214 
J. E. LITTLEBOY—NOTES ON BIRDS 
Twite ( Linota flavirostris). —This bird has been twice reported 
during the year. Mr. W. Hill, jun., informs me that a male bird 
was taken near Hitchin on the 4th of May, and two pairs were 
secured in nets, by Mr. Banfield, bird-dealer, Hemel Hempstead, 
in the month of February, near Ivinghoe. 
Tree-sparrow ( Passer montanus). —A tree-sparrow, caught at 
Fix Farm, near Bourne End, was brought to me by Mr. Banfield 
on the 13th of November. I have observed two or three tree- 
sparrows in my own garden during the winter. 
Haven ( Corvus Corax). —A raven is reported by Mr. Percy F. 
Fordham as having been seen near Royston. 
Woodpeckers (Ficus major, P. minor , and Gecimus viridis). —An 
unusual number of wood-peckers have been reported in 1884. Mr. 
G. Shrimpton, of Port Yale, reports that he has recently mounted 
four specimens of the greater spotted woodpecker, all shot in the 
neighbourhood of Hertford ; he also informs me that a pair of lesser 
spotted woodpeckers settled on a pear tree a few yards from his 
own door. A green woodpecker, or, as it is commonly called, a 
“ whetile,” shot by Frederick Halsey, near the Railway Terrace, 
Nash Mills, was sent to me on the 3rd of February by Dr. Evans. 
Dr. Brett informs me, on the authority of the gamekeeper, that 
green woodpeckers have been very common in Oxhey Woods, and 
Mr. N. Thrale advises me of two having been shot and several' 
others seen in the neighbourhood of Hertford. The green wood¬ 
pecker is one of the very few English birds that is strictly non- 
migratory ; it would seem therefore that the Wild Birds Preservation 
Act may possibly have exercised some influence in promoting its 
preservation. 
Owls (Asio Otus and A. accipitrinus). —A long-eared owl is re¬ 
ported as shot on the 10th of April, near Odsey Grange, by Mr. H. 
R. Fordham, and two others as observed near Royston, on the 5th 
of July, by Mr. Percy F. Fordham. Mr. Marlborough R. Pryor 
informs me that a flight of short-eared owls was observed near his 
residence, Weston Manor, Stevenage, on the 1st of November; and 
Mr. George Shrimpton reports that one was shot in Bedwell Park, 
on the 1st of November. 
Rough- legged Buzzard ( Buteo lag opus). —Mr. Marlborough R. 
Pryor has kindly advised me of a rough-legged buzzard having been 
shot at Bennington in the year 1880. I applied for further particulars 
to Mr. Chapman, gamekeeper on the estate of Mr. Leonard Proctor, 
and have received from him the following interesting account: — 
“ The rough-legged buzzard you refer to was shot on November 9th, 
1880. It was a very fine bird, measuring from tip to tip of wing 
4ft. 7£in., and from head to tail lft. 9in.; I first observed it in the 
early part of October. The locality is a high hill, with a large tree 
on the top of it, which commands an extensive view for many 
miles. I frequently watched the buzzard fly away, as far as the 
eye could reach, but it always returned to the hill. A second 
specimen was shot on October 30th, 1883, within a few yards of 
where the first was killed.” 
