Migration of Birds, dec. By Dr Charles Stuart. 573 



by rubbing himself up against bis friend and elevating his tail, shows in an 

 unmistakeable manner that he is glad to have him home again. Strange to 

 say that both dogs were inveterate enemies to all other cats, chasing them 

 at once off the premises. Wild Geese seldom light on the fields in Berwick- 

 shire, although this was not always so ; for I have on more than one occa- 

 sion tried to stalk them. On the farm of Dykegatehead, one day in November 

 last, I saw a considerable flock alight on the field to the south of the Pistol 

 Plantings. At Bowshiel near Cockburnspath, Mr Allan shot two right and 

 left, and at Bawburn in Lammermoor, they not only alighted but the 

 steward shot one on the young grass, which they were devouring. At 

 Wedderlie I am informed they also alight. 



16th September, A very hard frost indeed for the season. The fields 

 were as white as snow. The hoar-frost stuck to the corn like winter, and 

 when the sun came out, it fell from the trees. The Swallows fled, and 

 many of the summer migrants also. Dahlias, Potatoes, French Beans, 

 Vegetable Marrows, all suffered, more or less. In low-lying localities all 

 tender plants were completely killed down. 17th Sept. was also very 

 frosty, but not so much so as the day before. 18th, No Swallows seen 

 since the frost. 20th, Swallows have returned, saw them first near Paxton, 

 afterwards all the way home stray birds. 2 1st, Swallows still increasing 

 in numbers, at Broomdykes especially. 23rd, Many Swallows have re- 

 turned. Have they been sleeping in the cold weather ? Or only gone 

 farther south for a few days F Probably the latter. On the 30th near 

 Peelwalls, Ayton, many Swallows flying about. Warm weather, and much 

 insect food. A brisk breeze spi-ang up in the evening, which enabled the 

 farmers to get on with the leading of the corn. 



1st October, A warm wave appears to be passing over this country, the 

 heat being quite unusual at this season of the year. The thermometer rose 

 as high as 80°. The Newspapers state that it was only in some districts 

 that this unnatural heat was experienced in England, and continued for 

 several days in succession. The young Blackbirds in the trees behind my 

 house are singing or trying to do so. In fine days in Autumn this is often 

 the case. 4th Oct., Flushed a Woodcock in going up the approach at 

 Harelaw. The Foxhounds had been cub-hunting in Harelaw cover, and 

 probably disturbed it there. My Spaniel put it up three times among the 

 bushes, so that I had a perfect view. Finally it flew into the garden, and 

 alighted among the vegetables. Saw two Gray-backed Crows in the strip 

 of wood behind Broomdykes cottages. As they have frequented the 

 neighbourhood for two seasons, I believe they breed in the locality. 

 Another was seen near Blackadder Mount. The young Blackbirds are still 

 trying to sing ; Bobins and Starlings assisting. About Edingtonhill, Missel 

 Thrushes are very plentiful. Pied White Phasianus Colchicus at the Pistol 

 Plantings on 10th Oct. and on several occasions afterwards, a most beau- 

 tiful bird, but like all Albinos, very shy indeed. 13th Oct., a great fall in 

 the barometer, which ended in a perfect deluge of rain. 14th Oct., a very 

 bright clear day, after ten days of rain and mist. We have however 

 escaped the thunder and lightning which passed over the country farther 

 to the west on Wednesday week. 14th Oct., Flowered about a dozen of 



