532 



Notes on Birds seen by John Barrie, Jnr., Preston. 



1889. 

 3rd March Grey Wagtails first seen at Preston. 

 5th ,, Pied „ ,. . „ 



9th April Cuckoo first heard. 



12th ,, Common Sandpipers seen on Whiteadder. 



14th „ Sand Martins ,, ,, Scanrs. 



19th ,, House Martins first seen. 



30th ,, Redstarts first seen. 



1st May Swifts and Swallows first seen. 



1st ,, Wheatears and Whinchats. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker. — Numerous this season ; one was shot at 



Duns Castle on 4th October 1889, and on 8th of same month a male 



was obtained in Buncle wood, and since that date other two have been 



observed in same plantation. 

 Wood Warbler. — A few visit the Retreat woods and Whiteadder banks 



about the beginning of May, where they breed. 

 Sedge Warbler. — Plentiful on the Whiteadder banks, arriving early in 



April. 

 Grasshopper Warbler.— A few of this species visit the young plantation 



between Hoardweel and Drake my re moors, arriving early in June ; 



one was obtained on 6th July 1888 ; and as sevei'al more were heard, 



there can be no doubt but they breed there. 

 Marsh Tit. — Very scarce on the Whiteadder banks; one was shot at 



Preston Bridge on 6th February 1889. 

 Great Grey Shrike. — A fine male specimen was shot on Cumledge estate 



in November last. 

 Hen Harrier. — A young male was trapped on Drakemyre moor in 



January 1889. 

 Common Wigeon. — A few visit the Whiteadder during the winter months. 

 Crossbills. — The Common Crossbill has been frequently observed this 



winter feeding on the surrounding Larches ; a male specimen of the 



American White Winged was shot in the Stanshiel covert on 19th 



December ; it was in company with a female of the Common 



Crossbill. 

 Snipe. — Plentiful in the marshes, Jack and Common. 

 Kingfisher. — These birds are not often seen on the Whiteadder during the 



summer months, they are commoner in the autumn, as they come down 



the water on their way to Tweed side. 

 Siskins. — Sometimes seen feeding on Alders at the water-side. 

 Kestrel and Sparrow Hawks are occasionally seen ; they breed yearly in 



Buncle wood. 

 Bullfinches are very numerous this winter. 



