Natural History in the English Counties. 175 
DEVONSHIRE. 
Large Birch Tree.— Sir, When in the west of England a short time ago, 
I observed in the woods of Berry Pomeroy Castle, near Totnes, the largest 
birch tree, as far as I recollect, in England ; and not having seen it men- 
tioned in any publication, I am inclined to send you this notice. By my 
measurement (not very accurate, | must confess, on account of the pecu- 
liarity of its situation) it was rather more than 15 ft. in circumference above 
the roots. The height I could scarcely judge of, from the density of the 
surrounding foliage, but I should think it was little less than 90ft. It 
struck me as being decidedly the noblest in its proportions of any that I had 
seen. In its neighbourhood grows another of larger girth, but not so fine 
a tree. Iam not certain of the species, but should imagine it to be Bétula 
nigra. — 7. E. Cambridge, November, 1829. 
CorNWALL. 
Rare or uncommon Birds observed in Cornwall, particularly in the southern 
parts of the county, by Mr. C. Jackson; Jonathan Couch, F.L.8.; and 
the Rev. J. Lakes, Liskeard Vicarage, Oct. 5. 1829. The names are those 
in Bewick. 
Falco cyaneus, Hen Harrier; seen occasionally on our wild moors. — 
F. ‘salon, Merlin ; -seen in winter ; rare. — F. falvus; shot at Lonsallos. 
— F. peregrinus. There is great reason for believing that this species bred 
annually a few years since in the cliffs near Charlestown, as a kind of hawk, 
called, on account of its fierceness and activity, the Wicked Hawk, fre- 
quented that neighbourhood ; and from part of a stuffed specimen which 
I found nailed to a barn-door, I think it must have been F. peregrinus. 
The species, however, whatever it was, has left the coast. L.— F. Afilvus; 
rare. 
Strix O'tus, Long-eared Owl; rare. — S. brachydtus, Short-horn Owl ; 
in winter only, and then scarce. — 8. Alico has been shot at mid-day. C. 
Lanius Collurio, Red-backed Shrike, makes its appearance here about 
5th May, J.; is rather common.— L, excubitor; a specimen shot near 
St. Columb, 1828. Z. 
Cérvus Cérnix, Hooded Crow; very scarce.— C. Graculus, Cornish 
Chough. Their numbers are of late much diminished; and in many places 
where they were formerly common, none are now to be found. 
Coracias gérrula, Roller ; one shot near Falmouth, Oct. 4. 1822. 
Oridlus Galbula, Golden Oriole. This bird seems to be not uncommon, 
but is noticed only in the act of immigration. A male was killed near St. 
Austle, in March, 1824; and a female was taken by a fisherman of Polpeno, 
May, 1828. I have been informed of several instances, in different years, 
of their having alighted on vessels and fishing-boats near the shore, and 
again departing. C. 
Ctculus canorus. In 1823 these birds abounded in an extraordinary 
degree ; so that when riding along the roads, one might be heard in almost 
every field. In the following year they were as remarkably scarce. C, 
Yanx Torquilla, Wryneck ; very rare. 
Picus major, Great spotted Woodpecker ; rare. 
Sitta europze‘a, Nuthatch ; scarce. 
Alcédo I’spida, Kingfisher. In May, 1817, a kingfisher was watched to 
its nest in a hole on the margin of the sea, a quarter of a mile distant from 
a rivulet ; and the nest was thus secured and brought to me. It was com- 
posed of dried grass, and lined with hairs and a few feathers. The eggs, 
three in number, were a little larger than a sparrow’s, and of a faint bluish 
colour, and remarkably transparent.  C. 
