238 Birds. 



Notes on various Birds. By Robert Dick Duncan, Esq. 



Allow me to express the delight with which I have hitherto pe- 

 rused * The Zoologist.' If the following remarks contain anything 

 worthy of record in that periodical, I shall be much gratified. 



The Skylark is frequently called the " bird of the dawn," and 

 doubtless the designation is most appropriate. Who can wander 

 forth on a May morning without having recalled to his mind Shak- 

 speare's beautiful song in Cymbeline ? 



" Hark ! hark I the lark at heaven's gate sings, 

 And Phoebus 'gins arise, 

 His steeds to water at those springs 



On chaliced flowers that lies ; 

 And winking Mary-buds begin 

 To ope their golden eyes," &c. 



A few weeks ago, however, whilst returning home from an evening 

 ramble in Drumshoreland moor, I heard, long after sunset, two sky- 

 larks singing their songs. The night was too dark for me accurately 

 to ascertain the hour ; but it was so late that it was impossible to re- 

 cognise, at any distance, individual hedges or fields or woods. As 1 

 passed along a lea, a lark commenced warbling in a low inward tone. 

 It seemed as if sitting by the side of its nest, and singing its mate 

 asleep. Soon, however, the notes swelled louder and louder, till the 

 still air of night resounded with its song. The unusual circumstance 

 in a short time awakened another lark in an adjoining field, and then 

 the two emulous creatures strained every nerve. It was a delightful 

 hour to me. As I gazed up into the firmament, and — the earth being 

 enveloped in darkness — could only think of the worlds above, while 

 listening to the songs of the larks, I felt as if for once I had an an- 

 gel's ear, and heard the music of the spheres. 



Tlie Titlark {Anthus arhoreus), is generally reckoned a *rara avis ' 

 in the Lothians. This year, however, three pairs have taken up their 

 summer residence in our neighbourhood. For a long time I con- 

 founded this bird with its friend the titling ; but, as in the case of 

 Mr. Weir, the discovery of its nest, and its almost invariable habit of 

 rising from and alighting on trees, at length convinced me that I had 

 the pleasure of being acquainted with two of the pipit family. 



The Fieldfare. The roost of the fieldfares has often been adverted 

 to. Selby, Jardine, Thompson, &c., contrary to the assertions of 

 other naturalists, tell us tliat they occasionally resort to pines and 



