Birds. 6851 



Longeared Owl. Is very scarce and \ac^^^. as a native bird. A few 

 seem to arrive in winter, one having been obtained at that season near 

 Bembridge, in 1858. During many years' observation Mr. Rogers has 

 only once met with the longeared owl at Freshwater, where he ob- 

 tained a pair, male and female, on the 14th of November, 1859. 



Tawny Owl. Is equally rare. One came under the notice of 

 Mr. Rogers at Freshwater in September, 1856. 



Woodchat. Has within the last few years twice bred at Freshwater. 

 As one of the young birds was shot by Mr. Rogers in September, 1856, 

 there can be no doubt as to the identification of the species, although 

 the parents were carefully respected. One, if not both nests, with 

 the eggs and young birds, are in Mr. Bond's collection. 



Pied Flycatcher. Was unusually numerous on its spring passage last 

 April, and specimens were obtained at different points in the western 

 parts of the island, especially at Freshwater. Though scarcely more 

 than an accidental visitor, the pied flycatcher, in a few instances, has 

 remained to breed in the Isle of Wight. A nest and three eggs were 

 taken by Mr. Rogers at Freshwater, in May, 1858. 



Ring Ouzel. A pair of these birds has more than once been 

 observed during summer, as if nesting. In July, 1857, Mr. Rogers 

 shot an adult male, and observed the hen bird in company with it; a 

 pair had been previously noticed in the summer of 1856. In the 

 UnderclifF also the ring ouzel has been seen in the breeding-season 

 by Mr. H. S. Leeson. 



Golden Oriole. A male bird of this conspicuous species made its 

 appearance at Freshwater in May, 1859, when it was observed hy 

 several persons. 



Black Redstart. Though appearing in very limited numbers may 

 fairly be reckoned a winter visitor. It seems to prefer the southern 

 and more rocky shores of the isle; and scarcely a season passes 

 without several of these "winter redstarts" being seen, and many 

 more must no doubt escape observation. 



Grasshopper Warhler. Has one or two favourite breeding haunts 

 in the vicinity of Bembridge, where it may often be heard at dusk 

 uttering its curious spinning note, to my ear more like that of the 

 nightjar than of any other bird. At Bembridge the grasshopper 

 warbler frequents thick bushy underwood rather than marshy localities ; 

 when out at night in search of insects we once traced it to its retreat, 

 where we discovered our little friend snugly posted in the very centre 

 of a bush, and were surprised to find him continue his song, utterly 

 regardless of the lantern by whose light we were observing him within 



