NOTES AND QUERIES. 505 
example.—G. H. Caron Haicu (Grainsby Hall, Great Grimsby, Lin 
colnshire). 
Crossbills in Hants.—In connection with Mr. G. C. Corbin’s in- 
teresting account of the occurrence of Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) in 
South-west Hants (ante, p. 482), it may be worth noting that I saw a pair 
_ of these birds in the south-east part of the New Forest, close to a Scotch 
fir plantation, on May 19th of this year, a date that makes it probable that 
they had bred or were breeding in the neighbourhood. The male was in 
the orange-red plumage.— A. Bankes (Beaulieu, Hants). 
The Cirl Bunting in Wales.—In Capt. Swainson’s interesting note on 
_ the increase of this species (Hmberiza cirlus) in Breconshire (ante, p. 478), 
he quotes from the first edition of my ‘ Manual of British Birds,’ completed 
in 1889. If he refers to the second edition (pt. vi. April, 1898, p. 211), 
he may be pleased to learn that ‘‘in Wales it has decidedly spread of late, 
and is known to have nested in Brecon, Glamorgan, Cardigan, and Den- 
bighshire, while it has occurred in other parts of the Principality.”— 
HowarpD SAUNDERS. 
Owls and Kestrels.—Referring to Mr. L. E. Adams's “ Plea for Owls 
and Kestrels ” (ante, pp. 449, 450), it may be mentioned an order has been 
obtained by the West Suffolk County Council (a copy of which is enclosed) 
protecting these birds throughout the year, the taking of their eggs being 
also prohibited.—Juxtian G. Tuck (Tostock Rectory, Suffolk). 
Scoters in Hants and Isle of Wight.—Respecting the note by Mr. 
J. Whitaker as to Scoters in Notts (ante, p. 482), I may state that during 
Aug. 6th and 20th of this year I saw daily from half a dozen to a dozen 
- Common Scoters (Gdemia nigra) lazily winging their way from Hayling 
_ Island (near Portsmouth) to the Isle of Wight, and when on the island, on 
_ one or two occasions, I saw them too. They are called in the south “ Isle 
_ of Wight Parsons,” and, I was informed, are found at Hayling Island and 
the Isle of Wight all the year round, so doubtless breed there. Whilst on 
_an ornithological ramble at Hayling, I observed the Curlew Sandpiper 
and the Rock Pipit. This also between the dates already mentioned. 
Thad always understood the Scoter was a rare bird to the south, excepting 
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at certain seasons; but that it is not the case is evident from my own 
_ observations, and from what I learned as the result of careful enquiries.— 
_W. Perrcivat-Weste.t (5, Glenferrie Road, St. Albans, Herts). 
Phasianus colchicus in Yorkshire.—The true old-English Pheasant 
is getting now so scarce that its occurrence is almost worthy of record. I 
_ do not think I have shot more than half a dozen in my life. On Nov. 8th 
Mr. Richard Hill, of Thornton, near Pickering, very kindly brought me a 
