Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/444

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
410
THE ZOOLOGIST.

after a gale fifteen were brought him (B. of S. p. 98). One at Horsey, Oct. 9th, 1882. Dead example found on the Vauxhall line, April 15th, 1899, having probably struck telegraph-wires.

Cuculus canorus. Cuckoo.—C. Have known a single individual clear a cabbage-patch of the larvæ of Pieris brassicæ in a few days. I once reared one from the nest on bullock's lights. It was exceedingly pugnacious, and grew amazingly fast.

Coccystes glandarius. Great Spotted Cuckoo.—A. A young male was shot on Caister denes on Oct. 18th, 1896. Had been feeding on the larvæ of the Buff-tip Moth (vide Nor. N.S. vol. vi. p. 509).

Strix flammea. Barn-Owl.—C. Have observed it arrive early in the morning with autumnal immigrants. Still wantonly destroyed by many fools entrusted with guns.

Asio otus. Long-eared Owl.—N.C. "Rarely seen" (Paget). Examples occasionally brought up to market dead in winter months; two in the market, Dec. 16th, 1899.

A. accipitrinus. Short-eared Owl.—C. Sometimes arrives in considerable numbers in autumn; in other years scarce. Occasionally nests. A nest containing five eggs was discovered in a field of rushes not far from the sea in the neighbourhood of the Broads on May 2nd, 1898 (Zool. 1899, p. 119). I have observed this bird hunt in broad daylight. Coming over simultaneously with the Woodcock, is locally named "Woodcock-Owl."

Syrnium aluco. Tawny Owl.—R. Constant persecution has made this species (which the Pagets described as "common") rare with us.

Nyctala tengmalmi. Tengmalm's Owl.—A. "A single specimen is recorded by Messrs. Gurney and Fisher to have been taken some years since at Bradwell" (B. of N. vol. i. p. 60).

Athene noctua. Little Owl.—A. "Very rare; two specimens are well authenticated" (Paget). A male example brought alive into Yarmouth from sea, February, 1862 (Nor. N. S. vol. iv. p. 267). A female shot in the grounds of Naval Hospital, April 21st, 1881.

[Nyctea scandiaca. Snowy Owl.—A. "The late Mr. Stephen Miller, of Yarmouth, had a specimen of this noble bird, which, if not obtained in this district, was most probably British killed" (B. of N. vol. i. p. 58).]