THE FAUNISTIC POSITION OF SPECIES. Iv 



corresponds with the bird we saw that we consider ourselves 

 justified in admitting it into our census of species_, though it has 

 not previously been noticed in the British Islands. The Woodchat 

 is reported to have occurred several times, but it is somewhat 

 doubtful whether the specimens obtained were really procured in the 

 county. It has, however, been killed in the neighbouring counties, 

 and there seems no reason why it should not visit Devonshire 

 occasionally. The Water-Pipit has several times been reported 

 from the county, but the specimens have always proved to be 

 varieties of the Eock-Pipit. However, Mr. Gatcombe and our- 

 selves have seen specimens that we felt sure were really Water- 

 Pipits. The White-winged Crossbill found dead amongst the 

 rocks at Exmouth in 1845 had probably had an assisted passage 

 from America on the rigging of some vessel passing up the 

 Channel, and, being exhausted by want of food, fell into the sea to 

 be washed up on our coast. The large-billed Scandinavian race of 

 the Common Crossbill, known as the Parrot Crossbill, has occurred 

 but once only in the count}'-, when a large flock was observed near 

 Exmouth in 1888. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is considered of 

 doubtful occurrence by many ornithologists in the British Islands ; 

 but, as many other species of North-American birds have visited 

 Devon and Cornwall, there seems to be no inherent improbability 

 in this species having been found dead as reported on Lundy Island, 

 and we have therefore admitted it to our census of species. All the 

 specimens of the Little Owl were probably only escapes, as it is so 

 often imported to England. Although the only specimen of the 

 Hawk-Owl reported from Devonshire was not killed, yet, having 

 been seen by a competent observer, we have admitted it into our 

 census, especially as other specimens have been obtained in the West 

 of England. According to Mr. Howard Saunders, the example of 

 the Little Egret in full adult plumage killed on the Exe in 1870 is 

 the only one about which there can be no doubt as having been 

 obtained in the British Islands. The Buff-backed Herons killed 

 in Devonshire appear to be the only specimens which have really 

 occurred in Britain. The Great Black-hcadcd Gull shot at 

 Exmouth in 1859 is likewise the only British-killed specimen. 



About 30 of the above enumerated Accidental Visitors liavc 

 been met with only once or twice. Twenty-four of the forty- 



e 



