570 Migration of Birds, dx. By Dr Charles Stuart. 



taken tip their abode in the higher part of the village under the tiles. 4th 

 June, no Swifts at their old quarters, probably scared by the Starlings, 

 who compete with them for possession. Temp. 65° in the shade. 5th June j 

 Temp. 52°, at 8 a.m., north exposure. 7th June, A small party of Swifts 

 have arrived, at the old tenements below the Waterloo Inn, but in numbers 

 greatly smaller than usual. Mr W. Evans of Edinburgh, arrived this 

 afternoon, to study the habits of the Chiff-Chaff. He went in the afternoon 

 to Whitehall, and did not return till 10.30 p.m.. He found the bird on the 

 tall elms, in front of the old mansion, and watched its motions for a long 

 time, but the nest was not discovered, although it must have been close at 

 hand. The Stockdove was found at the Steeple Heugh, where it seems 

 to have established itself. The S. Heugh is a picturesque scaur 100 feet 

 above the bed of the Whitadder near Whitehall, and is well-known to the 

 village boys, who frequently climb its rugged rocks after Jackdaws' nests. 

 A few notes about the East of Berwickshire migrants are contained in a 

 separate paper, and do not require to be noticed here. The similarity 

 between the Willow Wren and Chiff-Chaff, confuses many an observer, the 

 note of the latter being the only true guide. It is said by some to have 

 black legs, but this is a delusion, as many Willow Wrens have also black 

 legs. There can be no doubt, Berwickshire is a favourite resting place for 

 many of our summer migrants. From its comparative seclusion, and the 

 wooded nature of the country, it is well adapted as a place of sojourn of 

 these summer visitors. Its coast is rock-bound, and unfavourable for 

 their flight, as it is now well-known that their high road is by the rivers 

 and not over the high cliffs of the coast. This has been incontestably 

 proved at St. Abbs' lighthouse, where few birds are recorded as being seen 

 when compared with the rich record from the Isle of May. In examining 

 the woods to the north of Chirnside, a comparatively small number were 

 seen, compared with those in the woods by the river banks. Gold Crests, 

 Chaffinches, Redstarts, Tree Pipits, etc. were the principal denizens. At 

 Edington Hill, outside the cover, the keeper was busy rearing his young 

 Pheasants. A portion of the field was surrounded with wire netting to prevent 

 stoats, weasels, and cats from getting near the coops. We saw many of 

 the newly hatched birds, which require careful watching during the day, 

 to keep off Hawks and Crows. At night lanterns are used to scare foxes 

 and other enemies. 20th June, The Smaller Whitethroat is again at its 

 summer quarters at Broomdykes road end. Wagtails near Chirnside 

 station with more white in their plumage than usually seen. These are 

 strikingly handsome birds. A. long-shaped pale ash-coloured bird I have 

 come across several times this summer, but have been unable to name it. 

 What can it be ? Its size resembles the Flycatcher. The weather is cold 

 and windy for the season, as unlike midsummer as possible. The flowers 

 appear frosted on the edges. Something wrong altogether. Poppies of 

 the nudicaule section with slight protection are beautiful. Where fully 

 exposed their petals suffer from night frost. The Rallus aquaticus was 

 seen by me about this time at the iron bridge across the Blackadder near 

 the garden. It is a splendid diver and swims below water with great 

 swiftness. I had a good opportunity of seeing it on this occasion, as the 



