256 Natural History Observations. By J. Thomson. 



Durin g the terrible winter of 1878-9, the Mavis was almost exterminated 

 In the summer of 1879 it was very rarely seen. I remember, in the course 

 of the monthly rambles with the members of the Club, a Thrush was very 

 seldom met with. These birds have since increased till at the present time 

 they even exceed their former numbers. I have noticed on more than one 

 occasion that the eggs of the Thrush vary in colour, not only in the blue 

 tone of the ground, but also in the spots. In one nest I have seen eggs, 

 two of which had the usual black spots, while in the case of the other 

 three the spots were of a deep mauve. 



August. As is generally the case after an open winter, when the weather 

 is favourable to hybernation, and. females consequently more numerous than 

 they are after a severe winter, Wasps were very numerous this season. I 

 have very seldom seen nests, both suspended and underground, so frequently 

 aB I have done this month. 



September 4, This afternoon, while walking along with Hogg the herds- 

 man, on one of my frequent visits to the Shorthorns in the parks at 

 Mertoun, I witnessed a spectacle which I am inclined to regard as some- 

 thing unusual. As most Border naturalists are no doubt aware, there is an 

 extensive and well-stocked Heronry in the high trees in the western portion 

 of the policies. The afternoon was very stormy, but high above the howl- 

 ing of the wind, and the creaking and groaning of the trees, I heard the 

 Herons screaming and squalling. I thought nothing of this at the time, 

 but half-an-honr afterwards when on our way back to Broomhall, Hogg 

 and I entered a park which is sheltered from the westerly winds by 

 the lofty trees in which the Heronry is situated. Before us were six-and- 

 twenty Herons on the ground, and one savage looking individual was 

 perched on the fence close at hand. Two Herons were in the centre of the 

 group, the others being arranged around them. Presently the latter birds 

 commenced a slow and clumsy walk around the two in the centre, exactly 

 as horses do in a "mill-gang." The grotesque sight reminded me so 

 forcibly of children playing at "round about, merry me, tanzy" that I 

 could not help laughing heartily. The difference between the two cases 

 was, that in this instance there was the utmost silence, the pace was slow, 

 and the birds did not " join hands ! " It is well-known that deer are of a 

 very inquiring nature, and two pets, belonging to Lady Polwarth, seemed 

 as keenly interested in the strange performance as I was. The walk around 

 did not last very long. The sentinel in a while noticed us, flapped his wing's, 

 and the whole flock rose slowly from the ground, and began sailing around 

 the Heronry. Mr James Dodds, schoolmaster, Mertoun, informs me that 

 on more than one occasion he has been a witness of the saire curious be- 

 haviour on the part of those Herons. 15th, Skylark's nest whici the previous 

 day had contained three eggs was found empty. A Book in all probability 

 had been the thief. This autumn there has ' been a noticeable absence of 

 fruit on the Brambles, while the Crab trees were laden with apples. There 

 being a very heavy crop of berries, the numerous rowan trees were a 

 beautiful sight when in their full glory. The Elder trees, of which there 

 are great numbers about Mertoun, were very heavily laden with luscious 

 fruit, while haws and hips were more than ordinarily abundant everywhere. 



