251 



Natural History Observations in 18S5. By John Thom- 

 son, Maxton. 



January 29, Observed several thousands of Bramblings in farm-yard 

 close to Alnwick. Flock so dense as almost for the moment to darken the 

 air. Snow on the ground, and thrashing- operations in progress. 



February 20, Flocks of Black-headed Gulls, and several common Gulls, 

 have been busy following the plough for several days. Counted 54 Wild 

 Ducks and Drakes in the Tweed at the Anna above Littledean Tower. 

 Observed five Bullfinches near Craigo'er. Larks, Blackbirds, a,nd Thrushes 

 in song. Lapwings plentiful. 27th, Three Bullfinches near Rutherford 

 mill. 28th. In Littledean long plantation the late Mr William Chisholm 

 and I saw a number of Gold-crests, and two Flame-crested Wrens (Reguln.t 

 ignicapillus.) 



March 2, In the course of an extended ramble through Longnewton 

 forest on Saturday, I noticed as a rule to which there seemed no exception, 

 that the Frog spawn was floating in the very centre of the water in ditches 

 and in pools. Happening to take tea with a farmer friend in the afternoon, 

 I mentioned the circumstance to him, when he informed me that if such 

 were the case we might expect a dry summer. He had the saying from 

 his father. The inference is very obvious. When the spawn of the frog 

 clings to the withered grass at the edge of the stagnant pools aud ditches, 

 a wet summer follows ; but when it floats in the middle a dry season may 

 be anticipated. The summer assuredly has been very droughty. From 

 June to November the rills and ditches were nearly all dry. When there 

 was an occasional heavy fall of rain they would run for a day or two, and 

 then relapse into their former state of aridity. Wells and springs, which, 

 within the memory of persons living, had never been dry before, were 

 empty for months near here. The crops of oats and turnips, as well as the 

 pastures, suffered much in consequence of the dry season. 27th, Saw a 

 House Swallow several times to-day at Morridge hall.' 11th, Hedger at 

 Morridge hall discovered a Hedge Sparrow's nest containing four eggs. 



April 15. Heard and saw the Cuckoo and Willow Wren — the latter a week 

 earlier than usual. Ifith, Flushed a Woodcock in Longnewton foi'est. 

 17th, Butterflies, bees, bumble bees, and wasps flitting to and fro in the 

 sunshine. Swallows seen to-day. 28th, In Littledean long plantation 

 Willow Wrens were exceedingly plentiful. I noticed one pair busily en- 

 gaged in the construction of their nest. The first egg was laid on May 7. 

 The morning after the ninth egg was deposited, I found an apparently 

 good egg lying outside the nest : this I replaced. On two succeeding days 

 an egg was lying outside as before, and on both occasions I returned it. 1 

 did not notice the occurrence again. The egg was most certainly not a 

 •' wind egg." and when the young were hatched no egg was to be found in 

 the nest. I am positive no person knew of the nest except myself. It was 

 so skilfully concealed that, had I not observed the birds building, I should 

 most probably never have discovered it. 



