Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/277

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM SURREY.
251

at Weybridge. Although Mr. Felton did not indubitably identify the bird, the eggs are certainly indistinguishable from the Twite's. They will, however, have to be adjudicated upon by the British Ornithologists' Union before any definite statement can be made as to their authenticity.

Crossbill (L. curvirostra).—A large number near Reigate in the winter 1899-1900 (C. E. Salmon, in lit.). Doubtless nests sometimes in the Bagshot district, where it has been seen late in April (F.B.P. Long, in lit.); and it also no doubt nests at Witley (H. Eastwood, in lit.).

Cirl Bunting (E. cirlus).—Has twice nested in a garden at West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer (L.M. Forster, in lit.).

Wood-Lark (A. arborea)—Mr. Crowley had four clutches from Churt, taken in 1860. I have also a note of three nests near Epsom in quite recent years (Epsom College Reports).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (D. major).—Mr. Crowley had two clutches from Churt, taken in 1860 and 1863. I have notes of its occurrence at Bagshot, Fetcham, and Mitcham; and of two nests last spring—in the Hurtwood and near Leith Hill respectively.

Cuckoo (C. canorus).—To the list of hosts which I gave as having been noticed in Surrey, I am now able to add the Blackcap (Churt, 1860, e coll. Crowley; and Lingfield, 38th June, 1895, part of lot 198 of Stevens's 10,204th sale); Greenfinch (Churt, circa 1860, two clutches, e coll. Crowley); Red-backed Shrike (Churt, June, 1863, ib.); Dartford Warbler (Churt, circa 1860, ib.); Sedge-Warbler (Carshalton, A. Smee in 'My Garden').

All Mr. Crowley's clutches mentioned above—and most of his Surrey eggs—were taken by one Alfred Smither, of Churt, whom Mr. Crowley employed as a collector, together with two other men named Piercey and Copper. Smither was a well-known character, who also supplied the London professionals with birds, nests, and eggs from the same district.

Long-eared OwL (A. otus).—Mr. J.D. Salmon had a clutch of three eggs taken on Godalming heath on May 12th, 1840 (MS. catalogue). Mr. Crowley, several clutches from Churt, taken in the 'sixties; and I omitted to state in writing my account of this species that Mr. Howard Saunders, in his 'Manual of British Birds' (1st ed. p. 284, 2nd ed. p. 294), mentions that