ASION IBM— OWLS. 



159 



tricts (Laver). Mr. Sackett says it is occasionally shot in the Orsett district, but 

 he has never known it to breed there. Mr. Fitch has its eggs which he took at 

 Birdbrook. 



Snowy Owl : Nydea scattdiaca. 



There is no record ^of this large and conspicuous bird having 

 actually been obtained in the county. It is a rare winter straggler to 

 Britain, and is hkely to 



have visited Essex, as it ^^ ^ 



has been met with in Suf- 

 folk, and at least nine times 

 in Norfolk. The following 

 observations, however, must 

 pass for what they are 

 worth : — 



Mr, John Pettitt, of Colches- 

 ter, informs me that one was seen 

 near Paglesham about 1883-84, 

 while Mr. Hope informs me that 

 he has " seen it on the borders 

 of Essex at Christmas time.'' 

 " Mr. Owen Boyle, of the Lan- 

 guard L.H., under date of 

 February 9th, Wind E., reports 

 this species as shot by a visitor 

 near the lighthouse. Subse- 

 quently, Mr. Boyle writes in 

 leply to my letter, that he is sure 

 the bird was a Snowy Owl." 

 fB. A. MigrationReport for 1885 

 (42) p. 39). Further information from the person who shot it, or the present 

 possessor, would be very desirable. 



Tengmalm's Owl : Nydala tengmalmi. 



A very rare and accidental visitor, which has only once been met 

 with in Essex. 



Mr. Edward Bidwell relates (40. i. 177) that about the end of January, 1877, some 

 boys noticed a bird in a tree near the iron bridge in the Barking Road, Poplar, 

 which on being disturbed was soon killed and taken to him, when he ascertained 

 that it belonged to this species. The sex was not ascertained. 



Scops Owl: Scops gill. 



A rare and occasional visitant only to Britain, though it has sev- 

 eral times been recorded in Essex. 



Mr. Clarke notes (24) that two were taken at the Aviary, Audley End, about 

 the year 1821. One, being only slightly wounded, was kept alive for sometime 

 by Travis the keeper (12. iii. 100 ; 14. i. 114 and 38.93). The approximate 

 date of the occurrence of these specimens has not, I believe, before been 



>.\0\VY OWL, 



