OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE IN 1900. 49 
early date for this species, which has appeared on a very few 
occasions in this county, one of the last being that when seen on 
three consecutive days in 1898 at Munden. 
Hawfinch ( Coccothraustes vulgaris). —This species was again very 
plentiful in north-west Hertfordshire. 
Goldfinch ( Carduelis elegans). —The goldfinch was not uncommon 
around Berkhamsted during the year. 
B rambling (Fringilla montifringilla) .—I saw a good many birds 
of this species in the neighbourhood of Berkhamsted in the early 
part of the year. 
Lesser Redpoll ( linota rufescens). — I was shown an egg 
undoubtedly belonging to this species which had during the year 
been taken on Berkhamsted Common. 
Common Crossbill ( Loxia curvirostra). —These birds remained 
in the neighbourhood of Berkhamsted during the early part of the 
year, but then disappeared. The Hon. Walter Rothschild also has 
informed me that there were none round Tring last year. 
Cirl-Bunting ( Emberha cirlus). — On May 20th I had the 
pleasure of first hearing and then seeing a male cirl-bunting near 
Aldbury, and I again saw it on one or two occasions later. I made 
a diligent search in the immediate neighbourhood for the nest, but 
I was unable to find it, although the female bird was most probably 
sitting somewhere near. The records of this species so far as 
Hertfordshire is concerned are very meagre, and it was therefore 
a great pleasure to me to recognize it on this occasion. 
Long-eared Owl ( Asio otus). —Mr. M. R. Pryor informs me that 
this species is somewhat on the increase in the neighbourhood of 
Stevenage. 
Short-eared Owl ( Asio accipitrinus). —Mr. Pryor also states that 
he has seen so many as thirty of these birds in a plantation to the 
north of Stevenage, while occasionally he has known one or two 
to stay throughout the Summer. 
Hen-Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ).—A bird which was either this 
species or Montagu’s harrier was seen by Mr. Pryor on the 8th of 
September, at Weston Park. The hen-harrier has occurred on 
several occasions in Hertfordshire, but the other species has been 
obtained only once. 
Buzzard ( Buteo vulgaris). —A bird of this species was shot near 
St. Albans on January 27th, and was preserved by Mr. Spary of 
that place. It measured three feet across the wings, and weighed 
two ounces short of two pounds. This species is a fairly regular 
visitant to Hertfordshire, one at least being seen every year. 
(?) Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetus). —In the ‘Essex County 
Chronicle’ for 15th January, 1891, there appeared the following 
paragraph :—“ A fine specimen of the golden eagle has been shot 
at Theobalds, Waltham Cross. The bird w*as seen hovering over 
one of the woods, and it was brought to the ground with difficulty, 
six shots being fired at it. The wings measured seven and a half 
feet from tip to tip. On being approached the bird fixed its talons 
in a gamekeeper’s leg and also severely lacerated one of his hands.” 
VOL. XI.—PART II. 
4 
