NOTES FROM GARDEN AND FIELD 115 



which cannot be excelled. It was raised by Mr Melville, 

 at Dunrobin Castle. Galanthus robustus (Baker) is another 

 gem, and G. imperati and many other forms. I may not 

 omit, however, a most robust and elegant Galanthus from 

 M. Atlas {Galanthus whittali), which is perhaps as early as 

 any. G. Msvesii, from the Crimea, has size in its favour, 

 and a globular form is attractive. For early spring flowers, 

 nothing gives more satisfaction than a cold frame devoted 

 to treasures like the Galanthus family, interspersed with 

 Cyclamen coum, Scilla Sibirica, Chionodoxa lucillue, Sisyren- 

 chiums (white and lilac), Iris stylosa, Iris kreilagii, Iris 

 reticulata, etc. For, after all, our spring flowers give us 

 more pleasure than those which come later, and more in 

 profusion. 



I have eudeavoured to notice a few plants incidental to 

 the back end of the year and the early spring, and will 

 now give a few notes on the autumnal and spring migration 

 of birds. 



The Swallow fled from our harsh climate very early this 

 last autumn, all being gone by the 4th October ; were first 

 seen at Allanton Bridge, on the 21st April. The Swifts 

 remained a month longer with us than usual. They gener- 

 ally leave with the first Lammas flood, about the 12th 

 August ; first observed about 10th May. If weather is 

 fresh, Swallows will remain with us till the end of October, 

 or even later. Should a sharp frost occur, as it did this 

 past season, and no insect food to be had, they suddenly 

 disappear. 



Few of our summer migrants are seen after September. 

 No doubt young birds remain till they are strong enough 

 to fly a distance. The Willow Wren and Whitethroats 

 are often seen at a late season, feeding on the remains of 

 currants and raspberries. Frost causes many of our song- 

 sters to cross the sea to warmer quarters, as reported by 

 the lighthouse keepers on our coasts. The Thrush is often 

 killed by knocking itself against the lanterns of a lighthouse 

 at night. It is remarkable, however, in this severe storm 

 of 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th February, with nineteen degrees 

 of frost through the night, that this bird, in considerable 

 numbers, is in the Eastern Borders. Taking particular 



