THE SCOPS OWL IN ESSEX.
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having been obtained in this country on no less than four occasions
since 1805, and that the species has several times previously been
met with here in summer.
In discussing the authenticity of the above record, it should be
observed that, although not conclusive, the evidence brought
forward is not altogether unsatisfactory, and that the statements
made independently by several different persons, not only do not
conflict, but distinctly corroborate one another in all material
respects. The reported appearance of the birds in three successive
years, and the actual shooting of one of the pair in the third year, all
lend probability, at least, to the report. Nevertheless, as has been
pointed out by Professor Newton (who has seen the above state-
ments), not one of the persons who actually saw the owls had any
special knowledge of birds, or was really competent to identify the
species afterwards from memory when shown the cuts in Yarrell, nor
was a single specimen, either of the old or young, obtained and
preserved. One cannot, therefore, avoid the suspicion that a young
pair of Long-eared owls may have been mistaken for adult Scops
owls; but, on the whole, the report seems at least to have about it
sufficient probability to make it worth recording.
Otter Hunting in the Borough of Maldon.—In the "Essex Weekly News"
for August 17th last, was printed an account of an "exciting otter hunt at Maldon,"
and we have received from one of the participators in this piece of "sport," a
graphic report of the way in which the poor beast was chased by a terrier and a
spaniel up and down a ditch for an hour or more, until killed by a merciful, but
"unsportsman-like," shot. The otter was first seen by Mr. Lewis, of Heybridge,
as it was crossing the meadow and entering the ditch at the right-hand side of the
causeway. The local sportsmen were quickly alert on being informed of this, and
then the hour-and-a-half's recreation came off, until to the intense disgust of the
on-lookers (who apparently hoped for a prolonged extension of the exquisite
delight of watching the wretched animal darting to and fro in the ditch in its efforts
to escape from the fangs of its pursuers) another sportsman, armed with a gun,
appeared upon the scene, who straightway put a period to the fun by blowing away
the greater part of the otter's head !—and thus the hunt came to an untimely end,
which, "but for its unfortunate termination," to quote the regretful words of our
correspondent, "would have been one of the best bits of sport one could wish
for ! "The otter (a dog) was of large frame, measuring 4 feet 2 inches from the
nose to the tip of the tail, but was in very poor condition. He weighed 24 lbs.,
but it was said that if in good plight he would have weighed up to 36 lbs. The
"Essex Weekly News" reporter adds that "the circumstance caused great talk and
interest in the neighbourhood, as it is almost beyond the memory of man that an
otter hunt has taken place so close to the town. The poor beast possibly owed its
half-starved condition to the fact of the recent floods, which had carried it bodily
away from its haunts, and whither it was doubtless returning, when its life was
ruthlessly taken." It is needless to add anything to the above—all right-minded
readers will draw their own moral from the dismal end of this poor visitor : and
similar cases may be read week after week in the country papers.—Ed.
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