85 
The Honey Buzzard is only occasionally met with, mostly in 
the Eastern parts ; it generally feeds on wasps. 
The Red-footed Falcon, Hobby, Gos Hawk, Marsh Harrier, 
and Montague’s Harrier are rare visitors. 
The Lesser Kestrel, which is excluded from the British birds, 
was taken alive by Mr. Gordan, at Dover, near the Castle ; it is to 
be noted as of very rare occurrence in the British Isles. 
THE STRIGIDAl.—(page 105.) 
The Strigidz, so conspicuously useful to man, are certainly 
getting scarcer, even the Common Barn Owl is not so protected as 
formerly, when it was common to leave a hole in the barn porch 
for him to enter. Has the thrashing machine anything to do with 
it? Owls are among the common birds sent to the taxidermist, 
and an owl is frequently among the stuffed specimens seen in 
country houses. As may be noted in my list, one specimen of 
the Snowy Owl was obtained from near Faversham. I fear 
game keepers have no liking for owls, considering how often they 
destroy them. 
In confinement Owls are most interesting birds, and they are 
constantly advertised as domestic pets. So this may have some- 
thing to do with their being found in diminished numbers. I had 
once a Barn Owl for sometime in confinement, and it was quite as 
partial to sparrows as to mice. The specimen was a lady, and 
received clandestine visits from one of the male sex, until one 
night the gentleman managed to undo the door of the cage and let 
his lady-love free. I gave him credit for great intelligence, and 
was rather glad he had so gallantly rescued the captive. 
The Lantide are represented by the great Grey Shrike, and 
the Red-backed Shrike. The former rare bird has been met with 
several times in my immediate neighbourhood, frequenting the 
white thorn bushes that skirt the marshes near Grove Ferry. 
ORIOLID_.-—(page .105) 
The only British representative of the Family Oriolide, the 
Golden Oriole, has been frequently met with in this part of Kent; 
and the Rev. W. B. Delmar has not only met with several young 
birds, but also obtained a nest, which was discovered in a coppice 
near Elmstone. They have been found in the Kentish cherry 
orchards. There is little doubt but that these beautiful birds 
would breed here if left undisturbed; they have frequently 
appeared in the Isle of Thanet. 
The Family of Zurdidw are nearly all found in Kent, the 
