May 14, Swallows seen. May 17, Land- 

 rail heard ; seen 19th. May 18, 2 nests of Thrush, this bird has not been 

 seen here for the last two years ; Field-lark nest with 4 eggs. 



Aug. 3, Lapwings in large flocks ; young Curlews full grown ; 1 white 

 bird among them. They had nearly all left on the 8th ; and the last was 

 seen on 16th. Aug. 24, Lapwings all away. Aug. 25, Fieldfares arrived 

 in flocks. Oct. 10, I saw about 12 Swallows ; 1 seen on 14th, and not 



CHIENSIDE, 1882. By Dr Charles Stuart. 

 Blackbird's, Thrush's, and Wood Pigeon's spring notes first heard on 

 Jan. 19 ; Partridges mostly paired from 15th Jan. At this time no Wrens 

 visible. Mar. 23, saw Chiff-chaff among the bushes at Billie Brae. Mar. 

 25, saw Pied Wagtail near Eastreston. Apr. 4, saw Willow Wren. Apr. 

 16, first Swallows seen near AUanton. Apr. 20 and 21, plenty at dam, 

 above paper mill, Chirnside bridge. Apr. 27, Sandpiper at Bluestone 

 ford. Apr. 28, saw Eedstart at Todhaugh. May 1, Smaller Whitethroat 

 seen. May 4, Corn-crake heard on Chirnside crofts. May 3, Cuckoo 

 heard in strips of wood near Blackburn, Chirnside. The Thrush although 



