THE BIRDS OF UERTFOUDSHIRE. 91 



1886, the Hon. Walter Rothschild obtained a bird of this species 

 in Tring Park when shooting food for a tame owl, and the bird is 

 preserved in the Tring Tark collection. 



92. Swift {Cypselus apm). — A common summer visitor. 



93. KioHTJAK ( Capnmu/gtis europceus). — A fairly plentiful summer 

 visitor in suitable localities. 



94. Wryneck {lynx torquilla). — A plentiful summer visitor, 

 though rather local. 



95. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major). — A resi- 

 dent, plentiful in the western and north-western parts of the 

 county and not uncommon in other districts. 



9(5. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker {Dendrocopus minor). — A not 

 uncommon resident ; prefers parks with fine old trees. 



97. Green Woodpeckeu {Gecinus viridis). — Resident and 

 plentiful. 



98. Kingfisher {Alcedo ispida). — k fairly plentiful resident in 

 some parts of the county, but sadly persecuted on account of its 

 brilliant plumage. 



99. RoLLKR {Coracia-t gamilus). — On 20th September, 1852, 

 a roller was obtained at Callipers, near Chipperfield. 



100. Hoopoe {Upupa epops). — The late Mr. Littleboy stated that 

 this species had been obtained on several occasions in this county, 

 but 1 can only find two records of it. In May, 1882, one in fine 

 plumage was shot in the parish of Welwyn by a keeper named 

 Gooch, who had it preserved; and in April, 1888, one was seen 

 at The Hoo, Gaddesden. 



101. Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). — A common summer visitor. 

 The egg of this bird has been found in the nests of the following 

 birds, amongst others, in this county : — stonechat, swallow, hedge- 

 sparrow, wagtail, meadow-pipit, reed-warbler, whitethroat, and 

 robin. 



1 02. White Owl [Strix flammea). — Resident and fairly plentiful, 

 though persecuted by gamekeepers. 



103. Long-eared Owl {Asio otus). — Resident, but very local. 



104. Short eared Owl {Asio accipitrinus). — An occasional winter 

 visitor, sometimes in numbers. 



105. Taavny Owl {Syrnium ahico). — A plentiful resident in 

 wooded districts. 



106. Little Owl {Athene noctiia). — In May, 1877, a specimen 

 of this bird was procured at Ashwell, near Royston, and in 1897 

 a pair, which hatched two young ones, nested in the county. 

 I am not at liberty to state the exact locality, as my informant 

 is afraid of the birds being disturbed, but 1 am quite satisfied 

 with the evidence supplied to me. Of course it is very likely that 

 these birds were originally turned out or were the descendants of 

 turned-out birds, but an occurrence of this kind shows that such 

 birds may become naturalized in a place. 



107. Hen-Harhier {Circus cyaneus). — On 28th October, 1883, 

 a hen-harrier was seen at Weston Manor, Stevenage, by 

 Mr. M. R. Pryor, who was positive as to the correct identification 



