Record of Migration, &c., of Birds, by James Hardy. 891 



June 24th, a pair had returned; and on July 17th, 6 or 7 fre- 

 quented the coast; on Aug. Slst, a small close-packed flock was 

 noticed. In 1879, had left before April Ist, and had returned 

 on July 17th. Mr Kelly writes that two Eedshanks, during the 

 summer haunted the upper reaches of the Leader Water. They 

 hankered about the river, and ran races on the sands, as if they 

 were going to breed, but although they stayed three months, 

 they still continued single ; at length one was shot, and the other 

 deserted the locality. 



Wild Duck {Anas Boschas). — Continued on the coast till Mar. 

 22nd ; but on Mar. 27th, the number was greatly diminished. 

 In 1879, they left on Mar. 26th; the first pair returned, Sept. 

 18th. One re-appeared at sea, Sept. 25th, 1880. On Oct. 16th, 

 there were 30 ; and on Nov. 4th, there were several distinct bands. 

 Nov. 15th, hard frost following a heavy rain, when fully 100 

 ducks appeared at sea ; Nov. 23rd, ducks were absent ; in Dec. 

 they had nearly deserted this part of the coast. On Jan. 5th, 

 1881, they had nearly all disappeared. The newspapers stated 

 that while wild fowl were numerous at Feuham Flats during the 

 winter, there were few wild ducks. 



Grebe, Great Crested {Podiceps cristatus). — A party of 12 near 

 Siccar point were seen for the last time, March 22nd. They re- 

 appeared to the number of 15, on Dec. 20th. Of late years they 

 have been noted as annual winter visitants. They were very 

 numerous in 1879, when they arrived on Dec. 5th ; and some had 

 lingered in spring tUl May 3rd, when three birds were seen. In 

 the Index of last vol. of ** Proceedings," I find that references 

 to the Eed-necked and Slavonian Grebes have been omitted. 

 They are mentioned at pp. 54, 188, 502, 530. One of Podiceps 

 av/ritus was captured at Cramlington, Feb. 11, 1881. I have not 

 yet detected any of the Common Coots ( Fulica atra) in the sea, to 

 which, in this district during the autumn, they regularly descend 

 from the inland ponds, following the burn courses, and returning 

 in the beginning of March ; unless it was on Dec. 27, when what 

 looked to be an entirely black duck, appeared among the Grebes, 

 which chased them when they approached it, and it did not dive 

 so much. 



Yellow Wagtail [Motacilla flma). — March 25th, observed 

 three Yellow Wagtails on a newly-sown field, at a short distance 

 from Alnwick. As the year advances, the vicinage of the Aln is 

 a favourite resort of these birds.— J. H. G, 



