OCCASIONAL NOTES. 55 
in the ‘Durham Chronicle,’ the size of the bird being also given—the 
expanse of wing put down at six feet seven inches. I happened to meet 
the writer of the paragraph, and in answer to questions I put to him, he 
stated that the bird was ‘ spotted all over,” whence I concluded it might be 
the Spotted Hagle. Starting for Seaham Harbour the next morning, 
I asked the birdstuffer to show me the bird in question, when he pointed 
to a case which contained a Rough-legged Buzzard, a young bird, and a 
very dark specimen, with scarcely a spot upon it. On my way home 
I heard of another Eagle that had been trapped at Colehill, some four miles 
from Castle Eden, my informant saying I might judge of its size when it 
took a three-dozen hamper to hold it, in which it had been sent off alive to 
a naturalist at Beverley. I hope this bird has come under the eye of 
Mr. Boyes, and [am much mistaken if it does not turn out to be a Buzzard 
also. It would appear that an unusual number of the larger birds of prey 
are just now paying us a visit, and the keepers, as usual, are doing their 
best to kill as many as possible—Joun Scrater (Castle Eden, Durham). 
Scarcity or THE Woop Picron 1x Duruam.—I have previously 
remarked (Zool. 2nd ser. 4819) on the comparative scarcity of the Wood 
Pigeon in the neighbourhood of Castle Eden. The same remarks are 
applicable for the past year, and I wish to ask whether this bird has been 
observed to be less common in other parts of the country. Can it be that 
the Stock Dove is destined to take its place here ?—In. 
[Our correspondent omits to say whether the Stock Dove has been 
observed to have become more numerous than formerly.— Ep. ] 
Rooxs arrackine Acorns.—I can corroborate, from personal observation, 
the Editor's remarks in the last number of ‘The Zoologist’ concerning the 
attacks on acorns by the Rooks. Close to this Vicarage are the grounds of 
Mr. F.J. EK. Jervoise, in whose garden stand some ten or twelve fine old Ilea: 
oaks, and it was only about a fortnight ago, in the middle of December, that 
I watched for some minutes a whole flock of Rooks busily engaged on the 
Ilew trees, flying from branch to branch, and balancing themselves as best 
they could on the extremities of the outer branches while they searched for 
or secured the coveted prize. It was a scene of wonderful bustle and 
activity ; and I may mention that a couple of Jackdaws emulated the Rooks 
in their exertions. It is a common practice with them here, and the 
rookery being in the adjacent field I have often observed the same scene. 
I regret I have never accurately noticed what the Rooks did with the 
acorns—whether they actually swallowed them or not; on another occasion 
I will notice this point.— A. P. Morres. 
Rooxs arrackiva Acorys.—There are three oak trees close to our 
windows, one being not more than ten or twelve feet distant, the branches of 
which in autumn are covered with acorns. As long as I can remember 
Rooks have been in the habit of visiting them every season in order to pull 
