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NOTES ON THE OCCURRENCES OF RARE BIRDS 

 IN HEREFORDSHIRE AND RADNORSHIRE. 



By MR. JAMES "W. LLOYD, Kixgton. 



Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). — A young bird of this species was 

 shot, about the end of the year 18G6, in a wood near Leominster. The wood- 

 man who killed it believed it had been bred in the wood as there were two 

 others in company with it. This bird was exhibited in the window of Mr. 

 Sasby, of Leominster, in December, 1866. 



Hobby (Fa!co subbuteo). — I have two specimens of this rare and beauti- 

 ful little falcon, shot a few years back in Brampton Brian park in this county. 

 I believe they are both females. 



Kite ( Falco milvus). —This rare bird still breeds on Radnor Forest. 

 Two young birds were obtained in 1868, one is now kept in the gardens of 

 Eywood, perfectly tame. 



Kites were formerly pretty common on the forest, numbers being trapped 

 at the Rabbit Warren, Watcr-break-its-neck. The warren has been recently 

 destroyed and the birds are consequently less common. 



The kite has nested in Brampton Brian Park, in this county. The 

 park-keeper found a nest, and after patient watching managed to kill the male 

 bii-d ; the female I believe found a new mate and returned to share the same 

 fate. One or more of these birds are preserved in the Ludlow IMuseum. 



Buzzard (Falco bitteoj. — Buzzards were also frequently trapped at the 

 Warren on Radnor Forest, and doubtless breed there. 



I have a fine specimen killed at Brampton Brian. 



One was killed at Eywood about two years ago, and his body adorned (?) 

 the gamekeeper's scaffold there for some time. 



Short-eared Owl (Stryx hracliyotus). — A specimen of this owl was shot 

 close to the town of Kington some few years back. 



Great Gray Shrike (Lanius excubltorj.— In March, 1865, I saw a fine 

 bird of this species which had been shot in Radnorshire, near the town of 

 Builth. 



Dipper, or Water Ouzel (Cynclus aquaUcvi).— This pretty bird is 

 common on the streams near Kington, and a favourite nesting place with it is 

 upon the ledges of the iron girders of the railway bridges. It is also frequent on 

 the Lugg in the centre of the county at Hampton Court, as noticed on the visit 

 of the Club there last year. 



Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatusJ.—Tida bird occurs on Radnor Forest 

 where it probably breeds, but this I have not been able to prove. 



