OCCASIONAL NOTES. 179 
caught in the manner described. The struggles of the captive had broken 
down the reed, which was lying flat on the water, except when lifted up by 
the victim in its vain attempts to escape. On being liberated it flew off, 
apparently none the worse for the mishap.—E. T. Boor (Brighton). 
GosHAWK AND oTHER Brrps 1n YorxsHireE.—On the 30th October 
last I was at Filey, where Mr. Brown showed me a Long-tailed Drake 
in most perfect plumage, which had been shot while flying over the Brigg 
the previous week. During the present winter several other examples 
have been met with, but all females or immature birds. Both the Black- 
throated and Red-throated Divers have been very abundant off the Yorkshire 
coast. On January 29th I went over to Flamborough to see Mr. Bailey ; 
he showed me a fine adult female Goshawk, just mounted, which had been 
killed at Sewerby on the 28rd. This bird had frequented the neighbourhood 
for some time, and was shot at near Flamborough on Christmas Day, but 
unsuccessfully; length 2 feet, expanse of wings 4 feet linch; irides, bril- 
liant orange. On February 8th I saw in Mr. Brown’s shop, at Filey, an 
immature Hen Harrier, killed a few days before near the cliffs. Long-eared 
and Short-eared Owls have been very common this winter, and many, I am 
sorry to add, have been killed. On February 4th a Raven was seen by Mr. 
Roberts flying along shore to the southward of Scarborough; twenty-five 
years ago he can remember a pair breeding annually in the rocks near 
Scarborough Castle. In our immediate neighbourhood this winter rare 
birds have been “conspicuous by their absence.”—Jutian G. Tuck (Old 
Vicarage, Ebberston, York). 
Hawks 1x Surroitx.—In the month of September, 1876, an adult male 
Merlin (Falco @salon), in exquisite plumage, was shot at Westley, near 
Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. A Hobby (Falco subbuteo) was shot in the 
covers at Finborough Hall, near Stowmarket, Suffolk, the latter end of 
January, 1877, and another was killed in the same place some months 
previously, but whether they were male and female I have not been able to 
ascertain. One or two Rough-legged Buzzards (Buteo lagopus) were shot 
in the neighbourhood of Newmarket during the month of December, 1876, 
but whether on the Suffolk or Cambridgeshire side Iam unable to say.— 
H. K. Creep (Chedburgh Rectory, Suffolk). 
[The occurrence of the Hobby in this country in mid-winter is note- 
worthy, for this bird is a summer visitant, and generally leaves us about 
September, or at latest in October, just as the Merlin arrives to take its 
place for the winter.—ED.] 
Scarcity or THe Woop Piason anp Increase oF THE Stock Dove 
IN THE County Durwam.—In answer to your editorial remark, and as an 
addenda to my note (page 55), I beg to say that Stock Doves are now 
quite common here. They could not have chosen a safer retreat than the 
Denes in this neighbourhood afford them. They almost invariably nest 
