so-yy

THE

NATURALIST;

A POPULAR MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE

ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, AND MINERAL
KINGDOMS.

CONDUCTED BY

BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A.B., M.D., T.C.D.,

MEMB. WERN. CLUB,

VOL. III. ^ ' /

WITH ENGEAVINGS.

LONDON:

GROOMBRIDGE AND SOI^S, PATERNOSTER ROW.

M. DCCC. LIU.

-*- D i k.i 1

THE NATURALIST.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS Oi^' IOjna.

Br HENRY D. GRAHAM, ESQ.
( Continued from Vol. II., page 214,

The Rock Dove, (Columba livia.)

The Wood Pigeon is unknown upon our rocky woodless shores, but its
absence is compensated for by great numbers of a smaller species — the Rock
Dove.

The granite cliffs on the south of Mull, the basaltic crags of Staffa, and
lofty precipices of trap rock upon the adjacent islands, are all perforated
by innumerable caverns of every imaginable size and shape; from the well-
known majestic hall of Fingal, resounding with the sullen booming of
ever rolling waves, down to the little fairy grotto, whose cool white shell-
sand is scarce dimpled by the sparkling ripples of the sheltered sea. Some of
these caves are grand, and of lofty dimensions, with no floor but the deep
blue water which heaves to and fro through their huge frowning portals; others
are romantic and picturesque, their rocks covered with many-coloured lichens,
and their dark apertures fringed with shaggy heather and ivy, amongst which
is browsing a wild mountain goat, with huge horns and beard, But many more
of these caverns are horribly gloomy and forbidding — deep black dens extending
far beyond the reach of the light of day, stretching into the very bowels of
the adamantine cliff: the air smells dank and foul, and the walls are dripping
with unwholesome slime. It is dangerous to explore them further without
striking a light, as you may meet deep holes and black pools of water; and
it is not unlikely but you may see the twinkling eyes of an Otler peeping out
through the gloom. These caves generally have legends attached to them,
such as of fugitive clansmen hiding from the pursuit of the avenger of blood,
of wholesale deeds of murder, or of wild scenes of diablerie; and the names
of the Cave of Death, the Pit of Slaughter, and the Hohgohlin's Den are often
met with, and human bones actually are often discovered in them.

These haunts of by-gone murderers, smugglei's, and outlaws, are now only
tenanted by Doves, the emblem of innocence. They may be seen perpetually
flitting in and out, some parties going off to feed, others returning to rest;
a few birds sitting about the entrance, pluming themselves in the sunshine,
or quietly dozing upon a sheltered ledge of rock. Upon a near approach,
the cooing of the old birds may be heard, together with the querulous peep-
peeping of the young demanding food, and the occasional stir of wings; but

VOL. III. B

-J

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF lONA.

upon any alarm being given, the voices are immediately silenced, the clang
and whir of wings reverberate from the profundity of the cave, and out pours
a long stream of snowy bosoms and silver wings, which swiftly skim along
the surface of the sea, and disappear round the next headland. In lona alone
(though but a small island, we have as many as nine or ten caves frequented
by Pigeons, and in nearly every island of the Hebrides, there is sure to be
one cave called par excellence, "Va' Caloman,"' the Pigeon Cave.

I believe this Dove is only found upon the coast, though I am not aware
what attraction the sea-shore has for it; certainly, with us, it exclusively
inhabits the sea-caves, and never goes far inland. In the winter I have once
or twice seen them sitting upon the rocks at low water, but I hardly think
they were looking for food. They feed upon land snails — some small species
which at certain times is found in considerable variety and vast abundance,
spread over the low sandy pastures which skirt the sea. The stubbles, the
newly-sown fields, and the stack-yards, are their principal resorts for food,
and their crops are invariably to be found well distended with grain, though
in winter it is difficult to account for their getting such good supplies, after
the stubbles are picked clean, and the stack-yards cleared. They must some-
times go great distances for their daily food; those which inhabit the small
islands must of course always come to the mainland for their supply of grain
— some a great distance. When a large flock is suddenly raised while
feeding in a corn-field, after wheeling up in the air, it breaks up into smaller
parties^ which dart off in various directions for their homes; some across the
seas, others to the nearer caves.

They seem to be migi-atory, to a certain extent in quest of food, at seed-
time and harvest, if, as is often the case, the island crops are a little earlier
than those on the mainland; then our fields are covered with those petty
plunderers, and at night the caves are filled with roosting birds, which remain
about the island as long as food is very plentiful, and then decamp. I
think, however, that individual birds are a good deal in the habit of frequent-
ing the same localities, and roosting in the same cave until driven off by
some cause; I have watched marked birds doing so, especially last summer,
I was observing a large white male Pigeon, which had evidently escaped
from the cote; he took to himself a little wild mate, and reared a brood in
one of the caves. I made a duty of destroying his family, which was easily
done, as they were marked birds; but he himself, though of such a conspicuous
colour, always contrived to escape. He became very wai-y from being pursued,
and I remarked that he always frequented the same cave, till he received a
random shot, after which I lost sight of him for a considerable time; but I
found him at last, located upon the other side of the island, where he
remained till his death.

The Rock Dove's nest is made up of small sticks or heather, or dried
sea- weed, and is lined with dried grass: the situation selected is any little
ledge or cleft within the sheltering bosom of a rocky cavern. The eggs arc

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF lONA. 3

two in number, generally producing male and female birds. The time for
commencing their nestling seems rather variable; this year I found some
young ones already hatched, on the 2nd. of April, while other pairs were
only erecting their nests. They have several broods in the year, and their
eggs may be found unhatched as late as September.

It is rather a timid bird if often shot at, but is by no means a shy or
wary bird: in the fields the feeding flocks may often be openly approached,
or the most barefaced attempts at stalking them will succeed. In the breeding
season the hen will sit on the nest till approached, and never deserts it
though often disturbed, and her nest and eggs handled. She does not seek
for inaccessible ledges to build her nest on, but takes any spot which offers,
sometimes even the very floor of the cave. If her eggs are taken out she
will probably replace them; and if her young are taken when half-fledged,
she seems glad to get them so soon off her hands, and at once prepares for
rearing her second brood. The young birds instantly become quite tame, and
reconciled to hand feeding; indeed, as they grow up, their impertinent boldness
becomes rather troublesome. They readily take to the Dovecote, and pair
with the tame Pigeons; even with fancy breeds, such as Fantails, etc. If a
pair of real wild ones breed in confinement, their progeny at once shew signs
of diverging in colour from the natural uniform of their wild ancestry; the
young birds are of a dark slate-colour in their first plumage, though they
have the same markings as the adult birds. The male is recognised from
his mate by a slight superiority of size, and more lustrous plumage.

In a gastronomic point of view, these Pigeons are one of the most valuable
kind of birds wliich frequent our coasts; they are nearly always fat and in
good condition, are numerous and always to be procured; besides, being fed
constantly upon our barley and oats, one can feel no compunction in levying
a tribute upon them in return.

They are easiest shot while feeding abroad in the fields; at the caves a
shout will cause them to fly out, but with such suddenness and swiftness,
that it requires something of a Battersea Pigeon- shooter's knack to succeed
in hitting them quick enough. An indifferent shot, (after knocking over one
or two which may be incautiously napping upon the outer ledges,) had
better conceal himself either in the cave or in a good position above it; in
a short time a bird is sure to come darting swiftly for its accustomed haunts,
but upon catching a glimpse of a lurking foe, he stops his rapid career,
flutters his pinions for a moment, uncertain what to do; that momentary
indecision is fatal — down he falls! while a roar of a volcano bellows along
the vaulted roof, and the cave is filled with wreaths of sulphureous smoke.

Writing from lona I must not conclude without reminding you of the
name of our patron saint, St. Columba, the Dove that first brought to this
land the olive branch of mercy.

lona, May \st., 1852.

{To be continued.)

A BOTANICAL SCRAMBLE ON HELVELLYN.— No. 2.

BY J. B. DAVIES, ESQ.

Botanists^ I think, should always go out in pairs, were it for no other
reason than to cheer each other under the hardships of a mountain climb,
amid mist, rain, and wind; and not uufrequently they may lend a helping
hand in surmounting some rude rock, or crossing a rapid stream. By dividing
the ground, too, they are more likely to come upon the various objects of
their search; and, unless actuated by a very unbotanist-like spirit, are of
mutual advantage, exchanging the rarities which they individually come upon;
in short, on a botanical ramble, as elsewhere, the old proverb holds good
which says, '^two heads are better than one." Fully convinced of this truth,
Mr. Joseph J. Flintoft and myself saddled on our vaseulums, and on one of
the stillest evenings in the whole summer which is just preparing to leave
us, mai'ched forth for my old rendezvous at Wythburn. The eight miles
were soon passed over, and next morning were quite forgotten in our anxiety
to get up into the mountain. At half-past eight then, on a misty morning
in the first week in August, we left the famous ^'Nag's Head," and by a
Ghyll which descends just behind the chapel, commenced the ascent of
Helvellyn.

The ordinary hill plants were in plenty by the mossy sides of the stream,
though many were fast failing. Old age had touched the Bog Asphodel,
{Narihecium ossifragum^) and made it as cross and brittle as could be; the
stars of Saxifraga stellaris were getting dim: and the rich purple-blue of
the Butterwort, (Pinguicula vulgaris,) had passed away, leaving a heavy-headed
capsule in its stead. Passing these and others, let us up; for, about a
hundred feet above us, I see something like a tuft of the Rose Root, (Ehodiola
rosea,) sticking fast to an overhanging rock: it too has past into its seed-time,
and, with a whorl of capsules, contrasts well with the two-beaked fruit of the
Saxifrages, which form its next natural ally. We had already on many
occasions picked the ordinary sub-alpine plants, and therefore spent little more
time in the ascent than was necessary to carry us comfortably to the summit;
merely staying now and then to admire the freaks of the fast-gathering mist.
We had got near half-way up, and turned to survey the lovely scene beneath
us, and raising our eyes for a moment to the rocky summit of the hill,
again turned round to cast

"One longing, lingering look behind"

on the vale, the hills, the tarn, and streams, when what was our astonishment
to find that in the space of scarcely two seconds they, and even the greater
part of the hill on which we stood, had vanished from our side, and that
a thick veil of mist was preparing to swallow up ourselves. This state of
matters continued until long after we had reached the summit, near which
we were amazed at seeing what appeared to be a herd of fine oxen, but

A BOTAXICAL SCRAMBLE ON HELVELLYN. O

what turned out to be nothing more than a few mountain sheep. So great
are the magnifying and distorting powers of the mist in this region, that it
required all our faculties to resist the suspicion that we were in fairy land,
and that these were the freaks of some mountain spirit.

The summit was gained, and instead of the gorgeous views which all climbers
expect to be rewarded with, we beheld some ten feet square of ground, a
pile of stones, our own bodies, and a majestic sea of mist. Turning eastward,
we were within a few paces of the edge which nods down into the solemn
Red Tarn, and what a terrible precipice it seemed! Even my companion,
who knew every inch of the ground, and was well aware that far from being
a perpendicular fall, the rocks could, though not without danger, be descended
for six hundred feet, to the edge of the tarn, could not deny that the sight
was one well calculated to inspire the gazer with a peculiar feeling of awe.
We spent fully an hour with our faces in the direction of the tarn, without
catching the slightest glimpse of it, till at length a faint silvery crescent
appeared for a moment, and was again lost in a misty shroud: gradually,
however, under the influence of a south breeze, the thin vapours flew away
like aflrighted spectres, and the quiet mountain lake lay before us, with the
dreadful Stridding Edge walling it in on our right, and the equally appalling
Swirrel Edge protecting it on our left, and ending in a conical hill, bearing the
high-sounding name Catkhedecam — the high-crested. —

""VYhat lovely magnificence stretches around!
Each sight how sublime! and how awful each sound!
All hush'd and serene as a region of dreams,
The mountains repose 'mid the roar of the streams,
Their glens of deep umbrage by cataracts riven,
But calm their blue tops in the beauty of Heaven."

Looking over Swirrel Edge, a glimpse of Kepple Cove Tarn is obtained* and

over Stridding Edge, Eagle Crag, a famous botanical station, is seen. Gradually

the sky brightened, and far in the east, two of the reaches of fair Ullswater

became visible;

"The calm blue lake, low whispering to the beach
In tones more eloquent than mortal speech,"

and the green tops of Dunmellet, and half-planted Soulby Fell, were as plain
as the rock beside us.

Thinking that we might now do so in safety, we began to descend by
Swirrel Edge, coming now and then upon tufts of the rare Garex rigida,
and the equally good Juncus triglumis. These we took in high glee, but
we had a better than either in view: rumour had whispered that the Alpine
Mouse-ear Chiekweed, (Gerastium alpinum,) was to be found on these rocks,
and a generous rivalry arose between us, striving which should get the first
specimen, if it was to be got at all. At length the woolly leaves of our
friend were discovered, and a shout of joy echoed from at least a dozen rocks.
The patch was but small, had no flowers, and only one or two of the horn-like
capsules, but with renewed vigour we continued our search, despite the rain,

6 A BOTANICAL SCRAMBLE OX HELVFLLYN.

which now bade fair for wetting us through, and patch after patch were
found, some in flower, but more in fruit. The blue Saw-wort, (Saussuria
aJpina,) and delicate-leaved Alpine Meadow Rue, (^ThuUdaiim aJpinum^) the
former in flower, and the latter in fine fruit, increased our joy, and made
something like pleasure beam on our water-streaked faces. Continuing our
scramble among huge masses of green stone towards Stridding Edge, we saw
far above us large tufts of the Sea Thrift, (Armeria maritima,) at least
three thousand feet above its ordinary habitat by the sea-shore.

We had both an unexpressed idea that this was by no moans an unlikely
spot for the Saxifraga nivalis, but fearing that our hopes were too sanguine,
did not mention it. At last the secret did come outj — Mr. Flintoft was a
little way above me on the rocks, searching for some more of the Qerastium,
when I, imagining that a plant at his feet was different from the ordinary
S. stellaris — we had never gathered 8. nivalis before — and pointing it out,
asked him what it was. '^It is it," was his reply, suiting the answer to the
question in his own mind. A little searching brought up some more, and
we returned with a moderate supply of this valuable plant. The plant resembles
the common 8. stellaris in general appearance, but is stronger in habit, with
rounded and more fleshy leaves, tapering into a foot-stalk, instead of wedge-
shaped^ the petals want the orange spots, and are tinted with pink externally.
When the plant is once gathered in its native habitat, it will never be effaced
from the memory.

Getting closer to Stridding Edge, we spent some time in looking for another
rarity, 8axifraga oppositifolia, nor did we search in vain; true, its purple
flowers glad the early spring, and, by the time most botanists commence the
season, have passed away; the capsule was there, however, and, with the
straggling stem and opposite thyme-shaped leaves, served to distinguish it at once.
In the moist little masses of soil occurring in the corners of rocks, the little
simple spikes and ovate leaves of the Polygonum viviparwn were to be found;
and on one or two spots we got a plant of Salix herhacea. This is a Willow,
inhabiting the highest mountains, and so small that an ordinary sized hand
will cover some dozens, many of the plants having only three or four leaves,
which are smaller than those of the Blaeberry, ( Vaccinium Myrtillus,) and
not unlike them in shape; the catkin consists of from four to six capsules.
It is not by any means so plentiful on Helvellyn as on the summit of
Skiddaw, where, amid the loose gravelly pieces of clay-slate, whole forests are
passed over at every step.

Having enumerated all the rarities, perhaps I had as well stop, but I think
it will be pardoned if I say that our boxes received a few less rare, in
addition to those found three weeks before at Grisedale Tarn, all of which,
with the exception of the 8ilene and Hieracium, enriched our collection on
this day. Cystopieris fragilis and Lastrcea oreopteris hung in graceful tufts
from the fissures of the rocks; Festuca ovina, vivipara, and Triodia decumbens,
made up a considerable proportion of the herbage of the drier parts of the

A BOTANICAL SCRAMBLE ON HELVELLYN, 7

hill. In the moist moss by the Ghyll sides, Carex (Ederi, the round-leaved
Sun-dew, (Drosera rohindifoUa,) and the Danish Scurvy -grass, {Oochlearia
Danica,) were plentiful; and in the stream itself, dense masses of Montia
fontana put out their inconspicuous flowers.

Having satisfied ourselves with the good things above Red Tarn, thoughts
of dry clothes and a comfortable meal presented themselves vividly to our
minds, and as the only way of attaining these ends was to get down, we at
once addressed ourselves to our descent. But first we had to ascend, and to
save a long and tedious walk, boldly ventured on one of the worst parts of
Stridding Edge, a huge rock, which, to an imaginative mind, presented the
appearance of a mass of crystals of carbonate of soda, immensely magnified.
We did get over them, and, spite of thick mist and drenching rain, made
our way to the very stream by which we had ascended — thanks to my friend's
knowledge of the country — and down.

By this time the mist began again to clear away, and gave us a glimpse
of the range of hills known as Wythburn Head, with a fine Ghyll, which,
in the words of Thomson,

"Smooth to tlie brink a copious flood
EoUs fair and placid; where collected all
In one impetuous torrent, down the steep
It thundering shouts, and shakes the countrj^ round."

So near, however, did the hills appear, and so unusually high, that we began
to doubt if we had not got wrong by some chance or other. This was but
a freak of the mist, as we learnt on descending a little further, and coming
in view of the modest little church and the inn, to which with all speed we
hastened, and reached about six in the evening, in time to enjoy a hearty
meal, and a pleasant walk home. And was it for this that two happy little
creatures left the quiet comforts of Keswick, and encountered so many dangers
from precipitous rocks, uncertain mists, and drenching rain? Not altogether —
the plants were rare, and as such we prized them; but we had another and
a deeper source of enjoyment than the mere acquirement of so many rarities; —
not a vapoury cloud; not a rugged rock or mountain torrent; not a sun-lit
knoll or dark forbidding chasm; not a sound caused by passing wind, whether
it be the whisperings 'mid the leaves of some patriarch of the forest, or the
howling of the wildest storm, but speaks of power, wisdom, and goodness to
the heart of the naturalist, who,

"Exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everythiug."

Kesioich, August 12<A., 1852.

8

DISCOVERY OF EUFRAGIA (BARTSIA,) VISCOSA,
IN SUSSEX.

By THR REV. E. H. M. SLADEN.

In compliance with your i-equest to me to embody the details of my dis-
covery of JEufrajia viscosa, (Grisebach,) Bartsia viscosji, (Smith,) I beg to say
that on the 27th. of September. 1851, I met with it in a bye-road called
Turkey lane, which, branching off the highway from Hastings to Lewes, at
the hamlet of Sidley -green, leads to the village of Hooe. The exact spot
is known by the name of Clinch Green, and will be found laid down in the
Ordnance map as not quite two miles from the sea. The plant was growing on
a piece of waste grass by the road-side for some little distance, and in con-
siderable quantity; and here and there were patches of rushes, shewing the
moisture of the soil. I made several visits to the spot afterwards, and
observed the plant in flower as late as the 30th. of October. The largest
specimen measured twenty-one inches and a half in height, and there were
others nearly as tall.

During the present season I had not an opportunity of visiting the spot
until the 11th. inst., when I was surprised at finding the plant as rare as
it was plentiful last autumn. I counted only about half-a-dozen plants in
all, and these were so insignificant that I much doubt whether I should have
noticed them if I had not gone on purpose. The tallest specimen was not
above a foot high. This difference is probably to be attributed to the long-
continue 1 drought which prevailed in the spring, for we had scarcely any
rain from the middle of February to June, and the ponds were very generally
dry; and earlier in the winter, before the drought set in, I heard it said
that the ponds had not been known so low for a lengthened period.

I sent you the specimen of Eufragia, because I believed it was the first
instance of its discovery in the neighbourhood; indeed, I imagine this must
be its mo?t eastern station in Great Britain. Mr. Watson, in the ^'^Cybele
Britannica," mentions Sussex among the twelve counties, (eight English and
Welsh, and four Scotch,) in which it has been found; and of these Sussex
is the only eastern one. The same author limits the range north and south
by the parallels 50-o7: Mr. Woods, in his "Tourist's Flora," gives south
and west Europe generally.

Let me note here that among the plants most prominent in Turkey lane
at this season at least, are Solidago virgaurea, Pulicaria dysenterica, Hiera-
c'mm sylvaticum, H. Eupatorium, Scabiosa succisa, Lgcopus Europoeus, Mentha
aquatica, Galeopsis tetrahit, Erythrcea ccnfaurium, Ulex nanus, with Erica
tetralix and Galluna vulgaris; in places Ranuncidas Lingua and Flammula,
and rarely Linum anyustifolium. The lane is a favourite with me, running
a long distance with woods on either side; here I have seen the first Dormouse
abroad, and the first spring flower, and here, last Tuesday, I saw the Hooded

JOTTINGS OF A NATURALIST. 9

Crow, or Saddle- back, as I have been accustomed to call it,^ fly across for
the first time this season.

With reference to the Heaths which I have just mentioned, let me
add that I have found Erica cinerea nowhere hereabouts, but on Bexhill
Common, where it grows sparingly with the others. This appears to be
something of a metropolis for the Ht/pericacece, as I have identified no less
than five species in this village alone, namely H. Androscemwn, quadrangulum,
perforatum, humifusum, and pulchrum, and there may be more. We rejoice
in the possession of the Lent-Lily, (Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus,) and Sweet
Brier, (Rosa ruliginosa.) There seem to be several varieties of the Rose,
but I have never found time to study them. One sweet spring flower we
sadly miss, and that is Viola odorata, which is scarcely to be found, except
a few plants of the white variety.

Ninjkld, near Battle, October 22nd., 1852.

JOTTINGS OF A NATURALIST, AT KILLARNEY.

BY CUTHBERT COLLINGWOOD, ESQ., M. A.

The Lake country of Ireland abounds with interest, even to the mere
pleasure-seeker who leaves his home solely in search of novelty ; and if, with
this itch for travelling, he combines an admiration of the wild and unmuti-
lated beauties of natural scenery, his enjoyment is proportionately increased.
The artist here finds nature in her most varied garb, at the same time gay
and grand, gentle and majestic j here lake and mountain, glen and waterfall,
combine to afford such lavish and worthy employment for his pencil, that it
is to me a matter of some astonishment that this district is not more fre-
quented by these high-priests of nature. Or, if the traveller be versed in
folk-lore, Killarney is verily enchanted ground; perhaps no equal portion
of Great Britain is so rich in fairy legends and popular superstitions as are
these far-famed lakes — every islet on whose bosom, and every spot on whose
lovely banks, its own marvellous tale invests with an especial interest. If he is
fortunate enough to secure an intelligent guide, his stock of such legends, how-
ever large, will undoubtedly be increased; and the sturdy boatman that pulls
him over Lough Lene, will tell him with true Irish earnestness, that, with his
own eyes, he has seen the great and good O' Donaghue cross those smooth
waters on his silver-shod steed.

But it is not my purpose to enter upon subjects such as these, which,
however interesting, would be out of place here; but conceiving that a few
remarks on the more striking features of the Flora, etc., of the district, might
possibly be interesting, the following hasty notes were written, as I glanced
over them simply as accessories to the full enjoyment of a visit to the lakes.

One of the first things which strikes the observer is the luxuriant and
verdant clothing of the mountains. From the very edge of the lake, and

VOL. III. c

10 ' JOTTINOS OF A NATURALIST.

rising to a height of several hundred feet, are forests of (^ak, Pine, Ash,
Beech, and Whitethorn, plentifully sprinkled with Hazel, Alder, Holly, and
Arbutus; the great variety of the shades of green produced by these denizens
of the forest, forming a singularly beautiful ensemble, l^he last-mentioned
tree, the Strawberry tree, (Arbutus uneilo^) grows in great abundance in
spots where no other tree would find sufficient soil to nourish it, and is
here truly indigenous, at least, so say some botanists; but opinion is divided,
and ^adhuc sub judice lis est.' It is a very handsome and ornamental tree,
and at the commencement of winter, its evergreen boughs may be seen
bearing fruit and blossoms upon the same tree.

It sometimes attains a large size, and an individual is pointed out to visitors
on Dinis Island, which is said to be the largest in Great Britciin, and
whose trunk measures seven feet in circumference. The whole tree is astrin-
gent, and, according to Pliny, it obtained the name Unedo from una and
edo, because one berry is a sufficient dose. Its wood is very beautiful, and
small articles made from it and from the curious Bog Oak, so frequent among
the Irish peat soil, form the staple commodities of the peasantry. The Holly,
also, {Ilex aquifolium^ here attains a great size, and the Yew, (Taxus
baccata,) may be here mentioned as forming no inconspicuous part of the
Killarney woods. A gigantic specimen grows in the centre of the cloisters
of the beautiful abbey of Muckross, whose aged arms entirely fill the
quadrangle, and concerning whose antiquity the abbey -keeper, a Berkshire
man, asserts that authentic records extend back for a period of four hundred
years.

Directing our attention now to the more humble and delicate members of the
vegetable kingdom, I may remark that in the savagely romantic Gap of
Dunloe, the plant which first claims the notice, even of cockney visitors,
no less from the familiar appearance of its delicate petals, than from its
great profusion, is that cosmopolitan little saxifrage, London Pride, (Saxifraga
undjrosa.) Thus the same plant which rears its head in that spot where
nature shows herself most grand and majestic — where she appears unveiled,
if I may be allowed the expression, is again met with in the attic windows
of our smoky metropolis, whence she is banished, and where this little flower
is sometimes her only representative.

A less common and mure characteristic plant, however, is the handsome
Butterwort, (Pingulcula gmndijiora,) whose large purple flowers attract the
attention of the most careless observer. Its existence, I believe, is confined
to this part of Britain. The common, but nevertheless beautiful. Foxglove
or Fairy-fingers, Litsmore of the Irish, [Digitalis purpurea.') although widely
distributed over the British Isles, deserves mention here as the especial
favourite of the good folks, those Irish Eumenides, whose head quarters are
here, and whose vengeance I should almost fear to draw down upon me,
were I to omit so essential an element of the fairy land of Killarney. There
are few jarts of this district in which the air is not loaded with the odours

JOTTINGS OF A NATURALIST. 11

of the Sweet Gale or Bog Myrtle, {Myrica Gale,) the soil being in general
especially fitted for its propagation.

But the botanical feature of Killarney is the abundant growth of the Eoyal
or Flowering Fern, (Osmunda regalis,) whose peculiar and delicate green
everywhere fringes the lakes. It grows in the utmost profusion and luxuriance,
rearing its beautiful fronds and sori in every direction, and even forming a
distinctive feature in the foreground. It afiects damp and watery places, and
in gullies and the beds of bi-ooks its fronds attain a surprising magnitude.
While speaking of Ferns, I must not omit to refer to the Hare's-foot Fern,
(Trichomanes speciosum,) whose habitat is near the beautiful Tore waterfall.
This delicate little plant is peculiar to Ireland, and, except in one or two other
spots in the Green Isle, no specimen of it has been found in Great Britain.
In Newman's "British Ferns," full directions are given to the explorer as to
the exact locality of its growth, but as I had not that complicated path by
heart, I was fain to ask a guide to point it out to me. *^^Arrah then,"
said the cunning fellow, ^^sure and it 's only one sowl of us knows where
ye '11 find the raal Fern, but if yer honour '11 pay the piper, sure he '11 fetch
yer honour a bit."

Ross Island is well worth a visit. It is laid out as a beautiful garden —
a most delightful retreat — where the soft smooth turf, innumerable flowers,
shrubs, and trees vie with one another in rendering it enchanting. On one
of the grass-plots is an object of especial interest. It is a large boulder, about
sixty cubic feet of stone, as near as I can recollect, of a material perfectly
difierent from anything else that exists in the island, and which can only
be referred to the mountains on the other side of the lake, two or three miles
distant. There was a celebrated copper mine on this island, which commenced
working in 1804, and was so rich, that in four years eighty thousand pounds
worth of copper was extracted, but unfortunately at the end of that time
. the water found its way in, and so cfiectually stopped all further proceedings,
that it has never been worked since. The debris only is now seen, from
which small pieces of copper ore of great beauty are ferreted out by men,
who ofier them for sale for a trifle to passers by, but which tell a plain tale
of the richness of the vein.

With a moderate degree of good fortune, the visitor will not be many days
at Killarney without seeing an Eagle soaring in his native air, an object so
interesting to an English naturalist. I had the luck to see him more than
once, although not under circumstances which sustained the opinion I had of
his valour. Two or three Mallards had just flown over my head, and when
they had passed some little distance, I perceived that an Eagle was among
them; but they were evidently annoying him, flying round and round him,
and harassing him, as small birds do an Owl when they get him into daylight.
But, nevertheless, in this country the Eagle ranges free and uncontrolled; and
a picturesque rock rising one thousand one hundred feet from the lake, is
still known as the Eagle's Nest, and is still pointed out as the eyrie of the

12 NOTES OX THE MARINE BOTANY OF THE COAST OF NORFOLK.

king of birds, where, for hundreds of years, generation after generation of
them has dwelt and still dwells securely, out of the reach of the most daring
of their human enemies.

When upon the rugged crest of Mangerton, two thousand seven hundred
feet high, I hoped to have found some alpiae plants, but, alas! the heavens
became unpropitious, and I was soon enveloped in a dense cloud, and driven
along by the furious wind. Not so pleasant a mode of conveyance is this cloudy
chariot as poets would have us believe. —

"At Venus obscuro gradientcs atirc scpsit
Et multo ucbula) circum Dca fudit aniictu
Cernere ne quis cos, ncu quis contingcre posset,
Molirive moram, aut vcnicndi posuerc causas. — Virg: JEn: i., 415.

The "pelting of the pitiless storm" drove everything to shelter except myself
and a few Plovers. Shelter for me was not so easily found, but at length
I managed to get under lee of the rocks which surround the Devil's Punch-
bowl, a remarkable lake which supplies the Tore waterfall, and is situated at
an altitude of two thousand two hundred feet above the level of the sea.
It is said that this water, although always very cold, (and I can testify to
its frigidity in June,) never freezes, and no fish are found in it. Good Trout
fishing, is to be had, however, in the stream which goes from it to the Tore.
Salmon, too, is abundant in the lakes; and those who enjoy the luxury of
a meal off this delicate fish half-an-hour after he has been careering in his
native element, will nowhere get it in greater perfection than on the banks
of Lough Lene. I would not, however, conclude these remarks by appealing
to such grosser feelings, but would congratulate those who have availed
themselves of the facility afforded during the past summer for a visit to this
majestic spot; and those who have not been I would yet congratulate, that
in all probability the same facility, owing to the success with which the
arrangements appear to have been crowned, will be offered in all probability
in the following and future summers.

Blachlicath, 1852.

NOTES ON THE MARINE BOTANY OF THE
COAST OF NORFOLK.

BY C. II. D.

The following notes on the Algse of the coast of Norfolk, perhaps may
not prove unacceptable to the readers of ^'The Naturalist," not only from
the interest which is attached to this portion of the Botanical science, but
from the fact that many of our rarest species have been first found on this
coast, among which I may mention Culleria muUiJida, Naccaria Wigghii,
Taonia atomaria, and others, most of which were discovered by the distinguished
Algologists Mr. Dawson Turner and Mr. Wigg. The coast of Norfolk also
presents that variety of locality which renders its Marine Botany so peculiarly

NOTES ON THE MAUINE BOTANY OF THE COAST OP NORFOLK. 13

rich in many species which are rare in other parts of the kingdom.

In the present paper I shall confine myself to notes on the Sea-weeds
of the class Melanosospermece. The first order, Fucacece, contains many species
common on these shores, among which Fucus vesiculosus, together with F.
nodosus and serratus, are very] abundant on every part of the coast, and
are the sorts mostly used for manure. The F. ceranioides and canaliculatus
are also found on most parts of the coast, though much less abundant than
the former. Halidri/s siliquosa and Himantlialia lorea occur in plenty at
Cromer. Of the genus Cystoseira, the most common species is G. granidata,
which is not unfrequently found on the Yarmouth beach and elsewhere.
G. ericoides, fibrosa and faeniculacea are very rare, being only found on the
coast after a heavy gale. Among the Sporochnaceoe, the following species are
found on these shores: — Desmarestia ligulata, viridis, aculeata, Arthrocladia
villosa, and the elegant SporocJtnus pedunculatus, none of which are at all
common, especially the two last, which are very rarely found.

Of the third order, Laminaracece, the most common species on -this coast
is Laminaria saccharina; L. digitata is also found in tolerable plenty, but
never attaining the size it is found on the more northern shores; L. bullosa.
Phillitis, and fascia also occur at Yarmouth, but are by no means common.
Ghorda filum is common on rocks and stones between tide-marks at Cromer
and elsewhere; I am not aware, however, of the gigantic Alaria esctdenta
ever having been found on this coast. Many species of the Dictyotacece are
found on this coast, among which Gutleria multifida and Taenia afomaria
merit especial notice, both |these plants having been first discovered on this
coast, the former on Yarmouth beach, by Mr. Turner, in 1804, and the
latter by Mr. Wigg: both species are very rare, Zonaria parvula, Dic'yota
dichotoma, and Didyosiphon foeniculaceus occur in many places, and are far
from rare. Stilophora rhizoides, Punctaria plantaginea, with Striaria attenuata,
are found at Cromer and elsewhere, but are by no means common. Aspcr-
ococcus Tumeri, A. eehinatus, and Litosiphon pusillus occur on various parts
of the coast, sometimes plentiful: the latter is parasitical on Ghorda filum.

The fifth order, Ghordariacece, contains the following species found on this
coast: — Ghordaria flagelliformis, between tide-marks not uncommon, Mcsogloia
vermicular is, and 31. vircscetis, not unfrequent at Cromer and Yarmouth during
the summer months. Leathesia tuberiformis and Halfsia verrucosa occur in
tolerable abundance near Cromer and elsewhere. Elachistea fucicola is very
plentiful, growing on Fucus vesiculosus. Elachistea flaccida parasitical on
Gystoseira fibrosa, but very rare. E. stellulata is found occasionally, growing
on the fronds of Dictyota dichotoma, but rare. E. scutxdata and velutina
03cur not unfrequently on the thongs of Himaiithalia lorea.

With regard to the species of the minute parasitic genus Myrionama found on
this coast, I cannot speak with certainty. The only species I ever found was
M. strangulans, groAving on Enteromorpha compressa, on Yarmouth beach. We
now come to the EclocarpacecB, the sixth and last order of the olive-coloured Algae.

14

FOSSIL FOUxVU OS BAGSIIOT HEATH.

Amongst the most common are Cladostephus spongiostis, G. vertidUatus,

Sphacdaria cirrhom, and S. radicans, all of which are found in tolerable

plenty on most parts of the coast. >S'. scoparia and the beautiful S. plumosa

occur but rarely. JEdocarpvs siliculosus and E. littoralis are everywhere

abundant. E. fasciculatas, tomeatosus, pusfillus, gramdatus, and spoerophorus

are not uncommon at Cromer. E. IlincJcsice is found, sometimes plentiful, at

Sheringham and other places on the north coast. E. Mertemil: I found a

mutilated specimen of this rare Sea-weed on Yarmouth beach, in September,

1848, but have not met with it since. E. aniphibim is not unfrequent in

the salt-water ditches. E. hrachiatus: a specimen of this rare species was found

at Caistor, in this county, by Mr. Dawson Turner, as far back as the year

1801, and another was gathered in the clay ditches by Sir William Hooker,

and which was figured in the "English Botany," (plate 2571;) neither of these

specimens are, however, I believe, now in existence, and there seems to be

much doubt whether the plant at present bearing the name of Ectocarpus

hrachiatus is identical with the one found by Mr. Turner and Sir William,

Mp'iotrichia filiformis is found parasitical on Asperococcus ecldnatus at Cromer,

but by no means common.

(To be continued.)

FOSSIL FOUND ON BAG SHOT HEATH.

I!Y O. S, HOUND, ESQ.

The accompanying cuts show in two positions a Fossil which I found upon
the heathy ridge known as "Ribsdown," which lies to the left of the Great
Western Road, between the twenty-third and twenty-fifth mile- stones. It lay
amongst others which had been sifted away from the fine gravel by the side
of one of the numerous pits that have been opened upon the crown of this
range; and when it first attracted my attention, the slight turn which it had

ODSEUVATIOXS ON MAUINE POT-Yrr'S. 15

in it made me suppose It to be an Ostrea carinata, but on picking it up I
was puzzled, and not knowing what to think of it, submitted it to the
inspection of that most excellent naturalist, Mr. John Quekett, of the Royal
College of Surgeons. Professor Ovven likewise inspected it, but they were
both uncertain as to its nature, conceiving however that it is the cast of some
shell. The colour is light gray, the light parts ochre yellow, and not, I think,
extending into the Fossil. Perhaps some of the correspondents of "The
Naturalist" can throw light upon the subject?

OBSERVATIONS ON MARINE POLYPES.

BY THOMAS NIOHOL, ESQ.
(In a Letter to a Correspondent. )

In reply to your request that I should furnish you with the substance of
my observations on the salt-water Polypes in this neighbourhood, I beg to
say that it would give me much pleasure to do so, if I could believe they
were likely to be of the slightest use. My knowledge of Natural History,
as you know, is very limited, and the observations I have made on this
particular department have been of so desultory and unscientific a character,
that I cannot persuade myself they can be of any value.

You are aware that great numbers of Marine Polypes are to be found
here, their habitat being chiefly on rocky ground between high and low-water-
mark. I kept one of them for nearly two years, and several others for
sho.-ter periods, in basins of salt water, of course renewing it at intervals of
two or throe days. Believing that they must have some more substantial
nourishment than the animalculae contained in the water, I tried if they would
US3 various kials of fool which I thought might be suitable for them
Whilks, Mussels, and Limpets were what I chiefly offered them. If the
objeot was dropt near the Polyp, it was invariably seized with its tentacula,
and conveyed to its mouth. I have seen a shell nearly as large as the
animal itsalf thus s,vallo.ved, distending the body all round.

Tha Polyp has th3 powjr of locomotion; for, although I never saw any
of th3 u in the ast of moving, I have frequently found them at a different
side of the basin from that at wh!ch I left them. But perhaps the most
interesting circa nstance connected with them was that some of them propagated
while in my possession. I had at one time from twenty to twenty-five young
ones alive, and probably twice as many gemmules were thrown off in the
course of one su-nmer from three individuals. I never saw the gemmules
separate themselves from the parent, though I frequently watched for it.
Some of the young lived for several weeks, if not months, under my care,
• and grew considerably in that time, but most of them died early, which led
me to suppose that the side of a basin was not a suitable place for their
development.

IG OBSKRVATIOMS ON MARINE POLYPES.

It is stated in books on Natural History that these animals may be cut
into a great many parts, and that each part will immediately become a
complete animal, and live and act as if nothing had happened to it. To
test the correctness of this statement, I cut some of mine into several pieces;
they seemed to be little affected by the operation, and each part continued
to live as a distinct individual. Some of these I kept for a considerable
tiraa; but I felt satisfied they did not thrive so well or look so healthy as
the Polypes that had not been so divided.

I find I have still in my possession a few notes of observations I made on
three varieties of these creatures, the substance of which I shall transcribe.

1847, March 6th. — Received three large Polypes this morning, and placed
them in basins of salt water.

No. 1, the largest, is covered by a sac or mantle, finely streaked with red
stripes; the prevailing colour of the sac is dull gray, and it is covered with
small transparent pimples about the size of pin heads: probably they contain
water. When placed in clean salt water the sac is gradually withdrawn, and
the animal appears a flattish circular body of considerable diameter, having
the entire circumference guarded by the outstretched tentacula, as by a forest
of tiny spears. Inside of this is a considerable space perfectly smooth, the
colour beautifully variegated with different shadings of red, and in the centre
is the orifice or mouth. This opening assumes a great variety of forms and
appearances, the beauty and delicacy of which can only be properly appreciated
when seen in the living object. Sometimes the lips rise a little above
the surface, and curve elegantly over into the cavity. Their inner surface
is generally of a white or cream-colour, and capable of great distension, as
indeed the whole Polype is. The body is soft, yields easily to the touch,
and exhibits a good deal of sensitiveness. The tentacula have considerable
elasticity; they will seize the finger firmly, stretching considerably before they
let go their hold; they likewise bend readily round any object placed within
their reach, and carry it towards the mouth; in such cases, however, only
the tentacula near the object seem to engage themselves; those at a little
distance seem no way cognizant of what is going on. That the creature may
spread to its full extent, it seems to gorge itself with water; perhaps it
manages thus to seize any aniraalcula) or other matter the water may contain
suitable for its nourishment. When it folds itself up it ejects a considerable
quantity of water, and it then presents an appearance something like a large
orange striped longitudinally, and firmly fixed by one end.

No. 2 is reddish in colour, not striped, but otherwise of a similar structure
and arrangement to No. 1.

No. 3 : the mantle is all but entirely white, which is likewise the prevailing
colour of the body and tentacula, while they are beautifully tinted with
red. The disc within the tentacula is transparent; in other respects it ■
resembles the two former. ^

9 th. — Changed the water, and gave each of the Polypes a small piece of

OBSERVATIONS ON MARINE POLYPES. 17

fish^ which has been takea within the mantle, and probably into the stomach.

13th. — Gave each small pieces of fish and Cod liver, and also pieces of
the rays or arms of Star-fishes, which have all been taken into the stomach,
and apparently digested. Later in the day No. 3 disgorged two pieces of fish,
which do not seem to have been in any way affected by their residence in
its stomach. A little yellow gelatinous matter was also thrown up along
with them.

Nos. 2 and 3 seem shy of displaying their tentacula during the day; but
I have frequently found them finely displayed after dark. It is difficult to
count the number of tentacula, but they are probably from one hundred and
twenty to one hundred and fifty; they seem to seize every thing that comes
within their reach, and to convey it to their mouth; but in doing so they
exhibit no activity; the object is brought slowly forward, and slowly engulphed
or rejected. The mouth opens towards the object, and enlarges itself to the
size necessary for its reception.

I have lately read some Nos. of Dr. Johnston's work on Zoophytes, and
am inclined to think, from the descriptions there given, the species I possess
are referable to Actinia coriacea.

16th. — Changed the water to-day, of which each was very full, and when
laid on a dry place gave it out very freely; indeed they seemed incapable
of retaining it, for it spouted forth from the mouth, the tentacula, and even
through the pores which seemed to open in the mantle. No. 1 disgorged
with the water some pieces of Star-fish, which had been in its stomach for
some days; they did not seem much altered, but a small piece which has
since been thrown out seems to consist of the harder parts only. No. 2 also
disgorged a piece of Star-fish to-day; it was half out when observed, and on
being touched came very easily away.

19th. — The pieces of fish and Star-fish which I have from time to time given
the Polypes appear to have been disgorged. I cannot say whether or not the
animals have been nourished by them: I rather think not. Nos. 2 and 3
have repeatedly ejected Limpets, which they had previously swallowed, both
in the shell and out of it. No. 1 has taken them frequently into its stomach;
it throws up the shell clean in a day or two; the animal of the Limpet is
also ejected, but it seems to have undergone some change, as it is thrown
out in pieces. I offered a dead Limpet in the shell to it the other day,
but it showed an immediate disposition to get rid of it, and by lowering its
tentacula allowed it to drop to the bottom of the basin.

27th. — For the last week the Polypes have appeared to be much in the
same state as formerly, except that No. 1 looks scarcely so healthy. I have
given them occasionally pieces of fish and Cod liver. The former has generally,
if not always, been disgorged; I am not sure if the latter has. No. 3 has
been for the most part fully expanded lately, and a singularly beautiful object it
is when in this state. On several occasions lately 1 have found Nos. 2 and
3 firmly attached to the sides of the basin in which they were kept, the

VOL. III. • D

18 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

means of attachment being small points which are protruded from the skin.
As No. 1 appears sickly, I have taken it and put it into a pool between
high and low-water-mark^ wishing to see if it will make its habitat there
and recover.

April 1st, — I have repeatedly examined the pool for No. t, but find it
is not there; whether it has floated or been washed away I cannot tell.
This morning put No. 2 into the same pool, but on looking for it in the
evening, found it was gone. No. 3 continues lively, and frequently displays
its tentacula. Tor several days past it has had no other food than what
it may derive from the water in which it is kept.

23rd. — Gave No. 3 a piece of Cod liver yesterday morning; to-day I
thought I saw small portions of it in the points of the tentacula, as if it
were passing through the animal's system : it is easily recognised by its
colour being of a deeper red than the animal itself.

May 4th. — The Polyp continues in much the same state as formerly. I
have fed it occasionally with Cod liver, and feel persuaded that it derives
some nutriment from it, and I have repeatedly noticed that portions of it
appear to pass into the tentacula.

My notes conclude here, and I have little more to add, for at this distance
of time it would not be safe to draw largely on the memory; indeed I fear
I have already written at too great length. In addition to these I had
several other Polypes, some of them differing considerably from those before
described, but all exhibiting the same general characters. One of these was
quite white, bad a cylindrical body, and its tentacula were long and slender —
in truth like a mass of hair. Another specimen had no tentacula at all,
but instead it was surrounded by frills. Both of these were of great size,
and measured from twelve to eighteen inches in length when fully expanded in
the water; there was nothing remarkably different in their habits from those
which I have already described. The habitat of these larger Polypes seems
to be in water of twenty or thirty fathoms deep. They are drawn up on
the fishermen's lines generally attached to a stone or large shell. I have
seen them frequently in the harbour here, but they must have been brought
in by the fishing-boats, and thrown overboard.

Dunbar, 1852.

3^istdlniifnu3 JMlns.

A remarkable Kitten.— 1 had a very curious Kitten given me last week by Mr. "Wright, of
this town. It had neither mouth nor nose, and only one eye, and that stood exactly whore
the mouth ought to be. The eye^ instead of being a light blue or slate-colour, and closed for
several days— as is the general rule with Kittens— was open and clear; the iris was of a dark
brown, and the pupil black. The skull, which I placed in an ant's nest to be cleaned, was in
shape and size similar to a Jackdaw's egg. There were no holes in it or eye sockets, nostrils, or
ears; in fact, there were but two holes in it, one of which was at the eye, where a small nerve
communicated with the brain, and the other at the pole for the admission of the spinal marrow.
The Kitten itself was remarkably large, and of course dead when first discovered. I have the
Kitten preserved.— Michael "Westcott, St, Cuthbert's Place, Wells, Somerset, Sept, 13th., 1852,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. ' 19

Singular colour of a Water-Rat, (Arvicola amphibia.) — A large bright buff-coloured Water- Rat
■was sent me last week for preservation; it was shot near Derby, on the Railway. — "W. Bond,
Frog Island, Leicester, October 2nd., 1852.

Occurrence of tlie Goshawk, (Astur palumbarius,) in Yorkshire. — Two Goshawks, male andl
female, were shot near Easington, near the north-oast coast of Yorkshire, on the 15th. of last
October, by S. Gibbs, keeper to H. Kirk, Esq., of Stockton-on-Tees. — D. Graham, York, Dec.
1st., 1852,

The Black Stork, (Ciconia nigi-a,) in Yorkshire. — A magnificent specimen of this extremely
rare British bird was brought in the flesh to Mr. Graham on Friday evening, October 29th.
last, to be stuffed. It was shot on Market- Weighton common, by Mr. Wake, of Market-Weighton.
It was an old male in veiy fine plumage. It is, we believe, the fifth that has occurred in Britain.^
Mr. Graham, with his accustomed ability, has made a splendid specimen of it. It is now in
the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. — B. R. M., York, December 1st., 1852.

TJie Pheasant, (Phasianus Colchicus.)— A singular incident occurred last week in an adjoining
parish. A party of sportsmen started a Pheasant, which in its eagerness to escape dashed so-
violently against the trunk of a tree as to fracture its lower mandible, when it fell to the
ground, and was picked up by the dogs.— C. A. J., Callipers Hall, Rickmansworth, September
18th., 1852.

Scolopax rusticola. — A Woodcock was taken in this town on the 9th. of the present month,
in rather a singular manner. One of the porters of Messrs. W. and J. Cooper upon going into
their iron warehouse, was surprised to see a strange bird seated upon the back of a stove; it
allowed him to approach and take it into his hands without attempting to escape. The poor
bird was soon transferred to a fishmonger's, where I saw it. The warehouse door had been
left open till half-past six the previous evening, and it is most probable that the bird entered
in the dusk, perhaps it sought shelter there immediately upon its amval. It was in good con-
dition, and seemed quite healthy. — T. Southwell, Lynn, Norfolk, October 16th., 1852.

Richardson's Lestris, (Lestris Richardsonii.) — A male specimen of this bird in the plumage
of the second autumn was shot here on the 16th. of September. A pair of the Arctic Skua,
(Lestris parasiticus,) were shot at Hemstanton, on the 11th. of September. All the species of
Lestris are somewhat rare, and seldom occur here in the adult plumage. — Idem.

Storm Petrel, (Thalassidroma pelagica,) seen on the 6th. of October, flying over the Ouse,.
near Lynn. — Idem.

Rare Birds at Reading.— It may be interesting to the readers of your admirable periodical
to know that an adult specimen of the Common Tern, (Sterna hirundo,) was shot here this
morning. The length of the bird is from the tip of the bill to the tip of the longest tail
feather fifteen inches and a quarter; length of the wing from the wrist eleven inches and a
quarter. These dimensions do not agree with those given by Yarrell, but are rather repre-
sentative of the Arctic Tern, still the colour of my specimen is altogether lighter than the
one figured by him; and although the breast is slightly tinged Avith pearl gray, yet it is
decidedly lighter than that which pervades the upper surface of the body. The bird is apparently
one of considerable age. It appears to have commenced moulting, as the feathers di'op out
rather, and others not fully developed are observed. A j'oung specimen of this species was shot
on the Thames here, in the second week in October, last year ; it rose with a number of Rooks,
and had apparently been feeding in their company on the river-side. Adult specimens of the
Black Tern, (Sterna fissipes,) are occasionally met with. In the autumn of last year a spe-
cimen of the Little Bustard, (Otis tctrax,) (I think a female,) was obtained here. A Coot
was shot a week or two ago. These birds are not very common in this locality; I met with two
in January last, and also with a couple of White-fronted Gecsc, {Anser albifrons.)—^ . C. Wilson,
Victoria Square, Reading, September 14th., 1852.

I have at this time in my possession, alive, a specimen of the bird described by Swainson,
(Birds of W.Africa, Nat: Libr:) as Crithagra chrgsopyga, or Yellow-rumped Bullfinch. It
was taken by a bird-catcher, named Lavender, on the 24th. of June, near Eastney Fort, about
a mile from this place, in company with Linnets. It is a male, and has a very pretty song.

20 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

The figure and description given by Swainson are sufficiently accurate, except that the bill and
legs aroj^in my specimen, dark brown. I should also prefer for the upper plumage to read
'olive green' for ^olivo' ffrei/ ;' though you know how difficult it is to characterize some of those
undecisive colours. My brother has also a male Serin, captured in April about the same
locality. He has paired it with a hen Canary, and had a nest of males, which are unfortunately
deceased. The hen is, however, building again. The Serin was very attentive, feeding her on
the nest. Last summer I sent some notice to Mr. Yarrell of a FringiUa Hispaniolensis, (Fring.
or Pyrgita, Petronia,) shot four or five years previously in Mr. Thistle way te's woods, about
five miles from here. It was brought newly-killed to Mr. Elkins, who keeps a "curiosity shop"
in Broad-Street, and by him set up. I took some pains to ascertain this statement, and am
myself quite satisfied of its correctness. The specimen is now in the Museum of the Philosophical
Society of this place. I shall be happy to furnish any further particulars if you desire them.
—William Hazel, (in a letter to the llev. F. 0. Morris,) Portsmouth, July 6th., 1852.

A White Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris.) — A pure "White Starling has been seen the last thi'ee
or four weeks, amongst a flock of its own species in our Abbey meadows.— Thomas Turner,
Friars, Leicester, October 6th., 1852.

On the 14th. of this month, I saw near this place, a flock of more than twenty Fieldfares,
( Tardus pilaris,) which is, I believe, very early in the season for them to make their
appearance here. — Thomas Kirkham, Fairfield, near Manchester, August 17th., 1852.

A. IVJiite 5o5w2.— From the Dumfries Courier, about the 15th. of May last, I copied the following":
~A few days ago, Mr. Rimmer, who is an enthusiastic ornithologist, observed a small light-
coloured bird in the grounds of Kirkmichael house, which he did not recognise. He shot it,
and discovered it to be a Eobin, with the usual orange-red breast, but the rest of the plumage
of a light cream-colour. The specimen procured by Mr. Rimmer has been stuffed, and placed
by the side of an ordinary bird, compared with which it appears about a third smaller in size,
and is altogether of a weaker build, b<?aring out the idea that Albinos are either diseased or
weakly. The back is white, with a few streaks of liglit brown; the belly with more white
than usual ; the wings nearly all white, with a few pale olive feathers ; and the legs very light
coloured. It is only in the distinguishing red breast that its plumage at all resembles that of
the ordinary Robin.— George B. Clarke, "Woburn, Beds., June 9th., 1852,

Robin's nest attacked by an Adder. --The following is copied from the Newcastle Courant: —
Charles Newall, granite hewer, in Dalbeattie, was plying his vocation on May 20th., at Craignair
quarry, when he heard a bird's distress; hurrying to the spot, he discovered a Robin in the
greatest agitation. An Adder, twenty inches long, had dragged itself up the face of the
quarry, and was protiiiding its head over the edge of a nest built among the brushwood, and
containing poor Robin's unfledged offspring. She was alternately coming down upon the spoliator,
darting her beak into his forehead, and rising to the height of a yard or so above the scene.
It was the act of a moment for him to dislodge the aggressor. While he was killing the Adder
the bird perched upon his arm, and watched with intense delight every blow inflicted on her
enemy; and when that enemy lay dead, alighted upon and pecked the lifeless trunk with all
her vigour. She then entered her nest, and having ascertained that all was safe, swiftly
repaired to a neighbouring branch, and piped as best she could, what was no doubt meant for
a hymn of gratitude, and song of triumph.— Idem.

Domesticity of the Robin.— The undermentioned I copied from a Lon'don Weekly Paper, of
June 5th.— A very singular instance of the docility of the Robin may be seen in the village
of Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire. A Redbreast has quartered itself in the sitting-room oc-
cupied by the family of a shoe-maker, named Tecnd ; it has taken up its abode on the mantle-
piece, behind a tea-pot, where, having built its nest and laid its eggs, it may now be seen
sitting without apparently being in the least incommoded by the presence of the family or
strangers, of whom it takes po notice. The bird will allow itself to be handled, and even
caressed on its nest. It takes its food fearlessly from the family table, and appears to recognise
the dilJbrcnt members.— Idem.

I obtained this morning the following rarities:— A very fine yo\mg specimen of the Little
Bittern, (Ardea minuta,) and a fine specimen of Acherontia Atropos. — T. S. Ruud, Redcar,
September 29th., 1852.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 21

The Swift, (Cypselus apus.) — The stay of the Swifts has been unusually protracted in this
neighbourhood this year. They appeared pretty regularly up to the 19th. of August, and again
to day, the 26tli., I saw three or four. WTiite, of Selbomo, mentions the usual time of their
departm-e as the first few days in August, and refers to the appearance of the bird as late as
the 27th. as a very unusual occurrence. Markwick, in his Calendar, which is compared with
that of White, in one edition of the work of the latter, mentions August 11th. as the last date
of his observations of the Swift. Yarrell says they usually leave by the middle of August. I
attribute this protracted stay to an abundant population in the insect world. — J. C. Wilson,
Heading, August 26th., 1852.

I have to add to the above note, that I saw one as late as the 17th. of September. That
I was not mistaken I am quite sure, as I am well acquainted with its flight and appearance.
It did not appear to be migrating, but was hawking about for flies as usual in summer. — ■
J. C. W., October 14th., 1852.

The Pied FlycatcJier, (Muscicapa atricapilla.) — A specimen of this bird was shot at Worthing,
on the 17th. of September last. It is either a young male of the year, or a female; though
which I cannot say with certainty, never having had opportunities of comparing specimens, —
Idem.

Martins in London. — October 8th., 1852. This day I saw numbers of Martins, {Kirtmdo
urbica,) in several of the streets in London; they were apparently hawking for flics, and were
especially numerous in that densely crowded thoroughfare, the High Street, Southwark, and
in the immediate vicinity of London Bridge. The weather is very cold, and many of these
birds have been observed in other parts of the town numbed, and scarcely able to fly. — E. K. B.

Note on the Frog, (Eana temporaria.)— I was sitting in my drawing-room this very wet morning,
when I was called away from my book by the sudden exclamation from one of the children,
"Here's a Frog crawling up the window!" Strange as was the intelligence, it proved 4;o be true.
With arms and legs expanded on the wet glass, and adhering to it with all the under surface
of the body, sprawled a half-grown Frog, motionless, but with sparkling eyes, and breathing
naturally, as the rising and falling cheeks clearly proved. After resting a few minutes it began
to stir, and with remai'kable activity ascended several inches, moving its limbs exactly as a
sailor does when climbing the shrouds. Again it became stationary, supporting itself, however,
without eflibrt, and soon after mounted another stage. A third movement, a sidelong one,
brought it to the wooden frame of the glass, which it partially crossed, clinging to it with
one hand, and adhering to the glass with the other hand , its throat, and chest, the legs hanging
free. Its hold now was evidently not secure, and in about a minute it fell back upon the
window-sill outside. About four feet below the window is an iron grating, placed over a pit,
constnicted to admit light into a cellar window. In this pit a number of Frogs had taken
refuge in the scorching weather of August, and here, I supposed, they were doomed to spend
the rest of their lives ; but this ambitious traveller must have taken advantage of the wet weather
to climb four or five foot of rough masonry, four feet more of smooth psdnted wall, and about
ten inches of polished glass. Is this climbing power of Frogs known, and may it not help to
account for the strange situations in wluch the batrachian tribe are sometimes found. —C. A. J.
Callipers Hall, Eickmansworth, September 18th., 1852.

The Locust, (Locusta migratoria,) at Redear. — A boy captured here on Saturday morning,
September 11th., a specimen of Loeusta migratoria, and another was captured in the village,
the same day. — T. S. Eudd, Esq., in a letter to the Editor.

Capture of the Death's Head Moth, (Acherontia Atropos.) — On the 28th. of last May this rare
and splendid iloth was taken in a house not far from where I live. The inmates were quite
amazed, and the neighbours were called in to see the "monster;" the better however to exhibit
poor "Death" to the wondering, gaping throng, they tumbled him into a glass, and he was
there kept till "Life" had nigh "run out of Death." It is now taken better care of, and is,
after all, a very fair specimen. —William Bond, Frog Island, Leicester, October 2nd., 1852.

Acherontia Atropos at Redear. — Several specimens of the Death's Head Hawk Moth have occurred
here lately.— D. Fkrguson, Eedcar, October 26th., 1852.

22 PROCEEDINGS OP SOCIETIES.

Comatula rosacea at Redcar. — A very fine specimen of this rare Star-fish was taken here
yesterday. — Idem.

The Eel, (Anguilla acutirostris.) — A short time ago, I read in one of our provincial papers,
an account of an Eel being taken, -which when opened, was found to contain a kitten. My
conscience, I must confess, is somewhat elastic, but this story staggered my belief at the
time. A friend of mine, Mr. Brooke, of Missex, Lincolnshire, however, assures me that he
was once fishing in tho Kiver Idle, and caught a very large Eel, which was found to contain
a full-grown water-rat. Tliis fact somewhat strengthens the first part of the story, and prepares
us to swallow it without such a stretch of gullibility. On wet summer nights, in the same
locality. Eels have often been caught gliding amongst the grass, in quest of food, which appears
principally to consist of small frogs and slugs. Many. have been met with nearly five feet in
length; this has often given rise to marvellous stories respecting snakes infesting certain fields,
much] to the terror of many a simple rustic, who generally imagines himself to have been
hotly pursued by a formidable member of the genus. I should not like to spoil the 'penchant
of any Eel-pie epicure with more facts concerning this semi-reptilian creature, of whose
peculiar habits much remains to be written. — John Dixon, Leeds, August 9th., 1852.

l^rnttrMngs nf Inrirtits.

Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh. — The first meeting of the eighty-second session of this
Society was held on Saturday, the 13th. November, at two o'clock, at 6, York Place, when
there was a very full attendance of members and visitore. Dr. Coldstream, on taking the chair,
delivered the opening address, for which the cordial thanks of the Society were tendered to him.

We much regret that our space will not allow us to insert the address in cxtcnso, but we cannot
omit the concluding tribute to the memory of three excellent naturalists whose valuable contributions
to science will long be remembered and prized. "Allow me, in conclusion, to advert to the good
examples of earnest diligence as naturalists, which were set before us by those distinguished men
who have been removed from amongst us by death within the last year or two. I refer to the late
Sir John Graham Dalyell, Dr. Patrick Neill, and Professor M'Gillivray, of Aberdeen, each of whom
has left a blank not soon to be filled up. Scotland has had few, if any, such accomplished
naturalists. It well becomes this Society aSectionately and respectfully to cherish the memory
of these excellent men. Sir John Dalyell was appointed first president after the revival of this
Society; and, although his bodily infirmities prevented him from attending our meetings, we
received many proofs of his interest in us, and of his constant desire to promote our object.
Of the singleness of aim, indomitable perseverance, profound sagacity, and wonderful success
with which Sir John, throughout the course of his long life, gave his days and nights to the
searching out of the most obscure pai-ts of the great plan of creation, we may be thankful that
so admirable and valuable a monument is preserved to us, as appears in his "History of Earo
and Remarkable Animals of Scotland," the completion of the publication of which has been
entrusted to our distinguished associate Dr. Fleming. To go through that wonderful work
is, indeed, to sit at the feet of a great master, in whom we rejoice to see not only an extra-
ordinary amount of knowledge, but a deep venei-ation for Him whose works he would attempt
to unravel. We shall all expect with interest a full biography of Sir John from Dr. Fleming,
when he shall have completed the publication of his posthumous works. Dr. Ncill also was a
member of this Society. He entered it from the Natural History Society in 1812. Few men
of his day knew so much from personal observation of the zoology and botany of Scotland, as
did Dr. Ncill. Those who knew him personally (and these were indeed many) will long
remember his modesty, simplicity, and acuteness as an observer, and his kindness, stcdfastness,
and sincerity as a friend. His public spirit was ever active; and to it we are indebted for the
institution of the Caledonian Horticultural Society, and of the Zoological Gardens, as well as
for abundant and self-denying labours in connexion with many other scientific and charitable
institutions. His wondrous little treasury of plants and animals at Canonmills was indeed an
earthly paradise to those who could appreciate the moral excellencies of the possessor, as well
as the riches of the spot. Professor M'Gillivray was a native of the Hebrides, but resided in

PROOEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 23

Edinburgh for many years before his removal to the Chair of Natural History in Aberdeen.
Here he filled in succession, and with groat credit, the offices of Assistant-Keeper of the College
Museum, and of Conservator of the Museum of the Eoyal College of Surgeons. He was a most
laborious student and exact ob.'^erver. His published works prove how well acquainted he was
with a large range of subjects in Natural History. Doubtless, had his life been prolonged, he
would have done much to extend the science and to foster a taste for the study of Natural History."
Mr. Hugh Miller then read a paper on the ancient Grauwackc Hocks of Scotland, with
a historical sketch of the progress of geologic discovery among them during the last sLxty years,
and a brief description of what is at present known regarding their place, character, and
organisms. The paper was illustrated with a fine collection of See to- Silurian fossils. On tlio
motion of Professor Fleming, the thanks of the Society were unanimously voted to Mr. Miller
for his valuable and interesting paper.

Natural History Society of Glasgow. — The ordinary monthly meeting of this Society was held
in the Library of Anderson's University, on the evening of Tuesday, the 5th. of October, when
there was a full attendance of members.— Thomas Gray, Esq., Vice-President, in tlic Chair.

Specimens of the Stormy Petrel from lona, were exhibited by Egbert Gray, Esq., who also
read a very interesting letter from Henry D. Graham, Esq., descriptive of the habits of that
bird.

. A paper was read by Mr. John Gray, on the local distribution of the British Sphingida;,
with special reference to the changes caused by cultivation, and the anomalies thereby presented
in the geographical range of the various species. He concluded his paper by a general review
of the similarity and dissimilarity, where such existed, in their British and continental habitats,
with some remarks on the utility of a proper understanding of the geographical distribution of
the Lcpidoptera, and its bearings on collections of local fauna.

The following recent observations on the House Fly were communicated by James Napier,
EsQ.:-

On the day of the last severe thunder storm in August last, I observed, immediately after the
storm had passed, my paij^our window facing the storm literally studded with dead flies adhering
to the glass; beside each fly was a small' opaque cloud, composed of a white gummy matter
that appeared to have been ejected by the fly, and that very recently, from its being soft. That
it had been simultaneous with the death of the insect, I think evident, from the wings and
feet in most cases being covered with it in such quantity as to make it impossible for the
insect to fly or walk. In all cases the insect was adhei-ing to the glass by this gummy sub-
stance, some by the feet, the wings, and the mouth or sucker of the proboscis; in every
instance this sucker was at its full expansion, as if blowing out; and in two cases, out of the
few examined, the proboscis was ruptured or burst in the side.

Whether the death of these insects took place during the thunder storm, or in consequence
of it, I cannot affinn ; but they had all died within the space of a few hours, and that insects
are affected by sudden or great atmospheric changes can hardly be doubted. I have spoken
with several persons who observed the same sudden mortality among the flies about the same
time, and also the invariable spot of dirt, as it was commonly called, contiguous to each insect.

In connexion mth this gummy matter, I may add a few observations first made some years
ago. About the latter end of summer, (the month of August,) flies will often be observed
standing perfectly motionless often for a period of fifteen or twenty minutes; examining them
during these moods by a lens, it will be observed that they are not entirely idle, but are
blowing out from their proboscis a fluid, which they hold at the mouth of their trunk as a
globule, often as large as the head of a small pin. This globule the insect sucks in and blows
out every few seconds, oocasionally drawing in the proboscis and again throwing it out, evidently
with great enjoyment. These drops of fluid often fall on the place where it stands, and form
gray-coloured round spots, which soon get dark and constitute a great portion of that termed
Jly dirt. I have seen several of these drops fall in a few minutes, exciting some apprehensions
at the consequences were it continued. May not this account for the fact, that dead flies are
always dry and empty ? The fluid, by reflected light, is of a cream-colour, viscid and gummy,
and occasionally little specks of air and dust are seen in it, but no revolving motion has been
observed.

24 THE QUERIST,

May not the exposing of this fluid and sucking it in again give an enjoyment to the insect,
while it hastens tlie termination of its existence?

The following curious fact in the history of the remarkable genus Xylophaga was recorded by
Edwaud Chahlesworth, Esq., F. G. S.: —

Some time ago I was carefully breaking up some masses of wood from Ardrossan, (kindly
sent me by Major Martin,) for the purpose of extracting the inclosed shells of this mollusc,
when I was surprised to find an entirely new feature in the economy of the animal, namely,
the presence of a case or tube, lining the chamber occupied by the creature, and extending
from the valves of the shell to the open extremity of the chamber. The tube is not shelly
like the tube of Teredo^ but has rather the appearance of being formed of minute particles of
wood cemented together. It adheres so slightly to the walls that I dare say it has escaped
notice by falling out when the chambers have been broken into. I have only observed it in a
small proportion of cases, and then in chambers that were excavated to a greater depth than
usual; its occasional presence, however, would not be a greater anomaly than the finding the
Lima Mans in most localities free, but in Lamlash Bay, Arran, always inhabiting a nest.

I intend to get one of these tubes analyzed, and I shall then publish a more detailed account
of its occurrence. In the meanwhile you may think the circumstance sufficiently interesting
to bring imder the notice of your members, some of whom may perhaps be able to confirm my
observations. .

It was confinned by one member who had opce observed this curious tube.

Mr. John Touxg, Campsic, was admitted a corresponding member. / ^^

€\t (hwml

What cause can be assigned for the mortality which annually takes place am
particulai-ly the common species, Sorex araneusf I have frequently found specimens dead in
gardens and fields as well as hedge-rows, and none of them ever exhibited any external mark
of injury. It is a common belief that cats will not eat Shrews when they kill them, and I was
long satisfied with this explanation, though I could not account for the fact that it was only
in summer and autumn the dead Shrews were seen. Is it true thSt at these seasons Shrews
are affected with a peculiar odour, which obliges animals of prey to leave them in the spot
where they are killed.'' One morning when out for a ramble shortly after sunrise, I observed
seven or eight lying dead by the side of a wood, and one of them was a Black Shrew, {Sorex
fodiens;) some of them still retained heat in their bodies and were not stiff, and the last I
discovered was just expiring. The season was a dry one, and the death of these creatures I
imagined might have been caused by thirst. On the afternoon of the same day as I was
walking on the public road, a Shrew suddenly dropped down before me, and lay in the dust
kicking convulsively for a few moments, and when I lifted it I could not see a scratch upon
it. — It died in my hand. If disease be the cause of dissolution, the malady proves suddenly
fatal, and attacks the Shrews chiefly during the night. AVild Rabbits are subject to a similar
disease, and they are seized about the same time of the year. — G.

Can any of your readers inform me at what age the Common Gold Crest, (Regulus aurica-
pillus,) acquires the plumulet which covers the nostrils, or suggest any cause for the occasional
absence of that feature ? or describe from personal examination the differences between this bird
and Regulus modestus of Gould.'' — G.

Do the Hirundinidse moult in the autumn, or what is the general rule for birds of passage ?
—0. N. Knox, Callipers Hall, Herts.

On the 19th. ult. as I was standing on a slight eminence near the sea, in the neighbourhood
of Luccombe Chine, Isle of Wight, I observed a black-coloured bird with a crimson breast,
not very bright, and rather inclining to roseate, fly across a small doll which was below mo,
so that I obtained an excellent view of it. In size and general appearance it much resembled the
Blackbird, and had it not been for the colour of the breast I should have pronounced it to
have been one. A relation who was with me also saw it, and her statement agrees with mine.
Perhaps some of the subscribers to "The Naturalist" can tell mo the name of this bird."—
Edward Erxest Stride, Highbury Park, Islington, near London, September 15th., 1852.

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST.

(Continued from Vol. II, page 164.^

Letter III.

lona^ April 5th.^ 1852.

As to D's remarks about the Petrel's burrows being made by [Rabbits,
this may be a mere inaccuracy on his part; or it is very possible that the
Petrels take advantage of Rabbit-holes when they occur upon their breeding-
stations, as the Puffins and Shieldrakes, I believe, do; though among our
islands these are obliged to make holes for themselves, as there are no Rabbits
to assist them. The Stormy Petrels' holes at Soay, have, exteriorly, very
much the appearance of Rabbit-burrows, but, ou excavating, the resemblance
ceases: there would scarcely be room for a Rabbit to conceal his whole body
in one. The entrance, though wide, extends but a very slight depth below
the surface of the ground; it immediately contracts into one ov tivo very small
passages, only capable of aiFording ingress to such a diminutive creature as a
Mouse or Petrel. These large entrance halls seem to be of great age, over-
grown with moss, and the small galleries seem more recently made, or at
least re-bored.

Last year I found a Wheatear's nest formed in the entrance, while the
back premises were tenanted by two pairs of Petrels, who must have been
forced to walk over the Wheatear's back whenever they came out. None
of our small islands contain Rabbits, but if they were once introduced they
would thrive and multiply wonderfully. A small rocky islet off the town of
Tobermory, called Calve Island, was thought to be turned to some account
by a former proprietor, who stocked it with Rabbits of a superior breed. In
the course of time these so destroyed the pasture that a later proprietor
wished to get rid of them; but they utterly defied all his efforts to extirpate
them. Rabbits are abundant in lona now, yet the man is still alive who
introduced the first pair into the island. Hares were also very recently
introduced into Tiree island. I have frequently met with Hares upon little
islets a quarter of a mile from the mainland, which they must of course have
reached by swimming; but Rabbits I think never take the water, even for the
shortest distance, though they frequent the sea-shore for the sake of sea-weed.
There are some tempting islands hardly a gunshot from the mainland of lona,
which arc never visited by Rabbits.

Most of the small islets and rocks within a moderate distance of the coast
are infested by Rats, which subsist upon the shell-fish, crabs, birds' eggs,
etc. Fortunately these rascals have not reached Soay; it is too far out for
them, clever swimmers as they are. If they once get a footing there, they
will quickly banish Petrels, and every other bird from nestling there more.
I was often disappointed during the egg season, when searching for sea-fowls'
eggs, to find many promising- looking rocks untenanted; but I soon discovered
that the cause of it was the Rats had penetrated to them, and the birds

VOL. III. E

26 LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST.

instinctively avoided these spots. A few days ago my terrier turned a Rat
out of a hole in the sand^ and being hard pressed, it boldly jumped into a
small pool of water, diving immediately. The water being clear, I could see
him distinctly swimming about near the bottom, exactly like an Otter in
miniature: I was very much surprised at his power of endurance. Whenever
he rose towards the surface, he saw the Dog's nose suspended over the spot
•where he was about to rise, and down he would dive again to the depths of
the pool: becoming a little exhausted at last, the dog dived down after him
and killed him. You meet with Rats in the most out-of-the-way situations;
I have taken them in traps set for birds among the hills, and once upon a
small island in the middle of a loch. The island is quite bare, and not larger
than a table; so he must have swam out there on a voyage of discovery.

A few months ago I took a Mallard in a trap, as he was frequenting a
spot where I could not get near him; when he made, in due time, his appear-
ance at table, we found several grains of No. 3 quite inside his body, which
seemed to have been there a long time; yet he was in excellent condition.
That was an unlucky bird, yet I pity more the poor fellow who lost him,
and perhaps accused himself of having missed a fine shot. I have sometimes
got birds, (as a Pigeon, Golden Plover, or Dunlin Sandpiper,) with only one
leg; that is to say, they seemed to have lost one foot, or else were naturally
deformed; but these were always in as good condition, and as fat, as their
companions, who had the advantage of possessing a proper assortment of legs.
The winter before last I caught a Gannet which had one leg diseased in a
very curious way: it was swollen to more than double the natural size, and
was full of dark-coloured blood. He swam in from the sea, and walked up
on to the rocks where he allowed himself to be taken without attempting to
resist.

On Saturday I shot a pair of Teal upon a small loch in lona, which
reminded me of an adventure I had there a long time ago, and which I
mention, as you say that you sometimes act as your own retriever: — I had
shot a nice little Drake Teal in the middle of the loch, which I was very
desirous to get, as I wished to take a drawing of him; but having no dog,
I stripped and went in after him, the water was not beyond my depth,
but the bottom was very soft oozy mud, which held one's feet as firmly as
the stocks, while all around, the water was filled with a tangled mass of
aquatic plants, which closed about one's limbs like a strongly-woven net; and
there I hung like a fly in a cobweb, floundering about like Milton's Satan
in chaos. It was a very long time before I could extricate myself, and I
was very nearly sticking there for good; however I secured my bird, but
resolved not to be without a dog in future, as such places are excessively
dangerous.

The dog I have used since, is a Skye terrier, a small bluish gray one,
which takes the water well; his feet are as webbed as those of an Otter, and
his small size and his colour resembling that of the rocks, render him almost

THE HKBRTNO GULI,. 27

invisible — a great advantage when stalking or waiting for birds. Being accua-
tomcd to the boat I find him sometimes useful: when he sees birds upon
the water he makes a decided point, sometimes before I can detect them,
especially when rowing alone in a punt, when of course one's back is turned
on everything that may be ahead.

Another very necessary part of one's equipment is a glass of some kind.
I formerly used a small telescope, but I have long given up carrying that,
it being so cumbersome, and involving so much time, trouble, and the use of
both hands every time it is looked through. A small single-barrelled opera
glass is far more useful, as it may be fixed at the right focus, and so
can be pulled out of the pocket, and used by the left hand alone, while
the gun may still be retained in the other. A glass of this kind will of
course not command such a long range as the telescope, but they are made
of very considerable powers, sufficient at least for most occasions. It is very
useful for detecting birds upon the water, when one is boating, or for dis-
covering them among rocks, or among reeds and cover* and by twilight it is
superior to the telescope, as it contains fewer glasses, and does not consequently
absorb so much of the light.

The Ravens have got their new nest in the locality I expected they were
going to adopt. Here, in a high clifi" they have taken up their residence in
an old nest formerly built by a Peregrine, but since tenanted by Hooded
Crows. The nest being ready built, it only required a fresh lining. The
place I think is totally inaccessible; however I may sacrifice one of the old
birds for the sake of its skin, should it be wanted.

I have got two more Black Guillemots' skins for you which exhibit the
changes the plumage undergoes between winter and summer. The Wheatear
arrived here on the '21st. of March.

Last Saturday, the 3rd. of April, I found a Rock-Dove's nest containing
young ones, which is unusually early.

(To he continued.)

THE HERRING GULL, {LARUS ABGENTATTIS.)

BY GEORGE DONALDSON, ESQ.

In the month of June, a few years ago, when on a visit to Ailsa Craig,
in the Frith of Clyde, a very young specimen of this bird was taken from
a nest by my friend, Mr. Kemp, who accompanied me on that occasion. He
shortly afterwards put it into his garden, in the neighbourhood of the city,
where it was for some time unable to provide for itself, during which he fed
it upon various articles of a domestic nature, such as broken bread, potatoes,
etc. In the course of a month afterwards he was relieved of all his attentions
by "Snow," as I named him, foraging for himself amongst the bushes and
vegetables, where he fed on various caterpillars, slugs, flies, and beetles. He
was constant in his attendance on Mr. Kemp while engaged in digging and

28 THF, IIERRTNO GUU,.

transplanting, and never failed to pick up every creeping thing which was
turned up during the operation. He was particularly shy when strangers were
present, and never in one instance would permit any familiarity, excepting
with a small rough Scotch Terrier belonging to this gentleman, to which he
was particularly attached; for after pulling her by the tail, (which she never
appeared to relish,) he would make up the matter by picking from off her
rough mouth any particles of food which he found adhering there. He was
exceedingly playful, and appeared to enjoy himself amazingly by throwing up
into the air any small bones or pieces of wood which he had fallen in with,
and always exhibited the greatest terror of either them, or any other object
coming in contact with his legs.

At the end of twelve months his plumage corresponded with that of other
young birds, and when he was two years old the change was very trifling.
At this period, however, he acquired a taste for Sparrows, and scarcely a day
passed on which he did not regale himself with four or five of them. His
system of catching them was this: — He was upon the best terms with a
number of Pigeons which this gentleman had, and as the Sparrows fed along
with them, he mixed in the group, and by stoojnng assumed as much as
possible their appearance, and then set at the Sparrow as a pointer dog
would do his game; the next instant he had his prey by the back, and
swallowed it without giving it time to shut its eyes. The sporting season
began with him about the middle of July, as the young birds were leaving
their nests; and as numbers of them were produced in Mr. Kemp's garden,
and others came to practise there, they found it very slippery ground; for the
enemy was upon them in a moment.

At the expiration of three years his plumage was assuming a lighter shade,
although the gray feathers on the under part of his body were quite apparent.
He pursued his old system of snatching and swallowing with great success;
and arrived at so much perfection in the art, that he caught his prey often
while flying past, and occasionally sprang from the ground, and struck a bird
down with his wing, which he had no difficulty in afterwards capturing.

On one occasion while standing near a pump well in the garden he pounced
upon a Eat, which had come there for the purpose of drinking; it squeaked
on being caught, and Mr. Kemp, who was standing close by, looked immedi-
ately around, and had scarcely time to see it suddenly disappear head fore-
most, a rule which he strictly observed, with both the living and the dead;
for many Thrushes, Finches, and Wagtails I supplied him with. Mr. Kemp
has little doubt, but many Eats were surprised in the same manner, as he
frequently observed ^^Snow" sneaking about the well.

His appearance during the act of running down the young birds amongst the
bushes, was very animated: his neck was extended, his eye sparkled, and his
body appeared compressed to half its usual size, which rendered his expression
very different from the doz^-like appearance which he assumed while watching
Eats and old Sparrows.

THE HERRING GULL. 29

At the end of the fourth year he appeared to have completed his Toilet^
and although his garments at that time did not exhibit the hue which the
deep blue sea imparts to them, still his appearance was very creditable,
considering the narrow bounds to which he was restricted.

In the preceding remarks I have confined myself entirely to his habits
while in confinement; for I presume his habits naturally are sufiiciently known.
Independent of his love for Jlsh, he is a good judge of fowl, and much
amusement I have had by witnessing [him struggling through a legion of
clamorous Kittiwakes, stationed along the front of a precipice, which appeared
to be taking satisfaction on him for having eaten up some of their families.

This is quite a common occurrence, and I have little doubt that, when
opportunity occurs, his young are for some time principally supported at the
expense of this harmless and interesting community; for the young of both
are produced about the same period. I think we are quite entitled to
suppose that, from the great length of time which this bird takes to arrive
at maturity, he is long-lived; although I am not aware that he has ever
been allowed a place amongst the patriarchal races of Swans, Eagles, Eavens,
and Pelicans; the ages of which are recorded from one hundred up to three
hundred years; and I am inclined to think that if ^^Snow" had not been unfor-
tunately killed at the end of his sixth year, he might have lived to the
age of "Oh Uncle Ned !"

I have been informed that the habits of (Larits fuscits,) the Lesser Black-
backed Gull, are equally rapacious; but never having seen him, I feel inclined
to give him the benefit of any doubt. As far as my experience goes, however,
I am bound to acknowledge the Blue-back, (L. ArgentafAis,) a most disting-ui&hed
cannibal, and superior to any other class amongst the fowls of the air. He
gives no quarter, and consumes the unfortunate slowly within his interior —
just as the court of chancery does with a great estate. This Gull • arrives
at Ailsa Craig early in April, lays three eggs about the middle of May,
and the young take wing about the 20th. of July; there is little difierence
in colouring or size between the eggs of this bird and those of the Lesser
Black-back, and if any does exist, it is in those of the latter being occasionally
found a shade darker.

As the nidification of birds has of late created some little attention, it
afibrds me an opportunity of describing in what manner these two birds
begin their domestic arrangements for the season. They display no cunning
whatever in selecting a situation for their nest, which consists of a variety
of torn-up weeds and grasses, in place of the dried and brushy material
usually collected by other birds for that purpose; and the great majority of
those which I have found have been quite exposed, and in many instances
close beside detached fragments of rock, in situations closely approaching to
table land. Necessity very frequently compels them to place their nests
where neither pasturage nor any other kind of shelter afibrds them any
protection; but from this circumstance I do not consider that any rule ought

30 THR nRRRINO GULL.

to be laid down^ as to the situations where these 'nests are to be found.

The nest is a very comfortable oue^ of fair proportions^ with a fiat margin,
which this bird has wisely contrived to enable him to get comfortably out
and in; for the circular part of it, where the three eggs are deposited, is
barely suflScient to contain them. I have frequently remarked the warmth
which the egg so long retains after the Gull has been scared from her nest;
and my astonishment was increased on shooting one of the birds to find, on
separating the feathers on the under part of the breast and the body, a
space about as great as the palm of the hand, completely divested of feathers,
exhibiting a skin as fine as silk, and possessing an amount of animal heat
which I never could have anticipated.

I am perfectly aware that the practice of denuding themselves of the
interior feathers of the breast, to assist in the process of incubation, is com-
mon, but how to account for this additional warmth is a difiiculty; for I
have never before remarked anything to compare with it in other wild birds;
and if we could ascertain that the same temperature prevails in the Swan
and the Pelican, it might necessarily lead us to suppose that such rapidity
of circulation may tend to longevity. It is quite out of my way to speculate
on its term of life; but as Cuvier has computed the age of a Whale at one
thousand years, might not Owen give us a comparative idea between the
age of this bird, and that of other birds whose span has already been ascertained.

To furnish you with further evidence of the rapacity of the Herring Gull,
my friend Mr. Kemp is in possession of one at the present moment, which
we brought along with us from the island of Sanda, in the month of July,
1848, and as my absence from this country prevented me watching her as
frequently and carefully as I did "Snow," I state to you on this gentleman's
authority, that in the summer of 1851, he raised a brood of nine young
decoy Ducks, which he took especial care of by keeping them confined within
an outhouse in his garden; at the expiration of a few days, he allowed them
to get into the garden; when, horrible to tell, ^^Susey," as he calls the Gull,
swallowed the whole clecMn! The second brood which he raised consisted
of five, four of which, during one forenoon, shared the same fate; and the
remaining one she gobbled too, just as Mr. Kemp had fitted up some wicker
work for its protection. This Gull has never displayed the tact of the other
one, and her performances in Sparrow- catching, have been upon rather a
limited scale.

I am afraid it will be rather out of place here to refer to the habits of
the {Larus marinus,) Great Black- backed Sea-Gull ; but the following notes
may go so far to support the preceding observations. He has a very doubtful
reputation, and although I have shot several specimens, I have never had
an opportunity of watching him at such a season as would have enabled one
to judge of his taste for the horrible, although I am inclined to look upon
him with great suspicion. Two gentlemen of my acquaintance, Mr. Gibb and
Mr. Kemp, who spent some time amongst the precipitous clifis and islands on

MARINE ANIMALS. 31

the coast of Sutherlandshire^ in the month of July^ 1850, had an opportunity
of seeing many specimens, and were informed by Mr. Mc'Ivor, the Duke of
Sutherland's factor, that the Great Black-backs were very so7'e upon the
lambs; that they hunted in pairs, and attacked the lambs, which they quickly
deprived of sight; and that in the early part of the previous season he had
lost thirty. One of these gentlemen having shot a Guillemot from a boat,
between the island of Handa and the mainland, was rather taken by surprise
to observe a Great Black-back stoop at the quarry, which he immediately
began to devour.

During an excursion which I made to Lochlomond, on Thursday, May
20th., I was fortunate enough to discover the nest of the Great Black-back,
on a flat marshy island, containing two eggs, which I carried ofi"; this was
a very unexpected circumstance, as I have always understood his habits to be
more of a solitary nature; he seemed to have fraternized with a colony of
about eighty pairs of the Lesser Black-backs, which I scarcely think they
considered any compliment; neither do I think his company would be any
advantage to another colony of about eight hundred pairs of (Lartis ridibun-
dus,) the Black-headed Gull, which have squatted only about four hundred
yards from him, on the same island. The appearance and situation of
the nests of these last-named birds were very picturesque and interesting;
they had selected a number of small islets in the centre of the mossy pools,
which were literally covered with their nests, containing, on an average,
three eggs each.

This bird, till within the last few years, was never known to hatch in
Lochlomond, although a specimen was occasionally seen in the district. Such
is not the case, however, with the community of the Lesser Black-back;
for I was informed that they have bred there for upwards of twenty years.
But as I never heard of or saw the Great Black-back breeding in the Loch,
I must set this down as his first appearance.

17, Florence Place, Glasgow, October 22nd., 1852.

MAEINE ANIMALS.

THE AEGONAUT.

BY O. S. ROUND, ESQ.
C Continued from Vol. II., page 275.)
My last paper upon this interesting class of Marine Animals was necessarily
confined to general observations upon the formation of the shell, the mode in
which it is supposed the animal rises or sinks in the ocean, and the reasons
for concluding that the shell is the actual property of the animal, and not, as
has been imagined, a shell belonging to some other denizen of the deep,
which it parasitically inhabited. I have chosen the term "Argonaut," as

82 MARINE ANIMALS.

representing this class, altKougli in strictness it is a genus with but one
recognised species, namely, the Paper Nautilus, {Argonauta Argo,) of Linnceus,
because the forms both of that creature, the Pearly Nautilus, {Nautilus pom-
pilius,) and the Poulpe, or Cuttle-fish, are so extremely alike, and the mode
which they all have of floating in the sea, giving them the best title to that
appellation, signifying ''Lazy sailors." When divested of the shells, their
appearance is strikingly similar, and it is in fact essentially the same character
of animal in general formation, so far at least as to form together a class —
these are generally called "Cephalopods," in consequence of the head being
placed between the body and feet, or arms, which appear to proceed from and
around it, and are like so many tentacula, or feelers, and the agents whereby
some of the class take their prey, and all feed.

The Paper Nautilus is the shell found with the living animal resident
within its precincts, and is of a most beautiful construction — white, transparent
and ridged, and, like shells of the same character, of a highly cellular structure.
It is found in abundance in the Mediten-anean, and M. Sander Rang, in
his pretty little work, describes minutely the habits and appearance of these
Molluscs. It is from him chiefly we gather the uni'omantic fact that instead
of sailing with outspread velamina before the breeze, they propel themselves
by forcibly ejecting water from the funnel, which I have before referred to;
or creep with their shells upon their backs, after a very inelegant and snail-
like manner. Madame Jeannette Power, who kept a number of these beautiful
creatures in what we may call a ''domestic state," has furnished some most
interesting particulars respecting them. For the purposes of science and to
clear up, if possible, the vexata questio, relative to the actual ownership of the
shell, Madame Power broke portions of it, and the very next morning observed
a gelatinous secretion covering the orifice, which being deposited from time to
time by the creature, the ridges were moulded and sustained in it by the
mantle until the substance was complete.

