Birds. 1333 



partial migration of this species, which is not so common during win- 

 ter, and they are always most abundant for a short period in October. 



Kestril, Falco Tinnunculus. There is annually a very marked addi- 

 tion to the numbers of this bird towards the latter end of October, but 

 they speedily depart, and I have seen several months elapse during 

 some winters without seeing a single individual, and they are never 

 so common as during the more agreeable seasons of the year. 



Sparrow-hawk, Accipiter fringillarius. Are also more numerous 

 for a short period in October. Now, though the influx of the above- 

 mentioned birds is very apparent in autumn, yet the experience of the 

 writer does not enable him to note any similar increase in spring ; the 

 migration or local shiftings of the kestril is the most striking of any. 



Jay, Garrulm glandarius. Is a permanent denizen of the noble 

 woods of Tynningham, whence a few depart to spend the winter in 

 the southern plantations of this parish, and chiefly in Presmenan 

 wood in the adjoining parish of Stenton, where the oak, the beech, and 

 the hazle abound. 



Song-thrush, Turdus musicus. Departs annually about the end of 

 October or beginning of November and returns early in February ; two 

 or three solitary individuals may be seen during winter, but I have as- 

 certained from my friends, Thomas Durham Weir, Esq. of Boghead, 

 West Lothian, and Mr. Jerdon in Roxburghshire, that this migration 

 or shifting also takes place in their respective neighbourhoods. 



Redbreast, Erithaca Rubecula. The greater proportion of this 

 species departs in October, and returns in March ; this is to me a new 

 movement of which I had long entertained doubts, but these have 

 been dispelled by facts. 



Red Wagtail, Motacilla Yarrelli. Departs early in October, and 

 returns in pairs in March; but to what mysterious cause are we to as- 

 cribe the fact of this being the only resident wagtail during winter in 

 Mid-Lothian and Peeblesshire, whereas the gray or yellow wagtail 

 (Motacilla Boarula), is the only winter resident belonging to this 

 genus in East-Lothian. 



Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis. Forsakes its chosen summer 

 haunts, the Lammermoors. and the rocky untilled eminences, for the 

 cultivated fields, till warned of the approach of winter, he takes his 

 departure from the interior in October, and does not return to his 

 summer haunts till March. Considerable numbers of these birds are 

 found on the rough grassy knolls and sand-hills near the Firth of 

 Forth in all seasons, but I feel assured that those haunting the interior 

 in summer, remove to some other district. 



