C. H. BENTHAM, L. B. MOURITZ: HOBBY. 241 



witnessing the rare sight of adults and young on the wing 

 together. 



The latest date on which we observed the Harriers in 

 the district was on August oth, when the "Blue Hawk," 

 " Eingtail," and one of the young birds were seen on the 

 breeding ground. 



It was apparently shortly after this that both the adults 

 were shot by a gamekeeper, although we have been unable 

 to ascertain the precise date on which this lamentable 

 destruction occurred. There is also some reason to fear 

 that at least one of the young birds has also perished ; but 

 we have no definite information on this point. 



It is deeply to be deplored that, after having safely 

 reared their young without molestation, these magnificent 

 birds should have been ruthlessly slaughtered in the 

 interests of game-preserving. 



There aj^pears to be but one previous record of the 

 Hen-Harrier having nested in Surrey, some young birds 

 having been taken as long ago as 1842 (Bucknill, Birds of 

 Surrey). No mention, however, is made of the adult 

 birds, so that the value of the record is somewhat 

 lessened and is perhaps inconclusive. 



With regard to the Hobby, we first met with this in- 

 teresting species during 1907, on June 22nd, when a male 

 was observed in the vicinity of an extensive fir-wood, and 

 from the excited behaviour of the bird, we thought it 

 possible that there was a nest somewhere in the neighbour- 

 hood, and consequently made a search, which, however, 

 did not result in any further discoveries. 



During the first week in August we again visited the 

 locality, and on approaching the fir-wood were greeted 

 by the ringing Kestrel-like cry of the male Hobby, and 

 shortly after detected the bird perched on a dead tree- 

 stump, from which there was a good outlook over the 

 surrounding country. 



After we had been watching the male for about an 

 hour, his mate suddenly flew out of the wood and settled 

 on the top-most branch of . a tall pine, where she remained 



