LETTER TO H. M. UPCIIER 127 



westerly occurrence of this species in Europe is 

 a bird which was shot near Cagliari many years 

 ago, and is now in the museum there. But 

 Africa may mean Egypt, where the Saker is 

 occasionally found. If you should go to the 

 Gardens, will you inquire specially for me after a 

 young Asturian bear which arrived there in a 

 very sickly condition some days ago ? I want 

 you very much to come and instruct us in vermin 

 shooting with the aid of Bubo maximus ; 1 an 

 epistolary friend of mine is training one of these 

 birds to take rabbits by moonlight.' 



To H. M. Upcher, D.L., F.Z.S. 



'Lilford Hall : October 23, 1884. 



' My dear Upcher, — I am very glad to hear 

 of your grand sport with the birds. 



' We have done well for this grassy, fox- 

 hampered, footpath, and cur-dog-cursed country, 

 having bagged over one thousand brace and left 

 plenty. 



' I have only heard of two woodcocks as yet 

 in this neighbourhood. Have you heard of the 

 massacre of rarities at Cley by one P ? 



1 Eagle Owl. 



+& 



