4 
RAPTORES.—Fa.conipa. 
White-tailed Eagle, Halieetus Albicilla. 1 saw and shot at one, 
wounding it badly, some years ago, at Leasowe. This bird 
was afterwards found dead on a neighbouring field. 
Hobby, Falco Subbuteo. Is occasionally obtained in spring (?) 
and autumn, in Burton and elsewhere. 
Merlin, Falco Zisalon. Migratory, appearing here in spring and 
autumn. A few remain all winter on the Dee marshes, 
occasionally killing the ring doves which go there, 
Kestrel, Falco Tinnunculus. Resident. I never knew this bird 
make a nest. The eggs are laid in Wirral on a repaired old 
nest of the sparrow-hawk, crow, rook, or magpie. Sometimes 
also in hollow trees. 
Sparrow-hawk, Accipitor Nisus. Resident and common. This 
hawk always makes its own nest here. If this be robbed, a 
second is occasionally built ; but generally the second laying 
of eggs is placed on any old nest which is sufficiently large. 
If robbed a second time, a third set of eggs is sometimes 
laid. I once found a third laying of eggs on some leaves 
which had accumulated in a fork of a tree, 
Common Buzzard, Buteo Vulgaris. Seven or eight years ago, 
one was shot at Puddington. Two others frequented the 
Dee marshes near there the same autumn, preying on wild 
fowl. 
Hen Harrier, Circus Cyaneus. In different years formerly, I 
have occasionally seen a Harrier. I never obtained one, and 
did not identify the species for certain. It was probably the 
above. Bidston Marsh. 
STRIGIDZ, 
Long-eared Owl, Otus Vulgaris. Resident in the fir woods of 
Bidston, Prenton Mount, Storeton, Ness and Burton. Some- 
times also in mixed woods where there are Scotch firs, such 
as Badgers Rake wood, Ledsham. There are seldom more 
_than one pair of old birds in a wood. Nidification com- 
mences in March. This owl never makes a nest for itself, 
but simply repairs the old one of a sparrow-hawk, crow, 
magpie or wood pigeon. 
Short-eared Owl, Otus Brachyotus. Migratory here. Is occasion- 
ally met with in autumn. Sometimes some occur in winter 
on the sand hills near the Point of Air, Flintshire, 
