The Migration of Birds. By George Bolam. 581 



it for some time througli a small glass. The elongated bill, pale red 

 colour of the head, neck, and back ; black wings, crossed with several 

 irregular white bands ; and long black tail, with a single white band 

 across the centre, soon told me the bird I was looking at was a veritable 

 Hoopoe ; the second I had ever seen in the flesh. Its movements were 

 exceedingly agile, running hither and thither with a nimbleness that was 

 delightful to witness. I had watched it for about the space of five minutes, 

 when taking alarm it uttered a short, sharp kind of scream or whistle, and 

 flew off at a rapid pace, and with a motion very much resembling that of 

 the Blackbird. It raised its crest as it flew off, and a more beautiful object 

 on the wing I think I never beheld. It is to be regretted that this 

 beautiful and rare visitor to our district should be almost constantly shot 

 down whenever it makes its appearance. 



P.S. — A Sqaacco Heron was shot near Howick in May last. A Bittern 

 was -shot at Ellingham by Cliathill, by Sir J. Haggerstone on 19th January 

 last. J. A. 



Notes of Arrivals and Departures of Birds. 



BOLAM. 



1882.' 



By George 





Arrived (first seen). 



Departed (last seen). 



*Swallow ... 



Apr. 21, a single bird at 



Oct. 20, Berwick, a pair 





Newton Barns, n.Chathill 



in garden. 



Sandpiper, Common 



Apr. 16, one on Whitadder 





Sand Martin 



Apr. 12, one, and again on 

 16th, several. 





Swift 



May 5, flying over Berwick 



Oct. 4, and again on 





in parties. 



14th— very late. 



Wheatear 



Mar. 31, Scremerston and 

 Goswick. 





*Land-rail 



May 5, (but reported in 



One shot, Oct. 27, at 





papers earlier). 



mouth of Tweed. 



*Ouckoo 



May 11, but reported in 

 papers from Glanton on 

 Apr. 14. 





Hooded Grow 



Oct. 2, at Weetwood. 



Apr. 21, 1882, two seeii 

 at Newton Barns. 



NOTE. 

 'Swallow. In "Kelso Chronicle," Nov. 3, it is stated that Swallows have been seen 



in parties of from 3 to 6 almost every day up till Wednesday last, the 1st Nov. 



at Kelso. 

 ' Land-rails wei-e reported in the papers very early this year in many places in the 



south of England, and one said to have been heard 2nd week in February at 



Longhoughton ; (see " Alnwick Mercury," 11th Feb.) 

 'Cuckoos were also early, in the papers, " near Consett, 19th March," (Newcastle 



Journal, 20th March), but several earlier than this from both England and 



Scotland, recorded in "Field." 

 ' Swallows very early, from all over the country, including North of Scotland. 



The "Scotsman" reported them from North "West of Scotland early in Jai;. 



