Upper Goquetclale Natural History Notes. 129 



feeding the young on mice, water-rats, etc. A few days after the Merlin 

 was trapped, and it then appeared that he was supplying the young with 

 gi'ouse, partridges, etc. Mr Mather, Alwinton, obtained three of the 

 young birds, and kept one till it could fly. 



Hobby (Falco Subbuteo). Some years ago a specimen was shot at Heigh 

 in Kidland ; a migrant. 



Osprey (Pandiori Haliceetus). In 1883 a female Osprey was shot by 

 George Fife, keeper at Barra Scaurs. 



Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla) . This was first observed in 

 1882 by Davidson, the Clennell keeper. A pair had ejected a pair of 

 Redstarts from their favourite nesting place. They return annually. M. 

 grisola is scarce in this district. [Seen at Cragside and opposite Sharperton.] 



Grasshopper Warbler (Salicaria locustella). Rare. 



Goldfinch (Fringilla carduelis). In 1885, Goldfinches were seen at 

 Harbottle Peels, where James Rogerson unsuccessfully tried to snare them. 



Brown Linnet (Linaria cannabina). Scaica. 



White Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). A white Starling has been seen 

 frequently (1887) at Harbottle Peels. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker (Picus major). Example shot in 1887. 



King-fisher (Alcedo Ispida). A pair bred at Ramshaugh in 1885 ; and con- 

 tinued there in 1887. A few are sometimes seen in the Holystoneburn. 



Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus). "Common." [Particulars however 

 would be desireable.] 



Heron (Ardea cinerea). [Mr John Thomson, whose list of most of the 

 same birds drawn from the same source was sent me by Mr Thompson, 

 says that one of the shepherds at Uswayford, told him, that previously to 

 18G0, when it was shot, a particular Heron frequented the Us way barn, 

 near to his house for twenty years. Writing at Harbottle, he saw from 

 the window eight nests of Herons to the east, four to the west, and one 

 down in the hollow. — J. H.] 



Water- Rail (Rallus aquaticus). Found on the Alwin by Mr Miller, 

 Biddleston. 



Kittiwake Gull {Larus tridactylus) . Found dead on Woolhope Hills 

 (Kidland) some years ago. Mr Cordeaux on seeing it said he had never 

 known one so far west. [Doubtless the victim of a gale blowing it from 

 the Fame Islands.] 



QUADRUPEDS. 



Badger (Meles Taxus). One was found sleeping at Whiteburnshank 

 (Kidland), and killed by Mnrdie, the shepherd, and his dog; it was a 

 female and weighed 19 lbs. Recently several Badgers have taken up 

 quarters at Thrunton Crags, Whittingham, on the sandy banks. 



Polecat (Muatela putorius). Thirty years ago Polecats were common 

 here ; but are now almost extinct ; only one having been recently known, 

 which occurred in the winter of 1882, in the neighbourhood of Parkhouse. 

 No other has been seen during the last twenty-two years, the period 

 during which I have been here. 



Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). It was seven years after I came here that 

 the first Squirrel was trapped ; but now they are very plentiful — this 

 season (1887) as well as the last. 



