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The Migration of Birds, with a few Notes on the Weather 

 of 1S85. By Charles Stuart, M.D., Chirnside. 



Most changeable weather characterised the opening month of the yoar. 

 Frost and fresh alternately till the first week in February, when afresh 

 week with pours of rain made the roads so rotten, as to be almost im- 

 passable. The contrast between January of last year, and the same month 

 this season, was very striking, and afforded a very good illustration of the 

 variable climate of Scotland. Last year vegetation was well advanced on 

 the first of February. This year there are almost no proofs of Spring. 

 Snowdrops and Hellebores pushing through. Hepatica angidosa—a green 

 Hellebore from the mountains near Aix-les-Bains, which I struck from a 

 catting sent from there has been in flower siuce November, and must be 

 immensely hardy, for it has been subjected often to 12° of frost and still 

 holds up its head. Thirty species might be in flower on the rock border, 

 at this time last year. Feb. 2, A note from Mr Hardy informs me of the 

 arrival of the Green Plovers at Oldcambus. We had them here on Jan. 3. 

 Since that time they have been absent till Feb. 7, when I saw two flocks 

 of them on the Crofts. Whenever the frost continues hard and their food 

 becomes scarce, they leave for more congenial climes. In fine open fresh 

 seasons tln.y remain all the winter, especially near the sea-shore. Snow- 

 Hakes were seen at Penmanshiel, but :ione in this neighbourhood. We 

 nave had an open winter as yet ; no snow above three inches deep. The 

 average annual rainfall at West Foulden for the last ten years was 29 

 inches, 7 tenths. Woodcocks have been uncommonly plentiful at Edington 

 hill this season. One day the Hon. E. Marjoribanks shot nine brace, 

 another flay eight brace. On Feb. -i he shot eight couple of Snipe. The 

 weather still continues, first frost, then fresh. The Reed Bunting remains 

 with us all winter. I saw one about this time at Billie Brae, near the 

 Mire, where they nest. Three were observed together in the stackyard at 

 West Foulden ; also near a breeding place. On Feb. 12 two grey-back 

 Crows or Hooded Crows were feeding at the sheep boxes at Crossrig, in 

 the parish of Hutton. The natives give this bird the name of " Scramer- 

 ston Craw." it being a sea-side bird. During the spring several pairs 

 Frequented the sheep boxes at Broomdykes ; and late in the autumn I saw 

 a .young bird which had been bred not far off. Feb. 10, A flock of Wild 

 Geese near Blanerne flying south. 13th, Several Black-headed Buntings 

 at Billie Brae. 20th, Went with Mr H. Craw and Mr Millican to inspect 

 a short cist, which had been uncovered by the roadman near Foulden Hagg. 

 .Measurement of the bottom 28 inches, breadth 18 inches, depth 12 inches ; 

 situation near a hedge on the roadbank, left-handside, after passing the 

 Hagg cottages from Ayton : direction of cist north-west : remains of 

 Tibice, Radii, and part of Cranium, which from thin calvarium I should 

 judge to be that of a young person. Sides of cist consisted of slabs of 

 greenstone ; slab bottom ; slab top : cist much tampered with by curious 

 strangers. No remains of urn, flints, or anything else. Large flocks of Larks 



