216 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Buteo vulgaris, Leach. Common Buzzard. — Numerous in 

 the pine forests of Lucerne, Chamonix, and Grindelwald. A 

 Buzzard was constantly to be seen soaring over Lake Lucerne, 

 rising to a great height, and then descending almost to the 

 surface of the water, after the fashion of an Osprey when in 

 search of fish. In Ireland the Buzzard has been rapidly de- 

 creasing of late years, and is now very rare. It formerly bred in 

 Donegal, Londonderry, Antrim, and Down.* One was observed 

 on June 4th, 1889, at Powerscourt Waterfall, Co. Wicklow, by 

 Dr. C. J. Patten. Sir W. Jardine describes the Buzzard as 

 " a fine accompaniment to the landscape, whether sylvan or wild 

 and rocky." 



General distribution. — Inhabits the greater part of the 

 European continent. Breeds in Sweden as high north as lat. 

 66°. Plentiful in Palestine in winter. Occurs also in North 

 Africa, and rarely in Egypt. The American Buzzard is a 

 different species. 



Asio accipitrinus, Pall. Short-eared Owl. — One was noticed 

 in the valley of Grindelwald in July, 1897. On account of its 

 occurring at this time of year it probably bred there. In Ireland 

 this species is a regular ivinter visitor in limited numbers, 

 migrating before the breeding season. 



General distribution. — Widely distributed and migratory in 

 its habits. At one season or another it frequents the whole of 

 Europe and the greater part of Asia (China, India, Palestine, 

 and Egypt), Algeria, and Morocco. It is also found in many 

 parts of South America. In North America it is a summer 

 visitant. Mr. Darwin met with it in the Falklands. 



Order Passeres. 

 Lanius collurio, Linn. Bed-backed Shrike. — Many were 

 observed in Lucerne, Basle, and neighbouring districts in Switzer- 

 land. In Basle this bird was often seen perched on the posts 

 which supported the vines grown in the open air. It also fre- 

 quently alighted on the telegraph-wires. In Ireland this species 

 is excessively rare.f Only one specimen has been recorded, viz. 



* " Keport on the Breeding Eange of Birds in Ireland " (Proc. Eoyal 

 Irish Acad. 3rd series, vol. iii. No. 3, 1894), by R. J. Ussher. 



t In parts of England and Wales it is a tolerably common summer 

 visitor (see Saunders, < Manual of British Birds,' 1899). 



