o48 Notes on the Birds of Stobo. By John Thomson. 



amongst winged game, and the late severe winters, have most probably 

 been the chief causes contributing to this fact. On one or two occasions 

 after protracted snowstorms, accompanied with intense frosts, I have 

 observed their numbers much diminished. Not from any lack of food did 

 they perish, as at such times it would be more easily procured, bat, 

 obviously to the intensity of the cold alone did they succumb : and it is 

 when the thermometer descends to zero or below it that the great mortality 

 amongst birds occurs, which is always greater, no doubt, when they have 

 previously suffered from hunger. But great and prolonged privations of 

 food can be endured, when the cold is not excessive. Some years ago, a 

 female Sparrow- Hawk was shot from a nest in the district, which contained 

 no fewer than nine eggs. These were left undisturbed, and when a second 

 visit was paid, a female again sat on them, which was also shot. It was 

 thus shown clearly enough that the two birds had been depositing their 

 eggs in the same nest. The velocity to which this Hawk can urge its 

 downward night is so great that you can scarcely discern its form when it 

 sweeps past before you. It usually makes a long slanting descent on its 

 prey, but I have seen one pursue a Chaffinch on a level in mid-air at its 

 regular travelling pace. The pair Hew round a wide circle, and at last the 

 Chaffinch, being closely pressed, and coming immediately over some Holly 

 bushes, dropt down towards them. The Hawk instantly seized its oppor- 

 tunity, and the Chaffinch only saved its life by a few inches. One, in the 

 eagerness of pursuit, dashed with such .force into a closely-grown Privet 

 hedge in front of a cottage at Stobo Sawmill, that it Avas unable to extricate 

 itself ; its wings were held firmly by the twigs, and in this position it was 

 captured. 



The Kestrel is now also much less frequently seen than it was eight or 

 nine years ago. Its gradually increasing scarcity throughout the country 

 is much to be regretted, as well with regard to the deprivation from our 

 view of its beautiful appearance and highly interesting habits, as on 

 account of its utility in destroying large numbers of the various kinds of 

 mice. Birds are only preyed upon incidentally, and perhaps mostly always 

 when a favourable opportunity offers for their capture. A nice dis- 

 crimination of the Kestrel's attitude towards them is made by the smaller 

 birds when the former passes near them : they do not evince much terror, 

 but are more alert and watchful, uttering an occasional note of alarm, 

 whereas, when a Sparrow-Hawk appears, the greatest consternation is 

 produced, and a chorus of alarm-notes heard all round. 



The district seems entirely suited to the instincts of the Tawny Owl ; 

 being thickly wooded, having an abundance of old trees for nesting 

 purposes, and having, as a consequence of its cultivation, a number of 

 steadings— favourite night resort of this Owl — interspersed throughout it. 

 At dusk on a fine Autumn evening, at which season they hoot very 

 frequently, many voices may be heard coming from different quarters. 

 The conduct of this bird does not accord well with his wise look. If you 

 come upon one at nightfall amongst trees it will fly from your presence, 

 but generally only to a short distance, and very often will alight with its 

 back towards you without ever once looking round, being oblivious 



