The Birds of Hillsborough. 31 



Family CAPRIMULGID.E. 

 Capriniul£us europseus Lhuir. Ni(;htjak. 



Though the Nightjar is known to nest on the Antrim Hills a few mile* 

 morth of the distiict, and on Slieve Croob, some o miles to the south, the 

 only record of its ooourrence here is that given by U'hompson* of one shot 

 in Hillsborough Park on 2oth September, 1835. 



Family ALCEDINID.^J. 



Alcedo ispida Linne. KiNfjrisHER. 



Several pairs of these birds reside and breed with us. Average size 

 of eggs 22'u X 17'78 mm. ; average weiglit :V5.")4 gr., of empty shells 

 •2100 gr. 



Order STRIQIFORMES. 



Family FLAMMEID^.. 



Plammea flammea (Linn^). Bakn Owl. 



A not uncommon resident, but owing to its nocturnal habits seldom 

 observed. "Pellets"' from its nesting place in a pigeon loit in Hills- 

 borough Park yielded bones, principally Rats and Mice, but also of one 

 young Rabbit and one bird — a Greenfinch. Surely one of our most useful 

 l>irds : 



Family STRIGID.E. 

 Asio otus (Liirn^). Long-earei> Owl. 



Like the preceding species this bird is seldom observed, but is not an 

 uncommon resident, nesting in Fir trees. 



[The Short-eared Owl (Asio accipitrinus FaUas) doubtless occurs 

 in AVinter. but no definite information as to this is forthcoming. J 



Otus scops (Linne). Scops OwL. 



A bird of this species was shot at Hillsborough about March, 1808. 

 It is preserved in the Dublin Museum, t 



Order ACCIPITRIFORMES. 



Family FALCONID.E. 



Buteo buteo {Linne). Buzzard. 



Formerly resident in tlie district, this bird has long since ceased to be 

 a member of our local Avifauna. Thompson statest that several specimens 

 from Hillsborough Park had come under hig observation ; and Knoxg says 

 that this bird bred in trees in Hillsborough Park. 



* A'at. Hist, of Ireland, Vol. I, p. 421. ". 



tUssher's Binis of Ireland, p. 119. 

 : A'««. Hist, of Ireland, Vol. L p. 7.5, 

 S Hi^t. of Co. Down, p. 647. ri875A 



