408 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
When returning from an evening’s ramble I sometimes see it 
gliding with noiseless flight over the fields. On all “ keepers’ 
trees,” where one so often picks up a lesson in Ornithology, 
the Brown Owl outnumbers the Barn Owl considerably. The 
keepers, as a rule, wage dire war against the poor owls; they 
make a great show on a tree, and are very easily trapped; 
while, after all, the harm they do is small. The Barn Owl is 
a positive benefactor to the farmer from the quantities of mice 
it kills. 
Great Surike, Lanius excubitor.—I imagine this to be only 
a very occasional visitor, although one was obtained some ten 
years since in the adjoining county of Glamorgan by Mr. Dilwyn 
Llewellyn. 
RED-BACKED SHRIKE, Lanius collaris. — Common. I have 
often observed it in the hay-fields adjoining the town perching on 
the hedges, the brilliant colour on the back of the cock rendering 
it very conspicuous. 
MisseL Turusu, T'urdus viscivorus.—Very common; it nests 
in my garden every year, where it attacks every living thing in 
the shape of a bird, uttering its harsh grating cry. It is one of 
our boldest birds in the breeding season, and seems during this 
time to lose every vestige of its shyness. 
Sone Turusu, Turdus musicusx—Very common. The hard 
winter of last year has, however, sadly reduced their numbers ; 
and quantities were found dead in the severe snow-storm of last 
January. 
Buacksirp, Turdus merula.—Very common. Much more so, 
indeed, than the Thrush; they seem to stand the cold better than 
the latter bird. I have observed several more or less white, and 
of all the Thrush family this bird seems peculiarly susceptible to 
white markings in its plumage. 
Frevprare, Turdus pilaris.—Common in winter, when its 
appearance is hailed with delight by the sportsman, who knows 
that it arrives about the same time as the Woodcock. It is 
a very wary bird, and can take excellent care of itself, as 
anyone who has attempted to shoot it has no doubt found out 
to his cost. 
Repwine, Turdus iliacus.— Equally plentiful; it arrives at the 
same time and generally in company with the Fieldfare ; it some- 
times stays latest on in the spring, and once in Wiltshire I heard 
