BIRDS 



100. Crested Lark. Alauda crista ta, Linn. 



The only specimen of this continental 

 species that has been obtained in Devonshire 

 was shot about the year 1851, on Braunton 

 Burrows, by the late Mr. Clevland of Tapley 

 Park near Bideford. The late Lord Lilford 

 thought he had seen a pair close to the Sands 

 Hotel at Slapton Ley in July 1852. 



[Both the short-toed lark {J. brachydactyla) 

 and the calandra lark {A. calandra), natives of 

 southern Europe, have been reported from 

 Devonshire. The examples obtained of the 

 first are known to have been imported, and 

 the two specimens of the latter, said to have 

 been killed near Plymouth and Exeter 

 respectively, were obtained from dealers.] 



loi. Shore-Lark. Otocorys alpestris (Linn.) 



Although this lark has occurred on several 

 occasions on the neighbouring coast of Dorset, 

 and twice in Cornwall, the only properly 

 substantiated occurrence in Devonshire is that 

 recorded by Mr. Hutchinson of Bideford, who 

 saw a flock of shore-larks on Northam Burrows 

 on 2 January 1875, and shot one. An 

 adult specimen, formerly in the collection of 

 the late Mr. Cecil Smith, is said to have been 

 shot at Paignton. Two specimens are said to 

 have been killed on Dawlish Warren, but 

 there is some doubt as to their origin, as they 

 were obtained from a dealer. It is however 

 by no means improbable that this pretty species 

 should have occurred at that locality. It is 

 apparently extending its range of winter mi- 

 gration westward, and is likely to visit Devon- 

 shire more frequently in the future. 



102. Swift. Cypselus apus (Linn.) 

 Locally, Devil's Screecher, Skeer Devil. 



A summer migrant usually very abundant 

 throughout the county, especially around 

 towns and villages. Arrives generally early 

 in May, but sometimes during the last week 

 of April. It ordinarily takes its departure in 

 the second week of August. Instances how- 

 ever have occurred in which individuals have 

 lingered until October and November. This 

 well known bird breeds freely under the roofs 

 of houses in Exeter and other towns, in holes 

 in trees in woods, in the crevices of granite 

 tors and stone walls on Dartmoor, and on 

 cliffs of the sea-coast at Beer and Berry Head 

 and elsewhere. 



103. Alpine Swift. Cypselus melba {L\nn.) 

 An immature example was shot, and two 



others seen, near Ilfracombe, 4 October 

 1876, by Mr. H. E. Rawson. They were 

 flying in company with about a score of 

 common swifts. 



104. Nightjar. Caprimulgus europaus, Linn. 

 Locally, Fern-Owl, Night-Crow, Dor-Hawk. 



A summer migrant very numerous, in 

 suitable localities, throughout the county, 

 especially on the borders of Dartmoor. 

 Usually arrives in April or early in May, and 

 departs in September. Individuals have been 

 known to remain as late as November. It is 

 a summer visitor and common breeder on 

 Lundy Island. Mr. Comyns of Mount 

 Pleasant near Dawlish possessed a white 

 specimen. 



105. Wryneck. lynx torquilla, lAnn. 



A casual visitor of rare occurrence in 

 spring and autumn, principally in the south 

 of the county. It was stated to breed near 

 Dawlish by Mr. Comyns, according to Dr. 

 E. Moore {Trans. Plymouth Inst. 1830). 



106. Green Woodpecker. Gecinus virtdis 



(Linn.) 



Locally, Woodawl, Woodmaul, Woodwalf, 

 Parrot Woodpecker. 



This beautiful bird is a common resident 

 throughout the county, excepting the moors. 

 It would be very numerous but for the star- 

 lings that appropriate its nesting holes in dead 

 trees. There appears to be a considerable 

 immigration of green woodpeckers into the 

 western counties in severe winters. 



[A specimen of the great black woodpecker 

 (Picus martius) is said to have been killed at 

 Crediton, and was in the collection of the 

 late Mr. John Newton of Millaton near 

 Bridestowe. It is highly improbable that this 

 large woodpecker, an inhabitant of the great 

 pine forests of Scandinavia, should visit our 

 county. Several other supposed occurrences 

 have been recorded, but there is little doubt 

 that the great spotted woodpecker has been 

 confused with this bird.] 



107. Great Spotted Woodpecker. Dendrocopus 



major (Linn.) 



Locally, French Pie, Pied Woodpecker, Mag- 

 pic Woodpecker. 



A resident but not common anywhere in 

 Devonshire, though occasionally met with in 

 wooded districts throughout the county. It 

 is most often seen in winter and early spring. 

 It is occasionally found breeding in woods, 

 and would probably be more numerous but 

 for the starlings which appropriate the nesting 

 holes of this as well as of the green wood- 

 pecker. Orchards of small cherries, called 

 ' mazzards,' offer a great attraction to this 

 bird, which feeds on them when ripe. 



309 



