Red-footed Hobby (Falco vespertinus), which that gentleman informs me was shot in Essex, at Bradwell-on-the Sea, where, he adds, interesting birds are often seen, as the parish consists of a promontory which runs out into the sea. It has a white throat, and a tint of ruddy brown on the upper surface and on the breast; tail-feathers barred; legs, toes, and claws orange. F. vespertinus is a species not included in Miller Christy's 'Birds of Essex.'—J.H. Gurney (Keswick Hall, Norwich).
Osprey at Rye Harbour.—On Sept. 13th, whilst at the mouth of Rye Harbour, Sussex, I noticed a large bird sailing over the sea from the south-east, which on its nearing the shore I easily identified as Pandion haliaëtus. The tide was high at the time, and, not in the least disconcerted by the presence of several people, the bird commenced fishing for Grey Mullet. It hovered in the air like a Kestrel, and then with nearly closed wings hurled itself into the sea, almost disappearing below the surface. Its last plunge was within about one hundred and fifty yards of where I sat, and, as far as I could judge with glasses, it made use of its bill as well as claws to secure the fish, and rose with a large Mullet, which it carried parallel with its body (i.e. the fish's head pointing towards its head). It flew straight out over the sea in a due southerly direction.—Michael J. Nicoll (10, Charles Road, St. Leonards).
Osprey in Hampshire.—During the latter half of September I had heard of one or more large Hawks having been occasionally seen flying high over the river, and from description I supposed it was an Osprey (Pandion haliaëtus), as in previous autumns I had seen the species more than once in a similar situation. My supposition was confirmed, for on Oct. 4th an Osprey was sent me for identification from the neighbourhood of Fordingbridge. It was in very fair plumage, but in emaciated condition, as if starved, and had nothing whatever in its stomach, although it turned the scale at 3 lb. 12 oz., and was 4 ft. 8 in. from tip to tip of expanded wings. Sex female, but very immature. The plumage was swarming with a small brown parasite—Acarus, I believe—which must have been highly annoying to the poor bird; but is it not the case that these tiny pests increase more rapidly upon a weakly victim than they do with a strong and healthy subject? In 'The Birds of Wiltshire' the Rev. A.C. Smith records the occurrence of two Ospreys in Wilton Park on Oct. 14th, 1882; so that its occurrence so far up the Avon as Fordingbridge needs no comment, since the bird is not very rare in Christchurch Bay, which in a direct line is no great distance for such powerful wings to traverse; and it has more
