BIRDS 84. Wryneck. lynx torquilla, Linn. A rare summer migrant which has been recorded several times as nesting in the county at Rolleston and Sandon. 85. Green Woodpecker. Gecinus vlridis (Linn.) A resident, generally distributed in wooded districts and on the heaths of central and southern Staffordshire ; common on Cannock Chase and around Ashley. 86. Great Spotted Woodpecker. Dendrocopus major (Linn.) Resident, and not uncommon, especially in woods in the north-west and west of the county and on Cannock Chase. 87. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Dendrocopus minor (Linn.) A local resident and has been recorded from Burton, Uttoxeter and Barlaston and found nesting at Sandon, Maer, Bishop's Woods, Dimminsdale near Cheadle and Ramsor. Probably the shyness of this little bird is the cause of its supposed scarcity. [Great Black Woodpecker. Picus martius, Linn. Garner says of this species, ' We may add Picus martius on Mr. Brown's authority.' Pro- bably the statement was based on a misunder- standing, for Mr. Brown when compiling his list of the birds of the Burton district omits all mention of this bird (1863).] 88. Kingfisher. Alcedo ispida, Linn. Resident and formerly fairly common on all our streams and lakes, but now scarce ex- cept in the Dove valley below Dovedale, where a considerable increase in numbers has taken place during the last few years owing to the protection extended by several riparian owners. A few pairs still breed on backwaters of the Trent in the Burton district and on streams near Stone. 89. Roller. Coracias garru/us, Linn. Included by Mr. Sainter in his list of birds recently met with near Macclesfield (1878). Mr. E. Brown (Fauna of Burton, p. 102) states that one has ' been seen near Berkeley.' 90. Hoopoe. Upupa (pops, Linn. A rare visitor on migration recorded by Garner from Abbots Bromley, Barton and Tutbury. ' One was winged a few years back at Whitmore and afterwards kept in a cage.' Sir O. Mosley (Nat. Hist, of Tutbury, p. 48) saw one on the Dove while fishing near Rolleston. One was reported from near Loxley in the summer of 1885 by Mr. Wil- kins, and Mr. R. W. Chase records one in 1893 from Quinton near Birmingham (Birds of Staffordshire, p. 86). 91. Cuckoo. Cuculus canorus, Linn. A common summer migrant arriving in April and especially plentiful in the moorland districts. The young cuckoo somewhat re- sembles a kestrel in the colour and marking of the plumage, hence a foolish saying that the young cuckoo eventually turns into a hawk ! Among the rarer foster parents re- corded from Staffordshire may be mentioned the thrush and the pheasant (Sandon Wood, 1879) (Report North Staffs Field Club, 1896, p. 24). 92. White or Barn-Owl. Strix famrnea, Linn. A resident, most valuable to the farmer and once common, but has unfortunately become rarer of recent years owing in a great measure to the use of the pole-trap. Still breeds where protected. 93. Long-eared Owl. Asia otus (Linn.) Resident, and found in most thick fir woods where not killed by gamekeepers. 94. Short-eared Owl. Asia accipitrinus (Pallas) A rare autumn and winter migrant. Gar- ner describes it as ' frequent,' and Mr. E. Brown (Fauna of Burton, p. 92) says that many are killed in the Burton district at the beginning of winter by sportsmen. Sir O. Mosley shot one near Tutbury in October 1840 (Nat. Hist, of Tutbury, p. 37), and mentions others killed in the neighbourhood soon afterwards. To other parts of the county it is a rare occasional visitor but has been recorded from Swythamley, Eccleshall and near Alton in 1883 (Birds of Staffs, p. 88). 95. Tawny Owl. Syrnium aluco (Linn.) Locally, Brown Owl. A not uncommon resident, breeding usually in hollow trees, but also occasionally in deserted nests. May frequently be heard hooting at night. 96. Snowy Owl. Nyctea scandiaca (Linn.) The only reference to the occurrence of this species in the county is a rather vague notice by Mr. A. O. Worthington in Contri- butions to the Flora and Fauna of Repton, p. 77. ' Sir John Crewe records one killed near Burton-on -Trent.' 97. Marsh-Harrier. Circus eeruginosus (Linn.) Garner says, ' Not very rare,' but no further 149
