2b 
THE ESSEX NATURALIST. 
Trout, but the Lock Leven Trout (Sal mo levenensis). Ibis 
is usually held to be a distinct species, but some authorities 
state that the form is no more than a mere geographical variety 
of Salma tnitta. Whatever view is taken, a Loch Leven trout 
could not be in the Roding by any natural means, and the speci¬ 
men now noticed is obviously not native. 
During the past few months, I have heard rumours of trout 
(or, at least, a spotted hsh otherwise unknown to the local anglers) 
being taken from this river. It happens, however, that the roach 
here are frequently subject to a bacterial parasitic disease which 
causes small black spots on the back and flanks, and this was 
borne in mind when I heard the vague reports of trout in 
the Roding. It now appears that some, at least, of these strange 
captures were correctly identified as trout ; and it is indeed 
possible that this very desirable fish may succeed in establishing 
itself as a breeding species. Perhaps this stage has already 
been reached. 
I have not heard of any actual introduction of trout in 
the Roding, and the river may have been stocked by the over¬ 
flow from some private fish-pond.— Freer. J. Stubbs. 
[It is said that about 2,000 small Brook Trout were introduced into 
the Roding, about 1881, by the Rev. R. M. Rodwell, of High Laver ( Essex 
Nat., i., p. 149 : 1887) ; and Dr. Laver states ( Mammals, Reptiles, and 
Fishes of Essex, p. 104) that, at the time he wrote (in 1898), they still 
appeared “ to be doing well.” Trout of good size have also occurred 
for many years in the Brook Cann, where it runs ..through the parishes 
of Chignal and Roxwell, having been introduced there quite fifty years 
ago ; and they appear to be flourishing, though not increasing in numbers. 
These are, however, I assume, all the common Brook Trout. Of the 
introduction into Essex of the Loch Leven Trout there is (so far as I 
know) no definite record.— Ed.] 
Food of the Little Owl. —The Little Owl (Athene noctua) 
is popularly believed to be a harmful bird, and in consequence 
it has become the mark of farmers, gamekeepers, and promis¬ 
cuous gunners. 
The results of my investigation of the gizzard-contents of 
three Little Owls during March last seem to show, however, that 
during part of the year at least, this species is certainly harmless, 
and probably distinctly useful to the very people who shoot 
them recklessly. The records are as follows :— 
1. The gizzard contained nine dor-beetles, almost entire 
and undigested. 
2. The gizzard contained the elytra of five minute beetles, 
some mouse-hair, and one down feather (possibly its own). 
3. The gizzard contained one beetle, some moss and..one 
down feather.—A. Hibbert-Ware, F.L.S., Wanstead. 
