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Mr. G. E. Rattigan,



directions round the house. On one occasion I surprised two sitting

in a low ivy covered stump in the dingle behind the house. They

allowed me to approach within a yard or less of them before sud¬

denly taking to flight, and as they did so made a stoop at my head

and at the same time voided a regular stream of excreta over me,

most of which happily missed the mark by a fraction of an inch.

This in my opinion was no mere chance happening but done with

deliberation to cover their retreat, which it certainly would have

done most effectively had I had any designs upon them.


Barn Owls. Probably fairly numerous, though I have

actually only seen two. One on the 20th February and again on

the 1st March ; this was very likely the same bird on both occa¬

sions as it appeared in exactly the same spot and at almost the

same time on each date. This was the to me rather extraordinary

hour of four p.m. It was then, of course, broad daylight, and

the sun was shining brightly.This fact however did not appear

to concern the owl in the least degree, as it systematically quartered

the ground, paying particular attention to the hedges and bushes,

though to me it formed a very unusual and bizarre appearance.


On the second occasion a kestrel was in the air at the same

time and within a few yards of the owl, forming an interesting

contrast and accentuating the impression of the unusualness of the

occurrence. The owl on this occasion passed within a few feet of

where I was concealed behind the hedge and shortly after I saw it

pounce on something, probably a mouse or a vole, in a field adjoining.

Beyond these two species I have not seen nor heard any other

species of owl in this district up to the present.


THE CROW TRIBE.


ROOKS are, as in most parts of the country, very numerous,

and so much has been written upon them and their ways that in¬

teresting though they undoubtedly are they do not call for much

comment here beyond the fact that for some weeks past now (22nd

March) I have noticed them very busy repairing and spring cleaning

their old homes, a pleasant reminder amidst this wretched weather

that spring is at hand.


* During the winter, a pair of Barn owls was constantly about in the middle

of the day close to my house. — ED.



