The Migration of Birds. By Dr Chas. Stuart. 577 



at Blackadder house, in a rabbit hole, and reared their young. They are 

 also known at Yetholm ; near Jedburgh; and also in the Cheviots. Apr. 

 30, the House Martins, in flocks are flying about Allanton bridge, and also 

 towards Chirnside. They came with the west wind which was first felt 

 to-day, with gentle showers. The country is already greener, and a few 

 days of genial weather will make a great change on the face of the fields. 

 At the Pistol plantings saw two Bullfinches, and in the course of a drive of 

 twenty miles, twelve Willow Wrens, and one Wood Wren. These birds all 

 appear to have come with the west wind. 



May 1, in passing down the north approach to Blackadder House, a 

 Wild Duck with a fine brood of ducklings, appeared on the verge of a 

 fir plantation a few hundred yards from the gate ; these had evidently 

 been hatched close at hand, there being a fine cosey ditch in the wood for 

 them to paddle in. The old Duck flew to the ditch and allowed her family 

 to scuttle after her through the grass, and they seemed well able to look 

 after themselves. Large flocks of Swallows at Allanton bridge, which 

 seems a great rendezvous for them upon first ari'ival. May 5, at the east 

 end of the Pistol plantings saw first Eedstart, a male in fine plumage. 

 Heard the Cuckoo in the Willow strips below Broomdykes ; also saw the 

 first Swifts at the lower part of Chirnside. The Land-rail was also 

 "craiking" on the grass fields on the Crofts, and the Gray Sandpiper 

 was fiitting about on the river. The Swifts at first only come in pairs, 

 and it is well on in May before they are numerous. I have good opportuni- 

 ties of observing them, as they invariably take up their quarters among 

 the loose tiles in an old house near the Waterloo Inn, Chirnside, where 

 they continue till the 12th of August, when having completed their 

 breeding opex'ations, they take their departure for a warmer country. 

 When hawking for insects, their motions are elegant ; skimming aloft high 

 in the air, uttering their peculiar scream, they seem never to tire as long 

 as daylight lasts. May 8, only a few pairs have as yet arrived ; the 

 Eedstart however is at Ninewells. The Whitethroats are also there, and 

 a large colony of Swifts have taken up their usual abode. May 12, ther- 

 mometer 67 degrees in the shade and the air balmy. The Land-rails are 

 very noisy in the evenings. A much rarer bird than the Common White- 

 throat, is the smaller form, the Lesser Whitethroat. For several seasons 

 I have noticed it in Whitsome parish ; no specimen of it however having 

 been shot, Mr Muirhead refuses to receive anything but the bird in hand, 

 as evidence of its presence here ; the female of the larger form being apt 

 to be mistaken for the rarity. I have been on several occasions quite close 

 both to the cock and hen, and feel sure that I am correct in recording the 

 smaller form to be a true summer visitor. May 14, Certhia familiaris, 

 seen in the ash wood at the junction of the Allanton and Duns roads. This 

 bird since our cold winters some years ago, is by no means common 

 in this district. A few days ago Mr Blackadder, East Blanerne, saw 

 from the window of his house " a Black neb " or Carrion Crow, 

 hopping round a ewe and her lamb, in a suspicious manner, now 

 and then making a dash at the ewe. He could hardly make himself 



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