Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/81

Rh in the 'Durham Chronicle,' the size of the bird being also given— the expanse of wing put down at six feet seven inches. I happened to meet the writer of the paragraph, and in answer to questions I put to him, he stated that the bird was "spotted all over," whence I concluded it might be the Spotted Eagle. Starting for Seaham Harbour the next morning, I asked the birdstuffer to show me the bird in question, when he pointed to a case which contained a Rough-legged Buzzard, a young bird, and a very dark specimen, with scarcely a spot upon it. On my way home I heard of another Eagle that had been trapped at Colehill, some four miles from Castle Eden, my informant saying I might judge of its size when it took a three-dozen hamper to hold it, in which it had been sent off alive to a naturalist at Beverley. I hope this bird has come under the eye of Mr. Boyes, and I am much mistaken if it does not turn out to be a Buzzard also. It would appear that an unusual number of the larger birds of prey are just now paying us a visit, and the keepers, as usual, are doing their best to kill as many as possible.— (Castle Eden, Durham).

—I have previously remarked (Zool. 2nd ser. 4819) on the comparative scarcity of the Wood Pigeon in the neighbourhood of Castle Eden. The same remarks are applicable for the past year, and I wish to ask whether this bird has been observed to be less common in other parts of the country. Can it be that the Stock Dove is destined to take its place here?—

[Our correspondent omits to say whether the Stock Dove has been observed to have become more numerous than formerly.—]

—I can corroborate, from personal observation, the Editor's remarks in the last number of 'The Zoologist' concerning the attacks on acorns by the Rooks. Close to this Vicarage are the grounds of Mr. F.J.E. Jervoise, in whose garden stand some ten or twelve fine old Ilex oaks, and it was only about a fortnight ago, in the middle of December, that I watched for some minutes a whole flock of Rooks busily engaged on the Ilex trees, flying from branch to branch, and balancing themselves as best they could on the extremities of the outer branches while they searched for or secured the coveted prize. It was a scene of wonderful bustle and activity; and I may mention that a couple of Jackdaws emulated the Rooks in their exertions. It is a common practice with them here, and the rookery being in the adjacent field I have often observed the same scene. I regret I have never accurately noticed what the Rooks did with the acorns— whether they actually swallowed them or not; on another occasion I will notice this point.—

—There are three oak trees close to our windows, one being not more than ten or twelve feet distant, the branches of which in autumn are covered with acorns. As long as I can remember Rooks have been in the habit of visiting them every season in order to pull