270 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BIRDS OF GODALMING. 



pine, and remaining in it even a whole day ; at any rate, if not 

 disturbed, until every cone has been pried into and its contents 

 taken out. Rusticus. e 



Corvus monedula. — The Jackdaw builds in great numbers in 

 the Chalk-pits, particularly one on Katherine-hill. E. N. D. 



Nucifraga caryocatactes. — One specimen of this exceedingly 

 rare bird was seen, and closely observed by Samuel Haines, 

 Esq. surgeon, of Godalming, in Peperharrow-park, the seat 

 of Viscount Middleton. From the description given by Mr. 

 Haines, who is a good Ornithologist, there is not the slightest 

 doubt as to the identity of the bird. W. K. 



Plcus minor. — The lesser spotted Woodpecker is far from 

 uncommon in this neighbourhood. I have seen it at Eshing, 

 Peperharrow, Crooksbury-hill, &c. E. N. D. Common at 

 Godalming. W. K. The green Woodpecker and the greater 

 spotted Woodpecker are still more common. 



Certhia familiar is. — It is a singular and unpublished fact re- 

 lative to the Creeper, that in the summer, when multitudes of 

 gnats are to be found reposing throughout the day on the 

 trunks of trees, this little bird will take a gnat in its bill with- 

 out swallowing it, then hunt for another and take it in like 

 manner, and not swallow at all until its little slender bill 

 is quite distended with the number of gnats contained. 

 H. Newman. 



Upupa Epops. — The Hoopoe has on several occasions been 

 shot near Godalming. W. K. 



Merops Apiaster. — A single specimen of this beautiful bird 

 was shot in a garden in the town some years back, and is now 

 in the possession of Robert Moline, Esq. W. K. 



Caprimulgus Europmus. — One particular district called the 

 Pudmoors, is the favourite resort of the Fern Owl. In the 

 day time, while walking across the moor, you will every now 

 and then put up one of these singular birds ; their flight is per- 

 fectly without noise, and seldom far at a time ; but of an 

 evening it is far different : about twenty minutes after sun-set 

 the whole moor is ringing with their cry, and you see them 

 wheeling round you in all directions. They look like spectres, 

 and often, coming close over you, assume an unnatural appear- 

 ance of size against a clear evening sky. I believe its very 



e Mag. of Nat. Hist. Vol. VI. v . ] 13. 



