thirty specimens, at least, were brought in from various localities to 
our Norwich bird staffers, and others since that date. The same 
apparent excess of numbers in this migratory species has been 
recorded, as observed concurrently in more northern counties, both 
in England and Scotland on the east coast, and the superabun- 
dance of field mice in certain districts in Scotland and Yorkshire 
since the spring of the year, has led somewhat to the impression 
that the excess of ground vermin, is accountable in some degree 
for the unusual plenty this autumn on our shores, of Owls and 
Buzzards. Whether this is the cause or not as regards other 
counties, I know of no complaint amongst the farmers in Norfolk 
of any great increase in field mice during the past autumn ; 
although the excessive rains and consequent floods in the low 
lying districts may have driven such “small deer,” in unusual 
quantities, on to the upland farms. But if we have been free 
from such a plague, I think the perceptible increase in Shorteared 
Owls is easily accounted for, without the assumption that any 
unusual immigration of the species has actually occurred. These 
birds alighting according to their annual migratory custom on the 
northern shores of Great Britain would soon discover the abundant 
provision of their favourite food, as reported from Scotland and 
Yorkshire, and first arrivals, instead of passing on after a brief 
rest, would remain to enjoy the feast, and be reinforced by other 
flights, till these congregated forces eating their way southward in 
unusual numbers would naturally give the impression that a 
remarkable migration of the species had occurred, rather than that 
their normal flights had thus become more concentrated. 
With reference, however, to this question of Owls and Mice, I 
may refer my readers to an interesting letter in the ‘ Gentleman’s 
Magazine’ for 1754, volume xxiv, p. 215, on a great influx of 
Norway Owls at Hilgay, Norfolk, owing to a plague of Field Mice 
in the “ Fen district ; ” and this we may presume happened in 
an exceptionably dry season, rather than in such a one as we have 
experienced this last autumn and winter. The following curious 
capture of an owl of this species occurred in a marsh at South 
Walsham on the 11th of March last. A lad crossing the marshes 
on his way homo from work in the “ dark hour,” observed a Lap- 
wing sweep past him pursued by a larger bird : they took no notice 
of him, and both fell to the ground within a few yards of the spot 
