44 REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1899 



the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland for 1895, a paper 

 which may be consulted with advantage. Mr Oraig-Brown 

 remarked that the Camp was mentioned in an Act of 

 Parliament as the " Pickwork." which he suggested might 

 account for the name of "Pickwork ditch" sometimes given 

 to the Catrail. 



By the courtesy of Professor Pringle Pattison, the policies 

 of the Haining were thrown open to the Club, and the 

 grounds and exquisite bits of scenery were much admired. 

 An eyesore to some of the party was the somewhat muddy- 

 looking water of the lake, occasioned by the presence of a 

 minute species of Alga, which is referred to by Dr Paul 

 in Appendix II. 



The party next proceeded, by Hartwoodburn Meadow, to 

 the Lang Moss near Clarilaw Moor, where, as well as on 

 Whitmuirhall Moss, some good botanical work was done, 

 under the guidance of Mr Boyd. A notice of the chief 

 plants found is given by Dr Paul in Appendix II. to this 

 Report. 



On the return to Selkirk, a most instructive and enjoyable 

 day was brought to a couclusiou by the usual dinner at 

 the Station Hotel. 



Mr D. Carnegie Alexander, Thirladean, supplied the Secre- 

 tary with a long and interesting list of birds observed in 

 Selkirkshire, from which we find that the Raven is still found 

 breeding on Meggat Water, and is not unfrequently seen. An 

 Osprey was seen in Ettrick in 1899, and Mr Scott Anderson 

 has a specimen stuffed, which was killed close to the Shaws. 

 Merlins have been known to nest at Yair, and such rarities 

 as the Red-legged Hobby and the Kite are reported to 

 have been seen. The Rough-legged Buzzard, as might be 

 expected, occasionally visits the district in winter. The Barn 

 Owl is not unknown, and at the time of the Vole-plague 

 the Short-eared Owl became quite common. A Great Grey 

 Shrike was seen at the Haining during the present year, 



