Notes on Birds in the Eastern Borders. 327 



performers. In desperation he fed at my window with the 

 other birds, all through the storm, on scraps from the table, 

 meal-dust, and other soft food, which was supplied hot to 

 the famishing creatures, morning and evening. It was a 

 sight to see twenty or thirty Starlings at work in the warm 

 food, pounding each other with their sharp beaks, and 

 keeping off every other bird till they were satisfied. 



On the 15th March I saw the Gray Wagtail at Allanton 

 Bridge, evidently newly arrived, as it flew into a branch of 

 a tree, and sat uneasily. 2nd April — Water Ousels at Blan- 

 erne and other bridges on the Whitadder. Saw a Heron, 

 at Blanerne Bridge, capture a trout ^-Ib. weight; held him 

 fast, and swallowed him with great difficulty, head first. 



The bog at Craig's Walls, in Eilrom Parish, became a 

 considerable lake from melting snow. A pair of Swans for 

 a week disported themselves on its surface, and there pairs 

 of Coots for a much longer time also ; but when the water 

 dried up, by the 4th May, they departed. 12th April — six 

 Sand Martins at Duns Castle Loch, two pairs of Tufted 

 Ducks, and one pair of Pochards. Mr Ferguson, Duns, was 

 my informant. The Chiff Chaff at Whitehall and Duns 

 Castle the same day. 15th April — Sand Martins at Allauton 

 Bridge. 19th April — Sand Martins at East Blanerne. 23rd 

 April — a remarkably balmy day — many summer migrants 

 arrived. Saw three Redstarts (males) near Blanerne, many 

 Willow Wrens, Pied Wagtails, Gray Wagtails, Wheatears, 

 and Pied Blackbirds. 26th and 27th April — Cuckoo heard 

 and seen near Chirnside Railway Station. Gray Sandpiper 

 on the river. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th May — Landrail or Corn- 

 crake at Ninewells Mains, ou young grass. 25th April — 

 first Swallow at West Spittal Mains, near Hutton. 9th May 

 — first Swifts at their old station in the village. Their first 

 operation was to invade the Sparrows' nests, pull out their 

 young ones and throw them on the ground, taking possession 

 themselves. 



May 17th — a severe rain storm from the north, for several 

 days, put the new arrivals to great straits. Swallows and 

 Flycatchers, getting no insect food, were so benumbed with 

 the cold as to be easily caught with the hand. 



The Whitethroats are very numerous this season, and their 

 warning note is heard in every hedge. I have again heard 