The Pearly Nautilus, (Nautilus pornpilius,) is far better known by its shell
than the Argonauta, but, although there is little doubt that the animal itself
is no less common, yet its habits are such, that only one instance has occurred
in which the shell has been captured with the Cephalopod within it. This
interesting addition to natural science was made by Mr. George Bennett, near
the Island of Erromanga, New Hebrides, where the shell was observed floating
on the water, having the appearance, as was said by the sailors, of a dead
tortoise-shell cat, but at the moment it was approached it began to sink; in
the eagerness not to lose so great a prize, it was somewhat hastily seized with
a boat-hook, and a part of the shell broken. This, I take it, coupled with
the fact of so many shells being constantly met with, and not in a fossil
state, is sufficient to warrant the supposition advanced above, that the animal,
though only in one instance captured, is no less common than the other.
This invaluable specimen I have often seen in a state of perfect preservation
in spirits, at the Museum of the lloyal College of Sm*geous. Besides these, the

MARINE ANIMALS. 33

ocean, in former periods of the world, was evidently peopled by an extensive class
of these animals, and several possessing shells, similar to these "Argonautas."
Of these the specimens are chiefly fossil, the ammonites, many of which have
been found of an immense size, and there can be little doubt that their habits
and interior formation very much resembled that of the Nautilus, the exterior
appearance being almost identical. Mr. Thomas Rhymer Jones, in his excellent
work, entitled, "A General Outline of the Animal Kingdom," describes the
anatomical formation of these animals minutely, but upon this I do not propose
to enter, only observing that the, structure is elaborate, and will be found in
the above work, well worthy the attention of the curious in such matters^
illustrated as it is by some very beautiful engravings.

In reference to this subject, it may not be out of place to speak of the
bone of the Cuttle-fish, so often picked up by us on the sea-shore — this is
what is called the Dorsal plate, and is formed precisely in the same manner
as the shell of the Nautilus, namely, one layer being secreted behind
another, so that, as I hinted in that case, the age of the animal might be
thereby easily determined were we precisely aware of the time taken in secreting
one, and supposing the same period occupied in secreting each. When a
transverse section is made of this substance, it is found to consist of lamina
or layers of a calcareous substance, each being connected and yet divided by
an infinite number of spines or minute pillars — a most beautiful object for
the microscope; this arrangement readers it, for its bulk, at once tough and
light J and this is quite loosely hung in a sac or mantle on the back of the
fish or cephalopod, partly to protect and partly to assist its natatory movements.

Before I conclude I must observe a striking distinction between the shells
of these animals, namely, that whereas that of the Pearly Nautilus is so
beautifully divided, or chambered, a structure which so easily enables the
cephalopod to rise or sink, that of the Argo, or Paper Nautilus, exhibits
no such divisions, but the animal inhabits the entire shell; but upon sections
being made of the extinct Nautili, the Ammonites, the same series of
chambers is exhibited as in the Pearly Nautilus, and hence I look upon
that species as identical with those found in a fossil state. As I have said
before, although the animal has been so rarely found, my conviction is that
they are no less common in reality than the Argo, but inhabit such remote
parts or depths of the ocean as to render their capture almost impossible,
and that probably they are seldom at the surface, but sport in a moderate
medium of the waters, for which the great strength of the shell would likewise
the better qualify them, and hence the ejection or imbibing of water would
be equally necessary and useful. That the Argo imbibes and ejects the briny
fluid on which it sails, M. Sander Rang himself witnessed; but it may likewise
be another before unsuggested use of the walls of the chambers found in the
shell of the Naidilus pompilius, that they give strength to resist the pressure
of the water at great depths, whereas the beautiful Argo sports near the
coast, and is besides, by entirely filling the shell with its soft pliant body,

VOL. III. Y

34 A lark's nkst.

which thus presses into every curvature, enabled to resist a great pressure,
but oftener sports ou the surface.

Who shall say what woodei-s are yet hidden in the deep ocean, or what
provisions are necessary to meet media that we know not of? Sure I am that
no one rises from the cootemnliition of atty natuMl production, If he considers
it aright, without beiog a better and a wiser man. It is in these matters
that we see palpaVy the finger of God, who hath done all things well;
whether we sail on the sea or traverse the earth, it is the same. When
we investigate any of those orders of beings, which move in so different
a medium from our own, we are struck with an admiration which no other
study can supply, but if we reflect upon it, we shall see that every branch
of animated nature possesses equal claims upon our attention; and it is in
this way that we should regard it, and not merely taking the novelty of
the pursuit for our incentive, look through all these. His works, to the Creator,
whose ways are in the deep waters, and whose footsteps are not known, and
learn to remember the great truth, that nothing was made in vain.

(To be continued.)

A LARK'S NEST.

BY JAMES B. DAVIES, ESQ.

About noon on Sunday, the 2nd. of May, 1852, I was walking by the side
of the River Greta, at the back of what was once the abode of poor Southey,
when noticing a Ground Lark start from beside my feet, dart across the
river, suddenly re-cross at another place, and off again: I naturally concluded
from its anxiety that I must be iu the vicinity of the modest mansion,
where its hope for the season lay as yet unfledged, I was right; for on
examining the bank the habitation of the little flutterer was soon detected.
It would not be more than four feet from the ground, on as sweet a bank
as bird or fairy could wish to build, though not

"Quite o'ercanopicd with lush woodbine,
With sweet musk rosos, and with eglantine "

The hole would be about nine inches in length, and the inner portion con-
siderably sunk and well lined, so as to afford a comfortable bed for the little
urchins within. They were two in number, and seemed very young, for not
a bit of their puny bodies was covered except the head, which had a
coating of blackish down. The bills were large and yellow, and continually
gaping, as if they expected some soft nutritious morsel of an insect to drop
into them.

Such taste in the choice of a summer retreat I have seldom seen displayed,
warm and snug, well covered from the wind, and artfully concealed from the
prying looks of puss; with a crystal rivulet making sweet gurgling music
almost at its very door, and the lofty Skiddaw, ^^Queen of the lakes," looking

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 35

majestically down in the distance; and add to this, that it was on classic
ground. Gracefully along the top and down one side lay a piece of brake,
brown with age; over this — as it were to mark the spot and direct her
fluttering pinions where to settle — were two rich red ivy leaves, and tall fresh
grass stood up on every side, backed by soft silken moss; while before the
door was a luxuriant tuft of rose campion, whose fair pink blossom will soon
glad the eyes alike of birds and man, and by the time the little inmates
have reached a size and age to look about them, they will no doubt enjoy
the freshness of its honied flowers, and pick many an insect from its bright
corolla. I could not well determine what the lining of the nest was com-
posed of, and it would be wickedness itself to remove the tender creatures
for the purpose; it seemed, however, to be moss and the dry leaves of grass.
While I was examining the house and its contents, no doubt the mother
watched me narrowly, for on my return, after an absence of not more than
two minutes, she sat giving heat to, and security for her helpless charge. No
means of escapa could be found, the bird was in the hands of the fowler,
and yet she looked so confident that the heart must indeed have been hard
that could have injured her. It was not the bold confident look of a strong
bird, but a confidence, mingled with supplication, so softened her bright eye
that I blushed at the half-formed wish to capture her. It may be that in days
gone bye, kind-heartod Southey watched and loved that little bird, and even
that thought, without the creature's tender look — which seemed to say, you
have just been at church, if you have learned your lesson aright there, you
will protect, not injure me — was strong enough to stay the hand even of a
'^Naturalist who wanted a specimen."

Greta Hall, Keswick, May 5th., 1852.

3KkBllniipnti5 3h\\m.

A singular Calf. — October 1st. — Visiting my friend, John Collins, of this town, (who is a
most excellent preserver of birds and animals,) he showed me a Calf, which he had just stuffed,
with two complete and full-sized heads; but wliat was most remarkable the heads were con-
nected together at the throat, the lower jaws being flatwise to eacli other; consequently, when
erect, the heads were sidewise ; there was also a hump upon the shoulders ; the fore legs were
crossed with tlie hoofs turning upwards; the body was of the ordinary size. It was calved early
in September, and is the property of a fanner at Shearsby, in Leicestershire. — T. Turner,
Friars, Leicester, November 12th., 1852.

Curious habit of a Hedgehog, (Erinaceus Europceus.) — About seven years ago, at the residence
of a relative of mine, in this city, a Hedgehog was kept for the purpose of destroying slugs,
snails, etc., in the long, narrow, walled garden behind the house. His usual haunt, during
the sleepy hours of day, was either a wood-house, to which he had access, or the covert
aflbrded by some ivy at the bottom of the garden. This Hedgehog, (as far as my memory
serves me,) differed in no remarkable manner from his spiny brethren, as far as external
appearance was concerned; and, had it not been for one remarkable habit, might have long
since piissed from my memory. But, in order to give my readers a clear idea of what I am
about to relate, I must briefly describe the garden.— It was, as I have said, like most town
gardens, ratlier long and narrow, with a path down the middle; this path was flanked on each

36 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

side by tlowor-Ofds altenmtely round and oblong, Avith luxuriant borders of cushion pink. Not
long after Hodge had been naturalized in tliis retreat a beaten path was found across one of
the oblong beds, about four feet from the end; while the track of some animal was plainly
visible on the path which went round the farther side of the circular bed, which came next
it. This excited some surprise, but a little observation soon discovered the cause, though only
to i-ender the surprise greater. It was found that, as regularly as the evening set in, Hodge
was to be seen running round and round, with a swift and steady pace, exactly in the track
which he had beaten out, and never in any other. The oddity of the circumstance often drew
spectators, but for them he cared not a pin, if they only kept out of his way. 1 once had
the pleasure of witnessing this nocturnal exercise. It was quite ludicrous to see his grave,
steady air as he emcirged from under the cushion pinks of the circular bed, trotted up the
middle path close under the border, came in full view as he crossed the oblong bed, and
dived out of sight behind the opposite border, to appear again in a few moments. If uninter-
rupted he generally kept on a good while without pausing. All who witnessed his circum-
ambulations were quite at a loss to give a satisfactory reason for them, though several (myself
among the rest,) puzzled over the subject a good deal. If it were merely for exercise, why
choose that particular spot, and always keep to it? and why should he strike out a path aCT'oss
the oblong bed, instead of keeping to that which went round the circular one." Be this as it
may, the sport, if sport it were, was kept up with commendable punctuality for some weeks,
as long, I believe, as Hodge remained there. His object in running this eternal round still
remains a mystery ; but if any wiser heads have met with any thing similar, and are prepared
with an explanation, they would do well to give it in the pages of "The Naturalist." —
Henky Ferris, Kingsdown, Bristol.

The Sparroiv, (Passer domesticus.)~In the October Number of "The Naturalist," page 221,
I observe a paragraph by a correspondent, on the Nesting of the Common House Sparrow, in
which he a.sks if the Sparrows raeutioued in a communication by me, in "The Naturalist," for
February, 18-52, page 36, were not mistaken by me for the Tree Sparrow, {Passer arboreus,)
by which I suppose he means the {Passer montanus.) Now, I am quite sure that they were
the ordinary House Sparrow, (P domesticus,) and not the {P. montanus,) as I fully convinced
myself of at the time. It is not at all a rare circumstance for this bird to build in trees near
houses; at least in this part of the country. I am not aware of the other species, {Passer
montanus,) ever having been seen in Scotland; I believe it is a bird of rather local distribution,
and never nestles but in trees. When the House Sparrow builds in trees, he constructs his
nest in a more compact way than when he lodges under the eaves of houses, or in the thatch
of stacks.— J. D., 38, Cumberland Street, Edinburgh, November 5th., 1852.

Additional Heronries. --In addition to the already-mentioned Jleronries in "The Naturalist,"
may be added one in "Babingley Wood," near Castle Kising, Norfolk, and one at Cobham Pai'k,
Kent.-J. W. LuKis.

"Corvus fnigilogus."— In this parish, in one of the Rook-shooting excursions of last month,
which j-our valued correspondent, J. Me' Intosh, Esq., so feelingly denounces in No. 16 of "The
Naturalist," one of the victims was pied, I do not mean put under the crust, but partaking of
the Magpie's colouring. There was a large white spot in the throat just und(>r the bill, and
the three large outside feathers in each wing were pure white. It is a fine male bird, and is
preserved.— R. E. Morues, Ashcott, June 3rd., 1852.

"Pyrrhula vulgaris."— I never knew till the other day, while staying with a friend of mine
near Glastonbury, that feeding cage-birds with hemp-seed produced such a change of colour in
their plumage. I was of course aware that birds often died from being too plentifully supplied
with this food, but the case I am speaking of struck me as somewhat singular, and may perhaps
be interesting to some of your bird-keeping readers. My friend had bred some Bullfinches in
a cage, and one fiue cock-bird, which was kept by itself, and fed upon scarcely anything but
hemp-seed, lived three years; and at the time of its death its plumage, both the beautiful gray
of the back and the vermillion of the bresist, had become perfectly black. It was not the glossy
purple black of the Rook, but a dead inky-looking colour. It is now stuffed, and in company with
a few other qunndim songsters is perched, a curiosity at least, if not an ornament in my friend's
drawing-room, whore I saw it last month. Is there any other instance on record of so totalis

PROCREDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

37

departure from the colouring of nature from the same cause? I may add the popular name
of the Pi/rrhala vulgaris, or ]]ulltinch, in this county (Somerset,) is "Hoop"— Idem.
Ilenip-secd, we believe, often causes this change of plumage.— B. R. M.

Malformation in a Covey of Partridges, (Perdix
ciuerea.) — A friend of mine, shooting near Sherbum,
once sprung a covey of Partridges, and succeeded
hi shooting eight of the young birds, all of which
had a singular malformation in the mandibles, similar
to the sketch. The old birds escaped, which made it
impossible to ascertain whether the singularity was
hereditary or not. — John Hixon, Leeds, October 22nd.,
1852.

^%nmMiig3 nf Inrtrtits.

Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh.— T\\e Royal Physical Society met in the Institution
Rooms, 6, York Place, on Saturday, December Uth., 1852, at two o'clock, p, m. ; Mr. Hugh
Miller, President, in the chair. The following donations to the library were laid on the table,
and thanks voted to their respective donors:—!. "The Transactions of the China Branch of
the Royal Asiatic Society for 1848-50," per Dr. Coldstream. 2. Dr. Johnstone's "Flora of
Berwick-upon-Tweed," from the author, per R. F. Logan, Esq.

I. The first communication was a notice of the Bridled Guillemot, CTTria lacrymans,) Temm.,
shot near Berwick; by John Alexander Smith, M. D. Dr. Smith considered U. lacrymans to be
a distinct species; and went into the subject at some length. Mr. Logan considered it merely a
variety of U. troile, and stated tliat he had in his hand a paper by Mr. John AVolley, who
considered it only the young of U. troile.

II. The Rev. John Fleming, D. D., next exhibited a recent specimen of the Little Auk,
or Common Rotche, fAlca alle,J Linn., in its winter plumage, which had been kindly sent to him
by the Rev. Mr. Cunningham, of Prestonpans, near which place it had been taken in an
exhausted state by some fishermen. Dii. John Alexander Smith mentioned that another
specimen of this bird had been shot in the Frith, ofi" Dalmeney Park during the severe frosty
weather we had about a month ago.

III. A number of interesting specimens of Snakes, Insects, etc., which had been collected
by the Rev. H. M. Waddell, at the Mission of Old Calabar, were next exhibited. Mr. Waddell
had for some time been stationed there as a missionary for the United Presbyterian Church,
and on his recent return to this country he had brought with him the specimens in question.
These he had libei-ally divided among some of the naturalists in this city, in order that they
might be examined, identified, and exhibited to t]ie Society.

Among the objects shown. Mil. James Cunnixgham, W. S., (on behalf of Dr. Coldstream,
who was unavoidably absent,) exhibited a specimen of the very curious Arachnidan Phrynus
Lunatus of Olivier, Latreille, etc. It belongs to the tribe of Solifagm {Tarentulidct ,) and is
supposed to be very poisonous. Mr. Waddell stated that this was the only specimen of the
kind he had ever met with, and that it had been found in an outhouse among some lumber.

Dr. Lowe next reported on one or two species of Myriapoda, — one of which was a very
large species of lulin; in which, from its size, the peculiar characters of the genus were very
distinctly seen In connexion with this he gave some very interesting information as to the
habits of one of the British Species which he had himself watched.

Mr. Andrew Murray, W. S., to whom the Beetles had mostly fallen, exhibited them, and
reported that the principal species were Augosoma Centaurns, Fab. male and female, Oryctcs
Monoccros, Oliv., and Biplognatha Gagaies, Fab. There was also a species of Oryctcs, which was
probably undescribed, and which at least was not in the collection of the British Museum, to
which he had sent it for identification. The Beetles shown were all of large size and sombre colours.

Mr. R. F. Logan described eight of the insects : — two gigantic spiders, one of them belonging
to the family Mygalidut; and, after alluding to the fabled bird-catching propensities of the
genus Mygnh, completely disproved by their habits, read an extract from the proceedings of

38 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

the Entomological Society, which went very far to prove tliat there actually exists in India a
hinl-catchiug spider, little inferior in dimensions to the Mi/gale Avieularia, but belonging to ■
another division of the order, and probably a gigantic species of E2)cira. Among the other
insects was a beautiful Mantis, and a Coleopterous Lanielllcorn Larva, three inches in length,
and one in breadth, of a dark olive-colour, clothed anteriorly with reddish brown hairs, and
with very distinct black spiracles.

It was then mentioned that the Snakes were in the course of being examined by Professor
Traill, and would probably form the subject of a future communication.

The cordial thanks of the Society were gireu to Iklr. Waddell for the interest he thus
exhibited in the promotion of science, and for the kind and handsome manner in which he
had presented his coUeciiou to iho members.

IV. A variety of living land shells were then shown. They had been collected by Dr.
Knapp last summer, during an excursion in Switzerland, and he had brought them home and
kept them since alive in the glass globe in which they were exhibited. Dr. Greville enumerated
the species which were shown, and gave some interesting details relating to them. The thanks
of the Society were voted to Dr. Knapp for the exhibition.

V. A Serpent from the Amatola, Kaffirland, and supposed to be identical with the Egyptian
Cobra, or Asp, was exhibited through the kindness of the Eev. A. Somerville, and excited
much interest, the fangs being fully displayed, and having the poison condensed around their
orifices.

VI. An interesting paper was then read on the injurious effects of cedar wood drawers, by
Professor Fleming. In a conversation which followed the reading of Dr. Fleming's paper, for
which he received the thanks of the Society, it was stated by Mr. John Stewart, in confirmation
of the view taken, regarding the pernicious effects of cedar wood on Natural History specimens
and works of art and vertu, that, having committed to the keeping of a cedar wood drawer a
set of delicate photographs, he found, on examining them after the lapse of some time, that
they had almost all suffered, and that from most of them the images were wholly efiaced.

VII. Note on Rclix Aspersa, by Mr. Hugh Miller.

At the conclusion of the meeting, James Wilson, Esq., Woodville; William Brown, Esq.,
F. R. C. S. E., Dublin Street: and John AVilliam Hadden, Esq. from Van Dieman's Land, were
elected nnjmbers of the Society; and the following gentlemen were unanimously chosen office-
bearers for the ensuing year: —
P/-m<;«?<*.— John Coldstream, Esq., M. D., F. R. C. P. ; Hugh Miller, Esq.; Rev. John Fleming,

D. D., Professor of Natural Science, New College, Edinburgh.
Co//«c//.— James Cunningham Esq., W. S. ; Robert K Greville, L. L. D. ; Robert Cliambers, Esq. ;

William H. Lowe, Esq., M. D.; Charles Jlaclaren, Esq.; and Andrew Murray, Esq., W. S.
Treasurer. — William Oliphant, Esq. Sccretari/.— John Alexander Smith, Esq., M.D. Assistant

Seeretary. — George Lawson, Esq. Honorary Librarian. — Robert F. Logan, Esq. Library

Co;«w/«cc.— William Rhiud, Esq. ; John Murray, Esq., M. D. ; and Patrick Dalmahoy, Esq.

W.S.

Natural History Society of Glasgow.— This Society held its usual monthly meeting in the
Library of Anderson's University, on Tuesday evening, November 2nd. William Gourlie, Esq.,
President, occupied the chair.

Mr. John Gray exhibited an extremely beautiful and fresh male specimen of Colias Edusa
from the vicinity of Largs, captured on the 12th. of September, 1852; thus proving its
geographical range to extend much farther north than had hitherto been supposed, and forming
at the same time a very interesting addition to the Scottish Fauna. He also exhibited a fine
reared specimen of Drepana falcataria, from Fifeshire.

Mr. Robert Gray read a very interesting letter from H. D. Graham, Esq, of lona, containing
additional observations on the habits of the Stormy Petrel, and also an account of some of
the quadrupeds found on the island.

An extensive series of beautifully-coloured ornithological drawings, the property of Mr. R.
Gray, and executed by Mr. William Sinclair, a young artist of great promise, was exhibited.
Most of the portraits were exceedingly characteristic, and remarkable for originality of design,
and their truthfulness to nature. Mr. Robert Gray also exhibited a collection of skins of

THE RETROSPECT.

39

birds, shot in the neighbourhood, of Dunbar, by Mr. Sinclair, and prepared by him for cabinet
specimens, in a style seldom equalled.

Mr. Geokge Donaldson exhibited two specimens of the Common Yellow-hammer, (Embcriza
citrinella,) remarkable varieties, entirely of a pure yellow, except the quill feathers, which
were pure white. These birds were killed in tlie isle of Gomctra.

Mr. Roger IIexnedy then read the following remarks upon the Algae developed on the
House-fly: — "Some excuse might be considered necessary in introducing to your notice the
present plant, as, coming after Mr. Napier's observations, it may appear obtrusive; but when
we consider the plentiful appearance of the fly, with its accompanying parasite, during the end
of summer and autumn, and its nature not being generally known, I have been induced to
bring the following remarks before you. To describe the difference betwixt Alga) and Fungi
is rather a dfiicult task, although the mere tyro can generally distinguish the one from the
other in the fields. Fungi may be described as aerial plants, seldom or never being found
growing in water, and are almost universally developed on decaying animal and vegetable
substances. On the other hand, Algae are always found in liquids, or in moist places; in the
sea, they are found growing on rocks, shells, or parasitically upon members of their own
family. The present plant from its definition— if definiuion it can be called, bears an anomalous
position, partaking of both characters; in it we have a development on animal substances,
being found upon dead flies, and live gold fish in water, and upon the former as an aerial
plant. If it belongs to the Fungi, its great peculiarity consists in bearing zoospores, which
none of this class have been known to do. In most of the lowest forms of Algae we find
this mode of reproduction. Good specimens of this plant may be procured by putting newly-
killed flies in water, and allowing them to remain for a few days."

Here Mr. Hennedj' described the plant as developed upon the fly as it clings to the wall;
he stated that in that position the plant makes its appearance between the rings of the
abdomen, which are then very much swollen. He then went on to detail the mode of
development on a fly immersed in water, with the time necessary to perfect the growth of
the plant; the following is his own description of h's experiment: — "On Thursday evening
October 7th., at five o'clock, I put a fly, newly-killed, in some water, in which some oscil-
latorias were growing; on the next evening, Friday, there was no appearance of any plant,
but on Saturday evening at the same hour, five o'clock, the plant was grown larger than
ever I had seen it when developed as an aerial specimen — it gave the fly quite a woolly
appearance. By Monday it had grown fully longer in proportion to the fly, than the one
drawn on the board; on Tuesday it was sent to a friend, but before doing so, I tried if
another fly in the same water, inoculated with the old plant, would produce it anj' quicker;
this done, at the same time I took some of the Glasgow water fresh drawn from the pipe;
and inimei-sed in it another fly; this was Tuesday evening, October 12tli., at five o'clock. On
Wednesday, at eight o'clock, visible signs of milky points protruding from the body of the fly
were perfectly visible. On Thursdaj' evening the plant was well-grown, thus taking two days
to perfect its growth. While all this was going on, no appearance of vegetation was visible on
the fly in the pure water; in three days growth had commenced — visible in the morning at
half-past eight o'clock, but by eight o'clock in the evening the plant was well-grown. Of
its quickness of growth, it is mentioned in an article "On the Escape of the Zoospores
of Algas," in the French Annals of Natural Science, that a visible growth takes place
even during the short time they are under the microscope for examination. The fol-
lowing are the names by which this plant is known: — Saprolegnia ferax, Kutz; Vaiicheria
aquatica, Lyng; Achlija prolifera, Saprolegnia miiscorum, Nees; Leptomitus davatus, Ag."

Mr. David Kobertson wos elected a resident member.

€\}t lUtrDSjirrt.

We are induced, after some consideration, to open a portion of our pages under the above
title, for the examination of previous articles in "The Naturalist," more particularly with a
view to the correction of any errors or mistakes which may have been promulgated in them.
We anticipate much benefit from such articles, and only request that in no case may anything
approaching to personality be introduced ; by observing this rule, the ends of science will be

40 OBITUARY.

equally advanced, and the feelings of individuals will be spared. By a reference to "The
Ketrospect," the uniutcntioniilly incorrect statements which even with the greatest care,
sometimes occur, will be at once apparent, and we can easily, by drawing a pen through
the erroneous sentence, prevent the perpetuation of eiTor. The knowledge too of the existence
of a "Retrospect" will tend to the prevention of error, by inducing increased care in
sifting the evidence of facts to be recorded. — B. E. M.

The Short Sitn-Jish, (Orthagoriscus Mola.)— A notice having appeared in "The Naturalist"
vol. ii. page 280, of the capture, off Portlethen, a small fishing-village a few miles south of
Aberdeen, of the '■'■Orthagoriscus truncatus," I am induced to correct a few mistakes in that
account. The fish was caught on Friday the 17th. of September last, and on the following
day, was conveyed to Aberdeen by its captors, for the purpose of exhibition, Avhen I visited
it in company with the Rev. Mr. Longmuir, who thoroughly examined it, and ascertained its
dimensions and weight. On consulting "YarreU's British Fishes" a short time after, there
was not the slightest diflScultyiin determining the species to be Orthagoriscus Mola, and not
0. truncatus, as the former of the figures of the fish in that work presented a perfect resem-
blance to the Portlethen specimen. The Rev. L. Jenyns, in his excellent ''Manual," distinguishes
this from the only other British species, in the depth being only two-thirds of the length,
and in the skin being rough, which was very much the case when the specimen was fresh.
The flesh is said to be bad, but a considerable quantity of oil is generally j'ielded. According
to the last-mentioned writer, the skin of the other species, the true 0. truncatus, is smooth,
and the length is much greater than the depth. Tliis last has only been met with in a
verg few instances on the British shores. The measurement of the breadth is also incorrectly
stated in the former account; the distance five feet two inches, having been taken from the
extremity of the one fin to that of the other, not "from below them." — John Longmuir,
JuN., Aberdeen, December 7th., 1852.

(DMtiinrif.

Mr. J. F. Stephens. — Entomologists, and especially those attached to the study of English
insects, will learn with sorrow that Mr. J.\mes Francis Stephens, F. L. S., late President of
the Entomological Society, died on the 22i)d of December, at his house in Kennington, after
eight or ten days illness of inflammation of the lungs. Mr. Stephens was for many years a
clerk in the Admiralty office, in Somerset House; having lately been superannuated. For the
last half-century, he has devoted the whole of his leisure to the study of Natural History ; and
he had formed the largest (ioUection of British insects which had ever been collected together.
Indeed the extent and beauty of its arrangement won the admiration of every foreign (collector
who saw it, as such local collections are almost unknown on the continent. This collection
has for years been, in the most liberal manner, open one evening in the week, (Wednesday,)
to any person who wished to consult it for scientific purposes; and the very complete ento-
mological library which Mr. Stephens had collected was equally accessible. In 1818, on the
recommendation of Dr. Leach, and at the request of the trustees, the government gave Mr.
Stephens permission to leave his office for a time and to assist Dr. Leach in the arrangement
of the insects in the British Museum collection ; then forming the commencement of the collection
of British insects in that institution. Mr. Stephens was the author of: — First, "The Systematic
Catalogue of British Insects;" Second, "The Illustrations of British Entomology;" Third, "A Man-
ual of British Coleoptera;" Fom-th, "A Catalogue of British Lepidoptera in the Collection of the
British Museum;" the last part of which was occupying his attention at the time of his death.
He was also author of the "Continuation of Shaw's Zoology;" containing the birds, which first
made the English naturalist acquainted with the modern system of classification now universally
adopted, Mr. Stephens was a most active collector in the field, and combined in an extra-
ordinary degree the practical experience of the field naturalist with the knowledge of the
enlightened student and scientific reader. — From the Athenseum, December 25th., 1852.,
J. Mc'Intosh. _

41

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST

( Continued from page 21 . )

Letter IV.

lona, January, 1852.

On the 9th. of this month, besides a most terrifie gale of wind, we
also had a very heavy fall of snow. I ventured out for a short time, in
hopes of meeting some ^'straggler." Numerous flocks of Snow Buntings,
(Plectrophanes nivalis,) were cowering among the stubbles, the males in
beautiful white plumage: this Banting is only a rare visitor to our island.
As I was returning home, my dog chased what I thought was a large Eat,
for some little distance over the snow; he brought it to me unhurt, and it
proved to be a Water-rail, (Eallus aquaticus,) the first I have seen here.
It has lived ever since in a box, feeding on chopped meat, which it will take
freely from the hand; indeed it is so tame that it has already become an item
in the family group, and when released from its box, it stalks about the
hearth-rug without making the least effort to escape.

The Manx Shearwater, (Puffinus anglorumy) is common to these islands,
and appears in summer. At that time we frequently see them skimming
rapidly over the crests of the waves with a rapid. Swallow-like flight. They
are rarely seen to alight, and are so swift and restless, and only to be met
with on the open sea, that it is not easy to procure many specimens. On
the 12th. of May last year, however, a very calm day, as I was going to
Staffa with a party in a boat, we approached a number of very large flocks
of Shearwaters swimminj upon the water. They were very tame, and I
procured a considerable number. At their first appearance I mistook them
for the Common Guillemots which at that time of the year '^'^stud the seas."
By their arriving here in such large flocks at the time of migration, and
their being seen here during the whole summer, it is natural to suppose that
they breed in the neighbourhood, and in fact I got an egg at Staffa which,
I have no doubt, is one of theirs. It was in a hole in a grassy bank upon
the summit of one of the basaltic cliffs overhanging the sea. It was past
the breeJing-time, and a few fragments of shells of eggs that had been hatched
were strewed about the ground, and attracted our attention; and we discovered
one egg, (an addled one,) by itself in the hole. It was about the size of
a Pigeon's egg, white, and a perfect oval, being equally blunt at both ends.
The shell had the dead, unpolished appearance which characterizes the egg
of the Puffin, Stormy Petrel, and Cormorant. I searched this bank again
last season, but in all my egg-hunting tours I never met with another.
There were Puffins breeding in the neighbourhood, but their egg is as large
as a Common Hen's, egg, and of a rounder shape. I have no doubt the
Shearwater breeds at St. Kilda, and probably at many of the other Hebrides.

I fell in with two specimens of the Bridled Guillemot, ( Uria lachrymans,)
last year, both early in the spring, when the Common Guillemots were
beginning to arrive. I shall keep a sharp look out for them at the same

VOL. III. G

42 LKTTEUS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST.

season this year. I met a gentleman last summer who had visited Barra,
and . he said that he found this bird breeding there^ and the natives were
well acquainted with it.

The Golden Eyes, {Glangula vulgaris,) are plentiful all winter, especially in
a fresh-water Loch, at a small distance in Mull.

The Eider Duck, (Somateria molllssima,) is very frequently seen, though
generally females and immature birds; at the neighbouring island of Colonsay
they breed in great numbers. They abound there to such an extent, that
the bird is known by no other name upon these coasts but the Colonsay Duck.
The Shieldrake, {Tadorna vulpanser,) is equally abundant; and in a visit that I
paid to that island, May of last year, I got as many specimens as I wished.

The Black Guillemot, {Uria Grylle,) is the commonest bird we have, next
to the Gulls; it is an interesting little bird, from the various states of its
plumage. It breeds in great numbers upon the isles; and we have reared
its young, though they always fly away when full grown ; yet they and young
PuflBns become very familiar.

I am afraid I can add nothing to your knowledge of Plovers; they are
not abundant. A few Peewits, (Vanellus cn'status,) breed on the island. The
Golden Plover only visits the shores in frosty weather, but they are very
abundant on the moors in Mull, and still more so at the island of Tiree.
The Ringed Plover, (Oharadrius Maticula,) is common. There are some
patches of gravelly beach which are always frequented by considerable flocks,
especially at ebb-tide; or at high-water they will be found in some particular
spots among the low sand-hills in the immediate neighbourhood; but they
never seem to stray far from these favourite grounds and roosting-places.
Upon the approach of an intruder, they commence their wild, plaintive whistle,
at the same time running away before him; sometimes one will conceal himself
behind a bunch of cast sea-weed or a stone, till the near approach of danger
sets him running off to overtake his companions. Thus they will go on,
always hurrying across the patches of white sand, and lingering upon the
portions of gravel, as they well know that on the former they are very
conspicuous, while on the latter they are almost invisible. Upon a too near
or rapid approach, or any sudden movement, especially levelling a gun, up
they all jump, fly out to sea, tack, fly close past their disturber, tack again
two or three times, which they all do together with military precision, giving
the flock the appearance of changing its colour froiu white to black, and
then from black to white; at last they pitch down upon the beach again, a
little farther on. The best shot is when they are alighting, as at all other
times they keep very much scattered.

A few Ringed Dotterels remain to breed in the island, at which time their
plumage becomes very beautiful, and their bills and legs an intense orange
yellow. They apparently fly about a good deal at night, as their whistle
may be frequently heard in the dark, and often inland and in places where
they are never seen in the day-time.

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST. 43

There is very little difference between the plumage of the Rock Dove,
(Columba livia,) male^ female^ and young. When first off the nest, the young
Pigeon is of a darker shade of purple, with very little lustre; the adult
male, when in full pride of feather, is of a very pale, delicate tint of lavender,
and his neck glistens with the hue of the emerald and carbuncle. I suppose
that of all domestic animals none are so easily reclaimed as the Pigeon.
Though taken fully fledged from the nest, they immediately become reconciled
to the Dove-cot, and are as bold and familiar as the other Pigeons, which
have been born and bred for many generations back in slavery. How
different is the Wild Duck! Though the eggs, taken early from the heathery
nest by the loch side, are placed in the barn under the careful bosom of
an old chuckling Hen, yet the young brood, though thus ushered into the
world in the midst of civilization, from the moment of their extrusion from the
egg till their dying day always exhibit their hereditary distrust of man, and
retain much of their original wildness; always ready to use their wings in
preference to their legs; upon any insult ready to bid a long adieu, and
return to their paternal wildnesses; and it is not till the third or fourth
generation that they become fully civilized, domestic farm-yard waddlers.

The Skua is a very rare bird about our shores, and I am very little acquainted
with it. The fishers seem to know it, however, under the Gaelic name of
Fasqadair. In an old edition of the '^Enclyclopaedia Britannica," it is mentioned
by the name of '^'^Parasiticus,'' as very common and breeding at Islay and
Jura; but it seems now to have deserted those shores.

The Turnstone, (Strepsilas interpres,) is very numerous here : in winter large
flocks feed upon the shores at ebb-tide; and during .^the flood they assemble
upon the rocks. They are always to be found upon the little unfrequented
rocky islets, wandering about the sea-weed-covered rocks, almost within reach
of the wash of the surf. They seem to feed as much in this manner as
upon the gravelly beaches. During severe storms they sometimes come a little
way inland to the sandy fields. They are generally tame and stand well
together, and so give a good shot. Last year I met with flocks as late as
the 28th. of May: the birds had nearly acquired their summer plumage. On
the 7th. of June the flocks had entirely disappeared, but a few pairs remained
in different spots, and these were in most brilliant plumage — very unlike their
sombre winter garb; the body covered with a combination of red, black, and
white, giving the appearance of tortoise-shell, and the neck and breast curiously
marked with black and white. In fact they were in full breeding dress; and
I suppose these pairs must have remained here with the intention of nestling
in this country.

The mode I generally adopt now to destroy life in birds, whether wounded
or not, is by tying a loop in a bit of twine, putting it over the bird's head,
suddenly pulling it tight by both ends, and in a few seconds life is extinct with
apparently little pain. It is almost the only effectual way of killing some of
the stronger sea-fowl, which are remarkably tenacious of life. It does not

44 ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.

hurt the skin, if it is required, as the loop will easily open again, especially
if the horse-hair snooOing of a fish-hook is used. It is certainly a much neater
manner than that of knocking the wounded bird's head against the side of
the boat, or a stone, which disfigures it very much, and causes the blood to
flow so much as to make it disagreeable to carry in the pocket. I have
practised it now so long that I lasso my victims with as much paternal
kindness as the Grand bignor bowstrings his superannuated ministers.

( To be continued.)

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.

BY TOTTENHAM LEE, ESQ., JUK.

White-tailed Eagle, (Aquila albicilla,) of frequent occurrence. I trapped
an old one; and was informed by two or three difierent people that one of
these birds had been seen flying about with a trap, and a long chain on it,
affixed to its leg.

Osprey, (Pandion haliaetus.) — I saw one almost every day for a week at
Loch Dee. It always hunted round the Loch, and alighted on large stones.

Peregrine Falcon, (Falco Peregrinus,) is very common here. They build
upon high rocks in the vieinityj generally lay three eggs; the common colour
is red, but I have twice seen a nest of red and white ones. In a nest con-
taining young I found the beaks of three Snipes and a Cuckoo. On one
occasion, when out shooting, one of these birds made a sudden stoop at, and
carried ofl\, a Blackcock, which was shot by one of our party; and I have
seen another carrying a Curlew as easily as if it had nothing in its talons.
They are very fond of Lapwings. A few weeks ago I robbed two Peregrines'
nests; one had three eggs, the other two young ones, and I trapped the old
bird in the nest with eggs. A curious circumstance occurred within my
observation not. long ago: — I had set a trap in a Raven's nest, containing
six eggs; and on returning to look at it, I found a Peregrine Falcon caught
fast. I can hardly assign a reason for its visit; it might have been one of
retaliation upon the family; for on a previous occasion I trapped a Carrion
Crow in the nest of a Peregrine, with an egg in it.

The Hohhy, (Falco subbuteo.) — I am not aware of any instance of this
rare bird occurring in Scotland except those specimens which I have seen
myself. The first one we got, the keeper knocked down with his stick
while it was feeding on a young Grouse: it was a young individual. About
a year afterwards the keeper shot another, which was an old bird. I also
saw one last summer: it alighted on a wall close to me, so that I could
not, even in this third instance, be mistaken with regard to the species.

Merlin, (Falco ^salon.) — A winter visitor only to this part of the country,
but of frequent occurrence.

Goshawk, (Accipiter Palumbarius.) — I have often seen this fine bird flying

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 45

about. There was a pair, the summer before last, turned a pair of Eavens
out of their nest, and took possession of it. I heard of another nest which
was built in a tree.

Sparroio HawJc, (Accipiter nisus.) — On one occasion I climbed a tree to
get at a Sparrow Hawk's nest, taking a trap with me to set for the old
bird. When I got close up to the nest I saw the female sitting; so I caught
it by the tail and pulled it off; but it managed to get away, leaving its tail
in my hand. I then set the trap, and next morning caught the tail-less Hawk,
though it was only laying.

The following species occur in our neighbourhood: —

Raven, (Corvus corax.) — Breeds here.

Carrion Crow, (Corvus corone.) — Breeds here. When out with my brother
one day we found a Carrion Crow's nest, with four eggs, in which my brother
set a trap, and at the time he remarked that one of them was singular in
its colour. On returning to look at it the Crow was absent, but I climbed
the tree to look at the strange egg, and found only three in the nest; so I
thought he must have made a mistake in the number. Next day, however,
when we went to take up the trap, they were all gone: the trap was not
sprung, but the Crow having been seen on its nest that morning, we presumed
it had shifted its eggs to a place of greater security.

HSoded Crow, (Corvus cornix.) — Permanently resident, and breeds on rocks,
like the Raven.

Quail, (Coturnix vulgaris.)

Kingfisher, (Alcedo Ispida.)

Snow Bunting, (Plectrophanes nivalis.)

Bramhling, or Mountain Finch, (Fringilla Montifringilla.)

Siskin, (Carduelis spinus.) — A winter visitant, in flocks, and generally found
about birch trees.

Mealy Redpole, (Linota caneseens.)

Lesser Redpole, (Linota linaria.)

Mountain Linnet, or Twite, (Linota montium.)

Common Grosshill, (Loxia Curvirostra.) — I believe this bird breeds here,
although I have never been able to find its nest yet.

Nightjar, (Capri mulgus Europoeus.)

Chough, (Fregilus graculus.) — Breeds at Garlieston, Wigtonshire. I took
a nest with young ones this year.

Lapioing, (Vanellus cristatus.) — On one occasion my brother and I found
a Peewit's nest with three eggs, and tried to blow them; but after making
very large holes in them, we discovered that they were within a day or two
of being hatched; so we plugged up the ends of one of the eggs with moss,
and put it back into the nest. We had got too far with the other one,
however, and we took out the young bird; it was quite lively, and seemed
ready to come out. We left the place, and had gone a short way only,
when we found we had forgot a trap; so we went back for it, and

46 THE ROBIN.

looked at the nest again. Short though the interval had been, the old birds
had taken the prematurely-hatched chick about a yard from the nest and
killed it. The other egg was hatched the next day, and the egg we had
not touched on the day following. When all the young Peewits had grown
up, and a short time before they left us, there was one with pure white
wings seen in the same field, and I think it must have been the bird out
of the broken egg which we had plugged with moss.

Smeiv, (Mergus albellus.) — The keeper shot a pair on the river, the winter
before last.

Golden-eyed Garrot, (Clangula vulgaris.) — Very common here in the first
year's plumage: the adult bird has only occurred once within my observation.

Pin-tailed Duck, (Anas acuta.) — I shot a female this winter,

Glenlee Park, KircudhrightsJiire, November, 1832.

THE ROBIN, {ERYTHACA BUBEGULA.)

TO THE KniTOU OF "tHE NATUaALIST."

I send you the following interesting account of a Robin, communicated to
me by Mrs. Harriet Murchison, of Bicester, Oxfordshire; having her permission
to do so. The account was written by that lady's mother, the wife of the
late Colonel AIpe, of Hardingham, in Norfolk, at which place the circumstance
occurred. — F. 0. Morris, Najferto^i Vicarage, Driffield, November 20th., 1852.

A FEW years since, the winter set in very severe with deep snow. It was
my custom to open my chamber window every morning as soon as I rose,
and leave the door open into the dressing-room, which communicated with it.
One morning I perceived, on the top of the door, a Robin, which had entered
through the window; after sitting there a short time twittering, he ventured
to descend into the dressing-room, and by my great care in avoiding any
sudden noise or movement that might alarm him, he soon became so tame
as to hop fearlessly about the room. Gradually he approached the fire, and
I feared he would fly into it. I watched him narrowly; he first settled on
the fender, from thence hopped upon one of the logs of wood within it,
where he remained till sufficiently warmed, turning himself round, as if to
warm every part, and then returned to his amusement of hopping about the
room, picking up crumbs, etc.

It is almost incredible how soon and entirely he became perfectly tame.
At that time I breakfasted in my dressing-room, and as soon as my breakfast
appeared, he hopped on the back of my sofa, from thence to the table,
where he helped himself, and once burnt his bill by his curiosity to taste
some cofiee which was too hot, and appeared, for a few minutes, very angry.
He took crumbs from my hand, but preferred helping himself out of the
plate, and that with so much assurance and familiarity, that I was fearful

THE ROBiy. 47

of using a knife lest I should inadvertently injure him. He hopped over the
children's feet when they walked across the room, invariably took his station
on the sofa, and sung the whole time they were repeating their lessons, but
in a much lower and softer tone than the natural wild note of the Robin,
which is very loud and powerful for so small a bird. Every day, when one
of them who learnt music was practising, he perched upon the cross bar at
the top of the desk, which was higher than the music-book, and seemed to
enjoy the music.

At length he became so perfectly domesticated, that his presence was almost
forgotten by us, and our only care was to avoid treading on him. He fre-
quently perched on my head or shoulders, and constantly on the back of the
sofa, close to my elbow. He was much enraged when a looking-glass was
placed before him, and peeked so furiously at his imaginary antagonist, that
I was sometimes fearful he would injure his bill — sometimes peeping behind it
like a kitten. From his first visit to my dressing-room, he never missed a
single morning in making his appearance on the top of the door, the moment
that the window was opened; he was so punctual to the same hour, that
when once or twice this was done later than usual, I have known him peck
at the glass on the outside for admission, and when the window was opened,
he coolly waited on the outside and flew in directly without being at all
a'armed at the noise. He never would sleep in the house, but regularly
every afternoon, as soon as it drew near his bed-time, before which time my
door and window were usually shut, he flew against the dressing-room window,
and pecked at it till it was opened for him.

T was anxious to know where he passed the nights in such inclement weather,
and desiring the servants to watch, I found that he always retired into a large
bottle neck which stood in a court adjoining the house. He had by some
accident entirely lost the feathers of his tail, and being in good case, was
nearly as round as a ball. He did not leave me till the cold weather was
over; and during the winter months that he took shelter in my room I never
missed him a single day. With the first days of spring he left me, and
entirely discontinued his daily visits; but I was not a little surprised to find
that the identical Robin, (as we ascertained both by his extraordinary tameness
and the loss of his tail,) after having assisted in rearing a young family, made
his appearance again in the spring, with four children, not at the dressing-room
window, where there was scarcely a sufiicient resting-place for the young
brood, but at the nursery window, which was fronted by a parapet that ran
round the house, and where they might rest for a time at a safe distance,
and pick up the crumbs thrown to them without running the risk of entering
the room.

It is rather singular that he should always attend them, and never the
mother. At this time he never left them to enter the room, or approached
nearer to the window than was necessary to obtain the food which he adminis-
tered impartially to all. These visits were, however, of course not of long

48 LEPIDOPTKRA OF SUSSEX.

duration, as the young were soon able to provide for theraselves, and the
advancing spring furnished them with a plentiful supply of their natural food.

Here, as I supposed, ended our intercourse with this interesting and beau-
tiful little creature; but my surprise was great when about the middle of the
fulloioing loiiiter, and during some severe weather, our little tail-less friend
again made his appearance; not, however, with his former confidence and
fiimiliarity, but with much more caution, and even alarm, and as if rather to
take refuge from the attack of some enemy, than to obtain food, or resume
his old habits. He rested for a minute on the door, looking suspiciously around
him, then flew down, but soon rose again, and after flying round the room
in a hurried manner, endeavoured to hide himself behind the music-stand. In
short he appeared so uneasy and alarmed that I opened the window, and he
immediately darted out of it. He returned, however occasionally, by his old
entrance, but his visits were short, and he was wild and uneasy while with
us. After calling home in this manner, now and then, for about three weeks,
I totally lost him, and never again either saw him or discovered any traces
of him, and I greatly fear he fell a victim to one of our numerous cats, as
he was seen in the court by the servants two or three times, after he had
entirely discontinued his visits to the dressing-room.

It may be asked by what means I could positively ascertain that this %oas
the same bird which had visited us the preceding winter. The loss of his
tail was a mark of distinction from others, (though I am surprised the
feathers had not grown again,) but from the minute observations on his plumage
and general appearance, which his familiarity had given me the opportunity
of making during a whole winter, I think I could have distinguished him
among any number of his species. The tamencss of the Robin is almost
proverbial; but there was almost a mixture of reason with the instincts
of this little animal; and the recollection for so many months of the
place where he had been sheltered during the preceding winter, and his
return to it at the same period of the following year, are very remarkable
circumstances. Had I taken this little bird, and confined him in a cage, I
might probably have kept him for years as a tame companion; but I could
not be so treacherous as to repay his unbounded confidence in us with the
loss of liberty.

A FEW ADDITIONS TO MISS CATLOW'S
"ACCOUNT OF THE DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA OF SUSSEX."

BY W. C. UNWIK, ESQ.

I WAS so much interested with Miss Catlow's pleasing account of the
Diurnal Lepidoptera of Sussex, that I have been tempted to place the
following additional species, the results of several years personal observation
in this neighbourhood, as a supplement to that lady's list. It may be well

LKPIDOPTEEA OF SUSSEX. 49

to mention that all those named by Miss Catlow are found in the vicinity
of Lewes: —

From our being almost surrounded with chalk hills, we possess the greater
part of the genus Polyommatus. P. argiolus, (Azure Blue,) not rare in early
spring, settling on the young leaves of the Hawthorn, (Cratcegus Oxyacantha,)
near Mill-Field, Cliffe Hill, and near Kingston. P. alsxis, (Bedford Blue,)
plentiful; little colonies of them on a sunny bank, studded with the beautiful
yellow blossoms of Hippocrepis comosa, (Horse- shoe Vetch,) at the foot of
the Downs. P. acis, (Mazarine Blue,) I once had the good fortune to take a
single specimen on Hamsey Common. P. Corydon, (Chalk-hill Blue,) abundant
on CliSe and Firle Hills about the 10th. and 12th. of August. P. Argus,
(Silver-studded Blue,) not very common, although some few examples may be
found annually in June in "Bible bottom;" and the beautiful little P. agestis,
(Brown xArgus,) is scattered over the less exposed slopes of our Downs
sparingly. We have the two brilliant pretty Blues included in Miss Catlow's
list, P. Adonis and Alexis, both in abundance, appearing in June, and a second
brood in August. These favourite Downs are well-known localities for TJigmele
alveolus, (the Grizzle Skipper,) PampJiila sylvaniis, (Large Skipper,) and P.
comma, (Pearl Skipper;) this last-named insect, although abundant in one
particular spot, is not generally distributed here. It is stated by Miss Jermyn,
in her "Vade-mecum," as being plentiful in this same locality.

In this long valley, called Ox-settle, at the base of that classical promon-
tary. Mount Caburn, we frequently meet with the rare Colias Hyale, (Pale
Clouded Yellow;) and although a periodical visitor, is not, as was supposed,
septennial in its appearance: examples having been taken for two or three
successive seasons, and for the same period none have been observed. I well
remember the first time I beheld this comparatively rare Butterfly on the
22nd. of August, 1842. What a discovery I had made, and what an addition
to our local list! It was flying in considerable numbers over a large piece
of Clover, {TrifoUum pratense,) on the Downs between the villages of Rod-
mill and Rottingdcan, and was even more numerous on that occasion than its
congener, C. Edusa, (Clouded Yellow.) In the autumn of 1851, a friend cap-
tured several examples in the same district, and also nearer Brighton.

Colias Edusa may be said to be a tolerably common insect in this neigh-
bourhood; and in fact generally along the coast on the extremity of the
Downs, between Newhaven and Worthing, appearing annually more or less.
During the fine autumn of 1845 it was unusually abundant, and fine specimens
were taken as late as November 4th. and 5th: it was very plentiful again in
1847.

If we proceed in a northerly direction from hence in our rambles, we shall
soon come to a favourite oak wood, the Flasket, a very productive spot for
the entomologist or botanist. It is here where the beautifully-tessellated
Hamearis Lucina, (Duke of Burgundy,) is seen, and not of rare occurrence;
also the sober-coloured Thrda quercus, (Purple Hair Streak,) circling round

VOL. III. H

50 BOTANICAL KEMINISCENCK3.

the tall oaks^ baffling the attempts oftentimes of the most ardent and pereG-
vering collector. Should this wood be visited in July you will occasionally
catch a glimpse of the Emperor, {Apatwa Iris,) as he glides down the
avenues far above the reach of his pursuer: he ascends to a greater elevation
than any other insect. Here, too, in the moist and more open parts, Pamphila
linea, (Small Skipper,) is not uncommon, flitting in the bright sunshine of
a July afternoon. In a lane skirting the wood, I have found its allied species,
Thi/mele Tages, (Dingy Skipper,) appearing in May.

On the western range of the Downs, I have experienced the pleasure of
capturing Melitma Silene, (Small Pearl-bordered,) in any quantity I could
have wished, among a patch of furze, and in the vicinity of this locality I
have taken an occasional straggler of M. Artemis, (The Greasy.) Near
Poynings Common this species is abundant.

Thecia hehdce, (Brown Hairstreak,) one specimen was taken a few years
ago by a friend, near the village of Newark, and which is now in his cabinet;
and 1 recollect seeing two examples at the Holmbush, in 1849, but they
evaded my net, to my great disappointment.

St. Anns, Lewes, November 10th., 18o2.

BOTANICAL KEMINISCENCES; WITH A FEW WORDS ON
THE NATURAL HISTORY OP BANFFSHIRE.

BY JOHN ROSE, ESQ., M. A., M. D.,

Member of the Iloyiil College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Fellow of the B.tanieal Society of
London, and Assistant Surgeon R. N.

It may not be generally known that there are few localities, at least in
Scotland, so interesting to the naturalist as Banffshire. To the geologist it
presents a rich field in its treasures of Fossil Fishes in the Old Red Sandstone
in the parish of Gamrie, about seven miles eastward of the town of Banff.
There IchthjoUtes were first discovered, about eighteen years ago, by James
Christie, Esq., Solicitor in Banff, and William Dockar, Esq., Findon, the
name of the farm on which the Fish-beds occur. The locality has since
been visited by many naturalists, and accurate descriptions of the various
species written by Agassiz, Hugh Miller, and the venerable and learned Dr.
John Fleming, Professor of Natural Science in the New College, Edinburgh.
The nodules, in which the organisms are contained, are composed of carbonate
of lime, and are frequently of a subcrystalline, radiating, and fibrous structure.
They are embedded in blue Clay, over the Old Red Sandstone, and are found
in a sort of ravine only a few feet above the level of the sea. Species of
the following families have been discovered: — PtericJithi/s, Gocosteiis, Dipterus,
Osteolepis, etc., of which last, some of the remains are very beautiful, perfect,
and distinct, and vary in length from five to fourteen inches. Several vegetable
remains of much interest arc likewise found in the same locality. Again,

BOTANICAL REMINISCENCES. 51

seven miles to the west of Banff we have the famous Portsoy minerals.
Serpentine, Graphic Granite, etc., while in the upper districts of the county
there are valuable Manganese mines.

The Flora of Banflf is particularly rich. We have the beautiful and
interesting Linncea horealis, a favoui'ite plant with most botanists, even with
those who would depreciate the merits of the illustrious Swede. This occurs
in the woods of MontcoflFer, near Banff, and forms a beautiful green carpet
of many yjirds in circumference, presenting, when in flower, a scene of natural
beauty and splendour truly gratifying to the botanist; so extensive indeed is
the station, that here, as in Switzerland, the wood is filled with its fragrance,
while the eye is charmed with the verdure of its elegant leaflets, and the
modest bloom of its pendulous and beauteous flowers. It is worthy of note
that it here occurs occasionally with three and four flowers on a peduncle,
and not always with tioo, as is generally supposed, and denoted by its English
name. The late lamented Dr. Mc'Gillivray, of Aberdeen, informed me, in
1840, that he had discovered the same lusus natures in a beautiful station
of the Linncea, in the woods of Fintray, Aberdeenshire. I may mention that
I have found the Linncea in the following places near Banff, which, I think,
must be regarded as the head-quarters of this lovely plant in Scotland, namely,
woods of Craigston, Auchterless, Alvah, and Botriptmie, in which last locality
it is associated with the still rarer Pyrola uniflora. Pyrola minor and media
occur pretty frequently in old fir woods in Banffshire, along with the elegant
Trientalis Europoea, so rare in England, and as yet unknown in Ireland.

Along the banks of the Deveron, and in the extensive woods of the Earl
of Fife, many interesting plants are found, such as Geranium pratense and
sylvaticum, Hypericum hirsutmn, pidcltrum, and humifusum, Veronica montana,
Veronica scutellata, of which last I have found a hairy variety, not yet
described, as far as I am aware, as well as a stalked variety of the beautiful
though common Veronica Chamoedrys ; Cardamine amara, Lysimachia tiemorum,
Ghrysosplenium oppositifolium and alternifoUum, Paris quadrifolia, Trollius
Eiiropoeus, Circcea lutetiana, and many others, which recur to me with the
freshness of yesterday, but which the limits of this paper prevent me enumerating.
Along the coast, on the cliffs of Melrose, overhanging the Moray Firth, we
have found Hhodiola rosea, Saxifraga oppusitifolia, and hypnoides, generally
supposed to be confined to alpine districts, but here found a few feet above
the level of the sea. In the glen of Auchmedden, close to the sea-shore,
we have a great variety of plants, many species of Grasses and Carices, of
which Melica uniflora and Carex elongata are the rarest.

Among Ferns found here, I may mention Scolopendrium vulyare, Aspidium
lobatum, Adiantwn capillus Veneris, Asjjlcnium Trichomanes, Polypodium
Phegopteris and Dryopteris. Along the Banffshire coast is also found the Scilla
verna in considerable quantity, and in several stations Primula veris is also
seen occasionally in pastm*es near the sea, but is very local. Between Banff
and Portsoy, in marshes near the sea, we have found the beautiful Anagallis

52 BOTANICAL REMINISCKNCES.

tenella growing along with the no less elegant Parnassia palustris, while not
far oiF, among the sandy knolls, you find Astragalus hypo glottis, Draba incana
TkaUdrum minus. Orchis mascula, Sotrychium lunaria.

"Among the loose and arid sands
The humble Arenaria creeps;
Slowly the Purple Star expands,
But soon within its calyx sleeps;

And those small bells so lightly rayed

With young Aurora's rosy hue,
Are to the noontide sun displayed.

But shut their plaits against the dew;

Unlike Silene, who declines

The garish noontide's blazing light;
But when the evening crescent shines

Gives all her sweetness to the night.

Thus in each flower and simple bell

That in our path untrodden lie,
Are sweet remembrancers, who tell

How fast their winged moments fly."

Lithospermum viaritimum and Cakile maritima are frequent along the coast,
while in a salt-marsh near Portsoy you may find Aster tripolium flowering
about the end of September. Near Bogne Castle I have found Agrimonia
eupatoria, Gynoglossiun officinale, Lithospermum officinale, and Viola odorata,
apparently indigenous, at all events quite naturalized. The above is but a
meagre outline, and only, as it were, a specimen of the Treasures of Flora
found in Banffshire, which also presents a fair field for those who are fond
of the study of shells, insects, and birds.

"Most persons," says a favourite writer, ^^are fond of wild flowers, which
often possess a charm greater than that of the richest denizens of the garden.
These, in their artificial splendour, seem boldly to challenge your admiration,
whereas the others retire modestly away, and seek to conceal themselves behind
some bush, or brake, or rude stone fence, or bank, or rock, from the gaze
of man. If you would enjoy their sweetness, you must search for themj and
pleasant is that search. You light upon them as upon so many new stars,
beautifying and rendering fragrant the face of earth.

"Ye wild flowers! the gardens eclipse you, 'tis true,
Yet wildings of nature, I doat upon you.

For ye waft i^e to summers of old.
When the earth teemed around me with fairy delight.
And when daisies and buttercups gladdened my sight,

Like treasures of silver and gold,

I love you for lulling me back into dreams

Of the blue Highland mountains and echoing streams.

And of broken glades breathing their balm;
While the deer was seen glancing in sunshine remote.
And the deep mellow coo of the wood-pigeon's note

Made music that sweetened the calm.

A BOTANICAL STROLL.

Not a pastoral song has a pleasanter tune

Than ye speak to my heart, little wildings of June;

Of old ruinous castles ye tell;
When I thought it delightful your beauties to find,
When the magic of nature first breathed on my mind,

And your blossoms were part of the spell."

November, 1852.

A BOTANIOxVL STROLL FROM CAMBRIDGE TO THE
CHERRY-HINTON CHALK-PITS ON THE 1st. OF NOVEMBER.

BY H. C. STDART, ESQ.

The peculiar mildness of the present season has yet preserved some few
plants in flower to engage the interest of the passing botanist. It is not often
the 1st. of November is chosen for a botanical ramble; nor is it often
that the 1st. of November presents so many specimens in bloom as those
which compose the foUovring list. Accompanied by a friend^ who assisted me
in arranging the collection in the following order, we found these plants in
flower. They may interest some of your readers: — •

In the lane leading out of Cambridge, Ballota nigra, Sisifmhrium officinale,
Lamium album, Geranium molle, Laniium purpureum, Veronica montana,
Lapsana communis, Papaver Rliceas, Geranium dissectum, Senecio vulgaris,
Cerastium viscosum. In a cultivated field beyond, Myosotis arvensis, Stellaria
media, Linaria spuria. Euphorbia Peplis, Linaria Elatine, llyosotis versicolor,
Plantago lanceolata. Reseda lutea. Euphorbia exigua, Veronica Buxbaumii. On
the Railway bank, Ranunculus bulbosus, Achillcea rnillefolimn, Senebiera coronopus,
Trifolium pratense, Anagallis arvensis, Papaver Argemone, Polygonum convol-
vulus, Pastinaca sativa, Viola tricolor, Bellis perennis, Galeopsis tetrahit. On
the bank of the stream, Leontodon taraxactim, Spircea TJlmaria. In the
Chalk Pits, Ranunculus acris. Verbena officinalis. Geranium Robertiajium,
Galamintha officinalis, Artemisia vulgaris, Verbascum Thapsus, Senecio
Jacobcea.

In this place I may state that a stream^flowing rapidly over a chalky bed
adds an interest to the scene. It is at a great distance from the Cam;
nevertheless in it we perceived that extraordinary weed, the Anacharis alsinas-
trum. How it got there would be a tedious and I expect an impossible
problem. It seems to possess the attribute of ubiquity: at any rate, of being
found just where one would least expect to see it. The fertile plant has alone
been found; but this fact only adds to the mystery of its enormous increase,
and to the singularity of its being seen in waters entirely remote from one
another. The idea of water-birds carrying the roots from one place to another
is a mere possibility — a strong improbability. Any one who has obtained
specimens will recollect how tenacious the roots were to the soil, and to
one another; and how hard they strove to remain where they were. It is not

54- LAND AND FUESII-WATEK MOLLUSKS.

a likely thing that any bird should use the same amount of force as he was
obliged to do.

Loose bits of the plant floating down, and so being picked up, is certainly a
question, and one I should much like to see worked out.""' It is a strange and
almost an incredible tale, that, a little weed first discovered in 1841, and sup-
posed to have been accidentally introduced, should now in 1852 threaten to
interrupt the navigation of our rivers and canals. So true is it that, "Multa
minuta magna oflSiciunt."

Christ Gollccje, Cambridge^ Novemher, 1852.

A LIST WITH NOTES ON THE HABITATS AND

LOCALITIES OP THE LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS,

OBSERVED IN THE VICINITY OF LEWES, IN SUSSEX.

fiV W. C. L'NWIX, ESQ.

It has somewhat surprised me when reading the various interesting and
instructive Papers and Notices in ''The Naturalist," upon almost every other
subject in Natural History, to find how rarely we meet with any such exclu-
sively devoted to our Land and Fresh-water Molluslcs, considering how much
this hitherto neglected branch has of late advanced, and is daily becoming
more and more cultivated.

With this impression I venture to claim the indulgence of its readers to
a brief account of the habitats and localities of some of the objects of this
truly engaging and healthful pursuit, as they have been observed and collected
by me in this neighbourhood, with the hope that it may induce some other votary
to add a similar one of his district* for by this means we shall, if I may so
speak, become acquainted with the comparative climatal and geographical range
of the species.

The Nomenclature is from Gray's Edition of Turton, (1840.)

Bithinia tentaeulata, Oray. — Very common in the levels.

Bithinia ventricosa. Gray. — Not uncommon in the ditches by the side of
Kingston road.

Valvata piscinalis. Lam. — In every ditch very common.

Valvata cristata. Mid. — In a ditch near the Cockshat: somewhat rare.

Arion ater. Gray. — In the brooks: common.

Limax maximus, Linn. — In gardens and cellars, ete.

Limax agrestis, Linn. — Common everywhere.

Limax flavus, Linn. — By the side of a ditch near the Priory.

* Since writing the above I have had the pleasure of seeing Professor Henslow, and on asking
him how the Anacharis has hecome so' abundant, and likewise how it has found its way into
80 many different waters; he informed me that every separate whorl is capable of throwing
out roots from its axis, and thus of becoming a distinct j'lant. Such being the case, birds and
even beetles may' convey the small portion necessary for the production of a perfect plant to
the diffei'cut streams.

LAND AND FRESH-WATER M0LLUSK9. 60

Vitrina pellucida, Flem. — In Ashcombe plantation and elsewhere among moss.

Helix aspersa, Mul. — Too common* the variety alha is not uncommon.

Helix hortensis, List. — In a hedge-bank near Landport.

Helix hybrida, Pior. — A few specimens occasionally with the former.

Helix nemoralis, Linn. — Abundant.

Helix arbustorum^ Linn. — By the side of the "Cut," near Landport: not
uncommon.

Helix pulchella, Mul. — Plentiful at the roots of moss and grass on the
Downs, and on the bank of Ashcombe plantation, facing the east.

Helix Cantiana, Mont. — On nettles, foot of the Downs.

Helix Carthusiana, Mul. — On stunted grass near Mount Caburn, and on
Ranscombe Brow very local in its distribution.

Helix fusea, Mont. — Two specimens only. Warrinson wood, (1852,)
favourite Entomological ground.

Helix aculeata, Mul. — Nine specimens among moss in Ashcombe plantation,
1851.

Helix hispida, 3Iul. — Common under chalk stones in the neighbourhood.

Helix concinna.— -On nettles in an old chalk quarry, Oflfham, near I^ewes.
I possess beautiful specimens from Bignor.

Helix depilata, P/ei. — Ashcombe: not common.

Helix rufescens, Penn. — Abundant on nettles, and after the summer rains
on the various species of Bubi. The variety alba frequent.

Helix virgata, Mont. — 1^'requent on the Downs; abundant all along the
coast, Newhaven, Seaford, clustering thickly on the stems of marine plants;
the sea-side specimens are much finer than those found inland: they vary
considerably in their markings.

Helix caperata, Mont. — Very common on the Downs in autumn.

Zonites umbilicatus, Gray. — At the roots of Asplenium Rata-muraria on an
old wall in Southover, Lewes: rare.

Zonites pygmaeus, Gray. — I found this species last year with some of the
other minute Land Shells at the roots of moss, (principally Hypnum purum
and lutescens,) and grass: it is not very common, but appears to be an
inhabitant of dry banks.

Zonites alliarius. Gray. — Two specimens only, and these I can only state
as this species from comparison, as I could not obtain from thera any smell
to lead me to conclude they were the Garlic snail.

Zonites cellarius, Gray. — Common generally.

Zonites rotundatus, Grai/. — Under chalk stones and dry banks.

Zonites purus, Gray. — Rare on a dry bank near Ashcombe plantation.

Zonites nitidulus. Gray. — Common in a shaw near Kingston, and in Ash-
combe plantation.

Zonites radiatulus. Gray. — Frequently found with the preceding.

Zonites lucidus, Gray. — Rare; by the ditches in the levels occasionally.

Zonites crystallinus. Gray. — Not uncommon on the Downs in company with

56 LAXD AND FRESri-WATER MOLLUSKS.

Helix pulcliella among earth at the roots of grass, (ISol.)

Succinea putris, Flem. — Common by the sides of ditches.

Succinea PfeiflPeri, Ross. — Frequent with the above species.

Bulimus obscurus, Drap. — Not very common: Landport and Ashcombe.

Pupa umbilicata, Drap. — In old walls and under chalk stones: very common.

Pupa marginata. — Equally common at the roots of grass and "moss on the
Downs, and under loose flints.

Pupa Juniperi, G^rffy.— Plentiful under loose chalk stones in the "Home Pit,"
first pointed out to me in this locality by ray friend, Mr. C. Potter; occasi-
onally found on a chalky bank near Landport.

Vertigo edentula, Gray. — Rare: Chailey common. I have never found but
two specimens, and those on the under side of Filix mas, (Male Tern.)

Vertigo pygmaea, Fer. — Rare at the roots of moss and grass on the eastern
bank of Ashcombe plantation, (I80O.)

Vertigo palustris, Leach.— Three specimens by the side of a ditch In the
level at different periods.

Balaea perversa, Flem. — Not uncommon under lichens and the bark of thorns
on the Downs, frequently several together.

Clausilia bidens, Drap. — At the roots of beeches among the fallen leaves
in Ashcombe and Coombe plantations, and in the crevices of an old tree near
Landport: not rare.

Clausilia nigricans, Je/J'. — Abundant in the neighbourhood. The variety G.
parvula I have frequently met with.

Carychium minimum, Leach. — Rare: at the roots of moss, {Hypnum lutes-
cens and cuspidatum,) on a moist bank sloping towards the '^'Cut," near
Landport, (1852, May 19th.)

Limneus auricularius, Drap. — In the '^^Cut" rare, but perhaps from the want
of more dilio-ent searchingr.

Limneus pereger, Drap. — Abundant in every ditch.

Limneus stagnalis, Drap. — Common in stagnant ditches.

Limneus var. fragilis, Tiirt. — In the Pells,

Limneus palustris, Drap. — Very common.

liimneus truncatulus, Jeff. — On the mud, principally by the side of the
^^Cut," near Landport, rather plentiful: this is the only locality in which I
have seen it hereabouts.

Limneus glaber. Gray. — In a ditch near Mailing.

Ancylus fluviatilis. Mid. — On stones in the "Cut," and on the underside
of the submerged leaves of the Nuphar lutea, (Yellow Water-Lily.)

Velletia lacustris. Gray. — On the leaves of the N. lutea with the preceding
species, (May, 1852:) not rare.

Physa fontinalis, Drap. — Common: on aquatic plants in all the ditches
round Lewes.

Planorbis corneus, Drap. — In the ditches. Mailing; very fine in ditches,
Pevensey level.

LAND AND FHESH WATER MOU,USKS, 57

Planorbis albus, 3Ial. — Rather uncommon on the leaves of N. lutea, in
company with V. lacustris.

Planorbis imbricatus, Mul. — Rare on Callitriche verna in a ditch near the
Ouse.

Planorbis carinatus, Mul. — In stagnant ditches in the levels not very
general.

Planorbis marginatus, Drap. — Very common.

Planorbis vortex, Mai. — \ Both common perhaps, but I really am puzzled
Planorbis spirorbis, Miil. — •) to distinguish them.

Planorbis nitidus, Mul. — Until last spring I had considered this species
very i*are, having only met with one or two specimens, and those by mere
chance, but on the 14th. of April last I dragged from a ditch in Kingston
brooks a quantity of Confervce, and on examining it, found some shells I had
often wished to find; I resolved therefore to carry some home in my vasculum,
and try an experiment recommended by a friend, namely, to place the mass
in a basin and pour some warm water on it. This answered admirably; the
animals relinquished their hold and fell to the bottom, and what was my
surprise to find, on straining the water away, not two or three, but some
dozens of various sizes, doubtless young ones; I was indeed much delighted
with this discovery. As observed by my friend, they appear to come to
maturity rapidly, for they all disappeared in about eight or ten days.

Planorbis contortus, 3Iul. — Extremely common in ditches among Fresh-
water Algae.

Segraentina lineata, Flein. — Rare; only two specimens have been noticed
as yet, but the probability is, by adopting the above mode, it will be found
comparatively common.

Cyclostoma elegans, Drap. — Abundant in the hedges round the South
Downs.

Cyclas cornea, Lam. — Very common.

Cyclas lacustris, Tuii. — Rare: but few have been found in the Cuckmere
River.

Pisidlum obtusale, Pfel. — Not common in clear ditches.
Pisidium pusillum? Gray. — Occasionally among Fresh-water Algae, with other
minute species. This genus requires some attention to distinguish the species;
I have oftentimes had my skill put to the test, and even then have not arrived
at a satisfactory decision.

Pisidium Henslowianum, Jen. — Two specimens only. This species is easily
known, not only by its striking characters, but also by its size.

Pisidium amnicum, Jen. — Rare: in the Cut and the streams which empty
themselves into the Ouse: not common.

Anodon cygneus, Turt. — Common in the Ouse and its tributaries. I possess
a very fine specimen, given me by my friend Mr. Potter, which measures
eight inches in length, and four and a half in width, with a beautiful well-
marked and naturally-polished epidermis. It was taken, with several others

58 SOMETHINO ABOUT POLYPKS,

of similar dimensions, from a large pond in Firle Park, 1851. Some of the
varieties are not uncommon in the Ouse and Cuckmere Rivers, also in the
Pells.

Unio pictorum, Lam. — In the Cut common, and in the Ouse occasionally,
varying very considerably in appearance, specimens in the Ouse being much
darker, and having an extraneous coat, evidently from some matter with which
the water is impregnated.

I shall be happy to assist any lady or gentleman with duplicate species
by way of exchange.

St. Ann's Lewes, December lAtli., 1852.

SOMETHING ABOUT POLYPES.

BY MRS. ARTHUR ADAMS.

Chapter I.

It is long since the wondrous re-productive power of the little Fresh-water
Polype, {Hydra viridis,) amazed the scientific world, when Trembley immor-
talized his name by making known its extraordinary properties. Though the
novelty of this discovery has subsided, and "the many" have ceased to
experimentalize on this poor worm, there may be some who have still to
learn its history, and that of the class of animals to which it belongs.

Polypes are aquatic plant-like animals, with their mouths encircled by radiat-
ing tentacles somewhat like the rays of a flower; they inhabit both the ocean
and fresh water, and, when their numbers are considered, and what is effected
by their agency, we must be convinced of their importance in the economy
of nature. Earlier observers believed the stony Polypes to be calcareous plants,
and until the year 1727 they continued to be classed with the vegetable
kingdom, when Pleysonnel asserted their animality in an essay read before
the Academy of Sciences in Paris, which was received by the members of
that learned body with doubts and coldness. In 1711, Trembley made known
his remarkable experiments on the Fresh- water Polype, and this undeniable
proof of their animal nature caused Jussieu to surrender them to the zoologists.
Donati shortly afterwards followed up the research, and in speaking of the
animal nature of the Coral Polypes, says, "I am now of opinion that coral
is nothing else than a real animal, which has a very great number of heads.
I consider the Polypes of coral as the heads of the animal. This animal
has a bone ramified in the shape of a shrub; this bone is covered with a
kind of flesh, which is the flesh of the animal." Thus, by slow and sure
degrees, the true nature of the Polype began to be appreciated by the learned,
and has from time to time been ably commented on. Ellis, in 1754-5,
explained his observations and experiments to the members of the Royal Society;
and his work on the '^Corallines of Great Britain," exhibits such accuracy and
complete investigation as to be even now a standard work on this subject.

SOMETHING ABOUT POLYPES. o9

Linnaeus considered our little friends as forming an intermediate class between
the two kingdoms; but as the wisest sometimes err, "the Prince of Naturalists"
was mistaken J and though his theory was peculiarly fanciful, Ellis's more
accurate statements have superseded it. Enough has been said here of their
history as a class, and of their advocates.

To return to the Hydra, whose home is in almost every pond or ditch.
Among the duck-weed and other watei'-plants, it may be easily procured by
those who wish to observe for themselves its form and habits. The most
common species is the Ht/clra viridis, so small, that when stretched out, it
looks like a little piece of green sewing-silk, but if the magnifying glass is
used, it will be seen that the body is a little gelatinous bag with an opening
at one end, which is its mouth, surrounded with seven delicate tentacles; at
the opposite end nature has provided it with a flattened disc, by which it can
attach itself to any fixed body, or move, though with extreme slowness, from
one place to another. When disturbed, it contracts its body to an almost
invisible speck, although no trace of muscles can be discerned in its composition.
Its favourite position is suspending itself from some floating plant, and a still
more novel mode of locomotion, which it sometimes employs, is to protrude
its sucker above the water, hollowed out like a boat, possessing sufficient
buoyancy to enable our Hydra to sport where he pleases by means of his
tentacles, in readiness to secure whatever his appetite might fancy; and
extremely carnivorous is he in his propensities; — animals, much larger and
stronger than himself, fall a prey to his voracity; this is owing to the
benumbing power possessed by his arms, which is so strong as to prevent the
escape of the poor victim that has once been stiicken by him. Larvae of
insects, worms, and the tiny Crustaceans, called Entomostraca, are his favourite
food, and these being most abundant in every place where the Hydra dwells
he is able to satisfy his desires; but it has been proved that he can endure
a fast for many weeks and still live on. It is well that he possesses this
stupifying power over his prey, for it is by a very slow process that he brings^
the food to his mouth; tentacle after tentacle lends its aid to assist, and by
sure efforts accomplish their purpose.

But the most wonderful part in the history of the Hydras is the power
which they have of multiplying their species; the most usual method is by
means of buds, which sprout from some part of the surface of their bodies;
at first the bud is shapeless, but soon it assumes the form of the parent
animal, developing tentacles around the oral aperture. It remains attached ta
the body of the parent for some time, until it is perfect in all its parts,^
when it is cast ofi", and, in its turn, becomes the mother of a numerous
progeny. "Trembley noticed that by snipping the side of an adult Polype
with the points of a fine pair of scissors, a bud would soon develop itself from
the wounded part, and this experiment was repeated until as many as seven- ,
teen had been obtained, all connected with each other, and thus forming a
little tree of living Polypes." The Hydra will occasionally divide into twoi

CO MISCKLLAKEOUS NOTICEg.

aninialfl by gpontaneons transverse fissure. These are the natural ways by
which the Hydra increases its kind; but, as Trembley discovered, it can be
multiplied by artificial means; divide it in any direction and two perfect Hydras
grow; cut them up into numerous pieces, and lo! from every section is pro-
duced a perfect whole; wound an adult, and where the scar is seen, there
sprouts out a young Hydra; and Trembley says he had several everted, "their
inside is become their outwde, and their outside their inside: they eat, they
grow, and they multiply as if they had never been turned,"

It will be seen from this brief account of the little Fresh-water Polype,
that the smallest thing in God's creation is "fearfully and wonderfully made,"
worthy of the investigation of all who love to contemplate the Divine per-
fection as shown in His works,

"Marvellous are thy works 0 Lord! and that
My wjul kiiowcth right well!"

Knapps Green, Aher«loJce, Novemhar 12th., 18ij2.

{To be continued.)

The Hare, (Lepns timidus.) — A gentleman, on whottc veracity I can rely, told mc the other
day that h« thot a Hare in S(!pt(!fnbor hist, which, on being opened, was found to contain five
young ones, I» not thin an unuHual number? — W, Waldo Coopeu, Wcst-Kagen, November
8th,, 1852,

1 had a common llcdgijhog, (Urinaceug Europieua,) in confinement, and luiving hf^ard tliat
they would kill the common Snake, I put two into the place wh(!ro it wa», one a large one
and the other rather nmall; it tried to Beize the big one, hut it hissed so furiously, that the
Hedgehog began to coil itself up; it then seized the smaller one, which it instantly began to
bito, beginning at the tail. I went to call my father to. look at it, and when I came back,
it had got up to the neck, Imving apparently broken the whole of the back-bone, as far as
I could judge from feeling the Snake. The same Hedgehog would consume with avidity
Partridg(!s' eggs, and if 1 remember right, it would eat shells as well. The case of the
ilcdgehog and Hnukc happened thia Hummer.— Vhuav Bedinofikld, Ditchingham Hall,
November lOth., 1802.

The Jer-Falcon, (Falco Islandicus,) on the Tees.— A fine young female specimen of the Jer-
Falcon was shot by Henry Bales, on(! of the Floating Ught-house keepers nt the Toes mouth,
on the 3nl. of Dccembi-r, 18^)2, after it had lamed itself by flying against the Floating light in
close ohiiso of a Wo(h1 I'igeon; but the Wood Pigeon not being so much hurt made oil' as fast
ati it could; and Himry JJales, to make sure work of it, shot the Falcon in the water, ('niere
was another largo Hawk seen about the same place a day or two after.) It was purchased by
r. Grc(ni, Bird and Animal rreserv<'r, of this town, and is now in the poKscssion of Crawford
Ncwby, Ks(i.— W. Martin, Stockton-on-Tees, December 13th., 1852.

The Ifen Harrier, (Circus oyaneus.) — A specim(m of this bird was shot on tho 11 th. of October,
near this town, by Crawford Ncwby, Esq — Idem.

Egyptian Ooone, (AnwT Egyptiacus.) — A very fine specimen of this bird was shot near Port-
n«!k Jjike, about a mile from this place, on the 2nd. of November, 1852, by Mr. John Gray,
and is now in tho possfjssion of Crawford Ncwby, I'lsq. It was in company with three others
of tho same Bp(!cicB. — Idem.

flelavonian Orebe, (Podlceps cornutus.) — A specimen of this bird was shot on the 13th, of
November, 1852, in the lliver Tees, about two miles below this town, by F. Leach.— Idem.

HISCELLANKOCS NOTICES. 61

The Eared Grebe, (Podiccps auritus.) — A fine specimen of this bird was shot by Henry Bales,
Light-house keeper, near his Light-house, on the I'ith. of April, 1846, aud is now in the pos-
session of Crawford Newbj', Esq. — Idem.

The Sqnacco Heron, (Ardea comata.) — A specimen of this bird was shot on the 9th. of October,
1852, on the GUisgow canal by T. Jones, seaman, who brought it here; aud it is now in the
possession of Crawford Newby, Esq. — Idem.

Note on an Oicl. — On Tuesday last as I was going out shooting with a friend, about half-
past ten in the morning, wo noticed an Owl flying at a great height, with several Rooks
baiting it. The morning was cloudy, but the poor Owl seemed quite bewildered; he flew
for a long time in circles rising higher and higher, keeping above the Rooks; at last his
tormoulors left him, and he flew away in a straight line, but witliout lowerhig as long as he
remained in sight. I suppose he may have been driven out by the Rooks from Ms daily
hiding-place, but I do not remember to have seen an instimce of the like kind before. The
Owl was at so great a height when we first sjiw him that we could not make out his species.
"VV. AValdo Coopkr, "West-Rascn, November 4th., 1852.

The Rev. S. Alington informs mo that last summer he caught a Cuckoo, (Cueidiis canonts,)
under the following peculiar circumstances: — He had a large net over his currant bed, and one
morning a Cuckoo was found under the net, and captured. The same gentleman tells me
that three j'eare ago a White Starling, (Sturniis viilffaris,) was seen for some days in the
neighbourhood of his residence, Candlcsby, near Spilsby. — Idem.

The Hook, (Corvus frugilogus.) — I wiis surprised some time ago to find that a pair of Rooks
had repaired their nest in an ash tree close by this house, and that eggs were laid in it,
on wluch tlie hen sat diligently for about a mouth: sho forsook her nest, the eggs being, I
suppose, addled, about a week ago. This must surely bo an odd freak, at least I do not
remember to have ever heard of Rooks sitting at this time of the yem-. — Idem.

The Woodcock, (Scolopax rusticola.) — It is well knowai tliat "Woodcocks breed in various parts
of Enghmd, but I was not aware till the otlicr day of any locality in Lincolnshire. Sir John
Nelthorpc informs mo that they breed in his woods at Seauby, near Brigg. — Idem.

Late Breeding of the House Martin, (Hirundo urbica.)— On the 27th. of last October I was
greatly sui-prised by a neighbour of mine sondmg me a young House Martin that he caught
in a stable; no doubt it was attracted there by the warmth, it being a cold and wet day.
When first brought it would pm-ch upon my finger without the slightest attempt to flj', but
after being put into a hat an hour or so, it seemed re-animated, and could fly across the
house. I again put it in the hat, and soon found the poor little fellow dead — starved to death.
I should Siiy it had left the nest about four or five days at most, and had scaiTely any food
since ; as a proof of this I examined the fieces, and found not a particle of tlie refuse of insects
in it, nothing but a thin whitish subshuice; the crop too was quite empty, and the body
very thin: although a bad specimen I have stuftetl it. Reflecting upon the fate of tliis poor
"untimely bird" — upon its parents which ai*e now no doubt skinnning joyously over other
lands, I could not suppress a feeling of pity, to think how strange that Xature sliould com-
pletely cut it oft' from following the instinct of its species. — AV. Bond, Frog Island, Leicester,
November 4th., 1852.

The Hoopoe. — A specimen of this bird, ( Upupa Epops,) of which so many notices have been
comnninicated to you of its appearance in England, induces me to intimate that we have also
had a visit; for on the 1st. of October, 1852, one was observed on the property of Blaira
Kaith, about six miles to the north of the city of Glasgow, where it remained for about ten
days. It was particularly shy, and as its flight appeared principally to be from the bare top
of a tree into the centre of a lea field, it would never permit of being approached sufiiciently
near to have ensured it of "a place in the cabinet." — G. Donaldson, Glasgow, November 4th.,
1852.

Woodcock. — The early arrival of the 'Woodeock, (Scolopax riisticol<t,) having been frequently
noticed in "The Natvn-.ilist," causes me to i-emark that on the bmiks of Loch Lomond, and
particularly in the neighbourhood of Luss, this bird has been known regularly to breed
for a number of years past, and can bo seen at any time during the siunmer, but particularly
in the evenings. — Idem.

62 REVIEW.

The Magpie, (Pica caudata.) — About the middle of last July, I had the satisfaction of shooting
one on my farm, differing very materially in plumage from the common rule; for with the
exception of the usual white markings upon the wings common to the bird, the entire colouring
otherwise was of a reddish tint, faintly shaded with ashy white. The skin is at present in the
possession of Mr. Mc'Calloch, Bird-stuffer, Union-Street, Glasgow; and what appears remai'kable
that in another nest a bird of a still richer shade was produced, and which, as I have frequently
seen, I expect some day to possess. — John Lauiiie, StronhuUin, Loch Long, October 30th.,
1852.

Tlie Storm Petrel, (Thalassidroma pelagica.) — A man in this village has just brought me a
beautiful specimen of the Storm Petrel, wliich he picked up in an exhausted state in the fields.
His attention was drawn to the spot by seeing the Eooks flying round the place where the
bird lay in the same manner that they do when they find a Hare in a snare, or see a Fox.
I have sent it to be stuft'ed for my collection. — C. Thuhnall, "VVhittlesford, Cambridge, Novem-
ber 15th., 1852.

The Rook, (Corvus frugilegus.) — I have been credibly informed by a friend that at Encombe,
near Swanage, the seat of the Earl of Eldon, a nest of young Hooks may now be seen, nearly
fledged, whilst the trees are almost wholly denuded of their leaves. — John Garland, Dorchester,
October 30th., 1852.

Tlie Horse Chestnut, (Vulgaris Castanea.) — In the delightful Avenue of Chestnut trees in this
town, called "The South Walk," may now be seen many of them shooting forth young
leaves just as in spring; which, with the falling of the "sere and yellow leaf" fi'om the same
trees, afibrds to the observer a very curious contrast.— Idem.

mmm,

A Popular Histonj of British Zoophytes or Corallines. By the Key. U.
Landsborough, D. D., A. L. S>., &c. London: Reeve and Co. 1852.
Royal 16mo.^ p. p. 404. Twenty-two Coloured Plates.

We are much, gratified to see that Dr. Landsborough has "popularized"
another delightful branch of Natural History in the above pleasant little
volume on British Zoophytes. His very useful work on Sea-weeds is, we
trust, familiar to many of our readers; and to any who desire to know the
beauties peculiar to our animated Sea-flowers, the book before us will be
found a very valuable and safe guide. The first chapters, which are intro-
ductory, will be read with much interest, and the wholesome precepts which
are mingled with the general remarks cannot fail to benefit those who take
up the subject in a proper spirit, and wish not to consider any of God's
wonderful works but as evidences of His power and goodness. The portion
of the work which succeeds this consists of the technical descriptions, which,
as far as they go, are clear and definite; but we could have wished to have
seen descriptions, however short, of every species. Still, even with this
drawback, the book is one that cannot but be a great assistance to those
who wish to study the Zoophytes; and the delicately exact and beautifully
coloured figures of some eighty well chosen species will enable any person
to name correctly a large number of those most commonly met with, and
to obtain a close approximation to the proper place of any he may procure.
The arrangement followed is that adopted by Dr. Johnston in his aduiirable

PnOOEKDINOS OF SOCIKTIRS, 63

work. The study of these beautiful and truly interesting creatures is yet
comparatively in its infancy, and it is probable that many new and elegant
forms remain to be discovered by future observers. One very elegant Lepralia,
figured, we believe, for the first time by Dr. Landsborough, and named
Oattyoe, after its recent discoverer Mrs. Gatty, is remarkable for the extreme
beauty of the pencilling upon its surface, and had doubtless been overlooked
very many times by less careful observers.

