510 Miscellanea, by Mr James Hardy. 



spring of 1875, at Lilburn Tower. I notice that wood pigeons 

 are pretty numerous on that property, in the grass fields, and it 

 may have come from the hills to prey on them. 



Kestrel, (Falco tinnunculus). — About two pairs breed in the 

 Lilburn Tower plantations. Like the Sparrow Hawk, they build 

 in the old nest, which they clean out in spring. The gamekeeper 

 has seen the Kestrel carry off a small weak pheasant. 



Sparrow Hawk, (Accipiter nisus). — At Lilburn Tower, three 

 or four pairs are native to the place ; but about 20 or 30 may be 

 shot every year. 



Common Buzzard, (Buteo vulgaris). — Mr Hughes wrote me, 

 27th October, 1875, that a few days previously, he observed a 

 laige Common Buzzard, hovering over the Sneer Hill, among 

 the Cheviots. 



Buzzards, — A Buzzard, species not ascertained, was shot at 

 St. Abb's Head, on the 25th October, and sent to a Mr Armstrong, 

 Edinburgh. Two others were seen on the same day. — (Mr. An- 

 drew Wilson). 



Kough-legged Buzzard, (Buteo lagopus). — 11th November, 



1875, the gamekeeper at Linden caught in a trap a Rough-legged 

 Buzzard, which is preserved by Mr. Ames, the proprietor. Another 

 was seen afterwards flying about the same place. — (Mr. R. Q. 

 Bolani). — In the end of December, 1875, the rabbit catcher at 

 North Middleton saw two of these birds, one on each side of a 

 green hillock, near the waterfall below Old Middleton. The 

 place is frequented by rabbits. Their flight was heavy, like that 

 of an owl. On the 25th December, Thomas Elliot, gamekeeper 

 at Lilburn Tower, observed one which had just killed a rabbit. 

 He baited a trap with a rabbit and watched, and it was soon after 

 caught by the leg. It appeared to be a young bird. He kept it 

 for some time, and then sent it to Lancashire. 



Honey Buzzard, (JPernis apivorus). — More than four years ago, 

 T. Elliot shot one at Middleton Hall, near Belford. It was en- 

 gaged in turning up the ground above a nest of humble-bees. 



Goshawk, (Astur palumiarius.) — A very splendid specimen of 

 the Goshawk was shot at Benwell, near Newcastle, last month. 

 It was carrying a rook in its mouth. {Rev. J. F. Bigge, Feb. 3rd, 

 1876). At Lilburn Tower, T. Elliot, on January 16th, 1876, shot 

 a young female bird of the first year, and has it stuffed. I ex- 

 amined the bird. Another was seen to clutch a partridge, and 

 make off, and was still supposed to be on the ground in March. 



Short-eared Owl, {Otus Brachyotus). — One was trapped, Feb. 



1876, at Lilburn Tower, in a pole trap. Part of the specimen is 

 preserved. 



Ring-ouzel, {Turdus torquatus). — There were still some Bing- 

 ouzels in Langleyford vale on the 25th October, 1875. They 

 linger there till the autumnal visitants appear. 



