102 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
It is one of our two small North Devon heronries. The nests 
are built on firs and other trees on an island in the middle of a 
lake. Three Buzzards were circling over this lake as I arrived. 
The Herons seemed alarmed, and replied to the cries of the 
Buzzards with dismal croaks. Of the dozen nests or so only 
three were being used. The young birds were well-grown and 
making themselves heard. The gamekeeper told me that twenty- 
five years ago the Herons were far more numerous. At that 
time they used to nest not only on the island but in the trees up 
the hillside. He also said that he had recently shot a ‘‘ horned 
Owl’ in the woods. I have seen the Long-eared Owl in fir- 
woods near Codden Hill, and I expect it is more or less common 
among our large tracts of larch and fir, though not often seen. 
Tth.—A Spotted Flycatcher nesting in Venn Bridge for the 
third consecutive year. Watched a male Stonechat violently 
chasing a small Tortoiseshell Butterfly. 
8th.—A brood of little Burrow-ducks trotting at a big pace 
over Braunton Burrows towards the water. The parent showed 
ereat agitation. It was a very funny thing to watch this little 
crowd toddling over the sand. Here was the struggle for exist- 
ence brought clearly before me in practical working order. 
Those that could not keep up were hustled by the stronger ones, 
and gradually left behind. 
28th.—A white Lapwing shot at Braunton. A Red-backed 
Shrike feeding fledged young on Braunton Great Field. Sawa 
pair of Reed-Buntings on Braunton Marshes. They are excep- | 
tionally uncommon in the Barnstaple district. The Yellow | 
Bunting is easily the commonest. Then comes the Cirl-Bunting | 



while the Corn-Bunting is very numerous, but local, as it is only | 
found near the coast. | 
August 28th.—Considerable numbers of Sanderlings (Calidris | 
arenaria) on the River Taw. ‘They remained for about a week. | 
October 8th.—A Quail shot at Harberton, South Devon. 
January 5th, 1908.—After some hard weather I saw a Grey 
Phalarope and three Bar-tailed Godwits on the mud-flats of the, 
Taw. 
10th.—While in some woods at Bideford with Mr. A. J. BR.) 
Roberts, we both noticed how common the Bullfinches were.’ 
! 
