BIRDS OF PREY. 19 
rather discursive, frequently proceeding some distance 
inland from its usual haunts on the seashore. The 
birds in question were no exception to these peculiarities, 
one being shot at Osberton, a few miles from Ollerton, 
at the beginning of January, 1857, and the other was 
killed several days later (January 13, 1857), at Lina 
Wood, near Laughton-en-le-Morthen, just across the 
northern border of Nottinghamshire. 
The latter bird was seen in the neighbourhood of 
Morthen for more than a fortnight before it was shot. 
On several occasions it was observed perched in a tree 
about a hundred yards from Pinch Mill, the person 
resident there taking it at that distance for a stray 
heron. Thomas Whitfield, the gamekeeper to J. C. 
Athorpe, Esq., of Dinnington, made many attempts to 
get within range of the bird, but was as often baffled by 
its wariness, It was observed to be much molested by 
crows and small birds, and frequently, as if to escape 
from persecutions which were beneath its notice to 
resent, it would mount into the air with graceful spiral 
curves until it became nearly lost to sight, leaving its 
puny assailants far below, and then would sweep as 
gracefully down again, with all the ease and lightness of 
wing of the swallow. 
It seems uncertain what its food consisted of during 
its sojourn, for it was not seen to make any attack. At 
night it roosted on a tree, but still maintained a vigilant 
watch. When perceived by Whitfield, it was perched 
on a tree on the outskirts of the wood; but the night 
being moonlight, it perceived his approach, and he 
had great difficulty in getting within gunshot. At the 
moment of his firing it flew off, and he thought he had 
failed in hitting it; but in the morning he found it dead 
c 2 