There is one strikingly useful feature in the work, which is that, we
believe, no term used in the description of the genera or species is unrepresented
in the glossary which occupies the concluding pages. It is amply full, and
the meanings of the terms are well and clearly expressed, so that no one
need be in any difficulty as to the meaning of any description he may
encounter.

No one at all interested in the subject would ever, we believe, regret the
few shillings necessary for the purchase of this very pretty and useful work.

l^nraMiigjs nf Inriftku.

Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh. — The third mooting of this Socioty for the present
session was held in the Institution Rooms, 6, York Place, on Saturday, January 8th., at two
o'clock p. M., — Professor Fleming, D. D., President, in the chair.

The first business before the Society was the Exhibition of a Collection of Stereoscopic
Photographs, by John Stewart, Esq.

The second communication, by Hugh Miller, Esq., was entitled "On Bothrodendron,
Ulodendron, Stigmaria, and other characteristic plants of the Carboniferous Period; with
restoration of Sphcnopteris ekgans."

The third was a "Notice of the Octopus octopodia." by John Stewart, Esq. Mr. Stewart
referred to the description given in Fleming's British Animals, page 254; and stated that the
specimen he exliibited was caught on a hook in the Bay of Luce, October 26th., 18o2. Its
dimensions were as follows: — Length of body, about three inches and three-quarters; breadth,
two inches and three-quarters; length of head, an inch and a half; breadth, an inch and
three-quarters; length of arms, nine inches; but the lowest arm on the left side was only
seven inches long. He had taken three spetamens last j'ear in Loch Eyan, and two in Morecombe
Bay, North Lancashire. Mr. Stewart also stated that Mr. George Wilson, who had sent him
this specimen, informed him tliat an Albicore had been taken last year in a salmon bag net
at Strathaven, which was twenty-five inches in length, seventeen in girth, and weighed ten
pounds.

James C. IIowden, Esq., M. D., then read a communication entitled "Notes on Marine
Zoology."

Dr. John Alex. Smfth next exhibited a specimen of a Duck which was shot in December,
1851, near the Bass Rock, by some boatmen, wlio brought it, from its unusual appearance,
to one of the Edinburgh bird-stuffers. Dr. Smith said he had been puzzled to find out what
it was; but by the kind assistance of one of our celebrated ornithologists, he learned that it
was a "West Indian species, — the Bahama Duck,-— the Anas Bahamensis of Catesby's Carolina, —
the A. urophasianus of Vigors, Zoological Journal, vol. iv., page 337, — the Dajila urophasianus
of Eyton's Duck Tribe, — and the Urophasianus Vigorsii of Beechy's Voyage, &c., &c., — the
inference being, that it had probably escaped from confinement. Dr. Smith said there were
no individuals of this species in the Zoological Gardens here, or amongst the collection at
Gosford House; and, indeed, he was quite unable to leai-n of any being kept in confinement
either immediately to the south or north of the Firth of Forth. He was informed that three
living specimens are at present in the collection of the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park,

64 THK RKXnOSrECT. TriR QUERIST.

London. The colour of tlie bird, Dr. Smith observed, was dark and light reddish brown, spotted
with dark brown; the lower parts of the head, and upper parts of the neck in front, pure
white; speculum, green, glossed with purple, and edged with black and light reddish fawn;
the tail, light drab, without spots, rather elongated, shaped somewhat like a Pheasant's, —
hence the name; and there was a striking patch of j'ellow on each side of the dusky bill.

Dr. GitEViLLE, at the close of the meeting, informed the Societ}' tliat the Honourable Edward
Chitty, of Jamaica, had presented an extensive and valuable series of the Land and Fresh- water
Shells of Jamaica to the University Museum ; but being aware that in the present state of the
Museum, the absence of due accommodation would prevent the collection from being of any
use to the public were it deposited there, he had confided it for the present to the charge of
Sir William Jardine, Bart., Professor Balfour, and himself, (Dr. Greville,) as trustees. The
collection, which is arranged on the authority of Mr. C. B. Adams, Professor of Zoology in
Amherst College, Massachusetts, is now in Dr. Grcville's house, accessible at all times to gentlemen
desirous of consulting it. ^^-"S^h MU,

• /#>!#-

€llB lUtr00]iftt.

TFood Anemone, (Anemone nemorosa.) — Mr. Rothery remarks, vol. ii. page 208X;13ii4-B''V
Wood Anemones which he found in Westmoreland "were all more vor less tinged with pOTjjk ,''^
and attributes it to certain causes which he mentions. I do not remember ever to have seen
any Wood Anemone that was not flushed with purple; unless indcicd those which had been
bleached by age, sun, and wind. In the summer of 1848, I walked across a field near
Overton, in Cheshire, which was very thickly besprinkled with the Wood Anemone. They
cast a purple hue over the whole field. I have picked the flower in Somerset and in Devon,
in dense woods and on sunny banks; they all partook of the purple hue. I make no doubt
that season and soil, especially lime, may alter and deepen the colour of some flowers, still
I see no reason for believing any other than that pale purple is the natural and characteristic
colour of the Wood Anemone. The Lady's Smock, ( Cardamine pratensis,) blooms out a faint
purple, and presently it is bleached white. — IlENar Daniell, Montevidere, Torquay, October
18th., 1852.

(T'liB (llumst.

Will any correspondent be kind enough to inform us how to propagate and cultivate the
Common Heed, {Ariindo Fhrayinitis,) round a pond with a gravelly bottom. — B. R. M.

Inquiry as to Heronries in Berbijshire. — Having occasion about three or four years ago, in
the spring, to go to Howden, a shooting-box of the Duke of Norfolk's, in Derbyshire, on the
borders of Yorkshire, I there saw nailed against the barn two Herons which the gamekeeper
had shot, one of them nine days, and the other three or four weeks previously, as they were
seekin'' for trout about the fish-pond and in the river, (the Derwent,) which takes its rise
a few miles above on the moors. Can any of the readers of "The Naturalist" say where
they were likely to have strayed from, as I am not aware of any Heronries anywhere in the
neighbourhood. — T. S., Holmfirth, December 14th., 18o2.

In reply to a former inquiry of mine in the Querist, respecting the different kinds of trees
that will grow from cuttings, Mr. Me'Intosh obligingly wrote to me saying that he would
take an opportunity of giving the desired information. As he has not yet done so, I should
be glad of this opportunity of again drawing his attention to the subject.— F. 0. Moiiiiis, Naff'crton
Vicarage, Driflield, February 1st., 1853.

Could any of the contributors to "The Naturalist" inform me through the medium of its
pages, what is the comparative size of the eggs of the Goldfinch and Chaffinch.' Also, what
is the real colour of the eggs of the Sedge Warbler and Whinchat." The situation and number
of any shop in London where eggs may be procured? — H. S., Richmond, Yorkshire.

On the 24th. of May, 1852, I found by the side of a small stream, a nest built of hay, roots,
small twigs, etc., and containing six eggs, rather larger than those of the Blackbird, but much
resembling them. Might not this be the nest of the Ring Ouzel? — Idem.

65

ON THE HABITS OF THE COMMON MOUSE,
(MUS MUSCVLUS.)

BY R. F. LOGANj ESQ.

For some time past I have had a live specimen of the Common Mouse in
captivity, for the purpose of observing its habits; and as Common Mice are,
I should think, not very often kept as pets, unless it be the albino variety, it
may perhaps interest some of your readers to know something of the manners
of this agile, timid little cosmopolite.

For a short time after its introduction to its domicile, it was restless and
watchful, constantly biting the wires with its teeth; and in so doing, making
such a noise, that had its teeth not been very hard and strong, they must
have been broken to pieces by such violent exercise on so hard a substance.
Now it sleeps away most of its time during the day, rolled up in a corner
like a ball, but is roused by the slightest noise; and when food is placed
within its reach, awakes to full activity, steals out of its corner, seizes it in
its mouth, and runs with it generally into the opposite corner; where it munches
it, holding it between its fore feet, and crouching on the hinder ones; but
not sitting erect, as we see Mice frequently drawn. This posture it very
seldom assumes; but does so occasionally when cleaning its fur, though never ,
I believe, while feeding. It is a most cleanly little animal, and always dresses
its fur after a meal; licking its paws quite clean, and then raising them both
together over its head, and stroking down its face and ears; finishing the
operation by licking its fur as far as it can reach, very much after the manner
of its enemy the Domestic Cat. When about to lie down it generally turns
round once or twice in the corner, like a Cat or Dog; and laps up milk, when
given to it, exactly in a similar manner. One day when I thought it thirsty,
I offered it a drop of water on the end of my pen, which it licked oif with
avidity, and followed the pen when withdrawn for a fresh supply. In sleeping
it frequently tucks its head right under its body, so as literally to rest on
the crown of it; a most uncomfortable position one might suppose; but one
which it seems very fond of. I have never heard it squeak, or utter the
smallest sound since it came into my possession; which is rather remarkable.
As another proof of its disposition for cleanliness; I had one morning given
it some soft food, in eating a portion of which, it rolled it in the dirt at the
bottom of the cage, on discovering which, it immediately rejected it, and pushing
it with its snout to the furthest extremity of the cage, returned to its favourite
corner; which it swept perfectly clean in the same fashion, shoving everything
aside with its snout, and then went for a fresh supply.

It is nearly, though not quite, omnivorous in its appetite, as there are some
things it will not touch. It dislikes animal food, and shows a marked preference
for farinaceous substances; bread being an especial favourite. A bit of ripe
pear, or cooked cabbage, it will not touch, though a dried fig is eaten with
evident relish.

Duddingston, Dectinher \d.y 1852. ^"^ '-■"•'^

VOL. 111.

66

NOTES ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF THE LEEDS
DISTRICT, WITH A CATALOGUE OF THE RARER SPECIES.

BY JOHN DIXON, ESQ.

Before submitting to your pages a somewhat tedious and imperfect catalogue
of the ornithological rarities of this district, I must acknowledge the obligation
due from me to George Walker, Esq., of Killingbeck Lodge, and William
Wood, Esq., of Moor Allerton ; two practical naturalists, from whose joint
contributions and remarks I have drawn pretty freely; and as the observations
extend over a period of many years, I have been enabled, with the aid of inspecting
a few private collections, to complete a list of one hundred and fifteen birds
occurring in the vicinity of Leeds, a field which at first sight would seem to
furnish few attractions for any of the feathered tribe, save a few dirty impudent
Sparrows, whose noisy carols are always heard amidst the busiest scenes of
industry.

It gives me much pleasure to find that many of our humble artisans seek
to pass a few pleasant leisure hours in the study of Natural History; and what
a delightful relaxation it must be to those of our poorer fellow-creatures, whose
daily bread is earned by a routine of almost incessant toil. I have examined
with great satisfaction several ornithological collections formed by working men,
the majority of specimens having been procured in the immediate neighbour-
hood of this smoke-canopied town. With such limited means and brief leisure,
it seems surprising how such collections are got together; but no doubt the
clue to this success may be found in the good old adage — "Where there's a
will there 's a way." Some do not confine their pursuits entirely to the feathered
tribe, but will exultingly exhibit their cabinets of fossils or insects, or perhaps
warmly expatiate on the beauty of some floral gem just added to a well-selected
herbarium — delightful remembrancer of sunny fields and shady groves: such
pursuits must lead the reflective mind to a due consideration of the everlasting
gratitude we owe to the Giver of all good gifts.

Within the memory of old people still living, many noble varieties of the
Falconidce were to be found in this locality, particularly about the woody districts
of Harewood and Temple Newsam; but as all this tribe have been long looked
upon as arrant rascals, a wholesale persecution has materially diminished their
number. A. fine specimen of the Peregrine-Falcon was shot a few years ago
near Winmoor, in the act of pouncing on a Ring Dove; two or three specimens
of the Buzzard, Kite, Harrier, Hobby, and Merlin, have within a few years
been shot at Gledhow, (this name is derived from Glead — a Kite; and How — a
hill,) Harewood, Roundhay, and Killingbeck; the Kestrel and Sparrow-Hawk
arc about the only representatives of this class now left, both of which will
doubtless be exterminated ere long.

A specimen of the Short-Eared Owl was caught alive at Roundhay, blindly
flying in the glare of a mid-day sun, and "bully-ragged" by a parcel of small
birds. The last Tawny Owl coming under my notice was shot one night at

ORNITHOLOGY OF THE LEEDS DISTRICT. 67

Gledhow, by an old poacher, who mistook it for a Woodcock. The story runs
that before levelling his gun, the old fellow, (who had a dash of the ^haksperian
in his composition) muttered "If thou be a Woodcock, as I suppose thou be,
have at thy long bill." His failing eyesight however for once deceived him, and
he picked up the poor bleeding and dying Owl with a good round volley of
imprecations on the whole tribe, since which time none have been seen at
Gledhow.

The Raven, some seventy years ago, is said to have been tolerably plentiful;
it is now quite extinct; the last solitary pair were seen hovering about Almais
Cliff, near Harrogate. The Hooded Crow is often shot in winter. The Magpie
with us seems very local; thus at Killingbeck it is considered rare, while in
the neighbourhood of Meanwood it is tolerably plentiful, building in old thorns
and slender birches. The Jackdaw used to be very abundant about the ruins of
Kirkstall Abbey, but somehow or other their numbers appear to be rapidly
diminishing. A short time ago I was sketching some portions of Calverley Church,
and had occasion to examine and make some notes on the bells. On ascending
the spiral staircase, I was astonished to find it almost blocked up with Jack-
daws' nests, built of huge pyramidal piles of sticks; with some difficulty I managed
to pass them, though I fear not without causing some damage. It seems
probable that the sticks are collected by the birds, and dropped in at the narrow
embrasures until a sufficient quantity is collected to build these singular nests.
In the flat meadows about Killingbeck, immense flocks of Starlings congregate
just before the commencement of winter, accompanied by their sable allies the
Rooks; — it is very pleasing to pass a few minutes in watching their graceful
movements when on the wing. The Fieldfare's note is often heard after dark,
right over the town; but whether this bird keeps late hours or not I cannot
determine. Last year I found a Titlark's nest at Moor AUerton, the occupant
being a young Cuckoo; when nearly fledged it was trodden to death by a foal.
The Mountain Sparrow, Twite, and Linnet are common about the high
barren lands of JMoortown and Blackmoor; these are favourite localities with
bird-catchers, who, on fine Sunday mornings in spring, are to be found busily
entrapping great numbers of unfortunate Larks and Linnets;, these are taken
to Leeds, and exposed for sale on market days, at about sixpence each; some
die on their journey, and thus escape a cruel imprisonment; others contrive to
once more cheer up, and pour forth a sweet lament over lost freedom. The
Goldfinch is common about Sherburn, and all districts where the teazle is
cultivated, the seeds of which it seems very partial to. The country people
call them ^captains:' in this district it may be considered rare. The Golden Plover
is found in small flocks about Winmoor; its principal food here seems to be worms,
slugs, and snails, the shells of which are often found in its stomach quite entire.
The various species of Water-Fowl enumerated in my list, have been observed
or shot at Killingbeck. There are several other localities with large sheets
of water, where most of them are occasional visitants, as Roundhay, Harewood,
and Eceup.

6&

ORNITHOLOGY OF THE LEEDS DISTUIOT.

The Numbers 1, 2,

3, denote the several degrees of rarity; name]

1 Very rare. 2 Rare. 3 Occasional vi

Lsitants.

1 Falco peregrinus,

(Peregrine Falcon,)

Roundhay.

3 • subbuteo,

(Hobby,)

Killingbeck.

2 (JEsalon,

(Merlin,)

Do.

3 Accipiter nisus,

(Sparrow-Hawk,)

Moortown.

1 Milvus vulgaris,

(Kite,)

Killingbeck,

1 Buteo vulgaris,

(Buzzard,)

Do.

1 Circus aeruginosus,

(Moor Buzzard,)

Winmoor.

I • cyaneus.

(Hen Harrier,)

Killingbeck.

1 Otus vulgaris,

(Long-eared Owl,)

Do.

1 — brachyotos,

(Short-eared Owl,)

Do.

2 Strix flammea,

(White Owl,)

Do.

2 Syrnium stridula,

(Tawny Owl,)

Roundhay.

2 Lauius excubitor.

(Great Ash-coloured Shrike,)

Winmoor.

2 ■ coUurio,

(Red backed Shrike,)

Do.

1 Corvus corax.

(Raven,)

Killingbeck.

2 corone,

(Carrion Crow,)

Roundhay.

3 ■ comix,

(Hooded Crow,)

Do.

3 Grarrulus glandarius.

(Jay,)

Killingbeck.

3 Bombyeilla garrula.

(Wax wing,)

Do.

1 Turdus torquatus.

(Ring Ouzel,)

Do.

1 Pic us viridis,

(Green Woodpecker,)^

Temple Newsam.

1 major.

(Least Spotted Woodpecker,)

Do.

1 Sitta Europoea,

(Nuthatch,)

Winmoor,

2 Certhia familiaris,

(Creeper,) ;■

Killingbeck.

2 Loxia curvirostra.

(Crossbill,)

Do.

1 Coccothraustes vulgaris

i, (Grossbcak, or Hawfinch,)

Do.

2 Pyrrhula vulgaris,

(Bullfinch,)

Roundhay.

3 Emberiza nivalis.

(Snow Bunting,)

Killingbeck.

1 scboeniclus,

( Black-headed Bunting,)

Do.

2 liinota linaria,

(Lesser Redpole,)

Do.

2 Alauda arborea,

(Woodlark,)

Do.

2 Motacilla cinerea,

(Gray Wagtail,)

Do.

2 '■ flava,

(Yellow Wagtail,)

Do.

1 Muscieapa luctuosa.

(Pied Flycatcher,)

Do.

3 Philomela luscinia.

(Nightingale,)

Calverley.

2 Sylvia hippolais.

(Lesser Pettychaps,)

Roundhay,

2 Salicaria phragmifcis,

(Sedge Bird,)

Killingbeck.

2 Curruca atricapilla.

(Black Cap,)

Do.

] Eegulus cristatus.

(Golden-crested Wren,)

Do.

1 Saxicola oenanthe,

(Wheatear,)

Blackmoor.

1 Parus caudatus.

(Long-tailed Titmouse,)

Winmoor.

2 Cypselus apus.

(Swift,)

Roundhay.

LEPIDOPTERA OP MIDLOTHIAX.

69

3 Caprimulgus Europoous.

, (Nightjar,)

Moor town.

3 Columba oenas,

(Stock Dove,)

Gledhow.

2 Phasianus Colchicus,

(Pheasant,)

Killingbeck.

1 Coturnix vulgaris,

(Quail,)

Do. •

1 Rail us aquaticus,

(Water Crake,)

Do.

1 Cinclus aquaticus,

(Water Ouzel,)

• Do.

1 Alcedo ispida,

(Kingfisher,)

Methley.

3 Scolopax rusticola,

(Woodcock,)

Killingbeck,

2 gallinago,

(Snipe,)

Do.

2 Totanus ochropus,

(Green Sandpiper,)

Winmoor.

2 ■ hypoleucos,

(Common Sandpiper,)

Do.

3 Ardea cinerea,

(Heron,)

Killingbecl

3 Fulica afcra,

(Coot.)

Do.

3 Podiceps minor,

(Little Grebe,)

Do.

3 Larus canus

(Common Gull,)

Do.

3 Anser ferus,

(Bean Goose,)

Do.

3 palustris,

(Wild Goose,)

Do.

We are at a loss to know which of the Geese
Bean Goose is usually called A. Segetum. The

3 Oidemla fusca,

3 "igi'3'^

3 Anas elypeata,

3 penelope,

3 Fuligula ferina,

3 ■ ■ clangula,

3 ■ cristata,

(Velvet Duck,)

(Scoter,)

(Shoveler,)

(Wigeon,)

(Pochard,)

(Golden Eye,)

(Tufted Duck,)

{To be continued.

are referred to here. The
other is equally uncertain.
B. E. M.
Killingbeck.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

ADDITIONS TO THE LEPIDOPTERA OF MIDLOTHIAN.

BY R. F. LOGAN, ESQ.

The following species were unintentionally omitted from the List of the
Lepidopterous Insects of Midlothian, published in "The Naturalist," vol. ii.,
page 121, by Dr. Lowe and myself: —
Polyoramatus, Lat... — Agestis? Mr. Stewart, Wern. Transac, 1808.

Dasychira, Steph — Fascelina: larva on heath, Pentland Hills.

Agrotis, Och — Lunigera: Duddingston, August, 1844.

Chlorochroma, Dup. — ^ruginaria: Mr. Stewart.

Fidonia, Steph — Atomaria: Pentland Hills, &c ; abundant in May.

Chloroclysta, Hub... — Psittacaria: a single specimen at Duddingston in
November.

70 LKPIDOPTKRA OF MIDLOTFIIAN.

Eupithecia, Curt — Palustraria: Belstane, near Kirknewton.

" " — Begraurlaria : Eo. Loc.

Stenopteryx, Guen... — Hybridalis: Musselburgh Links.

Tortrix, Linn — Gorbiana: Stewart's list.

Spilonota, Steph — Roborana: Portobello.

Grapholitha, Tr — Penkleriana: Ravelrig, in birches.

Coccyx, Tr — I^anana: Belstane, in spruce firs.

Retinia, Guen — Pinivorana: Eo. Loc.

Dicroramplia, Guen. — Caliginosana? common in July.

Tinea, Linn — Biselliella: houses. ,

Telea, Steph — Oerasiella: Currie; hedges.

Micropteryx, Huh... — Fastuosella: Craigmillar.

Q^eophora, Lat — Senescens: Arthur's Seat, July.

Depressaria, Haw... — Alstrocmeriana : not unfrequent in spring and autumn.

" " — Badiella: Musselburgh Links, in furze.

Coleophora, Huh.... — Annulatella: not unfrequent among grass in July.
" " — Therinella? margin of Duddingston Loch.

" " — Fuscedinella : elms, alders, and birches.

Nepticula, Zell — Ignobilella: Cramond.

•' " — Pygmaeella: Duddingston.

Lithocolletis, Zell... — Tenella: Belstane, near Kirknewton.
Pterophorus, Geoff... — Punctidactylus : occasional; Duddingston, Roslin.

The following additional species have been added during the past season,
(1852,) arranged for convenience in the order of their discovery: —

1. — Phkoodes immundana, F. & R. — Musselburgh, among alders, in April.
2 — Lithocolletis Messaniella, Z. — Bred from evergreen oak, (Quercus Ilex,)
at Balgreen, in May.

3. — Tinea bistrigella, Haio. — Ravelrig Bog, among birches, in May, Dr.
Lowe.

4. — ^N'epticula argyropeza, Z. — Eo. Loc.

5. — Gelechia proximella, Huh. — Eo. Loc.

6._Gloea rubricosa, W. V. — Pentland Hills, May 3rd.,

7. — OEchmia Haworthella, Steph. — Eo. Loc, Peat bog.

8. — Phytometra senea, W. V. — ^Eo. Loc, May 24:th.

9. — Maesia favillacearia. Hub. — Eo. Loc, May 24th.

10. — Elachista • ? — Arthur's Seat, rushy hollow top of north-east

hill, June.
11. — Gelechia politella, Douq. — Eo. Loc, top of north-east hill in abundance.
12. — Crambus Dumetellus, Huh. — Musselburgh Links, July 13th.
13. — Crambus Contaminellus, Hub. — Eo. Loc.
14. — Crambus Lithargyrellus. — Eo. Loc.
15. — Miana furuncula, W. V. — Eo. Loc.

16. — Caradrina Morpheus, Hufu. — Leven Quarry, near Musselburgh.
17. — Lozopera, Smeathmanniana, Fah. — Eo, Loc.

LIBELLULINwE IN SUSSEX. 71

18. — Actebia Praecox, Linn. — Duddingston, August.

19. — Agrotis valligera^ W. V. — Musselburgh Links, along with Tritici,
Cursoria, and Funiosa, August.

20. — Gelechia Anthyllidella, Hub. — Eo. Loc.

21. — Gelechia marmorea, Haw. — Eo. Loc, a single specimen.

22.— Gelechia ■ ■ ?— Eo. Loc.

23.— Gelechia ?— Eo. Loc.

24. — Xanthia flavagO, Fah. — Ravelrig Bog, among birches, Mr. Alexander
Logan, August,

25. — Tinea ferruginella. Hub. — Leith, Mr. Campbell.

In the previously-published list there are a few errors, which it will be as
well to correct here. Page 127, Hadena splendens should be H. Pisi, var.
splendens, S^.j page 142, dele Eupideria carbonaria altogether; page 144, for
Leptogmmma Uttorana read L. Uterana; page 144, for Peronea asperana read
P. aspersana; page 146, Eupcecilia ambiguana? should be E. atricapitana, St.,
Brit. Mus. Cat. J and page 146, Eudorea Uneola should be E. murana, Curt.

Duddingston, Edinburgh, February 21sf., 1853.

LIBELLULINyE OBSERVED IN SUSSEX, CHIEFLY IN THE
NEIGHBOURHOOD OF LEWES.

BY W. C. UNWIN, ESQ.

It has been remarked by some that mere local lists are comparatively
useless, but an enthusiastic admirer of nature and poetic writer, who has
gazed upon nature not only with eyes of love but of philosophy, remarks
^^that every one who assists to turn the attention of our youth to subjects
which must lead them into the country, be he the merest plodder, the merest
arranger of other men's knowledge, the merest cataloguer of names, does a
good service." With this apology I may be pardoned for trespassing on the
pages of "The Naturalist" with another of my ^^local lists," representing a
tribe of beautiful insects, of which rarely a notice creeps into any of the
journals devoted to Natural History — the active and elegant family of
Libellulince .

The species subjoined in the following list have either been observed or
captured by myself in Sussex, principally in the immediate neighbourhood of
Lewes; and, although I am far from supposing it is a complete list, it is a
faithful and correct record of the results of many pleasant and happy hours
spent with nature in her solitudes, and the contemplation of her varied
beauties. It may be the few brief observations here noted will not be without
their use or interest to some youthful entomologist, as an introduction to
his studying this small portion of nature's gems among the productions of
his district. Although the larvae of these insects inhabit the water, (the
economy of which is highly interesting and truly wonderful,) yet in the imago

72 LIBELLULIX.E IN SUSSKX.

state they do not at all times aflfect the sides of rivers^ ponds, and marshy
places, but are to be met with in woods, lanes, and on the barren heath
and bleak down.

Agrion elegans, Van. Lin. — Very frequent near Lewes.

Agrion Puella, Lin. — Of frequent occurrence near the Stream Winterbourne
and elsewhere round Lewes* it is somewhat variable in colour.

Agrion furcatum, Charp. — I have taken this pretty species in the Lewes
levels very commonly.

Agrion rufescens, LeacJi. — Kingston and Landport, near Lewes: not un-
common.

Pyrrhosoma minium, Gharp. — Abundant round the neighbourhood of Lewes,
varying much in the brightness of colour.

Platycneinis platypoda, $ Van. Lin. — I captured one specimen on the
Downs near the town in July, 1849.

Calepteryx virgo, r^ ^ Lin. — Very common on the banks of the ^'Cut"
and the Eiver Ouse towards Barcombe Mill.

Calepteryx Ludoviciana, Leach. — Equally abundant as the preceding species,
frequenting the same localities.

Calepteryx haemorrhoidalis. — I possess specimens which I captured near
Horsham in 1849, and for some time I considered them only varieties of G.
Ludoviciana, until a friend pointed out to me their distinction.

Calepteryx anceps, Stephens. — This species I also took near Horsham in
1849. No doubt a common insect, but easily overlooked from its close
resemblance to the female of G. hcBmorrhoidalis; however, upon comparison,
it is readily distinguished by the wings being of closer texture, and the
neuration different.

Anax formosa. Van. Lin. — In the neighbourhood of Uckfield I once
captured this fine and elegant species.

^shna grandis, Lin. — This fine species is not uncommon in the neighbourhood.
I have taken both sexes; the female may be known by the wings being of
a deeper yellow,

jEshna maculatissima, Latreille. — I have never met with this beautiful
insect but at Uckfield and Newick, frequenting the margins of woods. It is
one of the large species so difficult of capture from its strong and rapid
flight. It will occasionally alight, but, being an extremely nervous and shy
insect, will not suffer you to approach it in this position.

Brachytron vernalis. Van. Lin. — Of very frequent occurrence, and may be
easily taken on a dull day in early summer in lanes, resting on the leaves
of bushes: a very handsome species, pretty constant in its colour and markings.

Gomphus vulgatissimus, Lin. — Rare: I captured one specimen on the Sussex
Downs in 1846, and another at rest on a hawthorn in Love lane, in Lewes,
in 1851; these are the only examples I have seen,

Cordulia aenea, $ Lin. — I possess a specimen which was captured near
Horsham in June, 1846,

MARINE ANIMALS.

73

Libellula depressa, 9 -^ -^^- — ^oth sexes are very plentiful on the Downs,
frequently resting on the furze-bushes or hawking for prey over the pheep-
ponds. I have often found the larva in these ponds. It is a strong, powerful,
and pugnacious insect, and extremely tenacious of life.

Libellula conspurcata, i^aft.— One specimen only, taken on the Downs; I
supposed it at the time to have been a variety of L. depressa, but upon
close examination it proved to be this species,

Libellula 4-raaculata, Lin. — Rare: but few examples have come under my
notice, and those at distant periods; all have been observed on the Downs.
I have been informed by a friend that it is rather abundant in the New
Forest. It appears in July.

Diplax rufostigma. — I have taken this distinct species at Kingston, near
Lewes, in September, 1849, and again in 1851.

Diplax vulgata, Lin. — Very common in the neighbourhood of Lewes,
appearing in July and August; it is a very variable insect in size and colouring.

The above list contains rather above half the known British species, and
doubtless more will be added to the catalogue as the district is more diligently
searched and their haunts visited.

St. Ann's, Lewes, February Ibth., 1853.

MARINE ANIMALS.

MOLLUSCA.— Part I.

BY O. S. ROUND, ESQ.

( Contimted from page Zi.J

This name was given by Baron Cuvier to a race of marine beings, of which
the Barnacles, {Cirrlmpoda ,) and the Cuttle-fish, (Cephalopoda,) are familiar
examples. To those animals the Conchifera have been added by modern
professors, and this class is represented by the Oysters, Scallops, Cockles,
and Mussels. The Barnacles are too well known to need a particular
description; they are all marine, and are found in clusters adhering to the
bottoms and sides of vessels; — of this the Pentalasmis vitrea is a common
example; and it may be mentioned in pasdng as a singular fact that the
shell is composed of five pieces, in common with the Echinodermata, or
Sea-eggs in popular parlance. The Mollusks are, perhaps, more familiar
to us even than the Sea- nettles, although they speak to our taste in a
dijfferent manner, and in a somewhat less elegant degree; for, although
the sense of tasting may be a real satisfaction to us, and that of seeing
merely productive of imaginative images, who can doubt which is superior?

VOL, III. L

74 MARINE ANIMALS.

Again, Oysters, Mussels, and Cockles immediately associate with them the
idea of London suppers and street stalls, while the Gasteropoda, or Snails^
leave their shiny traces on the walls of damp cellars, and the Cephalopoda j
or Cuttle-fishes, number amongst their species some of the most formidable
and unsightly monsters which inhabit the unknown depths of the ocean.
The name Girrhopoda is derived from the occurrence of certain flexible
armsj the Latin word cirrus signifying a tuft of curled hair, which these
animals are suppose^l to resemble; the termination poda being common to
all those who have the power of attaching themselves or obtaining a footing
on any other substance, as distinguished from those which float on the bosom
of the waters. To the whole of this class of beings the name has been
given of Heterogangliata, or as possessing a different nervous system to other
classes. On opening the shells by which most of the MoUusks are protected,
they are found lined with two delicate membranes, which have been termed the
mantle, and which is nicely fitted to the interior of the shell. The B ranch iopoda
are furnished with arms, as the name implies, and these, in some of the
species, are enormously developed, and lie concealed within the recesses of
the shell, by the most at once simple and beautiful mechanism; and in some
of these, which are bivalve, or composed of two shells, are observed separate
and rudimentary ganglia. Another division of the HeterogangUata is known as
the Tunicata, or those which appear enveloped in their mantle, without any
external shell. These animals occur on most sea-coasts, and, being incapable
of motion, and in fact perfectly helpless, are attached either singly or in
bunches to Sea-coral or any other substance. Within, the animal is furnished
with a contractile power which, when handled, presses with great force on
the internal parts, and ejects water in a small stream; these go by the
name of Ascidians.

We next come to the Conchifera or Oyster tribe, which are bivalves, or
enclosed in two shells; and little do we think, when we swallow them so
glibly, what a beautiful mechanism we devour, and how recently that mechanism
has performed in perfection its living functions. Turning from these well-known
animals, we encounter another family no less so, namely, the Snails, {Helix,)
which exhibits a much higher organization, and whose re-productive powers
more nearly approach those of perfect animals, which depend upon each other.
Here we also find the respiratory organs in a much higher state of development,
and muscular fibre is likewise present. The Pteropoda come next, and, as
somewhat a link, I imagine, between inferior fishes and the Molluscous animals,
are furnished with fins, by which they readily transport themselves from one
locality to another. The Clio horealis is an example of this race, and more
singularly-formed creatures can hardly be imagined; this may be illustrated
by the fact, that no less than three hundred and sixty thousand minute
suckers were counted upon the head of one of them by the aid of the
microscope.

The last species which we have now to refer to is the Cuttle-fish, of which

NOTES ON THB MARINE BOTANY OF THE COAST OP NORFOLK. 75

tKe common Poulpe, {Octopus vulgaris,) and the Argonaut, whose beautiful
shell is so often seen as the ornament of the marble chiffonier or lady's
boudoir, are the best known. These are supplied with eyes, and tentacula
or feet which are furnished with powerful suckers. The sepia of artists is
a product of these creatures, and the white, hard, spongy substance which is
also so familiar in the same branch of the arts. The Nautilus differs in
having a shell and being a harmless creature, but all the Cephalopoda, or
those furnished with head and feet, are of so much higher an order of
organization, and will require so much more elaboration to describe, that I
must defer them to my next paper.

(To be continued.)

NOTES ON THE MARINE BOTANY OF THE
COAST OF NORFOLK.

BY C. H. DASHWOOD, ESQ.
{Concluded from page 14.)

In my last paper I noticed the various species of the class Melanospermece
found on this coast, and shall now proceed to make a few notes on the
Ehodospermew, the second, and by far the most extensive, class of Algae.
The Rhodosperms are all of some tint of red or purple, though these colours
are by no means permanent, generally turning black or fading very much in
the process of drying; the growing plants also in many instances lose their
colours when exposed to much light, and those species which grow habitually
in shallow pools, almost always assume either the brown tints of the Fuci or
the green and yellow of the Confervce. and Ulvce. Amongst the more common
species of the first order, Rhodomelacece, found on this coast, may be mentioned
Rytiphltea thuyoides and fructiculosa, both of which are abundant on most
parts of the coast. R. pinastroides is rather a rare species. Of the extensive
genus Poli/siphonia the following are common: — P. urceolata, formosa, pulvinata,
violacea, elonffata, fibrillosa, Brodioei, nigrescens, and hyssoides. P. fihrata and
elongella seem rather local; the former occurs in tolerable abundance at
Cromer, and the latter at Weyburn. P. fastigiata and atro-rnbescens are in
some seasons plentiful on many parts of the coast. P. parasitica is rather
rare. Bostrichia scorpioides occurs not unfrequently in the salt-water ditches
near Blakeney and Morston. The only species of Dasya that occurs on this
coast is D. coccima, which is found not unfrequently on the rocks at Cromer
in the summer months. All the foregoing species belong to the first order,
Rhodomelacece.

Bonnemaisonia asparagoides is found on the beach at Yarmouth, where it
was first discovered by Mr. Wigg; it also occurs at Cromer and other places,
though seldom in abundance. Laarencia pinna.iifida and L. caspitosa are common

76 NOTES OK THE MARINE BOTANY OP THE COAST OF NORFOLK,

everywhere in the summer; the former is known in Scotland by the name
of Pepper-Dulse, from its hot biting taste. L. ohtusa seems rather rare, or
at least local; it is sometimes found plentifully betAveen Cromer and Siderstrand.
Id. dasijplixjlla was first found on the Yarmouth beach by Mr. Wigg, and
occurs not unfrequently along the coast from that place to Cromer. Ghrysi-
menia claveMosa is found near Brancaster; I believe this Sea- weed was also
first discovered on this coast by Mr. D. Turner. Ghylocladia Icalifonnis is
another species which was first added to the British list from specimens found
on this coast by Mr. Woodward; it occurs at Yarmouth and Cromer, but
not frequently. C. articulata is rare on this coast. C. parvula is found in
plenty between the tide-marks at Cromer and elsewhere. Corallina officinalis,
Jania ruhens, and Hildenhrandtia rubra are the most common of the Corallines.
Melohesia poli^morpha, with M. memhranacea and lichenoides, are not unfrcquent
on many parts of the coast, growing on other Algae. The beautiful Delesseria
sanguinea is common on the beach at Yarmouth. D. sinuosa, alata, angus-
tissima and Hypoglossum are found in tolerable plenty on many parts of the
coast. D. ruscifolia is rare. Nitophyllum pundatum is found in the summer
months growing on other Alga3 at Cromer and elsewhere. N. laceratum is
often found with the last. Plocainium coccineum is very common on every
part of the coast. Rhodymenia bifida occurs frequently at Yarmouth and
Cromer. JR. laciniata and jubata are often found at Yarmouth about May
and June. R. ciliata occurs in many places in plenty. R. palmata is very
common all round the coast. Sphoerococcus coronopifoliiis must be considered
a rare species; it occasionally occurs near Yarmouth. Qracilaria confervoides
is by no means an uncommon species at Cromer and elsewhere. Hypnea
purpurascens and Oelidium corneum are very common on most parts of the
coast. Oelidium crinale appears rather a rare species. Giyartina mamillosa,
JBhyllophora memhranifolia, P. rubens, Gymnogongrus plicatus,^^ Poly ides
rotundus, Furcellaria fadigiata, Peyssonela Duhyi, and Damontia filiformis
occur frequently on many parts of the coast. Halymenia ligulata is occasionally
found at Yarmouth and Cromer in the summer months. Oinnania far cell ata
was first discovered by Mr. Dawson Turner at Yarmouth, where it is found
not unfrequently. Kalymenia reniformis is rarely found on this coast.
Iridoea edulis, Gatenella opuntia, and ^Gruoria pellita occur not uncommonly
at Cromer. Naccaria Wigghii is a very rare species; it occasionally occurs
on the beach at Yarmouth in the summer months, where it was first found
many years since by Mr. Wigg. Nemaleon multifidum and Dudresnaia
Hudsoni are by no means uncommon.

Chondrus crispus is very abundant on all parts of the coast; equally
common is Geramium rubrum, though this species being annual is found only
in the summer and autumn months, whilst the former being a perennial
occurs in the same abundance all the year round. The other species of
Geramium which are found on this coast are G. nodosum, echionotum, ciliatum,
and acanthonotum ; these occur frequently in many places in the summer

NOTES ON THE MARINE BOTANY OF THE COAST OF NORFOLK. 77

and autumn. Griffithsia equisetifolia and G. setacea often occur on the beach
near Yarmouth. G. simplicifilum and corallina are also found on this coast,
but far more rarely. Many species of the genus Callithamnion are abundant;
these are C. Turneri, tetrngonum, hracliiatum, poli/Hpermum, corymbosum, and
pedicellatum. G. roseum was first discovered by Mr. Sowerby, growing on
Fucus vesiculosus at the mouth of the River Yare, near Yarmouth, in August,
1797, where it occurs not unfrequently in the summer months. G. Borreri
is a rare species on this coast; it was first found on the Yarmouth beach
by Mr. Borrer, in October, 1806. G. tlmyoideum is another species first
found by Mr. Borrer on this coast: it is rare. G. byssoidewn is found at
Cromer, but is by no means common.

We now come to the third class of Algae, the Ghlorospet-meeB. The plants
of this class may be at once distinguished from all other Algae by their
bright grass-green colour. By f:ir the greater number are found in fresh-
water streams, ponds, and ditches; but, in conformity to the heading of this
paper, I shall only notice the marine species. Of the first order, Sijilionacece,
I am aware of only two species being found on this coast, namely, Godium
tomentoswm and Bryopsis plumosa. I have never yet found Vaucheria marina
on this coast, though I should fully expect its occurrence, as the plant it
most frequently grows on, Furcellaria fastigiata, is very abundant. Amongst
the Gonfervace(B, the most common species are Gladophora rupestris, IcBtevirens,
arcta, glaucesens, SLndfrada. G. pellucida occurs not uncommonly at Yarmouth,
though, I believe, is not found further north. G.Jiexuosa was first discovered
in the salt-water ditches near Yarmouth by Mr. D. Turner, where it is found
not uncommonly; it also occurs in the salt-water ditches near Cley. G. albida
and lanosa are not uncommon at Cromer. G. fiavescens is found not unfre-
quently in the salt-water marshes near Yarmouth. Ehizocloniimi ripariwm and
Gonferva Linum are also found in the same situation. Gonferva tortuosa and
C. dfrea often occur on the coast, mostly at Cromer. G. melagonium seems
a rare species on this coast. G. collabens: only one specimen of this beautiful
Sea-weed has ever been found; it was found at Yarmouth, floating on a piece
of deal, by Sir W. J. Hooker, and is, I believe, now preserved in that
gentleman's herbarium; it is a much stouter plant than G. cerea, and of a
beautiful green colour, which is well retained in the dried plant. G. Youngana
has been found on the piers of Yarmouth jetty, but is rare. Enteroviorpha
intestinalis and compressa are found everywhere in abundance in the spring
and summer months. E. erecta, clathrata, and ramulosa are also frequent on
many parts of the coast. The remaining species which I have to notice
are Ulva latmima, JJ. Lactuca, U. Lima, Porphyra laciniata, P. vulgaris,
Bangia fasco-purpurea, Galothrix confervicola, G. scopulorum, and Lynghya
flacca, all of which occur frequently on most parts of the coast; and with
these species my notes conclude.

The foregoing list contains, I believe, all the species of Algae that are,
or have been, found on this coast; and I trust it will not be without its

78 THE WHITEBAIT IK DEVONSHIRE.

use to those readers of "The Naturalist" interested in this subject who may-
be visiting the coast of Norfolk. I had intended to make some remarks in
this paper on the utility of local fauna, but Mr. Gray's opinions on this
subject, in his late paper on the "Lepidoptera of the West of Scotland/' so
entirely coincide with mine, that any further observations would be superfluous.

Thornaye, Norfolk, February \2th., 1853.

THE WHITEBAIT IN DEVONSHIRE.

The Whitebait, (Clupea alba,) is far more widely known, at least by
name, than many other fishes of larger growth and of much more important
pretensions. The conspicuous part which it yearly plays in the ministerial
dinner at Greenwich, has given to it a kind of political association, and
thus has sufficiently familiarized it to every newspaper reader, whether naturalist
or not. But, however widely it may be known by name, there are perhaps
few of our British fishes in reality less popularly known, and certainly none
to which so circumscribed a locale has till recently been assigned; indeed,
it is not long since this little fish was ^^promoted" to the rank of species,
it having previously been regarded simply as either the Herring or the Shad
in an early stage of its growth. The honour of discovering its true nature
is due to Mr. Yarrell. A belief, in the non-naturalist world, that Clupea
alba is peculiar to the Thames, very generally prevails, although naturalists
have for some years been aware of its existence in the Southampton Water,
and more recently, it is said, in a few of the rivers of the southern and
eastern counties; I believe, however, that its existence so far west as Devonshire
is now announced for the first time; for, although it has not escaped the
notice of observers residing in the neighbourhood of the stream which I am
about to mention as its habitat, as, indeed, it could hardly do, yet the
opinion of its being anything more than a Brii, as it is locally designated,
appears never to have been seriously entertained before a relation of mine,
Mr. Abel Pulman, of Totnes, suspected, and last year completely satisfied
himself of the fact, that it was not the Brit, but the veritable Clupea alba.

It is the River Dart, that Queen of the western rivers, which now steps
in to share with Father Thames the ^'honour" of producing this interesting
species. The part of the river in which it is found, and it swarms there
in incredible numbers, is that which extends from Totnes weir to the mouth
of the river at Dartmouth — a distance of about a dozen miles — being the part
of the river within the influence of the tide. During the hot months the fish,
in particular parts of this interval, line the sides of the river in shoals,
and ofiten attract the most indiflferent observer by the singularity of their
movements; ever and anon the water seems alive with their gambols, or as
if hail-stones were falling thickly upon its surface. The fish are then evidently
engaged in feeding upon the myriad Shrimps which occupy the places alluded

THE WHITEBAIT IN DEVONSHIRK. 79

to, for the little victims spring continually above the surface in futile attempts
to escape from their active and insatiable enemies. The whole of the specimens
examined by Mr. Pulman contained numbers of these little Crustacea, more
or less digested, so that the nature of the Whitebait's prey is placed beyond
a doubt. The little fish itself is known, on similar evidence, to become the
prey of the Bass and other larger species which inhabit this romantic stream.**
Bushels upon bushels of the Whitebait are hauled ashore, during the fishing-
season, in the Salmon-nets, and are left, with wasteful indifierence, to rot
upon the banks. A gentleman last summer ventured upon the experiment of
cooking a few, by way of sample, and he pronounces them to be in every
way identical — equally delicious as a piscatory morceau — with the far-famed
Greenwich luxury.

Whether the fish remain in the river during the whole year, or otherwise,
has not been ascertained; but they have been observed in March and ia
every succeeding month till the end of November, and the fishermen do not
remember their absence from the Salmon-nets at whatever season those nets
might have been used — a fact which, if it does not settle the question of
time, (and of course I do not advance it with that intention,) at least
speaks plainly as to the sort of mesh employed on the Dart in the capture
of Salmon, and thus adds another instance to those which are constantly
occurring of the short-sighted folly which, by using nets sufficiently slnall
to capture the Salmon fry along with the parent fish, is everywhere dooming
to positive extinction the princely race of Sahno.

The specimens of Whitebait from the Dart which have fallen under my
notice appear to answer, in every particular, to the description of Clupea alba
by Yarrell and other writers. Specimens have also been submitted to the
editor of this magazine, and he has unequivocally set the seal of corroboration
to the opinions on the subject which had previously been entertained, in all
humility, by my relation and myself.

G. P. R. Pulman, CrewJcerne.

If there was any doubt before as to the Clupea alba being in the Dart,
there can be none now, for I have carefully dissected two of my specimens,
and the vertebrae decide it. The only other of Clupea genus which has a
serrated abdominal line is Clupea Sprattus, according to Yarrell, which has
only forty-eight vertebrae, whilst of the two specimens I examined I counted
in one fifty-four and in the other fifty-five. Yarrell says fifty-six; but, from
the length of time mine have been kept, I may have mistaken one or two,
and without the aid of a good microscope.

S. Hannaford, Jun., Totnes.

* The number of species of fish produced in the Dai't is very considerable; even the Sturgeon
has been captured in its waters.

80

ALEXANDER WILSOFS GRAVE.

From the veneration which I have long entertained for the memory of
my countryman, Alexander Wilson, the American ornithologist, and whose
fame, I trust, will prove more imperishable than the white marble monument
under which he lies interred, in the cemetery of the Swedish Church in the
city of Philadelphia, in the United States of America, I was induced to visit
his grave, and to attempt a sketch of it, which I have much pleasure in
forwarding to you, in the expectation that you may consider it worthy of a
place in "The Naturalist," as I am not aware that any illustration of it,
nor yet a correct copy of the inscription recorded thereon, has ever appeared
in this country.

Gkorge Donaldson, Glasgow, January 5th., 1853.

This Monument

covers the remains of

ALEXANDER WILSON,

author of the

American Ornithologt.

He was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland,

ON THE 6th. July, 1766,

EMIGILITED TO THE UNITED StATES

IN THE YEAR 1794,

AND DIED IN PHILADELPHIA,

OF THE DYSENTERY,

ON THE 23rd. OF AuGUST, 1813,

AGED 47.

"INGENIO STAT SINE MORTE DECUS."

81

3Jli5rtilnncnit3 lintitrs.

Anecdote of a Horse.— For a few years back, and until last year, there was a Horse ran in the
Coach between Dumfries and Mofl'at— a very old animal it was— I believe close on thirty years of
age ; and well known to every one who had occasion to travel by this conveyance. His coat was
pure white, and his whole appearance indicated old age; and his evident willingness to do his
best, msured respect, for "beasts as well as bodies" whatever their position in life may be, when
doing their duty, are entitled to and generally command respect. On looking at this poor old
Horse our Poet Bums' s lines were forced on our memory; and, although we had not seen what
the latter lines of the verse expresses, still I know some one must.

Tho' now thou 's dowie, stiff, and crazy,
And thy auld hide 's as white 's a daisy,
I've seen thee dappl'd, sleak, and glaizie,

A bonny gray:
He should been tight that daur't to raize thee,

Ance in a day.

But to my story: — This same old Horse -was gifted in a marvellous degree with the use of his
olfactory nerves, as applied to one species of animal at least, the Ecd Deer. He had occasion
to pass Raehills, the seat of J. J. Hope Johnstone, of Annandale, every day, a place much fre-
quented by the Red Deer ; and if any of these animals w ere within iifty yards or more of him, he
was not slow to tell you ; down wont his ears, as you will observe Horses do when they bite (or try
to do so) and away he went at the gallop, if allowed ; whether he was pleased or pained I could
not well say. Eyesight hud nothing to do with the matter, because a wall higher than he could
possibly see over was between him and them; and it was only by being on the top and outside
of the Coach that we could see the Deer on the other side of the wall. When there were no
Deer he passed along in his usual way : many a time has he drawn our attention to look out, and
we never yet saw his ears go down but we saw Deer in the neighbourhood. — W. G. Johnstone,
Grecnbrae Cottage, Dumfries, January 14th., 1853.

The Hedgehog, (Erinaceus Europoeus.) — My son having read, in the February number of
"The Naturalist" (see vol. iii. page 35.) Mr. Ferris's observations on the habits of a Hedgehog,
kept in a garden at Bristol, asks me to give you my own similar observations, which he has
heard me relate, regarding a Hedgehog which I kept, more than twenty years ago, in Ogleforth,
in this city. It was often brought into the kitchen at night, for the purpose of destroying the
house- beetles, which it did most effectually; and, though at first it was alarmed when touched,
and rolled itself into the figure of a ball, it soon became so bold as to extend its head and
legs, when carried, and showed some impatience to be set upon the kitchen floor; and, when
placed there ran off instantly in full chase, nearly at the speed of a rat. This at first much
surprised me, having little expectation that the animal was capable of such speed. When the
beetles became extinct, which happened soon, as the Hedgehog had an insatiable appetite for
them, I fed him in the garden with bread and milk, and he got besides such worms and
insects as he could find. After some time, I was much surprised to find a circle, of from three
to four yards in diameter, on the grass-plot, formed by a path of the Hedgehog. The circle
was very perfectly defined. The grass soon quite disappeared under the footprints and dung
of the animal, so that the ring formed a striking contrast to the bright green around and within
it. I at once began to watch the movements of my pet, and was soon gratified by observing
him come from his dormitory, in the root of a thick lilac bush, and take his long journey
on the ring. He travelled at as quick a pace as when in pursuit of the beetles in the kitchen.
These excursions were continued daily, and for long periods, but I was unable to discover why
they were made. Had this long-used and well-dunged track been made on a poor turf, I was
satisfied that the herbage upon it when permitted to grow, must, for a length of time after-
wards, have been more luxuriant, and of a darker hue, than the surrounding grass, and I
thought it probable that some of the "fairy rings" which are seen in the fields, might owe
their origin to the Hedgehog.— W. Whytehead, Clifton, York, February Uth., 1853.

Perhaps the Fungi which grow on fairy rings, are propagated by the Hedgehog's dung. —
B. R. M.

Longevity of the Domestic Cat. — A Idttcn was brought to J. Gordon, Esq., of Saxlingham,
VOL. Ill, M

82 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

near Norwich, at the beginning of January, 1821, and lived upon his premises till March 30th.,
184.5, when it died from old age; thus having lived to the great age of more than twenty-
four years. The circumstance was mentioned to the late Bishop of Norwich, (Bishop Stanley,)
who remarked that it was the gi-eatest age of the Cat, well-authenticated, he had heard of. —
W. Baulow, Bintree, Norfolk, January, 1853.

Peregrine Falcon, (Falco peregrinus.) — A male was shot at Bawdeswell, Norfolk, in February
1850. A female was shot at Bintree in the same spring. Another was shot in the spring of
1852, at Bintree: sex not ascertained. The two last are now in the collection of F. Barlow, Esq.,
Cambridge . — Idem .

Pugnacity of the Golden-crested Wren, (Regulus cristatus.) — In the garden of the same
gentleman, in 1849, two Golden-crested Wrens were engaged in direful contest; a female sitting
on a tree near them. They fell to the ground fighting, heedless of the gardener standing close
to them, who placed his hands over them, and took them into custody, earned them into the
house, and imprisoned them under a wire meat cover. One soon died, when the other perched upon
him, pecked him, and endeavoured to draw him round his prison. Shortly after, the conqueror
shewed signs of exhaustion, was taken out and placed near an open window, but died also.
The female selected a mate, and built her nest over the spot where the battle was fought. —
Idem.

Longevity of the Peewit, (Vanellus cristatus,) in confinement. — In the summer of 1851, a
Peewit was killed by a cat. This bird had been fourteen years in captivity in a walled-in
garden at Yarrow, the seat of Lady James Townsend, in the Parish of Bintree, Norfolk. I knew
the bird since March 1838. — Idem.

Curious situation for the nest of tJie Souse Martin, (Hirundo Urbica.) — In 1840, a Martin
selected as the site for its nest the iron holdfast which supported the rain-trough of my house.
i was curious to know how it would protect its young from the rain and cold. The building
proceeded, and was eventually covered in with the same material with which the lower part of
the nest was built, a hole being left on one side for the entrance. — Idem.

Late appearance of the Cuckoo, (Cuculus canorus.) — I beg to inform you that one of these
birds was shot whilst crossing a field, in which shooting matches are held, on the evening of 23rd.
September. — F. D. Soames, 80, Old Broad Street, London, September 24th., 1852.

A List of Summer Birds, arranged in the Order op their Disappearance. By T. Turner.

Swift, (Cypselus apus,) August 23x-d.

Willow Wren, (Phyllopneuste trochilus,) Sep-
tember 1st.

Whitethroat, (Curruca cinerea,) Sept. 23rd.

Whinchat, (Saxicola rubetra,) Sept. 24th.

Marsh Seedling, (Calamoherpe arundinacea,)
September 26th.

Sedge Reedling, (Calamoherpe phragmitis,)
September 28th.
Friars, Leicester, November I2ih., 1852.

The Bay-necked Goosander, (Mergus Serrator.)— November 7th. — Visiting my friend, John
Collins, he showed me a fine female specimen, just stuffed, of the Bay-necked Goosander, shot
November 1st., near Belvere Castle, Leicestershire. — Idem.

Lateness of the Chimney Swallow, (Hirundo rustica.) — This morning, November 7th., taking
a walk at the west end of this town, although the weather was very rough, I was much sur-
prised to see two Swallows sporting about as though it was summer. — Idem.

The Souse Pigeon. — Happening to observe the inquiry of John Dixon, ("The Naturalist,"
vol. ii, page 278,) with respect to the number of eggs laid at a nesting by the House Pigeon, 1
am incUned to say a few words in reply to it. My brother and I kept Pigeons, varying in number
from eight to nearly forty, for some years ; and, during the whole time, we met with but one
nstance of a bird layhig three eggs at a nesting. It was her first nest, and the eggs were

Lesser Whitethroat, (Curruca sylviella,) Sep. 29.
Chiff Chaff, (Phyllopneuste hippolais,) Oct. 3rd.
Wheatear, (Saxicola oenantlic,) October 3rd.
Blackcap, (Curruca atricapilla,) October 5th.
Yellow Wagtail, (Budytes Eayi,) October 3rd.
Corn Crake, (Crex pratonsis,) October 14th.
Window Swallow, (Hirundo urbica,) Oct. 16th.
Chimney Swallow, (Hirundo rustica,) Oct. 19th.
Bank SwaUow, (Hirundo riparia,) Oct. 23rd.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 83

all unfruitful, although she had paired several weeks before. On the other hand, we had, I
believe, two instances of a bird laying but one egg at a nesting. From this it would appear
that two is the usual number, and that it very seldom varies either way. This, however, does
not seem to be the case every wliere ; for I well remember going with my brother to buy some
young Pigeons of an old man who lived a little way off, and finding that the case with his
birds was very different. My brother, who went up to the Dove-cot for the young ones,
remarked to me, as we were returning home, that many of the nests he looked into contained
three eggs. Now it is worthy of remark that our Pigeon-house was a spacious garret^ and
his a mere Bove-cot nailed against the house side; and, while ours looked to the north-east,
his, if I remember rightly, faced the south-west; but whether either of these circumstances
had anything to do with the matter, or whether it was owing to some peculiarity in the food
of the birds, I am not able to say ; I can only vouch for the fact. — Henry Ferris, Kingsdown,
Bristol, December 27th., 1852.

Curious capture of Partridges, (Perdix cinerea.) — At the last Newmarket Houghton meeting,
on Friday, the 29th. of October, and during the racing, a covey of seven Partridges flew across
the Heath to the poles near the betting-stand. When they found they could not alight in
consequence of the number of carriages and spectators, they continued their course, and alighted
within two hundred yards of the stand, and on the bare course. One of the birds, separating
from the rest, wheeled back over the heads of the mob, and by one of them was ultimately
caught. Encouraged by this strange capture, many ran to the spot where the remainder had
been marked, and after a series of running chases, the whole number were secured. Only
one bird attempted a flight, but, alarmed at its pursuers, it dropped after rising about two
yards, and in this manner the whole covey were secured. — JoH>f Williamson, Jun., Emmanuel
College, Cambridge, December 9th., 1852.

The Snow Bunting, (Plectrophanes nivalis.) — I shot a bird this morning in Tottenham
marshes, that is seldom found so far south: it was the Snow Bunting, a male bird in its
winter plumage. Although I have never met with a specimen before, I knew it directly from
the illustration in "Morris's British Birds," which is most accurate. — S. H. Carter, Tottenham,
November 16th., 1852.

The Mountain Finch at Looe. — We have been visited during the last week by great numbers
of Mountain Finches, {Fringilla montifringilla.) They are to be found daily in company with
Chaffinches, in the grounds attached to Polvellan, where there is a large number of beech
trees, and on the nuts of which I find them feeding. I have shot five, all of which turn out
to be males. Do the sexes separate during winter, as the F. ccelebsf I have resided in this
place upwards of twelve years, but have never observed a specimen during that time until
this week. I think I am safe in saying I have seen as many as a score together. — Stephen
Clogg, Looe, December 4th., 1852.

The Mountain Finch, (Fringilla montifringilla.) — A fine male specimen of the Mountain
Finch was shot in a garden in Macduff, near Banff, on the 1st. of November, 1852, — W.
Macduff, Banff, November 23rd., 1852.

Blue Tit, (Parus cisruleus.) — In reply to Mr. Mc'Intosh's inquiry at page 267, vol. ii., I
beg to state that I spoke to Mr. Calleuder's family concerning the statements made by the
newspapers about the Blue-caps breeding in the stone bottle. These statements they say are
quite correct. The birds have, with the one exception mentioned by Mr. Mc'Intosh, bred in
the bottle every year since 1799. There is a pair of Blue-caps which breed in Mr. Eobson's
ticket box, at the northern junction on the Clarence line of railway, near Stockton. They
had twelve young ones this last year. — W. Martin, Stockton-on-Tees, December 7th., 1852.

Mr. Martin kindly sent us with the above an interesting account of the whole occurrence,
from the "Gateshead Observer," which we regret our space will not allow us to reprint. —
B. E. M.

t Tlie Surf Scoter, (Oidemia perspicillata.) — Oliver Colt, Esq., of Kownhams, Hants., whilst
shooting on the Frith of Forth, had the good fortune to bag, with various other wild fowl, a
fine adult male specimen of the Surf Scoter, this last spring. It was shot in Musselburgh Bay.
(Illustrated London News.) — W, Martin, Stockton-on-Tees, December 7th., 1852,

'84 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

On the '24th. of last month, (February,) a Little Auk, (Ilergulus allc,) was brought to me,
having been found in a farm-yard in this parish, ten miles from the sea "as the Crow flies."
Tiio man who first saw it went into the house to fetch a gun, and in the intei-val the bird
went into the stable. It was during the severe storm from the north-east which has caused
such disastrous losses at sea, and has left all our part of the country covered with snow for
nearly a month. The occurrence was' suflBciently uncommon in itself, but I mention it the
more especially, because, having at the time no opportunity of convej'ing the poor little bird
back to its native element, which I wished to do, as it was entirely uninjured, and it being
impossible to feed it properly, and being glad of it also as a specimen of a rather rare species,
it occuiTed to me, not liking to kill it in cold blood, to try the effect of chloroform, so effective,
as described in the "Aphorismata," in my "Natural History of British Butterflies," in the
case of insects. The attempt was perfectly successful: I dropped a few di-ops of the soporific
drug on a bit of cotton wool, wrapped it about the bill of the bird, and in a few seconds it
was lulled without pain into the sleep from which it never awoke. I left the wool on for a
considerable time, to ensure its not coming to consciousness again, and this object also was
completely gained. In any similar case, I hope similar means may be adopted. — Francis
OiiPEji Morris, Nafferton Vicarage, Driffield, March 7th.,'J1853.

Note on the Autumnal Moult of Colymbus glacialis. — On the 2oth. of October, I observed a
pair of C. glacialis the first time this season, swimming close together; both appeared to be
in their summer liverj', shewing on examination with a glass the mottled upper plumage and
dark and tinged head and neck. A female was shot from the rocks near the same spot and
brought to me on the 8th. of November, probably one of the same pair; it was deep in moult,
most of the dark feathers of the head and neck being replaced by white ones, still leaving a
dark ring around the lower part of the neck; back, scapulars, and rump retained about half
the summer livery, interspersed with the gray tipped feathers of winter ; wings, not yet moulted,
but beautifully spotted with white on a black ground. It had a very small green shore crab
whole in the gullet, and was very starved and thin, having had a succession of stormy weather
some time past, from which these birds suffer severely, probably by the retirement to shelter
and deeper water of the flat-fishes, etc., and crustaceans on which they usually feed. At such
times I have repeatedly observed the frontal feathers erected forming a short obtuse crest, the
tail usually carried high, and the whole bird shewing more than usual out of the water,
probably from loss of weight or energy. These birds have the power of sinking rapidly in
the water without change of position, so as to submerge their bodies below the surface. I
remember some years since trying to get a rifle shot at one fishing in smooth water amongst the
rocks at ebb tide, and waiting a dive, hid myself behind a rock ; the bird rose at a fair distance
light and buoyant, but before I could fire its quick eye detected me, and it immediately sank
so far as to secure its body, and shew nothing but tlie neck and scapulars above water; thus
effectually securing itself fi-om the shot, which passed over it, unharmed, allowing it to
pursue that life for which it is so admirably adapted, and which is so often destroyed from
mere thoughtlessness on our parts — Clement Jackson, East Looe, November 15th., 1852,

Sterna fuliginosa, (of Latham, Wilson, Bonaparte, Audubon, and Nuttall,) or Sooty Tern,
was exhibited by Mr. Yarrell, at the Linnican Society, February 15th. This bird is not only
new to the British Fauna, but also to that of Europe. It was shot in October last, near Burton-
on-Trent, and had been sent to Mr. Yarrell, by W. Desboast, Esq., to whose collection it
belonged. Athenseum, February 19th., 1853. — J. Mc'Intosh.

Rare Birch near Fhjmouth. — During the severe gales of the past month the following scarce
birds have occurred at Plymouth: — A fine specimen of the Fork-tailed Petrel, {Procellaria
Leachii,) was picked up in an exhausted state off Mill- bay, by some persons passing in a boat ;
and not many days after the Greater or Cinereous Shearwater, {Puffinus cinerem,) was brought
in from the Sound, captured in a similar manner and kept alive for nearly a fortnight. It
remained sleepy and dull during the day, but became very restless towards night. Withui the
last fortnight a nice specimen of the Snow Bunting, {Plcctrophanes nivalis,) has also been
obtained in tliis locality. — J. Gatcombe, Plymouth, December 8th., 1852,

' Rare Birds near Whitby.— ^it\\m the last two years, the following birds have been

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES, 85

obtained in our neighbourhood:— Two Crossbills, (Loxia curvirostra,) an Osprey, fl'andion
halixtus) and a Roller, (fioraeiaa garrula.) — John Bbaim, Sleights Bridge, Whitby, Dec. I6th. 1852.

The Ftiss Moth, (Ccrura vinula.) — During the summer of 1850, a great many of the cater-
pillars of the Puss Moth were on a tree before my window. I used to stand beside the tree
to watch their motions. One evening I began to tease one of them with a stalk of grass, and it
became enraged. I then took my penknife and continued to touch its sides, and it seized the point
of the knife in its jaws when held to its head. I still pereisted in vexing it, till at last by
some means or other, it squirted a quantity api^arcntly of water in its own defence. Has any
one observed anything similar, or is it a common means of defence? — "W. Macduff, Banff,
NDvember 23rd., 1853.

The Scotch Argus Butterfly, (Hipparchia Blandina.) — The occurrence of this insect does not
appear at any time to have been either plentiful or widely distributed over this northern
country ; but the late remarkably fine summer seems to have given it a range beyond its usual
limits; for in Glencripsdale, on the banks of Loch Sunart, in the West Highlands, I had no
difficulty in the month of June in catching just as many as I wished, — G. Donaldson, Glasgow,
November 4th., 1852.

Agrotis Pascuea. — I doubt if this insect will any longer be considered a rarity, as an intelligent
and most indefatigable travelling collector from London, whilst staying here captured off sugar
on Cliffe-hill some eighty or ninety beautiful specimens between the 10th. and 15th. of Sep-
tember last; they usually paid his sugar a visit from one to two o'clock in the morning. He
also took thirteen fine specimens of Gharmas cespitis in the same locality. — W. C. Unwin,
St. Ann's, Lewes, November 11th., 1852.

Chaerocampa Celerio. — A tolerably good specimen of this very rare species was shown me to
identify by the same collector, which he obtained from a labouring man, who found it in the
brooks at Laudport, near this town. He described it being quite perfect, and I should judge
just emerged from the pupa state, but he had kept it several days under a tumbler glass,
which had caused its wings and thorax to be rubbed.— Idem.

Chserocampa Celerio near Bristol. — Thinking a brief notice of the capture of a rare moth may
not prove uninteresting to the lovers of entomology, especially as it adds a fresh locality to those
given in Westwood, I imagined that you Avould like to insert, in "The Naturalist," that a
specimen of the Sharp- winged Hawk Moth, Cheer ocmnjm celerio, was captured in a house at Baptist
Mills, in the immediate vicinity of this city, on the 27th. of August last, when it was put alive
into a box, and on the 30th. handed over to Mr. C. Harding, in whose possession it remains.
From being imprisoned in a box, most probably of too small dimensions, for three days, it unfor-
tunately had the tips of its wings, which is one of the characteristics of the genus, seriously
damaged, otherwise it is in a tolerable state of preservation. — J. N. Duck. Kingsdown, Bristol,
1852.

Carabus nitens. — Two specimens of this beautiful beetle have been got, one on the road to
the Cove about two miles from Aberdeen, and the other in the parish of Dunis, by Mr. Martin,
who presented it to myself; and also another addition to our native coleoptera, which was got
by me about two years ago, at Upper Banchoy in a pool, the Dytiscus circumflexus, the only one
that has been obtained to my knowledge.— James Taylor, Pitmixton, February, 10th., 1853.

Gigantic Sunflower. — I reared in the garden here this summer, a Sunflower of the following
dimensions: — In height it was eleven feet five inches; the largest part of the stem was about
eight inches round. The flower, which was taken off at the end of September, for the purpose
of preserving the seed, measured fourteen inches in diameter, and weighed five pounds four
ounces.— FmmF Bedingfield, Ditchingham Hall, November 10th., 1852.

Tall Star of Bethlehem, (Ornithogalum pyi-enaicum.) — This rare Lily- wort is found plentifully
in the Church field, at Fishbourne, a little village about a mile west of Chichester. Its
flowers, which are of a greenish white, are produced in June; its seed is generally ripe in
August; it grows from eighteen inches to three feet high; its bulbs are rather larger than
those of a good-sized Tulip, and are about a foot beneath the surface of the soil. Tlie leaves
are all radical, linear, about four inches long, smooth, channelled, and very soon wither. —
C. W. Crocker, Chichester, November, 1852.

86 REVIEW.

Flowering of the Yew, (Taxus baccata.) — I was strolling last March in a valley of the
South Downs, called Kingley Vale, about four miles from Chichester, when I was much surprised
to see what I supposed to be columns of smoke curling up from among some fine old Yews.
My curiosity being aroused to see Avho could be so engaged in so lonely a spot, I neared the
place, and my surprise was; certainly not diminished when I found that the appearance was
produced by the pollen, from the innumerable flowers with which every sprig was covered. —
Idem.

Agrostographia; A Treatise on the Cultivated Grasses and other Herbage and
Forage Plants. By Peter Lawson and Som. Fourth Edition. Edinburgh:
Private Press of P. Lawson and Son. 1853.

This is a well-executed work, containing, in the space of eighty-eight pages,
a large amount of valuable information on the varieties and cultivation of
herbage plants. We cannot too highly appreciate a work devoted to the
spread of accurate scientific knowledge on the subject of agriculture, among
a class who have too long looked upon improvement in the light of innovation,
and science as less than worthless; and when this information is conveyed in
such a form as to be patent to the humblest inquirer, and emanating from
a quarter having such an intimate connection with the very parties sought
to be enlightened, the effort is doubly enhanced in value.

The treatise under consideration is divided into three chapters. Chapter
one is devoted to a consideration of the history of the introduction and
cultivation of species and varieties, and contains the marrow of all that is
known of the culture of plants as food for domestic herbivorous animals, from
the time of the Egyptians to the present day. Chapter second ^'enumerates
the kinds, and specifies the quantity of seed for sowing an imperial acre."
This, the most practical part of the whole monograph, contains no less than
sixteen tables for sowing all the different varieties of soil, from rich permanent
pasture lands to loose drifting sands. The tables, as the preface informs us,
are the result of a wide series of experiments and observations, extending
over a period of upwards of forty years. The third and last chapter '^describes,
in a popular manner, the natural and artificial Grasses." Of the former there
are thirty-seven, more or less valuable, and of the latter twenty. We could
have wished that a firm carrying with it such authority as P. Lawson and
Son, had endeavoured to rectify rather than spread the popular error which
calls such plants as the Clovers, Burnet, Lucerne, and Cowslip, artificial
Grasses. Grasses they are not; and really we are at a loss to see how any
natural product can be correctly termed artificial. This chapter contains two
good plates; one the common Poa annua, copied from Dr. Richard Parnell's
admirable work on British Grasses, and the other a figure of. the famous
Italian Ryegrass, {Lolium Italicum,) introduced by the authors in 1833, and
now grown all over the country.

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. THE RETROSPECT. 87

We much regret that the small portion of our pages which we are able
to devote to notices of works, prevents our indulging ourselves and our readers
with any extracts. We can only say that much most valuable and practical
information is on every page of this little work, which, we believe, may be
safely recommended to those who wish to improve the pasturing qualities of
any land they may feel interested about.

THE HUDDERSFIELD NATUEALISTS' SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATURALIST.
Sir,

A society is established in this town for the study of British Natural History,
particularly Botany and Entomology, The society consists of about thirty members; and although
we are all working men, many are subscribers to "The Naturalist," "British Birds," "The Eggs,"
and "The British Butterflies."

Some of our members are in possession of very extensive collections oi Lepidoptera, collections
which would not disgrace a public Museum, and I may observe that the rare moth CJuerocampa
Celerio, (Sharp-winged Hawk Moth,) was captured last October at the village of Deighton, near this
town, and is now in the possession of James Mosseley, Almondbury Banlc. Another specimen of
this scarce moth was taken in thia town a few years ago, and it is somewhat curious that they
both were found in public-houses.

No part of England contains a greater variety of subjects for the lovers of Nature than this.
"We have already noted down above six hundred distinct species of plants within a radius of six
miles from Huddersfield, and with your permission we will furnish you with a "Kamble" or
two some of these days.

I remain yours, truly,

KICHARD BEOOK,
President of the Huddersfield Naturalists' Society.

It is always with real pleasure that we notice the formation of Local Natural History Societies ;
and we are always glad to make the fact of their existence as widely known as p>ossible. "We
trust all our Subscribers in the Huddersfield district will become members of, and render all the
assistance in their power to the above society, which we trust will long flourish, and rapidly
increase in importance. — B. R. M.

€\}i IUtrnB|irrt.

Heronries. — To prevent confusion, it may be as well to observe that the Heronry recorded
at page 36, volume iii , of "The Naturalist," and said to be in '■'■Bahingley "Wood," has been
already eniuncrated, (page 204, volume ii.,) and is to be found in '■'■Wolverton "Wood," about
six miles from Lynn, and two from the village of Castle Rising. I was told last spring that
the keepers were destroying the Herons, as "their noise disturbed the game" whilst sitting. —
T. Southwell, Fakenham, Norfolk, February 14th., 18.53.

The disease of the House-fly, (Musca domestica,) mentioned in "The Naturalist," volume iii. ,
page 39, has been before noticed in England; but, as it may not be generally known to your
readers where they may find the Alga figured, I beg to refer them to a notice by Mr. Westwood,
in the "Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London," of October 2nd., 1837, and figured
in their "Transactions" plate 20, figure 2, a. b. c. Mr. "Westwood supposed it to be a fungus.
Mr. Vai-ley, in the third volume of the "Transactions of the Microscopical Society of London,"
page 55, has given an interesting account of the Alga, and has figured in plate 13, the difierent

88 THE RETROSPRCT.

appearances of the plant. I have looked in vain for a figure in Dr. Hassol's "British Fresh-
Water Algae."— A. Ixgpen, 12, Shawfleld- Street, Clielsea, February 17th., 1853.

Colias Edusa in Scotland. — I beg to inform your readers, in respect to the specimen of Collas
Hdusa mentioned in the proceedings of the Natui-al Ilistory Society of Glasgow, at page 38 of
the current volume of "The Naturalist," that it is not the first instance of its occurrence in
Scotland, a specimen having been taken near Lamlash, Isle of Arran, on the 3rd. of September,
1847, by Wy\'ille T. C. Thompson Esq., and recorded in the "Zoologist" for 18-48, page 1985.—
K. F. Logan, Duddingston, February 8th., 1853.

Orthagoriscus Mola. — I sent you a notice of the Orthagoriscus Mola, under the name of 0.

tnmcatus, a fact which I. thought worthy of recording, from the comparative rarity of that

fish; I now write to explain how it was that I recorded an erroneous statement as a fact;

but the whole history will be necessary before the circumstance can be explained. Mr. John

Longmuir, Jun., says "That he was induced to correct a few mistakes in the account ;" he then

commences to say that the fish was taken on the 17th. of September last. Now I surely

made no mistake in this, for I do not say when it was caught, unless he takes the 22nd. of

September for it, which was the time I wrote my note to you. If he does so, I cannot help

his indiscrimination. The first information that I got of the fish, was two days after it was

taken, when a fisherman came to me, asking if I could tell him the name of a very strange

fish which was exhibiting in the market-place. I asked him what it was like ; and from the

rough, but generally good description of the man, I told him that I thought it was the

"Sun-fish." I theu showed him some plates of fishes, and that of the Orthagorisci, which

he said was like it. He said that the Eev. Mr. Longmuir and his son had been down and

examined it. I told him I would come on Monday night, and examine it for them, which I

did, but the fish was gone. I then went immediately to the Rev. Mr. L., to see what he had

made of it, when his son told me that it was the 0. truncatus, and gave me some little

description of it, which agreed nearly with that of the fisherman, which I sent to you; but

the notice in your last number says, "that the Rev. Mr. L. thoroughly examined it, and

ascertained its dimensions and weight;" but he should have also added, and considered it the

0. truncatus; and as an evidence of this fact, a description of it appeared in the Aberdeen

paper and the "Witness of Edinburgh, under the name of 0. truncatus, by the Rev. Mr. L. ;

but still I had my doubts respecting the fact, and that was the reason why I put the expression,

"and have also seen the 0. Mola taken at Aberdeen :" it would have been a strange circumstance

if I had once seen the fish, but could not identify it again. However, it was well for me

that I shortly after went to Montrose, for the purpose of visiting some friends there, who first

accosted me about the blunder that was in the public papers, calling the fish by its wrong

name, and how none of the naturalists at Aberdeen could name it. I told them that I had

not seen it, but had sent a notice to "The Naturalist" that it was the 0. truncatus, on the

authority of the Rev. Mr. L. They said that they had the fish, and that James Campbell,

the Curator of their Museum, was preparing it for the Arbroath one, I then went with Messrs.

Kerr, Croal, and Campbell to examine it, and found it, on the first inspection, to be the 0.

Mola. I was sorry for the mistake, but I did not wish to cast a doubt on the good judgment

and knowledge in Natural History of the Rev. Mr. L., so I thought it remained for him to

correct the eiTor, not me, who did not commit it, but merely took it upon his authority ; and

so he has done in the person of his son. On my return, I told it at our Natural History

Society ; some of the members no doubt conveyed the information to him, that the fish which

he called the 0. truncatus was the 0. Mola. Four months after, he appears in "The Naturalist,"

saying, "that on consulting "Yarrell's British Fishes," there was not the slightest difficulty

in determining the species to be the 0. Mola-" and he gives for his reason in coming to this

conclusion, the diflference of "the figures of the two fishes in that work." But I may ask,

why did he not see that resemblance when he and his father called it the 0. truncatus? and

as to what the excellent "Manual" of the Rev. L. Jenyns'says, the same question might be put.

As for the error in the measurement, that may have occun-ed from my misunderstanding the

fisherman while giving me the account. I would not have even taken notice of this had there

not been, as may be seen, something more in it than the mere misnaming a fish, and I am

glad that your "Retrospect" now allows such error as I am said to have made to be corrected. —

James Taylor, Pitmixton, February 10th., 1853.

89

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 7.
DORCHESTER— DORSETSHIRE.

BY JOHN GARLAND^ RSQ.^ memb: ent: soc:^ mkmb: ween: club.

Instinct of the Wild Duck, (Anas boschas.) — A curious instance of instinct,
or almost reason, occurred in these birds within my knowledge under the
following circumstances: — A friend of mine had a couple of Wild Ducks
given hira which had been kept in a garden, were rather tame, and had had
their wings pinioned, that is, the first joint of one of the wings taken off to
prevent their flying. They were very happy for many months in their new
abode — the garden, and with their liberty, to a considerable extent, disported
themselves in the River Froome, which runs by his residence, always returning
to be fed and go to rest. This pleasant state of existence continued until
after some ten or a dozen Ducklings had been hatched, and brought up to
''eatable estate" — they being pinioned in like manner as their parents; when
on my friend having a couple of the progeny killed, they immediately, old
and young, disappeared down the river, and have not since been heard of.

TJNPBECEDENTED MILDNESS OF THE SEASON.

The Quail, (Coturnix vulgaris.) — This bright- weather visitor to our shores
is seldom I believe met with in the winter. One was, however, shot in good
condition at Brickland, near Weymouth, in the last week in January. I
myself saw a specimen in the hands of a man, who had taken it in the
snow on Tuesday, the 15th. instant, near this town. It was very poor and
much reduced, but the plumage was very good.

The Croctis, (Crocus aureus.) — This pretty flower, and the Snowdrop also,
(Ga/anthns nivalis,) were growing in considerable quantities and beautifully in
flower in a gentleman's garden at Stinsford, near this town, on the 12th. of
January, and the leaves of the Rose and Honeysuckle were fully expanded.
Snowdrops were also gathered wild at a place in Fadrington, called "Mount
Pleasant." The most singular instance however of the mildness of the season
might have been observed on the loth, of January, in a field near the Old
Castle, Sandsfort, about a mile and a half from Weymouth, towards Portland,
where men were actually busily employed cutting grass as in the spring; and
upon being asked as to the crop, one of them replied, "There is as much
grass here now in weight as when we cut the field in spring." This I con-
sider worth "jotting."

Dorchester, February IGth., 1853. y^<^i^^'^^0^

VOL. III.

90
MARINP] ANIMALS.

MOLLUSCA.— Part II.

BY O, S, ROUND, ESQ.
( Continued from page lb.)

It was impossible in my first paper on this class of Marine Animals to do
more than touch the different genera, amplified as the list has been of lato
years by the addition of an order of beings not hitherto comprehended within
its limits, but which more modern naturalists have, and I think very justly,
decided to belong to the same great family, and which from their compara-
tive frequency of occurrence amongst us, possess something like a peculiar
claim on our attention. I speak of the ^'Conchifera," of which the Oyster
and Mussel, {Mytilus edulis,) are examples. Both these are so common that
it would seem almost a work of surplusage to describe their conformation;
and yet common as they are, there are very few, I believe, except purely
scientific men, who are able accurately to describe their various parts, and
indeed in some of these, modern discovery has been, and still continues to
be active.

Now with regard to the first, we know and perceive it is true, that it is
covered with a laminated shell, or a bivalve that is composed of layers, formed
chiefly of calcareous matter; but what the minute conformation of those layers
is, is probably still to be learned. On examining this shell, the microscope
shews that it is perforated throughout like a fine cullender in the minutest
conceivable manner; and that as these layers are formed, these perforations
take a substantive form, and piled, one upon the other, constitute at length
separate prismatic bodies, capable of being detached from each other, and
forming a series of cellular formations, which are nearly in a direct course
from the exterior to the interior of the shell, appearing, when under a great
magnifying power, a series of hexagonal figures not unlike the plates of the
shell of the Tortoise, (Testudo.) These are most apparent in the large species
of Oyster which is so common in our markets during nearly the whole
year, and which is captured chiefly on the French coast; this species being
so large that the eye can almost detect the formation I have alluded to,
and with ease the vai'ious degrees of development of the lamina and the
calcareous deposit interspersed, and the vacancies yet unfilled. What is termed
'mother of pearl,' is so named from being the surface on which the pearls
are usually found, and is a coating, in some sort, membraneous, lying in folds,
and which, when spread, loses the colour, which arises in fact from a repetition
of faint hues, probably of a green tendency, which produce optically the pink
or crimson hue, which, as is well known, is the complimentary colour to the
other, or that which the edges, or colourless adjacent portions of a green
object always exhibit. All the Oyster tribe exhibit this cellular structure of
the shell, and where, as sometimes happens, there is a tubular structure lying

MARINE ANIMALS.

91

transversely to the prismatic apertures; the tubes thus formed are bent aside
to admit the aperture, and again pursue their course.

There is a very beautiful species of shell found in the Australian seas,
sometimes at a considerable depth, known as a Terehratula. This creature
is furnished with two arms, which arc coiled up within the shell, which is a
bivalve, as represented in Fig. 1, and can be extended at pleasure to reach

Fio. 1.— Spirifer Kostratus.

Fio. 2.— Can-iuge Sprmg, shewing a similar apparatus.

its food; the apparatus by which it is attached to the shell is known as the
coach or carriage spring, (See Fig. 2.) and hence the shell has that name given
to it. In these shells there is a living mantle, and they
therefore come under the class Palliohranchiata ; and in
some the cellular formation is found to vary in size; and
in some of these, Mr. John Quekett, the celebrated
microscopist, has discovered Cilia, which he supposes
to be used by the animal for the purpose of transmitting
LaminEe ' of"^ Terebratuia Water from the tubcs. (See Fig. 3.) In one genus,
cc. ' '' ^^'"^ ^ ' ^ Lingula, (See Fig. 4.) which is of an intensely green

92

BOTANICAL REMINISCEXCES.

colour, there is a protruding process, or beak, by wliich the animal probably
attaches itself to masses of rock or coral, and in this the cellular formation

is not so regular.

Thus we discover in these
apparently ordinary objects,
wonderful and admirable struc-
tures, of which we have no
conception without the aid of

Fio. 4.-Lingiiia. *^^ S^^^^- What wondcrs does

this not open to us, and how
insensible must he be, who once having seen the wonder in one, does not
thirst to inspect more!

Before closing this paper, and as an appropriate branch of this subject, it
may be as well to refer to a fact, which Mr. Quekett also has the merit of
discovering, namely, the use to which the two sets of Cilia, observable in the
gills of the common Sea Mussel, are adapted. These Cilia are in double
rows, the one row being superior in size to the other, and these he supposes
may cause the currents of water to and from the shell, whilst the smaller
ones keep in motion the fluid which had been thus introduced. Cilia are
formed in almost all parts of nature, and there can be no doubt that
they answer most important purposes, although it is still an occult principle;
like many other things, the universal presence of which speaks clearly to their
necessity, for everything proves to us that nothing was made in vain. Ehrenberg
supposes that at the globular root of each Cilia there are exceedingly mi-
nute muscles that give it the motion; and many others have put forth various
conjectures, but the fact alone can be said to be known.

In my next paper I shall consider the structure of the creatures which
inhabit these cellular shells, and then pass on to the branch of Marine
Animals, (the Echinodennata,) which I have on a former occasion introduced
to my readers.

{To he continued.)

BOTANICAL REMINISCENCES.

By JOHN ROSE, ESQ., A. M., M. D., ASSISTANT SURGEON R. N.

The neighbourhood of Stirling, famous for the beauty of its scenery and
its historical associations, presents a rich field for the botanist. The author
of these notes spent the greater part of two summers at the Bridge of Allan,
a romantic and beautifully situated village, three miles north-west of Stirling,
where there is a celebrated mineral spring, which is annually resorted to by
crowds of visitors in search of health and relaxation. As some of the readers
of "The Naturalist" may visit this locality, we may mention that the fol-
lowing plants are found in the neighbourhood: — Along the banks of the
Forth and Allan, and adjacent woods and fields, we have found Ranunculus

BOTANICAL REMIKISCENCES. VO

lingua, Alisma plantago, Poa aquatica, Hypericum quadrangulum., Scutellaria
galericulata, Veronica anagaUis, Epilohium hirsutum, Mentha piperita, hirsuta,
and rubra, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Circrea lutetiana, Melampi/rum pra-
tense, Pyrola rotandifolia, Listera cordata and ovata. Astragalus glycyphyllus,
Campanula latifolia and Trachelium, (Enanthe crocata, Cicuta virosa, Silene
inflata, Symphytum tuberosum, Convolvulus arvensis, Potentilla reptans, Cheh-
doninm majus, Pimpinella saxifraga, &c. Among the fields the eye is arrested
by Echiiim viilgare, with its beautiful flowers, at first of a reddish purple,
and afterwards of a very brilliant blue. On the Abbey craig, a well-known cliff
near Stirling, we have gathered Geranium lucidum and sanguineum, Sedum
Anglicum, Lychnis viscaria, Teiicrium Scorodonia, Helianthemum vulgare, &c.

On the Castle hill of Stirling we have found Verhascum thapsus and lychmtis,
Yiola odorata, Rosa rubiginosa, jEthusa Cynapium, Sfc, and on the Castle wall,
Antirrhinum majus, Parietaria officinalis, and CJieiranthtis incanus. In the
lake of Menteith, and in Locks Lubnaig and Katrine, (the romantic scenery
of the ^'Lady of the Lake,") we have gathered Nymph(sa alba, with its flowers
of silvery brightness; Nuphar lutea, and Lobelia Dortmanna.

On Benledi, three thousand and nine feet above the level of the sea, to

the summit of which I climbed, along with the Rev. Robert Blackwood, of

Aberdeen, we found several beautiful Saxifrages, Silene acaulis, Oxyria reniformis,

and many other alpine plants. Half way up the mountain, I remember we

found the true Cranberry, {Vaccinium oxycoccos. I may here mention in

passing that the view from the summit is magnificent, and, irrespective of the

treasures of Flora found in the way, amply repays one for the fatigue of the

ascent. Here you can indeed *^'hold converse with natures charms, and view

her stores unrolled." The panorama which is there presented to the eye, is

at once beautiful and sublime. On recurring to these excursions the mind

is filled with the most delightful associations. As we look at the specimens

in our Herbarium, they at once suggest the spot where they were gathered,

and the feelings of pure delight which their discovery afforded.

"E'en now what affections the violet awakes:
What loved little islands twice seen in the lakes

Can the wild water-lily restore:
"Wliat landscapes I read in the primrose's looks;
And what pictures of pebbled and minnowy brooks

In the vetches that tangle their shore."

