321 



3 



investigation. Still there are not a few authentic and undoubted instances of its occurrence here. 

 Professor Newton enumerates many in his new edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds ;' and we may 

 refer our readers to that work for further particulars. The last occurrence we have heard of 

 (through J. Rocke, Esq., of Clungunford) is one which took place this year at Leaton Knolls, 

 Shropshire, the seat of Charles Spencer Lloyd, Esq., in whose possession the bird now is. Three 

 occurrences in Scotland are enumerated by Mr. Robert Gray ; but there is no instance on record of 

 its having been found in Ireland. With regard to its occurrence in Norfolk, Mr. J. H. Gurney, 

 jun., writes that it appears from the list of occurrences given in the latest publications on the 

 subject that this bird has oftenest occurred in England in the spring, and then on the east coast. 



In Norway and Sweden it is found far to the northward. Mr. Collett writes to us that in 

 the former country it is numerous, and in some seasons is found breeding in the southern and 

 south-eastern forests, at least up to Trondhjemsfiord, where it is sedentary in OZrkedal and 

 Surendal. In Christiansand it is common in the fell dales, such as Aaseral, and has been 

 observed at Stavanger ; but here, as elsewhere, it is most generally seen during the winter. On 

 the fell-sides it breeds up to the highest boundary of the conifer growth, as in Valders (Printz) 

 and Lseiten (EsmarJc). With regard to its range in Sweden, Nilsson states that it is found 

 during summer in Northern Wermland, Dalecarlia, Herjeadal, and up to the fells, migrating 

 southward during the winter season, being then observed in Skane ; and in certain seasons, as for 

 instance 1838, 1840, 1844, and 1854, large numbers appear in Southern Sweden. In Finland 

 it is one of the commonest of the Owls ; and Dresser has repeatedly, when travelling through 

 the country, seen it seated on the rough fences by the sides of the high roads. Von Nordmann 

 observed it as far as Sotkamo, in Karelen. 



Respecting its range in Russia our friend Mr. L. Sabanaeff writes us that " it is rare in the 

 Governments of Moscow and Jaroslaf, but very common in those of Toula, Orel, and Kharkoff." 

 Bogdanoff only observed it near Kazan ; but Eversmann says that it occurs also in the Govern- 

 ments of Simbirsk and SaratofT. In the district of Ekaterinbourg it is tolerably numerous ; and 

 Mr. Sabanaeff observed it in the Ural up to about 60° N. lat. It nests there, he states, about 

 the beginning of April, and sometimes, as in 1872, late in March (old style), depositing its eggs 

 in hollow trees, and usually laying four, rarely six or seven eggs. In the autumn, about the end 

 of September, it is sometimes seen near Moscow. Thus, as will be seen from the above, it ranges 

 over a large portion of Russia. 



In Poland it is very rare ; and Mr. Taczanowski informs us that all the occurrences which 

 have come under his notice took place in the winter season. Meyer records it as rare in Livonia ; 

 and it is equally so in Northern Prussia, though it is said to have bred in Hinterpommern. 

 Count C. Wodzicki observed it in the Tatra Mountains, in the densest pine-woods, up to an altitude 

 of 3000 feet. It was in continual motion from morning to evening ; and its note, a monotonous 

 cry like kick, kick, kick, was heard at all hours of the night. 



Borggreve says that it probably occurs and is resident all over North Germany, and gives 

 the following localities as those where it is found, viz. East Prussia ( Wiese and Boeck), Pome- 

 rania (Wiese), Silesia (Gloger), Lausitz (Tobias), Anhalt (Baldamus), Mosel (Schafer), Neuwied 

 (Braids), Hartz (Saxesen), and Tatra (Scliauer). Pastor Passler records an instance of its having 

 bred in Anhalt ; and Schiitt states that it has also bred in the Murgthal ; he also refers to two 



i2 



