92 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



OBNITHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN SUBEEY : 1906. 



By L. B. Mouritz. 



The most interesting event in Surrey ornithology during the 

 twelve months ending Dec. 31st, 1906, is the appearance of the 

 Hen-Harrier {Circus cyaneus) in what is probably an old haunt, 

 if not a breeding-ground. As I hope to observe them again 

 next year, it is not advisable to mention the precise locality, and 

 will only say that it is situated in the south-western portion of 

 the county. On referring to the diary below, it will be noticed 

 that the female of a pair was shot at Shackleford in February, and 

 it seems as if the survivor procured a fresh mate, and settled 

 down in the area where subsequently observed. 



The first occasion upon which I saw these birds was on May 

 28th, when I had a splendid view, both of the " Blue Hawk" and 

 "Ringtail," as they quartered the ground in true "Harrier" 

 fashion quite close to where I lay hidden amid rank heather and 

 stunted firs. I spent the whole morning in the locality, and 

 had my glasses in use nearly all the time. On Aug. 6th I took 

 a friend to see them, and was again fortunate in having a good 

 view, although on this day they were circling overhead the 

 greater part of the time, only now and again descending to the 

 heather. After a space of half an hour or so, during which they 

 had been gradually working nearer to us, the female flew past 

 the clump of pines in which we were concealed, and I think 

 caught sight of us, for shortly afterwards both birds flew away, 

 and, although we waited for a considerable time, they did not 

 return. Between these dates several other persons noted them, 

 among whom Mr. Gordon Dalgliesh may be mentioned as having 

 seen the male on July 10th in the vicinity. When I discovered 

 them, and after having shown myself, their behaviour certainly 

 convinced me that a nest was not far distant ; but, in spite of a 

 long and exhaustive search, I regret that I am unable to verify 



