550 Record of Migration, Sc, of Birds. By James Hardy. 



WooD-PiGEOv. — Mr John Aitchison writes from Belford : *' The first great 

 migration of 1881, took place in the early part of the year, namely, from the 

 6th to the 20th of January. It consisted of large flocks of Swans, Geese, 

 Ducks, and Wood-pigeons. The Wood-pigeons were exceedingly ahundant ; 

 and some of the florks must have contained thousands of birds. In ttie 

 neighbourhood of Belford, whole fields, many acres in extent, were literally 

 covered for several days by these immense flocks. Many of the birds were, no 

 doubt, from the north of Scotland, but vast numbers must have come across 

 the sea from the more northern parts of continental Europe They suffered 

 terribly in the snow-storm in January. Scores of them were found starved 

 to death in the fields, and fowlers shot them down, not by scores, but by 

 hundreds in a day. They visited in flocks the gardens of the Blue Bell Inn, 

 the stack-yard and cattle folds ; and the back-yards and open ash-pits in 

 other parts of the town, were daily assailed by flocks of from a dozen to 

 twenty and thirty or more individuals. They nearly all disappeared after 

 about the 24th January." — A migration of Wood-pigeons was observed Oct. 

 30th, 1880, see "Proceedings," p. 406. It was at the period referred to by 

 Mr Aitchison that Wood-pigeons during the snow-storm stripped the leaves 

 off most of the Swedes in this neighbourhood and in East Lothian. A game- 

 keeper who shot some of them here, said they were mere skeletons. Some 

 were so weak that they staggered in their flight, although not wounded. 

 They have been very scarce on the coast-farms during the summer and au- 

 tumn. No flocks visited the corn-fields at the ripening period, a source of 

 constant annoyance. Only a few pairs remain in the woods. —On Dec. 6th, 

 1881, Dr. Stuari, at Whiterig, near Ayton, saw vast flocks of Wood-pigeons of 

 a darker hue than the birds of our country ; evidently foreigners. The pure 

 white bird noticed last year as being in the Pease dean was shot by one of the 



Wild Swans (See Wood -Pigeon).— Mr Aitchison goes on to note of date 

 Jan. 26th, that " several flocks of Swans had been seen at benham Flats re- 

 cently, and some individuals were shot. A flock of 14 Swans visited Belford 

 on Jan. 27th. They alighted on a pond in front of Belford HaU, where they 

 remained for nearly two hours, then took their departure a little before dusk. 

 Another flock of seven was seen at the same place on Feb. 4th." — May 28th. 

 Three were observed on the Tweed, between the Quay and the Pier at Ber- 

 wick. They flew off in the direction of the Fame Islands. {Ber. News) . 

 Cct. 7th, a family company of Swans appeared at Fenham.—/.^ — Oct. 25th, 

 Mr Brotherston received a Hooper from Greenlaw -walls near Norham. 



Lapwing: Spring Migration. — March 7th, snow disappearing; 18 Lap- 

 wings appeared on the leas. Same day. Lapwings and Golden Plovers came 

 in a great band to Penmanshiel. March llth, fresh, 31 birds flying towards 

 the sea. March 16th, becoming scattered. March 1 9th, from 20 to 30 seen ; 

 wind high. March 20th, several seen at their breeding places near Cock- 

 burnspath ; where they continued on the 27th. March 20th, a large flock at 

 lea fields, Oldcambus, and on 28th about 20 crossing the country in quest of 

 ploughed ground. April 3rd to 12th, a considerable number of parties not 

 yet dispersed; and this continued till April 14th and 16th The companies 

 were long in breaking up this ungenial spring ; several were still seen on the 

 23rd. On April 20th, the Lammmermoor Lapwings and Golden Plovers were 



