BIRDS OF LEICESTERSIIIIIE. 649 



sad havoc amongst Dove-cot Pigeons, searches for food late 

 in the evening, and is perhaps the latest preyer of our diurnal 

 non-migrating birds of prey. 



8. Kite. Milxm Ictinus. Although not many years ago not 



uncommon, now very rare. A fine specimen was killed by 

 Mr Chaplin, in Martinshaw AVood, in December. 



9. Common Buzzard. Buteo vulgaris. Not plentiful. Breeds 

 sometimes in Bardow Wood. Used to be very common, 

 and nestles in most of our largo woods. Resident, and feeds 

 much on rabbits. Very subject to variations in plumage. 



10. Eough-legged Buzzard. Buteo lagopus. An occasional 

 winter visitor. Feeds much on rabbits. Thirteen speci- 

 mens were obtained in these partsinthe winter of 1839-40. 



11. Marsh Harrier. Circus riifus. Occasionally met with, 

 but does not breed in the county. 



12. He7i Harrier. Circus cyaneus. Now and then met with 

 in the shooting season. Many instances are on record of 

 its bearing away wounded partridges, in despite of the ma- 

 ledictions of sportsmen. Vulgarly called Blue Hawk in 

 these parts. 



13. Long-eared Owl. Otus tulgaris. Permanently resident. 

 Nestles in hollow trees. Not plentiful now ; but used to 

 be found in abundance in Bradgato and Ganendon Parks. 



14. Shoi't-eai'ed Old. Otus hrachyotus. Common. Found in 

 the autumnal months on wheat stubbles. Feeds much, if 

 not principally, on moles and mice. I never found its nest, 

 and cannot say whether it breeds in this county. 



15. White Old. Strix Jlammea. Plentiful. Permanently 

 resident. Nestles in old hollow or decayed trees, particu- 

 larly if they are well overgrown with ivy ; also in barns, 

 churches, and ruins. Plentiful about the old stables at 

 Bradgate Park. I have seen the young of this species in 

 several stages of growth taken from the same nest. 



16. Tatcng Owl. Sgrnium Aluco. Common. Remains with 

 us all the year. Inhabits our closest woods. Nestles early 

 in some hollow tree, well clad with ivy. Remarkable for 

 " hooting." Preys much on young partridges. 



17. Cinereous Shrike. Lanius Excubitor. Rare. A winter 