'^The study of Botany," as has been well remarked, '^recommends itself in
various ways. It may to some extent be engaged in by individuals of either
sex, and of almost every profession. The beauty of its objects, the facility
with which they may be procured, and the agreeable images and associations
which they call up to the mind, render the study peculiarly adapted for
females." And we rejoice to know that many of our fair countrywomen are
still, as in days gone by, zealous and successful botanists. There is much in
the study of plants to gratify the feelings, and to touch the heart. Let us
admire the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Author of Nature, as dis-

94 THE VINE.

played in the structure and distribution of plants. How great is His benevo-
lence ^'in spreading so diversified a loveliness over the panorama of visible
things, in that He hath thrown so many walks of enchantment around us, and
turned the sights and the soun Is of rural scenery into the ministers of so much,
and such exquisite enjoyment; and caused the outer world of matter to image
forth, in such profusion those various qualities, which at first had pleased and
powerfully aflPected us in the inner world of consciousness and thought!"

These sentiments, if duly cherished and improved, will assuredly add a
hundred fold to the pleasure and profit to be derived from the study of
Natural History. Cheered by a sense of the Divine presence, and encouraged
by the universal display of power and goodness, we shall all the more eagerly
and successfully pursue the laborious, though pleasing path of scientific

investigation.

"Soft roll your incense, herbs, and fruits, and flowers,
In mingled clouds to Him, whose sun exalts
Whose breath perfumes you, and whose pencil paints."

Royal Hospital at Hollar, Gosport, December, 1852.

HISTORICAL NOTES ON THE GRAPE-VINE, (riTIS VINIFEBA.)

BY J. Mo' INTOSH, ESQ.

The cultivation of the Vine has attracted the attention of man from his

birth to the present time, and on it volumes have and still continue to

be written. Every part of Scripture mentions its cultivation. — So great a

cultivator of the Vine was Solomon, that his vineyard at Baalhamon let for

a thousand pieces of silver per annum; Noah planted vineyards and made

wine. The Vine is also mentioned amongst the blessings of the promised

land — '^A land of wheat, and barley, and wine." ''Thou hast brought the

Vine out of Egypt, thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it, and did

cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land." Again, the Psalmist says,

''Thy wife shall be as the fruitful Vine upon the walls of thine house."

(Genesis xl.) — And the chief butler told his dream unto Joseph, and said, "In

my dream, behold, a Vine was before me." The name Gesshen in Sacred

History is given to the Vine, because of the tendrils by means of which it

lays hold of its supports; hence says the prophet, (Ezekiel xv.) "Son of man,

what is the Vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among

the trees of the forest? Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men

take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?" Horace says on this subject — •

"To the clasping Vine
Does the supporting poplar wed."

The Vine was plentiful in the land of Canaan; therefore Jacob said, when

blessing his son Judah, and looking forward to the time when his numerous

descendants should inhabit that part of Canaan, which afterwards received his

name, (Genesis, xlix.) "Binding his foal unto the Vine, and his ass's colt unto

the choice Vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood

THE VINE. 95

of grapes," Palestine has long been under the dominion of Mahomedan rulers,
whose faith forbids the use of wine, and therefore cannot now boast of its luxu-
riant vineyards, which for ages had been the admiration of surrounding nations.
It must be remembered that the Vine of Sodom, which is found growing in
great abundance not far distant from Jericho and the Dead Sea, and, according
to Bishop Lowth, produces fruit as bitter as gall, and as deadly as the poison
of a serpent, alluded to by Moses, is not the Vitis vinifera, or the V. Lahrusca
of botanists; "For their Vine is of the Vine of Sodom, and of the fields of
Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter, their wine
is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps." In contradistinction
to this plant our Saviour says, in the Gospel of St. John, ''1 am the true
Vine, and my Father is the husbandman." And in the triumphal song
of David, on the plagues which desolated Egypt, he says, "He destroyed
their Vines with hail, and their Sycamore trees with frost." And in Deuter-
onomy, xxii., "Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds, lest the fruit
of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard be defiled."
The Vine is found growing spontaneously on the far-ftimed mountain of
Lebanon, and its astonishing fruitfulness is employed as a figure to illustrate
the fruitfulness of the graces of the saints; hence, says Hosea, xiv., "His
branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell
as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive
as the corn, and grow as the Vine, and the scent shall be as the wine in
Lebanon." Dandini, an Italian traveller, was surprised at the extraordinary
size of those produced in the vineyards of Lebanon, which he describes as the
size of prunes, and of a most delicious flavour; and Doubdon met with very
extraordinary Vines near Bethlehem, Of the size of bunches and berries
produced in ancient days, we have frequent mention in Scripture. — In the
13th. Chapter of the Book of Numbers, we find it written, "And they came
unto the brook Eschol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster
of grapes, and they bore it between two upon a staff." It is the opinion of
some Scriptural writers that the brook or river Eschol flowed through the
valley of Sorek, which place of all others in the Holy Land produced grapes
the largest and most valuable. In 1633, Eugene Koger states that he found
in this valley a bunch of white grapes weighing twenty-four pounds, and
observes that it was a common occurrence to find them from six to twelve
pounds weight. The valley of Eschol, till within a recent date, was well
cultivated as arable land and as vineyards; we are also informed that the
wine given to visitors at the convent of St. John is produced from these
grapes. The traveller Morrison says, ^^It is a white wine, and was so delicious,
that on tasting it, my conscience secretly reproached me for so badly imitating
the great Baptist, who in this very place, now called the valley of St. John,
abstained from wine and all strong drink." In the Old Testament days it
was used as a drink offering poured out before God; and, as is well known,
in the New Testament days, it is used at the Lord's Supper as an emblem

96 THE VINE.

of the blood of Jesus, which he shed for the salvation of mankind. "This
cup is the New Testament in my blood." — (I. Corinthians, xi.)

That the ancients grew enormous grapes we have every proof in their
writings. So large were they that they appear almost beyond our conception:
we have nothing like them in our day. Strabo says that the Vines of Margiana
were so large that two men could scarcely compass them with their arms;
that the bunches of grapes they produced were a yard in length. Pliny men-
tions a Vine in his time that was six hundred years old; he also takes notice
of the successful cultivation of the Vine by that renowned Roman grammarian,
Rhemnius Palaemon, who gave six hundred thousand sesterces for a farm
within ten miles of Rome, and by his improved cultivation the produce of
his Vines in one year sold for four hundred thousand sesterces, and that the
people far and near ran in crowds to see the huge clusters of grapes.
Theophrastus mentions a Vine which grew so large that the statue of Jupiter
and the columns of Juno's temple were made of it. Columella says that
Seneca had a Vine which produced him yearly two thousand bunches. We
are also informed that a table of large dimensions, in the house of the Duke
of Montmorency, at Ecoan, is made from Vine planks; also that the cathedral
doors at Raveinna are made of Vine planks, some of them twelve feet long by
fifteen inches broad. Upon the coast of Barbary enormous Vines are found
growing; some of them are described as being eight, nine, and ten feet in
circumference. In Chios, now Scio, bunches of grapes are met with weighing
forty pounds. Virgil, alluding to these Vines, says,—

"The ritual feast shall overflow with wine,
And Ohio's richest nectar shall he thine:
On the warm hearth, in winter's chilling hour
We'll sacrifice; at summer, in a bower."

Nor has old England in days of yore been much behind- hand with its
variable climate in producing large Vines and bunches of grapes, for we find
that in 1781, His Grace the Duke of Portland made a present to the
Marquis of Rockingham of a bunch that grew in one of his vineries at
Welbeck, which weighed nineteen pounds and a half. It was carried suspended
upon a stafif the distance of twenty miles by four men. Again we find in
1821, that in the garden of the Hon. P. G. Howard, at Elford Hall, StaflFord-
shire, a bunch of a white grape was grown to the weight of fifteen pounds.
The parent of the now famous Vine at Hampton Court, at Valentine House,
Essex, ripened in 1819, two thousand bunches. And at one time the great
Vine at Northallerton, in Yorkshire, covered a space of one hundred and thirty-
seven square yards; the circumference of the stem above the ground was
three feet eleven inches.

The native country of the Vine, like most other of our cultivated fruits,
is supposed to be Persia. Dr. Sickler has given a learned and curious
account of its migration to Egypt, Greece, and Sicily, to which we would
refer the curious reader. From Sicily it is generally supposed to have found

THE VINE, ^ 97

its way into Italy, Spain, and France. In the latter country it was in cul-
tivation in the time of Antoninus, in the second century. In America it is
found wild, and it is now, in the nineteenth century, a native in the temperate
climates of both hemispheres. In the old world its culture forms a branch of
rural economy, and the countries richest in Vines are Spain, Portugal, France,
Italy, Austria, Styria, Corinthia, Hungary, Transylvania, and a part of Greece:
still vineyards are to be found in other countries, from which good wine is
made. Our own country at one time was almost covered with vineyards,
from which excellent wine was made: how changed is the climate now.
There is a great doubt as to the time of its introduction into Britain, which
we will now endeavour to trace. — In the description which. Julius Caesar has
given us in his Fifth Book of this island, no notice is taken of the Vine;
Pliny is equally silent in his Sixteenth Book as to its existence in England;
From hence we may conclude that the Vine did not grow in Britain either
when Caesar or Pliny wrote; and Cornelius Tacitus, writing at the time when
Julius Agricola commanded here, expressly denies us the Vine. If there were
no Vines in Agricola's time, it is not likely that there were any for many
years after; for, although they were cultivated to some extent in Gaul, they
did not find their way into Britain, for the laws of the empire would not
suffer it. Domitian in his time prohibited by an edict that any new vineyards
should be made even in Italy; and ordered that those in the provinces should
be displanted, and that no one should plant vineyards without consent of the
emperor. The reason of this was the too great plenty of wine, and the
scarcity of corn; yet the emperor did not rigorously exact the observation
of his edict. In regard to Britain, the Romans, at the time of the Domiiian
edict, were in peaceable possession of only a small portion of the south of
this island, so that they could have but little time for planting Vines; yet
there is no doubt that the Romans had plenty of wine, which they had
brought over with them, and which they could not well live without, and no
doubt they soon taught the natives the use of it.

This was the state of things until the reign of Probus, A. D. 276, who is
said, in the latter part of his reign, to have restored the privilege of planting
vineyards to the north" and west; and about A.D. 280, the license of planting
vineyards was granted to the provinces, which was very general, for we find
the Pannonii, the Moesi, as well as the Gauls, the Spaniards, and the Britons,
took advantage of it; and accordingly the venerable Bede, who finished his
History, A. D. 731, writes expressly on the Vine, and which account is also
inserted from him in "Ralph Higden's Polychronicon," page 192, and in
^'Richard of Cirencester," page 13; yet Ralph flatly contradicts Bede as to
Vine culture in Ireland, (See Higden, page 180.)

It is the most natural idea to suppose that the cultivation of the Vine in
Britain took place in the southern parts or counties, on account of their
proximity to Gaul. Thus Winchester was famous for its Vines and vineyards,
which town John Twyne, in his "Commentary," says, takes its name from

VOL. III. o

98 THE VINE.

hence, as do many more. Somner, in his ^'Antiq: Canterb:" says, the
neighbourhood of Canterbury was famous for its Vines, and conjectures that
the street in that town called VVinecheap, took its name from being a market
of wine. He also informs us that in the time of Henry de Eastry, Prior of
Canterbury, A. D, 1285, that church, as well as the Abbey of St. Augustine,
was plentifully furnished with vineyards; as also Colton, Beston, St. Martins,
Chertham, Brook, and Hollingbourn, all manors belonging to that house, in
the county of Kent. At Rochester a large piece of ground is still called 'The
Vine;' also another is so called at Sevenoaks, in Kent — Sevenoaks was also
the name of Baron Sandy's estate in Hampshire, now extinct, where existed
a vineyard. At Hailing, near Rochester, the bishop of that see had a vine-
yard; for when Edward II., in his nineteenth year, was at Bookingfold, Bishop
Hamon, according to Lambarde, sent the king wine and grapes from his vine-
yard, which is now, continues the same author, a good plain meadow. —
^'Lambarde's Peramb: of Kent," page 419. Again in ^'Philipot's Villare
Cantianum," page 112, we find one Captain Nicholas Toke, of Codington, in
Great Chart, Kent, had so cultivated and improved his *Vines, that his wine
seemed not only to parallel, but almost to surpass that of France.

Stow mentions a vineyard in East Smithfield, held by the constables of
London until the second year of King Stephen, to their great emolument and
profit. In the records of Ely House, in Holborn, mention is made of a vine-
yard which formerly belonged to the bishop, and is said to have been planted
on the south-east aspect, descending to the bourn or brook which now runs
under Fleet-market into the Thames; and no doubt but various other parts
of London have been at one time planted with Vines.* At Raleigh, in Essex,
there was a vineyard which produced in good seasons twenty raodii of wine:
there was also one at Crowland Abbey, in Lincolnshire. At St. Edmondsbury,
Middlesex, was a large one, for in the engraved plan of that town, the vine-
yard of the Abbey is particularly noticed: there was also one at Dunstable.
In Sussex, says Lambarde, history hath mention that about the time of the
Norman invasion there existed a large vineyard at Santluc, near to Battle.
He also takes notice of one in the Little Park at Windsor, and observes
that part of the wine was consumed in the king's household, and some sold for
the king's profit. This vineyard existed so late as the reign, of Richard II.
William of Malmesbury has extolled the Vines and wines of Gloucestershire,
(See his book De Gestis, Pont. 4, page 283, also Camden Col: 268, 269, and
Bishop Gibson's insertion there.) Martin Abbot, of Peterborough, in North-
amptonshire, in the reign of Stephen is said to have planted a vineyard; in
fact there were few large monasteries without their orchards and vineyards.
Vines have also come to perfection in both Oxfordshire and Stafibrdshire.

"The Vine," says Dr. Plot, (Nat: Hist: of Staff:) "has been improved by
The Right Worshipful Sir Henry Lyttleton, to that advantage at Over-Orley,

♦ As Vine-Street in Ilattoii-Gardeu, St. Giles's, and Piccadilly; the vineyards by Houndsditcli and
Coldbath fields; and even within the walls of the City of London there is a street called the Vineyard.

THE VINE, 99

which is situated low and warm, being surrounded with hills, that he has
made wine so good there, that it has been altogether undistinguished from
the best French wines by the most judicious palates. But this I suppose
was done only in some favourable over-hot summers; though,' if the Vines
were placed advantageously, it is possible it might be done in an indifferent
year; the Rev, and learned Dr. Ralph Bathurst, President of Trinity College,
and Dean of Wells, having made good Claret here at Oxon, A. D. 168'5^
which was a very mean year for that purpose,"

But there is evidence of vineyards farther north than this. There was
one at Dorley Abbey, in the county of Derby; and several of the villages
there are said to derive their names from the vineyards formerly flourishing
there; namely, S. Winfield, N, Winfield, and Wingerworth, There was also
one at Camberwell, in Surrey, at Dorking; and by far the most flourishing
vineyard in England, in the year 1787, was that of Pains-hill, Cobham, in
the above county, planted by Charles Hamilton, Esq., from which excellent
Burgundy and Champagne were made. The tithes of the Vines of Lincombe,
near Bath, were confirmed to the Abbey there in 1150, by Archbishop
Theobald: this vineyard was in a flourishing state in 1720. Near Tewkesbury,
is a field still called the vineyard. A messuage and land in Twyning, were
held of the Lord of Tewkesbuiy, on certain conditions, one of which was
^'finding a man for sixteen days in digging in the vineyard, and gathering
grapes for three days;" Ing. ad. q. d. 39, Ed. 3rd. — Fosbr. Glouc. ii., 293.
The Isle of Ely was by the Normans called the Isle of Vines; and the
Bishop, shortly after the conquest, is said to have received four tuns of wine
annually, as tithes from the Vines in his diocese, and in his leases, he made
frequent reservation of a certain quantity of wine by way of rent. In the
church at Ely is the following register; or at least, some time ago existed: —

Exitus Vineti

Do. Vineae ...
10 bushels of grapes from the vineyard ...
7 dolia musti from the vineyard, 12 Edw. II.
Wine sold for
Verjuice ...

1 dolium and 1 pipe Ely, filled with new wine, &c., at
For wine out of this vineyard
For verjuice from thence
No wine but verjuice made, 9 Edw. IV.

From the foregoing it plainly appears that wine was made at Ely, from
the production of British grown Grapes. We also find that the first Earl
of Salisbury planted a vineyard in his park at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire,
which was in existence in the time of Charles the First. About the year
1720, a gentleman of the name of Warner observing the Burgundy Grape
ripen early, conceived an idea that it might answer for planting a vineyard^

£.

s.

d.

2

15

H

10

12

H

0

7

6

15

1

0

1

12

0

1

7

0

1

2

2

0

16

0

100 THE VINE.

and accordingly procured some cuttings, which he planted as standards in his
garden near East-lane, Rotherhithej though the soil was wholly unfavourable,
yet by proper care and cultivation, his vineyard produced in a few years,
fruit sufficiently matured to make good wine. In consequence he increased
his plantation, so that his vintage yielded him above one hundred gallons
of wine. From Mr. Warner's cuttings most of the English vineyards of
recent date were supplied; in particular Mr. King's, at Brompton, Sir John
Eyle's, at Giddy Hall, and the Earl of Tylney's, at Wanstead, in Essex.*
Vineyards have also existed in Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset, and Wilts, from which
it appears good wine has been made. There were formerly, it is natural to
believe, many more vineyards in Britain, but their local situations are now
lost for want of being recorded; for in some situations the very Vines themselves
point out to us where our forefathers cultivated them, as it is not unfrequent
that the tendrils of Vines are found springing up among the grass of the
fields in some counties. In fact. Dr. Plot observes that the Britons made wines
anciently over (almost) all the Kingdom. The cause of the disuse and the
neglect of the vineyards in England are accounted for by various writers in
different ways. There can be no doubt, but our changeable climate was the
only cause, or it must have been very different in those days to the present;
also the cheapness and easy importation of foreign wines, and the want of
land for tillage and pasturage, which are far more profitable and useful to the
British nation. Nor is it to be supposed that at any one time this island pro-
duced wine enough for its consumption, although almost overrun with vineyards;
for we find, that when the monasteries were in the height of riches, and
their vineyards in the most flourishing condition they imported wine; (See
^'Philipot's Villare," page 93;) "that at Canterbury, the prior of the Trinity,
now called Christ Church, received two-pence upon every vessel of wine com-
ing in the port of Sandwich." And King Philip of France made a grant of
one hundred modii of wine annually to the same Church, (Philipot's Visitation.)
At the great enthronization feast of George Nevil, Archbishop of York, 6, Ed. IV,
one hundred tuns of wine are said to have been consumed, and mostly imported.
The priory of Dunstaple, upon the failure of malt in 1274, consumed five dolia
of wine, which was imported. At the enthronization feast of Archbishop
Wareham, 1504, there was provided as follows, (See Battely's Appendix, p. 27:) —
De vino rubeo vi dolia prec dol. iiii'.
De vino clareto iv dol. prec dol. txxiii' iiii."^
De vino albo elect, unum dolium (price was £S. 6s.)
De vino albo pro coquina i dol. (the price £>S.)
De malvesey i but (price ,£4.)
De ossey i pipe (price ^3.)
De vino de Reane ii Almes. (price £1. 6s.)

* At Northfleet Vicarage, the Rev. T. Harris, A. M., so late as 1762, cultivated his vineyards of choice
Vines for thirty-six years, from whicli he made most of his wine, and which is said to have been of
a superior finality.

SOMETHINO ABOUT POLYPES.

101

It is plain from the prices here mentioned that the wine was imported;
and the reason so much was consumed is, it is said to haA^e been a fish
dinner, a great quantity of wine being required for the various sauces. The
Egyptians ascribed the invention of wine to Osiris, the Latins to Saturn, while
the Greeks elevated Bacchus to the rank of a god ! And as the god of vintage
of wine, and of drinkers, he is represented as crowned with the Vine, and, ac-
cording to Pliny, to have been the first who ever wore a crown, of which Ovid

thus takes notice: —

" the grapy clustei's spi'ead

On his fair brows, and dangle on his head."

5, Middle Street, Taunton.

SOMETHING ABOUT POLYPES.

BY MRS. ARTHUR ADAMS.
Continued from page 60.

Chapter II.
Imagination shall lead us now beneath the ocean, where dwell those tiny
architects which have been the untiring agents of the Almighty Mind, in
carrying out a portion of the grand scheme of creation. Vast districts,
studded over with these flower-like animals, wox-king unseen, unheard — ^yet
ever toiling from ages past, to ages yet unborn, in extending the dominions
of man. Slowly, yet surely, they uprear the living pile.

"High in the flood the azure dome ascends,
The ci'ystal arch on crystal columns bends,
Eoofd with translucent shell the turrets blaze,
And far in Ocean dart their colour' d rays;
O'er the white floor successive shadows move.
As rise and break the ruffled waves above.*

To the labours of these little animals, may be traced the existence of the islands
of the Polynesian Archipelago, and many in the Indian Ocean ; and there are
reefs not yet above the level of the sea of far greater extent than any of
these, which, bye and bye, will be the foundations of new worlds, when, by
volcanic agency, or other means they are raised. The Polypes sheltered by
submarine rocks, have reared their dwellings till they reached the surface;
after a little time they are covered with sand and mud, an island forms, gradually
enlarges, and becomes higher by the accumulation of sand, and the waves of
the sea have no more power over it. Winds and currents bring the germs
of vegetation, and the barren rock soon becomes a fruitful spot amid the wild
waste of waters, where the birds of the air build their nests, and man at
length finds a home. ^^Thus," as Darwin remarks, ^'do we see the soft and
gelatinous body of a polypus, through the agency of the vital laws, conquering
the great mechanical power of the waves of an ocean, which neither the art
of man nor the inanimate works of nature could successfully resist."

The generally received opinion is, that Lagoon islands, or "Atolls" have their
* Darwin's "Loves of the Plants," Canto I.

102 SOMETHING ABOUT I'OLYPES.

bases on submarine craters; but Darwin, in his admirable account of them in
his "Naturalist's Voyage/' asserts that the reef-building corals cannot live at
a greater depth than twenty or thirty fathoms; and that mountains and
islands which have been submerged by the ocean form rather the bases on
which ^^the coral-insects build their radiate cells." Not only have these little
animals been employed in changing the sea into dry land since the world was
formed, but with them the mighty work of creation began, as is traced "in
the great masses of mountain limestone, which have from ages past been ex-
posed to all the changes and circumstances of time and chance."

"Omnipotenoe wrought in them, with them, by them;
Hence what Omnipotence alone could do
Worms did. *****

Frail were then- frames, ephemeral their lives,
Their masonry imperishable."

Thus much for the results of the labours of these Polypes; we will now
inquire into their mode of accomplishing their allotted tasks; and of the differ-
ences of the several families which are dwellers in the ocean, as contrasted with
the little fresh-water Hydra before noticed.

Those which principally build up the reefs belong to the family of Madrepores
and Madrephylls; the former live in scattered cells with laminated walls, on
stony, tree-like polyparies, which they form by separating the calcareous matter
from the waters of the ocean, reducing it to a solid state.

^^Throughout the entire series the vital agent will be found to present itself
in the form of a soft gelatinous crust, wherewith the exterior of the polypary
whatever may be its shape, is closely invested." The Madrephylls differ in the
Polypes being scattered over the surface of a laminated solid polypary not tree-
like. There are many other families of corals to be noticed, whose inhabitants
when living, have, by their varied and gorgeous colours, made the beds of
the sea vie in richness and beauty with the gayest parterres. When the eye
rests upon them, through the clear transparent water on a calm day, and observes
the branched corallines protruding their Polipi of every varied hue — green, blue,
violet, and yellow, like trees covered with delicate blossoms, contrasting finely
with the huge brain-shaped, flat, or mushroom-like Madrepores, one is ready
to exclaim with Ehrenberg, "Where is the paradise of flowers that can rival
in variety and beauty these living wonders of the ocean?"

In the family of Alcyonians, examples of which are abundant on our own
shores, the Polypes dwell together in great numbers, studding the surface of
an adherent, fleshy polypary, which is divided into two parts; the lower part
is a firm substance, whilst the upper is very delicate, and divided into branches,
at the end of which are seen the little Polypes spreading their eight pinnated
arms, like exquisite flowers. The nutrition imbibed by one is shared by its
neighbour, and each in this community contributes to the support of the whole.
Another family we may call Corah proper, or Cortical Polypes, as they have
been named by some authors; these differ from the Alcyonians in making for

SOMETHING ABOUT POLYPES. ' 103

themselves a solid, central, horny, or calcareous axis, with tree-like expansions
covered with a living bark. The Corallium rubrum, or red coral, is the
most interesting of this group, and I cannot do better than describe it in
the words of Rymer Jones: — "In its living state this animal resembles a
short stunted tree, fixed to the surface of the rock by a broadly expanded
base, from which it rises, at first with a single stem of varying magnitude,
which soon divides into branches, so as to resemble a leafless shrub, rising
the height of about eighteen inches. The central axis of the coral is of
stony hardness, insomuch indeed, that to this circumstance it owes its principal
value in commerce, on account of the high polish of which it is susceptible.
In the growing coral, this stony centre is entirely invested with a fleshy
cortex, that constitutes the living portion of the Zoophyte, whereby the
central stem is deposited, and the whole external surface is studded at intervals
with Polypes." This coral is found in the Mediterranean, on the south of
Sicily, in the islands of Minorca and Majorca, and on the coast of Africa.
The next families we may notice are the Zoanthidce, or Animal flowers,
and the Sea Anemones, or Actiniadce. The former may be considered a
number of Actiniae, united together by a leathery substance or polypary,
encrusted with foreign bodies. The Sea Anemones, on the contrary, are
free, soft, and fleshy; their mouths surrounded by several circles of tentacles,
and tinged with a beautiful variety of colours, resembling our radiated flowers,
hence their English name. They are found on the shores of every sea; and
the sea-side naturalist may be often richly rewarded by observing the habits
of those which dwell on rocks or stones between the tide-marks, where, if
undisturbed, they expand themselves in all their beauty's pride. Those in
tropical waters far surpass in brilliancy the species which live in colder
regions. Quoy and Gaimard relate that some of the tropical Actinice are a
foot in length, and when handled produce a stinging sensation, which is even
felt in the water they absorb. Like the Hydra, they are endowed with
the power of re-production, and however divided, each part will develope a
perfect flower. When their tentacles are expanded in search of prey, they
are beautiful objects; but on being disturbed, they contract themselves so
entirely, as to be scarcely distinguished from the surface to which they
adhere. They increase prodigiously by ova or eggs; each Actinia possessing
above a hundred ovaria, each ovary containing sixty eggs. They are likewise
viviparous, as the young have been often observed issuing from the oral
aperture of the parent. This wonderful fecundity is common to all the tribe
of Polypes.

"All which are made with wond'roiis wise respect,
And all with admirable beauty deckt."

These Sea Anemones are extremely voracious, feeding on small crabs, whelks,
and other shells, and frequently attacking and conquering animals of greater
bulk than themselves; they can, however, endure long fasting, and have been
known to live a year without food. The Abbe Dicquemare, who closely

104 • SOMETHING ABOUT POLYPES.

observed this family, says they might be made of great use as sea-barometers,
as they foretell atmospheric changes with great certainty: — "If the Anemones
be at any time shut or contracted, I have reason to apprehend an approaching
storm; that is, high winds and an agitated sea. When they are all shut,
but not remarkably contracted, they forbode weather somewhat less boisterous
but still attended with gales and a rough sea. If they appear in the least
open, or alternately, or frequently opening and closing, they indicate a mean
state both of winds and waves. When they are quite open, I expect tolerable
fine weather and a smooth sea. And, lastly, when their bodies are considerably
extended, and their limbs diverged, they surely prognosticate fixed fair weather
and a calm sea." Some of the species found in the Mediterranean are
considered by the Italians as a great delicacy for the table.

The Pennatulidce, or Sea-pens, form a family of Polypes, which have
eight pinnate arms regularly arranged like the feather of a pen, on a long,
solid, stony polypary, enveloped in a fleshy cortex; on the margins of these
arms the Polyps live, which contribute to the support of this compound
being. Ellis and many other naturalists assert that they have the power of
locomotion, and swim in the sea; whilst others, and among them Lamarck
and Dr. Johnstone, are of the opposite opinion, observing, "that when placed
in a basin of sea-water, they remain in the same spot, and lie with the
same side up or down just as they have been put in." They emit a
beautiful phosphorescent light; and Linnaeus has placed them among the
wonderful productions of nature, speaking of them as "the phosphorescent
Sea-pens which cover the bottom of the ocean, and there cast so strong a
light, that it is easy to count the fishes and worms of various kinJs sporting
among them."

We will next notice the Tubular Polypes, which difier from the rest in the
living substance being enclosed in horny or calcareous tubes which are either
simple or branched. Among these will be found the families of the Horny
Corals, the Organ Corals, and the Flant-liJ e Corals. In the first-named,
the polypary is in the form of a twisted or branched horny tube, which is
thin and semi-transparent. These tubes are sometimes simple, and sometimes
divided at the base; Ellis has co.Tipared them to "part of an oat-straw
with the joints cut off." There is one mode by which the species of this
family are increased, which I here mention, because no other zoophyte has
been observed to possess it. It arises from "free or motive buds," which
are produced from "the groups of little pedicles growing in the vicinity
of the tentacles, which support little roundish bodies often united together
in bunches, which, when mature, fall off like fruit from a tree, and are
dispersed to form new colonies."

Next we come to the Organ Corals, so called because the Polypes dwell
in calcareous tubes, arranged in stages one above another, like the pipes of
an organ. These tubes are of a bright crimson hue, and the little creatures
which construct them are of a vivid grass green colour, so that they exhibit a

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 105

most brilliant contrast. Lastly, there are what we will style the Plant-like Corals,
or the family of Sertulariidce, as the more scientific term them; their polypary
growing in the shape of a plant rooted at its base, and variously branched,
makes them appear to the uninitiated like sea- weeds. They are both beautiful
in their appearance, and peculiar in their structure; their branches composed
of a flexible horny material, are hollow, studded in regular rows with little
cells, which arc each inhabited by a Hydra-like Polype. Some idea may
be formed of the vast numbers of these small animals, from a statement in
Dr. Johnstone's "British Zoophytes," in regard to one of the species of this
family, {Plumulana cristata,) from the observations of Mr. Lister. "Each
plume," says he, "might comprise from four hundred to five hundred
Polypi," "so that a specimen of twelve plumes contains no less than six
thousand Polypes, and single specimens of P.falcata, or Sertularia argentea,
may consist of eighty thousand or one hundred thousand individuals."

In the words of an old author, I conclude this cursory history of the
Polype tribe: — "Verily, for mine owne part, the more I looke into nature's
workes, the sooner am I induced to beleeve of her even those things that
seem incredible."

Knapp's Green, Alverstoke, November V^th., 1852.

BikFllattfflits Matins.

In August, 1846, one of my father's gamekeepers reported to me a pack of Black Game on
the edge of a moor bordering his preserves at Avon, in Hampshire, and at the end of August
I endeavoured to get some of them. I found the birds feeding with a number of Pheasants on
some buckwheat; and so peculiar was their appearance, that, in spite of the keeper's protestations
as to their parentage, thinking them young Pheasants, I let one or two go by me without a
shot. At last however I killed a couple of them, and found them to be a hybrid, produced
by a Greyhen and a cock Pheasant, as she lived in a wood with a number of the latter, whilst the
keepers knew that there was no Blackcock in the neighbourhood. Tlie birds I killed were rather
like the bird figured by Yarrell, in vol. ii., page 311, especially about the tail; but although
a most game-looking bird, and standhig very high on the leg, I considered they were not in
full plumage. The keeper reported the pack to consist of seven, but it is singular that none
of them were ever seen or killed afterwards. One of them I have now stuffed, and the other
I sent to Lord Malmesbury, for his collection of British Birds at Heron Court, where it now is.
Tlie Greyhen never gratified us with another brood, although slie stayed in the same wood
another breeding-season, and then disappeared. — Fkederic Fane, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne,
March 29th., 18;}3.

The Quail, (Cotumix vulgaris.) — I have thought it singular that, with one exception, the
only occasion on which I have had opportunities of killing Quail, birds supposed to leave
England for the winter months, have been in the months of December and January, in Lin-
colnshire, Hampsliire, and Dorsetshire. "Were those wounded birds, or were they acclimatized
and contented with their winter quarters? In this county they are very rare; and although
the extensive and liighly-cultivated plain, called Fordington Field, near Dorchester, is reported to
produce a bevy or two every year, I have not killed half-a-dozen in my life, although I shoot
almost every day in the season in many different parts of this county and the neighbouring
ones. — Idem.

Montagu's Harrier, (Circus Montagui.) — Last spring one of my father's keepers, at Avon, in
Hampshire, brought me a fine specimen t)f Montagu's Harrier, which I have had preserved. A
VOL. III. P

106 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

few days afterwards, passing my own keeper's "gallows" at this place, 1 saw another still finer
specimen gibbeted, which he had caught in a trap a few days previously, and which he did
not appear to consider as singular; although about these parts the native talent is not vei-y bright
and observant, yet they gcnerallj'^ report any rare bird killed. Query, Are they as rare in this
part of England as is supposed to be the case? — Idem.

The Little Bittern, (Ardea minuta.) — I saw, the year before last, a very beautiful specimen
of the Little Bittern killed at Preston, near Weymouth, which is now preserved in the collection
of A. B. Foster, Esq., at Warmwell. — Idem.

Woodcocks, (Scolopax rusticola.) — As a proof of the unusual abundance of these birds this
winter, I may mention that a party, lately shooting in this neighbourliood, killed in three days,
and in one wood, the extraordinary number of one hundred and fifty-three; ninety being shot
in one day. The numbers on the other days were thirty and thirty-three. — C. H. Dashwood,
Thornaye, Norfolk, January 7th., 1853.

The Jackdaw, (Coryus monedula,) — About two years back, one of my workmen, a coach-
smith, bought a nest with two young Jackdaws of one of those marauding urchins of boys,
who delight in the destruction of all within their reach. He brought them to the shop, and
placed them upon a shelf immediately above his bench, (he was a vice-man,) where they were
constantly under his observation; they thrived well, and soon began to hop about the shop.
They appeared to take great delight in perching upon the edges of the water-troughs near the
forges, where they watched the motions of the fireman attending to his iron in the process of
heating, and when taken out of the fire, and placed upon the anvil under the operation of the
hammers, these two birds faced round, watching the process with apparently intense interest;
and notwithstanding the sparks of fire flew close to them, they would only bob their heads
and shake their feathers. There were several forges in the shop, but they seemed to prefer
the one that did the heaviest work, Avhich was in consequence that which displayed the greatest
amount of fire and diffusion of sparks; but their strongest attachment was to the vice-man who
brought them to the shop, and who fed them in their nest. For some little time he took
them home on Saturday nights, and brought them back again on Monday mornings; but he
discontinued doing so when they grew to maturity. If a stranger came into the shop, the male
Mrd would descend to the ground, and immediately attack the intruder by pecking at his feet.
It was frequently suggested to me that much time was wasted by the workmen in playing
with these creatures, but so great is my love for Natural History, and so much amusement did
these lively creatures contribute, that I could not summons resolution to order their exclusion.
Frequently have I seen the vice-man mentioned, after fitting a nut upon a bolt, leave the bolt
fixed in the vice with the nut screwed down ; he would then shake his finger at the male bird,
by way of admonition not to meddle with it; when the impudent fellow would immediately
hop upon the vice, and began to unscrew the nut from the bolt with his bill, which he would
accomplish by half turns at a time, looking up at the man at intervals very knowingly, and
when he had got it quite off, would drop it down and return to the side of his companion,
who appeared to share in his satisfaction at the exploit. There were many other instances of the
sagacity of these birds, but it is unnecessary to trouble you with them; they had become so
interesting to me that it was with much regret I found, upon going into the shop one Monday
morning, that the female was dead: she was found floating upon the wat(;r in one of the
cooling-troughs, upon the edges of which they so frequently perched. The vice-man declared
it was her partner's doings, and that the villain, who was rogue enough for anything, had
killed his wife. Whether it was so or not he shewed no contrition, and continued as mischievous
as ever, until an occurrence took place which closed the anmsing fellow's career. — It happened
that a traveller from some chemical works called at the shop, offering for sale a cheap sort of
grease adapted for smiths' use; the vice-man filled his grease-box with this composition; the
next morning poor Jack was found lying on his back. There is no doubt but he was in the
habit of feeding from the grep^e-pot, and some poisonous ingretlient in this compound finished
him. — Thomas Fulleu, Bath, January 10th., 1863.

The Peregrine Falcon, (Falco percgrinus,) laying eggs in confinement. — A rather rare cir-
cumstance occuiTcd in the town of Dumfries last summer, namely, a pair of Peregrine
Falcons in confinement, and where they have been confined for some years, not only produced

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 107

■ eggs, but continued to sit on them for twelve days — the male taking his share of duty.
The cause of their giving up sitting was on account of being disturbed by strangers : after this
disturbance they would not again sit. It would have been most interesting to liave had a pair
of young Peregrines produced under such circumstances. There is every reason to believe such
■would have been the case from the assiduity displayed by them while they sat, had not this
untoward meeting occurred. I may mention the eggs were fertile, as proved by being broken —
they were too in number. — "W. G. Johnstone, Greenbrae Cottage, Dumfries, Jan. 14th., 1853.

Feregrine Falcon, (Falco peregrinus.) — I have just had a very fine specimen of this somewhat
scarce bird presented to me by a friend, who shot it on the 11th. of this month at Aveton
Gifford, near Kingsbridge, Devon. W. G. Matthews, 4, Portland Square, Plymouth, February
15th., 1853.

Feregrine Falcon, (Falco peregrinus,) near York. — A very fine old female Peregrine was shot
near Easingwold on January 22ud., and came into the possession of Mr. D. Graham, of this
city, where I saw it in the flesh. The expanse of the wings was three feet six inches; its
extreme length, one foot seven inches; length of foot, four inches and five-eighths; and it
weighed two pounds two ounces. It was in very fine feather. — B. E. M., York, Feb. 8th., 1853.

Hawjlnch, (Coccothraustes vulgaris,) near York. — A specimen of this bird was shot at Marston,
by Mr. T. Dayrell, on Monday, January 31st. — Idem.

The Ivory Gull, (Larus ebumeus,) near Torquay. — A specimen of this bird was shot on the
19th. of January, at Livermead, near Torquay. This rare Gull was seen first about the Torquay
pier evidently much exhausted. It kept settling on the pier wall, and was driven off by the
boys. It settled several times on the sea wall, whence it was followed to Livermead and shot.
On skinning the bird, it was found to be very poor in flesh, and no doubt the late winds and
stress of weather had driven it from its northern haunts. Yarrell states that the first specimen
of this species found in the British Isles was in 1822. It is now in the possession of Mr. E.
Burt, bird-stuffer, at 5, Higher Terrace, who has also two specimens of the Black Redstart,
(Fhoenicura tithys,) shot within a few days of the Ivory Gull. {From the Torquay Directory,
JaniMry 25th., 1853.) — Caleb Weeks, Torquay, January 25th., 1853.

Note on Colymbus glacialis. — This fine species has been remarkably abundant during the
past month of December — ten or a dozen being no uncommon number visible from the beach;
and a Preventive man tells me that he counted upwards of thirty under the lee of Looe Island
at one time, mostly drifting quietly with the head resting on the back, appai*ently asleep — a
position I have observed with a glass from the beach; and I noticed one in the early part of
the month with considerable white markings still left on the back, and some dark on the chin.
From the raised feathers on the head and general appearance, they have sufiered much from
hunger during the severe south-west gales, so prevalent throughout the month, and now depend
mainly on the common Shore Crab, (Carcinus moenas,) for a supply of food, of which they
catch great numbers, carefully denuding obstreporous ones of their legs previous to swallowing.*
I have seen one stick on the road, and violently shaken out again for a few more vigorous
pocks, and then swallowed. It is very interesting to watch them fishing in a heavy surf, getting
fearlessly amongst the breakers close in shore, diving easily through the heavy breaking seas, and
quietly riding over such as allow it without risking a capsize. I observed one busy in a very
heavy sea, during the severe storm on Dec. 27th., hunting for his breakfast as unconcerned as
in a calm. — Clement Jackson, East Looe, January 10th., 1853.

The Speckled Diver, (C. septentrionalis,) has been scarce, and I have only heard of two or
three specimens being observed for the winter. — Idem.

I saw two female Mergansers, probably M. serrator, swimming near the beach early in the
month, but have not heard of them since. — Idem.

The Common Stormy Petrel, (Procellaria Pelagica,) was abundant last autumn. One brought
me alive on the 28th, of October, was still in moult, the long quill feathers not yet cast; on
being put into a large basket, it repeatedly and rapidly climbed up the side, hooking on its

• When diving unsuccessfully for food, they remain immersed one minute, as repeatedly timed by a
watch, but otherwise brinpr their prey to the surface at once.

108 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

closed beak to assist, fluttering the while, and on arriving at the top held fast with its chin and
closed mandibles till mounted safely on the edge. — Idem.

Note on the Cochin China Fowl. — This noble-looking^bird has, since its introduction to this
country, been the object of severe criticism by poultry admirers, not only on account of the
novelty of its size, but most especially to satisfy the ever-prevailing propensity "Self-Interest,"
whicli hiis given rise to the question, Does it possess superior qualifications, in point of prolificity,
to our more anciently-established breeds of Fowls? To those who are undecided, with regard
to this question, let me introduce to them the following, calling into question the well-known
maxim, "Facts are stubborn things:" — A gentleman, residing in Altrincham, has in his possession
several hens and a cock of the above species of poultry. One of the hens, the subject of this
communication, commenced laying when about three months and a half old, and laid, without
intermission, sixty-one days, and on two of those days she laid two eggs each day, making a
total of sixty-three eggs in sixty-one days, a fact which I think well worthy of note. — P. B.,
Stockport, February 15th., 1853.

Extraordinary Men's Egg. — I had presented to me by the same gentleman an Egg, which
was laid by a Hen no larger than a good-sized Bantam. The circumference in the long diameter
was seven inches and five-eighths; short diameter, six inches. — Idem.

On the Note of the Blue Tit, (Parus caeruleus.) — Until a few months back, I was not aware
that the Blue Tit could with propriety be called a songster ; at tlie time I speak of I was living
in a house in the heart of the city, but nevertheless we were daily visited by a Eobin and
three or four Blue Tits, which we regularly fed. My little girl, then about ten months old,
was greatly amused with watching them, and knew them quite well. On one occasion I was
standing with my back to the window, when I heard what I thought was the Eobin singing,
aud said to the child, "There's Bobby;" on going to the window however I found the song
proceeded from a Blue Tit, an old bird, and it continued for some time, at intervals, singing
a song so like the Robin's, that unless I had been watching him, I should certainly have pro-
nounced it that of the Robin. It was not so strong a voice as the Robin's, but the notes were
very sweet; nor did it continue singing so long at one time as the Robin does, but the notes
were identically the same. I had the pleasure of hearing this bird's song frequently afterwards
until he paired, and domestic affairs took him from ray window. I am still unaware whether
this sweet song was the attribute of this individual only, or is common to the species; and
whether it is confined to the spring of the year, the time when the circumstance above mentioned
occurred.— B. R. M., York, January 29th., 1853.

Rare Birds near Richmond. — I observed yesterday, in a plantation near this town, a small
flock of Crossbills, {Loxia curvirostra,) which are not uncommon visitors here. They appear
especially to congregate in the vicinity of a clump of old withei'ed Scotch firs. The only
instance of the Buzzard, ( Buteo vulgaris,) breeding in Yorkshire, which I have heard of for
some time, occurred at Sedburgh, near Kendal, last summer. The nest contained three eggs,
which were all preserved. I shall be glad to purchase any of the rarer sorts of eggs from any
person who is disposed to part with them. Perhaps some of your correspondents can refer me
to a dealer in any of our larger towns, from whom I can purchase eggs. — H. S., Richmond,
Yorkshire, February 3rd., 1853.

Little Auk, (Mergulus alle,) near Edinburgh. — I beg to" inform you that I shot a specimen
of the Little Auk near Cramond, on the Frith of Forth, about four miles from Edinburgh, on
the 14th. of February. — Robert H. Bkoughton, Edinburgh, February 21st., 1853.

Curious circumstance. — A very singular shot was made a short time since by Mr. John Cooper,
a farmer at Flixton, near Bungay. He observed a Kingfisher, (Alcedo ispida,) sitting on a
spray over a pond, and upon its rising discharged his gun, when a second crossed his line of
fire, and they both fell. Mr. Cooper is a tenant of J. Crowfoot, Esq., M. D., of Beccles, to
whom I am indebted for a relation of the circumstance. — A Subsciubek, February 5th., 1853.

A Lark, (Alauda arvensis,) with but one foot. — In the last part of "The Naturalist," your
lona correspondent mentions having sometimes got birds with only one foot. Whilst at the

REVIEWS.

109

Isle of Man last summer, I shot a female Sky-lark minus the left foot, whilst in every other
respect tlie bird was apparently perfectly healthy.— Thomas Kiukham, Fairfield, Manchester,
February 5th., 1853.

A List op Migratory Birds seen in the neighbouhhood op
Needuam Markkt, Suffolk, with the date op their first appearance in 1849-50-1-2.— By H.Linowood.

NAME OF THE SPECIES.

1849.

1850.

1851.

1852.

Ghiff Chaff, (Sylvia hippolais,)

March 31,

April 1,

April

2,

March 27,

Wryneck, (Yuux torquilla,)

April

5,

„ 6,

10,

April 1,

Redntart, (I'liconicura ruticilla,)

)»

8,

„ 7,

12,

„ 11,

JVilloiv Warbler, (Sylvia trochilus,)

)>

10,

)) 3,

14,

„ 5,

Garden Warbler, (Curruca hortensis,)

j>

13,

„ 24,

19,

„ 15,

Common Whitcthroat, (Curruca cincrea,)

))

13,

„ 11,

18,

„ 15,

Blaekcap Warbler, (Curruca atricapilla,)

,,

14,

May 2,

16,

„ 16,

Grasshopper Warbler, (Salicaria locustella,)

n

15,

April 14,

18,

„ 20,

Tree Pipit, (Anthus arboreus,)

)J

16,

„ 3,

20,

„ 14,

Swallow, (Hirundo rustica,)

»»

22,

„ 7,

16,

„ 15,

Sedge Warbler, (Salicaria phragmitis,)

1)

22,

„ 9,

19,

„ 19,

Nightingale, (Philomela luscinia,)

>)

23,

M 8,

18,

„ 17,

Ray's Wagtail, (Motacilla flava,)

))

24,

,, 20,

9,

„ 17,

Sand Martin, (Hirundo riparia,)

)5

25,

,, 12,

18,

„ 14,

Cuckoo, (Cuculus canorus,)

)J

27,

„ 29,

18,

„ 26,

JFJieatear, (Saxicola oenanthe,) •

))

28,

May 9,

17,

„ 17,

Whinchat, (Saxicola rubetra,)

)>

28,

„ 9,

14,

„ 17,

Lesser Whitcthroat, (Curruca sylvicola,)

)»

30,

April 11,

19,

„ 26,

Martin, (Hirundo urbica,)

))

30,

„ 25,

17,

„ 28,

Red-backed Shrike, (Lanius coUurio,)

May

5,

May 10,

17,

„ 30,

Spotted Flycatcher, (Muscicapa grisola,)

"

30,

„ 9.

17,

May 4,

As a proof of the mildness of the season it may be
14th.,) a Blackbird's nest, with four eggs hatched that
county." From the Norwich Mercury, January 22nd., 1853

stated that on Friday last, (January
day, was found at Horsford, in this
. Hampden G. Glasspoole, Ormesby.

The Common Vapourer Moth, (Orgyia antiqua,) is always a common enough insect, but I
have never seen or heard of its appearance, at least of that of its larvae, in anything like the
numbers in which they have appeared the present year, 1852, in the month of August, in which
also I have already seen three or four specimens of the perfect Moth on the wing, one of
them a bred one, while the majority are yet in the caterpillar state ; an unusually early period,
as I imagine, for the former. On the walls of the large flour and malt mill of Mr. Henry
Thompson, of this place, pear trees are trained to the top, to the height of sixty feet. All
these pear trees, three or four in particular, were infested with the caterpillars of this moth to
such an extent, that the leaves were almost totally destroyed, the fruit being much injured in
consequence. — F. 0. Morris, Naffertou Vicarage, Driffield, August, 1852.

A Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Ferns gro^oing in the Neighbourhood
of Aberdeen. By P. H. Macgillivray, A. M. Aberdeen: J. A. Wilson j
London: Whittaker and Co. 1853. p. p. 44.

The value of carefully compiled local Floras and Faunas has always been
acknowledged by us,- and it is with much pleasure that we direct attention

110 rROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIKS,

to the above little work. The localities for nearly seven hundred plants are
given, and the author has very judiciously discriminated those for which he
himself is responsible, and those which he has given on the authority of
others. To any one who may have an opportunity of collecting near Aberdeen,
it will be an invaluable Pocket Companion, while to the closet naturalist it
offers material assistance in working out the various problems in Botanical
Geography, and to the mere collector it points out what he may hope to
obtain by exchange or otherwise from any correspondent in that district.
Mr. Macgillivray has evidently bestowed much labour and care on this little
volume, and we shall be glad to learn that a new and probably enlarged
edition is soon called for.

Herbarium Labels for the British Ferns and Allied Plants. By Thomas
Moore, F. L, S., Curator of Chelsea Botanic Garden, &c. London:
Groombridge and Sons. '

These labels, which are intended for pasting on Herbarium covers, are
printed in good, clear type, and embrace the orders, genera, species, and
varieties of the Ferns and allied Plants. They appear to us well calculated
for their intended use, and Mr. Moore's well-known character as a botanist
is an ample guarantee for the nomenclature used.

^rnmMugs nf InrhtiBH.

Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh. — The Eoyal Physical Society met on Saturday, the
12th. February, at two o'clock in the afternoon,— Hugh Miller, Esq., President, in the chair.
The following donation to the library was presented, for which thanks were voted to the
Liverpool Society: — "Proceedings of the Liverpool Literary and Philosophical Society, Thirty-
eighth and Thirty-ninth Sessions."

The first communication laid before the meeting was, — "On some Insects from the Eocky
Mountains, received from the Botanical Expedition to Oregon under Mr. Jeffrey. By Andrew
Murray, Esq., W. S.

After alluding to the principal object of the exhibition, and describing some of the new
Coniferm, the seeds of which have been sent home, Mr. Murray, said, "When the Association
was newly started, I suggested to the Committee of management that an addition might be
made to its funds by admitting a limited number of entomologists, to receive Beetles instead
of seeds. In spring and early summer there would be few or no seeds to collect, while that
was the very best season for insects; and at other times the collecting of the two might be
made compatible, by instructing the collector to make the seeds his principal, and the insects
only his subordinate object. The Committee adopted the suggestion, and the allowed number
of entomologists immediately came forward. Unfortunately, Mr. Jeffrey was not an entomologist,
and consequently, although he has no doubt done his best, only a very small supply of insects
has yet been received. These consist of a few taken near Yoi-k Factory and on the way to
the Rocky Mountains, a few taken at Jasper House on their east flank, and the rest taken

on the west flank.

I hand round a box containing the specimens which fell to my lot, with the insects from
the different quarters placed slightly apart. The insects in the first detachment are those
taken near York Factory (the nearest point to this country which Mr. Jeffrey visited,) and

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. Ill

members will see that there is a very great resemblance between them and the insects of this
country. I have placed on coloured paper one or two British specimens of the same species
immediately after some of the American specimens, that members may have an opportunity
of comparing them; and in these instances I think they will see that they are nearly the
same. There arc a considerable number of insects which arc common both to North America
and Europ:). Kirby, in Richardson's "Fauna Boreali Americana," describes forty-nine Beetles
as identical. So far as my observation goes, I should say they were too close to be specifically
separated; but still that there is a slight difference, which enables a practised eye to detect
which is American and which is British ; but such variations I look upon merely as the effect
of the difference of food and climate. The next division in the boxes contains the insects
taken on the east flank of the Rocky Mountains, and among them members will see two or
three very beautiful Carabi (which are undescribed.) The last division comprises those from
the west flank of the Rocky Mountains, most of which also are undescribed. Among these
will be seen a few specimens of a representative of our Blister-fly. I have placed next them,
on coloured paper, the common Blister-fly of Europe. A considerable number of these Beetles
was received; in fact, a greater proportion of them than of any other species; from which I
infer that they are found in large numbers, in the same way as they are in Europe, and i
that when a great empire shall have grown up on the west of the Rocky Mountains, the
apothecaries of its cities will be supplied with this essential article from their own hills. That
the species has the same blistering properties as the European insect I do not in the least
doubt. The specimens are too few and too valuable to allow us to pound some of them up
to make the experiment, but the whole of the spirits in which the insects came home was
tinged by them of their own greenish hue. The only other insects in the lot which particularly
call for attention are the two which are placed last, and stand a little apart. The first is a
Carabm of a very curious form, or rather, I should say, a new genus approaching Carabus.
I propose to call it apoplecticm, from its apoplectic appearance The other small fawn-coloured
insect beside it is by far the most curious of the whole. It is a species (I believe undescribed)
of a most extraordinary genus of Beetles (Nemognatha, Lat.^ of great rarity, and which, I
imagine, few of our members have had an opportunity of seeing before. The extraordinary
part of this insect is the two curling appendages at its mouth. For the benefit of those who
are not entomologists I may mention, that the principal parts of the mouth of a Beetle are
those which I have delineated in the rough sketch which I now show. The mandibles, or
jaws, which seize and comminute the food, and the maxillae, which are a second pair of jaws,
of a thinner and finer texture, and generally furnished with hairs, and fine teeth somewhat
like a comb. These maxillae are furnished with either one or two pair of palpi attached to
them. Besides these, the labium or under lip is furnished with a pair of palpi. The principal
office of these, although they are to a certain extent analogous to the antennas, is probably to
perform that duty of the tongue which consists in placing and keeping the food in its proper
position between the jaws during mastication. It is only, however, to the mandibles and
maxilla) that I wish in this instance to direct attention. They, like the antenna) and palpi
(indeed, like every part of an insect,) vary much in their forms; but however much thej^ do
so, they still bear the same relation to the rest of the body. But here we have what appears
a deviation from this rule. All the other parts remain in their normal state, but the maxillje
are changed into long flexible processes, which project from the mouth. I have marked in the
sketch the mandibles black, the maxillae red, and the long processes by which they are
replaced blue. These seem to be composed of a succession of rings meeting at the back. The
specimen being unique, is too valuable to be sacrificed for dissection, so that I cannot say
whether it is tubular or not; but it has every appearance of being so. In fact, it bears a
strong resemblance to the trunk of an elephant, with the exception of the termination. Instead
of having a mouth or opening, it appears to terminate in a point, — at least, with the most
powerful lens, I can discover no opening at the end of the tube. This strange conversion of
the maxilla) would find a parallel, were we to suppose an elephant with a pair of additional
trunks (though impervious) issuing from its mouth, in place of the molar teeth. These
observations have been made solely from the diied specimen. It occurred among the lot
which fell to my friend Dr. Lowe, to whose kindness I owe the specimen, as well as several
others of the most valuable in the box. He was at once much struck with the singular
appendages I have described, and tells rae they were highly flexible when taken out of the

112 THE UETROSPFX'T. THE QUERIST.

spirits. As to their probable use, I cannot even hazard a conjecture, as we have no information
regarding the habits of the insect ; but I may say that, to my eye, the organ appears to have
more relation to the antenusB than to anything else. A few species of this genus have been
already found in North America and Mexico, as well as five or six in Africa; but they are
very scarce. In the corner of the box there are a few specimens of two insects (an Anobium,
and a Cryptophagtis) which came home alive, feeding upon the cones, and which, however
acceptable to me as an entomologist, I can honestly say I would rather have dispensed with,
for the sake of my horticultural friends, who may have suffered from their ravages."

2. — Mr. R F. Logan exhibited and described various Additions to the Lepidoptera of
Edinburghshire, captured during the last year. After placing at the disposal of the Society,
for the u.se of the members, a few copies of the Catalogue of the Lepidopterous Insects of
Mid Lothian, published in "The Naturalist," Mr. Logan enumerated twenty-eight additional
species which had been unintentionally omitted from the list, among which were Agrotls
Lunigcra, Eupithecia palustraria, Micropteryx fastuosella, CEcophora senescens, and several
other species of interest. He then read a list of twenty-five species added during the past
summer (1852,) and exhibited the insects, among which wei-e Phlmodes immundana, Lithocolletis
Messaniella, Z., Nepticula Argyropeza, Z., GcUchia politella, Doug., Gelechia Anthyllidella,
and marmorea, Crambus Dumetellus, and Contaminellus, and Actebia Prcecox. In conclusion,
he brought before the notice of the Society the plan of a work which he projected, should it
meet with sufficient support, to be intituled "Illustrations of Scottish Lepidoptera," in which
he intended to figure many of the rarer and more interesting species, with details of their
transformations and economy. He exhibited a number of the drawings in preparation, three
or four of which would form a part, to be issued quarterly; and solicited the names of
subscribers, to enable him to carry out his undertaking.

3. — Mr. Hugh Miller read a Paper on '. the Red Sandstone, Marble, and Quartz Rock
Deposits of Assynt, with ■ their supposed organisms and probable analogues. We regret that
space will not allow us to insert this very interesting paper.

At the conclusion of the meeting, James Bonar, Esq., W. S., York Place, and George Meldrum,
Esq., accountant, 53, York Place, were balloted for, and unanimously elected members of the
Society.

i\)t llftroBjiFrt.

Wood Anemone, (Anemone nemorosa.) — In last month's "Retrospect" Mr. Daniell remarks
that he does not "remember to have seen any Wood Anemone that was not flushed with
purple." It may be the case that in such a rich county as Devon the flowers assume this
bright array, but I can assure hira that in the north, where limestone is scarce, the purple
Anemones are the exception, whereas the white predominate. Readers who have botanized in
Scotland, or in Cumberland and Westmorland, will corroborate this statement. It occurs to
me that Mr. Daniell's statement tends in a great measure to bear out Mr. Rothory's opinion
that the heat and "limey nature of the soil" probably assisted in producing the change in
the colour of the flowers. Of course when I say that the general colour of the flowers is white,
I refer to the upper, not the tinder surface of the petals.— J. B. Davies, Ripon, March 21st.,
1853.

€lie dintrist.

I had last year some Caterpillars of the White Ermine Moth and the Vapourer Moth, feeding
together in the same box, and more than once I found some of the chrysalides into which
individuals of the one kind had turned, partially devoured by those of the other which were
yet in the larva state. Is this an unusual circumstance?— F. 0. Morris, Nafferton Vicarage,
Driffield, March 28th., 1853.

113

OUR ZOOLOGICAL ANCESTORS,
AND THEIR LABOURS IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE.

No. I. — Joannes Goedartius.

In the present advanced state of natural science, when at length it has
assumed its true position amongst philosophic minds in every civilized country
— when the Naturalist sees with pleasure his favourite study making such
rapid advances, from the investigations of many who are now pursuing that
path, formerly trod by a few, he is led to reflect on the process, often a
slow and painful one, which has led to so many and great results. Undoubtedly
the first care of the student of nature, on attempting to investigate the
objects of his study, ought to consist in acquiring some knowledge of the
labours of his forerunners in this particular sphere; for assuredly he must
sooner or later make himself versant with the rise and progress of his science,
if his aim be at all higher than that of the plodding collector of natural
objects, who neither knows how to use them, nor how intellectually to enjoy
them. It is with pleasure and almost with veneration that the student refers
to the fathers of his science, and holds converse with them in those monuments
of a past era, those writings which it is no less his delight than his privilege
to consult, as enabling him to appreciate and thoroughly to understand the
basis and value of the accumulated knowledge of his own day.

The progress of systematic Entomology affords, perhaps, of all other branches
of Natural History, a more interesting field for historical examination. The
metamorphoses and peculiar structure of the little denizens of the insect
world, their habits and economy, their natural affinities, their classification and
rank in the scale of nature, and a thousand other points of interest, are
ju«t so many topics of slow elucidation, marked at the same time by many
erroneous conclusions on the part of the early zoological writers. In this
respect hardly any other department of natural science exhibits so plainly
the first dawning of light, and the gradual development of truth; the circle
of which, after remaining stationary from the time of Aristotle till the revival
of zoology in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, has at length expanded
under the influence of a more inquiring age, in the hands of some of the
brightest intellects that have ever adorned the literature of the world.

But it is not our intention to dwell on the history of zoological science
properly so called; — this has already been very ably elucidated once and again
by other writers, so as to make even comment unnecessary; neither is it
to give a consecutive enumeration or review of the works of the older authors,
many of which are well known, or at least described at length in recent
works of easy access; we propose merely to notice in these pages those early
authors whose works appear to us to be little known, or which have been
passed over by biographers with little more than a bare allusion. By these
details we hope to instruct as well as to interesiu-tkoge of our readers whose

VOL. III.

114

OUR ZOOLOr.TOAL ANCESTORS.

opportunities for consulting such books are few, or whose information on
such matters may have hitherto been too circumscribed. We will also
endeavour to show the influence which such works had on the study of Natural
History at the time, and any practical bearings they may seem still to possess
on the present state of Natural History.

Towards the middle of the seventeenth century, when zoology, as a science,
had made little progress since the impetus it had received by the previous
labours of Salvianus, Gesner, and two or three other cotemporarics, and while
the researches of our countrymen Willughby, Eay, and Lister were being
prosecuted with a zeal commensurate with their successful results, a Dutch
painter, John Goedart, was quietly pursuing his enquiries into the transformations
and habits of the insect tribes; a subject hitherto little understood, though not
long after resumed by Kedi, and elaborated and explained by the masterly
genius of Swammerdam. We are not aware of the exact date of the birth of
Goedart: it was certainly before the year 1620. He died in 1668. The
first volume of his investigations was published at Middleburgh, in 1662, the
second in 1667, and the third and last after the author's death, but without
date. The size of these volumes is 12mo, and two editions seem to have been
issued almost simultaneously from the press; one in Dutch, and the other in
Latin. The Latin edition was executed under the editorial care of J. De Mey
and Paul Veezaerdt ; and, though a faithful translation of the author's text,
verbum de verho, as De Mey tells us, it contains in addition a good deal of
irrelevant matter, the remains of the ^^cumbrous lore" of preceding ages. A
French translation also appeared in three volunies, in ] 700. Of these we
consider the Latin edition the best, and to which we now refer for a few
details: —

It is entitled "Metamorphosis et Historia naturalis insedomm. Autore Joanne
Goedartio. Cum Gommentariis D. Joannis De Mey, &c" The first volume
contains soventy-nine coloured plates, and two hundred and thirty six pages
of text, including a Treatise by De Mey, on the Ephemera, with an additional
rudely engraved plate of the perfect insect; and another Treatise on the nature
of Comets. The metamorphoses of the various insects delineated by our author,
which he terms ^^experiments," relate chiefly to the Lepidopterous tribes, though
reveral species of Diptera 'are introduced, and a few Beetles; all of which are
represented with a degree of accuracy, and sometimes even of beauty, that at
once attests the very marked improvement now made in zoological engraving.
As a sample of the species treated on, we may mention those of plates 1, 11, 21,
26, and 27, representing the transformations of Vanessa lo, Pontia Brassicff;,
Vanessa Urticce, V. Atalanta, and Pontia Bapce respectively; 17, 23, and 38
Arctia caja, A. luhricepeda, and A. Menthastri ; 2, 47, and 54 the Linneaa
Muscce tenax, Pyrastri, and cadaverina ; 43, 76, and 78 Cassida viridis,
Oryllotalpa vulgaris, and Melolontha vulgaris. The accompanying text is a
simple narrative of the habits of the larvae in confinement, their food, and
the dates of their transformations, — the sole result of observation. The second

OUa ZOOLOGICAL ANCESTORS. 115

volume is adorned by a very well engraved portrait of the author, and contains
many interesting details on the transformations of insects of different orders.
Thus on plates 3 and 17 we have represented Tenthredo Hosce and T. pavida;
42 J Meloe Proscarahoeus ; 51, Saperda carcharias ; 18, Coccinella 1 -punctata;
44, Tlpida oleracea ; 13 and 34, Oeonietra urticata and G. sambucaria; and
plate 37 contains the larva of the Puss Moth, with its parasite Ophion
luteum. The number of plates in this volume is fifty- one, with two hundred
and fifty-nine pages of text, inclusive of a useless appendix by the editor,
"de insectorum utilitate,'' etc.

The last volume opens with a very excellent plate of Vanessa cardui ; plates
E, K, R, and X are respectively devoted to the metamorphoses of Notodonta
ziczac, Cidaria Jlnctuata, Agrion Puella, and Tipula plumosa; and the work
closes with a figure of Saturrda P. mcy'or, which was sent the author from
Paris, '^ut originera ejus, data occasione, indagaret." The plates in this last
volume are twenty in number, the text occupying forty-five pages. Upwards
of a hundred additional pages are tilled, by way of appendix, with the same
sort of irrelevant matter which characterize the other editorial addenda of
De Mey.

In 1(582, an English translation of Gocdart's work, by Dr. Martin Lister,
was published at York, in small 4to. The plates are very accurately copied,
but the figures are all reversed j and the text, which is wretchedly printed,
is full of typographical errors. This edition is now rarely to be met with,
only one hundred and fifty copies having been printed, as the Dr. tells us,
and "which were intended only for the curious." Lister subsequently published
another edition in Latin, with the sama plates, in 1685, in 8vo. In these
editions the insects are grouped together into sections, according to the editor's
idea of their affinity* while many judicious remarks and strictures are made
on Gocdart's observations, sometimes Lister not hesitating to say that "the
whole thing is impertinent, and not worth the recital."

As a specimen at once of the author's text, and Lister's style of translation
and remarks, we will give a single extract from the English edition, page 81,
where Goedart, in his "experiment" with the larva of the Vapourer Moth,
goes on to say that "it changes its skiVi with great anxiety, wiping its
sweaty body with the feather-like tufts; all the day, after the shifting of its
skin, it rests without food, and all its body is very tender and soft. After
it had cleansed itself well, it changed the 20th. of June, and abode in it
until the 30th. of the same month, and then can)e forth a wretched creature,
neither butterfly nor caterpillar; the reason of the defect was, that it abstained
from meat before its time, its body not being arrived to that perfection
requisite to its change."

Lister then adds, "The author's words must be favourably interpreted, for
it is plain in the table that the animal was a butterfly; but as he well notes
a starved thing; many of which I have had, whose wings were yet imperfect,
or at least not in a condition to bo expanded." Such appears to have been

116 OUR ZOOLOGICAL ANCESTORS.

the early ideas of the cause of apterous females in a moth, which Lister in
the preceding page calls "a monster in nature, such as the birth of a bird
would be without wings."

We have thus endeavoured to give some slight idea of the labours of
Goedart in the field of entomology, deeming it unnecessary to enter into
more details. In estimating his merits as a naturalist, we must consider
rather the difficulties under which he laboured than the amount of scientific
information which he gave to the world. Forty years of his life he spent
in investigating the insect tribes, as we are informed; and yet how little
apparent progress he made his little volumes show. But, when viewed in
another light, the benefits he conferred on entomology were not small; and
the history of his experiments must ever remain valuable, as being the result
of observation and careful inquiry, despite the errors into which he was
occasionally led. Facts were what he sought; and we in vain look for the
useless hypotheses and ignorant deductions so frequently indulged in by previous
writers. He had evidently no idea of system; the structure and affinities of
the objects of his research had apparently been a subject with him of little
interest. His little work, however, must always remain as a striking token
of advancement in the direction of truth — a forerunner to that era in
entomological science which was just commencing; and as such it will ever
be prized by the entomologist; for, though the investigations of our author
were far eclipsed in succeeding years by those of Swammerdara, Meriaii, and
Ray, yet his accurate delineations and remarks must have been valued by
them as at least a guiding-star to further observation and improvement. And
even in our own day, surely it is not too much to say that these volumes
may still be profitably consulted; for, though the materials were compiled
from observations made two hundred years ago, yet the same laws that
obtained in nature then still and must ever exist till the end of time; and
while we reflect on the information which we now possess on the economy
and transformations of the various tribes of the Annulosa, and the wide
field that still opens before us in this interesting department of natural science,
those who first devoted their mental energies to smooth the way for future
inquiry surely claim a double portion of our regard; and of all those names
in the early history of our science which it delights us to invest with many
pleasing associations, there is not one that affords us more satisfaction in
assigning an honourable position than that of Joannes Goedartius.

S. Db V.
March 2dth., 1853.

117
A DAY'S EAMBLE ON THE COAST OF DEVON.

BY R. A, JULIAN, ESQ., JUN.

On July 4th., 1852, accompanied by a friend, I started from Plymouth at
seven, A. M., and proceeded to Newton-Ferrers, a small village near the
mouth of the River Yealm, in order to procure a boat, and search for specimens
along the sea-coast. On our road as we passed through Brixton, we observed
the sides of a cottage chimney completely covered with the Common Polypody
Fern, (Polypodium vulgare,) which we thought a rather peculiar habitat for
it. On the walls both here and at Yealmpton, was an abundance of Ctterach
officinarum, very luxuriant, attaining a larger size when growing on walls built
■without mortar, some of the fronds measuring nine inches in length. The
Asplenium Tricho manes and Asplenium Mtda muraria, were flourishing aroun
it. As we ascended Puslinch hill the steep banks on each side of us were
clothed with Scolopendrium vulgare, exhibiting occasionally singular forms by
the repeated branchings of its fronds. Pteris aqidlina was of [a large size,
and Athyrium Filix foemina, Athyrium molle, and Athyrium convexum, were
to be seen at the same glance, the latter generally preferring the moister
spots. Aspidium angulare and Aspidium Filix mas were not overlooked.

We shortly gained our boat and rowed down the River Yealm to its mouth,
where in some steep cliffs hundreds of the Herring and Lesser Black-backed
Gulls were breeding, their young peeping out of the crevices in the rocks
about half-fledged. These are the only two species of Gulls I have ever found
.breeding on our coast. With regard to the Kittiwake (Larus tridactylus ,)
and the Winter Gull, {^Larws canas,) there seems still to exist some doubt
whether they breed on the south coast of England: would it not be desirable
for some Ornithologist residing there to give us the result of his experience
on this subject? Other feathered inhabitants of these precipices were Kestrels,
Jackdaws, and a few Ravens, and the House Martins were assiduous in their
attentions to their young; the nests of the latter birds being studded thick as
possible on the roofs of all the caves.

The Eock Pipit, (Anthus petrosus,) here plentiful, would occasionally ascend
into the air whilst singing, similarly to those nearly allied species the Tree
and Meadow Pipits. A Peregrine Falcon, a noble old fellow, here passed us,
causing such dismay among the feathered creation that it reminded us of the
old saying ''The devil take the hindmost." There is every year a nest or
two of this beautiful bird on some inaccessible ledge in these precipices.

On an isolated rock the Tree Mallow, {Lavatera rarhoea,) grew in a dense
mass, and between four and five feet in height; and opposite us the Fern,
{Asplenium marinum,) occupied the smaller fissures, especially where there was
dripping water. After having remained about two hours here, we crossed the
estuary, and strolled along the margin of some less stupendous precipices; the
notes of the Cuckoo issued from a neighbouring one, and presently out it
came, closely pursued by numerous Pipits. The Cuckoo frequents these cliffs.

118 JOTTINGS AT BRIGHTON.

occasionally depositing an egg in the nest of a Rock Pipit. The gradual slope
above us was profusely decorated with the Foxglove, the tops of these plants
affording convenient perching-places for numerous old and young Stoncchats.
It is amusing to see how these birds select the highest seats, on gorse bushes,
etc. Just below us on a point of rock there was an old man fishing; he had
caught two Ballan Wrasse, (Labrus bergi/Ita, Cuv.) each over three pounds
weight: he called them '^'Connors/' and informed us that he captured a great
many between the months of April and October.

When within about one mile of Revelstoke Church, I found a quantity of
that beautiful little plant, Lotus hispidus, Desf. It grew in company with
OrnitJiopus perpusillus. Flantago coronopus was also abundant here, and on
the rocks near the water's edge. Plantago marithna and Inula crithmoidcs
were just coming into bloom. As the day began now to draw to a close, we
hastily retraced our steps, seeing nothing worth noting but a few Common
Buzzards, which passed us in their way to their roosting-placcs along the
precipices.

Emmanuel College j Cambridge, March, dth., 1853.

JOTTINGS AT BRIGHTON,
DURING AN OCCASIONAL SOJOURN THERE.

BY STEPHEN STONE, ESQ.

Wherever we see a deficiency in the Vegetable Kingdom, we are sure to
find a corresponding falling off in the Animal Kingdom; since the latter depends
upon the former for support and shelter. Thus the neighbourhood of Brighton,
from its extremely scanty supply of trees, hedges, or even bushes, cannot be
expected to afibrd a very rich field for the observation of the Naturalist.
Still there are times, namely, at the Vernal, and the Autumnal Equinox,
when the Ornithologist may here b3 indulged with a passing glance at most
of the migratory birds, visiting this "Gem set in the silver sea," our own fair
British Isle; it being not an unfavourable point for crossing the Channel to
or from a warmer clime. "At other times, however, he must be content with
studying the habits of a comparatively few species.

The Rock Pipit, [AntJms petrosus,) and the Cirl Bunting, (Emberiza cirlus,)
are, as might naturally be expected, to be found here. The latter species,
however, not having the same terrestrial habits as the former, must feel itself
much less at home here, and must, methinks, be sorely put to it at times
to find a comfortable roosting-place.

The Hooded or Royston Crow, {Gorvus comix,) may be met with here,
during the winter months, in considerable flocks; they appear to draw no in-
considerable share of their sustenance from the sea shore, resorting there at
low-water, for the purpose of picking up such shell-fish, etc. as may have been
left there by the tide.

JOTTINGS AT BniGHTON. 119

Various species of the Gull tribe, (Laridce,) will be found here, except during
the breeding season, when they mostly retire eastward. It is extremely amusing
to watch these birds, on a stormy day, when the sea is more than usually
rough, sitting calmly on the bosom of the deep, and riding like ships at anchor.
Admirable is tlieir coolness! and their self-possession — admirable! for no matter
how formidable in appearance an approaching wave may be, if it is not likely
to break till after it has passed them, there they sit, sufiFering themselves to
be carried

"up and down,
From the base of the wave, to the billow's crown."

But no sooner does a wave threaten to break upon them, than the moment
before it can do so, up they spring, hovering for a few seconds over the spray
and foam, till the threatening wave has passed, when each one will be seen
quietly to resume its station, "In statu quo."

The fisherboys here have a cruel method of capturing these birds, which,
useful scavengers as they are, ought rather to be protected and encouraged,
than persecuted and annoyed. Procuring a piece of fish or ofFal of some sort,
they stick a couple of fish-hooks in it, to which they attach a line some
twenty or thirty yards in length. This bait, buoyed up by certain pieces of
cork, is carried by the receding tide out to sea, as far as the line will permit.
A boy having hold of the other end of the line, ensconces himself behind a
boat, or other convenient shelter on the beach, looking out for a '^'bite," No
sooner does an unfortunate Gull perceive the tempting morsel, than down he
sweeps, unconscious of the misery he is about to entail upon himself, seizes
and swallows the fatal lurej when he is of course hauled mercilessly to land.

But it is not by boys alone that these poor birds are persecuted and
destroyed, for there are to be found those of mature age, who, if they are
not, ought to be, ^'^come to years of discretion," who take pleasure in
wantonly shooting them; not because they are in want of specimens, nor from
any other justifiable motive, but simply because they consider them good
marks, whereon to essay their skill. To such I would humbly suggest, that
if they must have a moving object, at which to take aim, a common Gossamer,
(Chapeau francaise,) thrown up into the air, is just as good a mark as a com-
mon Gull, [Larus canus,) on the wing. They might thus practice shooting
flying to any extent, without inflicting pain or misery upon any living creature.
The only injury they could inflict, would be upon the hat and the pocket
of its owner, while they would confer a positive benefit upon the hat manufacturer.

I have here more than once seen the common Partridge, {Perdix cinerea,)
so completely ^^out of its element," and so perfectly bewildered thereby, as
on one occasion to settle amongst a concourse of people assembled on the
Pier head, whilst a second continued its course out to sea; and after flying
about three furlongs settled, never of course to take wing again, upon the water.
Whether oblivious of the nature of that element, and labouring under the
delusion that it was going to alight in a green meadow, or whether it sank

120 JOTTINGS AT BRIQHTOKr.

from exhaustion, I will not pretend to say; I can only testify to the fact.
On another occasion an individual of this species allowed itself to be taken by
hand, (myself the captor,) at the other end of the Pier; having run into a
kind of vault built in the cliff, in which the life-boat belonging to the Pier
Company is kept.

I once witnessed here a most astonishing migration of the common Lady
Bird, (Goccinella septempunctata;) the pier, the cliffs, railings, the walls, and
windows of all the houses facing the sea, were covered with them; while the
pavement was literally strewn with them for several successive days; so that
walking became a most painful exercise — painful and destructive to the poor
unfortunate insects, and painful to the feelings of the tender-hearted, whom
business compelled, reluctantly, to march forth to their destruction; since you
could not take a single step without crushing numbers of them. This astounding
flight would seem to have extended along the whole line of the Kentish and
Sussex coast, and to have appeared simultaneously at all the places along that
line. At Margate and Ramsgate they were said to have appeared in such
myriads, as that, at the latter place, several bushels of them were swept up
on the Pier alone.

This migration was immediately preceded by another, not perhaps on quite
so grand a scale as the last, but still the numbers composing it were immense —
of some kind of hymenopterous insect; which I much regret I did not sufficiently
notice at the time, to be able now to record the species. The day before
the appearance of the Ijady Birds, the railings and other parts of the Pier
were thickly studded with these hymenoptera; they seemed to have no anima-
tion about them, but were in a dull lethargic state, refusing to make the least
use of their wings. Perhaps, as might also have been the case with their
successors, they came right across the Channel from the Continent; if so, their
lethargy may be accounted for as the result of fatigue. However they soon
recovered the use of their wings; for the next day the whole of them had
disappeared, and their places were then supplied by the arrival, as before
mentioned, of Goccinella septempunctata.

Should any Entomological reader of ^'The Naturalist" visit Brighton in
Auofust, either for the benefit of the sea air, for recreation, or from any other
motive, and be in want of specimens of the Pearl Skipper, (Pamphila comma,)
or the Grayling Butterfly, (Hlpparchia Semele,) I will proceed to instruct
him where he may find the former sufficiently plentiful to satisfy the reasonable
desires of any individual collector; while the latter may be found in numbers
sufficient for the whole body collectively; in such vast profusion have I seen
them there. Let him, then, take a walk up Rose Hill, and on his right, a
mile and a half or so out of the town, he will perceive some cottages
surrounded with, (rare things in this neighbourhood,) plantations. Here he
will find the Pearl Skipper; and on any of the Downs between this and the
race course, he will find the Grayling Butterfly. I have myself with no more
efficient, nor less simple apparatus than a written sheet of paper, (a letter in

JOTTINGS AT BUKJUTOX. 121

fact which I happened to have in my pocket,) twisted into the shape of a
funnel, caught thirty or forty specimens in a dayj I of course was only able
to capture them sitting, and this alone testifies to the extreme tameness of
the species, since I was obliged to approach every specimen sufficiently near
to "put salt upon its tail." The dry, bracing, and most delightful air on these
Downs, will of itself amply repay the toil of walking to them.

Inefficient as the simple apparatus with which I took these insects undoubtedly
is, r still prefer it to a hat for that purpose. True it is you may capture
an ins33t on the wing with your hat, which you cannot do with a sheet of
foolscap; but be it remembered it is one thing to get a butterfly or moth
into a hat, and another to get it out again, uninjured. The former, though
requiring some degree of dexterity, is comparatively easy; the latter exceedingly
difficult. Thus you make a successful sweep at a rare butterfly or moth with
your hat; you finish that, sweep by placing the hat, almost mechanically, on
^your head; you congratulate yourself on having captured a beautiful specimen.
True, you have captured it; there it is snug enough. But, perchance, another
specimen equally rare and beautiful, crosses your path; what are you to do;
your first impulse undoubtedly is, to take ofi^ your hat, and make a passing
sweep at it too; but it suddenly occurs to you, that by so doing, you will in
all probability place yourself in the position of the dog in the fable, who, in
grasping at a shadow, lost the substance. You therefore, perhaps wisely, keep
your hat on your head, and allow this last specimen to pursue its course
unmolested. But it remains to be seen whether the substance in your hat will
not, ere you can transfer it to your cabinet, become "the shadow of its former
self;" should there chance to be a house near at hand, into which you can
enter, all may be well. But it does not generally happen that rare butterflies
and moths are found in the immediate neighbourhood of houses; and you may
have some miles to walk ere you can place your captive in a place of safety,
for assuredly it is by no means safe as yet. As you walk homeward, it
may remain quiet enough for a time, but after a while it becomes restless — ■
the closeness of the atmosphere may be oppressive to it, or that atmosphere
may be charged with odours to which it has not been accustomed; so that,
ever and anon, you hear it making a circuit in the upper region of your
hat; this does not much disturb you perhaps, but presently you feel it
fluttering about, creeping, crawling amongst your hair. You now begin to
have secret misgivings as to the condition in which your captive will meet
the light, and not without good reason; for however well "Rowland's Macassar"
may agree with the human hair, or how much soever it may be thought to
improve its appearance, it certainly does not agree with, or improve, the
appearance of the "down on a butterfly's wing." The chances therefore are,
that on reaching home and examining your specimen, you will find that
Chameleon like, it has completely changed its colour; or rather,. that it has
entirely lost all its colours. I have somewhere read of a human captive
whose hair, in the course of one single night's captivity, changed from jet

VOL. III. R

122 BOTANICAL RAMBLKS.

black to snowy white. Your captive insect will be found to have undergone,
during the short period of its imprisonment, as great or even a greater
metamorphosis. Instead of the gorgeous and beautiful thing it was when
you captured it, you now behold it a mauled, miserable, dingy, dirty -looking
object, which you are fain to throw away in disgust.

The beautiful Clouded Saffron Butterfly, (Oolias Edusa,) may be taken near
the sea; even on the Esplanade have I frequently seen it, where the Fern
Chaffer, in July, flies in such numbers as to be extremely troublesome and
annoying to those who chance to be promenading there, especially to ladies;
with whose ringlets, necks, and faces they take unwarrantable liberties.

Brighthampton, near Witney, Oxon., April 14^/i., 18o3.

BOTAMCAL RAMBLES
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BRIGHTON.

NO. 1. FROM BRIGHTON TO SHOUEHAM AND ERRINGHAM.

BY J. E. SMITH, ESQ.

A BRIGHT sunny morning, the wind blowing steadily from the north-east,
and a sky without a single cloud — no uncommon event in the month of
March —will give us a fine opportunity for our first Botanical Stroll. We
cannot do better than turn our backs to the wind, and follow the Shoreham
road, or rather the foot-path under this warm bank, where the sun has
undiminished power, and the north-east wind seldom penetrates, but is whirled
along over the beach, to pursue its wild way across the trackless ocean.
Few flowers as yet dare to show themselves, although the sun has wooed
them for many a day to come forth from their winter chambers. But no,
they will not venture yet to put even the tips of their leaves outside their
warm coverings, and remain snugly wrapped up in their manifold winding-sheets.
One would almost think they heard the wind whistling, and knew that when
the dark night came, there would be no sun to counteract its evil influence.

A few of the hardiest only show themselves, that seem to look out
pleasantly from the dusty bank, and enjoy the cheering warmth of the sun.
The little Daisy, (Bellis perennis,) is the boldest of them all, ever turning
to the sun its merry golden eye — the day's ee, as our Saxon forefathers
called it — and its coronet of pure white rays, like the halo of some sainted
maiden, glistens in the sunlight here and there, enlivening the beach, or
scattered sparingly on the bank. But what are those diminutive white specks
thickly sprinkled over the beach, rivalling the stars above them with terres-
trial constellations; their tiny blossoms wide open to receive the sun's genial
influence? They are the Common Whitlow Grass, (Draba verna,) one of
the earliest spring flow^ers, and belonging to the natural order Cruciferoe, or
Cress tribe, which includes also the Cabbage, Turnip, Mustard, Water-cress.

BOTANICAL RAMBLES.

128

and many other useful plants. The name, both in English and Latin,
refers to the position of the stamens, which are six in number, set in the
form of a cross, (cress,) four long ones in pairs, and two shorter placed
opposite to each other. You may see plenty of these little plants in patches
on the south and south-west slopes of the gentle undulations that occur on
the wide part of the beach, from the toll-bar to the harbour, where the
scanty herbage is gradually extending itself over the once naked pebbles^
every year more beautifully decked with wild flowers.

Amongst them already may be seen the green tufts of the Common
Thrift, {Armeria maritima.) As we pass on we may admire the pretty stars
of green leaves that cover the bank on our right; they are the Flanfago
coronopus, not yet in bloom; easily distinguished from the other plaintains
by its tender pinnatifid and toothed leaves, that spread out on every side
from a common centre, like a many-rayed star. As we approach Southwick
the bank gradually increases in height; many a plant, by no means common,
lies hid there, beneath the rank grass, or has not yet burst its winter
tomb.

The Common Charlock, (Sinapis arvemis,) another of the Cress tribe, and
the farmer's pest, flaunts gaily with its yellow blossoms on this high bank,
and vies in tint with the Gorse, [Ulex Europoeus,) below it, that, as yet, is
but sparingly decked

"With its flowers of scented gold."

Sir James Edward- Smith, the celebrated botanist, was commencing his
botanical studies by the examination of this plant, on the 10th of January,
1778, at the very moment that the spirit of the great Linnaeus was leaving
this lower world; which he had rendered more beautiful and intelligible to
those who should come after him, by the light of order and arrangement
his wonderful genius threw over the whole of nature. But here is the
Shepherd's Weather-glass —the Scarlet Pimpernel, {AnagalUs arv:nsis,) in a
sheltered little nook, looking as lusty as a child of June; not in blossom
yet, it is true; or, b}' its open flowers, it would tell us of the fine weather
we are destined to enjoy to-day.

We may rest a few minutes on this warm bank, for the wind cannot reach
us, and the grass is long, while the scenery is picturesque and animated.
The tide has filled the new ship canal, several boats are sporting upon it,
tacking backwards and forwards against the wind; the sun lights up their
sails, and is brilliantly reflected in the water; the men are calling to each
other as they pass and repass: one little streak of ocean is just visible, of
dazzling brightness. In the distance, as we look down the harbour, with its
red cliffs beautifully coloured by the sun, we shall see the old Norman church
and town of Shoreham, with a few masts and tall chimneys rising up in
agreeable contrast to the horizontal features of the landscape. It is a
picture that many an artist has thought worthy of recording.

We must now take the main road till we arrive at the railway: we cross

124 BOTANICAL RAMBLES.

by the Shoreham station and enter Buckingham lane. The hedges are
becoming green with Nettles, Docks, and the Lords and Ladies, [Arum
macalatum;) — we used to call them cows and calves in the west — the common
name is Cuckoo Pint; the whole plant is full of the most acrid juice. If
you pull one and carefully unwind the numerous folds of leaves, you will
find in the middle a curiously rolled green spathe, within which is the
cluster of male and female flowers, merely stamens and pistils without corolla
or calyx, surmounted with a white spindle-shaped appendage — spadix, that
becomes of a beautiful crimson purple or buff when the flower arrives at
maturity. The juice of this plant taken into the mouth, causes a burning
sensation that remains for an hour or two; the consequences, if swallowed,
might be more serious, though I have known small pieces taken without
injury. Of other flowers there are but few at present, except the Dandelion,
(Leontodon taraxacum,) Ground Ivy, [l^epeta Glechoma,) and the little humble
Celandine, {Ranunculus Jicaria.)

Turning to the left down the lane to the windmill, we shall find the
leaves of two Ferns, Aspidium angulare and Scolopendrium vulgare; further
on, crossing the old Shoreham road, scattered about on the sunny side of
the way, a few Scented Violets, ( Viola odorata,) hide their heads beneath
the green leaves, though scarcely in flower, but in the road leading to Little
Buckingham House, in that picturesque old pit, surrounded by umbrageous
elms and partially filled with water, where the road turns up over the Downs,
we shall find a few more in full blossom, giving notice of their presence by
a delicious fragrance even before we see their modest heads, surrounded by
a rampart of nettles and brambles. The ditches, hedges, and fields are
almost bare of flowers, though the bright green of the Wild Parsnip,
(^Pastinnca sativa,) enlivens the hedges with its freshness. Nothing is seen
in the water-courses beyond but the stumps of Tt/pha angustifolia, a plant
much used by the New Zsalanders in thatching their houses; it grows
plentifully in the ditches that flow into the Adur; under this little bridge
are a few tufts of Enteromorpha intestinal is, that have, not yet loosened
themselves from their hold in the mud; so we will follow the hedge-row on
the right as far as the top of the field near Old Erringham farm, where
we shall find plenty of Scented Violets of every hue, from white and purple
to the deepest blue, and then rest awhile on this lovely "bank, whereon the
Wild Thyme grows, the Cowslip and the nodding Violet too." Here, with
the box's fragrant blossoms in his lap,

"Viridi membra sub arbuto stratus,"

the epicurean might enjoy his weed and his ''pocula veteris massici," singing
"lo Bacche," &c., contemplating the lovely scene before him — the vast and
sparkling ocean, the winding Adur with its bridges, the green fields it fertilizes,
and the "azure canopy of heaven."

