510 Burleigh, Bird-life in Southwestern France. [o"t. 



and raised crest, almost formidable. August 11 the last birds were seen 

 for the year, four flying by overhead. 



64. Cuculus canorus canorus L. Cuckoo. — A plentiful summer 

 resident. On April 11 one was heard for the first time uttering its loud 

 " cuckoo " from the edge of a stretch of pine woods, and within a few days 

 they seemed to be everywhere. On April 17 they seemed to be especially 

 noisy and could be heard anywhere and at any time during the day. In 

 appearance they were about the same size as our Sparrow Hawk and had 

 the same narrow build and flight, and so reminded me much of this bird. 

 May 5 two were seen mating, the male chasing the female about with 

 drooping wings and tail outspread, uttering meanwhile a low, hoarse grunt. 

 June 16 several were heard, but after that date they became silent and dis- 

 appeared entirely. 



65. Strix aluco aluco L. Brown Owl.— Two birds were seen Sep- 

 tember 14 in a Lombardy poplar at the side of a road, harassed by a small 

 flock of Long-tailed Tits. This was my only record for the occurrence of 

 this species. 



66. Circus seruginosus (L.). Marsh Harrier. — On August IS one 

 bird was flushed from the edge of the woods bordering the lake. It was 

 surprisingly unsuspicious, not flying until approached within a few feet. 

 This was my one record for the occurrence of this species. 



67. Circus cyaneus (L.). Hen Harrier. — On December 19 one 

 bird, an adult, in the light bluish plumage, was seen circling and beating 

 low over a large slashing in the pine woods. This was my only record for 

 the occurrence of this species. 



68. Buteo buteo buteo (L.). Common Buzzard. — This bird was the 

 most plentiful and the most frequently seen of any of this family. It was 

 resident, and was observed throughout the year, flying low through the pine 

 woods or soaring high overhead. During early spring it was rather noisy, 

 and its scream was remarkably like that of our Red-shouldered Hawk. 



69. Pandion haliaetus haliae'tus (L.). Osprey. — Two birds were 

 seen June 23 hovering over the lake, and were the only ones of this species 

 recorded. Observed from a distance, they appeared to differ in no way 

 from our Osprey. 



70. Accipiter nisus nisus (L.). Sparrow Hawk. — This bird was 

 evidently resident and fairly plentiful in the pine woods. In appearance 

 it was very similar to our Sharp-shinned Hawk and possessed the same 

 habits and notes. On August 18 two were seen circling and soaring 

 noisily overhead. 



71. Falco tinnuculus tinnuculus L. Kestrel. — This bird closely 

 resembled our Sparrow Hawk in appearance, actions, and notes. It was 

 resident and fairly plentiful in the open cultivated country, where it was 

 frequently seen hovering with rapidly beating wings over open fields. 



72. Ardea cinerea L. Common Heron. — In size and general appear- 

 ance this bird was much like our Great Blue Heron. It was but an irregu- 

 lar straggler, for it was seen but twice about the lake. On July 7 four birds 



