438 Birds. 



tural History at Warwick. I had requested Cashmore, with whom I 

 had frequent dealings, to apprize me as often as he received any rare 

 British bird. He accordingly submitted these birds to my inspection, 

 and by my desire ascertained that they were killed by the gamekeeper 

 of Lord Leigh, of Stoneleigh-abbey. The birds reached Birmingham 

 on the 12th of June, the month in which the egg was taken from the 

 nest mentioned by White. I therefore came to the conclusion that 

 they had a nest, but I made no further enquiry, until my attention 

 was excited by the perusal of Mr. Hewitson's observation before 

 quoted. I then wrote to Mr. Potts, Lord Leigh's gamekeeper, for fur- 

 ther information, and I think that I shall communicate the result of 

 my application most satisfactorily, by setting forth his reply, which 

 not only gives an answer to my direct enquiries, but contains highly 

 interesting information with respect to the food and habits of the ho- 

 ney-buzzard, showing that, although it may be insectivorous by pre- 

 ference, it does not confine itself to insects and reptiles, and " such 

 small deer," but preys on young game, both biped and quadruped. 

 Mr. Potts' letter is as follows. 



" Sir, — In replying to your note respecting the honey-buzzards, 

 1 beg to inform you that I shot them in Waverley-wood, near Stone- 

 leigh-park. I had seen them about there some time previous to my 

 killing them, which caused me to look for their nest, which I found 

 they were building, and had nearly completed by the appearance of 

 it. I concealed myself near to it, and when they came I shot them. 

 I also beg to say that I killed a pair of honey-buzzards in Berricott- 

 wood, near Stoneleigh-abbey, a few years previous to 1841. I ob- 

 served them coming from towards Waverley to Berricott, most days, 

 and they generally used to take something back in their claws, which 

 1 have no doubt were young pheasants, as when I was in Berricott one 

 day, I heard a pheasant making a noise as though something was tak- 

 ing her young. I went to the place, and one of the hawks flew up 

 with two young pheasants in its claws. I immediately set some traps 

 and baited them with young rabbits. When I went again to look, 

 there was one caught, and the other was by its side, eating the bait, 

 and when it flew up, I shot it, and so secured the pair. I have no 

 doubt they had young ones in Waverley, as I saw a very large nest 

 there some time afterwards, very similar to the one I shot the old ones 

 from in 1841. I sent both pairs to the Warwick museum. Waverley- 

 wood is 163 acres. I am, Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 



" Jas. Potts." 