But we must on to Erringham wood, formerly a rabbit-warren, where more

BOTANICAL RAMBLES.

125

Violets will remind ua of the poet's address to the Spring: —

"How shall I woo thee, beautiful Spring,

And what s^hall my offering be?
Shall I seek the sweet south, where the balmy breeze

Kisses gently the cheeks of her flowers?
Shall I bring them to thee with their perfumed leaves

And plant them within thy bowers?
Oh no! for the Violet that blooms at thy feet
Hiis a lovelier form, and a breath more sweet.

There also we shall find the Purple Flag, {Iris foetidissima,) whose sword-
shaped leaves we may have noticed already in the hedge-rows we have passed.
Some call it roast beef, from a fancied resemblance to the odour of John
Bull's favourite dish, though in reality having a much greater resemblance to
certain celebrated "preserved meats" lately discovered among other old marine
stores at a well-known naval station. The Cowslips are very fine in this
wood; we may take them up for our town garden, then wash our hands in
the stream below, and ascend to the Downs by this hollow dell or coombe.
And now we are on the Downs. The wind is brisk upon these uplands, but
the sun is powerful. What a sense of freedom and enjoyment on these open
hills, boundless as the ocean! and what a glorious prospect! To the north
and east, the wave-like, undulating Downs; to the west, the blue hills on the
other side the Adur — Cisebury and Chanctonbury; up the valley, a peep into
the Weald, with Bramber Castle guarding, as it were, the entrance, and far
beyond, over Steyning, the high ground near Petworth; to the south, none
but the poet or the artist can depict that scene; air, earth, and ocean combine
to form the glorious picture. The eye wanders along the rich coast-line from
beyond Worthing, sometimes even as far as the Isle of Wight, till it rests
upon the Norman churches of Old Shoreham and its later namesake, nestled
in their bowers of lofty elms. Again, to the south-east, over the undulating
Downs, we catch a glimpse of Brighton, with its white houses creeping up
the hills around it, while the race-hill bounds the prospect. Now, as we
reach the brow of the hill near the windmill, the spire of Southwick conies
in view, peeping out above the trees that half conceal it and its neighbour,
the modest little church of Kingston, close within the shadow of whose tower,
in due subordination, stands the neat and tasteful, I had almost said baronial,
cottage of its literary rector, who in this retired spot has found a congenial
home, where, like his favourite Sabine poet, it is his happy lot

"Integra
Cum mente, nee turpem senectam
Degere, nee cithara carentem."

But the white trail of steam is sweeping across the Adur bridge, reminding
us that we must hasten to the railway if we would take the shortest and
the easiest road to Brighton.

March, 1853,

126
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER.

BY MU. EDWARD PARFITT.

Being a new subscriber to ^'The Naturalist/' and seeing that no one is
writing from this favoured county — Devonshire, I beg to send you the result
of my own experience during six years residence in Exeter; I therefore propose
to give, through the pages of "The Naturalist/' some account of the Entomology,
Conchology, and Botany round Exeter, with an occasional visit to some other
parts of Devon. I do not mean to say that my lists will be at all perfect
in any one branch of the sciences before mentioned, but should this catch the
eye of any one living in this neighbourhood, it may prove a stimulus to them
to prosecute, if not the three branches, any one of them; for here I am
almost isolated, as it were, in the midst of numerous objects of study, for
I can scarcely find an individual that cares to trouble himself the least about
any one subject in Natural History, that is, in regard to study. I have
had several at different times, go, for a Botanical stroll, with me, and have
induced them to buy a work on Botany, but directly they have opened it,
and seen such a mass of hard names, as they call them, the subject has
been abandoned directly; and such is precisely the way it has been with many
'others.

One great drawback to the study of Natural History here is, that we have
no Museum in Exeter; it is a great inconvenience even to parties acquainted
with any one branch of Natural History; as we have no chance of comparing
specimens, which, as we all know, is very requisite, particularly to clear up certain
points which it is almost impossible sometimes to convey in words. My own case
for instance; — my means are very limited, and for the want of reference either
to books, or what is better, authentic specimens, I have consequently in my
cabinet and herbarium numerous specimens undetermined, particularly Moths,
Beetles, and Fungi.

In this paper I shall confine myself entirely to the Diurnal Lepidoptera;
we will begin with the spring. Goiiepteryx Mhamni, (Brimstone Butterfly,)
is generally plentiful in early spring. Then follows Pontia Brassicce, (Large
Cabbage Butterfly,) which is much too common, particularly in small gardens.
P. Rapa:, (Small White:) this was remarkably plentiful last year, particularly
the second brood, in July and August; I have caught dozens in a day in my
garden, to destroy them; for if they were left to deposit their eggs, the caterpillars
would very soon destroy the whole of our cauliflowers, cabbages, and other
crops. P. Napi, is also very common. But P. Sahillicm, (Dusky-veined
White,) is comparatively scarce. P. Metra, (Howard's White.) is another much
too common. It is a difficult matter sometimes to decide about this species,
for specimens occur belonging to P. Napi, which border so nearly upon P. Metra,
that it is difficult to determine to which they really belong. P. Cardamines,
(Orange Tip,) is very common in meadows and gardens round Exeter.

SOME ACCOUN'T OF THE LKPIDOPTKRA ROUND EXETER. 127

Leucophasia Sinapis, (Wood White:) I took one specimen in Stoke wood
last year, but I must have baen a little too early, as M. Persae went there
some time afterwards and caught about a dozen specimens. This Stoke wood
is a very good Entomological ground; for a person with plenty of time on his
hands might, with diligent searching, find some very good things there: as it
is but a short distance from Exeter, some three or four miles, it is soon reached.
I have no doubt but some good and rare Moths might be taken there, as
it is a pretty good place for plants, consequently there is a great choice of
food.

Pieris Gratosgi, (Black-veined White:) though one of the habitats is given,
in Dorsetshire, I have never heard of its being taken in Devon. Melitoea
Athalia, (Pearl-bordered Likeness:) the principal habitat for this beautiful fly
is given in the Naturalist's Library, as Devonshire; but I have not had the
good fortune to meet with it yet, nor have I heard of its being taken by
any one hereabouts. Melitoea Euphrosyne, (Pearl-bordered Fritillary:) this But-
terfly is rather common in most seasons — on Haldon, a tract of uncultivated
land about seven miles from Exeter, and at a considerable elevation above
the sea level; there I have seen this Butterfly, and M. Silene, in great abun-
dance, particularly the latter. Two years ago, I saw very many; I recollect
the time perfectly well, for I really believe I never had such a warming
before or since as I had when running after them, net in hand, on the
south side of the hill, with the sun shining in all its glory, in the month
of August, and scarcely a breath of air stirring at the time,

M. Silene, is also common in Stoke wood, but I have never taken the other
there, Argynnis Paphia, (Silver- washed Fritillary:) I took a magnificent
specimen at Fordlands, a rather large wood, about four miles from Exeter,
on this side of Haldon, in the month of August. A male I took at Stoke wood
and several others the same time; I also caught a fine male specimen at
Dunsford Bridge, a favourite picknicking station on the road to Dartmoor;
where the visitor is struck with the splendid wooded scenery and the rapid
River Teign foaming along at its base, amidst the rocks which form its bed.
The Royal Fern is seen here growing from six to seven feet in height.

Vmiessa Polychloros, (Great Tortoise-shell,) is scarce in this neighbourhood;
I have only seen three or four: I bred a very fine specimen last year. V.
urticce, (Small Tortoise-shell,) is particularly common through the summer
months. V. To, plentiful. V. Atalanta is also common in most seasons; I saw
a splendid fellow spread out in the sun on the wall of Cover House, the loth,
of December last year, which showed the mildness of the season. Cynthia
Cardui, (Painted Lady B.,) is another splendid insect which is tolerably
abundant some years; three years ago it was plentiful here, and again last
summer. T have heard of the Purple Emperor being seen about Dunsford, but
never heard of his being caught by any one. Hipparchia jEgeria, (the Speckled
Wood B.,) is particularly common in almost all the partially shaded glades
in woods. Hip. Meycera, (Wall Butterfly,) is not so common as the former.

128 A LIST OF LAND A\D FRESH-WATER SHELLS,

but still there are many specimens to be taken in a season. H. Semele, (the
Grayling,) is not a common Butterfly about here: it is to be taken on Haldon,
in stony places, particularly Little Haldon, at the back of Dawlish, in a
gravel-pit. Hip. Oalathea, (Marbled White:) I have heard of this beautiful
■fly being taken at Teignmouth, but I have not had the chance of seeing it.

Hip. Tithonus, (Large Heath,) is very common in meadows, etc. Hip.
Janira is also very plentiful. Hip. Hyperanthus, (the Ringlet,) is not very
common, but many specimens are to be taken in a season, on Haldon. There
are several vacancies which occur here in my cabinet to be filled up some time or
other, should I be spared. Hip. Pamphilus, (Small Heath,) is tolerable plen-
tiful on Haldon and Stoke wood, but not so common as in Norfolk, on
Mausehold heath, near Norwich; there I have seen it in great abundance.
The Silver Ringlet we cannot boast, so far as I am aware.

My paper I fear is already too long, so that I must reserve the rest of
the Butterflies for another paper,

Exeter, March 7th., 1853.

A LIST OF LAND AND FRESH-WATER
SHELLS FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF PLYMOUTH.

BY MISS SARAH S. BOLTOX.

AxTHfJDiNG to the useful hint of W^. C. Unwin, Esq., advanced by him in
his List of Land and Fresh-water Shells, page 64 of "The Naturalist" for
March, 1853, I endeavour to write a list of such as I have observed in
the neighbourhood of Plymouth, and though I am aware the list will be
incomplete, yet as no previous catalogue from this locality has been forwarded
to "The Naturalist," mine may not be unacceptable, and I hope by the
end of the year to add to my list.

Nomenclature, Gray's Turton, (1840.)

Littorina rauriatica. Gray. — Inhab., near small streams on the clifiFs above
high- water mark, at Whitsand Bay and Wembury: abundant.

Bithinia ventricosa, Gray. — Water near Antony: plentiful.

Vitrina pellucida, Drap. — Among decayed leaves, in hedge banks, and
under moss at the roots of trees: of frequent occurrence, but not plentiful.

Helix aspersa, Midler. — Everywhere: specimens near the sea paler and
somewhat more solid.

Helix hortensis. Lister. — Very plentiful in every hedge-row.

Helix nemoralis, Linn. — In hedge banks, and on slate and limestone rocks,
plentiful. Specimens occasionally occur with the peristome white.

Helix pulchella, Muller. — At the roots of grass on the slopes of the Hoe.

Helix fusca, Mont. — On umbelliferous plants, in the grounds of Mr. Cornish,
of Black Hall, and in the hedge-row of the lane leading to North Huish
church : rare.

A UST OF LAND AND FRKSH-WATER SHELLS. 129

Helix aculeata, Muller. — Very rare: one specimen only, which I found on
decayed wood in Mr. Cornish's grounds.

Helix granulata, Grmj. — Very plentiful in hedge banks and among nettles.
Helix hispida, Muller. — Under stones in the shade and among nettles and
leaves in Mount Edgecombe Park and other localities: not very common.
Helix concinna, Gray. — Hedge banks, Magazine Lane: not common.
Helix depilata, Pfei. — Under nettles and in reach of the droppings from
the eaves of Ford House, Stoke.

Helix rufescens, Penn. — Exceedingly common, the varieties, white, mottled,
grey, and rufous: found on hedge banks, under wood, among nettles, and in
gardens at the roots of Vinca and Iris.

Helix virgata, Mont. — Four varieties, the banded, the deep buff, the opaque
with pallusid bands (this is very pretty,) and the white; the buff and banded
are very abundant, and frequently of a large size.

Helix maritima, Drnp. — The Hoe and the heights at Whitsand Bay.
Helix caperata, Mont. — On dry banks, and occasionally beneath stones: common.
Zonites rotundatus. Gray. — Various habitats; most frequent beneath stones
and wood: very common,

Zonites umbilicatus. Gray. — Under the top stones of walls on the heights
at Oreston, Catdown, and Bovasand: abundant.

Zonites alliarius. Gray. — In moist situations, under stones, moss, and decaying
leaves: I notice the smell is more powerful from those obtained in very damp
habitats.

Zonites cellarius. Gray. — At the base of a shady hedge bank near Ford,
and occasionally under stones.

Zonites purus. Gray. — In Manodon Wood and other localities, on decaying
wood, among leaves, and on moist mossy banks: not common.

Zonites nitidulus. Gray. — Common in hedge banks and under stones.
Zonites crystallinus, Gray. — Among damp moss and leaves: not common.
Succinea Pfeifferi, Rossm. — ^On the edge of a stream in Magazine Lane.
Bulimus obscurus, Gray. — Common in hedge banks, among dried leaves, in
the chinks of walls, and in the hollow trunks of trees: of frequent occurrence.
Bulimus acutus, Brug. — Very abundant on the embankments of the Citadel
and the heights in the locality of Whitsand Bay.

Zua lubriea. Leach. — Of frequent occurrence beneath stones and among leaves.

Pupa umbilicata, Drap. — Very common in the chinks of old walls and beneath

the dry moss on the tops of walls; I have also met with it among dry leaves,

and in the dry husk or shell of the beech-nut when scattered on the ground.

Pupa Anglica, Gray. — At the roots of the grass and herbage on the under

slopes of the Hoe.

Pupa marginata, Drap. — At the roots of grass on the higher slopes of the
Hoe: not uncommon.

Balaea perversa, Flem. — Under the bark of trees in Mr. Cornish's grounds,
under the top stones of walls, in company with Zonites umbilicatus, in the

130 MAIUNR ANIMALS.

localities before named, and I found this morning, (April 2nd., 18o3,) two
specimens at the roots of decaying herbage on the rocks of the Hoe.

Clausilia nigrican.s, Linn. — Very common: various habitats in various localities;
I find it more frequently at the basement of walls.

Carychium minimum. Leach. — Rare: one specimen on a piece of decayed
wood in Manodon Wood,

Acme fusca, Grm/. — One dead specimen found in moss.

Limncus pereger, Drap. — In ditches and stagnant pools: very common.

Limneus palustris, Drap. — Not common: in stagnant water near Millbrook.

liimneus truncatulus, Linn. — Very common in ditches, frequently in company
with L. pereger.

Ancylus fluviatilis, Midler. — In streams and on the rocky beds of rivers.

Physa fontinalis, Drap. — In a stream of water near Radford.

Planorbis laevis. Gray. — In a stream or drain in the grounds of Mr. Cornish.

Planorbis vortex. Mailer. — In a ditch near the embankment.

Cyclas cornea. Lam. — In a pond near the new road.

Cyclas lacustris, Turton. — In company with the above.

Pisidium pusillum, Grat/. — In a small pond near Weston Hills, one specimen.

Alasraodon margaritiferus, Gray. — Specimens from the Plym.

A_pril 4:th. 1853.

MARINP] ANIMALS.

MOLLUSCA.— Part III.

BY O. S, ROUND, KSQ.
( Continued from jjaffe 92.^

I PROMisRD in my last paper to proceed at once to consider the interior
structure of the "Conchifera," which may be said to be a recent addition to
the Molluscous animals, but I find so much of interesting matter still connected
with the shells, that my readers must pardon nie if I keep them on the
outside a little longer. It will be remembered that I spoke of the structure
of all this tribe, and especially the "Pinna" or common Oyster, as cellular,
or not solid, but composed of a series of cells or vacant spaces, which in
common parlance would be called "tubes," (see Fig. 5.) For so thin a thing as

a shell this may at first seem startling,
but when we are a little acquainted
with microscopic proportions our wonder
will cease, that there should be such
things, and begin, when we know that
they exist. Now, "Exceptio probat regu-
lum,^' and so although, as a general
Fm. 3. -Section of the Pinna Shell, Tube. r\x\Q, these shells are cellular and tuberous,

shewing the direction of the Cellular •' '

Tubes. it is only the perfect layers that are so,

MARINE ANIMALS. 131

for we find in many, spaces between the layers, sometimes vacant, and sometimes
with calcareous matter, which on minute examination proves to be either
simple calx, or, in many instances, mingled with minute shells, (chiefly univalves,)
sponges, and other minute marine productions. In some of the species, such
as the Spnndylus, the spaces between the lamina are very great, and this
is conjectured to be a provision to avoid weight, as the shell is large, and
nearly three inches in thickness, whilst that of a gigantic Clam, the heaviest
known shell, is scarcely one inch, but then the latter is nearly solid, and
it is probable, as indeed is partly known, that the animals which are inhabitants
of these strong rocks of defence are not very discursive in their habits.

In some of these there is an apparatus for anchoring the shell to rocks
or other substances, (see Fig. 6,) and so hard and firm is this adhesive

Fig. 6.— Spondylus; a, the adhesive process.

power, that, in many instances, the stroke of a hatchet only is sufficient to
detach them. The material by which they adhere is a species of silky
substance which extends from the foot; and this substance is woven into
gloves from a kind of Spondylus found at Malta. These are bivalves, and
similar in shape to a pear, only more straight and tapering, and the exterior
of the shell is covered with open cells, which have unequal, edges, and are
the abode of several kinds of minute creatures, the foot protruding from one
side at the narrow end of the shell. The common Oyster, when in a state
of nature, has the convex shell undermost, and that portion which forms the
hinge is of precisely the same structure as the shell itself. We all know
very well the beautiful hues which are observable in some shells: now this
quality is by no means confined to the Oyster, for a species of Mussel and
Cockle found in the China seas present the most delicate and beautiful hues.
In my former paper I described how this was produced, and that it was,
green only, resident in a membrane, which being of the lightest possible hue
in itself, by lying in folds produced the brilliant hues we see, being attended
upon by its complimentary colour, crimson, (see Fig. 7.) This structure has
been compared by Sir David Brewster to the appearance of planed wood^

132 MARINE ANIMALS.

but this applies only to the nacre, or mother of pearl, for the same appear-
ance is not perceived in the subnacreous formation, which is common in most
of these shells, and is in fact only a modification of the
perfect structure. From the most beautiful shells the
most valuable pearls are extracted, of the structure of
which I shall speak in another place. In some of the
Cockles, and to a certain extent in all, the hinge presents
a series of teeth, which fit into one another in the interstices
. „„ , . between each with beautiful accuracy, and in the Mutilus

Fio. 7.— The mode m _ •> ^

■which the membrane is Triqonia the ccUular formation is simply spherical, and not

folded to ffive the colour "^ . _ c j r j

to the mother of pearl, hexagonal, as in the Pinna tribe. In some species a partial
absorbence of the cells is observable, and this, I believe, takes place to a
certain extent in all.

The parasitical habits of Marino Animals are by no means confined to the
Barnacles and the like species, for in the Conchifera we find some very
curious and not unpicturesque examples. Thus there is a species of Pinna
known as the ^^Tree Oyster," which fixes itself upon some Gorgonia or other
Vesiculosus, and has the appearance of a branching plant with shell-like leaves
or flowers at the extremities of the branches. On examining these they
appear transversely ridged, and exhibit the true structure of the Pinna
tribe, only that, for the purpose of adhering to the plant upon which they
fix, they have a series of clasping ends to the ridges not unlike claws, and
soine of the sm iller ones have exceedingly the appearance of caterpillars;
they are, when full grown, of a pear-like shape, and have a depression within
the upper edge. One very remarkable circumstance connected with their
growth is, that they retain exactly the same size where they adhere, and no
lamina are added on the under surface, but all on the upper, so that the
plant or sea-weed upon which they grow is not in the least injured by any
pressure. Animils of all kinds make their habitation on the surface of the
shells of Conchiferous auim.ils, and interesting instances have occurred in which,
as though for concealment, shells of a smooth surface attached themselves to
those which were serrated or ridged, and took the same form. Barnacles,
Sea-worms, and hundreds of minute creatures not only reside upon, but bore
holes into the.se shells, and Corallines and Sponges adhere to them; so that
it is not only in civilizad life, or the higher order of beings, that the lower
are dependent on the higher.

(To be continued.)

133

Blisrdlanfflus JMm,

The Otter, (Lutra vulgaris.) — Three young Otters were shot last week near the pleasant village
of Aasty, about three miles from this place, two of which are now in my possession. — William
Bond, Frog Island, Leicester, February 24th., 1853.

The anecdote related by Mr. Martin Curtler, of Bevere, Worcestershire, in a recent number
of "The Naturalist," of a Hare taking the water, reminds me of a similar occurrence many
years ago in the case of a Rabbit. It was in Ireland. Standing under a steep cliff, to the base
of which the tide nearly came up at high water, a Rabbit, seemingly disturbed by some persons
walking at the top of the cliff, dashed down it; and whether from choice, or impelled by the
necessity of its downward impetus, I know not, entered the sea and swam out a little way,
when it was captured by the servant who was with us— one of the best swimmers, by the way,
I ever knew, and my successful instructor in that art, in proficiency in which I have ever
since excelled. His method was a very simple one — ho took me out into deep water, out of
my depth, and tlien let me go — "sink or swim" — keeping near for fear of accidents. I struck
out at once, and was a swimmer ever after. Poor fellow — Geoffrey Connell was his name — he
is believed to have been afterwards one of the crew who were murdered in cold blood in the
most extraordinary manner by the captain of a merchant ship, who turned out to be insane,
and who has since been in an asylum. They suffered themselves to be tied down by him one
]^' one, as if their own senses had taken leave of them, and he then deliberately cut their
throats. Another reminiscence of poor Geoffrey. — He had been out visiting one night at a
neighbouring gentleman's house, and coming home rather late found the gate locked, and tried
to get round the eud of the wall which extended to the cliff, but, missing his footing, fell down
on the beach and broke his leg, and there he lay, I believe, all night, till a boat coming by
in the morning, he hailed her, and was brought home by the crew on a shutter. — F. 0. Moiiris,
Nafferton Vicarage, Driffield, May 16th., 1853.

The Sky-lark, (Alauda arvensis.) — Whilst at breakfast this morning a bird flew into the
room, and as a Robin is in the habit of coming about and into the window, I supposed that
it was him; but on going up to it, it being too frightened to move, I caught it, and found it
to be a fine Sky-lark, whether pursued by a Hawk I could not ascertain. This being an unusual
occurrence, I send you an account of it. — Fked. W. S. Webber, Mcrther, Truro, January 16th.,
1853.

Dates op the departure of the Hirundinid^ from the neighbourhood of Lewes, in Sussex, 1852.

Swift, (Cypselus apus.)— Last seen August 20th.; wind, S. S. E. Fine.

Sand Martin, (Hirundo riparia.) — October 18th., two were seen skimming over the Pells;
wind, N. E. Very fine and clear.

Swallow, (Hirundo rustica.) — October 27th., near Offham; wind, S. W. Fail- but cloudy.

Martin, (Hirundo urbica.) — November 6th., four seen hawking under the eastern declivity of
the South Downs, between Lewes and Offham; wind, S. W. Cloudy.

ITie autumnal congregating of these amusing birds first observed on the 20th. of August. —
W. C. Unwin, St. Anns, Lewes, December 10th., 1852.

Tlie Sparrow, (Passer domesticus.) — As some of the correspondents of "The Naturalist" seem
to consider it rather an uncommon occurrence for House Sparrows to build in trees, I may
perhaps be allowed to state that such is by no means the case. It is certainly true that these
birds generally prefer holes and crevices wherein to rear their young, but not uniformly even
in situations abounding ^vith their favourite breeding holes. I have seen considerable numbers
of nests in the trees in the gardens of Finsbury Circus and Finsbury Square in London, and
I think there is no doubt that these situations could not have been resorted to for lack of
suitable holes which there abound. In Finsbury Circus especially, the carved capitals of the
pillars of the London Institution, and of the Roman Catholic Chapel, afford a commodious asylum
for immense numbers of these little cockneys. I have also taken many nests when a boy from
the fir trees which surrounded a iarm-house, the extensive outbuildings to which being entirely

134: MISCRLLANEOUS NOTICES.

covored with thatch, would have afforded ample nursery accommodation to the rustic Sparrows, had
they preferred it. I think fir trees of various kinds are those most frequently chosen, probably
on account of the dark deuse nature of the foliage. — E. K. B., February 2nd., 1853.

Unusual number of Thrushes near Gosport.—Mv. Barron, Curator of Haslar Museum, informs
me that "after the fall of snow in the early part of last month, the cold at the time being
rather severe, a most unusual number of Thrushes, chiefly Tardus musieus, were to be seen in
pasture lands, frequently assembled in considerable parties about moss-grown patches, where
they appeared to be searching for the larva; of some coleopterous insect. I am confirmed in
this view by an examination of the gizzards of several individuals, which I found principally
filled with such food." During the present month I have myself seen large flocks of Thruslies
on ploughed land similarly occupied. — John Eose, M. D., R. N., Haslar Hospital, Gosport,
March, 1853.

Great Northern Diver on the coast of Hampshire. — Several strange birds have made their
appearance here during the late cold weather. To-day I saw the Great Northern Diver,
(Coli/mbits glacialis,) close to the shore near Haslar barracks. I came upon it suddenly, and
was close enough to be enabled to identify it. It was very shy, however, and kept constantly
diving to elude my observation. It was a young bird; and Mr. Barron, Curator of Haslar
Museum, informs me he has not unfi-equently met with it in this quarter during the winter months.
Here old birds are extremely rare, and difficult to obtain. It is common on the coast of
Ireland during the winter, as recorded by Professor Fleming and others. It visits Spitzbergcn
and Greenland during the summer ; and arctic travellers say it bi-eeds as far north as the latitude
of 70 degrees. It is pretty frequent along the Banft'shire coast; and, when lately in the north
of Scotland, I saw a beautifully-stuffed specimen of an old bird in the possession of my friend,
James Milne, Esq., Portsoy, N. B. — Idem.

The Woodcock, (Scolopax rusticola.) — A gentleman, whilst shooting a short time ago near
Newnham, in Gloucestershire, flushed a Woodcock, which settled in an oak tree, out of which
he afterwards shot it. Thinking the occurrence an uncommon one, I send an account
of it for insertion in "The Naturalist." — Hubert Beadlbs, Bi-oadway, "Worcestershire, March
16th., 1853.

Acmaja testudinalis, F. and H. — On seeing notices of this Acmwa, from my friends J. "W., of
Aberdeen, on page 136, vol. i., and A. K., of Montrose, on page 253, vol. ii. of "The Naturalist,"
and from what Mr. Wilson stated to me about it, I am induced to give you this notice, that
wliile collecting the Mollusca of Aberdeenshire, with the late Dr. Macgillivray, I found this shell
for the first time in the winter of 1847-48. It has been much souglit for since that time, and
I may state that I have found it along the coast with the Acmwa virginea, and I believe J.
Wilson has done the same, and the fact that Mr. Kerr has found it at St. Cyrus, and Ferrydcst,
two opposite points on the Forfarshire coast, makes me believe that it will be found along
all the east coast of Scotland; and in the same pools among the tufts of Coralliiia officinalis: by
raising them up with a knife one will find the Modiola discrepans, and discors. All these
■with us are not what one would call rare, though not common. — James Taylor, Pitmixton,
February 10th., 1853.

It does not occur with A. virginea on the Yorkshire coast. — B. R. M.

Vanessa Autiopa near Whitby. — Two specimens of this rare butterfly were captui-ed on the
Whitby Sands, this season, by two visitors from York.— John Braim, Sleight's Bridge, Whitby,
December 16th., 1852.

One was the Eev. G. Rudston Read, of Sutton-on-Derwent. — B. R. M.

Fossil found on Bagshot Heath. — Since making the drawing and writing the notice on this
Fossil, I have had a section made at right angles to the rings, which extend in light marks
entirely tlirough its substance, which abounds in spicula of sponges; but as this may favour
the suggestion either of cast or an organic Marine Fossil rcmanet, into which minute sponges
might have floated previous to petrifoction, the subject remains as much in doubt ^s ever. —
0. S. Round, Lincobis-Iun-Fields, January 10th., 1853.

THE RETROSPECT. 135

Hampshire Climate; Early Flowering of Plants.— The weather during the last six weeks
has been unusually mild, though more rain has fallen here during December and the beginning
of January, than for the last forty years during a similar period. I had a walk in the country
to-day, and was gratified by observing several specimens of the following plants in flower near
Gosport: — Primula vulgaris, Ranuncidits Jicaria, Rammeitlns acris, and Stellaria holosiea. —
J. Rose, M. D., E. N., Royal Hospital at Haslar, January 18th., 1852.

Wood Anemone, (Anemone nemorosa.)— I have not unfrequently found the flowers of this
plant more or less tinged with purple, especially when in bud. In its common state it is
among our prettiest woodland flowers; but when thus tinted, its beauty is much enhanced.
Yet lovelier is it, as I have found it in great abundance, in arockywcod known as "Mount
Crol," near Helston, Cornwall. Here many of the blossoms are tinged with rose purple, but
the majority are of a delicate azure blue, somewhat resembling the tint of A. Appennina, but
lighter. A more lovely bouquet formed of one sort of wild flowers, can scarcely be imagined.
— C. A. Johns, Callipers Hall, Herts.

€\^t lUtrDS|itrt.

Bo the Hawk tribe drinhf The Kestrel, (Falco tinnunculus.) — In "The Naturalist," vol.
ii., page 221, Mr. II. S. Daniell answers this question in the negative, and gives various instances
of Hawks kept by him in confinement which never drank. Now, whatever may have been the
case with Mr. Daniell' s captive Hawks, it is quite certain that, in a state of nature, these birds
do drink, in proof of which I will quote from a letter lately received from a friend of mine,
an excellent practical ornithologist, who resides on the wildest part of the Pembrokeshire coast,
and whose opportunities for observing the habits of birds are such as few are privileged to
enjoy. He states, "I was watching the movements of a Kestrel Hawk the other day, as ho
was endeavouring to avoid the attacks of some Ijapwings, when suddenly he went to the ground,
as I expected, to take a Mouse. I looked at him through my glass (a good DoUand) and saw
the bird as distinctly as if it had been within p, yard of me. He deliberately walked a few
feet to a small stream of water, and there drank copiously, and exactly as a common Fowl
would drink." Mr. Daniell states that the Hawks which he kept never saw water; now it is
very possible that had they been supplied with it they would have drank, and been glad to
do so, and it is also possible that, in a captive and unnatural state. Hawks may not require
water, at all events Mr. Daniell's observations prove they can live without it, but it is very
certain that, in a state of nature, they drink other beverage than "the hot blood of the slain."
— E. K. B , April 16th., 1853.

The above fact is a very interesting one, and clearly proves the point as to the Kestrel ; but
this being a species, the food of which consists a good deal of insects and very small animals,
it may not by them be supplied with sufiicient liquid, and may resort to water to supply the
deficiency; whereas those species which prey on the larger birds and animals may find the
blood in them to afford an adequate supply of fluid, and thus require no direct sujjply of
water. "We merely throw out this hint as a possible solution of the apparently opposite
statements of our two correspondents. — B. R. M.

I regret that I should have fallen into an error with respect to the Jer-Falcon mentioned
at page 60 of the current volume ; the bird turns out to be a very large specimen of the
Peregrine-Falcon, {Faleo^eregrinns.)—yf. Martin, Stockton-on-Tees, April 11th., 1853.

Orthagoriscus Mola. — It is necessary again to correct Mr. Taylor, and also to add a few
particulars which he omits at page 88 of the current volume of "The Naturalist." On calling
at our house, as he said that he had previously received no account of the fish, at his request
I gave him a description of it. This, except the error previously corrected, appeared verbatim,
without acknowledgment, as his own in "The Naturalist," vol. ii., page 280; this, he now
says, he got from "a fisherman," and also discovers that my account agreed nearly with the
one he setit. To explain the cause of the mistake in the newspapers is unnecessary, (and I
may mentioH that Mr. Taylor's statements with regard to the Rev. Mr. Longmuir are quite

136 THK QUERIST.

gratuitous,) as Mr. T. is alone responsible for the error he commits, although he now finds it
convenient to say that it appeared in "The Naturalist" on "the authority of the Rev. Mr. L. ;"
any ordinary reader, however, would have thought that the name had been given on the authority
of Mr. James Taylor himself. Mr. T. must have forgotten that he agreed with me in thinking
that I ought to send an account to "The Naturalist," informing me also that he did not intend
doing so, the particulars being merely for his own private use. He is also quite mistaken in
saying that I told him "that it was 0. truncatus" as I did not once allude to the specific
name. Since much of Mr. Taylor's communication wanders far from the point, and not a little
of it will be seen to consist of mere surmises, it is not necessary to say more, and I would
only hint that, in any future communication, he should mention on whose authority he makes
the statements. — John Longmuir, Jun,, Aberdeen, April 15th., 1853.

We think that no good end can be obtained by further prolonging this controversy, and
both parties having now had an opportunity of making their own explanations, we can insert
no more on the same subject. — B. R. M.

€te (knml

A correspondent asks the comparative size of the eggs of the Goldfinch, and the Chaffinch.
The latter is the largest, and there is no resemblance whatever between them. The Goldfinch's
egg has a light ground speckled at the large end with brown, and darkish specks and streaks
precisely as the Linnet's egg is; while the ChaflBnch's &g^ is a greenish ground with a red blush
all over it, and spotted with dark rusty-coloured blotches and lines. The egg of the Sedge
"Warbler is a yellow brown kind of a ground with darker specks. The Eeed "Warbler's e^^ is
precisely like the Blackcap's, but rather larger. I once had an abundance of the eggs of both
varieties, but have now none of the Sedge "Warbler's left. The "Whinchat's egg is a pale blue,
precisely like the Hedge "Wai'bler's, the Redstai't's, and the "Wlieatear's; between which there is
such a resemblance, that if mixed they could scarcely be identified again, for this reason it is
useless to think of buying them from dealers; for, although most bird preservers sell eggs, it is
impossible for any one to decide with certainty, unless they actually collect their own eggs. The
"Whinchat and Stonechat both breed in profusion on Keston Common, Kent, which is only a
short distance from London, and hero an abundance may be procured about the first week in
June, and of many other birds in addition. I should say the nest and eggs discovered by your
correspondent, were the property of a Blackbird, and the unusual size may be accounted for by
the hen being in the prime of life, when the eggs are larger than when laid by a young bird.
The Ring Ouzel's eggs are not usually larger than those of the Blackbird, and those I have are
almost of a uniform brown, not quite so speckled as those of the latter; however, if the nest
was built on the ground, it might have been the Ring Ouzel's, though I have taken scores of
Blackbird's nests built in this situation on the top of a bank. — C. W. Brown.

Common Reed, (Arundo Phragmites,) (Arundo arenaria,) Sand drift. — In answer to the inquiry
in "The Naturalist," as to the means of propagating and cultivating the Common Reed round
a pond with a gravelly bottom, I would suggest the obvious, and I should think not very
difficult plan of transplanting several of the grasses, say about the beginning of April, leaving
a quantity of the subsoil attached to the roots. By placing a few of these round the pond, I
have no doubt they would gradually extend, and form an enclosure without further trouble.
At all events the experiment is worth a trial; and if it does not succeed, the transplanting
should be eflfected earlier next season, and a quantity of mud might be mixed with the gravel
around the roots. In connexion with this subject it is worthy of note, although I presume
the fact is generally well known, that the Arundo arenaria has been planted in the outer
Hebrides for curing sand drift, and witli considerable success. In other parts of the world
Carex arenaria, Calamdgrostis arenaria, and Plaiitago arenaria, have been employed for the
same purpose. "By the cultivation of these plants," says the Rev. Thomas Miluer, "large districts
have been reclaimed from utter barrenness, and clothed with stately forests; and countries
subject to a periodical invasion of sand, blown over them by the prevalence of certain winds,
have been rescued from that calamity, one of the most useful agricultural enterprises of
modem times. The plan was first adopted by an engineer, of the name of Bremontier, on
the coast of Gascony." — John Rose, M. D., R. N., Haslar Hospital, Gosport, March 7th., 1853.

137

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 8.
DORCH ESTER— DORSETSHIRE.

BY JOIiy GARLAND^ ESQ., MEMB : ENT: SOC:, MEMB: WEUN : CLUB.

77te Otter, (Lutra vulgaris.) — This mischievous little animal has I believe
seldom, if ever, before been known to be in this neighbourhood; but the fish
having of late rapidly disappeared from that part of the River Froome, near
Loud's Mill, Fordington, it was suspected that Otters were located near. All
doubt is now at an end; for in November last, on a morning after a hard
frost, a gentleman, a friend of mine, was called out by his servant, and with
him distinctly traced the run of an Otter. At the edge of the river they
paw his footsteps clearly marked, and the impression of his body, showing even
the tail distinctly marked, where he had lain and eate i a fish he had taken.
The scales and a part of the gills of the trout had been left there. It is
supposed that a considerable number are between this town and Woodsford.

IVie Swift, (Cypselus apus.) — As I always think that the greater corrobo-
ration of any particular fact connected with Natural History the better, I
state the following in my Jottings: — Mr. Wilson, I observe by the January
number of '"The Naturalist," vol. iii., page 21, speaks to having seen some of
these birds so late as the 26th. of August last. Now I find a note in my
diary made of my observation of two or three of these birds on the 24th. of
August last. Are not the departures of many birds of late years very much
delayed in comparison with former years? Is not the gradually increasing greater
mildness of the seasons of late the cause of this? It is surely worth inquiry.

The Swallow-tail Butterfly, (Papilio Machaon.) — 'This interesting and elegant
butterfly is, I believe, rarely met with in the west of England, and indeed
I can find no mention of any others having been taken in Dorset than those
referred to in the Rev. F. 0. Morris's "History of British Butterflies." It is
there stated that J. C. Dale, Esq. took twelve specimens at Glanville's Wootton .
in three days, about thirty years ago. Mr. Dale also informs me that once
before that he took twenty-eight P. Machaons in one day in Hants. I therefore
think it worthy of mention that in the month of July, just nine years since,
I saw a large butterfly, which I could not make out, disporting itself on the
Down, close to the two-mile stone, on the old Sherborne Road, in the parish
of Charminster. I fortunately succeeded in taking it, and to my surprise and
pleasure discovered it to be one of the above. It is very prettily marked,
and I have it now, as may be imagined, carefully preserved in my cabinet.

Tlie Primrose, (Primula vulgaris.) — Evidencing the progress of the seasons
here, I gathered a large number of these early harbingers of spring, and also
some of the Snowdrop, {Galanthus nivalis,)- growing wild in a copse at Upcerne,
in this county, on Monday, the 14th. instant; and on Sunday, the 20th. instant,
found, for the first time this season, some of the modest Wild Violet,_(Fio7a
odorata.) on a bank at Froome, near this town. /^^^^^^'^^P'^

Dorchester, March 2Sth., 18o3.
vol,, in.

138

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 2.
MONTGOMERY— NOETH WALES.

By JOHN MATTHEW JONES, ESQ., M. Z. S., OF THB MIDDLE Tl^iMPLE.

( Continued from Vol. II., page 211. >

Weasel, (Mustek vulgaris.) — I shot a very singularly-marked specimen the
other day in the Butcher's Nursery. It was all white, excepting a large
blotch of its natural colour on the head, and a few spots on the back;
the tip of the tail is black.

Snipe, (Scolopax gallinago.) — I have been out the last day or two in Stalloe
meadows on the look out for Ducks and Snipes. The Snipe is at present very
numerous for this part of the country, for I counted on the fourth of this month
about twenty in my ramble. These meadows are covered here and there with
large tussocks of coarse grass, and when the least rain comes on, are flooded
in most parts. It is here the Snipes love to feed and shelter themselves, and
the muddy parts are covered with their droppings; but it is only in wet
weather that they are to be found in these low meadows, for when the frost
comes on they take to the hills, and are found generally in pairs. We have
a great many springs hereabouts, and wherever one of these occurs, a soft
pulpy patch of green grass surrounds it, which never freezes, and it is in such
places the Snipes locate themselves during frosty weather. I have visited the
haunts of this bird in England, Scotland, and Ireland. In England I have
shot it on Parr Moss, a large bog situate between Liverpool and Manchester;
in Scotland, in Western Argyieshire; and at Clew Bay, County Mayo, in
Ireland.

Wild Duck, (Anas boschas.) — There is a stream called "The Kemlet," about
four yards wide, and very deep, which runs through the before-mentioned mea-
dows, and when a frost takes place, divers pairs of Ducks come from Symore Park
to feed, and by creeping stealthily along you may now and then flush a couple
of these birds in some quiet bend of the stream, coming upon them suddenly,
presenting a glorious shot. These Ducks in the autumn, as soon as the corn
gets ripe, do considerable damage to the crops of wheat by alighting in it,
and pulling down the stalks to get at the ear. I have heard, the farmers
complain sadly; and indeed I think they have good reason, for it is no joke
to have fifty or sixty of these birds in the middle of a choice field of wheat,
pulling it down and eating the corn on all sides. They generally arrive in
the fields at dusk, and continue there till daybreak, when they fly back to
their decoys.

Partndge, (Perdix cinerea.) — Strange to say, we have, although a bad breeding
time, had a very fine show of birds this last season ; and when our English friends
have been complaining loudly, we have made as good a bag as usual. I can
only account for this in one way. — In Wales here our fields nearly always slope
very much, and although a season may be unusually wet, the water immediately

RARE BIRDS IM ABERDEENSHIRE. 139

runs off into the valleys; the birds are therefore very little affected by a con-
tinuance of rainy weather, and so generally thrive at all times. Our coveys
are at times very large, and it is by no means rare to meet with several
during a day's shooting of eighteen birds each. I have known of a covey of
twenty-four on the 1st. of September, and that in a field close to this little
town. I should like to see a Norfolk shot after one good day's work amidst
our Welsh hills, where a covey once flushed take over a high hill, and require
a good hour's work to find them again. It certainly is most terrible work
on a broiling September day to fag up a hill, only slightly out of the per-
pendicular— a trying affair for a fat alderman !

Woodcock, (Scolopax rusticola.) — We have had numbers this season more than

I ever recollect. Captain P. , a friend of mine, has bagged twenty-five, and

other gentlemen in proportion. I was out the other day, and while beating the
bottom of one of our covers at Ffronffraith, the man said, "I saw a cock here in
brier bush a day or two ago;" he went up, and upon looking down into the
this briers called out, ^^and here he is now with his head stuck into a lot of
leaves." He was told to beat the bush, and up got the cock, and on being
brought to bag a finer bird could scarce be seen. This country is well
adapted for the Woodcock, being interspersed with wooded dells and dingles,
with dense underwood, and . there is hardly a hill side but what is clothed
with wood.

Thrush, (Turdus musicus.) Feb. 6th. — This bird was singing loudly this
evening. Thermometer 42 degrees in-doors.

Montgomery, North Wales, February, 1853.

OCCURRENCE OF RARE LAND BIRDS IN ABERDEENSHIRE.

BY MR. JAMES TAYLOR.

Aquila chrysaefos, (Golden Eagle,) is still breeding as near us as the
forest of Birse, which is about thirty- eight miles from Aberdeen. I saw an
egg taken from their nest in 1851, now in the possession of Mr. Evan.

Halireetus alhicilla, (White-tailed Sea Eagle.) — One of them, in his first
winter's plumage, struck against the Girdel Ness Lighthouse during the night,
a few years ago, measuring fourteen feet from tip to tip of the wings.

Pernis apivorus, (Brown Bee-Hawk,) shot at Reeden in the end of the
summer of 1847, and now in the possession of Mr. Charles Black, gardener
there at that time. When shot he was covered with Bombus muscorum.

Merops aplasia; (Yellow-throated Bee-eater,) (See vol. ii. page 204,) was
shot at Kinmundy, as recorded by Thomas Ferguson, Esq., Glasgow; and
another was shot in Forfarshire, in 1851, now in the Montrose Museum.

Epupa Epops, (European Hoopoe.) — A specimen of the Hoopoe was shot.

140 A DAY AT CLOVA.

as reported in vol. ii.^ page 238^ of "The Naturalist^" in the spring of 1852,
at Criinmonmogate.

Lanms excubitor, (Great Cinereous Shrike,) shot in the autumn, 1846, on
the Banks of the Dee by myself,

Lanius horealis, (Great North-American Shrike,) reported in vol. ii., page
239, is in the collection of the late Dr. Macgillivray, to whom Mr. T.
Mo' Kenzie presented it; who, some years ago, pointed out the difference to
me between it and the JLanius excubitor.

Muscicapa atricapilla? (Pied Flycatcher,) might be taken for Sylvia atri-
capilla, which breeds with us; while the M. atricapilla was not known to
have been found in Scotland till 1840; for Dr. Macgillivray says, in his
"British Birds," vol. iii. page 528, "It may seem somewhat strange that this
species should not have been met with in any part of Scotland." And as far
as I can remember it was the S. atricapilla.

Pious viridift, (Green Woodpecker,) was seen in 1847 at Nelfield; and in
1850, one was procured at Arthur's Seat.

Linaria minor, (Redpole Linnet,) is sometimes found with us during the
winter season. I have seen one or two that were shot.

Sturnus vulgaris, (Starling.) — xMthough common in the outer Hebrides, and
other parts of Scotland, it is rather scarce with us; I only remember seeing
a pair, 1845, which I shot.

BombyciUa garrula, (Bohemian Waxwing,) occurs with us almost every
winter. In 1850 as many as ten or fourteen were got,

NESTING.

Falco peregrinus, (Peregrine Falcon,) still continues to breed with us on
an inaccessible rock, and has done so, I am told, for this hundred years past
at the cove.

Turdus pilaris, (Fieldfare.) — Mr, C, Black showed me the nest of a pair
that bred at Reeden in 1847.

Pit'inixton, March 3rd., 1853,

A DAY AT CLOVA.

BY CUTHBERT COLLINGWOOD, ESQ., M. A.

Since it does not fall to the lot of every one of the readers of "The
Naturalist" to visit and ransack the floral treasures of this romantic district,
so well known to many botanists, the following reminiscences of a day's
ramble there may perhaps be interesting to those who know of it only by

A DAY AT CLOVA.

Ul

report; and to such as have visited it, they may call up some pleasurable
recollections of a similar excursion: —

The Clova glens are oflfsets of the
Grampians, about twenty miles north-
west of Forfar. The district to which
I am alluding, consists of one broad and
wild, but beautiful valley, called Glen
Clova, terminating in the Grampian chain,
in three smaller valleys; the most
northerly being called Glen Esk; that
to the south. Glen Fee; and the middle.
Glen Dole. The bottom of these valleys
is considerably elevated above the sea
level, and the mountains which bound
them rise from about fifteen hundred to
two thousand feet above this elevated
base. The South Esk river flows from
Glen Esk, and passing out into the
main valley, glides placidly along, widening
as it advances, forming a capital trout stream, in whose sedgy margin may be
found the Carex aquatilis and the Grainless Water-Dock, {Bumex aquaticus;)
while the handsome heads of the Melancholy Thistle, (Carduus hetercphyllus,)
are conspicuous above all their sisters of the stream. The nearest habitation
to these glens is a house at a spot called Kirktown Clova, containing two
beds for travellers; but as our party was large, we were fain to sleep in a
spacious barn-like apartment, used occasionally by the assembled clans as a
dancing-room. On the floor of this barn, for it was certainly more like a
barn than a ball-room, a few trusses of clean straw had been scattered, and,
our hardship being voluntary, we passed a not uncomfortable night. This
house is marked A in the accompanying plan, and the dotted line refers to
the route of our excursion.

It was a lovely morning in the latter part of July, when, after performing
our toilet, sub dio, on the banks of the clear flowing Esk, and partaken of a
hearty breakfast, we set out about seven o'clock in high spirits, exhilarated
alike by the cool morning air, the quiet grandeur of the scene, and the
anticipation of the botanical novelties that we expected to meet with. Fully
equipped with vascuium, spud, and knapsack, we bent our course straight up
the Clova valley towards the north-west, our path being for some time covered
with the beautiful yellow flowers of the Mountain Saxifrage, (Saxifraga aizoides;)
while the less conspicuous Alpine Bistort, {PolygoHum vivijjarum,) proved very
abundant upon a slight search. . The outskirts of our party lighted upon a large
patch of the cream-coloured Gymnadenia albida, and the delicate and hand-
some Wintergreens, (Pyrola rotundifolia and P. media,) held their tall and
drooping flowers too high to escape our notice. How unfortunate it is, by

14:2 A DAY AT CLOVA,

the way, that these singularly-beautiful flowers do not retain their colours in
the Herbarium. That remarkable grass, the FeMuca ovina, var. B. vivipara,
was very abundant; and the aromatic Mcurn atJiamanticum not unfrequent,
but generally in a state of fructification.

When a considerable distance up the glen we arrived at a muddy spot,
which possessed peculiar attractions; for our experienced leader knew that there
grew the curious little Bog Orchis, (Malaxis paludosa.) Twenty pair of eyes
were immediately peering over the mossy swamp, and of course the little
Epiphyte was soon detected. In another marshy spot, a little more elevated,
the Scottish Asphodel, {Tojieldin pahistris,) was added to our boxes; and the
Mountain Bramble, or Cloudberry, {liulus chamoemorus,) offered its reddish
yellow fruit in profusion to those who cared to pluck it.

By this time wo had entered upon the middle of the three glens into
which the main valley divides, namely, Glen Dole, and we immediately com-
menced ascending its lofty side on our left. And here, as we ascended, a
new series of plants repaid our somewhat laborious path. Passing through
large quantities of Mountain Cudweed, {Antennaria dioica,) we soon discovered
that the most characteristic plant of this mountain side was the Moss Campion,
[Silene acaulis,) which well deserves its name, clothing the rocks in abundance,
and having just the appearance of moss, until on a nearer inspection, we
descry the numerous and elegant little pink flowers which spring from among
its dense leaves. The pretty silken leaves of the Alpine Ladies' Mantle,
(AlchemUla alpina,) and the sapid leaves of the Mountain Sorrel, (Oxt/ria
reruformis,) were, as usual in such situations, abundant; and two of the most
elegant of British plants, namely, Trientalis JEuropoea and Parnassia palustris,
were not unfrequent; the latter plant being of course in a young and little
advanced condition.

Oq a rock at a considerable elevation, we came suddenly upon the mag-
nificent blue Alpine Sowthistle, (Mulgedium alpinmn,) one of the most hand-
some of the mountain Flora; and this was the only individual we met with
on that day. The poor plant quickly met the fate of Orpheus, for we were
then, although not full of the god, yet for the time under the no less
inspiriting influence of the goddess. In the rocky gullies down which flowed
the mountain torrents, the Alpine Hawkweeds were frequently met with, more
especially the var. 0. Halleri. The remaining flowers of importance found on
this mountain side were the Alpine Flea Bane, {Eriyeron alpinus^ Alpine
Meadow Rue, (Thalictrum alpiaura,) and several of the Lt/copodia, namely,
Fir Club-moss, (Zy. selago,) Prickly do., {L. selacjinoides,') and Marsh do.,
(L. inundatum.)

I should be occupying a great deal too much of the space of '^The
Naturalist," were I to attempt to describe the variety and grandeur of the
scenery which met our eyes; at one time looking up to the mountain from
the valley; at another scouring the glens from the mountain summit; but as
the botanist must not always walk with his eyes on the ground, so I should

A PAY AT CI.OVA. 143

be wrong did I rove among these floral beauties without casting a look from
time to time upon the surrounding mighty masses, which so calmly lay
bathed in the glorious summer sun.

Having reached the summit, we proceeded across the mountain in the direc-
tion of Glen Fee, over a carpet of moss and lichen, the substratum of which
consisted of two lichens of peculiar interest, namely, Iceland Moss, {Cetraria
Islandica,) and Rein Deer Moss, {Cladonia rangiferina ;) and here we were
so fortunate as to meet with those two rare Carices, the handsome Black
Carex, (C. atrata,) and the Alpine Loose-flowered Carex, (C. rarijlora.)

On arriving at the brow of the mountain overlooking Glen Fee, we had to

descend by a very precipitous path, which required not only the use of our

feet, but of our hands also; but this position, while it restricted our attention,

at the same time brought our eyes nearer to the ground, so that the little

IVIountain Cudweed, (GnapTialium supinum,) did not escape us; and among

the loose and powdery limestone, we often saw the Mountain Avens, {Dryas

octopetala,) but its large white flowers had passed away, leaving the feathery

style remarkably apparent; Sihhaldia procuvihens had also passed its prime.

The yellow cymes of the Rose Root, [Sedum Rhodiola,) were very conspicuous

at a distance, as the tall plant sprung out of the almost bare parts of the

rock. But the goal of our hopes is a rocky hillock in this valley, where

almost side by side grow two of the greatest botanical rarieties of this country,

namely, the Pale-flowered Mountain Milk- Vetch, {Oxi/twpis campestris,) and

the fern known as Woodsia Ilvensis. Here then we concentrate our forces,

and having climbed the rocky cliff, where Mr. Don first found the former of

these plants, (and I believe no one has found it any where else in Britain,) we

soon had the pleasure of seeing it there, and by anticipation in our Herbarium.

The day is now declining, and we have achieved the principal objects of

our ramble. Already it is a considerable time since, perched, like Crows, on

a projecting rock in Glen Dole, we devoured the contents of our knapsack

with all the relish which the mountain air, and a clear mountain stream could

impart on a hot summer's day; and we accordingly prepare to shoulder our

trophies, and to make for our lodging at Kirktown Clova, which is now nine

or ten miles distant. On our way we added the green flowering variety

of the Bcdstraw, (Galium vei'um,) and arrived Jiome at about half-past seven,

well tired and well pleased. Some of our party, who preferred the quiet

indolence of the '^gentle sport" to the more laborious amusement which we

had undertaken, had provided for us abundance of trout, which with tea,

milk, and other good things, which mountaineers appreciate, awaited us.

Having bathed our wearied limbs in the refreshing waters of the Esk, we

fell to, and afterwards slept soundly on our pallets of straw; having spent a

day which will ever be prominent in our memory among botanical rambles —

having enriched our Herbaria with a large number of rare plants, and stored up

pleasant recollections which will not leave us till the latest periods of our lives.

Blachhcath, March 2Uh., 1853.

144
BOTANICAL EEMINISCENCES.

BY JOHN ROSE, ESQ., M. A., M. D., F. B. S., ASSISTANT SURQKOX R. N,

The Flora of Aberdeen is much richer, and more varied than one would
suppose, judging from the bare and barren appearance of the surrounding
district. "Many botanists," as Dr. Dickie remarks, "have supposed that a
close relation exists between the plants of a country and the nature of its
rocksj in other words, that certain plants are confined to granite, and others
to sandstone formations, etc. In this district granite, gneiss and mica-s!ate
seem to predominate over all the others; but the old red sandstone prevails
to a considerable extent as at the old bridge of Don. Small formations of
greenstone, serpentine, hornblende slate, and porphyritic felspar also occur."
As far as our observation goes, few, if any, of the plants are confined exclu-
sively to particular rocksj but more extended inquiries may lead us to change
our views.

Nearly six hundred species of plants are found within a twenty miles circuit
of Aberdeen. Linnoea hnrealis occurs in several stations. In a wood opposite
Fintray House, my late lamented friend. Professor Macgillivray, found it with
th-ee and four flowers on a peduncle, and not always with tioo flowers, as
denoted by its English name. Ghrt/sosplenium alternifoliunij a rare plant in
the district, although pretty common in the neighbouring county of Banff", was
first found on the banks of the Don by the same gentleman. Chrysosplenium
oppositifolium is frequent here, as it is almost everywhere in the north of
Scotland. Utricularia intermedia and U. minor we have also gathered in the
vicinity. Lithospermum maritimum, the leaf of which is thick and fleshy, and
of a pale green colour, with a taste resembling oysters, is found occasionally
on the Aberdeenshire coast. Hyoscyamus niger, Agrimonia eiqyatoria, Gera-
nium sanguiiieum, Campanula glomerata, and Astragalus glacyophyllus we have
gathered near the old castle of Duuottar, so famous in Scotch History. In
addition to the common Ranunculi, R. auricomus occurs occasionally on the
banks of the Don. Perhaps my friend and class-fellow, Dr. Wm. Williamson,
of Aberdeen, still remembers the trouble we had, and the risk we ran, in
collecting Ranunculus sceleratus, and other marshy plants near King's College.

The White and Yellow Water-lily occur in several small lakes or lochs
near Aberdeen.

"Mark where transparent waters glide,

Soft flowing- o'er their tranquil bed;
There, cradled on the dimpling tide,

Nymphwa rests her lovely head.
But conscious of the earliest beam.

She rises from her humid nest, ^

And sees reflected in the stream

The virgin whiteness of her breast.
Till the bright-day star to the west

Declines, in ocean's surge to lave;
Then folded in her modest vest

She slumbers on the rocking wave."

POOLE AS A LOCALITY FOR NATURAL HISTORY. 145

Adoxa moscTiatellina likewise occurs in the district, but it is very local. I
omitted to mention it' in my paper on the Flora of Banff. It is found in
considerable quantity under the shade of trees on the south side of the bridge
of Alvah, a beautiful and romantic spot forming part of the wide domain of
the Earl of Fife. Of Grasses may be mentioned Catahrosa aquatica, Melica
coerulea, Poa aquatica, Triodia decumbens, Briza media, Bromus sterilis,
arvensis, and secalinus. Of Ferns, the only one worth mentioning is the
Osmunda regalis, which occurs in one or two places, but is a rare plant in
the north. Of LycopodiacecB may be mentioned Lycopodium Selago, L.
Selaginoides, L. alpinum, and L. annotinum.

Nearly ten years ago the author of the preceding notes had the pleasure
and privilege of attending the lectures and excursions of Dr. Macgillivray, late
Professor of Natural History in Marischal College, Aberdeen. Well does he
remember the pains taken by the amiable and talented Professor to inspire
a love for the science. His lectures were remarkable for the elegance of their
composition, clearness of arrangement, and for a peculiar freshness, which
arrested the attention, while it, as it were, invested even common subjects
with the charm of novelty. His great aim was to awaken and keep alive
in the minds of his pupils, that enthusiasm in the pursuit of knowledge for
which he was himself so distinguished. Above all, it was his custom, as
opportunity offered, and in the most unostentatious manner, to direct our
minds to the contemplation of the Author of Nature, as the Great First
Cause of All, leading us to admire the power, wisdom, and goodness so con-
spicuous in all His works. Far from separating religion from science, he
regarded the one as the handmaid of the other, and looked on the Book of
Nature, when properly studied, as a sure testimony to the truth and excellency
of the Book of Revelation. The devout feelings of his mind encouraged and
supported him during his last illness, and, in the days of health, amid many
a solitary ramble when engaged in the pursuit of science; while they rendered
him most amiable and exemplary in all the relations of life.

I trust that this humble tribute of regard for the memory of a much
respected friend may not be unacceptable to the readers of ^^The Naturalist,"
some of whom, doubtless, knew him well personally, or may at least in some
measure know him from his published works.

Bogal Hospital at Haslar, Gosport, January, 1853.

POOLE AS A LOCALITY
FOR THE STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY,

BY THE REV. FREDERIC FANE.

Allow me to point out to any of your readers who are interested in the
subject, that few places would be better suited to a practical naturalist or
collector than the neighbourhood of Poole, in Dorsetshire, or Christchurch, in

vol. iu. u

146 POOLE AS A LOCALITY FOR NATURAL HLSTORY.

Hampshire. I wish my knowledge of Natural History enabled me to watch
with a more practical eye the face of nature in this favoured part of the
kingdom. The warmth of the climate in this county is favourable to the
production of wild plants in an endless variety; nowhere do I see the Ferns
so various or luxuriant, hedges so gay, or woods so carpeted with flowers. In
a month's time the Primrose, Anemone, Orchis, Periwinkle, Wild Hyacinth,
(a white vax-iety is very common also,) and a thousand others will make every
coppice a garden ; the rare Fly Ophrys too I have seen growing in the chalky
woods at Ranston, in this county. As a proof of the mildness of our Dorsetshire
climate, I may mention that at Lower Lytchett, a few miles from hence,
may be seen in the open air a hedge of Cammelias, more than ten feet
high and twenty or thirty yards in length, of most luxuriant growth, and
which is a perfect blaze of blossom, and far more healthy and vigorous than
I have ever seen the plant in any greenhouse; near it also stands an Araucaria
nearly thirty feet high. Vast heaths and moors extend over many thousand
acres in these counties, continuing in an almost unbroken chain from South-
ampton to Dorchester, including the wild tract of the New Forest — a distance
of fifty miles. These moors have an unenviable notoriety as a favourite
haunt of all the species of reptiles which are found in Britain; botanists also
report them as a favourite field of search; in the many clear streams also
that intersect the country, almost every fish usual to English waters is to be
found, from the lordly Salmon to the humble Minnow.

The immediate neighbourhood of the sea, the great bays and creeks of
Poole harbour, and the vast extent of tidal mud-flat between its mouth and
Calshot Castle in the Southampton Water, give us as great a variety of
wild fowl in the winter months as could be found perhaps in any other part
of the western seaboard. This season, from the mildness of the winter, we
have been visited by few of the rarer species, and I have been able to make
no additions to my collection, with the exception of a young bird of the
Red-necked Grebe, (Podiceps ruhricoUis,) and a solitary Pintail, (Anas acuta.)
With regard to the latter bird, I should think it must be more rare than
Yarrell leads us to expect, as he describes it as not uncommon on the mud-flats
before mentioned, whilst a friend of mine, who annually kills more wild fowl
perhaps than any other amateur, tells me that he has never killed but one
other on the same water. Since the beginning of February the Teal have
been in far greater numbers than ever were previously known; on one occasion,
in February, I assisted in bagging one hundred Duck and Teal, and on
another occasion the same party bagged one hundred and seventy in one
day. On the River Avon, above Christehurch, almost all the rarer species
of wild fowl make their haunt, and in cold seasons great numbers of that
noble bird, the Hooper, {Cygnus feriis^ are killed there. In the Earl of
Malraesbury's collection at Heron Court, are preserved in one case the heads
of four Hoopers, which, with a splendid male preserved in another case, make
a very good study of the peculiarities of the Wild Swan^ as distinguished from

HAEDY TUEES AND SHRUBS. 147

the Domestic bird. That splendid bird the Shoveller, (Anas clypeata,) is
not uncommon on the same river, and I fancy that a pair or two occasionally
breed in the neighbourhood, as I have seen them upon it as late as the
middle of April, This river, the Avon, contains also, with the exception of
the Barbel and Chub, every English River Fish, including that very rare
Eel the Snig. On the shallows in the hot summer time they may be seen
in great numbers at all hours of the day, which is rarely the case with the
Common Eel. Altogether, whether to a sportsman or a naturalist, no locality
could be more favourable than the east of Dorset or the west of Hampshire-

Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, March 2dth.j 1853.

THE PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS.

BY J. MC' INTOSH, ESQ.

In reply to the inquiries of the Rev. F. 0. Morris, in Nos. 17 and 25 of
"The Naturalist," respecting the various trees that will strike from cuttings,
I beg to offer the following list of Trees and Shrubs, with their various modes
of propagation, which I l^ope will prove satisfactory; at the same time I beg
to apologize to that gentleman for not before replying to his request.

TRIBE I.— CLEMATIDE^.
The genera are two — Clematis and Atragene, which are thus distinguished —
Clematis, petals, nonej Atragene, petals, several.

Genus I.
Clematis, {Clematis,) Polyandria Polygynia. — The greater number of this
genus ripen their seeds in England, and are easily propagated by them, or
by layers the most common, and frequently by cuttings.

Genus II.
Atragene, {Atragene,) Polyandria Polygynia. — This genus is extremely inter-
esting from the beauty of the blossoms. The culture and propagation the

same as Clematis.

TRIBE II.— PyEONIACEiE DEC.
The genera are two — Poionia and Xanthorhiza.

Genus I.
Paeonia, {Pceong,) Polyandria Di-Pentagynia. — The species and varieties are
all beautiful, and are propagated by seed, division of the roots, grafting,
budding, layers, ringing, and by cuttings.

Genus II.
Xanthorhiza, {Yellow Boot,) Polyandria Mono-Trigynia. — This genus is
readily propagated by suckers, of which it throws up a great number. The
plant, however, is seldom met with, except in botanical collections.

ORDER II.— WINTERACEJ]:.
Evergreen shrubs or low trees, chiefly natives of warm climates, though
our present subject is sufficiently hardy to stand the severity of our winters..

148 HA.RDY TREES AND SHRUBS.

Illicium^ (Aniseed,) Polyandria Polygynia. — The manner in which these
plants are propagated is by forming stools of it in a cold-pit^ and laying
down the shoots, which require two years to root sufficiently to admit of
their being separated from the parent plant. Also by cuttings under a glass.

OEDER III.— MAGNOLIACE.^.

The species hardy in British gardens are included under the genera 3fag-
nolia and Liriodendron. The characters of which are as follow: —

Magnolia — Carpel dehiscent, that is, opening to admit the escape of the seed.

Liriodendron — CdkV^Ql indehiscent, that is, not opening to admit the escape
of the seed.

GrENUS I.

Magnolia, {Magnolia,) Polyandria Polygynia. — This beautiful genus is pro-
pagated from seeds procured from abroad, by layers, and readily by cuttings.

Genus II.
Liriodendron, {Tulip Tree.) — This tree is seldom propagated otherwise than
by seeds* they are, however, easily raised by layers, inarching, and by cuttings
ORDER IV.— ANONACEiE.
The hardy species in British gardens are included in the genus Asiminaj
formery Anonia, and are natives of North America.

Genus I.
Asimina, {Asimina,) Polyandria Polygynia. — In our gardens this plant is
generally raised from iVmerican seeds. It is a curious-growing decidu'ous shrub,
or low tree.

ORDER v.— MENISPERMACEiE.
The species in our gardens are included in the genera Menispermum and
Coccuhis, and are thus distinguished:-^

Menispermum — Sepals and petals, quaternary* male flowers with fifteen to
twenty stamens.

Goccuhis — Sepals and petals ternary; male flowers with six stamens.

Genus I.
Menispermum^ {Moonseed,) Dioccia Dodecandria. — The species are all of the
easiest culture in common soil, and are propagated by dividing the roots, or
by cuttings, or layers in autumn.

Genus II.
Cocculus, (Gocculiis^ Dioecia Hexandria. — A twining deciduous shrub, pro-
pagated by dividing the roots, layers, and cuttings. The berries of many of the
species of this genus are often made into a paste, and used in their native
countries, (North America and Dahuria,) to intoxicate fish and birds, etc., in
order to capture them; and it is said that brewers use them to give their
ale and porter an intoxicating quality.

ORDER VI.— BERBERACE^.
Bushy shrubs, natives of the temperate climates of Europe, Asia, and
North America. The genera containing the species hardy in our gardens are
the following: —

HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS. 149

Berheris — Petals with two glands on the inside of each; stamens^ toothless;

leaves^ undivided.

Mahonia — Petals without glands; stamens, furnished with a tooth on each

side; leaves, pinnate.

Gentjs I.

Berberis, (Berberry,) Hexandria Monogynia. — The species are all readily
propagated by seeds, suckers, and cuttings. Suckers are produced in abun-
dance. If some of the strongest of these were removed, they might be formed
into very handsome small trees. In all the species the flowers are yellow.

Genus II.

Mahonia, {Malionia,) Hexandria Monogynia. — The species are elegant ever-
green shrubs with yellow flowers, propagated by suckers, seeds, and by cuttings.
By some botanists the Mahonia is included in the genus Berheris.

OEDER VII.— CEUCIACE^.

The only shrub included in this order is the Vella Pseudo-Cytisus, (False
Cytisus, or Shrubby Cress Rocket.

Genus I.

Vella, (Vella,) Tetradynamia Siliculosa. — It is easily propagated by cuttings
of the young wood, in sand under a glass.

ORDER VIII.— CISTACE.E.

The hardy species are included in two genera, which are distinguished as
follows —

Cist us — Capsule, ten, five-celled.

Helianthemum — Capsule, one-celled, three-valved.

Genus I.

Cistus, {Bock Base, or Cistus,) Polyandria Monogynia. — The Rock Rose is

propagated by seeds, which in fine seasons they produce in abundance; and by

cuttings.

Genus II.

Helianthemum, (Sun Bose,) Polyandria Monogynia. — The Sun Roses are
natives of Europe, and of the easiest culture, propagated by cuttings; they
are beautifully adapted for rock or root work.

ORDER IX.— MALVACE^.

The only genus containing hardy species is Hibiscus, or Althcea Frutex.

Genus I.
Hibiscus, (Hibiscus,) Monadelphia Polyandria. — The single-flowered varieties
are propagated by seeds, which come true to their respective colours, and the
double-flowered varieties by layers, grafting, and by cuttings in sand in autumn,
covered with a hand-glass.

ORDER X.— TILIACE^.
The only genus which is perfectly hardy, is Tilia, native of Europe and
North America.

150 HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS.

Genus I.

Tilia^ {Lime Tree,) Polyandria Monogynia. — The Lime Tree is propagated
by seeds^ by layers in autumn, and by cuttings, though seldom adopted, the
quickest methods being by layers and seeds. The wood of Tilia Euroi)oea, or
Common Lime Tree, is used by pianoforte-makers for sounding boards, and by
cabinet-makers for a variety of purposes. It is carved into toys, and turned
into domestic utensils, and small boxes for the apothecaries. It makes excellent
charcoal for gunpowder. Shoemakers and glovers prefer its wood for cutting
the finer kinds of leather upon. In Sweden, Norway, Carolina, and Switzerland
the leaves are collected both green and in a dried state for feeding cattle : the
Ancient Romans also used them as food for their cattle. The most important
use of this tree is that of supplying material for ropes and bass mats, as used
in gardens; the latter of which enter extensively into European commerce.
The Russians use the bark for covering their cottages; the fishermen of Sweden
make fish-nets of the fibres of the inner bark; the shepherds of Carniola make
a coarse cloth of it, which serves them for clothing. In some parts of
Devonshire and Cornwall we are informed that ropes are still made from its
bark. The sap by evaporation affords a considerable quantity of sugar. Baskets,
cradles, and light chairs, are sometimes made from the twigs.

ORDER XI.— TERNSTROMIACE.E.

The hardy genera in. our gardens are three, and are distinguished as follows: —

Malachodendron — Calyx, unibracteate; styles, free; carpels, capsular; five-
connected.

Stuartia — Sepals, connected, bibracteate; style, one; capsule, five-celled, five-
valved; seeds, wingless.

(ro>Y?o/<m — Sepals, distinct; style, one; capsule, five-celled, five-valved; seeds,

winged.

Gentjs I.
Malachodendron, (^Malachodendron,) Monadelphia Polyandria. — Propagated by

layers and cuttings.

Genus II.
Stuartia, (Stuartia,) Monadelphia Pentandria. — A deciduous shrub of North
America, a desirable plant, propagated by layers and cuttings.

Genus III.
Gordonia, (Gordonia,) Monadelphia Polyandria. — These most beautiful plants
are deserving of extensive cultivation ; the soil should be leaf-mould and sand,
propagated by seeds from America, layers, and cuttings.

ORDER XII.— HYPERICACEJE.
These shrubs are natives of Europe, North America, and Asia. The hardy
genera in gardens are two, and are thus distinguished: —
Hypericum — Capsule, membranous; stamens, polyadelphous.
Androscemum — Capsule, baccate; stamens, monadelphous.

Genus I.
Hypericum, QSt. JohrCs Wort^ Polyadelphia Polyandria. — These are all of

HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS, 161

easy culture in common soil, and propagated by suckers, division of the roots,
seeds, and cuttings. They are all considered medicinal, being powerfully
astringent, and were formerly in great request by herbalists.

Genus II.
Androsaemum, (Tastan,) Polyadelphia Polyandria. — This is a valuable plant for
growing under trees, and in almost any soil, propagated by division of the roots-

OEDEE XIII.— ACEEACEiE.

Deciduous trees or shrubs, natives of the temperate climates of Europe,
North America, and Asia. The species in our gardens are included in the
two following genera: —

Acer — Flowers, polygamous; leaves, lobed.

Negundo — Flowers, dioecious; leaves, pinnate.

Genus I.

Acer, {Maple,) Polygamia Monaecia. — These are useful timber trees, propa-
gated by seeds, layers, grafts, and by cuttings. The seeds of all the species
may be sown in autumn, after they are gathered, or in spring. They come
up, when sown in spring, in five or six weeks, with the exception of A.
campestre, which seldom comes up till the third year. Sugar is one of the
constituent parts of all of them. The ashes of the Sugar Maple, (A. saccharinum,)
are rich in the alkaline principle, and it may be confidently asserted that they
furnish four-fifths of the potash exported to Europe from Boston and New York.

Genus II.

Negundo, ( Box Elder,) Dioecia Pentandria. — There is only one species in our
gardens, namely, Negundo fraxinifolium, propagated by seeds, layers, and cuttings.

OEDEE XIV.— iESCULACE^.

Deciduous trees, natives of North America and Asia; by most botanists
they are included in one genus, namely,

^sculus, {Horse-chestnut,) Heptandria Monogynia. — The common Horse-
chestnut is invariably propagated from the nuts, which are sown in the
autumn or spring; the others by grafts, budding, and by cuttings. In France
the Sabot is made from the common, and it is sometimes used by carvers and
turners. It is also well suited for water-pipes which are underground. The
ashes of the plant, and particularly the fruit, afford potash in quantity. The
bark, which is very bitter, is employed for tanning, and also for dyeing yellow;
. and it is sometimes used as a substitute for Jesuits' Bark. In some countries
the nuts are ground and mixed with horses' food; they are excellent food for
deer, sheep, goats, and hogs. In Ireland they are used to whiten flaxen
cloth; for this purpose they are rasped into water, in which they are allowed
to macerate for some time. The nuts, when ground, are sometimes used in
book-binder's paste. Soap and starch has also been made from the nuts. We
are told in Stephenson and Churchill's "Medical Botany," that the remarkable
vegetable principle, called JEsculine, is found in this genus, and is said to
possess alkaline properties, and to act as a febrifuge.

152 BRITISH FORKST TREES,

ORDEE XV.— SAPINDACEiE.
There is only one hardy genus belonging to this order^ namely, Kolreuteria
paniculata —

Genus I.
Kolreuteria, (Kolreuteria^ Octandria Monogynia. — This too ought to be in
every collection, on account of the beauty of its leaves, flowers, and fruit.
It is readily propagated either by seeds, cuttings of the branches, or roots,

OEDEE XVI.— VITACEiE.
The genera which contain hardy species are three, and are distinguished as
follow: — '

Vitis — Style, wanting; petals, five,
Ampelopsis — Style, one; petals, five,
Cissus — Style, one; petals, four.

GrENUS I.

Vitis, (Grape- Vine,) Pentandria Monogynia. — The Grape-Vine is propagated
by eyes, layers, cuttings, grafting, budding, and suckers.

Genus II,
Ampelopsis, (^Ampelopsis,) Pentandria Monogynia, — These are, like the Vine,
Tendriled Climbers, natives of North America, and are propagated like the
Vine. A. Hederacea is the beautiful Virginian Creeper of the gardens.

Genus III.
Cissus, (Cissus,) Tetrandria Monogynia, — This plant is propagated by cuttings.
V^^e have only one plant of this genus, if it can so be called, namely, C.
orientalis, (the Oriental Cissus, or Ivy- Vine.)

(To be continued.)

LIST OF BRITISH FOREST TREES,
WITH THE METHOD OF PROPAGATION FOR EACH.

BY JOHN C, WIGHT, ESQ,

Acer, (Maple,) — Seeds sown as soon as ripe; layers in autumn, and grafting
or budding on the common Maple, Cuttings will strike in the open ground
if inserted in spring or autumn. Soil, sandy loam,

JEsculus, (Horse-chestnut,) — Layering, grafting, and budding, and some sorts
by seeds. Soil, deep rich loam,

Alnus, (Alder,) — Layers or seeds. Soil, light loam in moist situations,

Betula, (Birch,) — Large species by seeds; and shrubs and other species by
suckers and grafting. Deep dry soil.

Cerasus, (Cherry.) — Ripe seeds; layers, and cuttings from the roots, and
suckers. Deep soil, sandy.

Crataegus, (Hawthorn.) — Seeds in spring; some varieties by buds or grafts
on the common Whitethorn. Common garden soil.

Castanea, (Chestnut.)— Seeds, preserved in dry sand, in March; varieties
by grafting. Soil, deep sandy loam.

BRITISH FOREST TREES. 153

Garpinus, (Hornbeam.) — Seeds, as soon as ripe, or kept dry till spring;
suckers and layers for the varieties; layers for common plants are inferior to
seedlings. Common soil.

Cedrus, (Cedar.) — Seeds in March; cuttings under a hand light; C. deodara
by grafting on common Cedar or Larch. Deep sandy soil.

Fraxinus, (Ash.) — Seeds and grafts. Dry deep loam. (Seeds sometimes do
not vegetate till second year.)

Fagus, (Beech.) — Seeds and grafts. Loamy soil over chalk. The Morel
and the Truffle are found chiefly under Beech trees.

Ilex^ (Holly.) — Seeds, (kept in a rot-heap for a twelvemonth to rot the
pulp,.) grafts, and buds, the first in March, and second in July; cuttings of
the ripened summer shoots in autumn under glass. Soil, sandy loam.

Juglans, (Walnut.) — Nuts sown when ripe, or in following spring; grafting
and budding for the rare species and varieties. Deep loam.

Pyrus, (Pear, Apple, and Quince.) — Seeds for stocks and new varieties;
particular sorts by buds and grafts on wild sorts, and thorns; also by suckers.
Good garden soil.

Popidus, (Poplar.) — Seeds, sown in moist soil, slightly covered, as soon as
they fall from the trees; cuttings of ripened shoots; also layers and suckers.
Deep moist loam,

Platanus, (Plane Tree.) — Seeds in autumn or spring; cuttings in spring and
autumn; but most quickly by layers at the above periods. Deep mellow loam,

Quercm, (Oak,) — Acorns, as soon as they fall from the trees; particular
varieties by grafts. Deep loamy soil,

Robinia, (Locust Tree,) (?) — Tender kinds, from cuttings of young wood in
sand, under glass; seeds in autumn or spring; cuttings of the shoots and also
of the roots, and by suckers and layers,

Salix, (Willow.) — Cuttings of ripened shoots in autuinn; dwarf kinds struck
in summer under glass, Mois,t soil.

Tilia, (Lime, or Linden Tree.) — Seeds in March or April; principally by
layers in autumn. Deep loam.

Taccus, (Yew.) — Seeds in October or spring; cuttings, ten inches in length,
lower half deprived of leaves, in sand, in a shady part, in April and August.
Deep loam,

Ulmus, (Elm.) — Seeds in June, March, or April, Z7. cavtpestris, and its
allies, by suckers, layers, and grafts on U. montana, layers of which root
freely. Deep dry sandy loam.

Pinus, (The Pine tribe, including Firs and Larches.) —Chiefly by seeds;
scarce sorts by cuttings, layers, and grafts. Deep rich loam.

1, Percy Place, GlapTiam Road, London.

VOL. in.

164
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER.

By MR. EDWARD PARFITT.

(Continued from page \2%.)

The Purple Hair-streak, {Thecia Quercus:) this is a rare species in this
neighbourhood; I have only heard of one specimen being taken, and that in
Sir T. Acland's Park, by Mr. E. Norcombe, but I am of opinion that,
were the oak woods searched for it, there might be more taken, for we have
some considerable tracts of oak woods, such as Exmick Wood, and tlie woods
about Dunsford are mostly oak, so I think more might be taken than we
now anticipate, and, as I said before, I also think His Majesty the Emperor
might be found sailing about in the sunshine. Thecia Ruhi, (Green Hair-
streak:) this Butterfly may be taken in considerable numbers on Haldon, at
the back of Haldon House, the seat of Sir Laurence Palk; in August, 1850,
it was particularly plentiful there. The Common Copper Butterfly, {Lyccena
Phlceas:) this is not a very common insect about here, though many specimens
are to be taken in a season. I took a rather curiously marked variety in
Stoke Wood in 1851: the right anterior wing is almost white, except the
margins, which are paler than in other specimens, but not white like the
centre of the wing; the black spots too are unusually large on both the
anterior wings; the left anterior wing is much darker than in most specimens;
it is more suffused with black, so as to give it a dingy look; one dark
wing and the other light gives the fly a singular appearance.

Folyommatus Argiolus, (Azure Blue,) is tolerably plentiful in some years,
but not near so common as the following, P. Alexis, (Common Blue;) this
you may see in most fields shut up for hay, flying about amongst the long
grass in May and June. This, though a common species here, is not near
so plentiful as it is in Norfolk; there I have seen it in great profusion, flying
about in the parks and hay-fields just before the hay is cut. T possess a
specimen taken last year, which I suppose to be a variety of P. Salmacis,
or is it Artaxerxes? if so the markings do not accord with the description in
the "Naturalist's Library." It is about the size of P. Artaxerxes, and has got
the markings on the anterior and posterior wings like that insect, except the white
spot on the middle of the anterior pair. The whole upper surface of the wings
is of a dusky umber colour, except the band of triangular fulvous spots on the
posterior margin: each triangular spot has a roundish black one at its base.
There is also a small light crescent-shaped spot of four spots nearest the tail
or anus; the two last, or those nearest the tail, are double, that is, the two
are joined together, which is not the case with any of the others — they are
decidedly distinct. The fringe on the wings is dusky, and the whole under
surface of the wings is precisely like the female of P. Alexis; the marking3
are exactly like that insect. Is it a variety of that species, or what is it?

I had almost forgotten one of our finest insects, the Clouded Yellow, {Colias
edusa:) this beautiful butterfly is caught in some quantities at Exmouth, but.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 155

curious to observe, they generally number more males than females: Mons.
Persae has taken a good many, but almost all of them are males. In September,
1850, I took a fine female specimen near Sandy Gate, about three or four
miles from Exeter. I had a non-scientific friend with me at the time, who
is a collector merely for collecting's sake, and in looking round a sand-pit we
started the fly, or rather the fly started us. There was a pretty stiff breeze blowing
at the time, and I may mention it was the first Clouded Yellow I had ever
seen on the wing, and I had not a specimen in my possession, so you may
think how delighted I was; I would have ran till all was blue, (as the saying
is,) rather than have lost it. Well, as I have said, the fly started us, and away
we go, net in hand, up the sand-pit, and away across the road, the fly going
along before the wind with all sail set, (as the sailors would say,) over the
hedge, and away we go after it. By the time we had got over the hedge,
(I lost my hat in the scramble,) the fly had got some distance across a turnip-
field; I, being light-built, soon outran my companion, and caught the fly. An
old farmer and his men were in the next field, and I dare say thought we
were mad; for, seeing us running as hard as we could tear after a butterfly,
(and my hair flying behind must have given me the appearance of being insane,)
the old farmer bawled out, "What's e matter with yea, be e mazed;" (mazed
is the Devonshire word for any one insane.)

Thus ends my list of the Butterflies round Exeter. In my next I will give
a list of the Hesperida?, Moths, etc.

4, Weir-field Place, St. Leonards, Exeter, April \Qth., 1853.

BlkBllnuBnus 3M\m,

The Badger^ (Meles taxus.) — A fine characteristically-coloured specimen was obtained about the
end of Januaiy this year, at some distance from Aberdeen, and is now in the possession of Mr.
A. Mitchell. It is becoming very scarce throughout every district of this coimty. — J . Longmuir,
Juu., Aberdeen, Mar<ih 10th., 1853.

Malformation of the Teeth of the Rabbit, (Lepus cuniculus.) — Mr. Mitchell, Taxidermist here,
obtained a Rabbit, apparently a full-grown one, with very curiously-formed front teeth. The
two upper incisors were curved up within the mouth, being very much longer than usual, as
were also the lower ones, which projected considerably, with a slight bend upwards. It would
be a difficult matter to conceive how the poor animal could have lived for any length of time
in such a condition, and yet, when shot, it was by no means lean. — Idem.

Amongst the "Miscellaneous Notices," of the last No. (June) of "I'he Naturalist," the Eev.
P. 0. Morris has brought forward an instance of a Rabbit taking to the water and swimming. I
much doubt whether in cases of exigency the Rabbit will ever hesitate to do so. The two
following instances occurred under my own observation :— Some time last year, I am not positive
as to the precise date, I saw a Rabbit, pursued by a dog, leap boldly into the Cam, at one of
its greatest widths, and was swimming across, when a boat put oflf and captured it. Again,
on the I6th. ultimo, at the Rabbit-warren, Thetford, in Suffolk, a pursued Rabbit, a very
young one, dashed into a small streamlet that intercepted its run, and swam across; it was
however soon caught— its wet coat prevented any speed in its flight. I have mentioned these
two instances to shew that Rabbits will take water; but both times emergency forced them. I
have heard of no instance of a Rtibbit being fond of water.— H. C. Stuart, Bath, June 7th., 1853.

166 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

Occurrence of the Rose-coloured Pastor, (Pastor roseus,) in Norfolk. — A labourer shot, on
Tuesday, May 3rd., a fine male specimim of this bird at Lakenhara, a village a short distance
from this city. A specimen of this bird was shot in the same localitj^, and nearly about the
same date last year. — J, 0. Harper, Curator of the Hospital Museum, Norwich, May 8th., 1853.

Tufted Pochard, (Fuligula cristata.) — A fine male specimen of this bird was shot on the Tees
by Mr. R. Hornby, of this town, on the 17th. of March, 1853; also two males and two females
were shot on the Tees, by Mr. T. Hodgson, of Portrack, and Mr. T. Laverick, of this town, on
the 28th. of March, 1853.— "W. Martin, Stockton-on-Tees, March 31st., 1853.

Goosander, (Mergus merganser ) — A fine female specimen of this bird was shot on the Tees,
by Mr. F. Leach, of Middlesbro', about a fortnight since. There was also a fine male specimen
shot at the same time, which had in its gizzard part of a gold ear-ring.— Idem.

The Golden Eye Garrot, (Clangula vulgaris.) — A fine old male specimen of this bird was shot
on the Tees, about two miles below this place, by Mr. J. Hodgson, of Portrack, on the 26th.
of February last. — Idem.

The Little Aiih, (Mergulus Alle.) — One of these birds was seen the other day in the Cut below
this town, but was not captured. — Idem.

Land Rail, (Crex pratensis,) in February. — On tJie 19th. of the present month some boys
pursued and killed a Land Rail in a field, about a mile from this town, in the shire of Kirk-
cudbright. The said bird was brought to me in the flesli; it was an adult in fine plumage, and
was in good condition. "That it is a bird of passage there can be little doubt," says Markwiek,
and this is the general impression; but the above says, I am no bird of passage for this year
at least. This has been a very severe winter, more particularly for six weeks past. We have
flocks of Mountain Finches with us just now, and some Crossbills also. — W. G. Johnstone,
Green Brae Cottage, Dumfries, February 28th., 1853.

The Water-hen, (Gallinula chloropus.) — Whilst shooting lately on the banks of the Dcrwent,
a few miles from Derby, near a large orchard, my dog put out a Water-hen from the top of
a high bank; it flew across the river, and perched on the top of an alder tree, some twenty-
five feet high, and whilst sitting there with outstretched neck, watching the dog, I shot it.
Soon afterwards I met the gardener, and on observing to him that I had rarely seen a Water-
hen perched on a tree, and never one so high, he told me that he had not only frequently
remarked the same, but had seen them on the apple trees, pecking at the apples. I have never
before heard such an accusation brought against the Water-hen, but have no reason to doubt
the man's veracity. — J. B., Marlborough, March 29th., 1853.

The Rock Dove, (Columba llvia.) — Although Rock Doves are most frequently found among
clifis near the sea, yet this is not always the case. Two or three pair build every j^ear in a
steep and lofty range of sandstone rocks, called the Black Rocks, near Matlock, in Derbyshire,
about one hundred miles distant from the nearest sea. I have frequently taken the eggs of these
birds. Their nests were built in holes of the rock, generally near the entrance, and were inva-
riably made of the same materials, namely, the fresh green tops of the Scotch Fir, wliieh grows
in great abundance near. The eggs are about the same size as those of the Tame Pigeon, but
more spherical and of a deep cream-colour. — Idem.

