NOTES AND QUERIES. 191 



as they were both east and west, whilst a few Golden Plover were 

 reported. The most abundant species were Snipe and Lapwing, both 

 of which were unusually common. On one estate over five hundred 

 Snipe were killed, but comparatively few Jack- Snipe ; and as to Lap- 

 wings, they were continually passing to and fro in very large flocks. 

 Two or more Green Sandpipers were seen throughout the winter 

 frequenting the meadows, and at times Hooded Crows were in evidence 

 far more than was desired by the wildfowl sportsmen. The Short- 

 eared Owl seems to have been seldom seen in this immediate neigh- 

 bourhood for several past winters, although it used to regularly visit 

 us. It is gratifying to be able to record that Goldfinches are certainly 

 increasing, and Kingfishers are no scarcer than they were some years 

 ago ; but the enormous flocks of Sky-Larks which formerly were to be 

 seen in the upland fields are sadly diminished in numbers, the craze 

 for bricks and mortar no doubt contributing its quota to the decrease 

 of Larks and other species, as it is certain that the Yellowhammer, and 

 its larger relation, the so-called "Common" Bunting, are much less 

 frequently seen than they were formerly. — G. B. Corbin (Kingwood, 

 Hants). 



Upupa epops in Norfolk. — It will doubtless be of interest to the 

 numerous ornithologists interested in the fauna of the above county to 

 learn that a Hoopoe, in good plumage, frequented a newly-dug kitchen 

 garden at ' The Meal House,' Holkham, during Easter ; it was first 

 seen on the 13th and again on the 14th of April. The wind was 

 blowing from the south on the first day, as well as the latter part of 

 the preceding day ; previous to which it had been from the N.N.E. or 

 N.E. for some little time. Beferring to ' The Zoologist ' (ante, p. 123), 

 I see Mr. J. H. Gurney states that there are no records of this species 

 for 1905 ; so the above occurrence is the first since March, 1904, 

 when one was seen at North Walsham (Zool. 1905, p. 91). — L. B. 

 Moueitz). 



The Hoopoe. — On May 5th I received, from G. Myford, Esq., 

 Beaver Hall Gardens, Old Southgate, N., a fine specimen of the Hoopoe 

 {Upupa epops). — James Gardner (Oxford Street, W.). 



Strange Death of a Hen-Harrier (Circus cyaneus). — From time to 

 time during the autumn and winter months I heard of one or more 

 large brown Hawks, "with much white about the tail," having been 

 seen in widely separated localities, and I naturally surmised they were 

 female Hen-Harriers. About the middle of February a gamekeeper 

 brought a bird for identification, with the statement it had been 



