Migration of Birds. By Dr Charles Stuart. 241 



October 7, Swallows still at Broomdykes and Tempest Bank, near Allan- 

 ton. One was picked up in an exhausted state on the grass in front of 

 Broomdykes ; but on being taken into the house it revived, and flew away. 

 10th, Swallows, evidently young, still at Broomdykes. Weather very 

 stormy, with strong wind from the north. 29th, Snow on Cheviot thrice 

 before the end of the month. A most unsettled state of the weather, with 

 high gales. Storms of rain and snow alternately. 



November began with three days of frost, which finished off everything 

 in the gardens. Afterwards drenching rains from 21st to 28th. An 

 occasional fine day we certainly had, but a more cheerless week was never 

 experienced. In consequence, the birds were in packs — Lapwings, Linnets, 

 and Starlings. On the 20th, driving up the Coachford brae above the 

 Otter burn, near Broomdykes, I was astonished to see a Heron running 

 before me on the road. Getting out of my gig, I gave chase, and came 

 up with my bird, who turned round and sent his long bill dangerously near 

 my face : seizing his weapon of offence firmly with my hand, and keeping 

 it closed, I carried him off with me in my gig. Taking him home, I placed 

 him with some food in a glass house ; but there being a hole in the roof, 

 he was walking about my garden the next morning. He was evidently in 

 an exhausted condition, for he died next day. He appeared to be a full- 

 grown bird of this year ; and I was afraid lest a fierce tom-cat from my 

 stable had given him his quietus, although I could perceive no scratch on 

 him, nor feather ruffled. 



There were a few Bullfinches about the Pistol plantings about Decem- 

 ber 16, and I saw them at Ninewells and other localities about the same 

 time. Woodcocks* were late in crossing over this season ; as on 9th 

 November at Edington hill, only one was seen at the Cover shooting. No 

 Wild Geese have as yet been seen by me. Fieldfares, Redwings, Missel 

 Thrushes, are flying about the fields ; and large flocks of the Blue Wood 

 Pigeon from the continent are as usual at Whiterig. These all appeared 

 after the severe frost we had ten days ago, at least in their present 

 numbers. The temperature was lower than we have had it for a few 

 years ; but the snow-fall never amounted to much, except where it was 

 blown by the wind. 



* Walker, the keeper of Edington hill, tells me (January 18, 1886) that they 

 have shot 18| couple there this season. 



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