Migration of Birds. By Dv Charles Stuart. 237 



were observed in the fields near Oldcastle. Fieldfares, Missel Thrushes, and 

 Redwings flying about. 25th, Spring-like day. Temperature 50°, very 

 moist and damp. Thrushes in full song heard to-day. Moon with doable 

 halo. Weather continued fresh till end of the month. The temperature 

 sometimes as high as 55°. 



March 1, Large flocks of Larks among the young wheat at West 

 Foulden. Till the 12th we suffered from cold penetrating winds from the 

 south-east ; on this day Mr Henry Craw shot a Garganey Teal Duck (Anas 

 querquedtda) on West Mains mill pond — the first recorded specimen for 

 Berwickshire. 14th, In driving along the road through the Pistol planta- 

 tions, Blackadder, I saw a Woodcock sitting at a moist place. On slapping 

 my horse, it rose and flew over my head. I never before saw one sitting. 

 Farther on a very large fox was seen dodging behind some branches to 

 escape observation — a remarkably fine specimen, with splendid brush. 

 Mr H. Craw informs me that there is a man still living at Eawburn, but 

 then at Dye College, near Longformacus, who shot the last "Jay" in 

 Berwickshire. At one time they were common in Penmanshiel wood, but 

 game-keepers keep a sharp look out on all birds of this description. First 

 wild primrose of the season in flower at Hutton bridge, on the Whitadder, 

 on March 17. The Night-jar (Caprimulgus Europceics) nests every season 

 at Edington hill moor, in this pai-ish. Andrew Shiell, game-keeper, shot 

 one. The month of March has been very cold and stormy till the 25th, 

 when the frost gave way and fresher weather followed. 



April was ushered in with cold, bleak, and stormy weather till the 18th, 

 when the first Sand Martins appeared at Allanton bridge. As I had been 

 watching their advent for a week, I stopped my gig at Allanton bridge on 

 that day, and after patiently watching both up and down the river for some 

 little time, a pair only were detected eighteen days later at least than last 

 season. April 22, Plenty of House Swallows this morning at lower part of 

 village, at 6 a.m., when starting for the country ; also at Allanton bridge. 

 Fine change in the weather : wind west ; moist in the morning, and 

 showery all day. 



May 4, Saw two Wheatears at' Oldcastles. Summer migrants quite 

 scai-ce for the season. East wind and rain began the month, the first day 

 was a hopeless day of east wind and rain till 12 p.m. on 2nd, when the 

 clouds cleared off, but the weather remained cold and unsettled. New 

 snow down to the foot of the Bizzle in Cheviot ; indeed Bunkle Edge and 

 Cockbum Law in Lammermoor seemed to have a slight powdering in the 

 morning. Most unseasonable weather, all garden plants have got a com- 

 plete drenching. May 2, Cuckoo heard in plantations round Allanbank. 

 Wheatears seen on the Crofts and Foulden Newton. Bedstart at Paxton 

 Mains, Harelaw, and Allanton bridge ; near Mains lodge on the open road. 

 The Pied Flycatcher was observed on May 8. One of the most interesting- 

 facts relating to birds this season was the general prevalence over this 

 district, and indeed all along our eastern coast, of this beautiful bird. A 

 considerable flock must have come from the continent at the same time, 

 as many letters in the newspapers appeared from widely separated local- 



