420 A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN MIDDLESEX. 



A Velvet Scoter, in a very emaciated state, was obtained during the severe 

 frost ; and about the same time Mr. Hoy procured two in Suffolk, in equally re- 

 duced condition. This bird I never previously knew to occur in the London 

 market, except during the winter, I believe, of 1832-3, when it was not uncom- 

 mon. A few seasons ago, Mr. Bartlett received a recent Surf Scoter {Oidemia 

 perspicillata) for the purpose of stuffing ; and he has also seen an immature Red- 

 crested Pochard exposed for sale. 



I shall conclude this notice by recording the fact of eleven Greylag Geese (Anser 

 cinereus) having been brought in the course of the winter; three of them occurred 

 in November, five in January, and the other three in March. Few naturalists 

 are aware how rare in Britain, and how little known to the majority of British 

 ornithologists, even of those who think they are acquainted with it, is this species 

 of " Wild Goose." One constant character by which it may be recognized is the 

 pale grey colour of the rump, which in the other species is always very dark brown. 



A LIST OF BIRDS FOUND IN MIDDLESEX. 



By H. J. Torre. 



I beg to thank you for the kind manner in which you noticed my letter (p. 313) 

 of last month, and fully perceive the error I committed in concealing my name. 

 Following the example of some of your other correspondents, I subjoin a list of 

 birds which have been found in this neighbourhood during the last seven or eight 

 years . I think it may be considered correct, as by far the greater part I have 

 myself observed; and the remainder — to which a mark (f) is prefixed — I have 

 received from a respectable animal-preserver of this town. Should you have 

 already received an ornithological list from Middlesex, or find deficiencies in this, 

 you will of course have no scruples in dispensing with it.* 



Order I. Raptores, Preyers. 



Falcon family, Falconidce. — Kestril Falcon, Falco tinnunculus ; tMerlin 

 Falcon, F. cesalon; Hobby Falcon, F.subbuteo ; Sparrow Hawk, Accipiter nisus; 

 tCommon Buzzard, Buteo vulgaris. 



* As Mr. Torre has done us the honour of adopting the nomenclature of out British Song Birds 

 as regards the native choristers, and since he had employed that of M. Temminck for the other 

 species, we have taken the liberty of substituting more modern names for the latter, and of adding 

 the family designations, both English and Latin — an arrangement, sve trust, which will meet the 

 approbation of our correspondent. — Ed. 



