Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/276

250 (T. torquatus).—One seen, Reigate Hill, in the autumn of 1899 (C. E. Salmon, in lit.).

(S. undata).—Has been noticed near Bagshot prior to 1900 by Mr. F.B.P. Long (in lit.). Mr. Crowley told me that his collectors in the Churt district in the 'sixties sent him some sixty or seventy clutches (including two with Cuckoo), all taken in that district. After 1869 a very large forest fire destroyed the tract of furze-covered heath where the bird had been so common. A large number of birds were shot by collectors. Mr. Crowley's collection contained a splendid series of nests and eggs—some forty clutches; the remainder of those he received having been exchanged or given away.

I find also that Mr. J.D. Salmon in his egg collection (now in the possession of the Linnean Society) had a clutch taken in June, 1860, near Frensham, which were sent to him by Mr. James Lewcock (MS. catalogue). It is hardly a matter of wonder that this species has become so rare in Surrey in view of the wholesale destruction with which it appears to have been pursued about this period, but it is evident that it was then extremely abundant in that neighbourhood.

Mr. J.H. Gurney informs me that he considers it extinct on both Walton and Reigate heaths (in lit.).

(P. graculus).—I am informed by Mr. H.B.P. Long that a bird of this species escaped from captivity at Windlesham about the same time as the specimen which I have recorded as being killed near Effingham in 1894 was shot. As the escaped bird had lost one leg owing to an accident whilst in captivity, and also had a malformed beak, there is no doubt that the Effingham specimen (which presented both these peculiarities) must be now regarded as a mere "escape."

(C. corax).—Mr. Crowley had observed this bird at Churt, and had an egg from there in 1862. This egg he considered undoubtedly belonging to this species. In the summer of 1896 one was observed at Stoke-d'Abernon by the Rev. T.N. Hart-Smith, of Epsom.

(A. rufescens).—A nest and eggs were taken on May 20th, 1894, near Epsom (Epsom College Reports).

or (A. flavirostris).—Mr. Felton has shown me some eggs taken by himself on June 24th, 1894,