191 8. J Oological Notes from the River Somnie valley. 361 



Circus pygargus. Montagu's Harrier. 



Not observed until 8 June^ when several were seen 

 quartering in the extensive fields of corn in the neighbour- 

 hood of the Foret de Crecy. One was seen towards the end 

 of June in the Peronne district. 



Buteo buteo. Buzzard. 



Often noticed in the Foret de Crecy. Several could at any 

 time be seen on the wing at once, and they doubtless breed 

 there, but no nest was found. 



Accipiter nisus. Sparrow-Hawk. 

 Not uncommon. 



Falco tinnnnculus. Kestrel. 



Very common, and nesting in old Crows' nests. 



Anas boschas. Wild Duck. 



Common and breeding in the swamps. 



Mareca penelope. Wigeon. 



A pair seen on a pool near the mouth of the river on 

 9 May, but they were not seen after that date. 



Spatula clypeata. Shoveler. 



Three seen on a pool near the mouth of the river on 

 9 May, but not seen after that date. 



Nyroca ferina. Pochard. 



One seen on a pool near the mouth of the river on 9 May, 

 but not seen after that date. 



Ardea cinerea. Heron. 



Occasionally seen near the river-mouth. 



Ciconia ciconia. White Stork. 



Five or six first seen on 7 June on the grassy flats near 

 the river-mouth. Subsequently, a friend informs the 

 writei', they became much more common, and he saw 

 them constantly round St. Valery. 



Gallinago gallinago. Snipe. 



An odd one seen now and again, but there was no 

 drumming. 



2o2 



