ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. By G. BOLAM 99 



I have seen a Rough-legged Buzzard make determined, 

 though unsuccessful, attempts at wood pigeons, as these 

 birds were coming in to roost, in a plantation, at night. 

 The stoops were always made at sitting birds, no attention 

 being paid to those flying around, and very little attempt 

 was made to follow when the pigeon took to flight. After 

 each unsuccessful stoop the Buzzard retired to the edge of 

 the wood, to rest for a few minutes on the top of a wall, 

 apparently with the intention of allowing the pigeons to 

 settle again before having another try at them. Although 

 I watched this performance go on for half an hour at a 

 time, on several successive evenings, I never saw a capture 

 affected ; but, from the resolute manner in which the oper- 

 ations were conducted, the Buzzard had evidently a strong 

 belief in his ultimate success. 



Hen Harrier. Circus cyaneus (Linn.) 



This fine species has, I regret to say, been growing 

 extremely scarce in the district for many years past, and 

 is now but seldom seen. 



On 10th January 1898, one, in the plumage of the ringtail, 

 passed me near Murton White House. It was heading 

 almost due south, and flying very close to the ground, in 

 the face of a strong wind, which was blowing at the time. 

 Dr Stuart informed me that, a short time previous to this, 

 a Hen Harrier was seen at Billie Mire, near Chirnside, 

 and "received a round of shots from a shooting party, but 

 managed to escape." 



I recently saw, in Newcastle, a fine adult male, which 

 had been killed at Benton, in 1880, and an adult female, 

 shot at Hepple Woodside, Northumberland, on the 29th 

 March 1899. 



Raven. Corvus corax, Linn. 



In the autumn of 1897, a pair of Ravens appeared on the 

 Detchant moors, and remained for several weeks. Curiously 

 enough, and as if setting up a claim to ancient ownership, 

 their chief hauut was about " Raven's Crag," a not very 



