24 Proceedings. 



higher ground, which flows through the wood after periods 

 of rain. Being situated at the edge of the more inhabited 

 parts of Eeigate, it is evident that many of the species 

 frequenting more open or retired country can hardly be 

 expected to occur ; thus birds of prey are but rarely seen, 

 and the waders and swimming birds are almost wholly 

 absent. I will now proceed to enumerate the species in 

 order, referring to such facts as I have observed about each, 

 as may seem worth mention : — 



Kestrel. — Only very occasionally seen flying over. 



Sparrowhawk. — Seen now and then, but only at rare 

 intervals. 



Barn Owl, — Only very seldom seen ; more often heard 

 after dark. 



Brown Owl. — In the spring of 1880 one was frequently 

 heard hooting in the wood, nearly always in the same 

 locality ; but I could never succeed in seeing it, and I do 

 not think it was breeding there. 



Eed-backed Shrike. — We only see this bird here very 

 seldom, and not at all in most summers. I think they pro- 

 bably bred somewhere very near in 1872. 



Spotted Flycatcher. — An extremely common species fi-om 

 about May 8th till September, when it leaves us. In 1880 

 I saw a single bird as late as October 10th. The earliest 

 date I have recorded for its arrival is May 2nd, in 1869; and 

 in 1868 it had an egg by May 16th. For many years it used 

 to build on the stump of a small branch against the trunk of 

 an Elm standing close to a path along which persons were 

 frequently passing, and used to desert its nest very easily. 

 I saw a curious instance of the habit this species has of 

 pursuing insects on the wing on July 2nd last. A Yellow 

 Underwing was in my bedroom flying up and down against 

 the window, when a Flycatcher came and hovered outside, 

 within about nine inches of it, and appeared each moment as 

 if on the point of dashing at the moth through the glass. It 

 followed its movements up and down, poising itself all the 

 time on its wings and keeping at about the same distance, 

 until at some slight movement I made it flew away. On one 



