80 BIRDS OCCITRRINO NEAR RKHMOND. 



Scarcely do individuals of any species of British Birds vary in size more 

 than these; and I think if a distinction of the sexes by marks on the plumage 

 could be accurately ascertained, it would greatly tend to elucidate this point. 

 Were we in the dark concerning the sexes of the Sparrow- Hawk, how difficult 

 would it be so clearly to trace its changes: may not this be the case with 

 the Woodcock? We hear among sportsmen in this neighbourhood of "the 

 little red, the lanje black, the ash- coloured, etc.," all probably denoting the 

 bird at various ages, and perhaps also difference of size occasioned by the sex. 



The largest of the kind I ever had an opportunity of seeing, is now in a 

 state of preservation at Bolitho's, taxidermist, Plymouth, (by-the-by, any 

 ornithologist who visits this town, and would give him a call, would find an 

 hour or two pass almost inperceptibly in his upstair room, where he has a 

 fine private collection.) This bird was within the weight of a barleycorn of 

 sixteen ounces. Another, shot by my father on the 11th. of January, 1848, 

 weighed fourteen ounces. I think the average weight to be about eleven 

 ounces. The condition of the bird is a very nmterial cause of its weight, 

 for the fat assumes an unusual solidity. 



They leave us in the end of February and during March, though a straggler 

 may be found in the commencement of April, at which period I have noted 

 two occurrences. 



My chief purpose in making the foregoing remarks is to endeavour to draw 

 the attention of naturalists more particularly to this interesting species, for 

 there is no doubt at present great room for improving the history of the 

 Woodcock. 



Laira House, Plymouth, Fehrnary Srd., 18ij4. 



A NOTICE OP SOME OF THE 

 BIRDS OCCUilRING NEAR RICHMOND, IN YORKSHIRE. 



BY H. SMURTHWAITE, ESQ. 



I WAS much pleased with a list of the birds found in the vicinity of Leeds, 

 which appeared in "The Naturalist" a few months ago; papers of this description 

 must be read, I think, with pleasure b}' every lover of ornithology, for from 

 them he obtains information which no book can afford him. I subjoin a list 

 of birds which occur in our neighbourhood, omitting, of course, those which 

 are everywhere plentiful. 



The Osprey, (Pandion haliaetus.) — This bird is rare, having only been seen 

 once, as far as I can ascertain, near Richmond. It was, after many unsuccessful 

 attempts, shot, and is now in the collection of a gentleman residing in the town. 



The Merlin, (Falco aesalon,) is not very uncommon during the winter 

 months, and a few breed on the Grouse moors, placing the nest among the 