The Whinchat, (Saxicola rubetra.) — I have to intimate to you a very early and most unusual
appearance of the Whinchat. I was passing thi-ough Hyde Park, and close to where the Crystal
Palace stood it was perched on the wood railing, separating the park from the carriage drive
through it; I watched it attentively for some moments as it stood giving its peculiar jerk to
its tail ; it then flew to the opposite railing, and there continued for some moments more, en-
abling me to take a view sufiicient to allow a mistake to be impossible. I should have thought
it an escaped bird from a cage or aviary, but its plumage was in such perfect order that I
do not think that possible. This bird I saw yesterday morning, the 8th. of March, now all
works on tho subject state the middle of April to be the time of its re-appcarance in the southern
and midland counties, and the end of that month in the more northern. I have at times shot
scoi-cs of these birds, and consequently know it too well to be mistaken: in the summer when

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

157

dead they putrefy in a remarkably short space of time, and while skinning them the fat is
80 oily and in such quantity, that the feathers frequently become saturated with it from the
heat of the fingers alone.— C. II. Brown, Fulham, March 9th., 1853.

Note on the Swift.— On the morning of the 1st. of November, 1846, a Swift, {Hirimdo Apus,
Lin.) was observed flying round, and occasionally settling on the rigging of the Steam-Packet
while landing passengers at Brighton pier, having accompanied the packet from Dieppe in a
dense fog; it had probably retired to roost the evening before amid the rigging, near the funnel,
perhajw for the sake of the warmth it might afford. The vessel started on its voyage several
hours before daylight, our voyager was half way across the channel ere he was "awake," and then
poar fellow such was the extreme density of the fog that he became no doubt quite bewildered,
and not knowing which way to steer his course, continued to play round the packet till it reached
Brighton, as before stated.— Stephen Stone, Brighthampton, March 11th., 1853.

Honey Buzzard, (Pernis apivorus.)— Dr. Macgillivray mentions that this species has been
found breeding in the woods of Abergeldie, which is perhaps the only instance of the kind in
Scotland. This 'rara avis, in the north of Scotland at least, has occurred once or twice la
various parts of our county; and when it docs appear, its colour and size render it a con-
spicuous object. The last one of which I have heard, was shot a year or two ago at Raeden,
in the immediate vicinity of this city.— J. Longmuir, Jan., Aberdeen, March 10th., 1853.

Snowy Owl, (Surnia nyctea.)— This rare visitor has been met with in a few instances iu
Aberdeenshire. One specimen was obtained near the "Buck of the Cabrach," on Donside, in
the spring of 1850, by Mr. A. Stuart, Aberdeen; and some time after, another was shot near
the same locality, both of which were marked in the usual way; the colour of the one being,
however, considerably lighter than that of the other. Mr. A. Mitchell mentions having seen a
Snowy Owl a few years ago, when walking along the beach at Aberdeen. — Idem.

Bohemian Waxwing, (Borabycilla garrula.) — This plainly-coloured winter visitant has again
appeared in this quarter, a small flock having been observed in the neighbourhood a few weeks
ago. Only one specimen was obtained, which proved to be a young individual, and the curious
red tips on the wing feathers were wanting. — Idem.

The Hawfinch, (Coccothraustes vulgaris.) — Two specimens of this bird, which is of rare

occurrence in the north of Scotland, were obtained a few years ago in the neighbourhood of

the village of Upper Banchory, and sent to Mr. Mitchell's, Taxidermist, where they were
recognized by Dr. Macgillivray. — Idem.

Additional Heronry. — There has been for many years a small Heronry at Edinlassie, parish
of Strathdon, Aberdeenshire. — Idem.

Heronries. — Having noticed a list of the Heronries of England in a former number of "The
Naturalist," I was rather surprised to observe that the North-western Counties, Cumberland
and Westmorland, were omitted; but lately I saw noted that an island on "Windermere had
been selected by a couple of Herons to breed in. A Heronry on the domain of Lady le Fleming,
on llydal Lake, has been for years celebrated in the north as the spot most favoured by Herons,
and an island on the lake formed their nursery. These birds may be seen constant visitors of
the waters amidst the mountains of the north. I have noticed them at the remote lakes, par-
ticulaidy Buttei'mere; when the margin of the water is frozen during the frosts of winter, they
may be seen wading in searcli of food, before a flight of some miles to their favourite haunts,
for they do not appear to breed near Buttermere. The nearest Heronry to that lake is, I believe
Bassenthwaite, on the property of Sir Henry Vane. Some Herons, I was informed by a local
fisherman, breed here, but their numbers are few, and consequently the Heronry is little known.
W. C. Eolhcry, Weymouth, December 20th., 1852.

Occurrence of the Merlin Hawk, (Falco aesalon,) in Devon. — A yonng bird of this species was
shot by my brother on October 27th., 1852, whilst in the act of devouring a Yellow Buntin"-
in the Laira Marshes near Plymouth. This is the only specimen I have heard of being obtained
in the locality of Plymouth, for many years. R. A. Julian, Emmanuel College, March 9th., 1853.

Occurrence of Richard's Pipit, (Anthus Richardi,) in Devon. — A fine specimen of this rare British
species of birds, was shot by my brother in the Laira marshes near Plymouth, Januarv 28th.

158 REVIEW.

1853. This I think makes the seventh in number that has been obtained in this locality during
the last eight years. All of these frequented pasture land, which had not known the plough
for probably half a century. My brother describes this bird as being very shy, and its note,
which at first attracted his notice, being somewhat more melodious than that of the Sky-Lark.
November and January are the chief months during which they have been obtained. — Idem.

Red-backed Shrike, (Lanius collurio.) — A nest of this bird was taken at Swanscombe, in 1848,
on a branch of an elm tree, twenty feet from the ground. — M. C. Cooke, Lambeth, Surrey,
March 8th., 1853.

Gray Phalarope, (Phalaropus lobatus.) — A specimen was shot while swimming in the Thames,
oft' Swanscombe, in the autumn of 1845, by Mr. Johnson, Sen., and preserved. — Idem.

Black Sparrow, (Passer domesticus.) — A Sparrow entirely black, was brought a few days
since to Mr. Avlett, of Swanscombe, Kent, for preservation: it was perfectly clean, and had no
traces of markings upon it. — Idem,

Nest of Yellow Bunting, (Emberiza citrinella.) — A year or two since, a friend of mine at
Swanscombe, took a nest of the Yellow Bunting in that locality, in a bush at the unusual
height of twelve fept from the ground. — Idem.

Gannet, (Sula alba.) — An adult specimen of this bird was found wounded in a turnip field
at Swanscombe, in the spring of 1847, and preserved. — Idem.

The Hawfinch, (Coccothraustes vulgaris.) — A male specimen of the Hawfinch was shot at
Hemingston, in the month of March last. — Henry Lingwood, Barking, Suffolk, April 13th., 1853.

Early occurrence of the Clouded Yellow Butterfiy, (Colias Edusa.)— Mr. John Gatcombe, of
Plymouth, informed me to day, August 2nd., 1852, that on Friday last, July 30th., he captured
a male of this species at Mount Edgcumbe. During last September and October, I saw nine
of these Butterflies, out of which si.^c were females. Previous to this season, I have found the
males to average at least twelve to one female. — 11. A. Julian, Emmanuel College, March 9th., 1853.

Occurrence of Couch's Polyprion. (Pol3'prion cernium.) — A fish was captured in Plymouth
sound, August 1852, and taken to Mr. John Bellamy, who not having previously seen one of
the kind, forwarded a description of it to Mr. Yarrell, and he pronounced it to be one of the
above species.— Idem.

Pike Fishing Extraordinary. — On Monday, the second son of Mr. Stordy, Thrustonfield, a
boy eight years of age, succeeded in hooking in the lough at that place, and bringing to land,
a pike of the enormous weight of fifteen pounds and a half. The juvenile fisher employed an
ordinary cord line and double hook, baited with a portion of eel; and it may be mentioned
that he was unable to lift his prize from the ground and carry it home without assistance. —
Gateshead Observer, March 26th., 1853.

Anglesey Morris, (Leptocephalus Morrisii.) — This beautiful little fish has been found on our
beach at various intervals. The colour is pui-e white, the eyes are jet black, and the spinal
cord appears like a fine silvery thread, running through the entire length of the delicate and
translucent body. — J.-Longmuir, Jun., Aberdeen, March 10th., 1853.

The Marine Botanist; an Introduction to the study of the British Sea- Weeds,
containing descriptions of all the species, and the best method of preserving
them. By Isabella Gifford. Third Edition, with Illustrations printed in
oil colours by W. Dxckes, Brighton: R. FoLTHORf, London: Longman

AND Co.

The study of Marine Botany has, of late years, become so general, that
no apology is necessary from any one who oifers any increased facilities for

THE QUEHIST, 159

its prosecution. The volume now before us is rendered doubly interesting
from the fact of its being from the pen of a lady, who has had ample oppor-
tunities of acquiring the information which she thus pleasantly offers to the
students of our Marine Algce.

She commences by an interesting introduction of some forty pages, in which
she fails not to point out the dependance of all created Nature upon that
Almighty Being, at whose word worlds were formed, and who yet condescended
to exhibit His majesty in the wonderful organization of many minute, but not
on that account insignificant creations.

The next and largest portion of the work, is devoted to the description
of the. Families, Genera, and Species of Sea- Weeds indigenous to our shores.
These descriptions are concise, but clear and good, and the student will find
little difficulty in naming his specimens by them. We regret however that
in some few, and they are very few, instances, the promise on the title-page
is not fulli/ carried out; certain of the very rare plants not being described.
We trust that Miss Gifford will forgive us for illustrating our remark by one
quotation. — Page 115, "Folysiphonia spinulosa — an extremely rare species, of
which only one specimen was found by the late Captain Carmichael, at Appin,
Argyle." This can hardly be said to be a description; but we should not
have thought it worthy of remark except for the notice on the title-page, to
the effect that there were descriptions of all the species. Notwithstanding this
very trifling drawback, we can recommend "The Marine Botanist" as a
very useful and valuable book, and we do most sincerely hope that a fowih
edition may soon be required, in which these deficiencies may be supplied. This
being the third edition, is a pretty good proof that the omission has not, so
far, interfered with its usefulness.

The work concludes with a Glossary of terms, and plain, though short,
directions for ^'collecting, laying down, and preserving Sea- Weeds." The
descriptions are illustrated by twelve plates, in which thirty species are faith-
fully figured. Six of these plates are coloured, and are extremely good substitutes
for the plants themselves. That of Porphyra laciniata struck us as being not
only an extremely pretty drawing, but as nearly as possible a fae-simile of
the plant itself. We trust we have said sufficient to induce very many of
our readers to become purchasers of the subject of our notice.

Perhaps some one of the numerous readers of your interesting pages can inform me whether
there are any well authenticated instances of the occurrence in England of the Thrush Warbler,
C Philomela Turdoides;J I shall be also glad to know whether the Great Northern Shrike,
(Lanius BorealisJ has ever paid a visit to our shores.—/. Cavafy, Brighton, Mav 7th
18.53.

Bird's Eggs.—'S.. S., of Richmond, may procure any eggs that he may require of J. E. Warwick,
Naturalist, 23, New Street, Kennington Road, London.—/. 0. Harper, Norwich, May 8th., 1853.

160 THE QUERIST,

Having taken some eggs that 1 am not acquainted with, I shall feel obliged to j'ou if you
will, through the medium of "The Naturalist," inform me what they are from the following
description: — The nest was built something like that of a Thrush, on the bow of a fir tree,
growing near the water, and about fifteen feet from the ground; the eggs are blue, resembling
in size and colour those of the Thrush, but instead of the black spots, they are marked witli
small reddish brown ones all over, but chiefly at the larger end. — II. Buckley, Calthorpc Street,
Birmingham, May 13th., 1853.

Wood Anemone, (Anemone nemorosa.) — Seeing a difference in "The Naturalist," between
two correspondents on the subject of the general colour of the Wood Anemone, 1 beg leave to
forward observations which I have made on that subject. — I have watched from their first
appearance a great quantity of the Wood Anemones which cover the banks of a stream, running
at the foot of a wood, in Callaghan's Glen, near this city. There are also large quantities
of the pictty flowers in the "Groves of Blarney," and woods in the vicinity. All, without
exception, are white, or have so pale a flush of lavender on the under surface of the petals,
that they may be considered as such. I remember that the Anemones in Devonshire are more
deeply tinged with lavender or purple, unless they have changed since last spring, than those
in the neighbourhood of Cork. I cannot therefore account for this diff'erence in colour, since
both kinds were growing in most luxuriant soil : the climate of Cork approaches nearer to that
of Devon than any other county of Ireland. — Thos. G. B. Atkinson, Cork, May 14th., 1853.

Common Reed, (Arundo Phragm'tes.)— In reply to the query, page 64, how to propagate
and cultivate the Common Reed. This well-known grass is the tallest of the British Graminece,
growing naturally by the banks of rivers and edges of pools ; but it grows to the greatest per-
fection on rich alluvial deposits which are occasionally flooded by fresh-water tides. On the
north banks of the Tay, in the Carse of Gowric, Scotland, there, as well as in many of the
low lands of Huntingdon, Cambridge, and Lincoln, it constitutes the crop of the soil, and is
harvested with much care; and from these places it is exported to the neighbouring counties
to be made use of for thatch for barns, cottages, and out-houses, and is perhaps the most
durable vegetable-covering for roofing that is employed. Your best plan to be successful with
it will be to secure large batches of soil, containing its powerful creeping roots, in autumn, or
early in spring, making holes round your pond, and insert these batches of plants in them,
covering and surrounding them with some good alluvial soil; by this simple process you will
perfectly succeed. In this manner we have succeeded with it round ponds of a gi-avelly and
chalky bottom in the counties above-named. The injury that is done towards the end of
autumn to this crop by birds is so great, that the farmers of these reedy districts, we are
informed, are obliged nightly to despatch boats with fire-arms to frighten them away. As
evening advances, it is no uncommon occurrence to see clouds of Starlings, (Sturmis vulgaris,)
approaching from every quarter to pass the night in the reeds, upon which, after Aarious
arrangements, similar to the Rooks, they alight in myriads, bearing the reeds down by their
weight into the water; and though the guns of the boatmen destroy many, the survivors arc
so drowsy that they remain stationary, or rising, settle immediately again over the bodies of
their slaughtered companions, returning evening after evening in numbers not apparently dimin-
ished. Foxes collect in the reeds to diet on the poor Starlings, catching them on the roost,
as well as the dead and disabled ones. The panicle of this grass continues through the winter,
affording food to the beautiful Parus biarmicus, or Bearded Tit, and many other seed as well
as insect-eating birds. The Bearded Tit feeds mostly upon its minute seeds, and insects. The
panicle of this grass will dye wool of a greenish colour. When once this grass gets thoroughly
established, it is the most troublesome to eradicate, as may be seen in some of the best alluvial
soils in the Carse of Gowrie, which have been under cultivation for more than a century, and
yet the Arundo Phragmites, or Phragmites communis, grows as luxuriantly amongst the culti-
vated crops as it did at the first.—/. Md Intosh, 5, Middle Street, Taunton, March 4th,, 1853.

I have lately had some chrysalides of the Swallow-tail Butterfly, some of which were of a
dull cream-colour, with blackish brown marks and streaks on the wing cases, sides, and head:
and others of a greenish yellow, the wing cases light green, and a row of dots of the same
along the sides. — What is the account of this? — F. 0. Morris, Naffcrton Vicarage, Driffield, May
24th., 1853. yl^K^-'^fSf^

161
NOTES ON THE HERON, {ARDEA CINEREA.)

BY W. G. JOHNSTONE, ESQ.

It was a delightful morning, the 4th, of April, when we awoke, our thoughts
intent on the pilgrimage about to be performed, to see for the first time not
only a Heronry, but one situated in that small lake where steam, as applied
to propelling vessels, first was tried, and that successfully,'^ The place in
itself is surpassing lovely, embosomed amongst slightly undulating green hills^
with those of a sterner cast in the back ground, clothed to their summits
with the Tasselled Larch, (Larix,) and our hardy native Pine, {Finns
nylvestris ;) and extending again beyond these may be seen the heath-clad
mountains, where, in the words of the poet,

"The martyrs lie;
Where Cameron's sword and his bible are seen, .
Engraved on the stone where the heather grows green. "f

Indeed all around is sacred ground — the lake before us. Burns' (our national
poet,) Farm at Ellisland immediately behind us, Queensberry| looking down
upon us, surrounded on all sides by mountains till the chain is completed by
the dark-browed Crifiel, which guards the entrance to the Solway.

But to the matter in hand; as I have before stated the Heronry is situated
on a small island in the lake. I was very particular in my examination of
it. The Heronry consists of forty-nine nests in all, of which two nests are
on birch trees, three on silver firs, four on ash, four on oak, four on larch,
seven on spruce, and twenty-five on elm; thus showing they are not at all
particular as to their choice of any one species of tree. I could not be sure
of how many birds there were, but I believe there would not be fewer than
eighty to ninety — forty or forty-five pairs; but from the screaming way they
fly about when one intrudes on their dominions, it is no easy matter to count
them. Though the nests are more numerous than the birds I have stated,
there might be, as I have no doubt there were, some of them old and
untenanted. The nests I observed are all placed, if not on the very summit of
the trees, at least as high as may be, and on the extremity of the branches,
no doubt that they may get easily into their nests, for did branches intervene
they would have difficulty in so doing; it is a most ludicrous sight to see
their long legs twirling about like as many Churn-staves before descending into
their nests.

* The tiny little steamer was launched on the 14th. of November, 1788. The parties in the
boat were Patrick Miller, the Inventor; Eobert Burns, Poet; Alexander Nasmyth, the celebrated
Landscape Painter; Henry (now Lord) Brougham, who was then a young lad at school; and
Mr. Taylor, the Engineer. Thus showing priority to Fulton in America, or Bell in Renfrewshire.

t It was in Sanquhar, among these hills, that Cameron's followers published their declaration
on the 22nd. of June, 1680; and it was in the old fortress of Sanquhar tliat King jaii
slept one night — August 31 st., 1617. y^

X Queensberry, a lofty mountain in the upper part of Dumfriesshi,

VOL. III.

162 NOTES ON THE HERON-.

Before the Herons got established in their possessions, they and the Rooks,
(Gorvus frugilegus^ had a severe, or rather a series of severe battles, but
Mr. Heron came off victorious, and now woe to the poor Rook who ventures
on the island. I have heard it stated that the legs of the Herons might
be seen out of the nest behind while sitting; this is not the case. The
nest is formed very much like that of the Rook's, in many cases no larger;
the eggs, generally three in number, are of a beautiful green colour, varying
somewhat in shape, but about the size of the domestic fowl's; some of them
are ovate, pointed at the lower end; others are pointed at both ends.
I noticed many of the male birds with splendid crests, others of them very
small; it may be that some never have that appendage so full as others, or
that the latter are younger birds, for at least two years are required to perfect
the Heron's plumage.

Altogether a Heronry is a most interesting sight, no less from its novelty
than a romantic beauty peculiarly its own. We wonder much to hear of
parties having such in their possession, destroying them. The birds do no
injury, their food consisting of eels, frogs, and the like; indeed they only
establish themselves in the vicinity of waters where such are to be found,
and are more benefit than otherwise. Rookeries are allowed and cherished —
aye, noisy Rooks — and why not the gentle Heron — a more interesting bird
we have not on our island; one, too, associated with by -gone days, when the
cry used to be at dawn of day —

"Waken lords and ladies gay, &c." '
Not as now —

"Up in the mornings no for me."

it may be well also to state that several pairs of Herons have this year,
for the first time, built their nests in a wood at a short distance from the
lake; not certainly for want of room on the island, "but every man to his
humour," as Shakspere says.

Having said so much regarding the Heronry, we must take notice of four
other friends claiming our attention. Two by their restless activity, the
Water-hen, (GaVinuJa Chloropus,) and the Coot, (FuHca atra;) two by
their subdued quiet beauty, the Wild Duck, {Anas hoschas,) and the lovely
little Teal, (Querquedida o'ecca.) The two former breed on and around the
lake; the two latter disappear about this time, returning again generally in
the course of a few months with a goodly addition to their numbers.

A deserted Dove-cot on the island is tenanted by a pair of White Owls,
{Strix Jlammea.) The Frogs, {Rana temporaria,) are swimming about most
lustily.

Walking around the lake, our face turned homewards, we had the pleasure
of seeing some pairs of the Long-tailed Titmouse, {Parus caudatus,) and the
Cole Tit, (Parus ater,) both of which breed here in abundance. When we

NOTES ON THE TREE SPARROW. 163

did see them our mind was musing on these most true lines of the great

Schiller.—

"On the mountain is Freedom! the breath of decay
Never sullies the fresh flowing air;
Oh! Nature is perfect wherever we stray;
'Tis man that deforms it with care."

Greenbrae Cottage, Dumfries, April, 1853.

NOTES ON THE TREE SPARROW, {PASSER MONTANUS,)
WITH A FEW REMARKS UPON SPARROW CLUBS.

BY STEPHEN STONE, ESQ.

A COLONY of Tree Sparrows has been established at Standlake, Oxfordshire,
for many years, and so numerous have the pairs of birds composing it become,
that I have known of twenty. nests in a season, within the range of a shot
from an ordinary rifle.

As a good deal has been said and written about the different situations
chosen by these birds, for building their nests, in different parts of the country,
I may perhaps be excused if I record here the situations of these twenty
nests. One, then, was placed in a stack of faggot-wood, about three feet
from the ground; one in the hole of a decayed limb of a maiden elm; six,
in holes, in the head of pollard trees — two of the ash, and four of the
willow; and the remaining twelve in holes of decayed apple trees, in orchards.

They seem to adopt precisely the same rule in nest-building as that adopted
by their near relatives, the House Sparrows, which is to adapt, in the most
admirable manner, the shape and substance of their nests to the situations in
which they are placed. Thus, if much exposed to the weather, the nest is
composed of a vast quantity of materials, is profusely lined with feathers, and
completely domed over; a small aperture only being left for

"Their exits and their entrances/'

If less exposed, a smaller quantity of materials is employed, the lining is more
scant, and it is only partially domed over. While in a very snug and sheltered
situation, the materials are more scanty still, and the dome is entirely dispensed
with.

Thus here, as in innumerable other instances amongst the feathered tribes,
an amount of intelligence and discrimination is displayed, little, if at all,
inferior to that possessed by man, with all his boasted wisdom.

As far as my experience has hitherto gone, no bird can be more constant
in the number of eggs it produces than is the Tree Sparrow; for in the many
dozens of nests, containing their full complement of eggs which I have examined,
the number has invariably been five. There was a peculiarity too, in reference
to those eggs so constant, that I cannot pass it over unnoticed, which was
this: — that although no two sets of them were exactly alike; yet each set.

164 NOTES ON THE TREE SPARROW,

without a single exception, was composed of four dark-coloured eggs, closely
resembling each other, and a fifth of so light a colour as to form a striking
contrast to the rest. I should like to know, from the observations of others of
your numerous correspondents, whether this peculiarity would seem universally
to prevail, or whether it is only to be considered as an accidental or a local
peculiarity. I have not yet ascertained whether this light-coloured egg is the
last laid or the first, or whether there is no precise rule respecting it, but
will endeavour to satisfy myself upon that point this season.

I much fear, however, that as certain other colonies have within our own
recollection, sufiered from the impolicy of those who ought to have been their
protectors; so this colony of pretty, interesting, and useful birds is about to
suflfer from a like source, namely, the impolicy of those whose protection and
encouragement it ought to have, and which, were they not wholly blind to
their own interests, it undoubtedly would have; alas! instead of protection (the
British farmer used to have that word constantly on his lips, and moreover
used to rejoice mightily at the sound thereof; but protection, in so far as
relates to the importation of foreign corn, having been, by an act of the
Legislature, withdrawn from him, he seems determined, most likely in a fit of
utter desperation, to tear away, in the most suicidal manner, every remnant
of that protection which is still left him, and which the Legislature has not,
in its wisdom, yet thought fit to interfere with, namely, the protection of his
crops from the ravages of wire-worm, grub, or caterpillar which the feathered
tribes afford him,) a war of extermination is forthwith to be commenced and
carried on against these little creatures; for one of those mischief-working
associations, and very great nuisances, ycleped a Sparrow Club, has just been
formed; so that unless a Waterton — Honour to him of Walton Hall! for the
zeal and energy with which, during the course of a long life, he has advocated
the cause of the various creatures which, though occupying a less-exalted
position in the scale of creation than man, are yet fulfilling, in the several
stations assigned them, (can this be said of man?) the beneficent designs of
their Great Creator. May he be enabled to continue active in that cause for
years yet to come; unless a Waterton should haply rise up here, (would that
each district could boast of one,) and convince the members of the Club of their
extreme folly before it be too late; woe betide the poor Tree Sparrows!

The late Sir Eobert Peel was supposed to have inflicted a terrible blow
upon the agricultural interest in his repeal of the corn laws; and loud and
bitter were the complaints against him in consequence of that act; but
I much mistake if a blow, far more deadly, is not being aimed at that
interest by the agriculturists themselves, in their destruction of Sparrows, Rooks,
etc. The small quantity of corn, in its soft state, that is before it becomes
perfectly ripe, which is the only state in which they have a great fondness
for it; and to which they can, of course, only treat themselves for
two or three weeks in the year, is compensated for, ten thousand times fold,
by the vast numbcre of grubs, caterpillars, and other root, branch, and

NOTKS ON THE TREE SPARROW. 165

leaf-devouring vermin, which they destroy during the rest of the year.

O ye members of Sparrow Clubs let me entreat each of you, when next
your gun is levelled at a Sparrow or a Rook, to pause and consider that
although you may have a pint or two more of corn this year by shooting it,
you will, in the course of time, have not only pints but bushels extra of
grubs, caterpillars, etc. in your gardens, orchards, and fields; the produce of
the numbers which that bird would destroy if you decide, as I trust you
will, on letting it live. By depriving it of life you will assuredly place
yourself amongst the number of the "Penny wise and pound foolish;" for just,
I pray you, consider what these extra bushels of grubs will do for you. They
do not content themselves, as do the Sparrows, with eating a few grains of
your corn ; they "strike at the very root" of the plant, carrying on the work
of destruction in the dark. And as you know that ^^striking at the root" of
anything is the only eflfectual way of eradicating it, so would these grubs,
but for the check upon their increase by birds of various kinds, efiectually
eradicate every plant you are in the habit of cultivating.

But even the Titmice, (Paridce,) are included in the rules of this (Standlake)
Club amongst the species to be destroyed, and for what? In what, pray
consists their great offence? Does it consist in their being seen prying amongst
the buds or leaves of the fruit trees or shrubs in our gardens? I shall en-
deavour to show, that so far from their being guilty of an offence in this,
they are thereby conferring upon us an incalculable benefit; for what is it
they are doing there? Why ridding those trees of thousands of aphides and
small caterpillars, which would otherwise entirely denude them of their foliage,
and leave no chance of either fruit or blossom.

In yonder cranny in the wall is the nest of the Blue Titmouse, (Parus
coeruleus,) in which a small family, of twelve or fourteen individuals, is being
reared. Let us station ourselves near this nest, and observe what kind of
food it is with which the parent birds supply their infant progeny. — Every
two or three minutes, one or the other of them is seen to enter the aperture
leading to the nest; and what has it in its beak every time it enters? Is it a
grain of wheat, barley, or oats? — No! Is it a bud from a neighbouring currant,
gooseberry, plum, peach, or apricot tree ? — No ! It is a small green caterpillar,
or kindred grub, which had been preying upon the buds or leaves of one or
the other of those trees, and for this these birds are to be destroyed ! ! !

Can it indeed be possible, that in the year of our Lord one thousand,
eight hundred, and fifty-three, in one of the most enlightened nations upon
earth, and within sight of the spires of that nation's greatest seat of learning,
men are to be found banded together for the sole purpose of destroying, and
utterly exterminating their benefactors; and amongst others this most assiduous
and constant one, small though it be, the Titmouse. Alas! it is more than
possible — it is a fact.

•Briffhthampton, near Witney, Oxon., May 1th., 1853.

166
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OP lONA.

BY HENRY D, GRAHAM^ ESQ.

( Continued from page Z.)

The Black Guillemot, (Uria Grylle.)

The Black Guillemot is a constant resident around our coasts, and in every
boating excursion it may be frequently met with, both in summer and winter.
Perhaps it is rather more numerous in summer, for then small flocks are to
be found clustering around all the more unfrequented islets, which are haunted
by them for the purpose of incubation.

Here, during the breeding-season, they will be seen in full activity, diving
in pursuit of small fry, and flitting to and fro between their nests and the
surface of the water; while others sit erect, ranged along the rocks overhanging
the sea, gasping out a plaintive, wheezing noise, something like the complaining
of a set of very young kittens. This seems to be their only cry, for, except
at this time of year, they are entirely mute.

The nests are concealed in all manner of out-of-the-way holes, under large
detached rocks, in deep crevices, or in small caves; and in general the nest
is so far in as to be beyond reach, after the place of its concealment has
been discovered, except with the assistance of a boat-hook, or something
similar. I have never found the number of eggs to exceed two, which have
some resemblance in colour and marking to some of the small Gulls' eggs;
but there is a characteristic peculiarity about their appearance which easily
distinguishes them from those. The young are covered with brownish black
down, and will greedily take bits of fish from the hand soon after their
capture, and may easily be reared.

The plumage of the old birds now is black, with a greenish gloss, or rather
a perfect bottle-green, beautifully relieved by the pure white patch upon the
wing, and further enlivened by the brilliantly red feet: the inside of the
mouth is also of a very rich tint of orange. The birds are not all equally
beautiful, some (probably the hens and younger males,) are of a dull brownish
black, and the white patch on the wing is obscured.

In winter their appearance is totally changed; they are then to be seen
about the coast a little way out at sea, but seldom coming very near to land;
and. the variety of plumage to be observed among different individuals is very
great, for scarcely two are to be seen exactly similar. In the depth of winter
the whitest ones are to be got. These are entirely pure white, except a small
portion ' of grey upon the back, connecting the wings, which remain black, as
in summer. The appellation of Greenland Dove is much more appropriate
than that of Black Guillemot, when seen under this aspect. But it is only
a few that acquire this degree of purity; the upper parts are generally more
or less marked with grey, or sometimes black, while the under parts are
mottled with black and white; some even retain their black d^ess entirely.
The young birds are blackish brown above, and white underneath; the upper

NOTES OX THK INDIGENOUS PLANTS OF MELBOURNE. 167

plumage turns to grej as winter comes onj the white patch on the wing is
very much clouded with black spots; and the legs are of a dull brownish red.

This Guillemot is a very tame bird, and easy to be shot, as it allows a
boat to approach very near before it takes flight. They seldom attempt to
escape by diving, or if they do they probably rise again within shot. They
do not rise very easily off the water, and their feet often come in contact
with the crest of a wave just as they are rising; and in spite of all his hurry,
the round, plump little fellow is fairly tripped up, and down he comes souse
into the water again, head foremost.

The Black Guillemot sits on shore in an erect position, but on the floor
of a room it does not seem able to walk at all; for while the Common
Guillemot stumps about with great activity and ease, the other crawls about
upon his stomach, pushing himself along with his legs and wings, without
trying to stand up.

I may conclude by remarking that the flesh of this kind is much superior
to that of the other Guillemots and Razor-bill.

(To be continued.)

NOTES ON THE INDIGENOUS PLANTS OF MELBOURNE,

VICTORIA.

BY SAMUEL HANNAPORD, ESQ., JUN.

Although I am at present but very imperfectly acquainted with the
Botany of Australia, yet, during my short residence in this colony, I have
met with nearly one hundred and fifty plants almost in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of Melbourne, which were new to me, and are probably unknown
to many of the readers of ^"'The Naturalist." The parts which I have explored
most diligently, are the banks of the Yarra Yarra, a river which rises some
considerable distance in the interior, amongst the mountains, and flows down-
wards through Melbourne, emptying itself into the sea at Hobson's Bay, about
eight miles below the town.

It is quite cheering to persons newly arrived, to come up this pretty
winding river, after the monotony and dreariness of a long sea voyage, and
see on each side new forms of vegetation, with the Swallows cheeping
and twittering overhead, recalling home associations; various LihellidcB and
Lepidoptera of varied hues flying around, and a bright blue sky above, such
as is seldom seen in England, reconciling them at once, (particularly If they
be true lovers of nature,) to the new country.

The vegetation round the town consists principally of various species of
Eucalyptus, (Gum tree,) as E. rostrata, (Red Gum,) E. Saccharijiua, (Manna
tree,) which produces a sweet substance ("not a true sugar,") called Mannite;
Wattles; and The Oaks, {Gasitarina.) The leaves of some of the Eucalypti
present a dotted appearance, which is caused by the presence of numerous

168 NOTES OX THR INDIGENOUS PLANTS OP MELBOURNE,

cells or cavities, containing essential oil, which, with the gum which exudes
from their stems, considering their vast number, must render them very
valuable. I am informed by my friend. Dr. Mueller, who has recently been
appointed Government Botanist, that hardly any of the Eucalypti of this colony
agree specifically with those of Van Diemen's Land, but are exactly similar
to those of South Australia. The young branches and young cones of Casu-
anna qaadrivalvis, when chewed, yield a pleasant acid, extremely useful to
persons in search of water. Cattle are also extremely fond of them." The
undergrowth is composed of Pteris esculenta, (Tasmadian fern root,) Hihhertia
prostrata, and other small shrubs. Speaking of this root, Mr. Backhouse says,
"Pigs feed upon this root, where it has been turned up by the plough, and
in sandy soils they will themselves turn up the earth in search of it. The
aborigines roast it in the ashes, peel oflF its black skin with their teeth, and
eat it with their roasted kangaroos, and in the same manner as Europeans
eat bread."

The aquatics I have already found are Potamogeton nutans; P. obtusi folium,
(Gramineum of R. Brown;) Myriophyllum variifoVmm, (Hooker j) Glaytonia
Ausfralasiea; Damasonium ovalifolium; and a species of Chara. The Glaytonia,
which belongs to N. 0. PoHulacece, inferior in beauty to none of our water
plants, is found commonly in watery places. I have observed it in the swamp
at the Botanic Gardens amidst Myriophyllum, Hydrocotyle, &c., and also in
marshy places near the Yarra, where it is more creeping. It grows in tufts,
with elongated linear, somewhat spathulate leaves, from two to four inches
long, generally alternate; peduncles, flowered; petals, pure white, obovate, four
times as long as the calyx. "This plant," says Hooker, f is somewhat succulent,
and so delicate, that it is difficult to distinguish the exact structure of the
flowers and the fruit. There can I think be no doubt of its being a true
Claytonia, very difierent from any hitherto described, and, as far as I can
distinguish, the first species that has been detected in Australia, or even in
the southern hemisphere. The plant varies much in size, from one to six or
eight inches in height, generally growing in rather dense tufts, sometimes more
straggling, and then the stems are creeping. The Damasonium, with its
large floating leaves, resembling at first sight those of a Potamogeton, but
difiering from them in the venation, I have only observed as yet on the
Yarra, near the Ferry, but probably it may be found elsewhere in similar
situations. Its beautiful white Nymphaea-like flowers, crimson at the base,
delighted me so much on first beholding them, that I rushed into the water
to secure specimens, regardless of the ducking it occasioned me.

Of the Graminece I have only observed two species, namely, Agrostis
cemula, R. Br.,) and Cinna ovata, (Kunth,) {Agrostis ovata of Brown's Prod.
p. 27,) both growing on the banks of the Yarra, the latter near Richmond,
but very sparingly; and of Filices, in the same habitats growing side by side,

* Backhouse's "Visit to Australia," Appendix, 37.
t IcoQBS Plantaruni, vol. iii.. Tab. 293.

NOTES ON THE I\DIGENOUS PLANTS OF MELBOURNE. 169

Lomaria proeera, (Sprengcl,) (Stegania of R. Br.,) and Aspidium proUfenim.
Amongst the rocky plac3s near the water under Richmond, occasionally, G1i£-
ihmthus tenuifolia, (Swartz;) Asplenium flabelUfoliwn; and very abundantly in
the Surrey Paddock, Adiantum assimile, somewhat similar in appearance to
A . Capillus Veneris, which is preserved so carefully at home in the few localities
where it flourishes.

Many of our English plants are common here, but it is probable almost all
have been introduced, perhaps excepting those mentioned by Brown, ("that most
illustrious of living Botanists, and the man who first opened out to science
the richness and singularity of the Australian Flora,"*) in his "Prodromus
Flora} Nova) HoUandia?," 1805.

Scirpm maritimus, (Prod. p. 80.) — In swamps near the Yarra.

Oxalis corniculata. ) _ i j. Oi. t^-u j t • j j.' t, -u

, ' y Common aboat St. Kilda and Liardets beach.

" microphylla, j

Melilotits officinalis, One specimen found at the end of William Street.

Uriica dioica, ' Common round Melbourne, but with much more

lanceolate leaves than in English specimens, even of var, B. angustlfolia. — Bab :
Man: 286.

Anagallis phoenicea, (Lamarck.) — This and A. ccerulea are common.

Lotus corniculatus, Surrey Paddock, Richmond.

Verbena officinalis, (Prod. p. 370.) — Common in waste places.

Gnaphalium luteo-album. Banks of the Yarra, etc., abundantly.
This is a very rare plant in England. — Bab: Man: 175.

Cerastiwn glomeratum, (Thuil.) — Banks of the Yarra.

Prunella vulgaris, (Prod. p. 363.) — Surrey Paddock.

Lythrum salicaria. Very common on the Yarra.

Arundo phragmiles, (Prod. p. 39.) — Do.

Potamogeton nutans, (Prod. p. 199.) — Common in swamps and the Yarra.

Alisma Plantago, (Prod. p. 198.) — Occasionally in marshy places.

It would be impossible for me to enter into any lengthened description of the
plants which I have met with here, but I may briefly mention some few. On
Christmas Day I explored the scrub between Melbourne and Liardet's beach,
and gathered Pelargonium Australe and P. erodioides, (Hooker,) both emitting
a very delicious perfume; Wahlenbergia gracilis, (De Cand,) common everywhere
in the vicinity of Melbourne. On the banks of a Lagoon on the beach,
Epilohium ranescens; Lobelia alata, (R. Br. Prod. 418;) Rhagodia Billardieri,
{N. 0. Gkenopodice,) trailing on sandy soil near the sea, with entire linear-oblong
or lanceolate leaves, pulverescent flowers in spikes, green. There is also another
species common in dry places — R. nutans, a prostrate plant with smooth
branches and lanceolate hastate acute leaves; flowers, red; Didiscus pilosiis,
(Benth,) a rare umbelliferous plant; and a Ranunculus, which is probably
pi mjnnellif alius. About St. Kilda, and near Tent town. Convolvulus erubescens
and Tricoryne graminifolia. Amongst rushes on the Lagoon, Triglochin

* Lecture by Edward Forbes, F. R. S., on the knowledge of Australian rocks.
VOL ILL Z

170 NOTES ON THE INDIGENOUS PLANTS OF MELBOUilNK.

decipiens, (R, Br.;) Pimelea glauca; and Samolus litoralis. On the banks of
the Yarra, on the 7th. of January, I found abundantly amongst rushes Ora-
tiola latifolia, (R. Br.;) Paguerina graminea; Eumex spinulosus, (Mueller;)
Mimuim repens; and a very beautiful little white Violet, the centre streaked with
purple, and reniforin leaves, covering the banks to the water's edge; this is, I
believe, the Viola hederacea of Labillardiere, and the Erpetion hederaceum of
DecandoUe, who has divided it from the Violacece.

One of the most delightful rambles I have had in the neighbourhood was
on the 22nd. ult., on the banks of the Yarra above Melbourne. The day
was bright and warm, and birds of the most varied and beautiful plumage —
Kingfishers, Paroquets, etc., were flying around me. I observed by the river
side Gyperus lucidus, (R. Br. Prod. 74;) Ghapelliera loculata, (Mueller ;) Poly-
gonum prostratum, (Prod. 275,) rare. Under Richmond, Gardamine remotiflora,
(Mueller,) and Galorephalus lacteus, (Lessing.) In the Surrey Paddock the
beautiful Bubus marrapodus, (Wild Raspberry,) was in great abundance; on
the fruit of which, and that of Exocarpus cupressiformis, (called here the Wild
Cherry,) I literally feasted, and most grateful were they after a walk of
some fifteen miles in the heat of an Australian day. Twining amongst the
former was the exquisite little Zioliya angudifolia, (Lindley,) and near the same
spot Z. Latroheana, trailing; this I have also observed on Bateman's Hill, near
the town. Bursaria spinosa, a shrub somewhat resembling our Ligustrum, was
coming into flower, and the savoury smell of Mentha Australis perfumed the
air on all sides. I gathered nearly opposite Gardner's Creek two specimens
of a very pretty Verbascum' but from the variety of forms which this genus
presents, I have not yet been able to determine the species. I was fortunate
also to meet with a specimen of Dipodium pundatvm, an orchideous plant which
is said to be parasitic on the roots of the Eucalypti. In some parts of the
Paddock, Lobelia hydrophila, (Mueller;) Peranthera annua, (Mueller;) Scutel-
laria humilis, (R. Br.;} Asperula oliganthema, (Mueller,) were plentiful; and
here too I met with Veronica lahiata, the only species 1 have noticed; it is
about three feet in height, with white flowers in axillary racemes; leaves
elongate-lanceolate, acuminate, unequally serrate. Sparingly in the same habitat,
Daucus brachiatus, with a species of Erechtites. Returning by way of Rich-
mond, a very pretty little composite, (Strongylospenna ?) was growing

abundantly on the side of a swamp, and Ranunculus inundntus peeping up
from amidst Potamogeton, and other water-plants, and in wet situations
Tillcea Stuartii, (Mueller,) very common. The ponds here are inhabited by
a very beautiful species of Frog, mottled with green and brown spots, and
their croaking may be heard for some distance; this and the chirping of the
Locusts on the gum trees, is at times almost deafening.

I much regret my time will not permit me to enter into a full description
of the plants above named, but the mere mention of them will shew how
rich the colony is in Botanical productions, even at this season of the year
when all vegetation is dried up by the intense heat; however I trust at some
future day to renew the subject, and render it more interesting to your readers,

February, 1853.

171

BOTANICAL RAMBLES
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BRIGHTON.

NO. II. FROM BRIGHTON TO PATCHAM.

BY J. E. SMITH^ ESQ.

Over Churchill, and down by the Lover's Walk into the London Road,
is by far the most interesting way to Preston, as we shall avoid the greater
part of the town, have a fine prospect from the old church, and a view of
the valley of the I^ondon Road, the most leafy district in the immediate
vicinity of Brighton. Those who object to ascending the hill may proceed by
the enclosures, and meet us about a quarter of a mile before we reach the
turnpike. The Elder, {Samhucus nigra,) is one of the earliest trees to shew
its green leaves, whose dark tufts, sparingly scattered over the bare branches,
are but poor ornaments to the road side, where they flourish in spite of the
dust and the north-east wind. The Elms, (Uhnus campestris,) scarcely shew
any signs of green even at the tips of their branches, but the Hawthorn hedges,
{Crataegus oxyacantha,) are beginning to be spotted with the light green buds
of leaves, and in some warm sheltered corner you will find them completely
unfolded.

There is a peculiar charm in those bright patches of green that appear
like oases on the dark brown hedge, here and there, as if by some freak of
nature. They have always appeared to me as the most pleasing harbingers
of the coming spring, bright gleams of her yet unripened beauties, an earnest
of the charms she has in store. The Honeysuckle Woodbine, (Lonicera Peri-
dymenum,) is a hardier shrub, and will be found everywhere in leaf clambering
over the hedges in the woods.

As we have reached the London Road we can look over this wall to the
left, where under the elms we shall see the shining leaves of the Arum mac-
ulatum, and many a Violet there

"Wastes its perfume on the desert air;"

for here the botanist may not venture without the risk of incurring the
vengeance of the law against all trespassers. So we will go on through the turn-
pike and up the lane to the right, which will take us to the Ditchling road. The
first part of this lane is pleasant and shady, with high hedges on either side,
where we may find Viola odorata, if not already gathered; Lamium purpureum;
Leontodon taraxacum; and the Ground Ivy, Nepeta Qlechoma, all in flower;
this last contains a great quantity of camphor in the stem and leaves. It is
the presence of an essential oil containing camphor which gives that aromatic
perfume, so remarkable in the whole of the natural order Lahiatce, to which
Nepeta belongs; indeed the camphor is so copious in the sage and lavender,
that it may be extracted from their oils with considerable advantage. There
is not a single deleterious, or even suspicious plant in all this tribe, many of
them containing highly valuable properties; the Ground Ivy, for instance, that

172 BOTANICAL RAMBLES.

we have here, is considered useful in the preparation of tonic beverages. The
leaves were used to clarify ale until the time of Henry VIII. ^ when hops
began to be substituted. An infusion of the leaves is commonly taken as
tea, and is slightly tonic, expectorant, and aperient. The little protuberances,
sometimes observed on the leaves, are occasioned by insects. The distinguishing
feature of the order Lahiatce is a two-lipped corolla, as seen in the common
Dead Nettle, and at the bottom of the toothed calyx are apparently four little
seeds, but in reality, a deeply four-lobed ovary.

This lane leads us up to the Downs, to Hollingsbury Castle, an old Roman
encampment, whence we hav^e one of the finest views of Brighton and the sea
coast J anl on a clear day the Isle of Wight is distinctly visible. Instead
of turning up here, however, we can continue along the London Road, where
we shall find on both sides all the way to Patchara abundance of Sweet
Violets, but if we would gather any of the flowers we must get up extremely
early in the morning; or those who do not like early rising can take a walk
at any time along the cliff at Brighton, where they will find plenty of them
at a halfpenny a bunch, that are most probably natives of this road or the
neighbouring woods and hedges. About the walls at the bottom of Withdean
lane is the Pcllitory of the wall — Paridaria officinalis; and in the hedges and
hedge-rows the Dandelion, White Dead Nettle, [Lamium album,) and the
Celandine, (Banunculus ficaria, the earliest of the Buttercups, besides our old
friend, Viola odorata.

Towards the top of the lane in the coppice is the Yew, (Taxus haccatn,)
in full flower. It is very dangerous to allow cattle at this season to wander
near the Yew-tree, as they are fond of the young shoots, which are of so
poisonous a nature that I have known them cause the death of the finest
cart-horses in a few hours. Here also is the Great Round-leaved Sallow,
(Salix caprea,) with its bright yellow catkins hanging on the leafless branches.
It is commonly called Palm, from the ancient custom of carrying the branches
of yellow blossoms in procession on Palm Sunday, at which season it is in
full bloom. Withering says ''The catkins are vulgarly called 'Goslings,' from
their striking resemblance in colour, and their appearance at the same time as
Goslings are hatched. These catkins are the male, or stameniferous flowers;
the female catkins are green, and grow on a distinct tree; both kinds are here
near to each other. Bees and other insects convey the pollen from the male
to the female blossom, which is thereby fructified, and afterwards produces the
cottony seeds that may be seen in a month or two flying about in every
direction.

The genus Salix belongs to the natural order Salicinece. It contains, ac-
cording to Hooker, thirty-seven British species; Withering reckons fifty. Among
these are trees and shrubs of every size, from the lofty timber tree of sixty
feet in height, to the creeping Salix herbacea of the Highlands and Alps,
which scarcely rises above the ground.

"Tiic many important uses," says Hooker, "rendered by the different species

BOTANICAL KAMBLES. 173

of Willow, Osier, and Sallow, serve to rank them among the first in our list
of economical plants." ''The Salix caprea is the earliest of its kind; the
wood is useful for hurdles, and for the handles of implements; the bark
possesses considerable tanning properties, and has been employed with success
instead of Cinchona — the Peruvian Bark. Rice Paper, as it is called, which
comes from China, is made of the inner bark of a species of Willow. The
Common Poplar, (Populus fastigiata,) belongs also to this order, but it can
scarcely be called indigenous. It is much cultivated in France for building
purposes; and along the banks of the Saone and Rhone it grows so rapidly
that, although an inferior kind of timber, it increases in value one franc every
year. Planted in double rows by the sides of canals in Belgium and France,
these lofty and majestic trees give quite an oriental character to the country;
and by their perpendicular lines form a pleasing contrast to the level plains
in which they are situated. On crossing a bridge over one of these canals,
the avenues of majestic Poplars on either hand infinitely surpass in beauty
and grandeur the stupendous colonnades of Ancient Egypt; so puny are the
noblest works of man compared with the sublime creations of Nature."

This long digression on Poplars and Willows has brought us to the gorse-
covered Downs just below Hollingsbury Castle. Here we get an excellent
idea of the general character of the South Downs. On one side we look over
several undulations to the Devil's Dyke and the Dyke House, so welcome to
the weary wanderer over these almost houseless regions; before us is Clayton
hill and tunnel; a little to our right the border of Stamner Park and the
road to Ditchling Beacon, the highest point on the South Downs, whence is
an extensive panoramic view of the Weald as far as the chalk hills beyond
lleigate; in the valley below us is the quiet village of Patcham, with its neat
windmill on a rising knoll, its peaceful church and church-yard, where

"The rude forefatliors of the hamlet sleep."

Crossing the ploughed fields as well as we can we shall find a crooked lane
that leads to the village. The air is fragrant with the perfume of Violets,
and the sides of the lane are beginning to look gay with the few spring flowers
that we have already observed.

We are now in the village, and here is mine hostess of the Black Horse,
the Ultima Thule of our day's ramble, where we may pour a moderate libation
of the barley juice, and make a burnt offering of that fragrant weed, Nicotiana
Tahacum, to the gods and goddesses of the Botanical world. The ale will
strengthen us for our dusty walk to Brighton; and surely if the ladies raise
no objection, the Botanical student has no right to despise so interesting a
weed as the "far-famed Tobacco."

April, 1853.

174

A DAY'S RAMBLE

BY THE SEA-SHORE, IN THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, 1853,

IN COMPANY WITH A FRIEND.

BY MR. T. EDWARDS.

We left Banff by daylight, with a rather hazy sky and a strong breeze
from the E. N. E.: it was somewhat coldish, being frosty, but a most excellent
day for our purpose, that of viewing and searching after the beautiful and all
but neglected, that is in this quarter, works of creation. Towards noon the
haze melted away, and the bright and glorious orb of day broke forth in all
his majesty of might, and looking down with unclouded splendour, cheered us
with his welcome and invigorating rays. Having passed through Whitehills,"
we took the low path which leads along the beech to Portsoy. The coast
here, though not possessed of those bold and towering cliffs which are to be seen
along some parts of our sea-shore, is nevertheless rocky, and in many instances
somewhat steep. With the exception of two, or perhaps what might be termed
three, small spots, there is nothing in the shape of a sandy flat, bank, bar,
or shingly beach; there were nothing but rocks and grassy braes along our
whole route. Such being the nature of the locality, we perhaps did not meet
with so many of our wading friends as we might have done had it been a
comparatively flat and marshy coast, interspersed with mussel scalps and oozy
beds of sand or muddy pools; still, however, we were not altogether disappointed
even in that way. And now for our catalogue: —

Great numbers of adult and immature Gulls, dispersed in numerous parties,
were riding buoyantly here and there on the bosom of the living waters, whilst not
a few were enjoying a lounge, as it were, on the more desirable portion of 'terra
firma.' Of these, many appeared to be busily engaged in dressing and arranging
their downy plumage; a few occasionally passed overhead, bending their course
inland, no doubt to follow, though not to whistle at, the plough of some
friendly husbandman. Of Curlews, (Numenius arquata,) we observed nine;
Redshanks, (Totanus calidrif,) four; Ring Plovers, (Charadrius hiaticula,) five;
and a pair of Oyster- catchers, (Ilcematoptts ostralegus,) all of which, on rising
from the lower-lying portion of the rocks, which at low-water are here bare
in many places for some distance out, as we passed greeted us with their
respective notes of recognition and alarm, uttered as a warning of approaching
danger to their less watchful and less timorous brethren. Four Herons, {Ardea
cinerea,) three of which had long and beautiful pendant plumes, were also
observed and aroused from their fishing-grounds. Small groups of Long-tailed
Ducks, (JIarelda glacialis,) were likewise to be seen, and in many instances
close in shore; with here and there a sprinkling of Golden- eyes, [Clangula
vulgaris;) and a few Scaups, {Fuligula Oesneri.) Of Divers we counted
seven, but could not distinguish the species; and of Cormorants, (Pliala-
crocorax carho,) three. All these, that is the Divers and Cormorants, were
* A small fishing village a little over two miles west of Banff.

A day's ramble by the sea-shore, 175

invariably discovered alone, seeming to delight, as it were, in the enjoyment
of what some are pleased to term, though 1 question the fact very much, the
unalloyed pleasures of single-blessedness. One Ked-breasted Merganser, {Mergus
serrator,) a most beautiful male specimen; and three Widgeons, (Mareca
penelope,) were also observed. Of the various groups of birds, together with
a few solitary individuals, which came under our observation, there were several
which we could not satisfactorily identify, but considered them to be Guillemots,
or Auks, or Razor-bills. The total absence, as far as we were able to ascertain,
of the Rock or Purple Sandpiper, {Tringa maritima,) somewhat surprised us;
from the rocky nature of the coast, we did indeed expect to have met with some.-

An abrupt turn of the path brought us suddenly and unexpectedly within
a few yards of a very fine Fulraer, (Procellaria glncialis,) seated on a ledge
of rock, but which, on our presenting our swarthy faces, took, not to his heels,
but to his wings, and made off. O woe betide the unfortunate morn that we
left our homes without a gun! not even a single barrel betwixt us. What
could we do then? There was a rare bird, and within easy approach, and
yet nothing to procure it with. Why all that we could do was to feast our
eyes, as the good old patriarch did when he beheld the melliferous land of
Canaan; and this we did do, for his flight, which was performed rather sluggishly,
was of short duration, as he again alighted on another rock only a short
distance in our rear. The Hooded and 'Carrion Crows, (Corvus comix and
C. corone,) appeared rather plentiful and somewhat noisy; several Stonechats,
(Saxicola ruhicola,) of both sexes, were also seen: these were hopping amongst
the drier parts of the rock, and on the heaps of sea-weed which had been
cast on shore. We were ever and anon delighted as we passed along at
hearing — our ears as well as our eyes being open and all attention too — the
well-known "pees-weep" of the familiar and gorgeous-painted Lapwings,
(Vanellus cristatus,) rising from the fields above — sweet harbingers of early
spring; we were likewise cheered and gratified beyond expression at beholding
the lively little Pipit, (Anthus petrosus,) prancing joyously about, now on
the pathway before us, now on a stone behind, now on a grassy knoll on
our left, now up heavenwards soaring, on active pinions borne, humming
away its vernal song; now down like a dart to some lichen- covered rock close
by, there, with tail somewhat raised and wings a little di'ooping, to end its
humble note of praise — sure signs these that rosy summer was coming again.

At the bourn of the Boyne, which lay in our route, we encountered the
watchful Water Crow or Dipper, (Cinclus aquaticus,) with his snow-white breast;
as also several Pied and Grey Wagtails, {Motacilla alba and M. hoarula.)
Of the rapacious gentry, one solitary Kestrel, (Falco tinnunculus,) was all
that we had the pleasure of meeting with. Having descended to a creek, we
surprised a very large Otter, {Lutra vulgaris,) which, on being disturbed, and
no doubt considering us rather suspicious-lookiqg characters, and on that account
none of the best company, rushed headlong into the sea, despite all our
friendly endeavours to prevent him. "He's gone, he's drowned," exclaimed

17G A day's ramble by the sfa-shork.

my friend, as tlie animal sunk in the water, and we both felt somewhat sorry
at the unfortunate circumstance, as we had been the sole cause of the melancholy
catastrophe; in a few minutes, however, all our fears on that score entirely
vanished, as we again observed our shaggy friend boldly pushing his seaward
path, seemingly uninjured, and having rounded a point he speedily disappeared
from our view. Of five Rabbits, (Lepus cuniculus,) which we noticed, one
was of a jet black colour, with its tail and one of its fore feet of a pure
white, which formed a rather strange contrast with its otherwise sable hue,
and which appeared very conspicuous and to some advantage when the animal
was running.

Observing a Weasel, {Mustela vulgaris,) cross our path, and perceiving
something large dangling from his mouth, we gave chase. Finding himself
thus so unceremoniously set upon and somewhat hotly pursued, the little creature,
dropping the object, which proved to be a Black Rat, (^Mus rattus,) and which,
though quite dead, was still warm, sought for refuge and shelter amongst a
cairn of stones which lay conveniently near. Here we lost sight of him for a
time J we were not long, however, before we again beheld the impertinent little
murderer popping his blood-stained head out at the ports of the fortress into
which he had retreated, now at one, then at the other, no doubt reconnoitering
the actual strength and position of his supposed enemies, and doubtless ruminating
as to the probable chance of a successful issue, should a sally be made with
the view of recapturing his victim. ''Do you wish to procure him?" asked my
friend, at the same time adding, ''he's a capital specimen;" and having seized a
stone large enough to have felled an Elephant, he stood ready for action. "Oh,
no!" I replied, "let him alone, and I'll wager my head, an appendage which,
I must confess, I should not like as yet to lose, especially for the sake of a
Fattenit, that he comes, if we stand quiet, and takes away the Rat from beneath
my feet," at the same time placing one of my feet above the dead animal,
but so as not to press too hard against it. Accordingly, and just as I anticipated,
the daring little fellow soon emerged from his moss-crowned castle, evidently
armed with all the determined and pertinacious intrepidity for which his race
are famed, and, after a few baitings and turnings, at last boldly approached,
seized hold of the Rat by the side of the neck, and drew it away. Having
proceeded a few paces, it was again deposited on the ground, but this time
with a seeming air of triumph, and looking up to our faces, his fore feet
resting on the body of his prisoner, the sullen and silent captor stood and eyed
us for a few seconds with an apparent look of contemptuous defiance; this
done, and having again seized hold of his booty, he dragged it away, and
reaching his former asylum once more, disappeared, but this time to banquet
at pleasure on the fruits of his toil.

Beside where the streamlet already alluded to falls into the sea, stands a
rock, alone, whose base in front and on either side drinks deep of the ocean
wave, and whose heavy and aged brow towers far above the flow of the highest
tidal stream, its only approach from the land being by a rough and narrow

A day's ramble by the sea-shore. -IT?

path. On the top of this rocky and sea-girt promontory a castle is said once to
have stood, which belonged to the Ogilvies of the Boyne; there are, indeed,
slight traces of a building having once existed, but so completely has Time,
aided, perhaps, by the hand of violence, done the work of demolition, that
scarcely a fragment remains to tell of its grandeur or its strength, or even to
arrest the keen and scrutinizing eye of the antiquarian, or to draw the attention
of the zealous admirer of the ruined walls of ancient times. Here, however,
we were, and searching about with the view of allaying our curiosity, we
accidentally stumbled on what we at first sight considered to be a white stone;
but, reader, judge if you can, for we cannot describe our surprise and terror —
yes, terror! — for, be it remembered, we were within the precincts of an old,
very old castle, and everybody knows what fearful stories of hobgoblins, horrid
and bloody deeds, and dismal tales are told of some such places; — judge, then, I
again say, our surprise as we beheld the supposed stone change its form, stand
up, and assume the appearance of a living being! It was in vain we rubbed
and rubbed our eyes, for there it stood before us, a thing of actual life and
motion — not an imaginary apparition of an over-heated and wandering fancy,
nor yet an ideal phantom of a weak vision or diseased brain, but stern reality
itself, with its large yellow and demon-like eyes staring us full in the face,
with a look of apparent distrust, not unmingled with fear. Although I have
no great dread of ghosts, not being a believer in such things, still I must
say that on this occasion my heart died within me, and I felt a good deal
startled and otherwise queer, as, I believe, also did my friend, at the un-
toward and unexpected appearance of our mysterious companion.

Our consternation having in some measure subsided, and my friend having
once more found the use of his tongue, (for we had both been in a manner
rendered dumb by the unlooked-for occurrence,) ejaculated in a low whisper,
^'Don't you move, and I'll show you some sport shortly." "For any sake
do no such thing," I replied, judging his intention, and dreading the consequences.
It was in vain, however, that I expostulated with him on the utter folly and
danger, but above all of the calamitous circumstances which might accrue from
such a procedure; I was unheeded. Flushed by the excitement of the moment,
and perhaps buoyed up with the flattering hopes of a successful issue, my too
sanguine neighbour had already, with outstretched arms, and before I was
aware, made the assault; but as warlocks and witches have a way of their own
of escaping when danger threatens, lo and behold my poor friend, instead of
grasping the object of his wish, only embraced a huge portion of the hard and
unfeeling rock, whilst the "snow-white spectre, as he was pleased afterwards
to term it, glided swiftly and noiselessly away out amongst and through his
very fingers, yes, fairly vanished away; but not in a flash of fire, the usual
method practised by Water Kelpie and old Nicky Brimstone, nor yet by
melting into the more liquid element above, as good spirits are said sometimes
to do. How then? By vaulting with a single bound over the rugged and
dangerous precipice, and plunging into the gurgling ocean beneath, in the lovely

VOL. HI. 2 a

178 • A day's tumble by the sea-siioue.

and fascinating form of one of the gentler sex— some high-born and noble
dame of the olden time, with lily bosom dyed with gore, and clad in a pale
winding-sheet? Oh no! but by bounding off in the more welcome shape of a
Mountain Hare^ (Lepua variabilis,) aye, and a most beautiful specimen it was
too, so much so that at least one longing heart yearned after it. But my
unfortunate friend, what of him? Gaze at him rising from his flinty couch,
somewhat stunned, his visage wan as death, and besmeared with blood. In
his vain endeavour to capture poor Mauldns he had lost hia footing, and having
stumbled, the most prominent of his facial organs had come rather suddenly
and with some force against the ground, which had caused the crimson spring
to flow rather profusely; beyond this, however, and a slight scar on the forehead,
no material or serious damage was received, a fact which I was most glad
to learn.

So much for the live objects which came In our way; and now for the dead: —
Be not surprised at this, for be it known and remembered too, that the writer
has a natural and ardent love for all the works of creation, dead or alive; not
an acquired thirst, but an internal desire implanted in him whilst yet in embyro
by the ever-gracious hand of the Almighty — the God of Nature — and thereby
born with and in him. From this circumstance it will not be so much to be
wondered at when it is told that it is a constant rule with hira, when an
opportunity offers, that be never passes a dead anijnal without first ascertaining,
or endeavouring to ascertain, what it really is. Well, then, from Whitehills
to near the church-yard of Portsoy, which lies close to the beach, a distance
of about six miles, we counted the remains of no fewer than forty- seven animals,
all cast on shore dead, besides numerous fragments of others, doubtless the
most, if not all, of which had fallen victims to the late severe and long-
protracted storm. Of these forty-two were birds, comprising seventeen Razor-bills,
{Aha torda;) six Guillemots, (JJria troile;) two Little Auks, {Mergulus alle;)
three Herring Gulls, (Lariis argerdatus ;) four Common Gulls, {L. canus;) one
K'ttiwake, {L. rissa;) two Long-tailed Ducks, {Harelda ylacialis;) two Brent
Geese,*" [Anser brenta;) one Common Wild Duck, (Anas Boschas;) two Golden
Plovers, [Squatarola pluvialis;) one Red-throated Diver, (Goli/mbus septentri-
onalis;) and an immature specimen of the Great Northern Diver, {C. glaclalis.)
The others consisted of two Common Cod-fishes, {Morrhua vulgaris;) one Salmon,
(Salmo salar;) one Lump-sucker, {C^jdopterus Imnpus;) and one Conger Eel,
(C. vulgaris,) of an enormous size, being nearly ten feet long, and of pro-
portionate thickness. The most of these latter animals were very much mutilated,
no doubt by the Crows, which, as I have already hinted, were pretty numerous
in this quarter.

As for Conchological specimens of the common kinds, they were in rich

profusion in many parts, and Star-fishes not a few, but all of one sort, viz:

Astenas rubens. Searching amongst the various heaps of tangle washed on

shore, we found several specimens of our native Polypes, or rather the corally

* Liu-gc numbers of this Goose have visited our coast this season.

RRMARKS ON TE9TACELI,A SCUTDLUM. 179

remains of those minute and interesting creatures, such as the Shape Coralline,
(G. officinalis;) the Branched Tubularia, {T. ramosa;) the Salicorn Cellaria,
(0. salicornia;) the Cypress Sertularia, (S. cupressina;) and the Scaly Corallina,
(O. squamata.) We also picked up several Cuttle-fish mucroes, (Sepia officinalis,)
in pretty good condition, and well stored with ^^pounce;" we likewise obtained
Purple Spatangus, (8. piirpureus,) and a few Urchins, (Echinus esculentus;)
also a beautiful funnel-shaped section of our own Sea-sponge attached to a
bivalve.

Banf, April \Wi., 1853.

REMARKS ON TESTACELLA SGUTULUM, OR SHELL-SLUG.

BY J, MC' INTOSH, ESQ.

The Testacella scutulwn is somewhat a local, interesting, and curious
moUusk, It is dissimilar from all others in its general nature and mode of
life, living, as it does, mostly under ground; and, as far as we are aware,
entirely upon the Common Earth-worm, (Lumhricus terrestris.) We have fre-
quently observed them fix themselves in the middle of the body of a large
Worm, so that its head appeared buried in the flesh of the Worm; in
which case its victim will be devoured piecemeal. But it more generally
seizes them at one end, and by degrees swallows them whole, which oper-
ation requires two or three days to complete; during which time that
portion of the Worm which is not devoured, appears to be quite alive and
strong; and if it be a large Worm, it will turn the Slug over with every
twist of its body. It is astonishing with what ease this animal can force its
way through the earth in quest of food; its texture is very firm, almost
cartilaginous to the feel, and the mucus of the skin is extremely tenacious.
They are most commonly found in dewy wet weather: the last we captured
was late in November, 1852,

The stomach, when carefully examined, is very curious, and wonderfully
adapted to the food it receives, — Its inner surface is covered with a number
of small sharp spines, pointing backwards, so that when half of a Worm w
swallowed, it is prevented by these spines from escaping, which, without this
peculiar organization, would be the case.

The colour of this moUusk is yellow, more or less deep, with a white line
along each side, occasionally spotted with small brownish or blackish specks,
measuring about two and a half to three inches in length. On the posterior
extremity of the back is a small but perfectly-formed shell, (as shown in
figure.) Auriform, ovoid, or elongated; vertex, rather large, acute; aperture.

180 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

very large j pillar lip, near its upper extremity, broad, flat, and very slightly
reflected at the edge; outer lip, dilated. Immediately beneath this shell is
situated the orifice of the duet, which transmits air to the lungs; so that the
use of the shell appears to us to be that of protecting and keeping the
orifice free and open, and to prevent its being choked with earth, through
which the animal is continually burrowing.

Proceeding from the head are two regular pairs of tentacula, but it can,
at its pleasure, expand and convert the lateral parts of the mouth into a
subsidiary pair, which are there situated immediately beneath the anterior, or
the smaller pair, to which they are nearly equal in their length and size.

This Slug docs not hybernate, as may be ascertained, when they are found
on digging them up in winter; they will be observed in pursuit of their prey,
and may often be seen emerging from the ground, and crawling about on
the surface. In the months of May and August the eggs are to be found;
they are oval, hard, and opaque, and when fresh are quite white, but after-
wards assume a brownish colour. If the eggs are placed on a warm surface,
or in the warm hand, they will explode with a loud noise, dispersing the
contents and shell to a considerable distance. It inhabits gardens in the
neighbourhood of London : it has, we believe, been found plentifully in gardens
at Hammersmith, Lambeth, and in the Koyal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park,
and in fields and gardens in the neighbourhood of Hampstead and Hendon,
We are informed by Mr. Garroway that it is found in the Bristol Nurseries,
and that he has frequently, when a boy, made many shillings of them, by
collecting them and selling them to strangers. Mr. Miller, a late proprietor
of these nurseries, we believe was the first to take notice of this singular
creature. We have met with them frequently for the last six months in
the extensive nurseries of Taunton: it has also been found in gardens in
Gloucestershire. It was found many years ago in Ireland, at Youghal, by
Robert Ball, Esq., of Dublin; and the late Mr. Thompson says that it has
also been found in a garden at Bandon, by Mr. G. S. Allam. Of the Testa-
cella, three species are described and figured by Mr, Sowerby: — T. Maugei,
an inhabitant of Teneriffe; T. haliotideus; and our present subject, T. scutulum.

In conclusion, we shall feel obliged for any further information on this
singular moUusk through the pages of ''The Naturalist."

5, Middle Street, Taunton, February 11th., 1853.

Ornithology of tlie Leeds District.— The Geese referred to in a former paper, are the Bean
Goose, {Anser ferus, Flcm.) (Anser seyetum, Staph.) (^Anas segetum, Mont.) and the Wild
or Grey lag Goose, {Anas anser, Mont.) both shot at Killingbeck. I must have omitted the
Euff, [Maclietes pugnax^ in my list, which has been shot at Eoundhay. Two fine specimens,
male and female, were shot during the summer of 1851, in the marshy bottoms 'at Panncl,
by A. Dickinson, Esq., it seems probable that they may have bred there, which of course
would be something unusual. — John Dixon, June, 1853.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 181

The Lo/pwlng, (Vanellus crlstatus.)— During the early part of last March, I was rambling
about Weston Moor, near Otley, a favourite district of the Lapwings, and noticed, as I
quite expected, that they were all paired, and very clamorous at being disturbed. Towards
the latter end of the same month, I was at Malham, and felt rather surprised to find these
birds in that district still frequenting the swampy ground in large flocks: I am almost at
a loss to account for this singularity, both localities seeming to possess the same advantages.
It must not be undei-stood that the Lapwing frequents the mountainous district above Malham,
but seems to prefer the low ground, through which some little stream meanders, where the
vegetation is luxuriant, and food most abundant. All naturalists agree that they generally
forsake the high moorlands on the approach of winter, and retire towards the coast, or some
fenny district ; yet at the same time that large flocks may be found near the sea, or frequenting
the mouths of such rivers as the Humber, it often happens that a few stragglers will casually
visit us inland, in the depth of winter, probably on their passage between the two coasts.
In the months of December and January 1849, large flocks were seen in the neighbourhood
of Knaresborough, frequenting the fallow land for a few days, and then pursuing their course in
an easterly direction. They seem to be very docile, particularly when caught young; I have
often seen them' quite domesticated, and kept in gardens, when they seem to be of infinite
service, in gobbling up worms, etc. I remember hearing of a young lady, who kept a pet
Lapwing for some time, which contracted a curious friendship towards a little terrier dog : they
were both brought up much together, and at first the poor bird had a sad time of it, its canine
companion not being one of the most gentle playmates ; however it safely escaped all the teasing
and wonying parts incidental to juvenile doghood, and doubtless both advanced in wisdom as they
advanced in years. The Lapwing's favourite locality was the kitchen garden, and whenever
the dog chanced to pass that way, he was sure to be joined by his feathered friend, who
closely accompanied him throughout his rambles amongst the cabbages and cauliflowers; the
only drawback to this intimacy was when the dog unluckily brought a bone into the garden
to pick, when the friendly bird had the sagacity to keep at a respectful distance. This curious
friendship lasted until the poor bird, one unlucky day, fell a cruel sacrifice to some prowling
half-starved cat. — Idem.

Tlie Hobby, (Falco subbuteo.) — At the end of last April, a fine specimen of an adult male
was shot at Dickleborough, in Norfolk, and is now in my possession. — E. E. Stride, Highbury
Park, Islington, near London, Juno 9th., 1853.

The Hawflneh, (Coccothraustes vulgaris.) — A nest of this scarce bird was taken on the 19th,
ultimo, in a Hornbeam tree, in Epping Forest, not very far from the town of that name. It
was shallow, and loosely constructed of dry grass, containing five eggs, two of which are in
my collection. — Idem.

The JF/icatear, (Saxicola ccnanthe.) — This bii'd is by no means uncommon in this neighbour-
hood, notwithstanding its proximity to London — being only three miles in a direct line from
the Royal Exchange, but, considering the distance, very open. Since I have taken up the
pursuit of Ornithology as an amusement, I have been much surprised and gratified to find that so
many varieties of birds are in the habit of visiting this place, and specimens of the i-arer kinds
by no means unfrequently occur. I am in hopes of ascertaining that the Wheatear breeds in
this place, which it probably would, if left undisturbed by the numerous visitors to the
surrounding fields. — Idem.

The other day, May 4th., about six a. m., I saw a pair of Terns, (Sterna Hirundo,) fishing
up and down the River Soar, close to where I live. So keen were their appetites, and so
intent upon their prey, that they often flew within gunshot. They were in friendly company
with scores of their Liliputian brethren, such as Sand Martins, House Martins, and Swallows.
It was quite a treat to an "inland" ornithologist to see with what ease and grace they flew,
and how beautifully they glided over the surface of the water. I recollect some four or five
years ago seeing a pair in the same locality.— "William Bond, Frog Island, Leicester, May
23rd., 1853.

Note on the Puffin, (Fratercula arctica,) and Razor Bill, (Alca torda.)— Singular as it may
appear at this season, the beach at Morfa, Bychaw, and Harlech has lately been strewed with
dead PuflSns and Razor-bills. A question here arises for the ornithologist, as to whether these

182 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

birds are migratory or not, or is this the result of the veiy severe westerly gales we have
experienced during the last winter. — From the North Wales Chronicle, fi. W. Cradock, Hackney,
March 15th., 1853.

JToney Buzzard, (Pernis apivorus.) — I have lately seen a fine adult specimen preserved, which
was taken in a pigeon-trap at York-street, Westminster, about three years ago. — M. C. Cooke,
Lambeth, April 8th., 1853,

Ring Ouzel, (Turdus torquatus.) — A nest containing five eggs was taken by Mr. Downing, at
Addiscombe, in Kent, as he informs me, last year. He saw the bird fly off the nest: I have
one of the eggs in my possession. — Idem.

Common Guillemot, (Una troille.) — On the 28th. of March last, I received a specimen of this
bird in the flesh, which had been shot at Smallburgh in Norfolk, a day or two before, at a
distance of about six miles from the sea. — Idem.

Red-breasted Merganser, (Mergus serrator.) — I have one in my collection which was shot by
Eobert Whaites, Esq., at Ingham, in Norfolk, a few years since. Also a Little Auk, {Mergulm
alle,) shot by the same gentleman, in the same locality, and about the same time. — Idem.

Nesting of the Sparrow, (Passer domesticus.) — In "The Naturalist" for February 1853, one
of its correspondents, J. D. repeats his assurance that the P domesticus builds in trees,
page 36, vol. 3, a circumstance which had been questioned. I wish to confirm his assertion.
He says "it is not at all a rare circumstance for this bird to build in trees near houses," nor
is it, for I remember a time when Shenfield Common, in Essex, was covered with several old
trees, fast decaying, aspen and ash: a very few of the latter remain by the side of a pathway,
leading from the adjacent town to this Common. I have known and seen very many nests of
the P. domesticus taken from the boughs and hollows of those trees. I have taken their
nests also from fir boughs and elms, in my present neighbourhood, Bawburgh Hill, and one
from a pear tree. Shirley Hibberd in an article on the Sparrow says "when he builds in a tree,
which is very seldom, though Professor Ronnie says to the contrary, he usually constructs a
domed nest, that is a large globular frame-work of straw and feathers, with a hole in the side
for ingress and egress, so that a good shelter is afforded by the circular roof and walls." This
may be a very correct description, but such as have fallen under my own personal observation
have been externally large, ill-shaped, circular bodied of small roots and dry grass or hay; in-
ternally, nicely rounded with feathers in a vast quantity, wool, stray bits of cotton, and even
pieces of rag and cloth. The entrance has been that of most nests at the top, and a regular open
surface (no circular roof) fringed by the outer feathers of the lining, that in some instances may
have arched or curved over, but scarcely formed a roof. — G. E. Twinn, Bawburgh Hill, near
Norwich, March 26th., 1853.

The Brambling, (Fringilla Montifringilla,) has been a constant visitor here, in large flocks,
from January 31st. — Idem.

TJie Hobby, (Falco subbuteo.) — Fond of a warm region, this bird is found by Naturalists in
many parts of Europe and Asia, and Mr. Meyer conjectures even in Africa. The early part
of April is the usual period of its arrival in this country, but our season from November to
the early part of February having been unusually mild and congenial, I apprehend it was a
very premature visitant to our country. I am led to give these few notes on the bird, from
its having been in our neighbourhood on March 7th., 1853. During the whole day the Hobby
is an indefatigable hunter, particularly when his haunt is a close wood of thick growth, skirted
by a fine open heath. I remember to have seen one of these searchers chase a lark, on a
spot called the Moors, near Bentley Mill, Kelvedon Common, Essex, and after long parrying
from both birds, at one time soaring high, at another rapidly falling, the poor hard-pressed
bird, with a lightening dart rushed aloft however, and escaped its pursuer. Meyer says "The
Hobby chooses for its prey Larks, Swallows, and Martins, which he pursues in the air, following
them easily in all their rapid evolutions, and strikes with such unerring aim, that he seldom
fails to secure his selected prey; even the Swift cannot escape him." On March 7th., an

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 183

agricultural gentleman was conversing with his servant at the Hall door, which was wide open,
when one of his tame pigeons rapidly flew past him, brushing his face with its wing, and
took refuge in the Hall where it dropped overcome with dread, its enemy, a fine male Hobby,
was seen by the gentleman careering upwards, doubtless very chagrined. He saw it near his
home on the following day, but not since; the late snows may have driven it away. It ia
a fine bird when of adult age, very fierce, and generally extremely scarce, and but seldom seen
in the county of Norfolk, and never I think at so early a date as March 7th. — Idem.

Pitgnacity of tlie Souse Sparrow, (Passer domcsticus.) — Whilst rambling a few montlis ago
in search of specimens for my cabinet in the neighbourhood of Dunham Park, the seat of the
Earl of Stamford and Warrington, my attention was arrested by an unusual uproar amongst
a number of Sparrows that wei-e congregated in a fir tree near to where I stood. I listened
for a while, but as the noise increased 1 was induced to get under the tree as quietly as
possible, so as not to disturb the belligcrants. When under the tree I soon found that war
was declared, and that a fight was then being carried on, which I felt an inclination to witness.
I had not stood under the tree above two minutes when one of the bcUigerants full at my feet quite
dead, having received a wound on the head, from which blood was issuing. I watched again,
and still the fight went on until another bird dropped from the tree, not quite dead, but
mortally wounded, only living in my hand a very few seconds. Still the fight was not over,
and I determined, if possible, to see it out, and therefore waited a little longer. After some
minutes hard fighting another bird flew out of the tree, but dropped to the ground within a
very few yards from me. I ran after and gathered it up, but it was so wounded as only to
live about half an hour. How long this "tremendous fight" would have continued I cannot
tell, for the confusion amongst the fighters was as great as at first, but when I ran to pick up
the last bird I made a noise, which disturbed the belligcrants, and caused them to take to
flight. I had throe tnale Sparrows, all killed in this remarkable battle, left in my possession
as a memento of the occurrence.— John Balshaw, Post Office, Altringham, April 20th., 1853.

House Piff eon. —Having observed this bird referred to in "The Naturalist," for the current
month, by Mr. Henry Fen-is, I beg to forward the following in corroboration of his statement :
—My father, Mr. Thomas Balshaw, has been a Pigeon-fancier for many years, and has more
than once been in possession of birds that have laid three eggs at a nesting, but in no instance
have all the eggs been fruitful. He has now, however, a pair of birds which have not only
laid but actually hatched three eggs : the young ones seem very healthy, and are about a week
old. This is certainly an exception to the general rule. — Idem.

T/ie House Sparrow, (Passer domesticus.)— I have several times recently, up to the present
date, observed considerable numbers of Sparrows in the low hedges of the fields about here,
almost small flocks. Tliey are not building, and I do not remember ever to have seen them
in this way at this season of the year before.— F. 0. Morris, Nafi"ei-ton Vicarage, Driffield,
May 2oth., 1853.

Additional Heronries.— Pcrha^^s the following extract from the "North British Review," for
May, 1853, may interest Mr. Mc'Intosh. "As an example of the less usual kind of Heronry
where the 'munition of rocks' is selected as a place of safety, we may mention the ivy-mantled

front of one of those ghauts called the Sutors of Cromarty As respects their lowlier sites,

wo may state that there is an island in a small lake on the southern borders of Sutherland,
between the Aikel and the inn at Altnagalcanach, where Herons breed upon the ground; and
in the island of Islay, about three miles from Ardimersy cottage, there is a well-known colony
of these birds also breeding on the ground." In the "History of British Birds," by the late
Dr. Macgillivray, mention is made of one "at Inglcsmaldie, in the south comer of the parish
of Fettercaim," Kincardineshire; and a few Herons breed in the woods of Feteresso, in the
same county. — J. Longmxjir, Jun., Aberdeen, May 23rd., 1853.

Do the Hawk tribe Brink?— In answer to this question, a short passage may be quoted
from the "American Ornithological Biography" of the celebrated Audubon, in reference to the
Great-footed Hawk, which is the Peregrine-Falcon {Faleo Pcregrinus) of Bi-itish authors: — "Many
persons believe that this Hawk, and some others, never drink any other fluid than the blood
of their victims ; but this is an error. I have seen them alight on sand-bars, walk to the edge

184

MISCKI.T.ANEOUS NOTICES.

of tRem, immerse their bills nearly up to the eyes in the water, and drink in a continued
manner, as Pigeons are known to do." Vol. i. page 89. — Idem.

Curious Hen's Egg. — I had given me by a friend
last week a Hen's egg, or rather eggs, of an ex-
traordinary formation; — they are jjoined together at
the small ends by a tube of about three-eiglits of
an inch or more in length, by rather more than
a quarter of an inch diameter, thi-ough which the
contents of one egg passed when an opening was
made in the other for the purpose of cleaning it. The eggs were perfect, with the exception
of the external covering of lime, which was altogether wanting. The . annexed drawing will
give a better idea of the eggs than any description I could write. — Stephen Clogg, Looe, May
2nd., 1853.

Capture of Insects. — Mr. King, of this town, is a practical entomologist, and a person whom
I much respect from his industry and indefatigable zeal in pursuit of the objects of that science,
and he is one who is in every respect worthy of the greatest encouragement. At his request
I have made the accompanying little diagram and description of an ingenious box which he
is accustomed to use in capturing moths by night. Small portions of the trunks of several
trees are covered with a mixtm-e of brown sugar and beer, and when the nights are warm
and dark these trees are successfully visited, and the insects secured by the aid of a lantern.
The little apparatus herein described will be found extremely efficacious in securing the night-
flying moths, and should be in the hands of every practical entomologist. I have much pleasure
in thus contributing to the efforts of Mr. King, who is desirous to forward the pursuit of a
science for which he is truly partial. — W. B. Clakke, 14, Berners Street, Ipswich, Suflblk,
June 8th., 1853. Communicated by the IIev. F. 0. Morris.

A, Tin box or cylinder, three inches and a half high, and two inches and a half in diameter.

B, A circular piece of tin, moveable in its own plane by the hinge or rivet C, so as to close the bottom
of the box.

D, A tin hoop to slip over the upper part of the box to secure a piece of gauze.

E, A second tin box or cylinder, capable of being easily slid into the box A, having a piece of cork
filled into the end at F, and a string at G, to facilitjite the withdrawal of one box from the other.

To receive a moth, open the bottom or slide, as at B, and place the box A over the insect, then
carefully turn the slide B under the box, and the moth is enclosed, and generally ascends to the gauze
at the upper extremity, which should be directed to the lantern.

The corked end of the second tin is then presented to the lower end of the box A, and the slide
carefully withdrawn, and the former introduced into the latter: the moth will thus be confined between
the cork and the gauze, when the moth is at once killed by pressure.

The Rosy Feather Star, (Comatula rosacea.)— A splendid specimen of this rare star-fisli has
just been captured here by me. — D. Ferguson, Redcar, July 9th., 1853.

The Large Weever, (Trachinus draco.)— This fish, which is rare in the north, has just been
taken at Redcar.— Idem.

185

PECULIARITY IN THE FEMUR OP A FOX.

BY J. B. DAVIES, KSQ.

On Sunday, the 13th. March last, some men, who might certainly have
been better employed, succeeded in capturing one of these much-persecuted
animals, a Fox, having first fractured its left femur. In this state he was
confined in a stable, where the fancy young gentlemen of Ripon enjoyed the
barbarous sport of drawing, by means of Terriers and other Dogs almost as
cruel as themselves, until, on the Sunday following, mortification put an end
to his sufi^erings: in the course of the next day he fell into my hands. On
dissection, I found a peculiarity in the formation of the globular head of the
right femur and cotyloid cavity; and judging from my own observation that
such a malformation is not often observed, I presume to offer it to the readers
of "The Naturalist."

It is a fact known to every tyro in anatomy that the upper end of the

femur, or thigh bone, is provided with a globular head, which fits into a cup-
shaped cavity known as the acetabulum, or cotyloid cavity. This is shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, which represent respectively portions of the left femur and left
side of the pelvis. The anomaly I would call atten- \
tion to consists of an enlargement of the globular
head of the femur. Fig. 3, which had assumed an
oblong form, somewhat resembling a French bean in
shape, and greatly increased in size. Of course it is
impossible that the cotyloid cavity should contain such a
mass, and we find that, together with its elevated margin,
it has become all but obliterated, and instead of it, a
flattened surface is presented to the femur. Fig. 4.
It is certain that with a limb so constituted the poor
creature could not have the same certainty of action
as with the properly-formed joint, and this may in
some measure account for the strange capture of one
of the swiftest of the race— a Greyhound Fo*x. I do

VOL. III.

2 B

186 LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST.

not know if such malformations are of frequent occurrence^ but never having

noticed it in any other animal which has fallen into ray hands^ I venture
to publish it.

Dkscription op Cuts. — Fig. 1 represents the ordinary form of the upper end of the femur. Fig. 2 the
acetabulum, or cotyloid cavity, in wliicli the globular head rests. Fig. 3. is the anomalous appearance
of the femur, with enlarged head, h, h. Fig. 4, right side of pelvis, witli c the partially obliterated cotyloid
cavity, and e, e the plane on which the head of the femur moves.

Ripon, April Wth., 1853.

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST.

( Continued from Page H.)

LETTER V.

lona^ April 14th., 1852.

Last Saturday, (the 10th.,) being a very fine day, I and a young friend
paid a visit to Soay to see what the feathered world was about. We did not
meet with much life on our way; the winter birds have mostly left, and the
summer ones have not yet arrived in sufficient numbers to supply the vacancy;
besides which the fine weather keeps them out at sea. We saw a string of
Shearwaters, {PuJJinus Anglorum,) flying in a flock of about a dozen; this is
their first appearance this year. We also saw a few Solan Geese, (Sula
alba,) diving and plunging; their appearance here is a sign that they are
on their way to their breeding-stations. We were disappointed in our hope
of fioding Geese on the island, though they seemed to have been very numerous
there recently.

On exploring a cavern, frotn which we procured several broods of young
Rock Doves, {Gulumha lioia,) last year, we found, as we expected, a nest.
The cave is of very great depth, but so narrow as scarcely to allow a person
to reach the inner extremity. There we found the nest, made upon the
ground, among the shingle, exteriorly formed of dry sea-weed, and inside
lined with sea-piuk. It contained a pair of fresh eggs; there was a third

k

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST. 187

laying outside the nest, which the birds seemed to have eaten: it was empty
with only one small hole broken in it, so we took possession of the three
eggs in your name.

While returning, we met with several Black Guillemots, (Uria grijlle.)
I took a couple, and found them to have completely assumed their summer
plumage, though it has not yet acquired the brilliancy it possesses in the
breeding-season. I was about to shoot another, which had rather a peculiar
appearance; his body being quite black as in summer, while his head and
neck retained a great deal of the gray; but there happened to be a pair of
Eider Ducks, {Somateria moUisshna,) at a short distance, and though we could
not get within shot of them, yet I did not wish to disturb them, as I hope
they may make their nest upon Soay, or one of the surrounding rocks.

As we were rowing along under the cliffs at the southern extremity of
lona, we saw a curious-looking bird ahead, which, on nearing, we recognized
to be a Long-tailed Duck, {Harelda ylacialis.) He was evidently a straggler,
and very tame, allowing the boat to come almost within shot of him before
taking wing. 1 happened to have a cartridge in the gun, which I sent after
him, and happily bowled him over. It is an adult male, acquiring his sum-
mer plumage, which gives him a curious mottled appearance. I have kept his
skin in the same manner as the last, and it will be interesting to compare
it with the full winter dress. The black spot on the neck is expanding and
spreading over the whole neck and breast, till it meets at the black portion
of the body. The white shoulder patch and long scapulars have disappeared,
and are replaced by shorter red and black feathers. The only part which is
imperfect is the tail; the long feathers have been cast, and the summer tail
has not yet replaced them.

