Migration of Birds, Sc. By Dr Charles Stuart. 569 



wind, high Cheviot is quite white with snow. Lammermoor was also 

 quite white till 30 minutes after 9 a.m. Plants have all got a check with 

 the cold. The Redstart was again seen at the Pistol Plantings. About 

 Duns on the 14th many summer migrants were seen. 15th May, a very 

 severe wind-storm with rain was experienced over the county. The 

 Wheatear seen at Whitsome by no means common in this district. 17th, 

 The weather is still dull and cold for the season. Went to Fishwick Mains 

 dean and gathered fine specimens of white Orchis mascula. This plant 

 was especially fine this season, the white being exceedingly pure. I was 

 however disappointed in not hearing the song of the Blackcap, which I 

 heard here last season. I was a little earlier this year, which may account 

 for missing it on this occasion. I however saw the Chiff-chaff at the Pistol 

 Plantings and Broomdykes road end, near the Tile works, and also near 

 Huttonhall. It seemed to be nesting at the spot, for when we stopped our 

 conveyance, it looked very suspicious, coming through the hedge, and 

 returning to look, as much as telling me to be off— what business had we 

 there ! On the same day within twenty yards of the entrance to Broom- 

 dykes, a Landrail was sitting on the side of the road pruning its feathers, 

 drawing out its wings, stretching them, and at the same time craiking with 

 all its might ! It sat for a minute or two, then glided through the hedge, 

 when it saw that I had stopped and was watching its motions. I never 

 had such a good view before. Below my house, on Chirnside Crofts, it 

 craiks constantly, but is persecuted by boys with stones. Rain again from 

 the east ! what a climate! 21st, went with Mr Ferguson to Mr Boyd's of 

 Faldonside, and had an enjoyable day inspecting the fine collections on his 

 rock garden and herbaceous border. Everything was good, carefully 

 cultivated, the collection as a whole admirable. The Tweed was so large, 

 we could not cross at Abbotsford Ferry, so had to go on to Lindean 

 Station. The weather as yet very cold ; the summer migrants scarce for 

 the season. No Swifts as yet at their old quarters. Something must have 

 frightened them from there, where they have built their nests for many a 

 year. Vegetation makes little progress, the leaves on the trees being very 

 slow in opening. There is nothing like the tender green of the beech 

 before frost or wind has deprived it of its delicate hue. On a fine day 

 there is nothing like the fine green of our Scottish Spring. No one can 

 pass through the Pistol Plantings at the end of May, without admiring the 

 delicate tints of the foliage of the underwood below the higher trees. 

 Every year this is a new pleasure to me. The Hawthorn is very late, 28th 

 May, not a spray of it to be seen. None can possibly be in flower for a 

 fortnight. The season 1864, there were sprigs of it in flower in the end of 

 April. We are at least a fortnight later than usual. 



Nothing can exceed the dreariness of the weather for the beginning of 

 June, when we might reasonably expect something different. The ground 

 seems water-logged, and there is no growth whatever. 2nd June, the fields 

 are covered with water from overflowed burns, near Hntton and Paxton. 

 3rd June, frost at night. The Garden Warbler was observed in the gravel 

 pit at Whitehall by Mr Geo. Bolam on the 25th May. This bird is very shy 

 especially after being in the country for a week or two. Two Swifts have 

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