468 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



four Starlings, who were feeding in the same way. The birds were at 

 too great a height to discern what the insects were. These manoeuvres 

 lasted for nearly fifteen minutes. 



Bullfinches have this year been very numerous in the district, and 

 gardeners have everywhere been complaining. I believe that the 

 Bullfinch, in nine cases out of ten, destroys the bud in order to get at 

 the insect pest within. But the gardener shakes his head, and fears 

 " Danaos et dona ferentes." I hope that the bad reputation of these 

 birds will not serve to diminish their increased numbers. 



Below are a few notes I have made during the past eighteen months 

 or so: — 



Hen-Harrieb. — The trapper of Braunton Burrows informed me 

 that two years ago a Harrier was often seen on the Burrows during 

 the winter, and on one occasion he almost stepped on it as it rose at 

 his feet from a depression in the ground with a Babbit in its claws. 

 I presume this was the Hen-Harrier, although I think that Montagu's 

 Harrier sometimes visits us. 



Red-backed Shrike. — By no means a common bird. I have seen 

 it at Hele, near Ilfracombe, where it breeds in small numbers. It has 

 also been noticed at Bishops Tawton, but is usually found near the 

 coast. 



Mistle-Thrush. — As I stood looking into a nest of this species, 

 containing young birds almost fully fledged, I suddenly heard a loud 

 "whirr," and then I felt a bird beating its wings on the back of 

 my head. I turned quickly round, and espied the old bird making 

 a precipitate retreat. I wished her to renew this unexpected attack, 

 so I remained where 1 was. However, she did not again actually 

 touch me, but was contented to vent her wrath by making dashes 

 every two or three minutes straight for my head, and then just at the 

 right moment altering her course so as to sail clear. I have never 

 heard of a bird of this description being so bold. 



White Wagtail. — A single specimen was seen this spring near the 

 Braunton Lighthouse. It remained a very short time. The Bev. 

 Murray Mathew, in the ' Birds of Devon,' calls this bird a regular 

 spring visitor, but it has of late grown scarcer. 



Goldfinch. — A local breeding bird. During the autumn and 

 winter many are caught in the clap-net, which is very generally used 

 by the professional birdcatcher. Apart from the destruction so caused 

 to wild life, the play-birds are usually unmercifully attached to wire 

 fasteners in order to be used as decoys, without the risk of their 

 escaping. One nest which I had under observation was stormed 



