892 Record of Migration, <&c., of Birds, by James Hardy. 



Thrush [Turdus musicus). — March 25th, a few birds are scat- 

 tered here and there: there has been no increase during the 

 season. About Sept. 4th, four or five thrushes frequented the 

 turnip fields ; but they were very scarce in the latter months of 

 the year; and disappeared entirely in Jan. and Feb., 1881. 

 Blackbirds have not so entirely deserted as the Thrushes. At 

 Murton, about 18th Oct., Mr Nicholson writes: Blackbirds and 

 Thrushes were numerous, generally to be found among the tur- 

 nips. Writing from Dunse, March 25th, 1881, Mr Eobt. Waite 

 says, " in Jan. I saw Thrushes in our market-place, and after- 

 wards in the garden, but they have now disappeared." 



Water-Ouzel {Cinclus aquaticus). — Pairing, March 27th ; very 

 scarce in Jan. and Feb., 1881 ; re-appeared in limited numbers 

 only in March, when the streams were freed of ice and snow. 



EocK-PiPiT {Anthus petrosus). — An assemblage near Siccar, 

 March 30th, previous to dispersal. Again Aug. 16th, a large 

 number were congregated at an inland well-strand, but no such 

 convocation was again witnessed. Thinly scattered during win- 

 ter ; numerous in March, 1881, among rocks surrounding Dunbar 

 harbour. There are always swarms of minute black flies of the 

 genus Limosina, bred in decaying sea- weed, &c., which in warm 

 days in spring, thickly powder the rocks by resting on them. 

 These constitute part of their food, and are picked up with much 

 alacrity. In spring and winter these Pipits resort to the sheep- 

 folds, and recently ploughed fields at some distance inland, in 

 quest of insect food. In 1879, April 25th, a body of from 23 to 

 30 were assembled on the sea-banks previous to dispersion, going 

 northwards ; on Dec. 9th the Sea-pipits had mostly left the coast. 



Wheat-Ear (Saxicola (Enanthe). — Appeared on sea-coast near 

 Oldcambus, March 25th ; but absent, Mar. 27. On Mar. 29th, a 

 small band of 7 or 8 arrived ; but some were visible for some time 

 afterwards. April 17th, a few were seen more inland. They 

 were at Cockburnspath Cove on April 30th. They breed on the 

 coasts here, but these were migrants. They were again noted at 

 the coast on July 15th, 17th, 20th, and 22nd, as if strangers. On 

 August 31st, young birds were still here ; and on Sept. 2nd, 3 or 

 4 finely feathered birds were at the coast ; and on Sept. 1 7th, 

 there were 3 more inland. Both in coming and going there 

 appears to be no unanimous concert among them. In 1879, they 

 arrived on April 5th and 7th, and on subsequent dates ; and even 

 as late as May 22nd and 26th, along with a great rush of migrants 