Of course it was too early to look for Petrels yet; so this was the whole

., produce of our voyage, unless I add the lid of some poor sailor's chest, which

we picked up as it was drifting in from the ocean. It bore an almost illegible

name, Peter B , much overgrown with barnacles; but there were marks,

slightly burnt, as if from a pipe having been frequently knocked out on them,
which I much fear was finally extinguished in the salt-water waves, along
with its owner.

The Choughs have been for some days back busily engaged carrying wool
into their cave, and the last time I passed near them the pair attacked me
furiously, alighting within twenty yards, scolding with all their might; their
wings half-expanded, quivering with wrathful emotion, their bills wide open,
and their heads lowered near the ground, as they threw out their shrill ear-
piercing screams.

LETTER VI.

lona. May 1852.

I SEND you with this a small box, containing a pair of Red-legged Crows,

one skinned, and the other simply embowelled, and embalmed in the style of

188 LETTERS OF AN OnNITHOLOGIST.

an Egyptian mummy. I got this pair three days ago; they are remarkably
small specimens, and I do not think they were nestling, as I watched them
for several days; however they are male and female.

My own particular friends, as I mentioned in my last letter, had completed
their labours of nidification, and I supposed that they would immediately
commence laying and hatching; but I was much concerned to see them very
rarely near their nest, and I picked up some wool, (apparently the lining of
the nest,) upon the floor of the cave. Determined to examine it, I contrived
to hoist myself up to the spot, with the assistance of a boat's anchor and
cable. The nest, beautifully woven of heather sprigs, was unlined and empty;
I cannot account for this misfortune; however the old birds still haunt the
vicinity of the cave, and furiously resent any intrusion near it; and possibly
they may make another attempt at nestling this year.

I also send you a nest of Hooded Crow's eggs; these were replaced by a
pair of Bantam's eggs daubed with indigo, only one Crow's egg being left. In
due time the little Hoody made his appearance, and two days after the young
Bantams saw the light. The old Crow nursed the two little chickens with
the same tenderness that she showed towards her own little savage imp; there
they were like Eomulus and Remus in the bosom of their rugged foster-
mother. We carried them away, however, from the ogre's castle, fearing that
they might some day remark "What a great beak you have got grandmamma!"

I shall conclude with a few notes of the month: —

May 1st. Considerable flocks of Whimbrels arrived. I killed three couple
with great ease, and found them in very good condition, which may be taken
as a proof that their last stage was not a very long or harassing one. These
birds continue very numerous during the whole of May, but as soon as June
commences, they disappear as suddenly as they arrived. lona is not one of
their halting-places on their return south, for we are not visited by them in
autumn, except by an occasional straggler.

Ma}' 12th. The Terns and Corncrakes arrived. Their appearance is so
precisely punctual to the day, that I would as soon date by it as I would
by the almanac. The Herring Gull, (Larus argentatus,) is, with us, far more
common than the Lesser Black-backed Gull, (Zy. fuscus,) except at this
time of the year, when great numbers of the latter are seen in all the newly-
sown fields, busily eating the corn among flocks of wild Pigeons and trespassing
poultry. They are, at such times, extremely wary, and indeed at all times
they appear to be much more so than the Gray Gulls.

I shall now drop anchor, as I have been out all night in an open boat —
a two-masted skiff, with three reefs in the mainsail, battling against a heavy
sea, and head wind blowing very hard; and I landed at five in the morning,
well drenched with rain and spray.

(To be continued.)

189

ON THE NIDIFICATION OF

THE COMMON STICKLEBACK, {GASTEROSTEUS AGULEATUS,)

IN A VERY CONFINED SPACE OF WATER.

BY MR. CLEMENT JACKSON.

Having perused Mr. Warrington's account of the habits of the Stickleback
in confinement, detailed in the pages of the "Zoologist," with much interest,
I thought the following notice of a successful attempt to breed them in a
very confined space of water might prove acceptable to many readers of ''The
Naturalist," and, perhaps, induce some to turn their attention to this very
interesting branch of Natural History, so easily accessible to all since it is
ascertained that the introduction of plants and mollusks will keep the water
clear, and do away with the trouble and disturbance of frequent change; as
well as affording an opportunity of studying their curious habits and economy.

On the 12th. of April, a Fish glass, of seven inches diameter and depth,
was furnished with some gravelly mud, and filled nearly to the top with
spring water, A plant of Water Starwort, (CallitricJie verna,) was fixed by
placing a couple of spar-stones on the roots to steady it, whilst the leaves
floated on the surface, and a number of Water Snails, (Limnea stagnalis,)
and Ancyliis fluviatilis,) added to devour decayed leaves, etc., and keep the
water clear.

The muddy particles having subsided, and left the water very clear, half-a-
dozen Sticklebacks were introduced about the 18th., and a male immediately
took possession, attacking and driving the others sharply about. These were
taken out successively as attacked, until only one, a large female, to which
he did not exhibit much animosity, remained; and in the course of an hour
or two afterwards I saw him carrying a long fibre in his mouth, and actively
commence building with such scanty materials as the place afforded. Having
liberally supplied him with skeleton leaves, fibrous roots, etc., he took them
readily as soon as dropped into the water, seizing a fibre, blowing it out of
his mouth, and attentively watch its fall to test its gravity and fitness for
his work; if heavy enough it was immediately recovered, and added to the
building against the stone at the bottom; if too light it was rejected, and
another tried, every now and then adding a stone to secure the frail fabric,
and occasionally blowing a mouthful of gravelly mud over it, boring vigorously
into the accumulating mass with his head to form the nest, and keep the
opening clear.

This first nest did not prove satisfactory, for a few days afterwards he
commenced an active removal, carrying all his materials to the other side
of the stone, where he soon completed a new one, apparently to the satis-
faction of both, as he brought down the female (who had nothing to do with
the work, but had remained quietly at the surface, resting amongst the
branches,) apparently to shew that the structure was complete, and ready
for use.

190 NIDIFICATION OF THE COMMON STICKLEBACK.

She spawned on the 24th. , then lay listlessly at the bottom amongst the
roots, and in a few days died, either from injuries in capture, or from being
worried by her pugnacious partner, whom I latterly observed driving her
smartly about.

Having now undisputed possession of the glass, he mounted guard, hovering
above the nest, and often drew his body slowly over and in contact with
it; every now and then, at short intervals, placing himself directly in a
line with the hole, he rapidly vibrated the fins and tail, apparently to pass
a current of water through it; and should an unfortunate Snail at any time
trespass upon it, he immediately pounced upon and threw it aside. He merely
quitted his post to feed, eagerly taking small portions of earthworms from the
finger, and when satisfied, blowing the last portion from his mouth and
catching it again as if in play; but any thing applied to the outside of the
glass raised his cholor and spines in a moment.

Commiserating his solitary condition, I one day put in three more by way
of company, but he had no idea of such intrusion, and having a home to
defend, shewed a most determined spirit; presently making the late quiet
little pond in a complete turmoil; rushing immediately on these unfortunate
intruders on his domain, he chased them rapidly round the glass, biting fiercely
at their tails, and, despite all their endeavours to hide amongst the plant, or
in the mud, etc., at the bottom, they were speedily turned out, worried
rapidly and repeatedly round, and would doubtless have been killed if I had
not quickly removed them with a silver tablespoon, which was also viciously
attacked by this irritated and determined defender of his invaded rights. On
placing the bottle with the removed fish against the glass, he immediately
rushed at them, and I observed his formidable lateral spines repeatedly pro-
jected. Of course after this exhibition of his pugnacity, he was left to manage
things his own way, and continued assiduously to attend the nest, frequently
and rapidly vibrating before it; and on the 16th. of May the young fry were
first observed swimming thickly about the nest, so small and transparent as
easily to be overlooked. For the first few days he guarded them jealously,
driving back stragglers to the nest, and occasionally seizing one, perhaps more
obstreperous than his fellows, in his mouth, he took it back, and blew it
out amongst the others; every now and then swimming around the glass as
if to ascertain that all was safe. The young, about fifty in number, gradually
ascended, and in a few days scattered about at the surface and amongst
the plant without interference.

On the 20th, of May the water, which had not been meddled with, except
to fill up the loss caused by evaporation, and had remained quite clear, became
all at once so clouded, and with a greasy scum on the surface, that the
fish were barely discernible; and fearing I should lose them, about a quart
was dipped out, and refilled with fresh. The cause I could not ascertain,
possibly some discharge from the old fish, and from the number of young
being too great for the confined space. The plant has grown freely, and

BRITISH EVERGREENS. 191

being confined to one side by the stone^ forms a good canopy over the
fish; but its leaves are very much eaten by the mollusks, which swim
freely about at the surface, shell downwards, with the foot hollowed, and
guided by an undulating motion of its edges, exhibiting a very curious
specimen of locomotion. They crawl along the under surface of the floating
leaves, and are so nearly balanced in the water, that I have observed one
turning back on the end of a long slender fibre, which scarcely bent under
its weight; and at the bottom and sides they crawl about like the Common
Snail. The Ancylus Fluviatilis, also shifts its position freely, adhering indif-
ferently either to the glass sides, or to the stones at the bottom. They deposit
masses of spawn attached to the leaves, which are probably devoured by the
fish soon after being hatched, as comparatively very few young Snails are
observed; and I have often seen the old fish take some minute object from
the leaves, and from the mud at the bottom.

East Looe, May 26th., 1853.

BRITISH EVERGREENS.— No. I.

BY J. Mc'iNTOSH, ESQ.

Ilex, (The Solly,) Tetrandria Tetragynia.

"0 Reader! hast thou ever stood to see

The Holly-tree?" Southey.

Ilex Aquifolium. — As an ornamental evergreen, whether looked upon in the
form of a tree, or as a shrub, the Holly is one of the most beautiful we
possess, and few trees have proved more fertile of poetical allusions than this
deserving favourite. The name 'Holly' seems to be a corruption of the word
'Holy.' Turner, in his "Herbal," calls it Holy, and Holy Tree, no doubt
from its being used to commemorate the holy time of Christmas, not only
in churches, but in our dwelling-houses. The German, Danish, and Swedish
names of the Holly, namely, Christdorn, Christorn, and Christtorn, seem to
us to justify this conjecture. The custom of placing evergreens in places of
religious worship is of very ancient date, as we find from Scripture that it
was in use before the introduction of Christianity. — See chapters xl, xli, li, and
Iv, of the Prophet Isaiah; and in chapter viii of the Book of Nehemiah we
thus read, ''Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine
branches, and myrtle branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths.
So the people went forth and brought them, and made themselves booths,
every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts
of the house of God."

The use made of Holly at Christmas is well known throughout Europe and
America, but the origin of the practice is very uncertain. (Is there any
reader of "The Naturalist" who would kindly furnish any information he may
possess on this subject?) It was made use of by the early Christians at

392 BRITISH EVERGREENS.

Rome, for we find it was customary among the ancient Romans to send
boughs of Holly during the Saturnalia, as an emblem of good wishes, with
the gifts they presented to their friends. Bourne cites an edict of the counsel
of Bracara, canon 73, forbidding Christians to begin to decorate their houses
at Christinas with green boughs at the same time as the Pagans — the
Saturnalia commencing about a week before Christmas. (See Antiq: of the Con:
People, by Bourne, p. 173.) Again we find Dr. (Chandler, in his "Travels in
Greece, supposing this ancient custom derived from the Druids, who, he in-
forms us, decorated their dwelling-places with evergreens, ^'That the sylvan
spirit might repair to them, and remain unnipped with frosts and cold winds,
until a milder season had renewed the foliage of their darling abodes." The
earliest record of this custom in England is in a carol in the praise of the
Holly, in the reign of Henry VI., and preserved in the Hai-leian MS., No.
5396.—

"Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wys;
Let Holy hafe the maystry, as the maner ys;
Holly stond in the halle, fayre to behold
Ivy stood without the dore; she'ys full sore a cold.

Holy and hys mery men they dawnsyn and they syng.
Ivy and hur Mayden3's they wepyn and they wryng.
Ivy hath a lybe, she laghtit with the cold.
So mot they all hafe that wyth Ivy hold.

Holy hath bcrys as red as any Rose,

They foster the hunters, kepe him from the doo.

Ivy hath berys as black as any slo.

Then com the oule, and etc hym as she goo.

Holy hath byrdys, a ful fayre flok —

The Nyghtyngale, the Poppyngy, the gayntyl Lavyrok.

Good Ivy! what byrdys ast thou!

Non but the Howlet that 'How! How!'"

Stowe, in his "Survey of London," published in lo98, says in his time
every man's house, the churches, the corners of streets, conduits, and market-
crosses were decorated with Holme, (Holly,) Ivy, and Bayes at Christmas.
In the language of flowers, the Holly signifies foresight. The Holly is indi-
genous to the greater portion of the middle and south of Europe, in woods
and shady places. The European species does not appear to be a native
of either North America or India; but the Ilex opaca, which is very exten-
sively distributed in North America, and the Ilex dipyrena, which is common
in the Himalaya, closely resemble Ilex Aquifoliiim. Pallas informs us that
the Common Holly scarcely occurs within the ancient limits of the Russian
empire; though frequent on the southern side of Caucasus, where it forms a
low branching shrub about ten feet high. In France it is abundant, partic-
ularly in Britany. In Germany it abounds in many forests, where it attains
the height of twenty feet and upwards; in more exposed places only six or
eight feet. It attains a greater height in England than in any other country.
It abounds more or less all over the country; yet no where so plentiful as

BRITISH EVERGRKKNS. 193

in Needwood forest, ia Staflfordshire. Evelyn says, "It grows spontaneously
in this part of Surrey, that the large vale near my dwelling was anciently
called Holmesdale, famous for the fight of the Danes. It had once a fort
called Holmes-Dale Castle. I know not whether it might not be that of
Rygate." — See p. p. 270-71. In T*[orthumberland Hollies are numerous, and
of a considerable height. At Detchant, near Belford, in a large natural wood,
the Hollies are of a very considerable size; many of them have been cut
down as timber, and sold to herring curers. The finest Hollies in England
are those at Claremont, in Surrey, where they attain the height of eighty
or ninety feet in the pleasure grounds. Bradley, in 1726, mentions Hollies
above sixty feet in the Holly-walk near Frencham, in Surrey, in sandy soil.
There are also large Hollies in Buckinghamshire and Kent, also in Dorset
and Somersetshire.

In Scotland it is common to most natural woods, where it assumes the form
and reaches the dimensions of a tree of the second rank; such as many of the
trees mentioned by Sir T. D. Lauder in the Forest of Tarnawa, in Aber-
deenshire, so that the Castle of Tarnawa was supplied with no other fuel than
billets of Holly. And Mr. Sang, (Plant. Kal. p. 15,) takes notice of the tine
Hollies in the pine forest of Blackball, on the River Dee, about twenty miles
from Aberdeen. In Ireland the Holly is not very common, yet we have met
with some fine specimens of the Ilex A. variegatum; yet they abound and
attain a large size at the Lakes of Killarney.

Pliny tells us that Tiburtus built the city of Tibur near three Holly trees,
over which he had observed the flight of birds that pointed out the spot
whereon the gods had fixed for its erection, and that these trees were standing
in his own time, and must, therefore, be upwards of twelve hundred years
old. He also tells us there was a Holly tree, then growing near the Vatican,
in Rome, on which was fixed a plate of brass, with an inscription engraven
in Tuscan letters, that this tree was older than Rome itself. — (Book xvi,
chap, xliv.) Coles, in his ^^Paradise of Plants," tells us that he knew of a
tree of Holly growing in an orchard; the owner cut it down, and caused it
to be sawn into boards, and made a coffin for himself and his wife also out
of the same.

The wood of the Holly is almost as white as ivory, except in very old
trunks, when it assumes a brownish tinge towards the centre, with a fine grain,
and very hard, and is readily polished. It is used in the handles of metal
teapots, in joinery, cabinet-making, turning, engineering, mathematical-instrument
making, for wood engraving, and a variety of other useful purposes too nu-
merous to mention here. The bark affords the well-known bird lime, which
we import from Italy and Turkey; though we believe a small quantity is
made in Westmorland and Cumberland. The bark is also used medicinally;
the berries are purgative, and four or five of them will occasion violent
vomiting. The Holly should be planted in every shrubbery and plantation, for
the beauty of its shining evergreen leaves, and its scarlet berries in the

VOL. III. 2 c

194 BRITISH EVERGRERNS.

autumn^ as also for the shelter it affords during the winter; and where
effect is required, the variegated varieties should he intermixed with the
common. The Holly makes a most beautiful and durable hedge as a fence.
Well might the celebrated Evelyn exclaim, "Is there under heaven a more
glorious and refreshing object of the kind than an impregnable hedge of about
four hundred feet in length, nine feet high, and five in diameter, which I can
show in my now ruined gardens at Say's Court?" (thanks to the Czar of
Muscovy.) The Czar, Peter the Great, is said to have resided at Mr. Evelyn's
house, in order to be near the dock-yard, at Deptford, during his stay in
England, and it is said took great delight in the very elegant amusement of
being wheeled in a barrow through the thick holly hedges which were the
pride of the garden. ^^At any time of the year," continues Evelyn, "glittering
with its armed and varnished leaves, the taller standards at orderly distances,
blushing with their natural coral! It mocks the rude assaults of the weather,
beasts, or hedge-breaker."

"A hedge of Holly, thieves that would invade,
Repulses like a growing palisade;
"Whose numerous leaves such orient green invest,
As in deep winter do the spring arrest."

Cowley.

Holly hedges are by far the best and most durable of all living fences,
and afford the greatest degree of shelter, and no plant endures the shears
or knife better: it delights in a rich sandy soil. It is of slow growth the
first year or two after planting, but, when once established, it makes rapid
progress. Baudrillart speaks of Holly hedges in France upwards of two cen-
turies old. Ray mentions those of Lord Dacre, at his park in Sussex, and
Sir Matthew Decker's, at Richmond. By far the most magnificent Holly
hedges which are now in existence in Britain are those of the Earl of Had-
dington, at Tyninghara, in Scotland; also those at Collington House, and those
at Moredun, near Edinburgh and Dalkeith. Those at Tyningham are said to
have been planted about the latter end of the seventeenth century, and are
twenty-five feet high, and about thirteen feet in width. Those at Collington
are from twenty-five to thirty feet high; and those of Moredun about
twenty-three feet. The Holly is readily increased from seeds, by cuttings,
budding, and grafting. For the manner by which these operations are per-
formed, we beg to refer our readers to the various horticultural works treating
on these subjects, as not exactly coming within the limits of the pages of
"The NaturaUst."

5, Middle-Street, Taunton, Somerset, June, 1853.

195

GLEANINGS BY THE WAY; WITH A FEW WORDS
ON THE EARLY FLOWERING OF PLANTS NEAR GOSPORT.

BY JOHN ROSE, ESQ., M. A., F. B. S., M. D. R. N.

As was stated by Mr. Lloyd, at a late meeting of the Phytologist Club,
lihe month of January was the mildest since the commencement of the present
century. In addition to Primula veris, Stellaria holostea, Ranunculus Jicaria,
and R. acris, mentioned in my note of the 18th. of January, I found the
following plants in flower on the 22nd: — Lamiurn purpureum, L. album,
Lapsana communis, Sonchus arvensis, Pyrethrum inodorum, Torilis Anthriscus,
etc., with quite a profusion of Ul&v JEuropoeus, and that universal favourite, the
''^wee modest crimson-tipped flower," Bellis perennis.

On the 28th. January, I found Potentilla Fragariastrum in flower in a hedge
leading from Lord Ashburton's beautiful marine residence. My excellent friend,
Arthur Adams, Esq., R. N., F. L. S., having informed me that Vinca minor
occurred in Rowner copse, about three miles from Gosport; we were accordingly
much gratified by finding it in flower on the 28th. of January: it was first
discovered here by Mrs. Arthur Adams, and is undoubtedly indigenous. Vinca
major occurs in hedges near Haslar Hospital, and, if not truly wild, is at all
events quite naturalized. In January we also observed Scoloj^endrium vulgare,
and Adiantum nigrum, in hedges near Anglesey: the leaves of Arum maculatum
were likewise conspicuous, along with the foliage of several of the Umhelliferce.

These facts may appear trivial and of little moment, but they are interesting
to the botanist who loves Nature for her own sake, and who does not disre-
gard the simplest and most common of her phenomena. The mild weather
of January has been succeeded by a snow-storm of unusual severity in this
climate; but as the season advances, we hope to be enabled to give a detailed
account of the Flora of the district. In the month of March it is delightful
to watch the progress of vegetation, and to greet the spring flowers as they
gradually and successively make their appearance.

"Stormy Man;h is come at last

With winds, and clouds, and changing skies;
I hear the rushing of the hlast,

That through the snowy valley flies.
Ah! passing few are they who speak,

Wild, stormy month, in praise of thee;
Yet, though thy winds are loud and bleak.

Thou art a welcome month to me.
For thou to northern lands again

The great and glorious sun dost bring;
And thou hast joined the gentle train,

And wear'st the gentle name of spring.
For in thy reign of blast and storm

Smiles many a long bright sunny day,
"When the changed winds are soft and warm,

And heaven puts on the blue of May."

Royal Hospital at Haslar, Gosport, March 2nd., 1853.

196

A LIST OF THE MABINE
TESTACEOUS MOLLUSCA OF THE DORSET COAST.

BY W. THOMPSON^ ESQ.

In writing a list of the Marine Mollusca of the coast of Dorsetshire^ I think
it necessary to make one or two remarks on the presumed rarity of their
occurrence. In order to carry out my ^'Fauna Dorsettensis," on which I am
now engaged, I have been obliged from time to time during the three last
years to turn my attention to Shells; this, therefore, has been the time during
which the list has been made. The list contains two hundred and five species,
all of which I have myself obtained, with the exception of the twenty-three
against which I have placed a mark, thus *; and these I have given on the authority
of Forbes and Hanley, in their "British Mollusca," and of Shells in the possession
of a gentleman in this town, who obtained them at Weymouth. The nomen-
clature I have followed is that of Forbes and Hanley. I have obtained the
greater portion of my Shells by dredging on the Oyster-beds; some few were
picked up on the beach. There is a large zone of sand running between the
shore and the Oyster-grounds which I have not yet explored; I therefore give
the accompanying list, not as final, but merely as a complete one to this time:
many now marked rare I may expect to find pretty plentiful, and also add other
species to the list. I have not as yet found a single species of Odostotnia; it is,
however, idle to suppose that we have not a single representative of this family.
I have placed at the bottom of the list the varieties we obtain here: —

Cardium Norvegicum. Not rare.
„ pygmaeum. Local.

Acmaea virginea. Not rare.
Akera bullata. Not rare.
Anomia aculeata. Hare.

„ ephippium. Common.
„ striata. Rare.
Aplysia hybrida. Rare.
Aporrhais pes-pelecani. Local.
Area lactea. Common.
Artemis lincta. Not rare.

„ exoleta. Rare.
Astarte elliptica. Rare.

„ sulcata. Rare.
Buccinum undatum. Common.
Bulla hydatis. Not rare.
Calyptraea Sinensis. Not rare.
Cardium aculeatum. Rare.

„ echinatum. Not rare.

„ edule. Common.
* „ fasciatum. Rare,

,, nodosum. Local.

„ rusticum. Rare.
Cerithium reticulatum. Common.
Chemnitzia elegantissima. Rare.
„ formosa. Rare.

„ rufa. Rai'e.

Chiton asellus. Not rare.

„ cancellatus. Not rare.

„ cinereus. Not rare.

„ fascicularis. Not rare.

„ laevis. Not rare.

„ ruber. Rare.
*Cochlodesma prastenue. Local.
Coecum glabrum. Rare.
Corbula nucleus. Common.
'^' „ rosea. One, doubtful.
Crenella discors. Common.

„ marmorata. Not rare.
'^ „ rhorabea. One specimen.

MARINE TESTACEOUS MOLLUSCA,

197

Cylichna eylindraeea. Local.
,, obtusa. Local,
,, truncata. Local.

Cypraea Europaoa. Common,

Cjprina Islandica, Not rare.

Cytherea Chione. Eare.

Dentalium entalis. Rare.

„ Tarentinura, Not rare.

*Dip]odonta rotundata. Rare.

Donax anatinus, Not rare.

Eraarginula crassa. Rare,
„ rosea. Not rare.

Eulima polita. Rare.

Fissurella reticulata. Not rare.

Fusus Islandicus, Rare.

Gastroehaena modiolina. Rare.

■*'Ianthina communis. Rare.

Kellia rubra. Common.
„ suborbicularis. Rare.

Lachesis minima. Rare.

Lacuna crassior. Not rare.
„ pallidula. Rare.
„ vincta. Rare.

Lamellaria perspicua. Rare.
„ tentaculata. Rare.

Leda caudata. Rare.

Lepton squamosum. Single Valves.

"^"Lima Loscombii, Rare.

Littorina littoralis. Common.
„ littorea. Common,
., neritoides. Common,
„ patula. Common.
„ rudis. Common.
y, saxatilis. Common,
„ tenebrosa. Common.

*Lucina borealis. Rare.

* „ flexnosa. Rare,

* „ leucoma. Rare.
Lucinopsis undata. Local,
"^'Lutraria elliptica. Rare.

„ oblonga. Rare.
Lyonsia Norvegica. Rare.
Mactra elliptica. Not rare.
„ solida. Rare.

Mactra stultorum. Common.
„ subtruncata. Not rare.
,, truncata. Not rare.
''Mangelia attenuata. ? Rare,
costata. Rare,
gracilis. Rare,
linearis. Rare,
nebula. Not rare,
purpurea. Rare,
rufa. Not rare,
septangularis. Rare.
,, turricula. Rare.

Modiola barbata. Rare.

„ modiolus. Local.
•"' „ tulipa. Rare.
Montacuta bidentata. Rai'e.
„ substriata. Rare.

Murex erinaceus. Not rare.
Mya arenaria. Local.
„ truncata. Local.
Mytilus edulis. Common.
Nassa incrassata. Not rare.
}} pygmasa. Not rare.
„ reticulata. Common.
Natica monolifera. Not rare.
,, nitida. Not rare.
„ sordida. Rare.
Nucula nucleus. Common.
„ nitida. Not rare,
„ radiata. Not rare.
Ostrea edulis. Common.
Otina otis. Local.
Pandora obtusa. Not rare.
* „ rostrata. ? Rare.
Patella athletica. Not rare.
„ vulgata. Common,
„ pellucida. Not rare.
Pecten maximus. Not rare.
„ opercularis. Common.
„ pusio. Not rare.
„ tigrinus. Rare.
,, varius. Not rare.
Pectunculus glycimeris. Not rare.
Phasianella pullus. Common.

198

MARINE TESTACEOUS MOLLUSCA.

Philine aperta. Not rare.
•Pholadidea papyracea. Eare.
Pholas Candida. Not rare.

„ crispata. Rare.

„ dactylus. Not rare.

„ parva. Not rare.
Pileopsis Hungaricus. Not rare.
Pinna pectinata. Not rare.
Psammobia Ferroensis. Not rare.

* „ tellinella. Rare.

* „ vespertina. Rare.
Rissoa anatina. Not rare.

„ cingillus. Not rare.

„ costata. Not rare.

y, inconspicua. Not rare.

„ labiosa. Common.

„ littorea. Rare.

„ parva. Not rare.

,, rufilabrum. Not rare.

„ semistriata. Rare.

^, striata. Not rare.

y, striatula. Rare.

y, ulvae. Not rare

„ ventrosa. Not rare.
Saxicava Arctica. Not rare.

„ rugosa. Not rare.
Scaphander lignarius. Rare.
Scrobicularia piperata. Common.
Skenea divisa. Not rare.

„ planorbis. Not rare.
Solen ensis. Local.

* „ marginatus. Rare.

„ pellucidus. Not rare.

„ siliqua. Not rare.
*Solecurtus coarctatus. Rare.
Sphaenia Binghami. Rare.
Syndosmya alba. Not rare.

* yy intermedia. Rare.
„ prismatica. Rare.
„ tenuis. Not rare.

Tapes aurea. Rare.

„ decussata. Not rare.
y, pullastra. Not rare.
J, virginea. Not rare.

Wey mouthy April ^th., 1853.

Tellina crassa. Not rare.
-^ ,, donacina. Rare.

„ fabula. Not rare.

„ incarnata. Rare.

„ solidula. Rare.

„ tenuis. Not rare.
*Teredo navalis. Occasional.

„ Norvegica. Occasional.
*Thracia distorta. Rare.

„ phaseolina. Rare.

„ pubescens. Rare.

„ villosiuscula. Rare.
Trochus cinerarius. Common.

„ exiguus. Rare.

„ granulatus. Not rare.

„ lineatus. Rare.

„ Magus. Common.

„ striatus. Rare.

„ tumidus. Not rare.

„ Montagui. Not rare.

„ umbilicatus. Common.

„ ziziphinus. Not rare.
Trophon muricatus. Rare.
Truncatella Montagui. Local.
Turritella communis. Common.
Velutina laevigata. Rare.
\^enerupis Irus. Not rare.
Venus casina. Rare.
„ faseiata. Rare.
„ ovata. Not rare.
;, striatula. Not rare.
„ verrucosa. Not rare.
"^Xylophaga dorsalis. Local.

Varieties of British Shells found at
VTeymouth : —

Pecten opercularis.

Var. lineatus. Not rare.

Var. Andounii. Not rare.
Rissoa cingillus.

Var. graphica. Not rare.

Var. rupestris. Rare.
Rissoa parva.

Var. interrupta. Not rare.

199

ACCOUNT OF THE EEMAEKABLE MAY SNOW-STORM,

WITH INCIDENTAL NOTICES OF ITS EFFECTS ON THE

LIVING AND INANIMATE CREATION.

BY MR. T. LISTER.

The following particulars relating to the very remarkable snow-storm which
occurred last May, may prove of some interest to the readers of "The
Naturalist;" they were taken in the neighbourhood of Barnsley, Yorkshire;
some of them during the occurrence of the storm, and others subsequently.

5th. month, 9th. — The barometer sank from 29-30" yesterday, to 29-15° and
29". Through the early hours of the morning showers were continuous, which
gradually changed to snow, increasing in the heaviness of the flakes towards noon,
and continuing without intermission until late at night. Passengers, vehicles,
roofs of houses, trees, everything was literally covered with a thick snowy
mantle.

5th. month, 10th. — This morning the streets and houses are deeply enveloped
in snow. The depth around the town is estimated at from nine inches to
one foot, increasing in a westward direction towards the moors. At Stainbro',
it is reported to lie from fifteen to eighteen inches; at Thurgoland, two
feet; at Penistone, with careful measurement, it was found to be a depth
of two feet three inches; and in many places above one yard. On the Der-
byshire side of the great backbone of England, it is stated to be from three
to four feet. The wind was changeable during the fall of this snow-storm,
blowing from the N. E. by N. and N. W. at intervals. The extent to which
the snow was mainly confined was in this district, on each side of the
Moorland ridge, thinning off to the eastward towards Pontefract, scarcely
extending to Wakefield northward, nor Chesterfield southward, nor Doncaster
south-eastward, the snow changing to rain in those directions.

The damage to trees has been immense. The birch and the beech, with
their numerous leafy sprays, and the budding oaks, have suffered the most in
the woods about here. But the injury sustained here is nothing to be compared
with that in the west and south-west districts. The woods of F. V. Wentworth,
Esq., at Stainbro', and those of Lord Wharncliffe, at Wortley and Wharncliffe,
suffered to the extent of thousands of pounds loss. Heavy losses have been
sustained in the quantities of sheep that have perished. Such a snow-storm
in May is not remembered by the oldest amongst us, and by few indeed at
any period of the year. The quantity of water in the rain gauge on the
roof of the post-office, indicated a fall to the unprecedented extent of two
inches, and probably there would be some waste in the flakes of snow being
blown from the receiver, previous to melting.

5th. month, 11th. — Took the first opportunity of getting out since the
storm occurred, anxious to ascertain the state of my feathered favourites in
this unlooked-for visitation of churlish winter. The effects have been serious
to the nesting-birds, particularly the ground builders, as Larks, Grouse, etc.

200 A REMARKABLE MAY SNOW-STORM.

A handsome cock Whinchat had been brought to me starved to death, and
numbers of eggs were found cold in the deserted nests. To my great surprise^
on passing down the fields to the Old Mill, I found the birds were neither
chilled into torpitude, nor voiceless. The Tree Pipit, Green Linnet, and
Storm Cock were singing merrily about the gardens and fields. The snow
was fast melting away from the neighbouring slopes, but laid white and cold
on the distant hills, there having been a partial frost during both nights after
the snow. An unusually large flood had filled the Dearne valley. The water
still covered the Fleets like a miniature lake. Eooks, Sky-larks, Meadow
Pipits, Swallows, and Thrushes, were flying over the waters, or picking up
insects or worms on patches which the flood had left. On the near bushes,
the Whinchat, the Sedge Warbler, the Willow Wren, and the Jenny Wren
were singing merrily; and in the Clifi" wood, lower down, the Blackbird, the
Whitethroat, and the Blackcap were tuning their mellow pipes, as if no
unseasonable visitation had, but a few hours before, taken place, leaving its
traces still on the fresh leaves and blossoms of spring.

5th. month, 16th. — I accompanied the temperanca procession to Stainbro' Park.
The visitors were, as usual, not numerous in the fore part of the day; but
before evening, were estimated at fifteen hundred to two thousand. The amount
taken at the gates, at the small admission fee, was near ^15, leaving a profit
of £7 clear towards the beneficent object of the society. The day was as fine
as could be desired for this exhilarating and rational mode of spending Whitsuix
holidays. In sad contrast to this genial weather and the budding promises of
summer, were the devastating traces of the late heavy snow-storm. The fine
beech trees we had so admired the week before — one below the canal, partially
leaved, and the one a little beyond the bridge, which we had contemplated
as a perfect model of this noble tree, so ample in bulk, the trunk being about
twelve feet in diameter, and so graceful in the proportion of its bold leafy
branches — exhibited now a sad wreck of their former beauty and stateliness.

In taking the round of the park to preserve order amongst the irregulars
always mingling in such companies, restraining the juveniles from pelting the
Swans or running the timid Hares and Deer, I found constant traces of the
devastating storm. The branches of many trees of the rookeries in the me-
nagerie, and amid the tall oaks near Queen Anne's Lodge, were broken down
by the weight of snow, increased by the quantity of nests they supported.
In many cases, the branches, nests, and young birds had come down in a
confused mass. The ravages made on the trees near the gamekeeper's cottage
were still greater; but this was said to be nothing to the destruction experi-
enced in the woods about Rockley. The splendid avenues of beeches, the
admiration of all beholders, had many of their finest branches— some of them
comparable to trees in themselves — fairly borne down on all sides by the
suoerincumbent masses of snow. It was, therefore, with feelings of pain and
pleasure that the diversified scenes of this fine park were surveyed on that
day — pain at the devastation produced by one day's snow — ^pleasure in the

X REMARKABLE MAY SNOW-STORM. . 201

sight of the fair flowers, and trees bursting into vernal beauty, as if eager to
outgrow and efface, by their luxuriance, the temporary check that vegetation
had sustained.

It was truly the union of the hopefulness of spring with the ravages of
winter, emblematic of human life, with its smiles and tears, its mingled sor-
rows and joys. But while the evils arising from causes man cannot control
are many and grievous, those arising from his own misguided passions are
more numerous and fearful. It was therefore, satisfactory, to see such a
testimony against the greatest of these evils — the drinking customs — exhibited
by the assembly of that day. Views of this nature were impressed at the
meeting, summoned at the trumpet call and the exhilarating music of the
fine accompanying band. The healthful open air sports, the range of the
noble park, generously opened to all willing to avail themselves of the privilege
allowed by the worthy owner, F. V. Wentworth, Esq., the sight of the
pleasant gardens, and well stored picture gallery, were objects far worthier to
occupy their well-won leisure, than the debasing excitement of ^'the house
with the picture hung over the door," wide open at these times to lure the
unwary and dissolute.

I had a little leisure to search for rare birds; the Nuthatch abounded in
the pleasure grounds. The Pied Flycatcher was yet invisible, as on my last
visit; the late cold, changeful weather may have retarded its arrival in this
its only haunt in our neighbourhood. Beyond the temple, I saw some boys
pelting what they call Jinties, one of their names for the Jenny Wren. I soon
perceived that they were the Tree Creepers, running busily around the boles
of the huge oaks. I let the lads see them through the telescope, the amuse-
ment of which softened down their persecuting instinct into a sort of admiration
of these tiny interesting creatures. The gamekeeper, who supplied me with
some eggs of Daws and other birds, had reserved for me the eggs of what
he called the Blue Hawk, which he, with the fatal antipathy of his profession,
had shot on the nest, but not captured. Comparing them with Morris's
coloured Plates, I ascertained at once that they belonged to the Sparrow-hawk,
the blue tint on the back of the male bird gaining it the above title. It
could be no other bird, as the Blue Hawk — the Hen Harrier, setting aside the
colour of the eggs, would not have been found there, it having become, with
many more of its doomed race, extinct in this country, owing to the rapacity
of scientific collectors, and the undying hate of game protectors.

This keeper maintains that the Kestrel preys on birds as well as mice; he
is backed out by others of his class, one of whom states that he has seen
the Kestrel devouring a Partridge : unless the Merlin or Hobby, both of which
occur, though rarely, in this part, has been mistaken for this bird, the
statement is at variance with the views of most writers. I lean to the book
opinion, that with respect to destroying game, this Hawk is as harmless as
it is handsome. We have also the testimony of that most observing field
naturalist, Waterton, as to its harmlessness and utility to the farmer and

VOL. III. 2 D

202 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

landed proprietor. The excellent remarks of his, quoted in the article on
persecuted animals, by Dr. Morris, editor of "The Naturalist," appearing in
Kidd's pleasing ^'Journal of Natural History," are surely sufficient to settle
this point both with the learned and unlearned world. What with vulgar
prejudices, and wanton destructiveness towards eggs and birds, encouraged,
instead of being checked, by the scientific, in their over anxiety for making
collections, and a grudging jealousy of losing a few brace of game, our
Hawks and Eagles will follow the fate of the vanishing Bittern, and extinct
Bustard; and instead of being admired in their living state, be known only
to a future race, like the diornis of New Zealand, by their wasting skeletons.

Barnsley, July 23rcZ., 1853.

3JliBnllnnfnM Ifntirts.

Malformation of Babbits' Teeth. — On the 18th. of July, I had brought to me for preservation
the head of a Rabbit with the fore teeth curiously formed; the two upper curved towards the
roof of the mouth, but were unfortunately partly broken, whilst the two lower grew out to the
length of one inch and a half and curved upwards, and appeared to be worn away towards the
ends. The animal was shot by Mr. Clark, of "Welton, near Louth, and was apparently full-
grown. — J. Brown, Louth, July 25th., 1853.

Albino Shrew, (Sorex araneus.) —As a matter of interest which you may perhaps think worthy
of record in the pages of "The Naturalist," I beg to state that yesterday my gamekeeper brought
nie in an albino specimen of the Common Shi-ew, {Sorex araneus, Linn.,) perfectly milk-white,
without a speck or stain about it. Bell, in his "History of British Quadrupeds," makes no
mention of a white variety, though he states that it is sometimes "spotted with white:" from
this I judge that a perfectly colourless example is sufficiently rare and curious to merit notice.
— W. V. Guise, Elmore Court, Gloucester, July 22nd., 1853.

Montagu's Harrier. — On the 13th. of June last I found a nest of Montagu's Harrier, (Circus
Montagui,) on Roydon Fen, near Lynn. The nest, which contained two white eggs, was flat,
and composed of coarse grasses ; it was situated on the ground in a dry part of the Heath, and
surrounded on all sides by stunted shrubs. I had a good view of the hen bird, as she left the
nest, to which I had watched her, within a few feet of me. The Hen and Montagu's Harrier,
as well as the Short-eared Owl, used regularly to breed on this Heath, but I have not heard
of their eggs having been found there of late. — T. Southwell, Fakenham, Norfolk, August
1st., 1853.

Does the Tawny Owl, (Symium stridula,) drinTcf — In "Morris' British Birds," the Tawny
Owl is said never to be known to drink : this is my sole excuse for the following notes from
the biography of an Owl of that species: — In 1848, or thereabouts, an Owl's nest was taken
from an old tree containing three Owlets; one of these came into tlie possession of my brother
while still too young to feed itself. AVith care and attention it was roared and became per-
fectly tame. The lodging set apart for it was an outhouse in which turf was kept for the use of
the house, (it being in Norfolk where turf is so extensively used as fuel.) The door of this outhouse
was almost continually open, and the Owl, though neither confined or clipped in the wings, was
almost as continually to be seen perched on the highest piece of turf, perfectly at his ease. A
small shallow tub, containing water, was kept standing in the house, and the Owl seemed to
delight in occasionally standing in the water, splashing it about and over himself by flapping
his wings. Whilst thus enjoying liis bath he would dip his bill in the water to drink, holding
up his head after each libation in the same manner as the domestic fowl, and this he did so
often that no one thought it at all an uncommon occurrence for a Tawny Owl to be thus
engaged. He was kept for nearly three years, when he is supposed to have been shot in one
of his nightly flights to a neighbouring wood, for he never returned as he had so often done

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 203

before and taken his place on the turf. Whenever the water was not supplied him he always
flew to the pump, and remained there till his tub was filled and taken into his house. I hope
some one who has the opportunity of watching a Tawny Owl will report progress, and throw
additional liglit upon this subject. — M. C. Cooke, Trinity Schools, Lambeth, May, 1853.

Waxwing, (Bombycilla garrula.) — One shot at Smallburgh, in Norfolk, in the month of
March in this year; also a pair of Ring Ouzels, {Tardus torquatus,) at Sutton, in the same
county, during the week following. — Idem.

Blue-throated Warbler, (Phsenicura Suecica.) — Some time since I purchased a quantity of
birds' skins, which had been bought of a Devonshire man who knew nothing about them, only
that he skinned them ; they were chiefly small common skins, and most of them in an indifferent
condition; but amongst them was a very decent skin of a Blue-throated AVarbler. This skin
Mr. Hadcraft has stuffed for me, and it was his opinion, which he gave me before knowing
anytliing of its history from me, that it was a British skin: he never saw a continental skin,
he said, filled out like it. I have tried to ascertain further particulars but cannot, only that
the man skinned it himself, and did not know anything more about it. — Idem.

Note of the Blue Tit, (Parus caeruleus.) — During the continuance of the snow in February
and March, I had quite a family of birds that daily visited my window for food, which was as
regularly furnished as they were punctual in coming for it. Blackbirds, Tlirushes, Eobins,
Sparrows, and Tits all fed in peace and joy; the Robins only would enter and perch on our
breakfast-table. The others however were very tame; and from a Blackbird we had many a
note of thanks; but whilst the Robins gladly and merrily sang in our warm study, the Blue
Tit replied, and had I not distinctly seen and heard the songster, I should have stated
it was a Robin singing. But I can add further testimony: we, at pi'esent, have a Blue Tit's
nest in our garden in a Lauristinus, and regularly the male Tit sits, after his feeding the
brood, on the top of the shrub, and sings away very gaily. I think you will observe that the
notes of this bird are much harsher and shorter than those of the Robin, and are devoid of
that gradual cadence with which the Redbreast often ends his lays, or rather sinks in
melody, tliat he may, like the Nightingale, break out in richer music. — George R. Twinn,
Bawburgh Hill, near Norwich, May 9th., 1853.

My first egg obtained this year, was that of a Hedge Sparrow, (Accentor modularis,) found
in a nest in a hedge of a north-east aspect, and nearly buried in a snow-drift. The egg is
decidedly the smallest of the kind I ever saw. The day, March 23rd. Idem.

On April 17th., I found a Kingfisher's nest, {Alccdo ispida,) and possessed myself of two
eggs. This is the earliest date I ever obtained the eggs of this bird. — Idem.

On April 20th., I found a Robin's nest, and obtained a perfectly white egg from it; the others
being of the usual colour. — Idem.

The Cuckoo, {Cuculus eanorus,) was heard in this neighbourhood on Api-il 23rd., nearly three
weeks beyond the usual period. — Idem.

The Swallow, {Hirmido rust tea,) appeared April 9th., 1853; the Sand Martin, {Hirimdo
riparia,) April 19th.; the Martin, {Hirimdo urbica,) May 7th. — Idem.

Arrival of the Hirundines, etc., at Mixehead, Somerset, in 1853. — By Captain Gifford.
Swallow, {Hirundo rustica,) April 8th. Martin, {Ilirundo urbica,) May 5th. Swift, {Ci/p-
seliis apus,) May 9th. Cuckoo, {Cuculus canorus,) April 27th.

Tlie Swallow, (Hirundo rustica.) — On the loth, instant, I noticed that the Swallows had
arrived in this locality, having seen a pair flying about my father's house; in a stable near
to which there have been Swallows' nests for many years past. On the 17th. instant, whilst
walking across Baguley Moor, I saw a pair of Swallows flying to and from a house, and on
going up to the house, I found that they were busily engaged in building a nest, part of which
they had already constructed. — John Balshaw, Post Office, Altrincham, April 19th., 1853.

Chimney Swallow oh the 8th. of April, near Gosport. — On taking a walk to-day near Alver-
stoke I was delighted by observing the Chimney Swallow, {Hirundo rustica,) the first which
I have seen this year. I think it is rather earlier than usual, and therefore worth placing on

204 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

record. "It was a sweet carol," says an amiable and talented author, "which the Rhodian
children sang of old in spring, bearing in their hands, from door to door, a Swallow as herald
of the season. —

The Swallow is come!
The Swallow is come !
O fair are the seasons, and light
Are the days that she brings
With her dusky wings,
And her bosom snowy white."
— John Rose, M. D., R. N., Haslar Hospital, Gosport, April 8th., 1853.

The Sivift, (Cypselus apus,) at Driffield. — I saw, this evening. May 19th., a Swift hawking for
flies, for the first time this year. Weather fine, bat cold. — B. R. M., Driffield, May 19th., 1853.

Rare Birds near Plymouth. — I have met with the following rare birds, or at least they are
so with us, in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, in course of the past year. February, 1852,
Little Gull, ( Larus niinutus,) shot in Plymouth Souud. March, Wryneck, (Yimx torquilla,)
shot at Pennycoraequick. July, Puffin, (Fratercula arctica,) shot in the mouth of the River
Erme, a young bird: can any of the readers of "The Naturalist" inform me if the Puffin has been
known to breed on the southern coast of Devon? December 11th., Cinereous Shearwater,
(Puffinus cinereus;) a pair of these birds, male and female, were captured in the sound in an
exhausted state, by a couple of Trawl bo^s, of whom I purchased them alive the same
evening. March, 1853, Pintail, {Anas acuta,) shot on the Taraar, in company with the common
Mallard. April 21st., Hoopoe, {TJpupa epops,) alighted on a mackerel boat, between the Eddy-
stone and Plj-mouth breakwater, quite exhausted ; insomuch that he suffered himself to be taken
by the hand without attempting to escape. — J. Bankkr, Stonehouse, April 23rd., 1853.

TJie Sparroio, (Passer domesticus.) — The chairmen at the stand in Queen's Square Bath, have
tamed a number of House Sparrows. Eight or ten of these birds will fly down off the
adjoining house-tops at a whistle; and come round them, catching in the air crumbs that they
throw them. Two, both male birds, will fly upon their hands, and take food out of their
mouth: they had never been in captivity. — J. Williamson, Jun., Sherborne, Dorset, Ai)ril
22nd., 1853.

The IFheafear, (Saxicola cenanthe.) — March 29th., I noticed for the first time this year, a
pair of Wheatears at Lenthay. These birds are very scarce in this neighbourhood; I have not
seen any since I have been a resident here, before this occasion. — Idem.

The Common Martin, (Hirundo urbica.) — April 2iid., a pair were flying over the river at the
same place. Wind S. W. ; the three previous days had been excessively cold. — Idem.

Nesting of the Woodcock, (Scolopax rusticola.)— April 14th., I went over to Middlemarsh,
about eight miles off, to see the nest of a Woodcock, that I heard was in a cover belonging to
H. G. Sturt, Esq. I found the bird had forsaken the eggs after she had sat on them for a
week, in consequence of being repeatedly disturbed : I procured the eggs, four in number. The
nest, or rather the bare ground on which the eggs were laid, was in an exposed place in the
short cover. A similar thing occurred in the same neighbourhood seven years ago. — Idem.

Occurrence of the Hoopoe, (Upupa epops,) in Dorset. — I am informed by Mr. Henry Turner,
a surgeon in this town, that the nest of the Hoopoe was taken on three or four occasions by
the school-boys, from the pollard willows on the banks of the river at Lenthay, and that they
were known by the name of Hoops. He has seen a specimen in my collection, and is quite
certain he is not mistaken. The fact of a pair having been seen frequently last autumn at
Sotnell corner, would seem to give credit to his assertion. — Idem.

I have in my collection a pair of Bohemian Chatterers, or Waxwings, [Bomhycilla garrula,)
and a Spotted Rail, {Orcx porzana.) They were shot in this neighbourhood, but I have been
unable to trace the exact time. — C. Stubbs, Henley-upon-Thames, Oxon,

Crested Greb?, (Policeps cristatus,) and Red-necked Grebe, (Podiceps rubricollis.) — On the
27th, of November last a very fine specimen of the Crested Grebe was shot here; I had it

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 205

preserved for my collection. A specimen of the Red-necked Grebe was obtained here in the
winter of 1850, which is also in my collection. These Grebes are somewhat frequently met
with here in the winter. — Idem.

Dotterel, (Charadrius Morinellus.) — A pair of these birds, male and female, were shot by
Mr. John Henry Frankling, on the moor at Seaton Carew, on the 16th. of May, 1853. — W.
Martin, Stockton, May 30th., 1853.

RobMs Nest, (Erythaca rubecula.) — I found a Robin's nest this year on the ground at
the bottom of a deep cutting amongst dead leaves, etc., sheltered under the broad leaves of
a Digitalis plant. The nest contained five eggs, which were deserted after a heavy shower of
rain, the nest having been flooded with water. — Stephen Clogg, Looe, May 2nd., 1853.

Woodcocks' Nests, (Scolopax rusticola.) — That very singular occurrence, the discovery of two
Woodcocks' nests, was made by Mr. Elijah Smith, the head gamekeeper to the Earl Carnarvon ;
the first was found on the 6th. instant, and the other on the 9th. instant, in the grounds at
Highclere, each bird sitting on four eggs. The Woodcock is a native of the countries bordering
the Baltic, which it leaves in autumn, on its route to this country, and generally returns in
March and April. The nest is formed on the ground, usually near the stump of a tree; the
eggs rusty gray, blotched and marked with dusky spots. — (Copied from the Wiltshire Independent,)
by R. W. Cradock, Hackney, April 23rd., 1853.

Nest of the Nightingale, (Sylvia luscinia.) — On the 21st. of May last, walking at the Birmingham
reservoir with a friend, we found a Nightingale's nest with eggs; as I am not aware of its ever
having been known to build about this neighbourhood before, I beg to inform you of it : I have
one of the eggs now in my possession. — H. Buckley, Calthorpe-Street, Birmingham, August
8th., 1853.

Nesting of the Nuthatch, (Sitta Europooa.) — In a small but deep hollow of a shattered tree,
about twenty feet from the ground, a pair of these birds selected their retreat, and had intended
rearing a brood had not my robbery prevented them. I had a very fine opportunity of observing
their peculiar mode of nesting. At the bottom of the hole about thirty small pieces of bark,
(from the beech tree,) were carelessly laid, and, without any other aid to promote heat and
assist the bird in the period of incubation, this was the sole -means, apparently, to be
employed. An e^^ was deposited on them, a layer of bai-k over it, and so the work proceeded
regularly, till the seventh egg was deposited, and then over all the bird began carefully to sit,
and heat the pile of bark, I observed no variation in the daily appearance of the nest, to
warrant any supposition that the eggs in regularity were removed from top to bottom, nor can
I well fancy such a process without damage to the eggs in such a nest, formed so indiifereritly
and without any soft materials. Now I have no doubt, from the depth of this hole, that the
birds had with their "hammer-bills" bored to a depth (exceeding the natural) of nearly nine
inches; and at the base of the tree many — very many — chips of wood were readily discernible.
I have for several mornings scarcely missed observing, from four o' clock till long after five, a
pair seated on a poplar tree, and as I read in my room, or ramble round our field, I hear their
hammering, as though to them it were a merriment and a joy. They are called "Creepers"
here; and very active birds they are in scouring trees for insects, and digging for vermin. I
have met with instances of the nests of these birds in the side of a trunk of a tree, and where
the bark and wood have, on removal, left white traces that might betray their locality, I have
seen a thin coating of dirt brushed over to imitate the natural appearance of .the bark, and delude
the eye. The under plumage of these birds beneath the wings is, in many specimens, very
rich— of a deep claret-colour. I have never met with eggs entirely white, but, on the contrary,
all have an abundance of red spots on a clear white ground, and not small ones neither, but
certainly not to be called blotches. — G. B. Twinn, Bawburgh Hill, near Norwich, August
11th., 1853.

A White Magpie, (Pica caudata.) — In No. 15, of "The Naturalist," (May, 1852,) appears
a description of a White Magpie, to which was added a promise by mc, that if ever I had an

206 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

opportunity of giving more information respecting her, I would do so ; unfortunately I now have
that opportunity, as she was shot last week; I say unfortunately, because she was in suoh a
ragged state of moult, that she would almost bear a comparison with the celebrated Jackdaw
of Kheims, whilst under the curse of the church of Rome, "with his feathers all turned the
wrong waj'." On comparing the following with my former communication, it will be seen that
she has grown much winter. — She has the right wing now white, with the exception of the
outer part of one of the primaries; the left wing has three of the primaries, and two of the
secondaries (new feathers) mottled; there are a few old feathers black in the middle of the
back, with a very small sprinkling of black feathers on the neck and breast, more so on the
loft than right side; there are three or four dark brown feathers (old) on each shoulder; the
remnant of her tail (old feathers) is of the natural colour, the two longest feathers of which
are wanting, and are being replaced by two new feathers, now about a third of their proper
length, one of which is nearly white, whilst the other is more of the usual colour, showing
that the whitening was still going on; and I have no doubt had she been spared a few years
longer, she would have become quite white. Her legs arc flesh-colour behind, black in front;
feet and beak black, with eyes of the natural colour. She weighed seven ounces, and the
apparent smallness of her head, noticed in my former comnnmication, would be accounted for,
by the back of the head and a portion of the neck being denuded of feathers, which appears
to have been of considerable standing. She has been mounted by my friend, Mr. C. Jackson,
whose interesting communications frequently appear in "The Naturalist," and he has succeeded
in making out of a mass of rags and filth, a much more respectable-looking bird than I
thought could have been possible. — Stephen Clogg, Looe, July 27th., 1853.

Malformed Hen's Egg. — I met with a singular malformation in an egg a few days since,
which had been laid by a Hen. It was two unshelled eggs, linked together by a white mem-
branous substance about an inch long, being a circular tube somewhere about a quarter of an
inch in diameter. The eggs were about the size of a Pigeon's egg — both^of the same size and
shape. The one contained the yolk, and the other the white, each entire and unmixed. —
D. Thorn, Preston, Yorkshire, May 13th., 1853.

A. Carious Fish was taken out of the river flowing through this town, about a month since,
by a friend of mine. Owing to its being very decomposed, he could not make out the genus,
but he had it carefully cleaned. There were no side bones, but the vertebrae measure in
length about four feet; I have a small portion of it that was detached, and should be glad to
forward it to any reader of "The Naturalist," who could give me any information on the
subject. — J. Williamson, Jun., Sherborne, Dorset, April_22nd., 1853.

May not the fish have been a large Eel. — B. E. M.

Experiment in the Propagation of Fish. — "We understand that Dr. Robertson, of Dunkeld,
questioning the popular idea as to the natural history of Fish, which is that the male and
female meet on the redd, or spawning bed for__the purpose of each depositing its roe and milt
in the channel — and conceiving, on the contrary, that the ova of the female were impregnated
previous to their development within the body of the fish — in order to test this theory, took
a number of live female trout from the spawning bed, and having extracted the roe, deposited
them in a perforated zinc box, containing also some gravel. All these, on the 14th. of October
last, were placed in a running stream, and on examining the box last week several of the
ova were found to be hatched, of which a specimen may be seen by any one taking an interest
in the matter. The proof of this will completely do away with the trouble of obtaining the
milt to apply to the roe, as is done by the French fishermen, and establishes a theory strongly
advocated by Mr. T? Stoddard. From the severity of the winter the whole of the ova are not
yet hatched, but a sufiiciency are to prove the truth of this theory. We imderstand that the
Dr. is preparing a detailed account of the experiment, which will appear soon. — Perth Courier.
Communicated by the Rev. W. Waldo Coopek.

Occurrence of the Sharp-winged Hawk Moth, (Metopsilus celerio.) — My sister captured, in
the beginning of October last, a verj' perfect specimen of the Sharp-winged Hawk Moth.
Perfect specimens of this very rare British Sphinx are not often to be met with. — C. Stubhs,
Henley-upon-Thames, Oxon.

THE RETROSPECT. 207

Carious fact. — On the night of the 18th, instant, while examining the sallows with a lamp, I
captured rather a curious looking pair in copula, which proved to be a (^' Taniocain2)a cruda,
and & ^ T. rubricosa. 1 kept the V for a few days, with the hope of getting eggs, but
without success. — W. Thompson, Crewe, April 23rd., 1853.

The DeatKs Head, (Acherontia atropos,) at Marshe. — I have to record the capture of a fine
female specimen of the Death's Head Hawk Moth at Marske Hall, by Lady Margaret Yeoman,
It contained numerous eggs; I counted sixty-three, but there were probably more. — D. Ferguson,
Eodcar, August 13th., 1853.

Vanessa Urticro. — I obtained a specimen of this common Vanessa on the 8th. of March, in

its imago state, in one of our class rooms: this is the earliest that ever I saw it. — James
Taylor, Pitmixton, Aberdeen, March 3rd., 1853.

It had probably hybernated.— B. E. M.

Natica helicoides. — I obtained a specimen of this rare shell at the Cove, a fishing" station,
about three miles from Aberdeen, in 1849, which is the same as that found fossil by Sir
C. Lyell, in the Norwich Crag, and figured in his paper on the Fresh Water Deposits of Eastern
Norfolk. It has been described by Dr. Johnstone, as well as Sir C. Lyell, as Natica helicoides,
although it in appearance has a resemblance to the genus Bythinia or Paludina. Another instance
of its occurrence recently, is that mentioned by Mr. Jeffreys, who found a specimen in Lerwick
Sound, while dredging there; and one by the late Dr. Macgillivray. — Idem.

Flustra Murryana. — A specimen of this beautiful and somewhat rare Zoophyte was found
on the beach at Aberdeen during the last storm, by Mr. Clark, Old Aberdeen. — Idem.

A new habitat for Physospermum Cornubiense, (I>. C. J— The discovery of a rare and local
plant, in a locality where it has not been before noticed, must always be interesting to the
lovers of Botany, particularly to those who study [the local distribution of plants. Some of the
readers of "The Naturalist" will, no doubt, be interested to learn that I gathered it in a' wood
called the Clether, on the Cornish side of the Tamar, on the lith. instant. At the old station
on the Devonshire side I saw but one specimen in flower. This is interesting in a Botanical
point, for the plant was reported to have been lost, on account of some agricultural improvements
that had taken place, but not looked upon as such by the Botanists of the neighbourhood. I
saw plenty of roots around, although not in flower. Sypericum linear if olium, (Vahl.,) and
Asplenimn lanceolatum, (Huds.,) were very fine; I gathered specimens of the latter with fronds
measuring twenty inches in length. — J. Banker, Plymouth, July 21st., 1853.

CljB lUtrnsjiEt.

Cuckoo V. Wagtail. — In vol. ii, page 20, of "The Naturalist," a coiTespondent, in a note
headed "Curious freak of the Pied Wagtail," mentions having had a nest of the Redstart,
{Phmnicura ruticilla,) brought to him, containing an egg of the Pied Wagtail, {Motacilla
Yarrellii.) I venture to ask this correspondent, through the medium of your pages, and I
trust he will not consider my doing so offensive, whether the cg^ of the Cuckoo, {Citculus
canorus,) in its different varieties, is perfectly familiar to him.'' and whether he paid sufficient
attention to the size of the e^g in question, to be able to pronounce with certainty as to its
being the production of a Pied Wagtail, and not that of a Cuckoo.-' for otherwise I would
suggest that it was far more likely to have been produced by a bird of the latter species.
The egg of the Cuckoo, be it observed, is not much larger than a full-sized Pied Wagtail's
egg; and in one of its varieties — I have, amongst others, this same variety in my own col-
lection— so closely resembles it in colour and markings, that a casual observer, who paid
but little regard to a slight disparity in size, might readily mistake one for the other. The
nest of the lledstart too, if favourably situated, would be extremely likely to be selected bj-
the Cuckoo, as a fit and proper receptacle for its egg. —Stephen Stone, Brighthampton, near
Witney, May 26th., 1853.

Heterogena asellus. — At page 263, vol. ii, of "The Naturalist," there is a communication
headed "Captures of Lepidoptera," by E. S. Edleston, Esq.; respecting the communication
it appears to me there is only one species in the list captured by himself. I did hope

208 THE QUERIST.

some of your numerous correspondents, better qualified than myself, would have written
to you about it, especially as it has called forth many remarks from the members of
two Entomological Societies to which I belong. As no one has done so, and as the commu-
nication, instead of giving information, tends rather to throw dust in our eyes, I now
venture to correct one statement. He says, at the end of June Bleakley made an
excursion of ten days to Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, and on the bole of an oak he
captured a fine 9 of Heterogena ascllas, etc. Now, my veracity is quite as dear to me as
Mr. Edleston's is to him, and as I have told all my entomological friends that I took the speci-
men of Heterogena asellus, which he says my friend John Bleakley took, I feel it a duty I owe
to myself to con-ect Mr. Edleston's assertion, by informing your readers that / took the species
he names, sitting on a beech tree, (not oak,) near Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, on the
10th. day of July, 1852. Now as a beech and an oak make a wonderful difference in a
communication, especially when it would lead any one to neglect a locality where the insect
has been taken, (not that I am sure Asellus feeds on beech,) to hunt where it was only said
to have been taken. I think you will excuse my occupying so much of your space, if by so
doing I enable some of our fellow entomologists to save their time. It is quite time all mys-
tification should be done away with amongst entomologists, and I hope I have cleared up any
doubt about AscHus. — Thomas Hague, Cock Brook, Ashton-under-Lyae, March 15th., 1853.

We insert the above communication; but would observe with respect to it, that we feel
quite sure Mr. Edleston, whatever may be the absolute facts, never intended to mislead any one
as to the locality in question. A mistake between an oak and a beech might easily be madej<^\=^

B. R. M.

The Jledgehog, (Erinaccus Europoous.) — If a stick is inserted in the ground and shaken, or
if the ground bo beaten for some time with a spade, worms will rise to the surface. Does the
Hedgehog in performing his circuits, as described in "The Naturalist," vol. iii., pages 35 and
81, cause a sufficient vibration in the ground to produce the same effect, and thus enable him
to procure food. — H. Buckley, Calthorpc-Street, Birmingham, August 8th., 1853.

Can any reader of "The Naturalist" furnish me with a moi-e recent instance of the Honey
Buzzard, {Pernis apivorits,) breeding in Great Britain, than that mentioned by Gilbert White,
in his "History of Selborne. — H. S., Richmond, Yorkshire.

I perceive in "The Naturalist," that one of your correspondents has received some eggs, of
the size and colour of those of the Common Thrush, {Tardus mustcus,) but spotted with
brown, instead of black. Now this spring I obtained from Walton, in Surrey, three eggs
resembling those above described, but blotched, not spotted, nearly all over with light rufous
brown, one of them most so at the smaller end. The blotches vary much in size, some of
them being very large for the size of the egg. Whilst staying last year at a village in Mid
Kent, four eggs were brought to me, which had been taken from a nest built in the hollow
of an old apple tree, .about three feet from the ground; they are somewhat less than those
of the Wryneck, but not of such a clear white; they are altogether without markings, except
one small spot on the side, near to the larger end, of a pale purple; one of them has a spot
somewhat darker than the others: their size is about that of a small pin's head. As I am
imacquainted with these, I shall feel obliged if any of your correspondents can give me
any information respecting them, through the medium of "The Naturalist." — N. Robson, 2,
Pier Head, London Docks, July 1853.

In reply to Mr. Buckley's query, page 160, the eggs mentioned are most probably those of
the Missel Thrush, {Turdiis viscivorus ;) which I have seen in the nest, with the ground colour
very nearly like those of the Thrush, and with the usual reddish brown spots; their identity
could not be mistaken, as the bird was sitting, and allowed of a very near approach. —

C. Jackson, East Looe, July 16th., 1853.
Can any of the numerous readers of "The Naturalist" say what becomes of tlie young

Lobster and Crawfish, previous to their attaining a marketable size? Although the old ones
are commonly taken in spawn here, the young are never seen. — Idem.

«Y O. S. ROUND, ESQ. ^^^^i%\^

A WALK ON TFIE SHORE. ( 'W^

What the groves and fields are to the villager, the sea- shore is to the
dweller on the coast; and although the shadows of the 0112*3 are not of that
transparent green that the gaze loves to dwell upon, we have but to turn
our eyes aside and we encounter a hue more softly verdant than all the green
leaves in the world can supply; indeed I have often looked dispassionately on
a serene day at the hue of the ocean, and come to the conclusion that the
colour was unrivalled in its transparent brightness. Although the chorus of
sweet throats echoes not oti the ear, it would ill befit the scene, which
assimilates more properly with the wild cry of the Sea-Mew, or the wail of
some lone denizen of that "trackless way" as he wings his solitary flight over
the pathless waters. The woods charm us, but such a scene as this awakes
a far higher and nobler impulse; and the spirit is carried far, far over the deep
blue sea, where there is not a spot of laiid whereon to rest the foot, for the
jutting rock, over whose head the foam chafes and boils in eternal fretfulness,
is but a land-mark to be flown from and not approached. How often at early
mornin;; have I wandered by the edge of the dancing and dashing billows; how
have I turned my face with a grateful sense of refreshment to the tossing
foam, till the spray had passed over and around me in a silvery and
misty cloud. Oh! it was a delicious pastime, it was as a revival after sickness,
as a draught to the thirsty, as a meal to the hungi-y, and more, for it was
a banquet to the fancy, a something which at once fed the present sense, and
laid up store for long and delightful memories, that even now steal over me with
a benign influence as I write. Who is there, let me ask, that has not at
some time of his life met with such enjoyment, and who does not call it up
at will to light up some gloomy fantasy withal; surely it is a wise antidote.
To the man of science, there is far more than this to absorb the thoughts:
whilst the casual observer may be struck with the grace, or something more
of the mighty Grey Gull, as he sails with his hollow wings in the fields of
air, or attracted by the smooth-round pebbles that bestrew the beach; there
is more, much more which meets his eye, the feathered tenants of air are familiar
to him as friends, even at airy distance; he distinguishes with certainty the
different species, watches their various manners of flight, their various modes
of life with no common interest, and pursues them in his mind's eye to their
far off homes in the desert and rocky islet, which itself furnishes its stony
treasures. The very sand beneath his feet is strewn with these, and it is a
chance if he goes home empty-handed, or uninstructed in some new natural
wonder; then look at the briny Avaters, as they leap upon the shores, what
wonders they contain — the Zoophyte, the Gorgonia, the Star-fish, the Medusa,
the Argonaut, or a hundred more, which people them by day, or illumine
them by night.

It is a wondrous reflection, and lifts our minds far, how far above this lower

VOL. III. 2 E

210 LOf'AT- JOTTtX(!.S.

world. There is something even in the roaring of the liquid mass which
strikes ns with awe, and a feeling not akin to any other, for it is mingled
with pleasure and with fear. What is that vast liquid magazine, whence
does it arise, and where are its limits? We cannot compass the breadth
and depth, though we span it in the bounding ship, or cast the lead into
the waters in vain; and it is then wc sec and compass the might of the Great
Creator, "who holdeth the seas in the hollow of His hand." Its very desolation
is its charm, for desolation cannot exist without freedom, and the imagination
roves in wider circuits, and expands in vast proportions with the impressions
which such a scene conveys. Nor let it be supposed that the intimate know-
ledge of the details of such a mass of material detracts from its greatness,
far from it; it adds to the sublime impression, and it is only He who can
compass all the wonder that can see it aright.

We feel, as we stand wrapt in contemplation, with sea, sky, and cliff for
our companions, that this indeed is the proper home of the more ethereal
part of man, and there never, I suppose, can be a time when the grosser par-
ticles of one nature are more insignificant, and more divided from the purer
and more divine.

August J 1853. ?

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No 9.
DORCHESTER— DORSETSHIRE.

BY JOHN aARLAND, ESQ., MEMB: F.NT: SOC:, MEMB: WERN : CLUB.

The Sivallow, (Hirundo rustica.) — This year, I observed for the first time
the arrival of the Swallow on Sunday, April 17th.

The Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus.) — And of this favourite bird on Tuesday,
April 19th.

^ Thc^Wheatear, (Saxicola oenanthe.) — And of this pretty-plumaged bird on
Thursday, the 28th. of April.

"Agassiz Poissons Fossiles."" — I was rather ^^taken aback" some time since, at
a young man whom I knew, and who was just taking a liking to the study of
Natural History, coming to me with a catalogue of books, to ask my opinion on
one of them he was about to purchase. He said, ''I didn't know that Fossils
were poisonous before;" nor did I, he was informed. He then said, "Oh yes
they are, and I think I shall buy the book; it is called 'Researches as to
Poisonous Fossils.' " I looked, and to my amazement, found it was ^'Agassiz
Rechcrches sur les Poissons Fossiles," &c. I should scarcely have thought
of mentioning this as a local note, had not the young man been a Dorset
specimen of the genus Homo.

Cochin-China Fowl. — The following very curious circumstance may now be
witnessed in this neighbourhood. Between two and three months since, Herbert

AUTUMNAL NESTING OP THIS HOOK. 211

Williams, Esq., of Stinsford House, near Dorchester, had in his poultry yard
a Duck sitting on some ten or a dozen eggs, and by accident a Cochin-
China hen deposited an egg in the nest amongst the other eggs, during the
temporary absence of the Duck for food; and the little chick was hatched
on the same day as the young Ducklings. Singular to say, she took to the
water immediately in a similar manner in all respects to the Ducks, and
may now be seen daily disporting herself in it, as if it were her native
element. She accompanies her brother and sister Ducks to the water in the
morning, and in the evening picks up worms, etc., in the Park like them,
and returns to the yard with them. She will not consort with the chickens,
although there are several broods also in the same yard. She thrives well,
and is a very prettily-marked little hen.

Dorcheder, July dth., 1853.

AUTUMNAL NESTING OP THE ROOK.
(CORVUS FRUOILEGUS.)

BY STEPHEN STONE, ESQ.

In a recent number of "The Naturalist," vol. iii. page Gl, the Rev. W.
Waldo Cooper expresses himself surprised at finding the nesting of a Rook
with eggs in the month of October; and moreover states that he never heard
of Rooks 'sitting' at that season. It may be interesting to that gentleman,
and others of your readers, to find, that although it is by no means a com-
mon occurrence, yet that it does occur, and more frequently perhaps, than
may be generally known.

In former times, when superstitious notions prevailed to a much greater
extent than they do now, and when unusual occurrences, of what sort or
kind soever they might be, were wont to bring dread and dismay to the
minds of those 'luckless wights' whose lot it might be to witness them,
from a feeling that some terrible calamity was suddenly about to befal them,
this unseasonable nesting of the Rook was looked upon as boding some dire
disaster to those whose immediate neighbourhood it might chance to select for
that purpose.

The first instance of the kind which came under my observation, occurred at
a Rookery near the seat of the Marquis of Chandos, at that time the residence
of his father, the present Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, at Wotton,
Bucks. Events at all remarkable which occur very early in life, are wont
to impress themselves upon the memory far more indelibly than those which
occur in after years; thus, being at the time but a mere child, I have a much
more distinct recollection of every circumstance connected with the event I
am about to narrate, than of many things quite as remarkable which have
happened since.

There had been a terrific snow-storm throughout the night of the 31st. of

212 AUTUMNAL NESTIXO OF THE HOOK.

October, 1823, and on the morning of the 1st. of November, we were awoke
by the crash occasioned by the falling of huge limbs and branches- of trees;
the superincumbent weight of the snow, occurring as it did, before the fall
of the' leaf, causing them to give way on all sides, so that in a few hours,
long avenues of stately trees were, throughout this finely timbered district,
completely despoiled of their beauty; and when daylight appeared, the ground
was found to be strewn with their fragments; and in such immense quantities
that hundreds of loads were collected in this parish alone — enough, in fact,
to supply its entire population with fuel the whole of that winter, and the
greater part of the succeeding one; exclusive of a vast quantity of a size
large enough for building and other purposes. Amongst the wreck occasioned
by this storm, a nest of young Rooks nearly fledged was discovered. A young
ui.fledged Ring-Dove, (Columha palumhus,) was also, on this memorable
morning, found in the same locality.

Since that time I have met with several other instances in that county
and the adjoining one, Oxon; but as I neglected to note the particular years
in which they occurred, I must pass them over without further notice, and
proceed to record three which have recently occurred in the latter county,
in three successive seasons. In November, 1849, a pair succeeded in rearing
their young brood in a Rookery at Standlake, near Witney. In November,
1850, another pair produced their young at Cokethorpe Park, the seat of
Walter Strickland, Esq. They were not, however, successful in their endea-
vours to rear them, for the weather becoming intensely cold, they perished
when about half-fledged. In the latter part of October, 1851, a nest was again
formed in this park, but a sudden change in the weather put a stop to further
proceedings, so that no eggs were this time laid. Two young unfledged
Ring-Doves were also this year brought to me the first week in November.

Occurrences of this kind usually take place when there happens to be at
this season a long continuance of the "dark, still, dry, warm weather," which
the late Rev. Gilbert White did not fail to notice as "occasionally happening
in the winter months;" and the effects of which he has so truthfully described
in some lines upon the subject, contained in various editions of his delightful
"Natural History of Selborne." At such times, to quote from the lines

above mentioned

"The cawing Rook
Anticipates the spring, selects her mate,
Haunts her tall nest-trees, and with sedulous care
Repairs her wicker eyrie,"

I am of opinion that these unseasonable and generally abortive attempts
at reproduction, are to be attributed to young birds of the year — precocious
individuals, who would fain be wiser than their parents.

"Choose not alone a proper mate,
But proper time to marry,"

is the lesson deduced by the Poet Cowper, from an analogous circumstance,

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST. 213

and commended by him to the serious attention of his fair unmarried
countrywomen; and it is a lesson exceedingly wholesome^ and one by which
they might largely profit withal.

It may not be altogether out of place, here to record a circumstance which
I think must generally be considered as very extraordinary, and which, as
far as my experience goas, is wholly unprecedented; namely, that within the
narrow limits of these two counties, Oxon, and Bucks., incubation was going on,
and nests and eggs might have been obtained throughout every month of the
year 1849, with the exception of the last; for before the end of January,
the Redbreast, (Erythaca rubecula,) had built its nest, laid its eggs, and was
found ^sitting' on them at Weston Turville, near Aylesbury.

On the 27th. of February, I found the nest of the Song Thrush, {Turdus
musicus,) with eggs, in the grounds of my brother's residence, Terrick House,
near Wendover.

In March, and throughout the spring and early part of summer, there was,
of course, no lack of eggs of various kinds.

In July and August, I observed the Common Greenfinch, (Coccothraustes
cliloris,) amongst the evergreens on the lawn of Terrick House, steadily
persisting in its attempts to bring out a final brood.

In September, the House Martin, (Ilirundo urhica,) had eggs; and in
October and November, the Ring-Dove and Rook were '^sitting.'

Brighihampton, near Witney, Oxon., June \2>th., 18C3.

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST.

( Con tin ued from page 1 88 . ^

LETTER VII.

lona, September, 1852.

A PAIR of Eider Ducks and a pair of Shieldrakes have successfully reared
their broods upon Soay Island, and have gone off with their families unmolested.
Another Shieldrake's nest was discovered upon one of the Treshinish Isles by
a youth connected with the fishery, and while he was handling the eggs he
observed another hole at the back of the Shieldrake's nest, and discovered
within it a Shearwater, (PuJ/inus Anglorum,) sitting upon her egg.

On the 6th. of this month, when on a visit to Staffa, we shot a number
of Guillemots and Razor-bills; they were mostly birds of the year, and among
them was one young Bridled Guillemot, ( Uria lachrymans,) though in immature
plumage, the white line round the eye was quite distinctly marked, but the
bird was too much injured to preserve. We took away a pair of young
Rock Doves, (Golumha livia,) from Soay, intending to rear them by hand, as
we have often done before; but it happened that a pair of Tame Pigeons had
just had their young taken by a cat; and of their own accord the bereaved
parents immediately took to the two orphans, and brought them up.

214 LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST.

By the last post I forwarded a pair of young Petrels, {Thdlasddioma pel-
agica;) they wore taken from Soay on the 8th, and were then about a
fortnight old, but very little advance 1, being covered with a profusion of
down, and their legs and wings quite useless. The old birds were all absent;
though we searched every hole, and dug one hole out to ascertain that they
were not skulking at the extremity of their burrows, we did not succeed in
finding one. The two young captives were placed in a little box, and fed
with very small bits of fish, crammed down on the end of a little stick; they
took their food in this manner with great reluctance, but I soon discovered
that they had a great partiality for cod-liver oil, and would suck a stick
dipped in oil very willingly, clattering their beaks and shaking their heads
with evident satisfaction. I should conclude from this that the Petrels feed
their young with the oil, which they have the power of ejecting from their
bills.

The young birds made very rapid progress, and soon became tired of con-
finement, and were only pleased when allowed to walk about upon the table,
though they could not rise ofi" their knees. During the last few days that I
had them, they became quite fledged, though still retaining a great deal of
wool upon their bodies; and they also became exceedingly active and restless,
and very much dissatisfied with confinement in the box. Night and day
their long powerful wings were in incessant motion in their attempts to escape
from the box. As soon as the lid is opened they raise themselves up until
they can hook their bills on to the edge; and then, assisted by their wings
and scrambling with their claws, they hoist themselves up. When upon the
top of the box, they would be satisfied for a little while, shake themselves,
and dress their feathers. The instinctive love of motion, however, would soon
return, and they go off on a voyage of discovery.

They walk with great caution, keeping their heads down, and using their
bills as walking-sticks, hooking hold of any inequality to assist themselves
along, and keeping themselves up, for they have a constant tendency to topple
over on their faces: they also are of great service to feel their way, for their
sight seemed very imperfect, and their eyes were generally closed. When
informed by the bill that they are arrived at the edge of the table, the
closed eyes open, and an anxious survey is taken of the depth below; and
after considerable preparation and thought, the hazardous leap is taken, and
a short flight performed in safety to the floor. These little birds seemed to
liave an irresistable instinct which led them to attempt to surmount every
•obstacle which fell in their way. When walking on the table every book and
desk must be climbed by means of the hooked bill, with the assistance of
Kjlaws and pinions. In an angle they would try to shuffle up with their elbows
as chimney sweeps used to climb up chimneys; and when upon the floor I
iave noticed them striving for a considerable time to ascend the wall of the
room.

On the whole they were very amusing and interesting pets, and I hoped

LETTRRS OF AN ORNITIIOLOCJIST. 21<'>

to have reared them; but they were very sensitive to cold. One morning I
found them both stiff, and apparently lifeless, but the fire recovered them.
Last Saturday night, however, was a wintry night; it hailed, and the north
wind blew hard; the high hills were covered with snow; and the spirits of
the Stormy Petrels departed amidst the roaring Equinoctial vstorm.

P, S. — On Monday night was another gale, of course, as there were two Petrels.

LETTER VIII.

lona, October 26th., 18o2.

I WAS disappointed to hear of the Petrels arriving in such bad condition,
as I hope! that the post would have taken them quickly enough to prevent
their being spoiled. I got another young one from the burrows on the 18th.
of this month at Soay Island. It is quite free of down in the upper parts,
but underneath he still retains a considerable amount, giving him the appear-
ance of a bird sitting in a nest of wool. The pale bar across the wing is
very distinctly marked. He is very active, and can fly perfectly well. At
night his wings are in perpetual motion during his endeavours to escape from
the box in which he is confined, — so much so that he spoils the appearance
of his quill feathers and tail very much; and so I want to send him off as
soon as possible, though I should like to keep him till he is quite free of
down. I give him a good deal of liberty, allowing him to ramble about the
table the whole evening, the favourite time of activity. His habits are
similar to those of the pair I last described, except that he is stronger, and
capable of more extended flights. When let out of his box he performs a
curious exercise — putting his wings into such rapid motion that they cease to
be discernible; and although he does not rise into the air, yet he becomes
so buoyant that his feet retain no hold of the slippery surface of the table,
so that he goes sliding about, backwards and forwards, and round and round,
in a very ludicrous manner. This comical minuet generally terminates by his
incautiously approaching the edge of the table, and disappearing suddenly
backwards.

If you take him up in your hand he always runs up your arm with great
swiftness, fanning with his wings till he attains your shoulder or head; this
is in accordance with his instinctive propensity to scramble up every obstacle
he meets, and never to rest until he has attained the highest elevation within
his reach; when this is done he rests contented for a short time, and then
throws hims3lf off into the air. I have fed this one almost exclusively on
cod-liver oil, which it takes off the end of a feather. His ordinary position,
when at rest, is kneeling dowa, the tail half-expandeJ, and the wings very much
crossed over the back. He generally shufiles about upon his knees, and cannot
easily retain his position erect upon his feet, without the assistance of his wings.

As to the quadrupeds of lona, the list is so short that they are scarcely
worthy of much notice.

216 THE WHITE WAOTAJL.

The Common Shrew, {Sorex amneus,) is found, though not numerous. I
was going to say that Bats never were seen in lona, but I recollect on one
single occasion, while waiting at a Pigeon cave, after dusk, seeing a solitary
Bat flitting about the mouth of it. This is the only one I ever saw cither
in lona, or in the adjoining part of Mull, though there are numberless dark
caves round these shores. They are very abundant on the mainland of
Argyleshire, in the district called Lorn, opposite to the Island of Mull.

yhe Stoat, (Mustela erminea,) is very common throughout the island, living
in dry-stone dykes, or holes under rocks. In one of these dens, after killing
its inmate, I took out the nest which the little animal had made, consisting
of dry grass and sea-weed; there was also a good collection of small birds'
feathers, and four or five wings of Ringed Dotterels. These must have been
caught when sleeping on the shore. I have frequently seen the tracks of the
Ermine over the wet sand at low water. I am not aware whether or not
it is common for these animals to take to the water; but I had the following
anecdote from a humble friend, who, I believe, could not misrepresent a fact,
though he were to try: — He saw a Stoat watching a flock of young ducklings
swimming in a pool, and after some hesitation he plunged in, and swimming
unperceived among them, caught one and brought it ashore. My friend, the
owner of the Ducks, now rushed forward to resent the liberties taken with
his property, not in time to save the poor Duckling though, as its throat was
cut. Accordingly he threw it in the midden in front of the door, (the usual
locality of the dung-heap in the Highlands;) the robber having taken refuge
among the stones of a dyke. In a short time he was surprised to see the
defunct Duckling moving away, the persevering little quadruped having watched
what was done with his prize, and actually returned to appropriate it.

I must conclude rather abruptly, as the postman will begin to indulge in
profane expressions, as ho is waiting at my elbow.

(To be continued.)

THE WHITE WAGTAIL, (MOTAOILLA ALBA.)

BY O. S. ROUND, ESQ.

T SUPPOSE there is no common British Bird which has a greater title to
elegance than this, he is as familiar as he is pretty, and must really be
looked upon as an ornament to our paths and grass-plots His plumage,
although only gray, black, and white, is so variegated, as to produce a lively
effect; his white forehead and cheeks make a pretty contrast to his glossy
black crown and velvet breast; whilst the elegant slope of his long tail with
its black centre and white outsides, which is constantly in motion, like any
long, flat, thin substance, gives an idea of elasticity and ease to all his
motions: this undulating movement it is which gives the name to this genus.
Then his long, black, slender legs and bill, and intelligent large circular eyes,
contribute not a little to the general effect of his appearance.

THE WHITE WAGTAIL. 217

He is the smallest bird which runs, and in the beginning of autumn may
be seen early in the morning, on the slated roofs of our houses, catching
flies which settle there in sunny mornings, or basking in the mild rays. He
is usually accompanied by his mate and offspring, which may easily be dis.
tinguished from their parents by their gray plumage, as much as those parents
themselves may be known from each other by the black chin of the cock,
(the hen's being white,) and the much lighter colour of her markings. They
seem very sociable birds, and I think do not have a second brood'. Keeping
together in their breeding parties of five or six, and sometimes more, on
newly-ploughed lands and pastures, where they follow about the cattle, feeding
on the flies that assemble around grazing animals, which probably also actuates
them in the other case, although some have thought they follow the ploughman
in pursuit of grubs. They are tame birds, and on these occasions will allow
you to approach very near.

Their note is a high chirrup, and beyond this they have no song; but this
clear little note sounds very lively along the margins of fresh waters, which
they are extremely fond of frequenting, and not uncommonly build their
inartificial nests, constructed of dry grass and feathers, and containing usually
five white eggs speckled with dark brown, in a hollow of the bank; and from
the time that they lead forth their broods, may be seen at all times till
nesting-time comes round again, and their parental labours are renewed with
the spring of the ensuing year.

There are two other kinds of Wagtails known in England, but they so
nearly resemble that species which I have just described in manners and
form, that I shall only mention the particulars wherein they differ from it.
The first of these is the Yellow Wagtail, {Motacilla flava.) This is a beau-
tiful little creature, being somewhat smaller than the white kind, and the
cock bird of a brilliant yellow beneath, mixed with grayish green on the
upper parts; the hen being both smaller and much duller in her hues. This
species is migratory, and only visits us in summer, that is, the mass of them,
for very many only perform a partial migration to the warmer parts of Britain
in winter. They build their nests and breed in retired places; their eggs much
resembling the common species, but somewhat smaller.

The third kind is the Gray Wagtail, [Motacilla hoarula,) which is a rara
avis with us; being gray above with a black throat, and partially yellow
beneath, and rather larger than the last. I have always had a great
deal of doubt whether this is a distinct species or not, for the fact of its
combining in so striking a manner, the characteristics of both the other
species, is no mean presumption in favour of its being a mixed kind, for I
never saw a nest or the bird itself in any number.*

* Siace writiug the above, which was founded on such personal and hearsay knowledge as
I then possesded, I have had opportunities of meeting with the like parties of the Gray Wagtails,
old birds and their broods, as in the ease of the common "Water "Wagtail, but I was never able
to obtain a nest. — 0. S. R.

VOL. III. 2 F

218
THE WILLOW WRENS, (SYLVIA.)

BY 0. S, ROUND, ESQ.

This is a peculiarly interesting genus, forming with the Swallow tribe the
most prominent feature in our summer accession of birds. They are at once
the lightest, and most airy and pretty creatures that haunt the woods, or flit
in the garden, delicate in colour and form, their wild laughing notes ushering
in the callbw young birds in a most charming manner; and no one, I am
satisfied, who has any fancy in his composition, can call the sound to mind
without the most pleasing associations of remembrance. Naturalists have made
out five kinds of these birds; four more or less common, and the fifth a rare
species, called the Garden Warbler. The first of these is an early visitor,
and from the note he utters first about Lady-day, on the tall and yet leafless
oaks, has obtained the name of the "Chiff Chafi"." It is well indeed that he
comes so early, for his appearance is not nearly so taking as that of his
congeners. He is about as big as a Cole Titmouse, of rather a short make,
•and of a very dull greyish olive above, and dull white beneath — a very light
line passing over his eye. From coming to cheer us so early we have the
fall value of his joyous voice, and bare woods and dull weather set him off
to great advantage.

The next in order come the three Willow Wrens — the Common, Less, and
Least. The first must be so well known with his yellowish green upper
plumage, and silvery white under parts, that I will not insult my readers
by describing him more minutely, more especially as individuals differ nothing
in appearance. He seems contemporary with the birch leaves, and flits about
them as soon, or even before they can afford him shelter; perpetually in motion
from twig to twig, now hanging pendant, now sitting and peering about in
quest of prey; he leaves no bud unsearched, no twig uninvestigated; he seems
perpetually on the move from morn till night; and as unwearied at his very
earliest arrival as if he had performed no journey, traversed no seas, and
undergone no hardships of fatigue. His lesser brethren partake of his habits
exactly, but I think they are darker and duller looking birds, if indeed we
may speak in the plural; for with regard to the Least, there is, I believe,
some scepticism. However Bewick, and several other naturalists, have made
it a distinct species, and as it has black legs, whilst the others have flesh-
coloured, I think they are sufficiently warranted in so doing.

