428 Report of Meetings for 1881. By Jas. Hardy. 



I noticed a very tall alder by the stream, with, a short stout bole. 

 The breadth of plantation on either bank is very limited. The 

 north side carries some very good ashes, tongh and serviceable 

 for joinery purposes ; the English elm grown here is said to be 

 worthless. On the south side there are some handsome syca- 

 mores, two stately white poplars, and several wych-elms. The 

 most conspicuous tree is an old Scotch pine, which overhangs a 

 sloe-thicket. The branches have obtained their greatest develop- 

 ment on the northerly aspect, like some others of the Coniferee 

 here. A large number of blackcap warblers, {Sylvia atricapilla) 

 had taken possession of both strips, and were engaged in a 

 friendly rivalry of song. A similar contest I found proceeding 

 above Biel. Mr Grey informs me that more than the usual num- 

 ber of blackcaps have been remarked in Scotland this season. 

 Professor Duns has observed that they have this year reached 

 the wilds of Lochaber ; but on the east-coast line, it is known that 

 they are distributed as far as Caithness. Protected from intru- 

 sion, the burn between Belton and Biel is at all seasons a great 

 resort for the wild-diick, which intermingles promiscuously with 

 the domestic and white call-ducks. Kingfishers ascend the burn, 

 but do not breed. The dipper is not numerous ; however I saw 

 two. The water-hen is almost domesticated at the keejper's place, 

 and feeds with the poultry, which is kept there, not far from the 

 burn side. A very interesting circumstance was witnessed by 

 his wife, of the young water-hens of the first brood assisting the 

 mother to feed the babies of a subsequent hatching. First the 

 mother fed the older ones, and then they joined and aided 

 her in satisfying the wants of their lesser brothers and sisters, 

 like grown up children helping a mother in the up-bringing of 

 their juniors. The burn is at aU seasons visited by herons. In 

 the winter of 1879-80, a heron resorted to a place in the fields 

 north from the burn, when the pheasants were supplied with food, 

 and employed itself in catching the rats, attracted thither to steal 

 the grain. Having effected a clearance it next removed to a 

 feeding shed for sheep, and kept its watch there, killing all the 

 rats it could obtain. There is a rookery at Belton ; the rooks 

 attempted to colonise Biel, but were not permitted. The horned, 

 white, and brown owls have here an undisturbed refuge. The 

 white owl nests in an ivied tree, and like all the owls is an early 

 breeder. A few pairs of the grey wagtail {Motacilla sulphurea 

 vel hoarula), \erj gay and lively, had just arrived, being late in 



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