1770 Birds. 



major or Picus minor was the species captured ? — /. H. Gumey, William R. Fisher ; 

 May, 1847. 



Notes on the Partial Migration of Birds in Roxburghshire. — Many of our resident 

 birds are in some measure migratory and shift their quarters, at certain seasons in 

 most cases, but in others at uncertain periods. To trace these movements is, undoubt- 

 edly, an interesting occupation, and, as our Editor requests contributions on the sub- 

 ject, I shall put together the observations I have made in this locality, following the 

 footsteps of Mr. Hepburn (Zool. 1332), and Mr. Briggs (Zool. 1470). 



Of the few birds of prey which frequent this district, I am unable to record any- 

 thing decided as to partial migration. The range of this order of birds is so extensive, 

 and their babits and food require such long excursions and frequent changes of resi- 

 dence, that it is difficult to ascertain their movements with any degree of certainty : 

 their wild and wary nature, also in great measure, precludes accurate observations. 



The first bird I 'shall mention as a partial migrant is the missel thrush. After 

 rearing their broods in the neighbourhood of man, these birds collect into flocks, and 

 in the autumn months are to be found on moors and in upland districts, where they 

 feed upon the berries of the mountain-ash and other wild fruits. During winter, a 

 straggler is occasionally seen in severe weather, but the main body do not again ap- 

 pear till after the turn of the year, when their wild notes may be heard re-echoing 

 through the leafless woods in every part of the country. They have generally paired 

 when they return. 



The song thrush also leaves this district for a time in the depth of winter, gene- 

 rally in the month of November, and returns with the first mild weather in spring, 

 have recorded this fact in a previous volume of the 'Zoologist' (Zool. 493), and nr 

 friend, Mr. Hepburn has ascertained a similar migration in East Lothian. Thes 

 birds, are, however, not very regular in their departure and arrival, being much influ- 

 enced by the state of the weather. 



The gray and pied wagtails (Motacilla boarula and Yarellii), both leave this dis- 

 trict in winter, and their summer haunts may then be visited repeatedly without 

 bird of either species being seen. At times, however, a straggler appears in the neigh- 

 bourhood of houses during the winter, but soon disappears again. In spring (generally 

 in the end of March), these birds return and breed by our streams and rivers. 



Another partial migrant is the meadow pipit, which in this locality breeds chiefb 

 on moors and uplands, and is seldom found in the lower grounds. It leaves us in Oc- 

 tober, and does not return till March or April, when I have sometimes seen large 

 flocks, apparently just arrived from their winter quarters. These birds are often 

 great nuisance to shooters in autumn, frequenting stubbles and turnip-fields in great 

 numbers, and, especially in the latter, deceiving the dogs. 



The skylark migrates similarly to the meadow pipit, and there are none to be founc 

 in our fields from November to March, save perchance now and then a straggler. 

 Their arrival and departure are, however, by no means certain, and are greatly influ- 

 enced by the mildness or severity of the season. 



The reed-bunting is not an abundant species here, but is generally distributed. 

 Most of those which breed with us leave us at the approach of winter, but a few are 

 occasionally found associating with chaffinches and yellow-buntings, in the vicinity of 

 farm-yards throughout that period. 



The goldfinch is a rare bird in this locality, but flocks are sometimes seen in au- 

 tumn, feeding upon thistles, in the level haughs or commons by the Teviot. Mr. 



