Migration of Birds, &c. By Dr Charles Stuart. 503 



mounting the high banks there seemed to hold one, their continuous 

 barking to each other proclaiming their presence. Their ravages in a 

 neighbouring poultry yard fully bear out the truth of their abundance, at 

 this part of the Whitadder banks. 



4th Jan. There was a change in the weather at this time, when frost 

 and snow with occasional thaw, prevailed to the end of the month, the roads 

 being frequently in a bad state. Beyond the large flocks of the smaller 

 birds — Greenfinches, Chaffinches, etc. — there was nothing special to record. 

 Several Reed-buntings and Redpolls were seen near East Blanerne early in 

 February, also the Stonechat : and Wild Ducks Hying overhead. Frost and 

 snow still persisted, but the sun gave us more light, the days becoming 

 longer. Bullfinches near Ninewells ; Redwings, Fieldfares, and Missel 

 Thrushes near Allanton. The Corn-bunting was seen near Oldcastles, in 

 this parish. Weather still continued very wintry, frost and fiesh alter- 

 nating. 



12th Feb. Saw a Magpie near Ninewell Mains, a very rare bird in this 

 district, although a few maintain a troubled existence about Houndwood, 

 not very far off. This is a hue sunny day, and the Green Plovers are on 

 the lields of Swedish turnips near the house. 15th Feb. The Missel 

 Thrushes are in full song at the Pistol Plantings, Allanton. The Rooks at 

 their new station at the F. C. Manse, Allanton, were inspecting the 

 condition of their nests, preparatory to building operations. At Edington 

 liill the Stonechat was occupying his usual location. 17th Feb. Notwith- 

 standing the frost, from which we are again suffering, the Robin is singing 

 vigorously ; also the Missel Thrush ; and the Skylark gives an occasional 

 spring twitter. For the next week, the weather was of the wintriest 

 description, snow and frost prevailing more than we have yet experienced, 

 especially on the 19th Feb. when the snow was very deep. The ground 

 being hard, the Green Plovers were put to great straits for food. Large 

 Hocks were seen flying westwards, and on a frosted fallow they were observed 

 sitting in a half starved dormant condition, their usual liveliness being- 

 altogether gone. 20th Feb. Partridges were seen in pairs for the most part, 

 but in a cold spell of weather they still pack. Small birds are in large 

 flocks. 16th Feb. The frost is of the hardest. The thermometer 16°. Very 

 wintry weather prevailed till the 26th, when the welcome notes of the 

 Thrush were first heard at West Foulden. When at Nunlands immense 

 clouds of Larks were seen by the Foulden keeper and myself. I could 

 hardly credit that the birds were actually Larks till I closely inspected the 

 immense flock, which was feeding on a bare pasture field next the keeper's 

 house. They must have been driven from the south by stress of weather, 

 for we rarely see large congregations of these birds in this country. Near 

 Paxton, Mr Muirhead also saw these flocks of Larks. Sparrows, Rooks, and 

 Partridges are paired. The Green Plovers owing to a continuance of hard 

 weather, seem to be in great straits for food, sitting cowering beside the 

 sheep in a very languid starving condition. 



1st March was the wildest, stormiest day of the season, the snow being 

 continuous and drifting. A journey to Auchencrow enabled me to see 



