ITS BIRDS. 83
Raven. "A pair of ravens used to nest in the Wanstead heronry.
Your grandfather, Samuel Gurney, took me there one
spring (I think about 1833 or 1834), and we then saw two
young ravens which the keeper had taken out of the nest
a few hours previously. Your grandfather bought them,
and turned them loose in the stable-yard at Ham House,
but as he would not have their wings cut, in a few weeks'
time they flew away."—J. H. G.
Barn Owl. I used to hear this bird nightly twenty years
ago in Lord's Bushes, the old hollow trees of which it
frequented, I am sorry to say it has disappeared from
that locality, but I saw a pair close to Fairmead Lodge
in the summer of 1884. A chorus of angry jays attracted
me to the tree where they were. Farther on in the
Forest his silent flight, caused by a fringe of down on
the wing, may more frequently be observed. Mr. Lister
writes:—"Was a frequent visitor to my garden years
ago, and used to beat over the Virginian Creeper that
covered the end of the house, where sparrows roosted
in great numbers. It bred in an old poplar in the
grounds of Forest House, and still breeds yearly in the
trees at Elmhurst, Woodford."
Tawny Owl. Not uncommon ; may be heard in the evening
at almost any season. Monk Wood.
Long-eared Owl. Has been obtained several times, and it
would multiply rapidly if it were not so frequently de-
stroyed by gamekeepers.
Short-eared Owl. An autumn and winter visitor. Shot on
several occasions by sportsmen in turnip fields in the
neighbourhood.
Red-backed Shrike. One of the handsomest of our spring
visitors. The broods keep together well into the sum-
mer, and are often seen. They breed in the neighbour-
hood frequently, if not every year. '' I have watched a
male bird fix the head of a young wren on to a thorn in
his 'larder,' using great exertion. Their store usually
consists of insects and worms."—A. L.
Great Gray Shrike. The late Mr. Doubleday, of Epping,
had a bird of this species which was captured by a bird-
catcher in the Forest, and which he kept alive in a cage
for a long time. It invariably hung up its food in its
cage. If half a dozen small birds were put in (dead),
it hung them all up by forcing their heads through the
wires of the cage ; and pieces of meat were also hung up.
Rook. The Forest is enlivened by several rookeries by
Leyton Flats, Woodford Green, Copped Hall, etc.
Jackdaw. They come in great numbers to roost in the