THE BIRDS. 



553 



the Kestrel (Tinnunculus Falco, fig. 1195), the Sparrow Hawk {Falco 

 nisus), and the White Owl {Strix flammcea, fig. 11 96) — 



"The ill-faced owl, Death's dreadful messenger" (SpenserJ ; 

 or, as Shakspeare has it — 



" The clamorous owl that nightly hoots ; " 



At Shepley House, in 1872, a pair bred in an old tree, and about 

 eighteen heads of ducklings were found in their nest. 



The constant persecution of raptorial birds by gamekeepers has 

 terribly thinned this country of this family. It is probable that they 

 are useful in dest*roying diseased and maimed birds, and preventing 

 the overcrowding of species, and it is questionable whether the general 

 balance of nature can be disturbed with impunity by the caprice 

 of ignorant and prejudiced men. 



In the woods on the hills, the Hen Harrier {Circus cyaneiis), the 

 Hobby {Falco subbuted), and the Merlin {Falco cesalofi), have been shot. 



A splendid wild Cockatoo was unfortunately shot this year (1872) 

 in Beddington Park, possibly from Weybridge, where attempts have 

 been made to acclimatize the parrot tribes. 



The following table has been prepared by my son, to show 

 about the time when the birds mentioned arrive at my garden : the 

 exact day varies in each year : — 



Blackcap . 

 Chiffchaff . 

 Swallow 

 Sand Martin 

 Wryneck . 

 Nightingale 

 Sedge Warbler 



March 30th. 

 . April Sth. 

 . „ 6th. 

 . „ Sth. 

 . „ 9th. 

 ,, 1 2th. 

 . „ I5tli 



House Martin 

 Cuckoo 



Summer Snipe 

 Sandpiper . 

 Swift . 

 Flycatcher . 

 Land Rail . 



. April 1 6th. 



. „ I Sth. 



„ 22nd. 



. May loth. 

 . "„ I Sth. 

 • „ 25th. 



Although birds delight us with their song, yet in my intercourse 

 with musical men I have found but few that have the power of 

 recording their notes. I therefore requested my brother, Mr. F. 

 Smee, to visit my garden and endeavour to take down the notes 

 of the birds as they sang. He reported that some of their musical 



