2386 Birds. 



Capture of the Sea Eagle (Haliaeetos albicilla) in Sussex. — I have received infor- 

 mation from Sir Charles Taylor that a large eagle, lately observed in this neighbour- 

 hood, had been subsequently trapped in one of the great woods on the Cowdray estate. 

 Being naturally anxious to examine, or perchance obtain a specimen of an eagle found 

 so near me, I was just preparing to start in quest of it, when Lord Egmont kindly 

 anticipated my wishes by sending it to me. It proved to be a male cinereous or sea 

 eagle, in immature, but uninjured plumage. I have ascertained that the last chapter 

 in his biography was as follows : — The bird had for three weeks frequented the wooded 

 district in that picturesque portion of the weald which lies between Hollycombe and 

 Henley Hill, about twenty miles from the coast, and was evidently hitherto indebted 

 for his escape rather to the impracticable nature of his haunts than to any cunning or 

 vigilance of his own. He had been frequently seen near some old pollard oak trees, 

 among which, it was afterwards ascertained, he had roosted. Having, at length, im- 

 prudently ventured to make a foray upon a neighbouring farm-yard, and carried off a 

 goose, matters began to assume a serious aspect. A council of war was called : the 

 farmer, the game-keeper and the rat-catcher met in conclave ; an alliance offensive 

 and defensive was formed ; the eagle was denounced ; and all measures, whether of 

 force or stratagem, were declared lawful, to destroy such a marauder : the first sub- 

 scribed a pigeon, the second a trap, and the third a rat. Operations were commenced 

 by laying down the pigeon near the supposed retreat of the robber, as if to test his 

 gullibility : this was immediately carried off. The trap was then set on the same 

 spot, baited with the rat, and by means of this ignoble lure was the poor eagle deluded 

 and captured. — A. E. Knox ;* Petworth, December 14, 1848. 



Occurrence of the Great Gray Shrike (Lanius Excubitor) near Bishop's Auckland. 

 — On the 24th of last December a female great gray shrike was shot on Byer's Green 

 Moor — the only female I have known got in this neighbourhood. — Joseph Duff; 

 Bishop's Auckland, February 12, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Great Gray Shrike near Shoreham. — Several specimens of this 

 bird have occurred along the coast : two of them were shot during November last, one 

 at Lancing, the other at Southwick, both near Shoreham, and both appeared to be 

 adult males. — Wm. Borrer, Jun. ; 1, Silwood Place, Brighton, January 19, 1849. 



Variety of the Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). — On the 6th instant a beautiful pied 

 fieldfare was brought me ; the fifth, sixth and seventh quill-feathers in each wing 

 being white ; the greater coverts white ; the scapulars mottled ; the rump a cloudy 

 white ; the six middle tail-feathers white, with a dark brown bar across the end ; the 

 rest of the tail-feathers tipped with white. — Joseph Duff; Bishop's Auckland, February 

 12, 1849. 



Supposed Egg of Sylvia hippolais. — In an inquiry respecting the melodious willow 

 wren (Sylvia hippolais), by Mr. W. Lean (Zool. 2346), he seems to ask whether the 

 fourth variety of the eggs described by him may not be those of Sylvia Icterina or of 

 S. hippolais ? In reply, I can assure him that I have found eggs agreeing with his 

 description, and in the same situation as he describes, and that they are of the common 

 wren (Troglodytes europmus). It was in the fens of Cambridgeshire; and on my 

 coming to reside in Norfolk last year, I was struck with the dissimilarity in shape of 

 the eggs of the common wren which I got there, compared with those found in Cam- 



* Extracted, by permission, from Mr. Knox's forthcoming ' Ornithological Rambles. 



