Hobby (F. subbuteo).— Mr. F. Styan and Mr. J. Mitchell have the following interesting notes on this species, the more valuable because they record the first definite occurrence of the bird nesting in Surrey, although there was not much doubt that such had been the case:—
1. On June 17th, 1873, one was shot at Weybridge, and preserved by Mr. F. Yearley.
2. A pair nested at Normandy Farm, near Wanborough, in 1879. The male was shot, and the young in down taken with the nest; the hen escaped. The male and nestlings were preserved in a group, together with a hen Kestrel, by Bradden, of Guildford. In 1880 another pair nested in the same spot, and safely reared their young; but in the autumn a mature female, supposed to be the mother bird, was shot there, and cased with the previous lot, replacing the hen Kestrel. The group was eventually purchased by a Mr. Hancock, of Newcastle, to whose residence it was removed (fide Capt. Salvin).
3. Mr. R.W. Courage stated, in 1880, that it had been known to occur at Thursley in summer.
A male was shot on Aug. 12th, 1901, in Mr. Herbert Brooks's park at Epsom by his gamekeeper, and preserved by Mr. C. Lisney, of Ashtead. I have seen this specimen (J.A. Bucknill).
Merlin (F. æsalon).—One was shot in the winter of 1880–1 near Guildford, and preserved by Bradden. Mr. R.W. Courage had a specimen in his collection, shot at Thursley, and stated (in 1880) that he had known it occur there on other occasions (F. Styan and J. Mitchell).
(To be continued.)
