Birds. 



8765 



strongest light, because in every instance only that food finds its way 

 into the bird's stomach on which that individual has to subsist. The 

 young of birds are fed almost exclusively on insects injurious to man, 

 and this cannot be detected in the stomachs of the parents ; indeed it 

 would be extremely difficult to demonstrate the enormous amount of 

 the benefits man derives from birds during the protacted period when 

 they are feeding their little ones. No one but the naturalist knows the 

 insatiable craving of the callow young ; no one but he is aware of the 

 unwearying assiduity of the parents while they perform this labour of 

 love ; but how shall we place before the general reader the facts of the 

 case so as to secure his attention ? Calculations and figures are very 

 unimpressive, and the fact that a certain number of millions of insects 

 are consumed every year by nestling birds does not seem very im- 

 posing ; it is more simple and more to the purpose to state the well- 

 ascertained fact, that in order to keep a nestling bird in health and 

 strength it must be supplied every day with an amount of wheat- 

 destroying, or vegetable-destroying, or fruit-destroying caterpillars, 

 equal to rather more than a third of its own weight. 



To expect any sudden reaction in public sentiment is out of the 

 question, but when the incontrovertible facts now adduced are deli- 

 berately considered, — when we know they will be confirmed by any- 

 one who, with honesty of purpose, sets himself to disprove them, — 

 there can, I think, be no doubt they will eventually make an impression 

 destined to be as lasting as it must be beneficial to man. 



Edward Newman. 



Marsh and Montagu's Harriers in Norfolk. — I had five specimens of the above 

 birds forwarded to preserve. They were shot on the estate of Mr. E. C. Newcombe. 

 John Baker ; 3, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, September 2, 1863. 



" Hooting" of the Barn Owl. — I have always understood that the " hooting " of 

 this owl was doubted by many, and altogether denied by some, ornithologists. I have 

 in my possession a tame specimen of the barn owl, which I have reared almost from 

 the nest. I have now had it upwards of fifteen months, and have closely observed its 

 habits. It does "hoot" exactly like the longeared owl (Strix otus), but not so fre- 

 quently. I use the term "hoot" in contradistinction to "screech," which it often 

 does when irritated. — W. W. Boullon; Beverley, Yorkshire, August 31, 1863. 



Occurrence of the Snowy Owl in Sutherlandshire, and of the Honey Buzzard in 

 Inverness -shire. — I have just received a letter from a friend living in Inverness, who 

 has sent me word of the capture of the snowy owl in Sutherlandshire last month (July) ; 

 also of three fine examples of the honey buzzard having been killed in Inverness-shire. 

 — S. P. Saville ; Dover House, Cambridge, August, 1862. 



