399 



THE BIRDS OF NORTH-WEST LINDSEY. 



MAX PEACOCK, 

 Cndney, Brigg, Lines. 



{Cofttznued from page 2-j). 



Snowy Owl. — Has certainly visited Bottesford once. It 

 was called ' that great white owl,' in the winter of 1868-69. 

 Its cry was awful to listen to in the winter night, and it was 

 said that it could be heard calling a mile off on still evenings. 

 There was only one bird — not a pair, and it was only saved 

 because m}^ father would not let it be shot. 



Little Owl. — I have no record of this species yet for my 

 district. It is in the South Lincolnshire Woods, and has reached 

 Tumby in North Lincolnshire. It can only be a question of 

 time before it occupies the Eastern Woods, if it is permitted 

 to do so by the gamekeepers. 



There are many notes for the Falconidae I cannot add here, 

 because so few observers can identify them certainly. 



Marsh-Harrier. — This is a very rare species now. It was 

 not uncommon early last century. ' It nested in the Isle of 

 Axholme in 1836,' says Stonehouse, in the History of the 

 Isle,' p. 62. 



Hen-Harrier. — Occurs more frequently on migration than 

 the last species, but it is rare. There was an old male at 

 Epworth during 1868-69. A pair got three young ones off in 

 the gorse on Raventhorpe Common as late as 1872. 



Montagu's Harrier. — This is the Egg-Hawk of the old 

 commoners, I believe, though this name was more rarely 

 applied to the Marsh-Harrier. It was not uncommon on the 

 carrs before the enclosures and warping. Old Mrs. Abey, of 

 Cadney, born in the opening years of last century, talked of 

 four birds of prey : — ' The Egg Hawk, Ringtail, Kite, and Blue 

 Hawk.' In this short list, the second and third names refer 

 to the Hen-Harrier, I believe. I have only one record. A 

 female bird with her eggs taken on one of the commons round 

 Brumby many years ago, was sold at the late Mr. W. Moss's 

 -sale at that hamlet. W^hat became of it I cannot say. In the 

 case with this bird was a party-colour white and red leveret 

 about a quarter grown. 



jgoS Novembsr i. 



