The Zoologist — September, 1873. 3685 



Garden Warhler and Sedge Warbler.— May 19th, First heard. 



Spotted Flycatcher. — May 23rd. First seen. 



Hooded Crow.— May 16th. A single bird in one of the planta- 

 tions this morning. I have reason for thinking this may have 

 remained behind to nest. This afternoon (August 5th) I found and 

 shot at a young hooded crow in one of my fields; it was not fully 

 fledged, and weak on the wing : although badly hit it managed to 

 get oflT, by falling beyond a high fence into a crop of wheat, where 

 I afterwards spent much time in an unsuccessful search. The same 

 day, in the morning, when riding round the farm, I saw either this 

 or another perched on a gate-post and examined it through my 

 binocular. 



Godwit, 8sc. — May 24th. Bartailed godwit, knot, gray plover and 

 dunlin on foreshore, in summer plumage ; whimbrel on grass-lands 

 in considerable flocks ; gray plover numerous on flats. None seen 

 after this date. 



Cuckoo. — More than usually numerous. 



Hobby. — May 24th. I saw one this morning in chase of a small 

 bird. 



White or Barn Owl. — A pair have nested this season, for the 

 first time, in an old elm adjoining my yard. The eggs, three in 

 number, were laid on rotten wood and the castings of the bird, in 

 a hole made by the breaking away of a rotten bough. On the 5th 

 of May I found two nestlings in the down and an addled egg. The 

 smell from the place was most offensive. The old owl came regu- 

 larly each evening about 8.40 to feed the young, an operation 

 which was conducted with much snoring and hissing on the part 

 of the latter: their food was mainly the common mouse and short- 

 tailed field vole, occasionally varied, I believe, with a young rook 

 taken from the nest. Until the second brood were hatched only 

 one of the parent birds appeared to take any part in carrying food : 

 I watched them closely nearly every evening, and never saw more 

 than one thus employed : after this, however, both old birds came 

 and took part in the feeding. In the same tree were two starlings' 

 and five rooks' nests ; also many of the latter on the neighbouring 

 trees. On two or three occasions I have seen the owl glide through 

 the tree-tops over the nesting rooks, a proceeding which has been 

 the signal for a regular onslaught and chase round the premises 

 and garden, the pursued finally taking refuge in a large old yew, 

 where he was secure from attack. Once the rook-driven owl passed 



SECOND SERIES — VOL. VIII. 2 Y 



