( 375 ) 



THE BIRDS OF THAT PORTION OF THE NORTH- 

 EAST COAST BETWEEN TYNEMOUTH AND 

 SEATON SLUICE, NORTHUMBERLAND. 



By J. M. Charlton. 



(Continued from p. 313.) 



Barn-Owl (Strix fiammea) . — In January, 1911, two of these 

 birds were shot at Delaval Hall by Mr. Dixon, of Seaton. They 

 had not been previously observed there, so very possibly were on 

 migration. I have every reason to think that they would have 

 remained and bred there, as others have probably done before. 



Long-eared Owl {Asio otus). — A fairly regular autumn 

 visitant. All the occurrences I know of were in the vicinity of 

 Holywell Dene, among the trees there. This species makes 

 straight for woods on its arrival. 



Short-eared Owl (A. accipitrinus) . — A regular winter visi- 

 tant ; numbers have been shot on the coast. Unlike the pre- 

 ceding species, it has not such a strict partiality for trees, but 

 after its arrival is found along the sand-banks and fields near 

 the shore. As many as ten have been flushed in a flock 

 at once. 



Tawny Owl {Syrnium aluco). — In autumn a few arrive on the 

 coast and pass inland, and return in spring to depart for the 

 Continent. They have been shot on the rocks by St. Mary's 

 Island. On May 4th, 1904, when in company with A. King, 

 Esq., I observed one of these birds at Briar Dene, which flew in 

 the direction of Whitley, mobbed by Rooks and small birds. 

 On our return to Cullercoats, the first object which caught our 

 eye, passing St. George's Church, was a Tawny Owl, evidently 

 the same bird, sitting beneath a small arch in the steeple, and 

 surrounded by twittering Sparrows. 



[Marsh-Harrier {Circus ceruginosus) .] — A bird of this species 

 was stuffed, very badly, and placed in the windows of a shop at 

 Tynemouth, where it was for many years. On making enquiries, 

 I learnt that it had been shot off Tynemouth in about 1820. 



