328 Notes on Birds in the Eastern Borders. 



the song of the Smaller Whitethroat, near where it nested 

 a few years ago, at Blackadder. Since that time it has been 

 seen there and near Berry well, Duns. 



Mr Eerguson and Mr W. Evans of Edinburgh, two most 

 reliable observers, have again seen the Greater Spotted 

 Woodpecker nesting in Duns Castle Woods about a month 

 ago (June 1895.) Last season these birds were observed at 

 Duns Castle, Langtou, and near Longformacus ; and it is to 

 be hoped that no one will molest them, and that they 

 eventually will become permanent residents. 



Redstarts are more numerous in this district than during 

 last year. They always return to their old haunts, near 

 decaying buildings and dry stone dykes. They are a very 

 shy bird. The male Hedstart is singularly handsome, with 

 his black head, white topping, and mahogany coloured tail. 



The Grasshopper Warbler was heard, upon arrival, near 

 Whitsome, about a month ago (5th June) and excited the 

 astonishment of the natives who heard him. 



The Black Cap, Garden Warbler, and Wood Wren are all 

 at Ninewells, on the river banks. On 20th June saw the 

 Lesser Whitethroat near Berrywell, Duns. 



The Redshank has nested at Rawburn, near Longformacus, 

 since 189,3. This bird was never previously observed there. 

 [A Redshank, in the plumage of the first year, was first 

 observed at Rawburn, by Mr Wilson, in August 1882. It 

 was afterwards shot by the gamekeeper, and Mr Wilson 

 presented me with the skin. — See Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, x., 

 p. 475. There is a fuller notice, in a subsequent volume, 

 from the same locality. — J.H.] 



When Grouse disease was prevalent, the hill Partridges 

 took possession of a considerable tract of Grouse ground 

 at Rawburn, Longformacus, and have held their own 

 against all comers. These birds are five miles from corn 

 fields; therefore the principal part of their food must be 

 heather tops. 



I am informed by the keepers on Edington Hill that, 

 when the Pheasant shooting is proceeding, the old cocks 

 when they hear the noise made by the beaters, have become 

 aware what it means, and run for the rabbit burrows, in 

 which they hide till the danger is past. I have often heard 

 of them running and getting into a thick spruce fir tree, 



