Effects of the Winter 0/ 1878-9, by James Hardy. 127 



be quite perforated with, apertures, whence these mice had their outlooks 

 during the storm. In a cottage garden in the wood, the crocus flowers and 

 leaves were eaten by a short-tailed field mouse ; and at Bowshiel I heard of 

 nineteen that had been trapped, which had come out of an old wall to feed on 

 crocus roots. I suspect the species was Arvicola glareola, Schreb. [A. riparia, 

 Yarrell). It was described as having a dark back and a white belly, and a 

 thick head. I know that this species eats cabbage plants in gardens. From 

 Feb. 15th to 19th, more or less snow fell; and on the last of these days the 

 snow once more extended to the beach. That small birds resort to the coast 

 during a storm to feed is a circumstance that never happens here. In a 

 storm of moderate severity, there is as much snow on the coast as inland, 

 although perhaps it does not lie so long. In the coast stackyards there are 

 not even so many birds in winter, as are congregated about inland steadings 

 in the vicinity of woods. When birds disappear from inland localities, they 

 probably migrate. To-day several missel-thrushes frequented the margins of 

 pools, and appeared to be pairing ; the sea-pipit also came to the open pools. 

 A small company of golden-eye ducks (?) appeared in Siccar bay. Grey- 

 backed crow, rooks, jackdaws, and common gulls were frequenting carrion. 

 Feb. 20th. Thrush still visible in its favourite ditch. Feb. 25th, on a field 

 partially bare of snow, a flock of about thirty snowflakes appeared, most of 

 them dark-coloured. About forty-two golden-eyes (?) at Siccar-bay. 

 Ploughing was tried, and two lapwings came in the evening to the ploughed 

 ground. "Wild ducks were still prevalent at sea. Feb. 26th, ploughing con- 

 tinued, although the air is still frosty ; four or five lapwings are now on the 

 ploughed portion ; a missel thrush seen. Feb. 28th, fresher ; curlews 

 venturing inland ; golden-plover heard ; missel-thrushes singing ; great 

 collection of wild ducks all round the shore ; no thrushes to be seen. 



Mar. 3rd. Large flock of lapwings appeared ; 170 wild ducks were counted 

 ofiE the rocky coast here. A thrush among furze ; hedge-sparrow singing. 

 Mar. 6. Several larks in small flocks in the fields, as if arriving from a 

 diiierent district ; while the resident larks keep separate, and are in song. A 

 thrush in song. Mar. 8th. Being at Dunbar, I noticed the remains of several 

 dead fieldfares in the woods at Lochend ; also near a plantation that shelters 

 the farm house at Skateraw ; and again near Linhead onstead. I heard that 

 on one evening during the storm fieldfares repaired in a dense body to the 

 shrubbery at Thornton-loch, which is adjacent to the sea-side, and were 

 nearly all lying dead on the ground in the morning. Also, one night, a 

 great crowd of starlings roosted in one of the shrubberies at Ayton, and were 

 so numerous and heavy that they broke down the bushes on which they 

 settled. The corn or common bunting was seen at East Barns. There were 

 many lapwings in the fields, waiting for the clearance of the Lammermoor 

 edges, on which they nestle. Larks and the greater titmouse were in song. 



March 11. Water-hens returned to the inland pools. March 17, after two 

 days snow, a great collection of lapwings and golden plovers appeared on the 

 leas near the coast, having been driven from the upland country ; but ducks 

 were now scarce at sea. A thrush seen. Mar. 18th, first pied wagtail; 

 missel thrush in song ; redshanks, hitherto few, are now assembled in a con- 

 siderable flock. 



