Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/35

Rh It is rarely, if ever, that sea birds strike the glasses; they are perhaps too much accustomed to see the lights, and we find, as a rule, that they migrate far out at sea. Shore birds, again, do not so frequently come to grief as the true land birds; they are accustomed to the shore and the neighbourhood of lighthouses, and are also partly crepuscular in their habits. In nine out of ten cases it is the true land bird that suffers from these collisions—such as under normal circumstances go to roost at a reasonable and early hour, and are on the wing again at the first flush of dawn; they are unaccustomed to the darkness, more apt to be bewildered by late hours and the glare of lamps, and have little experience of night travelling, for the dark night migration takes place but once a year.

Eagle.—An Eagle, probably Haliæetus albicilla, was seen during the third week in November about the coast near Seaton Carew, Durham: it succeeded in avoiding the attentions of the numerous coast gunners, and finally took its leave after a few days' sojourn in the neighbourhood.

Osprey.—Mr. Richardson, of Beverley, informs me that he has received for preservation a male Osprey, apparently a bird of the second year. It was shot on the 23rd of November, at Cherry Burton, near Beverley. Mr. Adrian, of Lincoln, told me of another obtained this autumn in South Lincolnshire, but I neglected at the time to make a note of the date and locality.

Peregrine Falcon.—Mr. Bailey, of Flamborough, has recently seen three or four about the headland. Flamborough Head appears to be a very favourite locality for this species.

Short-eared Owl.—These birds arrived on the night of the 23rd October; at least, I first found them on the morning of the 24th, crouched amid patches of rough sea-grass on the embankment, as well as further inland on drain-sides and amidst rough grass in pastures. In the latter places they are comparatively safe. Unfortunately those alighting on the coast are almost invariably potted by the first loafer who at break of day, with rusty fowling-piece and villainous cur at heel, strolls along the sea embankment; for the poor soft-winged slow-flying Owl offers an easy mark, and will sit till nearly trodden upon. This autumn unprecedented numbers came, and I have heard of them in many localities on this coast. It is astonishing any are left to migrate, considering the number, year after year, wantonly and cruelly destroyed on their first arrival, as well as the many which figure afterwards amongst the "sundries"