158 
The Scottish Naturalist. 
bird was obtained there prior to 1874. {Hist. Ber. Nat. Cluby 
vii., p. 305.) 
Golden Plover {Charadrius pluvialis). Common on the 
Cheviots, and extending to the other hills. It breeds in this 
district about the beginning of May, being one of the earliest of 
the moor birds; but late nests may be found in June. The 
sites chosen are invariably on the higher portions of the hills, and 
in ascending these one may calculate on meeting with the birds at 
an altitude, roughly speaking, of 1500 feet. 
Grey Plover ( Squatarola helvetica). Though not uncommon 
on the nearest part of the East Coast from autumn to spring, no 
examples are recorded from the interior. It arrives on the shores 
about August at the earliest, being then in summer plumage. 
Ring Plover (^gialitis Maticula). Breeds on the Tweed 
near Kelso, and probably has done so near Coldstream, while 
undoubted instances have occurred near Jedburgh and on the 
lower part of the Teviot. Most of these places are from 25 to 30 
miles from the coast, where the bird is common. 
Lapwing (Vanellus vulgaris). Curiously local, being very- 
abundant in both wild and cultivated country in some parts, while 
in others it is almost unknown. In the immediate neighbourhood 
of Melrose it is not very common. 
Oystercatcher {Hoematoims ostralegus). Seldom seen so 
far inland, but instances have occurred at (Scotch) Belford on the 
Bowmont and Dryburgh on the Tweed, as well as at Stobo in 
Peeblesshire. 
Red-Necked Phalarope {Fhalaropus hyperboreus). Only 
recorded from the Dunbar coast, as far as these parts are con- 
cerned. 
Grey Phalarope ( Fhalaropus fuHcarius). An example was 
procured at Millerstain in Berwickshire on November 14th, 
1875- 
Woodcock {Scolopax rusticula). This species nests at Bow- 
hill, and a brood was noticed at Abbotsford, on May 26th, 1867, 
so that both in Selkirkshire and Roxburghshire the bird remains 
during the summer, as it does in Northumberland and other 
counties adjoining. No doubt many other instances of its breed- 
ing will be forthcoming shortly, as it is apparently increasing on 
the Borders. 
Great Snipe {Gallinago major). Occurs occasionally in 
