Movements of Birds on Migration at Chirnside. 173 



hundreds frequent the grass fields, and are persecuted by Sparrow 

 Hawks and other birds of prey. 



Stdrnus vulgaris. — Common Starlings in countless flocks fly about at 

 all seasons over the district. I once observed a pure white specimen 

 in the middle of a large flock. 



Alcedo ispida. — The Kingfisher may occasionally be seen from most 

 of the bridges on the Whitadder. At Ninewells he is rarely absent. 



CucuLUS CANORUs. The Cuckoo is not so plentiful in the lower part 

 of Berwickshire as it is in Lammermoor. At Whitehall, Blackburn, 

 and other secluded places about the end of April ; his note is 

 welcomed as a harbinger of summer. 



Strigid^. — Owls were commoner at one time than they are now. I 

 once saw Scops Owl, flying about in the daylight near evening at 

 Whitehall. At the time I took it for a Woodcock — it just being the 

 season for that bird (the end of October.) 



Circus cyaneus.— (Hen Harrier) a female shot by Mr Walker at 

 Edington Hill, and preserved at Ninewells. 



Ardka cinerea. — The Common Heron is a most picturesque bird, 

 and very common on the river Whitadder, where he remains at all 

 seasons. The Heronry at the Pistol Woods is well preserved, and 

 the young taken care of. The keepers inform me that the young 

 birds walk about in the ditches there, catching frogs and other food 

 all the summer, till they are strong on the wing and capable of 

 taking care of themselves. 



Fuligula cristata. — The Tufted Duck has bred this season on "The 

 Hen Poo at Duns ;" has been carefully observed by Mr John Ferguson. 



Crex pratensis. — Landrail, on 7th May. I put a Landrail up from 

 a patch of Hellebores in my garden. The bird was evidently a new 

 arrival, and scuttled along the ground, never offering to fly, and 

 escaped into the fields through the bottom of a hedge. 14th May is 

 on an average their arrival ; and my man, in cutting the hay, found a 

 nest near the house with; ten eggs, putting the bird up. 



Charardrius pluvialis. — Golden Plover frequents the ploughed fields 

 in the parish of Whitsome in autumn. These birds breed on Cheviot, 

 having caught their young on the very summit. 



Vanellus vulgaris. — Lapwing. In large flocks as long as fresh 

 weather continues ; these birds pass the windows here morning and 

 evening. In a moderate frost they frequent the seashore ; but in a 

 continued hard frost they proceed to the mud flats of Holland, and 

 return in spring. 



ToTANUS HYPOLEUCUS. — Common Sandpiper seen on Whitadder, April 

 24th, and a regular spring visitor. Flitting about on the river, it 

 is a weloorae sight after the winter. 



Carduelis elegans. Goldfinch. — After being invisible for some years, 

 this lovely bird is again on the Whitadder banks, where thistles and 

 other composite plants furnish the food necessary for its existence. 

 In June and November we have observed pairs. 



