THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW GAME-BIRD INTO ESSEX. 111
In reply to questions, Mr. Harting alluded to the protective colours and
markings of quails and other land birds, referring to Mr. Wallace's opinions on
this matter, and also to Mr. Hudson's remarks (in the Proc. Zool. Society,
1875) with reference to a South American Heron (Ardetta involucris), which is so
wonderfully protected by the attitude it assumes, and the similarity of its markings
to the herbage among which it dwells. Much of the indifference of the Tinamu
to danger might be the result of inexperience ; as soon as that had been gained they
might look for a marked change in the habits and wariness of the bird. In
reply to a question from Mr. White, Mr. Harting admitted that the young being
able to imitate so nearly the notes of the adult was certainly curious, but they
must recollect that the young were able to run as soon as hatched, and unless they
possessed good vocal powers, they would, owing to the roaming nature of the
adults, stand a chance of being lost, and so perishing from want of the old
birds' care.
Scops Owl (Scops Giu) and other Rare Birds in Essex.—With reference
to the specimen of the Scops Owl, shot by Mr. Wm. C. Emson, of Home Hall,
Littlebury, near Saffron Walden, at Littlebury, on June nth last, and briefly
recorded by him in the "Field" of June 23rd, I have now obtained the following
additional information, through the kindness of Mr. Emson, who writes me under
date, July 4th :—"I cannot tell you much about the habits of the scops owl I
shot, except that it made its home in Howe Wood—a large wood in the parish of
Littlebury. It used to commence its plaintive cry about 8.30 p.m. Its cry some-
what resembled the loud croaking of a frog. The village boys tried to imitate it
by crying 'chalk.' It could be heard more than half a mile off. It kept up its
dismal noise the greater part of the night, keeping chiefly on the high elms about
half a mile from the wood. The people got quite superstitious about it, having
come to the conclusion that it was the 'Old One' himself, especially as it was
shot at two or three times before being secured. Several of them asked me
if I thought shot would enter it ! I believe there was a pair of them at first, as I
shot at one in the dusk one evening. It appeared to fall among some clover, and
the boys ran to pick it up, but could not find it. This was the week before I shot
the one I now have. I am rather confirmed in this belief by some of them saying
they had heard two ; and a neighbouring farmer says they have nested two years
in succession in a rabbit's hole, about four miles from here, on the borders of
Cambridgeshire, but have disappeared this year. The bird I have is a male. It
took very little notice of my being under the tree, but it was almost impossible to
see it perched, as it appears to conceal itself against a branch, all the while keep-
ing up its cry, which seems to come from a place quite different from where the
bird really is. I got a boy to climb the tree, and shot the bird as it flew away
high up in the air. A good specimen of the Golden Oriole was picked up quite
exhausted, last week, on an adjoining farm, in the parish of Elmdon. My brother
has a pair of Hoopoes, one shot at Wimbish, the other at Horseheath, about two
years ago. We have also a Honey Buzzard, trapped on an old wasp's nest, in the
winter time, as well as a common Buzzard, taken in a baited trap last year.
Nightjars nest with us every summer." It is difficult to give credence to the
statement that the Scops Owl has bred near Littlebury for the last two years;
some other bird must surely be intended.—Miller Christy, Chignal St. James,
Chelmsford, July 7th, 1888.
have long since died out. Mr. Harting states in his "Handbook of British Birds," that in
April, 1867, three males and four females were set free by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales at
Sandringham, and that since then many others have been turned out in Norfolk and Suffolk.
As bearing upon the problem of their chance of survival, Mr. Hancock may be quoted, who states
("Birds of Northumberland and Durham") that in the spring of 1872 a considerable number
of the Virginian Colin were set at liberty on the banks of the Coquet, a little above
Warkworth; several broods were reared the same year, and in 1873 they appeared to be going
on favourably,—Ed.