The Scottish Naturalist. 
109 
mon in some seasons, such as those of 1868, 1872 (April and 
May), 1873 (winter up to February) 1883 (January and February), 
and 1884 (January). In the immediate neighbourhood examples 
have been procured at Kelso, Stobo, Rodono, and other places. 
Spotted Flycatcher {Muscicapa grisola). A common 
summer visitor, breeding in many places. 
Pied Flycatcher {Muscicapa atricapilla). Not known to 
breed regularly nearer than the centre of Northumberland, where 
it is not very rare in the Alnwick district. It is on record that 
prior to 1872 a pair were seen to fly out of some ivy at Long- 
shaw on Alwen Water in summer which were probably nesting 
there; and at Stobo, in Peebleshire, two pairs did so in 1885, 
and were again seen the next year. 
Red-breasted Flycatcher {Muscicapa parva). It is well 
known that an example was obtained by Mr. G. Bolam at Berwick- 
on-Tweed on October 5th, 1883, but none have been observed 
hereabouts. [See Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, x., p. 387.] 
Swallow {Hirundo rustica). A common summer visitor, 
arriving about the first or second week in April, and sometimes 
leaving as early as October. 
Martin {Chelidon iirbica). Not so abundant as might be ex- 
pected. Here and there numbers nest, as at Yetholm and on the 
railway bridge at Roxburgh ; but the bird appears to be scarcer 
than formerly, which, I think, is also the case in most parts of the 
eastern Borders. It also occurs in the wild country round St. 
Mary's Loch. 
Sand-Martin {Cotih riparld). Not uncommon, breeding 
chiefly in sandy*railway embankments. Its arrival is recorded as 
early as April 3rd. 
Tree Creeper {Certhia faniiliaris). Avery abundant species 
in the Border country, where the woods are well suited to its 
requirements. The nest is found either behind loose sheets of 
bark on tree stems, under the tile edgings of the roofs of sheds 
and boat-houses, or^in crevices of trunks. A certain preference 
is shown for the neighbourhood of w^ater. 
Goldfinch ( Cizr^f^f//^ elegans). This bird, which undoubtedly 
used to be plentiful all along the Border, and may have bred in 
the district, has now become exceedingly scarce. In some places 
it has disappeared entirely, in others it has reapj)eared at intervals. 
