100 ORNITHOLOGY OF NORTH TYNE. 
within the last twenty years also at Wanneys Crags, and in 
several rocks further up the Tyne. 
The miniature Peregrine, the sprightly, fearless little Merlin, 
still breeds on our higher moors, but is annually diminishing in 
numbers. 
Not so, however, the Kestrel, for which bird we have 
obtained a sort of protection from the keepers, on account of its 
preying chiefly on mice. We can always, even at this day, find 
a Kestrel breeding in the wild gorge of the Seven-linns in 
Chirdon Burn. 
The destructive Sparrow-hawk, is now becoming scarce. 
We remember to have heard old sportsmen say that the Kite, 
or Gled, was once frequent in this district; where it is now, 
however, hardly ever seen. The only specimen we know of was 
found dead in Chirdon Burn, twenty years ago. 
The common Buzzard, is common here no longer, and still 
scarcer is the Marsh Harrier, both of which birds, we can 
remember to have been not difficult to procure. 
Thirty years ago, we could have pointed out half a dozen 
nests of the blue Hawk or Hen-Harrier; but now, itis only once 
or twice in a season that these birds are ever to be seen. 
The rough-legged Falcons appeared in this district, one autumn, 
in great abundance. But we believe, they were equally common 
at that time, over the whole of England. 
The beautiful long-eared Owl, is no longer persecuted here, 
and the same protection is extended to its rarer congener the 
short-eared Owl, which still occasionally breeds on our moors. 
The great grey Shrike has been twice shot in this neighbour- 
hood; but is nowhere common in Northumberland. In our 
mountain streams, the Water Ouzel is always to be found, and the 
Ring Ouzel, with its peculiar wild cry, less harsh, however, than 
that of the Field-fare in the breeding season, is to be found on 
most of our Crags. 
The Raven formerly bred at Hareshaw linn, at Wanneys crags, 
at Whickhope, and various other localities. We believe they 
are now reduced to asingle pair, which still hold their ground at 
the head of the Tyne. 
