Ornithological notes. By g. bolam 91 



Whimbrel. Numenius phceopus (Linn.) 



These birds are most erratic in their migrations, and fre- 

 quently stay with us till very late in spring, or return again 

 very early in the autumn. On 14th May 1898, my brother 

 saw one on Yarrow Slake, just above the Royal Border 

 Bridge, at Berwick; and on 12th June 1899, one was still 

 frequenting the fields at Newton-by-the-Sea. 



Very early in July they may be heard passing over head 

 at night, on their return journey southwards, and, to those 

 who have an ear for such music, there are few notes more 

 familiar than the Whimbrel's oft repeated whistle amongst 



" The various cries sent down at night 

 By birds of passage on their flight." 



Nightingale. Danlias luscinia (Linn.) 



Mr G. G. Butler, Ewart Park, drew my attention to an 

 article (signed "P.A.G.") in The Outlook for 4th June 1898, 

 in which Lady Margaret Cameron, of Lochiel, is quoted as 

 writing from Achnacary : — "A nightingale was heard for 

 three weeks, and also seen, during the month of June 1889. 

 The thermometer 90° in the shade in May, very hot all 

 May, June, and July, but cold and wet in the south and 

 east of England." A reference is also made to my Whit- 

 tingham record for 1893, and the author then adds: — "The 

 same year (1893) the bird nested in the grounds of a friend 

 of the writer, in Glendale." 



I have no idea who " P.A.G." may be, and little or no 

 reliance can be attached to an anomymous statement of this 

 nature, but the above is at any rate sufficiently interesting 

 to merit a passing reference here. 



Short-eared Owl. Asio accipitrinus (Pallas.) 



During the early part of the summer 1898, three or four 

 of these owls might be seen, any afternoon, hawking over 

 the young plantations and rough grass fields at Haggerston, 

 where a generous protection is extended to all such birds 



