Effects of the Winter of 1878-9, by James Hardy. 151 



the sparrows and wintered admirably by help of hemp- seed, which I got for 

 the sparrows to save bread. Green-linnets are plentiful this spring ; they 

 are very hardy against cold and pass the winter, as you will have observed 

 about the foldyards and stackyards in the Lothians, the Northumberland 

 coast -country, East Yorkshire, &c. Grey-linnets are never common either 

 at Dunston Hill or Hedgeley, preferring the open coast- country and the 

 links. But the little redpole breeds regularly around Dunston Hill. Its 

 nuptial flight is extremely lofty, its song being delivered as it flies in large 

 wide circles or excursions higher than the skylark goes. If I mistake not, 

 it is abundant this spring. Skylarks plentiful this spring, also the tree pipit. 

 Skylarks are described as wintering in vast numbers in the great vaUey of 

 the Ebro, in Arragon. 



Columba mnas, the stock- dove, breeds for the third summer at Dunston 

 Hill. It is not at all shy, likes to be near a house, but yet is very little seen, 

 and its low quiet cooing excites hardly any attention. It is most heard early 

 of a morning. I think it is this year nesting among thick bry. 



Quereus ilex is quite killed at Dunston HUl and Whickham. Arauearias 

 have stood quite unhurt. Wellingtonia, Cupressus macrocarpa, and Thuja 

 borealis all unhurt. Cryptomeria Japonica hardy and doing better than any 

 thing on soils too dry and graveUy or shaly for the others I have named, or 

 for Cupressus Lavjsoniana, which is also quite hardy and thoroughly 

 naturalised by abundant seedlings. Mahonia aquifolia is hardy everywhere 

 with us, except under shade. 



Berberis Barwini is, alas ! killed like the native whin, but is springing 

 again from the root. Its fine orange inflorescence at this season is much 

 missed. Sweet Bay killed down but ready to spring again. Garry a elliptica 

 considerably hurt, but not so as to require being cut down, and it is budding 

 forth readily. 



The beautiful Laurocerastis Azorica, nearly akin to the Portugal Laurel, 

 has come very well through at Hedgeley. Arbutus half -killed. Portugal 

 Laurel unhurt. Laurocerasus Caucasica very tall and robust at Hedgeley, 

 and quite unhurt. Its blossom is like that of its near ally, the Common 

 Pontic Laurel, and now very showy at Hedgeley. 



The Rhododendron ponticum is quite unhurt. Also many fine Hybrid Eho- 

 dodendrons, scarlet, white, and crimson, uninjured, and now in lovely flower. 

 I, June 16th, 1879. 



EOXBUEGHSHIEE. 

 Sjpringwood Parh, Eelso. By Mr George Wemyss. 



The following is the temperature of the months of December, January, and 

 February, for the last ten years— showing the mean mean of each month, and 

 the mean of the three months of each winter . — 







MEAN 



MEAN OF THE 



JTEAR. 





MEAN. 



THREE MONTHS, 



1869. 



—December 



30«>.70 1 





1870. 



—January 



32 .51 



.. 320.27 





February 



33 .60 





