200 
BIRDS. 
Strix brachyotus.— Short-eared owl. Rare. 
Strix flammea.— Barn owl. Not uncommon. 
Is often abroad in day time. 
Strix stridula.— Brown owl. Would be as often 
found as the last if not unnecessarily persecuted by 
gamekeepers. A pair of the very dark coloured 
variety has been lately procured from Plympton ; 
the difference is recorded accurately in Yarrel’s 
“ British Birds.” Mr. Gosling however, who met 
with the same variety at Leigham, imagines from 
its habit of roosting on the ground that it is speci¬ 
fically distinct from stridula. 
Strix passerina.— Little owl. Rarely procured. 
It has been shot not far from Yealmpton. 
Strix nyctea.— Snowy owl. A specimen was 
found at St. Germains in December, 1838, and 
knocked down with a stick. Though not occurring 
exactly in this county, I have presumed to add so 
interesting a bird to our list. Its visit to us can 
hardly be accounted for. 
The Canada owl has been taken in Cornwall, the 
only instance of its occurrence in Britain. 
Lanius excubitor.— Great shrike. Rare, and 
frequenting wild spots; has been seen towards 
Ashburton (Dr. Tucker in “ Guide to scenery of 
Ashburton,) and has been known to build in Corn¬ 
wall. 
Lanius collurio.— Flasher. Common, and much 
in hedges at the sides of road ; arrives about May 
8th. 
Lanius rutilus. (Bewick p. 377.)— Woodcliat. 
Shot at Mutley by Pincombe, of Devonport. 
PIC.E. 
Corvus corax.— Raven. Scarce from persecution ; 
seen mostly in autumn and winter when it traver¬ 
ses the country in a desultory manner. Builds 
