576 The Migration of Birds. By Dr Chas. Stuart. 



iu Whitsome parish, a somewliat similar experience occurred to me. A 

 Yellow-hammer was sitting on the top of the hedge by the wayside, trill- 

 ing its well-known note, " Lerry, Lsrrxj, Rear ! " when a Hawk flew past 

 like a flash, and bore off the songster in its talons. Feeling greatly 

 incensed, I instinctively dropped my reins and whip, and clapping my 

 hands together as loudly as I could, the Hawk relinquished hold of its 

 prey, thinking, I supposed, that I had fired at it. The poor bird flew back 

 apparently uninjured to the hedge, close at my feet and escaped. 4 strings 

 of Wild Geese have been seen flying south to-day (Jan. 12.) Jan. 20, saw 

 a family of Snow-buntings at the dean above Foulden Greenlaw ; and two 

 days afterwards, the only snow we have had this season whitened the 

 ground. The Missel Thrush continues in full song, especially in windy 

 damp mornings, he may be seen on the top of some tall ash tree ; 

 Partridges paired about the 15th; still some covies and packs are to be 

 seen in cold stormy weather. The Common Thrush and Blackbird were 

 occasionally heard during this month and February ; and whenever the 

 weather was tine, the Wood Pigeon's wooing notes were to be heard. 



Mar. 6, "We had much stormy weather till the Gth of March, when 

 Spring again seenied to assert itself. Mar. 10, when driving near Blanerne 

 through Jock's Loan, an unfrequented bye-road to Billy Mains, in a pool of 

 melting snow in a grass field close to the road, 30 pairs of Wild Ducks were 

 counted dabbling among the water. I never got so near such a splendid 

 lot of birds before ; some of the Drakes were of unusual size, and fine 

 plumage. They were evidently Drake and Duck paired, and such was their 

 tameness that not one attempted 'to rise till I had driven past. It was 

 certainly the most beautiful sight I had ever witnessed, it being most 

 unusual to get near Wild Ducks. Mar. 16, in a ploughed field, outside the 

 Pistol plantings, I counted 16 Herons sitting in a row ; their heronry is 

 close at hand, and as their breeding season is very early, they seemed to be 

 making arrangements for the season. They have about fifty nests scat- 

 tered through the southern division of the wood. Mar. 24, I saw the first 

 pair of Sand Martins at Allanton to-day — very early. I never saw them 

 before the 16tli April on any previous year. The Pied Wagtail has been 

 for a week at Allanton and Blanerne bridges. The Bats are flying about, 

 on warm evenings; and the Grey Wagtail is also at Allanton, running 

 about the stones at the river. 



Apr. 1, In consequence of cold harsh weather, our summer migrants 

 did not put in a very early appearance, remaining where they were 

 more comfortable. The Chiff-chaff and Stock-dove were seen early in the 

 month at Paxton, by Mr Muirhead ; and the latter has nested there. I did 

 not see the Willow Wren till Apr. 29, and the Sand Martins have often 

 been absent for a week together, from Allanton bridge. Where do they 

 go ? Hybernation seems improbable. The Stock-dove seems now natur- 

 alized in this district. They breed in disused rabbit holes in the 

 steep banks opposite Edington mill, and a nest was also found in the root 

 of a fallen tree, in the plantation opposite. For seven years they have 

 been known at Hutton bridge, and this summer two bred in the steep bank 



