2452 Birds. 



to it in my notes sent to the * Zoologist.' I was much amused at tracking our mi- 

 gratory friend, Mr. Wolley, in Spain : there was his name in the visitors' book at 

 Fonda de la Reyna, Sevilla ; then, again, was it to be seen at the worthy Mrs. Cow- 

 ison's, Rogers Ramp, Gibraltar ; and, if I remember aright, at Senora Romagnoli's, 

 Malaga, also, — or at Granada. The modern Athens seems to be his favourite habitat 

 just now ; and, I think, since his Spanish wanderings, we heard of his attaining the 

 summit of Mont Blanc. Be he where he may, however, I am sure your readers are 

 always pleased to see his name and address in the ' Zoologist.' — C. A. Bury ; Ches- 

 hunt, Herts, May, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Osprey (Falco Haliaeetus) near Bishop's Auckland. — Last week a 

 very fine osprey was taken in a trap at Windlestone Hall, the seat of Sir Wm. Eden, 

 Bart., about three miles from here. It has been presented to the Durham Museum. 

 —J. Duff; Bishops Auckland, May 7, 1849. 



Audacity of the Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus) in attacking Crows. — I send an 

 extract from the ' Hereford Times ' of April 7th. " An instance of the ferocity and 

 daring courage of this feathered marauder occurred near Cenfpare, on the old road to 

 Trecastle, a few days ago. A fine crow was at rest on the branch of a tree, basking 

 in the sunshine, and no doubt feeling himself quite comfortable and secure, when he 

 was suddenly assailed by a sparrow hawk, who swooped down upon him with great 

 fierceness. A struggle ensued between the diminutive assailant and his gigantic in- 

 tended victim, which resulted in both birds falling into a pool of water ; whereupon a 

 spectator rushed forward and captured them, still engaged in conflict,— indeed so fast 

 was the beak of the hawk affixed at the back of the crow's head, that much difficulty 

 was found in separating the combatants. Both birds are now living in captivity." 

 Singular enough, on reading this paragraph to my friend, Mr. Moore, he tells me that 

 he saw a very similar occurrence on Friday, April 13th. He was walking with his 

 brother, in a wood at Shelsley, Worcestershire, when they saw a crow (Corvus corone) 

 skulking through an opening in the trees. A little sparrow hawk pounced down upon 

 him from above ; but after a struggle the crow extricated himself, and took refuge in 

 the upper branch of a tree. — W. F. W. Bird. 



Occurrence of the Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) in Norfolk. — A speci- 

 men of the rough-legged buzzard was trapped at Mantley, in Norfolk, in the early 

 part of last December. — T. H. Burroughes ; Harrow-on-the-Hill. 



The Great Eagle Owl (Otus Bubo) Nesting in Confinement. — Mr. Edward Foun- 

 taine, of this parish, has a pair of the great eagle owl in confinement ; and the hen 

 bird is now incubating three eggs, on a nest formed of straw, on the ground, in the 

 further corner of the cage : both birds have become unusually bold and savage since 

 this operation has been in progress. — John Henry Gumey ; Easton, near Norwich, 

 May 1, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Great Gray Shrike (Lanius Excubitor) near Yorlc. — A very fine 

 specimen of the great gray shrike was shot by a tailor, close to the city of York, on 

 Clifton Strays, on Wednesday, April 18th, while chasing some fieldfares, — a fine 

 adult female, having five very distinct eggs in her. — W. M. E. Milner ; Nunappleton, 

 Tadcaster, April, 1849. 



Occurrence of the Great Gray Shrike near Lewes. — A fine specimen of the great 

 gray shrike was caught on the 3rd of February, at Stoneham, near Lewes, by a bird- 

 catcher, whilst attempting to carry off one of his " call-birds : " it at first attracted 

 his attention by pursuing a sparrow down a hedge-row e he immediately placed his 



