THE NATURALIST. 



LsSsER Spotted Woodpecker, Picus minor, Linn. I have noticed 

 this bird on several occasions near Barnstaple, and many specimens have 

 "beeii shot. 



Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa atricapilla, Linn. Mr. Eowe mentions 

 but two instances of its occurrence in Devon ; near Barnstaple, however, it 

 appears to be more frequent as in the "autumn of 1857, two of my brothers, 

 discovered a flock of this pretty species flitting about a hedge, bordering 

 a marshy spot close to the town. Three or four of them were shot, but were 

 all birds of the year. ]^ext spring many old birds were seen in the same 

 place. My brother, the Rev. Murray A. Matliew, has also observed the old 

 birds haunting some low bushes in the vicinity of a toggy part of Huish 

 Down, near Combmartin, and where he says, he believes they breed. 



Red Backed Shrike, Lanius collurio, Linn. Appears to be more 

 numerous in the northern division of the county than in the south. 



Black Redstart, Sylvia tiiliys. Temm. But a solitary instance of 

 the occurrence of this bird near Barnstaple has come to my knowledge — and 

 that was noticed by the Rev. W. S. Hore, in the town itself. 



jSTightingale, Lusciola luscinia, Linn. It has been said that this 

 bird has been heard in full song late in the evening, in a grove, close to 

 the town, but as the bird itself was not seen, I am inclined to believe that a 

 Blackcap was the charming songster which enraptured the ears of the 

 *' Barumites," a few years ago. — In my opinion this bird is only second to the 

 Nightingale. 



Whinchat, Saxicola ruhetra, Linn. This species is not common in the 

 north of Devon. 



Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca, Lath. I have repeatedly seen 

 this bird and taken its nest, and do not call it uncommon in the neighbour- 

 hood of Barnstaple. 



Richard's Pipit, Antlius RlcTtavdi^ Vieill. I had the goodjfortune to 

 shoot an example of this rare bird on Braunton Burrows, in December, 1864, 

 for an account of which, vide Zoologist for February 1865. 



Snow Bunting, Emheriza nivalis, Linn. I met with a large flock of 

 these pretty birds feeding in a stubble field early in the autumn of 1863, 

 between Barnstaj^le and Ilfracombe, and three of them in difi'erent stages of 

 plumage were killed at a single shot. Yide Zoologist, for 1863. 



Common Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra, Linu. A flock of these birds 

 visited some large fit trees in our lawn, several years ago, and many of them 

 We?e shot. One bird I recollect was wounded and fell between a forked 