There is another bird so strikingly similar to the Willow Wren that I must
class it with them; naturalists call it the Wood Wren, (Sylvia sihilatrix.)
It is nowhere numerous, but a pair or two are found in most places. The
chief characteristics of this species is a slight superiority in size over the
Willow Wren, a greater yellowness of plumage, and a greater length of wing
■ — the wings almost reaching to the end of the tail when closed; his manners
are also very different, for he is much more sedate and measured in his
movements, and instead of the wild joyful note of the Willow Wren, utters

RARK BIRDS IN ABERDEKNSHIRR. 211)

a running full set of notes, which have given rise to his name *^Sibilatrix" or
^'Sibilous." His usual call is a melancholy pea, pea, pea.

The Garden Warbler, which I shall take notice of last under this bead, is
a very rare bird, and perhaps the more so that he is very difficult to be seen
or come at. He possesses the power of mimicry to a great extent, and in
this respect treads very closely upon the heels of the Blackcap. I consider
them as a sort of link between the Willow Wrens and Whitethroats, as they
are not totally unlike either, and I have placed them here for want of a
better association. The best description I can give of him is, that if you see
a bird which you doubt being a Whitethroat, or hen Black-cap, and at last
come to the conclusion he is neither, but exceedingly like both, set him dowa
as a Garden Warbler. I do not think it at all likely however that you will
be called upon to decide so disputed a question, for he is uot easily found
even by those who search for him diligently, and is considered of value in
collections. All the Willow Wrens have one mode of nesting, namely, on
the ground, and domed or arched over with dry grass and moss, and lined
with moss and a little hair, and a feather occasionally. The eggs are usually
five or six, white, spotted with red* those of the Wood Wren being the
darkest and most spherical. This retreat is generally very well concealed, and
if discovered it is not an unfrequent occurrence for the bird to strew loose
materials, such as moss, grass, etc., over and around it, so that when you come
to the place you may be considerably puzzled to find it. The Gardea Warbler
builds a nest very much like the Black-cap — deep and partially transparent,
of dry grass and horse-hair, and lays four or five dull brown eggs.

The Willow Wrens are certainly a most sprightly race, and fill our woods
with as much hilarity as the green leaves do with beauty. The cold autumn
weather dispirits them immediately, and they become sad and silent. The
all-important and engrossing duties of incubation no doubt take up a great
portion of their attention, but they flutter out their little hour very soon, and
leave us, as we are chilled by the warnings of winter to the solitude of sound
which that dead season cannot but engender.

lAncolns-Inn-Fields, ISoS.

RARE BIRDS, ETC., OCCURRING IN ABERDEENSHIRE.

BY JOHN LONGMUIR, ESQ., JUN.
( Oontiniied from Vol. II., page 239.^

White-tailed Sea- Eagle, (Haliscetos albicilla.) — Not having seen the specimen,
to which allusion is made in the July number of ''The Naturalist," page 139,
which is stated to have measured "fourteen feet from tip to tip of the wings,"
I had no opportunity, personally , of ascertaining whether this was correct. Mr.
Alexander Mitchell prepared the specimen, however, and, although he took
no accurate measurement of the part, informed me that it could uot possibly

220 RARE BIRDS IN ABERDEENSHIRE.

have been more than seven feet; and, to shew that the statement is altogether
incorrect, I need only refer to such works as the late Dr. Macgillivray's
"Manual of British Birds/' where the extent of wings in the male is men-
tioned as being about six feet, while the same part in the female is about
six feet, eight inches. Had the dimensions given by Mr. Taylor been correct,
this bird would have far exceeded the gigantic Condor, which, according to
the best authorities, has a spread of about ten feet, and would just have
equalled the Albatross!

Pied Flycatcher, (Muscicapa atricapilla.) — As my statement with regard to
this bird (Vol. II., page 239,) has been called in question, I may mention,
for the satisfaction of the readers of this magazine, that I have been enabled,
through the kindness of Mr, Mitchell, to re-examine the specimen, which is in
his collection, and, by the aid of Yarrell's ^'British Birds," have had no
difficulty in confirming the statement already made, that it is a veritable
example of the Pied Flycatcher, the 31. luctuosa of Gould, Selby, etc., and the
M. atricapilla of Bewick, Fleming, and Macgillivray. The description given
by Mr. Yarrell of a male killed in the spring, agrees with Mr. Mitchell's
specimen in every respect, with the exception of the under parts, which are
dull white, tinged with pale brown. It would be sufficient to state that this
specimen was pronounced by the late Dr. Macgillivray to be the species which
I have mentioned. This little bird may probably have been more than once
overlooked, from its general resemblance to our more common species, the
Spotted Flycatcher, (M. grisola,) with which it has been observed to associate.
The only similarity which I am able to detect between the Pied Flycatcher
and the one with which Mr. Taylor supposes, (for, since the appearance of my
first notice, he has not examined the specimen,) that I confounded it, namely,
the Black-cap, (Curruca atricapilla,^ is, that the specific name is the same
ifi both.

Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris.) — From the statement with regard to the occur-
rence of this bird in our county, one would be led to suppose that the Starling
is a rare visitor in AbarJeenshire. This, however, is not the case. At certain
seasons of the year it is very common in the neighbourhood of this city, where
it frequently congregates in large numbers, especially about the pools in the
links of Old Aberdeen; and Mr. Mitchell mentions to me, that on more than
one occasion, he has observed immense flocks near the same locality. It breeds
in great numbers in various parts of our county, choosing, sometimes, (as at
Keith Hall, the seat of the Earl of Kintore,) high trees in which it excavates
a deep hole, from which it is very difficult to obtain the eggs in safety; and
sometimes taking up its residence in the ivy-clothed sides of some of the
buildings in Old Aberdeen.

Aberdeen, July, 1853.

221
NOTES ON THE BOTANY AROUND ABERDOVEY.

BY H. C. S.

I PROPOSE in the following notes by no means to attempt an accurate
description, bat rather a general outline of the Botany around Aberdovey.
The flying visit I paid to this village prevented my making any minute ob-
servations, allowing me only a cursory glance over the more common plants
of the neighbourhood.

The situation of Aberdovey is a picturesque one. Built at the foot of some
of the lofty mountains of Merionethshire, it is by them effectually secured
from northerly winds; from which circumstance the inhabitants state they
never have cold. Immediately in front is the estuary of the Dovey; further
to the right Cardigan Bay; to the right and left along the mountains runs
the main road, about which the botanist may find much to interest him.

Having thus shown how the place is situated with regard to the cold and
heat, that might be expected to retard or favour vegetation, I proceed to
offer a few observations on those plants I have noticed during my stay.

The slopes of the mountains seem generally covered with coppices of young
oak; in such coppices few plants are to be obtained. The Gorse, {Ulex
Europoeus,) seems to occupy the ground, and its being continually cut, and
lying out to dry, gives an untidy appearance to the place. In such woods,
however, the Potentilla Tormentilla, (Tormentil,) and Lychnis Flos-cuculi,
(Ragged Robin,) grow abundantly. Once I had the fortune to fall in with
a very fine specimen of the Hypericum Androscemum, (Tutsan.)

Upon the mountains there are many plants to interest the eye; and more
especially the Yellow Mountain Violet, or Yellow Pansy, ( Viola lutea.) Both
the varieties ((7>) and (^) of "Hooker and Arnott" grew abundantly together,
and their mingled yellow and purple, (the purple being the V. amana,) pre-
sent a most beautiful appearance. The thread-like rhizomes of this species
may be considered their distinguishing peculiarity; though I have never seen
any wild specimen of V. tricolor equal, either in brilliancy of colour or in
size to the V. lutea.

Everywhere and all around you see the Euphrasia officinalis, (Common
Eye-bright;) it seems a privileged flower, and one cannot be annoyed at its
frequency; the higher up the mountain the larger it grows. Here also the
Erythrcea Centaurium, (Common Centaury,) vies with the Campanula rotundi-
folia, (Harebell,) in the frequency of its occurrence. The Thymus Serpylluni,
(Wild Thyme,) covers every mound; and the Pinguicula vulgaris, (Common
Butter wort,) is not unfrequent — I have met with both blue and pink varieties.
Every now and then upon these hills you may approach a spongy bog. It
is always worth while to examine such spots closely. In one of them I found
the following: — Erica Tetralix, (Cross-leaved Heath,) Pedicularis palustris,
(Marsh Louse-wort,) Epilohium palustre, (Narrow-leaved Marsh Willow-herb,)
Drosera rotundijblia, (Round-leaved Sundew^) Anagallis tenella, (Bog Pirapernelj)

222 OS THE BOTANY AROUND ABERDOVEY.

and last, thougli not least, the Scutellaria ininor, (Lesser Skull-cap.) This
latter I found scarcely in flower, and though it was evidently abundant in the
spot it had chosen for its habitat, still only a few specimens were in flower.
Over all these hills the Erica cinerea, (Fine-leaved Heath,) and Ulex Europoeus,
(Common Furze,) interwoven, as it were, with the common Galium verum,
(Yellow Bed-straw,) are the predominant show- flowers.

In descending the heights we come upon an old slate quarry, and here
the Silene inflata, (Bladder Campion,) Echiimi vulgare, (Common Viper's But^loss,)
Sedum Telephiinn, (Orpine,) Verhascum Thapsus, Great Mullein,) with still
commoner plants, reign supreme. Upon old walls, Sedurn Anglicum; (English
Stonecrop,) flourishes plentifully. It is an excessively pretty plant, with purple
anthers. Every hedge exhibits the Lonicera Peridymenum (Common Honey-
suckle,) and every hedge-row the Digitalis purpurea, (Purple Foxglove,) in
great abundance.

On the left hand side, some three miles along the Machynlleth road, is a
steep stony embankment. The notice of the passer-by is at once attracted
to it by the extreme beauty of the Garduus nutans, (Musk Thistle.) This
Thistle grows to an extraordinary size there, and its large purple heads make
it a most striking plant. Here I found Linaria spuria, (Round-leaved Toad-
flax,) Galium saxatile, (Smooth Heath Bed-straw,) Hypericum humifusum,,
(Trailing St. John-wort,) and H. perforatum, (Common Perforated St. John-
wort,) growing plentifully.

But I must bring my notes to a close by passing hastily over the sand-
plains that run along the beach; and, in the first place, the common Potentilla
anserina must be mentioned. I believe the inhabitants of Aberdovey owe a
far deeper debt of gratitude to this simple weed than they have any idea of;
and for this reason : — The sands about the village are very shifting, and upon
a windy day a very great inconvenience. This "silver-weed" prevents an intol-
erable miisance by binding whole acres together with its wide- spreading rhizomes,
and by its soft flat- lying leaves. A fortnight ago entire acres of sand pre-
sented the appearance of one vast expanse of the most brilliant yellow — the
plant adds beauty to its usefulness. Examining these sand-plains more closely,
the little Glaux maritim^a, (Sea Milk-wort,) may be found very plentifully;
Sagina nodosa, (Knotted Pearl-wort,) is also a common weed. Across the
Dovey, the sand-hillocks abound with Euphorbia paralia, (Sea Spurge;) yet
on the Aberdovey side I have not met with a single specimen.

In this hasty sketch I have aimed at conveyipg merely a general idea of
the plants about Aberdovey. I trust I may not have been tedious to any of
the readers of "The Naturalist." I am still at work in North Wales, and,
at some future time, may send a few more notes of my labour, if ^^labour"
be the correct term for such pleasurable occupation.

Towyn, MerionetTisliire, August, 1853.

{To be continiud.)

223
BRITISH EVERGREENS.— No. 2.

BY J. MC' INTOSH^ ESQ.
{Continued from page 194.)

The species and varieties of Holly known in Britain are innumerable, and
the multiplicity of names might vie with the Tulip or Hyacinth. The fol-
lowing list, however will be found to contain all that are really worthy of
cultivation, and that are really distinct.

Ilex aqidfolium, L. — The Prickly-leaved, or Common Holly, Huulver, Hulfere,
and Holme; flowers white, appearing in May; fruit red,
ripe in September; remaining all the winter on the tree.
The lower leaves spinous, while the upper ones, especially
those on old trees, are smooth; and are thus beauti-
fully alluded to by Southey, in his pretty poem on the
Holly.

"Its glossy leaves
Order' d by an intelligence so wise,
As might confound an Atheist's sophistries;
Below a circling fence its leaves are seen
Wrinkled and keen;

No grazing cattle through their prickly round,
Can reach to wound.

But, as they grow where nothing is to fear,
Smooth and uuarm'd the pointless leaves appear."

The following varieties of Ilex aquifolium are designated from the various
forms of the leaf: — ■

Ilex acidfulium angustifolium, Hort. — The Narrow-leaved Common Holly: Britain.
^' " Altaclerence. — The High Clere Common Holly; leaves broad,

thin, and flat: Britain.
" " ciliatum. — The Ciliated Common Holly; leaves oval, acuminate,

small; the prickles along the margins like hairs: Britain.
" " ciliatum minus. — The Smaller Ciliated Common Holly; leaves

smaller, and thinner than the last variety: Britain.
" " erassifolium. — The Thick-leaved Common Holly: Britain.

" " crispum. — The Curled-leaved Common Holly: Britain.

" " caliniistrata. — A singular twisted foliage 'variety; leaves dark

green : Britain.
" " Cunninghamii. — A pretty variety with long and narrow leaves:

Britain.
" " fastigiatum. — This variety was first discovered near Edinburgh,

and about the same time in a garden near Derby: Britain.
' " " ferox. — The Fierce, or Hedgehog Common Holly. The disk of

the leaf has its edge rolled back with a somewhat cylindrical

figure, and the surface of the leaf abounds in prominences

and prickles; it has a very singular appearance. Bradley

224 BRITISH EVERQREKNS.

and Evelyn say that this variety was first planted in the
Bishop of London's garden at Fulham, about the end of
the seventeenth century, and said by the above authorities
to have been introduced from France.
Ilex aqnifolium heteroTphjlhim. — The Various-leaved Common Holly: Britain.

" " Hodginsii. — This variety is to be found in the nurseries.

" '^ latifolium. — Broad-leaved Common Holly: Britain.

" " laurifolium. — The Laurel-leaved Common Holly. The leaves of

this well-marked variety ^are small, oval, lanceolate, without
prickles, about the size and shape of those of the Sweet
Bay, (Laurus nobilis.)

" " latispina. — This variety is also to be found in the nurseries.

" " lutescens. To be found in the nurseries.

" " marginatum, — Thick Margined- leaved Common Holly; leaves

without prickles, nearly as round as long: Britain,

" " nigrescens. — This variety is to be found in the nurseries.

" " nobilis. — This variety was first sent out by Urquhart and Sons,

of Dundee; by some considered the same as Hodginsii, but
quite distinct.

" " pendula. — Weeping Common Holly. This is an addition of no

ordinary character to our weeping trees, so few of them
being evergreen. It was first found growing wild in Dalkeith
Park, near Edinburgh; yet according to a Mr. Joseph Good,
in "Gardener's and Farmer's Journal," the history of this
variety is as follows: — "Mr. Jessop remarked to the late
Mr. Loudon, who was at that time engaged in laying out
the arboretum at Derby, that he could show him a Weeping
Holly, to which Mr. Loudon replied, there was no such
thing in nature. Such a tree does, however exist, and
from Dr. Heygate, of this town, (Derby,) I learn the fol-
lowing particulars respecting it: — Dr. Heygate's residence has
been built about eighty years, and about the same time
a number of Hollies, of various kinds, were planted about
the grounds; many of them are now from twenty to thirty
feet high, and amongst them stands the weeping plant in
question. It is at the present time, 1850, twelve feet high,
and about fourteen feet in diameter; though much smaller
and more spreading than the others; it is equally thick in
the stem, and appears to have been planted at the same
time," This desirable variety is now common in every nursery
of any note, and in many private gardens; in those in which
it does not exist, we strongly recommend its introduction,

" " platyphyllum. — This is a broad-leaved distinct variety, with

smooth foliage, and of a dense and robust habit: Britain.

BRITISH EVERGREENS. 225

Ilex aquifolium Pyrifolium. — The Pear-leaved Common Holly. As its name
denotes, this variety is destitute of prickles, smooth and dark
green: Britain.
" " recurvum. — The Eecurved-leaved Common Holly: Britain.

" " rosmarinifolium, — This is a curious variety, with small and

narrow leaves.
" " Sheppardii. — This is rather a distinct variety, raised, we believe,

near Sheffield, with large foliage, which occasionally has a
purple tinge.
" " serratifoliura. — Serrated- leaved Common Holly: Britain.

" " senescens. — Aged Spineless Common Holly: Britain.

" " tortuosa. — This variety is to be found in the Taunton nurseries.

The following varieties of Ilex aqwifolium are known by the size and
markings of their leaves, of which their are numerous varieties; but the
following appear to us to be the most distinct: —
Ilex aquifolium variegatum. — The Variegated-leaved Common Holly.
" '' albo-marginatura. — White-edged- leaved Common Holly.

" " albo-pictum. — 'White-spotted-leaved Common Holly; known also

by the name of Milkmaid; this is certainly one of the most
beautiful of all the variegated Hollies.
" '^ aureo-pictum. — Golden-striped- leaved Common Holly.

" " aureo-marginatum. — Golden-edged-leaved Common Holly.

'' " calimistrata variegata. — A singular twisted foliaged variety, with

yellow blotched leaves.
" " ferox-aureum. — Gold-blotched Hedgehog-leaved Common Holly:

this variety and the following are beautiful Hollies.
" " ferox argenteum. — Silver-blotched-leaved Common Holly.

The following varieties are known from the colours of their fruit or berries,
which in the autumn months are very beautiful:^ —
Ilex aquifolium fructu-albo. — White-fruited Common Holly.
" '' fructu-luteo. — Yellow-fruited Common Holly.

" " fructu-nigro. — Black-fruited Common Holly.

Of the species known of Ilex, the following may be enumerated as distinct
and deserving of notice: —

Ilex angustifolia. — The Narrow-headed Holly. This is an evergreen shrub
from six to ten feet high, found in deep swamps from Virginia to
Georgia, and first introduced in 1806; flowers white, berries red.
" Asiatica. — This species is a native of the East Indies.
" Balearica. — The Minorca Holly; a very distinct variety of the Common
Holly, being readily distinguished by its yellow green leaves. It is,
however, only considered as a variety of /. aquifolium by some,
" bumelioides. — This species is a native of Peru.

" Cassine. — The Cassine-like, or Broad-leaved Dahoon Holly; leaves
oval, lanceolate, sharply-sawed, and flat; an evergreen low tree from

VOL. III. 2 G

226 BRITISH EVERGREENg,

eight to twelve feet high^ a native of Lower Carolina and Florida
in shady swamps, introduced in 1 700; flowers small, of a yellowish
white, and are produced in August. The leaves and young shoots
are used by the Indians for the same purpose as those of I. vomitoria
and 1. Dnhoon. This is also the /, Caroliniana of Mill. Diet., No. 3,
and the I. Cassinoides of Link, Under these two names they are
frequently sold as distinct species, though one and the same.
Ilex castaneifolia. — Chesnut-leaved Holly.

" Canariensis. — The Canary Island Holly; leaves ovate, lanceolate, rather
acute, entire, glossy; fruit black; introduced in 1820.

" Chinensis.— (Bot: Mag:, 2043.) Native of China, introduced in 1814;
an evergreen tree about twenty feet high.

" Cornuta. — Horned leaved Holly, native of the North of China; introduced
by our friend Mr. R. Fortune, in 1849. The leaves are deep green,
leathery, oblong, roundish at the base, and end in three strong spines at
the apex; while the plant is young there are added one or two more
on each side. In old plants these disappear, while the end spines
will occasionally extend, turn up their edges, and assume the appear-
ance of strong horns.

'^ cornuta furcata. — This is another introduction from China, by Mr. Fortune,
and although only a variety of the preceding, is perfectly distinct,
and is altogether a fine plant.

" crocea. — The Saffron-flowered Holly; native of the Cape of Good Hope;
introduced in 1794.

" cuneifolia. — A native of North America, of which little is as yet known.

" crenata. — This species is a native of Japan.

" Dahoon. — -The Dahoon Holly, a beautiful evergreen shrub from six to
eight feet high, found in the open swamps from Carolna to Florida;
introduced in 1726. Flowers in May and June; leaves, lanceolately
elliptical, nearly entire, almost revolute in the margin, resembling
those of Laurus Borhonia. In America the leaves are used for the
same purpose as those of I. vomitoria, (which see.)

5, Middle-Street, Taunton, Somerset, July, 1853,

(To be continued.)

MmWumm MiWm,

Note on the maternal affection of the Otter, (Lutra vulgaris.)— An instance of maternal
affection in the Otter worthy of record, occun-ed here a few years since. A coast guardman, in
his round of duty at night, came npon thixje young Otters in a lane leading to the beach, and
gave chase; throwing his stick at them, he struck and stunned one, the other two escaping
through a gutter-hole. On taking it up it soon came to, and began to squeal, which presently
brought the old one to its assistance. She kept just before him, out of reach of his stick, and
in this way retreated down the beach, whilst he held the young one in one hand, and endeavoured
to strike her with the other. The poor animal now took to the water, and he ensconced himself

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 227

behind a rock, and again made the young one cry, when she came ashore, and approached near
enough to receive a blow on the head, which put an end to a solicitude for her young deserving
of a better fate. I saw them both, and had the account from the man next morning. — Clement
Jackson, East Looe, July 16th., 18o3.

Occurrence of the Great Shrike, (Lanius excubitor,) near Hackney. — On my return home from
a day's shooting last December, I shot a fine specimen of this bird in Pond Lane, Clapton,
Hackney. — B. Hesse, 9, Hertford Road, Kingsland, June 16th., 18o3.

Tlie Hartford JFarbler, (Melizophilus Dartfordionsis.)— A fine specimen of this bird was shot
on the 10th. of November, 1852, on the Hackney Marsh, near the East London Water Works.
— Idem.

The Dipper, (Cinclus aquaticus.) — The following instance of the pertinacity with which the
Water-Ouzel or Dipper rebuilds its nest after it has been several times destroyed, lately came
under my notice; and judging that the account may prove interesting to some of your readers,
I here give it as briefly as I am able, knowing that your pages must be occupied by more
valuable matter: — On the 26th. of March, 1852, a nest of the Water-Ouzel was found under
the arch of a small bridge, which is crossed several times every day by a railway train. Five
eggs were taken from it, and the nest itself pulled down. About three weeks afterwards another
nest was built on the same place, and this also was plundered and destroyed. The bird built
for a third time, about the second week in May, and this time, was allowed to bring up her
young in safety. On the 1st. of April of this year, a nest (built in all probability by the same
bird,) was discovered under the bridge, and was robbed of its eggs. A second time did this
indomitable bird raise her ill-starred nest, and a second time was it torn to the ground; and
on May 5th. she was observed to be making preparations for her third nest in as many months.
— H. S., Richmond, Yorkshire, June 8th., 1853.

The Starling, (Stumus vulgaris,) and Jackdaw, (Corvus monedula.) — Whilst on a birds' -nesting
expedition a short time ago, in an old ruin near this town, a Starling was seen to fly out from
a hole, about twenty feet from the ground. A ladder was procured, and on mounting to the
hole, a Jackdaw also flew from it, and the nest, on examination, was found to contain four
Jackdaw's eggs, and one of the Starling. The latter was placed in the centre of the nest, with
the eggs of the Daw touching it on every side. Could any of your correspondents explain this
strange circumstance ? — Idem.

Additional Heronry. — I am able to add another Heronry to the list published in "The Nat-
uralist;"— the one I allude to is at Bulwick, in Northamptonshire, and is the property of J.
Fryer, Esq. It is situated in a long wood, near to a large pond of water, in the middle of
fields. This pond is tenanted by numbers of Moorhens, Coots, and Wild Ducks, with several
specimens of the Little Grebe and Common Snipe; about a hundred yards from this lies the
wood, through which a green "riding" leads up to the Heronry. The nests are placed in high
oak trees, about the same elevation as Rooks', to which they bear no slight resemblance. On
proceeding quietly along the birds may be seen, if it is in the breeding-season, sitting on their
nests. On being disturbed, they glide silently off and fly round and round overhead, uttei-ing
at times a sort of harsh scream. The young ones keep up an incessant noise, like the sound
of a hammer when struck on a piece of wood. As far as I can remember there wei-e about
thirty couple when I was there last; but as some time has elapsed since I had the opportunity
of visiting it, I cannot speak with accuracy. — T. G. Bonney, Rugeley, Stafibrdshire, July 21st ,
1853.

Kingfisher' s Nest, (Alcedo ispida.) — I took a nest, containing five eggs, last June, in a hole in a
bank of the River Trent. The hole was about two feet and a half long, and about the width of my
arm ; at the end it expanded so as to form a ball-shaped chamber, the floor of which was below the
level of the gallery. This chamber was neatly lined to the height of the gallei-y floor with a
layer of small fish bones, on which the eggs were laid. Owing to the neatness with which
this was done, and the freshness of the eggs, I cannot but think that these bones were placed
there before the eggs, and that the Kingfisher does make a nest. I have inspected other nests
in former years with a like result. — Idem.

228 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

OKNITH0I.0O1CAL CAPTURES IN THE NeIGUBOURHOOD OP PLYMOUTH, FROM DECEMBER, 1852, TO APRIL, 1853.

December 27th., 1852. — During a heavy gale a specimen of the Fork-tailed Petrel, {Procellaria
LeacJui^) and Brown Skua, [Catarades Skua,) were picked up in an exhausted state on the rocks
of Plymouth Sound. January 15th., 1853. — A fine specimen of the Puffin, {Alca arcHca,) was
captured. The occurrence of this species on our coasts in winter is very uncommon. On the
29th. of the same month, the Kinged Guillemot, (V'?-ia Lacrymans,) was obtained on the River
Tamar. April 26th. — A male Continental "Wagtail, {Motacilla alba,) was killed by myself at
Laira, near Plymouth; and on the 29th., a female Golden Oriole, {Oriolus galbula,) was shot
in the neighbourhood of Mount Edgcurabe. Its stomach contained the remains of caterpillars,
flies, and the stones of berries. The above-mentioned birds were all preserved by Mr. Bolitho,
Taxidermist, Plymouth. I have met with many specimens of. the Black Redstart, ( FhoRnicura
tithys,) in our neighbourhood during the past winter. — John Gatcombe, Wyndham Place,
Plymouth, June 24th., 1853.

Song of the Blue Titmouse, (Parus coeruleus.) — With reference to the singing of the Blue
Titmouse, noticed by my brother in a recent number of "The Naturalist," I have to add that very
soon afterwards I heai-d one singing, for the first time that I ever observed it to do so, close
to my study window; and a short time afterwards I heard another singing on the wing, in flying
from one tree to another. It was a very low, very soft, and very sweet warble. — F. 0. Morris,
Naiferton Vicarage, Driffield, August 29th., 1853.

Testacella Scutulum, ("The Naturalist," vol. iii., page 179.)— Knapp, in "The Journal of a
Naturalist," at page 353, Fourth Edition, 1838, makes the following statement: — "An extraor-
dinary Snail, {Testacellus haliotideus,) is now spreading by transplantation in many places, and
may hereafter 'occasion inquiry." To this statement is appended the following note: — "This
creature was first observed, I am told, about the year 1819, in the nursery-garden of Messrs.
Miller and Sweet, near Bristol, introduced, as is supposed, on some imported plant. It increases
i-eadily in our climate." The nursery-gardens above-mentioned have since passed into the hands
of Mr. Garraway, a most generous and liberal-minded man. In 1843, while residing at Tenby,
I saw a specimen of this slug, which in appearance, so far as I can remember at this distance
of time, resembled the description given by your correspondent, Mr. J. Mc' Intosh, of the T.
Scutulum. It was found in the kitchen-garden attached to the house, at present the property
of Colonel Wedgwood, of Tenby. Knowing this Slug had been found iu Mr. Garraway's nurseries,
I was disposed to conclude it had been introduced into the gai'den I have mentioned at Tenby,
in the mould attached to the roots of plants supplied by Mr. Garraway. It may be interesting
to some of j'our readers to see Mr. Ball's statement as to the feeding of this Slug on worms. — "I
first became aware of this Testacellus preying on worms by putting some of them in spirits,
when they disgorged more of these animals than I thought they could possibly have contained :
each worm was cut, but not divided, at regular intervals. I afterwards caught them in the act
of swallowing worms four and five times their own length. Some of these Tcstacelli, which I
brought to Dublin, and put in my fern-house, produced young there." — An: of Nat: Hist:
vol. vi., page 20.— R. Wilbraham Falconer, M. D., Bath.

The Death's Head Moth, (Acherontia Atropos,) at Louth. — On the 28th. of June, I had a fine
specimen of the Death's Head Moth brought to mo, which had just been captured under the
cover of a bee-hive in James-Street, Louth. — John Brown, Louth, July Ist., 1853.

White Variety of Prunella vulgaris. — Some years ago I found a white variety of this com-
mon plant in the parish of Alvah, Banffshire, North Britain. The normal colour of the corolla is
violet blue. I am not aware of this lusus naturcc having been previously observed or recorded.
Although the fact is in itself of little importance, it is not without interest to the botanist.
—J. Rose, M. D. R. N., Haslar Hospital, Gcsport, April 8th., 1853.

229

lUnims.

A Naturalist's Rambles on the DevonsJdre Coast. By Philip Henrv Gosse,
A. L. S., Author of "The Ocean/' "A Naturalist's Sojourn in Jamaica/'
etc. London: John Van Voorst, 1853. p. p. 4ol. Numerous Engravings.

A compulsory residence in Devonshire for the recovery of health was turned
to good account by Mr. Gosse, in the production of this extremely interesting
and useful volume, and which will, we trust, lead many to the study of the
numerous wonderful and elegant forms that are to be met with on every coast.

The author does not profess to give a book of Systematic Zoology, but
rather the somewhat desultory observations suggested by objects as they pre-
sented themselves to his view; and he has done this in an extremely interesting
and useful way. Having a good achromatic microscope with him, he has
brought it to bear with admirable effect on the minute creatures which abound
on all our shores. Many of these he has followed through all their stages
of growth, and in doing so has added largely to the general stock of know-
ledge. As an example of the style and value of the book we may take the
following: METAMORPHOSIS OF LEPllALIA.

June Wth. — I detached a minute atom of a red colour swimming rapidly in gyrations in the
water in which were fragments of polypiferous rock. I caught it with a tube and examined it.
It was a globose, or rather semi-elliptical body, of a soft consistence, covered on its whole
surface with strong bristly cilia, in rapid vibration. Near the rounder end was evidently an
orifice with amorphous lips; and when the globule was submitted to slight pressure, just sufficient
to confine it, it made great efforts to get away by slightly lengthening itself, and drawing in the
sides around this mouth, which was in a manner protruded forcibly and repeatedly. Presently
on the restraint being continued, the globule threw out from different parts of its periphery,
long lancet-like flexible pointed bristles twice as long as the cilia, with which it pushed hei"e
and there. These lancets I perceived were ordinarily bent at an acute angle near their base,
so as to lie flat on the body unperoeived; and I think there were many of them, for I fancied

1 saw the minute basal parts of many that were so concealed. Those that were e.Kposed were
ever and anon suddenly bent up again and so concealed, and again protruded. After examining
it awhile, I carefully put it without injury into a glass of sea-water alone. Its diameter was
about one hundred and tenth of an inch. (See Plate XIII., Fig. 1.)

I afterwards saw another in the original vessel, and both this and the former had the habit
of coming into contact with the side of the vessel, and continuing in one spot for a considerable
while, (half an hour or more,) not moving a hair's breadth from the place, and yet evidently
not adhering, because gyrating uniformly all the time by the ciliary action. One of these I
lost, and the one that I isolated got into a corner of the cell, and decayed. But carefully
looking at the original vessel, I found some half-a-dozen scattered over the sides, but in a more
advanced condition. These were all firmly adhering to the glass, and that so inseparably that
the most careful touch of a pin's point to detach one, tore it into a shapeless mass of broken
flesh. The youngest of these had taken the form of a flattened oval, or long hexagon, with
one end more pointed than the other, in which the redness was curdling and separating into
masses. The others showed eight points budding from the more acute end; and in one the
most advanced, these were already produced into eight slender spines, set around the end like
the teeth of a comb, and slightly divergent. In this the general hue was a pale pellucid flesh-
colour; and an opaque band of deep red was arranged in a horse -shoe form around the end
opposite the spines. (See Fig. 2.)

During the next day little change took place, except the lengthening of the spines; but by
the following evening, forty-eight houi-s after I had observed it in the state just described, (Fig.

2 ,) it had made important advances. The spines, without increasing in thickness, had shot out,

230 . UEVIF-WS.

until the middle and next pair were nearly as long as the transverse diameter of the body ; the
other two pairs were much shorter. A touch with a pin broke short oft' two of these, proving
that they were very brittle, whence, and from their crystalline appearance, I infer their calca-
reous or siliceous nature. But while I was examining it I was surprised Jto observe a bundle
of filaments among the spines, and much resembling them, except that tl;cy were bent irregularly,
and slowly moved among themselves, while the spines were fixed. Lo! the bundle is gently
protruding, and presently the whole is withdrawn like lightning out of sight into what I can
no longer hesitate to call the oval cell. A simultaneous jerk in the contents of the cell set me
upon trying to make out the form of those, in which, notwithstanding the confusion of the
parts, I had already traced (or fancied) the body of an ascidian polype, doubly bent up, like
that of a Membranipora or Flicstra. By careful watching, during many protrusions and retractions,
I was enabled to make out this with sufficient distinctness; though some portiotis of the area
■were still semiopaque, and therefore obscure. I could sec also an ample aperture on the surface
opposite to that at which I was looking; (viz. the adhering base, for as it was in a glass vessel,
I could apply my microscope only to the outside, and therefore only saw it through the glass to
which it had attached itself;) this aperture on the upper surface was excentral, and situated
on the half nearest the spinous end. Possibly this aperture was covered with a membrane, (like
that in Cellularia avicularia,) for I think that the bundle of tentacles were not protruded
through it, but through an orifice more terminal, yet still above the plane of the spines. The
body of the polype, of a horny yellow hue, was doubly bent to one side, and behind the angle
was an irregular transverse mass of deep red matter, and another small spot of the same was
a little on one side of the centre. These were all the remains of the scarlet substance left.
(See Fig. 3.)

On the morning of the third day I found the polype perfectly formed and well expanded, a
circle of thirteen tentacles ; these were usually protruded in the form of a funnel, with the rim
so slightly everted as scarcely to entitle it to be called a bell, but now and then they were
momentarily spread out quite flat so as to make a beautiful plane star, the tips forming a
regular circle. I could now distinctly see the intestinal tube, which is inserted into the stomach
low down in the body, and proceeds nearly parallel with it to the aperture. The body of the
polype is considerably protruded from the cell, below the divergence of the tentacles. The
great circular aperture on the upper surface, appears to have a rim. (See Fig. 4.)

June I8th. — A week old: no material alteration from last record, I found, however, the
next day a gemmule, represented at Fig. 5, which perfects the series. It was in a state inter-
mediate between Figs. 1 and 2. Its length is one-seventieth of an inch. The edges are pellucid,'
and have an appearance of radiating fibres. The redness is curdled, but not wholly separated.
This continued for several days, the red mass slowly concentrating; but no spines appeared;
and at length I fear it was broken accidentally; granular matter came out, leaving a glassy
cell attached to the side of the vessel. The species was probably Lepralia eoeeinea; but eight
spines are more than are ascribed to any of our species."

His observations on Marine Vivaria are extremely interesting, and the idea
has lately been carried out with singular success in the Zoological Gardens,
Regent's Park, London. We have often indulged a hope of carrying out
some similar plan, but circumstances have hitherto stood in the way.

The facts which Mr. Gosse has recorded in this volume are not confined
to one branch of Natural History, but embrace all that one may reasonably
expect to find illustrated at the sea-side.

Many curious forms are now described for the first time, and numerous
additions made to our knowledge of the economy of others, and the descriptions
are aided by twenty-eight plates, several of them coloured. We regret that
we are unable to devote more space to this deeply interesting volume, which
we cordially recommend to our readers, whether living on the coast or else-
where. Those who have the opportunity may verify Mr. Gosse's observations^

REVIEWS. 231

and those who are debarred from that pleasure may still form a very agreeable
idea of what may be seen on the sea-shore, and may easily imagine themselves
in company with some of the strange forms which are so graphically described.
The moral tone of the book too is so healthy, that were it on this ground
alone, we should be very glad to see it in very large circulation; and while from
its correctness it is suited to the advanced naturalist, its simplicity would
strongly recommend it to the young.

The Sea-weed Collector's Guide; containing plain instructions for collecting and
preserving, and a list of all the known species and localities in Great
Britain. By J. Cocks, M. D., Devonport. London: Van Voorst, 1853.
p. p. 120, One Coloured Plate.

This little book has been written by Dr. Cocks to supply a want very
generally felt for more detailed directions for preserving Algoe than are to be
found in any of the little treatises previously published.

In the first chapter will be found some useful general information on the nature
and structure of Sea-weeds; and in the second the author enters fully and plainly
into the best modes of collecting, setting out, and preserving specimens of the
various kinds of Sea-weeds, The following short extract will give some idea of
this portion of the work: —

"After gathering our plants, the next point to be attended to is to give them a good washing
before leaving the shore, either in the sea or in some of the pools left by the receding tide,
removing from them, at the same time, as far as may be practicable, all fragments of decayed
sea-weede, and other extraneous bodies, such as particles of sand and gravel, portions of the
softened surface of sandstone or argillaceous rock on which the plants have been growing, together
with the smaller Testacea, &c., &c.

When gathering our plants, however, it cannot be expected we can devote any considerable
portion of time to this cleansing, our principal object being to collect, and remembering that
we shall be compelled to relinquish our pursuit soon after the tide begins to flow; for, after
all, on our return home, it will be found there is still a great deal of work to do before the
specimens are in a fit state to be finally committed to paper, since foreign substances will still
remain attached to them with much pertinacity even after we have supposed them to be per-
fectly clean."

The third chapter is devoted to the methods of identification of the Algaj
by the microscope, and also to some very useful instructions in the best ways
of preparing and mounting them for the microscope. This portion of the book
will be found very valuable, for the microscope is essentially necessary to enable
us to recognise, with certainty, many of the more delicate Sea- weeds: without
it we are all uncertainty, with it mistake is almost impossible.

The next part of the book is occupied with a list of all our native species
of Sea-weeds, with descriptions of the Orders and Genera; and the whole
concludes with an alphabetical index of the species, with localities, which will
doubtless prove of much assistance to collectors.

To any one who wishes to preserve his Sea- weeds in the best manner, this
little book will be of the greatest assistance.

232

'i^ llrtrosjirrt.

Note on the Stoat and Weasel. — In page 138 of "The Naturalist," J. M. Jones, Esq. mentions
having shot a White Weasel, (Mustela vulgaris.,) and appends an accurate description of a fre-
quent appearance of tlie Stoat, (M. Ermmea,) which is at all times readily distinguished by
its tail ending in a black brush ; whilst its congener, the AVeasel, has it invariably short, tapering
to' a point, and brown; such at least has been the case with all the numerous specimens of each
brought to me during a twenty-five years' practice of Taxidermy ; and although the Stoat is fre-
quently white, or patched brown and white, all the Weasels ha\'e been uniformly marked,
differing only in shade, except one, which had a white collar round its neck, and white fore,
legs. This shews a great permanency of colour in the one species, whilst the other so frequently
changes, even in our climate, and in the absence of any admeasui-ement to decide, induces a
belief that the specimen above-mentioned must have been a Stoat. — Clement Jacksok.

€\]i i^mmi.

On the sea shore betwixt Peterhead and Fraserburgh, and near to a place called Ratteray, a
number of Terns, about the size of the common species, breed every sxmimer. On an island
in the Loch of Strathbeg, in the same locality, a number are also known to nestle in company
with the Black-headed Gull, {Larus ridibundus.) Both appear, that is at a distance, to be very
like each other; but those that frequent the sea shore only scrape a hole in the sand, into which
the female deposits her eggs, without the least attempt at forming a nest; whereas those that
breed on the island build a regular nest, similar to, and with the same sort of materials, a^
that of the Gull already mentioned, but of course not near so large. The eggs of those tha
breed on the island appear to me to be somewhat less than those that do so on the sands. Both
species, that is if they are distinct, breed at the same time. Now will any of the readers of
"The Naturalist" be kind enough to inform me, either through its pages or by post, if these Terns
are the same? and if so, the reason why the one party should build a house for their future
progeny, whilst the others do not ? Or why the one should affect a grassy island, and the other
the bare sand on the beach, as there is on either ample room for all and to spare? It might
also be that some kind-hearted reader, who may be better informed on the subject than myself,
will take the trouble to intimate if Palinurus quadricornis be often found in our seas, and if
so, in what localities? — Thomas Edward, 16, High-Street, Banff, August 16th., 1853.

Could your correspondent, Mr. Brown, who so obligingly answered my questions in "The
Naturalist" for last month, increase my obligations to him by informing me in what particulars
the eggs of the "Lapwing" and those of the "Goldeu Plover" differ? — H. S., Kichmond, York-
shire, June 8th., 1853,

Without being able to account for the difference in colour and markings of the chrysalides of
the Swallow-tail Butterfly, described by the Rev. F. 0. Morris, (see "The Naturalist," vol. iii.,
page 160,) I may mention having had caterpillars of the Red Underwing Moth, {Catocala nupta,)
which greatly differed from each other in appearance. It is now some few years since I met
with them, and in describing them from memory, I may not be able to give a perfectly accurate
description of them, though I do not imagine I shall err very materially. I am confident that
the difference between them was as great as there will appear to have been from the description
I am about to give ; it was so great that I could not have believed it possible that they belonged
to the same species; that they did, however, I had the most conclusive evidence, having kept
them till they passed through the chrysalis state, and into that of the perfect insect. As nearly
as I can recollect, one of the caterpillars was of a greyish brown colour, without stt-ipes, but
having a flesh-coloured tubercle on the back about the middle ; the other was of a much darker
ground colour, with reddish stripes, and without any kind of tubercle. This species is very
abundant in this locality, from the profusion of willows growing here, upon the leaves of which
the caterpillars feed. I once caught seven specimens of the perfect insect in my hat at one
sweep, as they were hovering in the twilight round the trunk of an elm ; upon the saccharine
matter, contained in the sap of which, they seem to feed, as Butterflies and Sphinges do upon
the nectar of flowers. Both caterpillars and chrysalides of many Lepidopterous Insects vary in
size in the two sexes, but do they also vary in colour and markings from this
Stone, Brighthampton, July 20th., 1853,

233
INSTINCT OF ANIMALS.

BY 0. S. ROUND, ESQ.

In a former paper, (ante vol. ii. page 203,) I took occasion to advert to
an extraordinary instance of sagacity in a pet Dog, whose intelligence was
remarkable; and to observe generally how very nearly, what we commonly terra
^'Instinct" approaches to reason. I have always studied the manners and
habits of all wild animals with great attention, and I think it will not be
denied by those who have turned their minds to the subject, that although
in the great majority of instances, they obey a natural impulse blindly, yet,
that an all-wise Creator has likewise endowed them with a limited reasoning
faculty to the extent of being enabled to obviate a difficulty occurring to
mar the performance of the function to which the instinct excites, or to pre-
serve or further the maintenance or performance of a natural endowment;
nay more, I would further advance that this is not confined to wild animals
alone, but to man in a wild state. The most familiar instances of instinct,
with this additional superadded power, occur in the preservation of the individual.
Thus a hunted Deer will by every possible shift conceal himself to the last
moment from the sight of the pursuing pack, because scent, however keen, will
never enable them to run with the swiftness of sight; it may be said that the
mere natural timidity of the creature prompts to this; however it may be, I
need not remind those who are acquainted with the chase, with what extra-
ordinary address hunted animals endeavour to elude pursuit. Look at a
Uabbit, which by fair running, is easily caught by an ordinary dog, but this he
never resorts to, although for a short distance his powers of speed are, per-
haps, unequalled, but he likewise possesses a qualification far more valuable —
he can, when in full speed, stop in a moment, and dodge his pursuer; and
in this way, where there is the least cover, he scarcely ever needs to resort
to his burrow.

This reminds me of an extraordinary instance of adaptation to circumstances,
of which my brother was a witness. I was walking in our grounds with my
gun in my hand, when suddenly, as our little dog was hunting in the Fern,
what I took to be a black Cat ran before me, but on looking again, I per-
ceived it was a Rabbit quite black. By this time I suppose he was fifty
yards or more from me, however I fired, but I believe did not harm him.
Of course he was a prominent object in the bright green herbage, and we
gave chase, but having a long start, our dog could not overtake him, but
ran him by scent into a hedge. I then handed the gun to my brother, and
watched for his exit, when suddenly he cautiously emerged from the hedge
upon some ground which had been lately cleaned, and upon which blackened
heaps of burned weeds still remained, and to my astonishment, and no less
amusement, proceeded at once to the nearest black mass and curled himself
up beside it. I beckoned to my brother, and we walked up and shot him,
and I kept the skin for some years. Now this was assuredly going far beyond

VOL. III. 2 n

234 INSTINCT OF ANIMALS.

mere instinct, and I think a fair illustration of what I at first advanced.

All animals and birds of game so nearly resemble the herbage amongst
which they are found, that this is undoubtedly a natural provision for their
protection; and this is carried out likewise in the gorgeously-plumed daisies
of tropical countries, where the ordinary floral productions of the field and
garden act very much to them, as the dead fern-brake or brown heather
does to our Hare or Partridge. It is notorious that the Mango-Pigeon of
Hindoostan so nearly resembles the leaves of the Mango-Tree, as to be
quite undistinguishable as long as he is still; and in our own country the Wry-
nock is to a casual observer but as a portion of the bark of the moss-grown
tree upon which he rests.

I knew a gentleman who had so tutored his Dog, that in walking through
his woods where snares were set for Rabbits, it would always avoid them, and
even stop suddenly and run on one side where a trap was concealed in the
earth, which no human eye could detect, and this I believe is not uncommon.
With Insects I have observed the same thing, more especially with Spiders;
some of these creatures have a retreat, as it were, at the upper corner of
their web, from which they await the entanglement of a victim; but others,
and those of the larger kinds, hang motionless and extended in the centre,
but approach them, and they immediately retreat and conceal themselves.
There is one large brown kind especially, common in heathy districts, which
retreats on the least alarm, and crouches beside a dried pod of Gorse seed,
to which he bears so remarkable a resemblance as to be undetectable, if I
may coin a word, from it. Again, there is a pink kind which exactly re-
sembles a single flower of Biennial Clover. He ensconces himself in a full-
blown head of this plant, and woe betide the unlucky Butterfly who
unconsciously endeavours to sip nectar there! There are likewise bright green
Spiders for cabbages, and so on; and hence in this wonderful system of Nature
we see so much to admire and reverence, that we are lost in wonder and
adoration.

Rise from this to the highest objects of creation, and see the Cafire chief
in his red wool blanket lying beside the sand hillocks, and a regiment might
be in the midst of thousands and take them either for sheep or lumps of
earth; his skin is also as nearly as possible of the same hue. Of the wiles
of the American savage we have often read; and thus we trace from
majestic and reason- endowed man the chain which connects reason and brute
cunning, even to the very Insects which we trample unknowingly beneath
our feet.

Liacolns-Inn- Fields, September, 1853.

235
NOTP]S ON THE BIRDS OF lONA.

BY HENRY D. GRAHAM^ ESQ.

( Concluded from page \&1.)

Cormorants^ (Phalacrocorax.)

"Thk Cornioriiiit/' or, as we commonly call it, the Scart, or Scarble, (for,
like much of the low country Scotch dialect, it is a corruption of the latter
or pure Gaelic word,) is abundantly distributed along our shores, and over
the surface of our seas — both the Great Black Cormorant, {Phalacrocorax
carbo,) and the Lesser Green-crested one, (Phalacrocorax cristatus,) though
the latter the more plentiful of the two.

The caves of Staffa, and of the neighbouring islets, are exclusively peopled
by this kind; while beneath the stupendous cliffs of Burg and Gribun, on
the mainland of Mull, the Black Cormorant is found in great numbers nestling
and roosting among the wave-worn caverns. The habits of the two species
seem to be very similar, and I am not aware of any reason for their thus
selecting these separate localities.

At a distance the Black Cormorant is easily distinguished by the marked
white patches underneath, which contrast very conspicuously with the rest of
its black plumage. The Green Cormorant, on the contrary, has no break in
the sombre tint of its sad-coloured livery, with the exception of the bright
yellow skin upon the face, which is, however, sufficient to betray the bird
when sitting — otherwise quite invisible — upon the high ledges in the twilight
obscurity of its cave.

The crest is another distinction between the two races, though in itself
rather an uncertain criterion; for while the Black bird often has it partially
developed, the Qvdea-crested one is not always thus ornamented, even in birds
actually shot on the nest in the height of the breeding-season; though in winter
I have, on the other hand, once or twice got individuals with a magnificent
long queue. But in general it must be regarded as a nuptial ornament, and
a very graceful one, of the adult Green-crested Cormorant, when attired in
his rich and beautiful wedding garment of summer.

The immature Black Scart takes more than one season to attain its full
bulk, and its plumage in the meantime is dull black above, and a greyish
brown mixture beneath; but the young green one is clad in an entire neat
suit of dark bottle green, from the very commencement of its career after
leaving the nest. Another distinction may be observed in •the eyes, for those
of the last-mentioned species are of a brilliant clear green, like lustrous emeralds,
while the irides of the other are simply grey or brown.

Many people feel a sort of aversion to the Cormorant as a kind of
unclean bird. It certainly has an ugly name for greed and gluttony. Milton

236 NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF lOXA.

supposes Satan to have entered its form before assuming that of the Serpent
to betray man. —

"Thence up ho flew, and on the tree of life —
The middle tree, and highest there that grew,
Sat like a Carmorant."

Indeed the sepulchral gloom of its dark, dank abode, its sombre plumage,
melancholy aspect, its silence but rarely broken, and then only by a sad
foreboding croak, might all join to inspire a sort of prejudice against the
poor bird, independent of its rather dirty habits. And truly his cave does
not smell savoury j even the well loliitewaslied rock, out in the open sea, where
groups of these grave-looking citizens of the deep sit and sun themselves ou
their return from the fishing business. When approached to leeward, a breeze
is borne down upon us, very unlike what is wafted off the balmy spice islands,
but rather such as we should expect from a city of Esquimaux, when holding
high wassail, in brimming beakers tapped from a stranded Whale.

But, after all, this bird will be found to be as beautiful a work as any
Nature has turned out of hand. Its shape and long neck are far from inelegant.
See it dive! — how gracefully it springs clean out of the water, throws a sum-
merset in the air, and disappears head foremost into the blue depths! Then
the lovely plumage of the Green Cormorant — a mixture of green and gold,
like the most gorgeous shot-silk raiment, travereed by delicate bands of rich
velvet: its beak of gold, and its eyes living emeralds. He also bears a plume
upon his head as a mark of his r.obility.

From this high cliff we look down upon the vast heavers of the angered
ocean, as they come rolling in with mighty sweep to hurl themselves upon the
iron-bound shore; all around is milk-white foam, and dreadful agitation; there
in the very midst of this, what Byron would call Hell hrothy floats a black
speck, — that is the Cormorant, following its sport where the stoutest work
of man's hand would be as a toy — where all his skill and inventions could
not gain a minute of life. Here conies a huge wave, its white crest already
begins to curl over its swelling bosom, with a crashing sound; now it gets
steeper and steeper as it rolls onward, till now it rears up like a high green
cliff, overshadowing a horrid abyss beneath. At the critical moment down
goes the Scart, and when the danger has gone past, and the hurly burly
subsided, up he springs again into day, unconcernedly discussing a nice fresh
young cod, which he caught while taking refuge in the bosom of the Great
Mother.*

Ah! and if we catch a Scart, is he capable of being discussed in his
turn? — Of course.

Keep a sufficieptly long time; skin off his jacket, and make him into soup,

* This "Plea for the Cormorant" reminds me of a reply made by a worthy old friend who,
for a half century, has ruled the glens of Mull with his ramrod; — '■''All God's works are lovely;
every beast and every bird is bonniest of its kind. — 'Deed Sir! and the Hoodie Crow licrsel is
a pratty prutty beast, if it were nu that she's just ver-min,"

NOTES OM THE BIRDS OF lONA, 237

(it requires a couple of them to make it good;) and then I defy the Court
of Common Council, or a jury of aldermen to detect the difference between
it and the finest hare soup. A Ourrie does indifferently well; and the liver,
which is of a large size, is as good as a Goose's. Having decided the gas-
tronomic value of our friend, let us consider the ways and means of obtaining
a few individuals to garnish our larder withal.

In winter, especially when stormy, we shall see them fishing at half tide,
close along the rocks, and in the shallow sandy bays. They are wary, and
diving they take care to get a good oifing if they see the least danger; but
it is nice practice to stalk one, running from one hiding-place to another
while the bird is below water, till we succeed in attaining a rock that is
within reach of him. As he emerges from the water, he turns about his
head in search of anything suspicious, and carefully examines the shore before
he will dive again, lest it conceals a lurking foe. But, in good weather, it
is more amusing to follow our game upon its own element. We should
approach the swimming bird to windward, for he prefers rising against the
wind, and in calm weather, if well gorged with fish, he cannot rise without
the help of the breeze under his wings. When he sees his retreat cut off
in this direction, he swims, about in evident perplexity, and often allows the
boat to come within fatal distance.

Their quickness in knowing their enemies is very amusing; a heavy lumbering
fishing-boat is allowed to pass close by, while the quiet insidious approach of
the small gun- bearing skiff is suspected and fled from. At first they take
short dives, but, if thoroughly alarmed, they begin racing, that is, diving and
swimming determinedly away. It is then almost useless to attempt to over-
take them.

When a bird sees it is no longer pursued, after rising to the surface, he
flaps his wings, then expands them for a moment till he feels the breeze, and
with laborious strokes rises off the water. These, as well as other sea birds,
always try to cross the bows of a boat coming under sail, to get to windward;
and p^enerally escape by getting the weathergage, either by the boat being
unable to get up to them, or at worst they can readily take flight up the
wind as soon as they choose when the danger becomes pressing.

There are certain rocks very much frequented by the Cormorant, to rest
upon and bask in the sun, often with wings spread, hanging out to dry.
There they often sit motionless for hours, quite erect, looking exactly like
rows of gigantic black bottles set out for a soiree of Fingalians, the gigantic
heroes who built up the columns of Staffa for their banqueting-hall, where
"the song and the shell went round." As the boat draws nearer, signs of
uneasiness begin to appear, awakening yawns, stretching of wings, and wad-
dlings to the overhanging edge of the rock; all the long necks are twisting
about in active motion, as if the prudent creatures were trying thoroughly to
see their way clear before taking a leap. Crack! goes a cartridge at sixty
yards — whew! — down go the black gentry, tumbling and rolling head over

23S NOTIW OM THK BIRDS OF lONA.

heels down the face of the rock, and disappear into the water. Yon think
you have murdered the whole gang, but wait a second, and there they all
come merrily bobbing up to the surface — a forest of black necks swimming
away to windward. A few are within reach, and pifF-paff, shoot 'em down is
the word — no quarter given to them now.

Lastly we may visit one of the caves, as the swell of the \tlantic has sunk
into a calm slumber, and will allow us to venture near them w'ithout danger
to the boat. At the first alarm a string of birds pours forth almost right
into our face; but still many remain, (especially if it is the breeding-time,)
sitting on the high shelfs; even though we enter the cave, and repeatedly
fire, creating a most dreadful din, and bringing down splinters of tlic rock
from the lofty vaulted roof. If the young Scartlings are hatched, they keep
tip a perpetual clamour, very different from their taciturn parents; and the
report of the gun frequently brings one toppling dovvn over the edge of its
coarse sea-tangle nest — a most ungainly-looking youngster. If we liked to
wait here till evening, we might get almost any number of birds, as they
will come flying home at sunset; for the Cormorant keeps early hours, and
retires to rest with the sun; but we are contented with what we have done,
and will now stay our hand from slaughter.

The Cormorant is very tenacious of life; when winged he seems to recover
new life as soon as he strikes the water, and escapes by diving. ^Vhen
wounded they sometimes disappear in a mysterious manner; though there are
plenty of quick eyes in the boat, and all around is smooth as a polished
mirror, yet the wounded bird is not to be seen, and is believed by the
boatmen to have gone down to the bottom, to remain there out of spite.

Some time ago I heard of a party of fishermen visiting a Scart's cave by
night, and lighting a fire. The poor birds came fluttering down from their
roo.sts, and were killed with sticks. However, in the midst of the confusion,
smoke, darkness, flapping wings, and whirring of revolving shillaleghs, an un-
fortunate fellow was mistaken by a comrade for a gigantic Phalacrocorax ;
and the sharp crack of a broken skull was heard instead of the dull thud of
smitten feathers, and the victim was taken home in the bottom of the boat
as insensible as the bed of dead Cormorants on which he lay.*'

The Cormorant generally flies low along the surface of the water, to and
from its fishing-ground; though sometimes, when making a long passage,
especially in windy weather, it soars up to a very great height. Occasionally,
in a perfect calm, when the sea is as smooth as if solidified into crystal, a
bird may be seen drying his wings without leaving the water; he sits erect
in the sea, floating about with his wings spread in the air, presenting a
curious appearance for half an hour on a stretch.

The Gaelic name, as 1 mentioned before, is Scarble, pronounced Scar-ruv.

Zona.

* Were there coroner's inquests in these parts, the verdict would have been sarved him right;
but the Highlander's cranium was not materially injured, though the shillalcgh was considerably
damaged by the collision.

239

THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE, OR BUTCHER-BIRD,

{LANIUS COLLURIO.)

By STEPHEX STONE, ESQ,

This species is rather plentiful in Oxon and Bucks; it seldom makes its
appearance in these counties before the latter end of A})ril, or the beginning
of May, being amongst the latest of our summer birds of passage.

Altliough apparently of robust frame, it seems unable to bear the cold
with the same degree of patience as the diminutive Chiff Chaff, and other
species ftir more delicate-looking than itself; for in the unusually cold weather
we had in June, 1852, I used to see it sitting shivering on the sheltered side of
the hedge, and looking as comfortless, dejected, and woe-begone as our own
fair sisters or cousins, ^'the maids of merry England," are wont to look, when
through some blunder of papa's, or other inadvertence, they find themselves
doomed to a month's sojourn at some "flishionable watering-place." "Furnished
apai-tmcnts with attendance" having been "secured" for them for that period,
before the commencement, or, worse still, after the close of "the season."

In one of its habits, that of returning to a particular station, after cap-
turing a passing insect, it closely resembles the Flycatcher.

I have known it take its stand for hours, near where a hay stack has been
in the course of formation, for the purpose of pouncing upon the moths which
generally abound amongst newly-made hay, and which it seemed to be fully
aware would every now and then be dislodged by the men engaged in building
the stack, and thus afford it unlimited exercise of its "catch-meif-you-can"
abilities, as well as an unlimited supply of food. These moths it generally
caught on the wing, but should one chance to ^^come the artful dodge," and
endeavour to baffle the intentions of its pursuer, by dropping amongst the
herbage, it would be down upon it in a moment, and unless the poor insect
had very artfully concealed itself, would be sure to drag it out; and fortunate
indeed must that individual be, who by the above, or some other stratagem,
succeeded in ^^saving its bacon."

I have often noticed this bird, when I have been out with the net beating
for moths, sitting on a conspicuous branch, and intently watching my pro.
cecdings, when, should a moth escape my net, which not unfrequently happened,
it would never fail immediately to give chase to it, and after capturing it,
which it seldom failed to do, would return to the same, or a proximate branch,
and again anxiously watch one's motions, in the hope no doubt of another
miss on my part, which would be almost sure to be turned into "a decided
hit" on its part.

I have frequently seen specimens of the Common Humble Bee transfixed
upon thorns, evidently the work of these birds. In some instances I have
met with them alive, in others dead; but in all apparently deserted, as though
after capturing these insects, they had discovered they were useless to them
as articles of food; or do they, as do our own venison-loving epicures, consider

240 RRn-RAOKEP SHRIKE.

their ''game" improved by being "hung" till it has become "rather high?"
or to speak plainly and intelligibly, till, venison-like, it has become as nearly
as possible, an abominable mass of putrefaction. I feel disposed, however,
to give them credit for a less perverted and better taste than this, and therefore
■would infer that it is far more likely that they content themselves with merely
picking out the honey-bag, and the moist internal parts, rejecting the dry and
husky exterior, and so leaving it to be bleached by the sun, and winds, and
rains, in like manner as in days of yore, the bodies of great criminals v^ere
left suspended, as an "awful warning" to all misdoers.

I am aware that what I am about to relate will shed no lustre upon my
character for humanity, but my excuse is, that I was at the time in want of
specimens as a medium of exchange with an American gentleman, who was
forming a collection of British Birds: this, I trust, will exculpate me from
the charge of wanton cruelty, which otherwise might justly have been urged
against me.

It was towards the end of May, when these birds usually pair, preparatory
to the business of nidification, etc., I observed a pair, a newly-married couple
seemingly, who had just decided on the place in which they should "pass
the Honeymoon." A shot from the gun with which I was provided, made
this young wife a widow. Apparently unconscious of what had befallen her,
she removed but to a short distance along the same hedge, and in a few
minutes after I had "bagged my game," and reloaded the gun, another
"gallant" made his appearance, and whether he so well counterfeited the voice,
mien, and manner of her "first love," as to make her, in the simplicity of her
heart, really believe that it was he, I cannot say, but at any rate he was
as graciously received as though he had been "the real Simon Pure." Our
English law mercifully gives "the prisoner at the bar" the "benefit of any
doubt" that may arise in his, or her case, we will therefore, if you please,
be equally merciful, and give this "fair one" the "benefit of any doubt"
there may be, as to whether she was really deceived in the above matter or
not, for it would be a sad blot upon her character, if it should appear that
she could knowingly "receive the addresses" of another, at the time that her
late "lord" was lying dead but a few paces off; such conduct would be
extremely shocking; surpassed 'tis true by that of "The Lady Ann" in
"Richard the Third;" this however is known to have been a mere invention
of the poet, and not an historical fact. Whether Shakspere was induced to
perpetrate this libel upon the "fiiir sex," merely for the purpose of heightening
the effect of the piece, or whether he was prompted thereto, by the desire
of giving vent to a little secret spite or malice, which from some cause or
other he harboured against them, is a question upon which I shall not offer
an opinion.

But to return from this digression. Another shot laid this second "Inamo-
rato" prostrate; when a third appeared — he shared the same fate, and then a
fourth. How far it might have been possible to have gone on with this

SUMMER BIRDS ABOUT BARNSLEY. 241

slaughter, I know not; to all appearance it might have been continued "ad
infinitum;" but having now specimens sufficient for my purpose, I felt no incli-
nation to proceed with an experiment, cruel in itself, and useless as cruel.

From the above fact it would appear that the males of this species, on
their migration to this country, are in the same forlorn condition, at least
*^^pro tempore" as the males of our own species, on their emigration to ^^our
antipodes." In either case, each female on her arrival is sought after with
the utmost eagerness, and caught at with the utmost avidity, being considered
— as indeed she ought in any case to be considered — if not ''the noblest," at
least the fairest "gift of God, etc"

Brigliihampton. July 12th. , 1853.

NOTES ON" THE DAYS WHEN THE SUMMER BIRDS

WERE FIRST OBSERVED ABOUT BARXSLET,

WITH INCIDENTAL NOTICES OF OUR RARER BIRDS AND

THEIR SYSTEMATIC EXTERMINATION.

BY MR. T. LISTER.

The present extract from my Note Book is restricted to those days when
a ncAvly-arrived visitant or a rare bird was noticed. There will be by no
means a full list of what with us are deemed the rarest, but only such as
come within direct or incidental observations, made more or less every day,
throughout the first weeks of the present spring. The birds found in this
locality will generally occur throughout the south-west part of Yorkshire, known
geologically as the "Yorkshire Coal Formation," extending in a series of well-
wooded undulations, from the Magnesian Limestone range, at near three
hundred feet elevation, to the great back-bone range of Millstone Grit, at a
height of from seventeen hundred to eighteen hundred feet above the level
of the sea. Barnsley is near the centre, at a height of three hundred and
ninety feet; while the heights immediately overlooking it are five hundred and
fifty feet in elevation; — there being a regular increase of height in a western
direction.

In birds then it may be expected to typify the district, being equally
removed from the level regions beyond the Limestone range, where birds of
the marsh and sea mingle largely, and the sub-alpine regions, where the
moorlands predominate. With great variety of situation, fruitful fields, valley
streams, sedgy pools, patches of gorse and heath, fine parks and abounding
woodlands, we have a good variety of birds; and should have many more and
more thickly distributed, if half as much pains were taken in preserving, (after
the manner of Waterton,) as in destroying rare birds. This question is worthy
of being taken up by scientific men ; since all true naturalists Avill admit that
there is more satisfaction in studying living objects than dead representations;

VOL. III. 2 I

242 SUMMER BIRDS ABOUT BARNSLEY.

and the chief of slaughterers, Macgillivray, confesses that all zoological collectors
destroy ten times more specimens than they require.

Of the summer Warblers, to which these extracts are mainly confined, we
have all the truly British species, except the Dartford Warbler and the Reed
Warbler; the latter is stated by Neville Wood to occur in the adjoining
county of Derby.

The times of their arrival in the district specified, as recorded in these
notes, may be generally depended upon; except those kinds that are thinly
distributed, as the Nightingale, of whose delightful melody the public are
defrauded by the bird-catchers, (as bad in their way as the egg and skin
collectors;) the Wheatear, the Stonechat, and the Lesser Whitethroat; the
two latter species not having been observed this season.

As observers multiply, more correct results as to arrivals, departures, and
relative numbers of species may be obtained. To assist some of the young
naturalists rising around us, in overcoming difficulties which I have had to
encounter alone, I have intermingled suggestions not always deemed needful
to insert in books. My only aids were book-descriptions — an attentive ear,
serving as guide to the eye in tracing the whereabouts of some uncommon
bird — assisted, where practicable, with a small telescope — a more rational com-
panion for a naturalist than the murderous gun; as with the former we can
admire and spare for others to do so too, but with the latter we destroy the
object of our present pleasure; and in the case of rare birds, we help to cut
oflF the hope of future gratification.

April 4th., 1853. — This morning I walked with a young companion down
Moltram Wood to the Dearne Valley — the route I usually take when in expect-
ation of hearing the first notes of our spring visitants. We crossed the canal
by the locks, and proceeded along its banks over the Aqueduct, which spans
with its fine arches the winding Dearne. We followed the path where the
canal sweeps in a graceful curve between the upper and lower CliflF Woods,
where my friend returned, after listening patiently for a short time to catch
a new note as distinguishable from the Tits, Jenny Wrens, and other resident
birds — it is a proper winter study for the beginner to master these sounds ere
the multiplicity of vernal notes, and the thickness of summer foliage come
to confound his ideas of individuals in the general mass.

A few moments afterwards I was rewarded with the two slightly- varied
notes of ^chil, chil,' which distinguishes at once the ChiflF Chaff, not only
from the two members of its family, {Sylvia,) from which it scarcely differs
in external appearance, except in its shortness of wing, but makes it unmis-
takeably known from every other bird. Though scarcely to be dignified with
the name of song, its two notes are gratifying at this early season as hopeful
harbingers of the melody to come. I have not seen in any work an account
of its call-note, but after long watching I have proved, what I had some time
suspected, that it nearly resembles the pho-eet or tweet of the Willow Wren;
a circumstance which increases the difficulty of distinguishing them where the

SrMMER BIRDS ABOUT BARNSLEY. 243

song— the readiest discriminating test of all three species — is not heard. The
male, as I have proved in most species of this kind, has, in addition to its
song, the same call-note as the female. Indeed I should have hesitated to
pronounce the note aught else than that of the Willow Wren, had I not,
while listening to a pair of ChifF Chaffs near to their nest, heard the ^chil
chir note repeatedly break, through a sort of chip chopping strain, into a
plaining tweet, and the usual male note or song again resumed. The call- note,
just described as resembling that of the Willow Wren, was uttered by the
hen also : it will ^require long practise to distinguish them from each other,
or from the kindred bird alluded to. It is difficult to represent sounds by
written characters. It would be desirable for some phonographic principle to
be applied in teaching the notes of birds to learners; there would not be such
a confused mixture made of it. The word 'tweet,' for instance, is not improperly
applied in describing the song of the Willow Wren, but it serves badly for
that of the Wood Wren, as used by the great authorities, Yarrell and
Macgillivray, and copied by others. The 'tzit, tzit' of Blyth duly modulated
is much better.

April 16th. — -This day is memorable for the first sight of those pleasing
emblems of spring, the Swallows, which were seen skimming with graceful
evolutions over the windings of the Dearne in Grange meadows, a locality
where they are generally first observed in this part.

April 17th. — This morning I and the same friend took the omnibus and
dropped down at Lund Wood, and traversed its vast undulating slopes, dis-
playing in its interior depths many features of the advancing spring, not
exhibited by its exterior aspect; where the fresh green birch distinctly standing
out from the dark green mass of slowly- budding trees, presents the most
striking character. Within the golden-brown flower is peeping out from its
enveloping bud, and the Stellaria holosfea has begun to mingle at intervals
its white star-like petals with the deep azure of the Harebell. Many of the
larger birds were observed, engaged in pairing and nesting avocations; amongst
which were the graceful hovering Kestrel, the chattering Magpie, the cooing
Wood Pigeon, the Carrion Crow, and ''the beauteous Jay, with shrill wild
scream."

The number of large birds observed this season about our ample-screening
woods, is gratifying to contemplate. When wc consider the many enemies which
their striking peculiarities and marked colours, their money-value, and their
obnoxiousness to popular and often unjust prejudice, have raised up against
them — in the shape of wanton bird-nesters, remorseless keepers, and still more
destructive skin-collectors; more fatal, because aiming at the rarest birds, and
confessedly more greedy than the ends of science require; as there are now
museums amply sufficient for accurate description or classification. Our noblest
birds of the Falcon family, as Waterton emphatically remarked to me, are
gone, and the rest, with the exception of the Kestrel, are fast following
the fate of the Bustard and Bittern; the former a bird of the past, the latter

244 LOCAL J0TTIXG3.

nearly extinct. lu this part the harmless mouse -eating Kestrel is the most
numerous of the tribe, but greatly thinned; the Sparrow Hawk is next to it
in numbers; after that, at long intervals, the Merlin and Hobby may be
perceived, once or twice in a season, with close observation.

Former notes have recorded my observation of the Merlin taking its prey
on the wing during the winter. The White and Brown Owls I have seen
once or twice; and the Long and Short- eai*ed Owls have been procured in
this neighbourhood.* A fine Osprey, well preserved by the veteran Reid, of
Doncaster, now in the possession of a neighbouring gentleman, was shot on
the moors westward of us, towards Saddleworth. This same observant neigh-
bour, in discussing the difficulty in the way of preserving the doomed race
of Hawks from extinction, observed that he could not prevent his keepers
from destroying even Jays and Magpies; that their skins too had their price,
and thus the mark of destruction was set on their heads.

{To be continued.)

LOCAL JOTTIXGS.— No. 10.
DOEOHESTER— DORSETSHIRE.

BY JOHN GA.RLAND, KSQ., MEMB : ENT: SOC:, MEMB: WERN : CLUB.

The Rat, (Mus decumanus.) — Most of your readers will doubtless remember
the story of the boy at Dr. Burney's school, who saved himself from a flogging
for laughing, during prayers, at seeing a Rat slide down the rope of the
school-bell, by, on the instant, composing these lines —

"There was a Eat, for want of stairs,
Came down a rope, to say his pray'rs."

Mr. Waterton has given some notes, whimsical and otherwise, of these ^^plagucs
of life." I have just heard of something like a similar instance of sagacity
(I mean on the part of the Rat,) as the above, and I think it worth
jotting: —

Mr. Scott, of Martinstown, a year or so since, had a rick of wheat infested
with Rats, to which he could not understand their mode of approach. He
however got his men one day to put a Ferret in the rick, and stood
watching. There was an apple-tree adjoining, the upper boughs of which
were at least three feet from the top of the rick. Whilst standing quietly
looking on, he observed a very large Rat peep out of the rick nearly at the
top, and thinking the coast clear, gave a spring to the bough of the apple-
tree, ran down the trunk of the tree, and escaped through a hedge near. On
examination he found that this was evidently the mode of ingress and egress
to and from the rick, discovered by these sagacious and destructive animals.

* The Kite, the Common and Kougli-lcg:god Buzzard, in solitary instances, have been shot
in the neighbouring domains of Cannon Hall Park.

BRITISH EVERGREENS. 24:.J

The Trout, (Salmo fario.) — The Trout, as I have before stated in my Xotes,
does not often attain-any very large size in the River Froome; and I therefore
mention that one was taken with an artificial fly this week by Mr. Frederick
Fort, Auctioneer, weighing two pounds, three-quarters, and two and a half
ounces. This is very large for this river; it was caught at Grey's Bridge,
near the town.

Coldness of the Weather. — Up to this time, for a very long period, the coldness
of the weather in this neighbourhood has been very unfavourable to entomol-
ogists, and has been particularly observable. I myself, although much engaged
in business, confess to occasionally "stealing a day" for rambling in the fields
and woods "entomologizing;" but this year I have been sadly disappointed on
account of the weather. In one whole day I only took specimens of the
Small Skipper, {Pamphila Linea,) Silver washed Fritillary, {Argynnis Paphia,)
Large Meadow Brown, (Hippai'chia Janira,) and Wood Einglet, (Hipparchia
Hyperanthus,) in a field near a wood; and with great difficulty procured from
the ferns, broom, etc., in the wood; one or two specimens only of Coccinellidce;
and several of the order Hi/menoptera; whereas in other years I have at the
same season discovered at least three or four times the number.

Dorchester, July 30th., 1853.

BRITISH EVERGREENS.— No. 3.

BY J. MC' IXTOSH, ESQ.

{Continued from paffe 226.)

Ilex dipyrena. — The Two-seeded-berried Holly, a very interesting and pictu-
resque shrub, a native of Nepal and Chinese Tartary, about twelve
feet high. It bears a close resemblance to the Common Holly of
England, especially when covered with its clusters of red berries; it
was long considered as only a variety of the Common; it is, however,
quite distinct. It is also known under the name of/. Cunninghamii,
in some nurseries.

" excelsa. — A lofty Nepal species, quite hardy; this is the spinosa of some
authors.

" elliptica. — This fine species is a native of Peru.

" latifolia. — The Broad-leaved Holly. This fine species is a native of
Japan; leaves dark green, from six to eight inches long, and three
to four inches broad, very stiff", smooth, and shining, with serrated
edges, quite hardy, and grows to the height of twenty feet. This very
desirable species should be in every collection of Trees and Shrubs.

" laxiflora. — The Loose-flowered Holly, a native of Carolina, introduced ia
1811; flowers in May.

" macrophylla. — This species is a native of Japan.

" njicrocorpa. — This is another of Mr. Fortune's introductions from the North

246 BUITISII EVKIIQUEENS.

of China. It is very unlike any otlier known Holly; the leaves are
fleshy, quite smooth on, both sides, about two inches and a half long,
and of an ovate form; when young they have a purplish tinge. The
berries are small, and are borne in large axillary clusters.
Ilex myricoidos. — This species is a native of the mountains of New Granada.

" magellanica. — Magellian Holly. This species was introduced in 1838—
a handsome species.

" myrtifolia. — The Myrtle-leaved Holly flowers in July and August; native
of the West Indies, introduced about 180G; forms a dense bush of an
upright growth.

'^ Nepalensis. — '(The /, elUptlca of some,) is a Nepal shrub, growing to
the height of eight feet.

" opaca. — 'The Opaque-leaved, or American Holly, a beautiful evergreen,
native of North America, according to Prush growing to the height
of eighty feet; introduced in 1744, flowers in May; leaves ovate, flat,
toothed in a scalloped manner, spiny, but not glossy, This is the
Common Holly of America, being used in that country for the various
purposes to which our native Holly is applied,

" odorata, — Described in Dons. Prod: Fl. Nep: at page 189; said to have
sweet-scented flowers, a native of Nepal, not yet, that we are aware
of, introduced into this country.

" Paltoria. — An evergreen shrub, found on the highest mountains in Peru.

" Paraguariensis. — Paraguay Tea Holly; native of Paraguay, introduced in
1823. ^^The Tea Tree of Paraquay is one of the most useful trees
in that country. It is found growing spontaneously intermingled with
other trees in the forests, which covers the banks of the rivers which
flow into the Parana and Uruguay. In size it equals the common
Orange Tree, but in those places where the leaves are gathered, it
naturally becomes stunted from the mutilations it receives every two
or three years, owing to an opinion that this time is required or
requisite to season the leaves, which do not fall off" in winter. The
leaf is elliptical cuneiform, from four to five inches long, thick, glossy,
of a dark green above, and pale below. The method of prepai-ing the
leaves is as follows: — A hurdle of long poles is constructed, in the
form of cylindrical vaults, which they call barbaqua, under this a large
fire is made, and the branches being placed upon the hurdle, remain
there till they are sufficiently dry; after this they remove the fire, and
on the hard and hot platform, after being swept clean, they throw the
branches, which they heat to separate the leaves. This being accom-
plished, the leaves are put into large bags made of hides, which have
the four upper corners fixed to four large stakes placed in the ground,
sufficient to support a considerable weight; into this they put the leaves,
and beat them down with a pole. When the bag is filled and packed
hard, the mouth is sewed up, and without any further preparation the

BRITISH EVERGREEKfi. 247

leaves are fit for use; but not considered properly seasoned till they are
some months old. The leaves are used in Paraguay, La Plata, Peru,
and Quito at all hours of the day, by putting a handful into a kind
of tea-cup called mate, (which has given its name to the herb,) and
from the spout of this pot the liquid is imbibed. Some mix sugar
with it, and others add a few drops of lemon juice; and by pouring
fresh boiling water the infusion may be renewed. Two hundred thousand
arrobas, equal to five millions of pounds, are annually obtained from
Paraguay; one hundred and ten arrobas of whioh go to Chili, whence
Lima and Quito are supplied: the rest is expended in the viceroyalty
of Buenos Ayres." — Abridged from "Seminario de Buenos Ayres," page
401, vol. iv. Wilcoks, in his '^History of Buenos Ayres," page 494,
says, "That there are three kinds of it in its prepared state, though
produced from one plant. It is aperient and diuretic. Like opium it
produces some singular and contrary efibcts, — it gives sleep to the restless,
and spirit to the torpid. Those who have once contracted the habit
of taking it, do not find it an easy matter to leave it off, or even to
use it in moderation, though, when taken to excess, it brings on similar
disorders to those which are produced by the immoderate use of strong
liquors."
Ilex Perado. — The Perado Holly. This is the Ilex maderensis of Lam.
It is a low tree, native of Madeira, and was at one time cultivated
in the greenhouse; it is however quite hardy. There is a plant of
this species in the nurseries under the name of I. lladeremis atrovlrens.

" rupicola. — This species is a native of Peru.

" salicifolia. — Willow- leaved Holly; native of Mauritius, and introduced
about 1818.

" serrata. — Native of Nepal; quite hardy in the south of England.

" vomitoria. — (This is the /. reUgioaa, Bart. Fl. Virg.; the I. floridana,
Lam; the /. ligustrina, Jacq.; the /. Gassine vera, Walt.) The emetic
Holly, or South Sea Tea, native of Florida, Carolina, and Virginia, moist
shady places, introduced in 1700; leaves, oblong elliptic, obtuse at
both ends crenately sawed. Rafinesque says that this plant is con-
sidered a holy plant by many of the southern tribes of American
Indians, being used during their religious rites and solemn councils,
to clear the stomach and the head. Women are forbidden the use
of it. For these purposes the leaves and young shoots are collected
with care, and, when dried, form an article of trade among the tribes:
they often slightly scorch the leaves before using them. They are
inodorous, the taste is sub-aromatic and fervid; they are considered
useful in stomach fevers, etc., as a mild emetic, but the Indians' hlack
drink is a strong decoction of them, and a violent, though harmless
vomitive: it is used warm as the Chinese do their daily tea. The
Indians, we are told, consider this tree as a panacea; at certain times

248 A BOTANICAL, RAMBLE.

of the year they hasten in droves to the coast^ they make a fire upon
the ground, and putting a kettle of water on it, they throw in a
large quantity of these leaves, and, sitting round the fire, they drink
large draughts from a bowl — they repeat this for two or three days.
By this time they consider themselves sufficiently purified, and taking
a bundle of the leaves, they arise, and return each to his habitation.

"Hurrah for the Holly! the green and gay,
When the buds of summer are past awaj^,
With dark, bright leaves, and berries red,
To crowu King Winter's hoary head.

Hurrah for the Holly! amid the snow
He joyously peeps with a red, warm glow;
Though the frost may come, with his with'ring frown.
He never can keep the Holly down.

Hurrah for the Holly! that still smiles on.
When summer and sunshine are past and gone.
Like the friend who, whatever cloud may lour.
Is friendly still in our darkest hour."

Wordsworth also praises the brave old Holly in the following lines, with

which we must conclude: —

"When leafless Oaks towered high above,
I sate within an under-grove
Of tallest Hollies, tall and green —
A fairer bower was never seen.
From j'ear to year the spacious floor
With withered leaves is covered o'er.
Ton could not lay a hair between,
And all the year the bower is green."

5, Middle-Street, Taunton, Somerset, July, 1853.

(To be continued.)

A BOTANICAL RAMBLE x\LONG
THE BEACH FROM BRIGHTON TOWARDS SHOREHAM.

BY J. E. SMITH, ESQ.

It is the first of June when nature, having passed the period of her child-
hood, and not yet donned the sober dress of summer, blooms with all the
full developed graces of a youthful bride j and although Brighton may not be
the place to see her in her loveliest form, yet to the mind that can appreciate
the beauty and perfection of her works, there are few strolls more pleasing
than the one that we shall take to day.

Leaving the high road, and wandering on the wide beach, overgrown with
plants of various kinds, the eye is attracted by the large masses of colour
in which the flowers are arranged, either upon a soft ground of verdant turf^
or upon a grey one of mottled pebbles, with a beauty of effect that must
excite the admiration of the artist, or drive him to despair at the hopelessness

A BOTANICAL RAMBLE. 249

of ever imitating such a delicate blending of tint with his artificial pigments.

Yonder mass of quivering white and pink, and those handsomely-carved
glaucous leaves stretching over the barren shingle, soon to be adorned with
large yellow flowers of delicate texture, and long horn-like pods, are the one^
Silene maritima, (Sea Campion;) the other, Glaucium luteum, (Yellow Horn-
popp3',) which together with this elegant little straggling tare, Vicia (Ervum)
hirsutum, form the commencement of vegetation, and bind the pebbles with
their entangling roots.

But here is a grassy plain thickly sprinkled with .Daisies, (BelUs perennis,')
all turning to the sun their golden eyes and radiant crowns of white; beyond
is a gentle undulation clothed with a mass of delicate pink, that seems rather
to hang in the air than to rost on earth, and of such gossamer texture that
you tremble lest the rising breeze disperse it like a mist; — it is the Thrift
or Sea Pink, {^Anneria maritima,) growing in the most luxuriant profusion;
we might take away a cart-load without its being missed. It makes a pretty
edging to a flower border.

The grass we walk upon is quickly interspersed with the slender cream-
coloured flowers of the Subterranean Trefoil, (TrifoUum suhterraneum,) which
has a most curious habit of burying its fruit; for as the legume approaches
maturity, it becomes deflexed, and the peduncles lengthen; from the top of
these arise many thick fibres, with five palmated teeth at their extremity,
that soon curve themselves over the fruit, and serve to bury it in the soil.
A little later in the season we should see the Hare's-foot Trefoil, {TrifoUum
arveme,) with its head of flowers clothed, with soft hairs, not unlike the foot
of the animal from which it takes its name; about the same time another
curious Trefoil will be in flower — TrifoUum frayiferum, whose heads of fruit
resemble pale strawberries, or the whilk's spawn, so often seen blown about
on the sea-coast, like hardened balls of froth, called soap balls, or wash balls
by the sailors. Here also is Trigondla ornithopodioides, (Bird's-foot Fenugreek,)
a rare plant, with bunches of pods like birds' feet, and on the bank are
TrifoUum minus, or flUforme, that diminutive Yellow Clover, so common by
the roadside, and TrifoUum repeiis, (White or Dutch Clover,) the Shamrock
of the Irish; though the original Shamrock, or Seararog, according to Hooker,
was the Wood Sorrel, (OxaUs accfosella.)

The other plants to be found here of the same natural order Leguminosoe,
are AnthyUis vulneraria, Ononis arvensis, Medicago sativa, Vicia saliva, Tri-
foUum pretense, (Purple Clover,) Vicia sepium, Vicia Bithynica, a rare plant,
with only one purple and white flower on a peduncle, blooming in July, and
two pairs of lanceolate leaflets, Medicago maculata, resembling a Clover with
a head of a few small yellow flowers, and a trefoil leaf, having a black spot
on each lobe; and glorious masses of the bright golden Bird's-foot Trefoil, or
Old Man's shoes and stockings, (^Lotus corniculatus,) luxuriating everywhere
among the barren pebbles, where you would think there was neither earth
nor moisture; embellishing the meagre turf on which we tread, and hanging

VOL. III. 2 K

2jiO some account of THK LEI'IDOPTEnA ROUND EXETER.

out its yellow flag triumphantly upon the green slopes, beautifully contrasted
with those delicate wavy tints of light blue Flax, (Linum angmtifoUum,) with
which the banks are occasionally dashed, as though the sky had here impressed
upon the earth a gentle reflex of its own celestial colour; or the breath of
Some passing fairy, fresh from its harebell home, had left, upon these grassy
clifis, the hue of its favourite flower: but to return to the order Leguminosoe,
plants which bear legumes or pods.

"It is not only among the most extensive that are known, but one of the
most important to man for ornament, utility, and nutriment. When we reflect
that the Cercisy which renders the gardens of Turkey resplendent with its
myriads of purple flowers; the Acacia not less valued for its airy foliage and
elegant blossoms than for its hard and durable wood, the logwoods and rose-
woods of commerce, the Laburnum, the classical Cytisus, Florenfem cytisum.
The Furze and the Broom, the pride of the otherwise dreary heaths of
Europe, (the former the peculiar and appropriate ornament of the South
Downs, the latter more partial to the sandy soil of the Weald;) the bean,
the pea, the vetch, the clover, etc., objects of the farmer's care, are so
many species of Legiominosoe, and that gum-arabic, indigo, and other precious
drugs — senna, liquorice, and manna are products of this family, it will' be
seen that few orders can have greater claims upon the attention."

(To be continued.)

SOME xVCCOUNT OF THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER.

BY MR. EDWARD PARFITT.
(Continued from page \oo.)

Family Hesperidjs.
Of this interesting and curious family we possess most of the species
indigenous to Britain; they being, as it were, the stepping-stone or the
link in the chain connecting the two great families together — the Diurnal and
Nocturnal Lepidoptera, or the Butterflies and Moths, proper. The first, and
indeed a rather common insect with us, is the Grizzled Skipper, {Thymcle
Alveolus.) This insect is plentiful with us most years in Stoke Wood,
in the Furze-brake, and on Haldon also. Thymele Tages, (Dingy Skipper,)
is by no means common; now and then one is to be taken in Stoke Wood,
and I am not aware of its being found anywhere else about here. Pamphila
Sylvanus: this is a very common insect on most of the heath lands in this
neighbourhood, such as Stoke Wood and Ex wick, and on Haldon plentiful.
One more only remains to be mentioned, and that is the Pearl Skipper,
{Pamphila Comma.) This is a rare insect; I have only taken one pair, and those
were taken at Exmouth three years ago: it is a distinct and very beautiful
insect. I think it very probable that the others belonging to this family
might be found round the neighbourhood of Torquay, or on Dartmoor, in
the Limestone or Granite district.

SOMR ACCOUNT OP THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER. 251

Ino Statices, (Green Forester Moth,) has been taken some years ago
near Newton: I have not heard of its being seen since. Anthrocera Filipen-
dulce, (Six-spotted Burnet Moth.) — This insect is common round Torquay.
The Five-spotted Burnet Moth, (Anthrocera Loti,) is a rare insect; it appears
to be confined to the Limestone district of Torquay. Smerinthus ocellatus,
(Eyed Hawk Moth.) — I have not heard of this fine insect being taken here,
but S. Populi is rather common. S. Tilloe, (Lime Hawk Moth,) is not at all
common — I have only seen two or three specimens.

Sphinx Ligustri is sometimes taken here, but it is by no means a common
insect, as I have only seen but five or six specimens since my residence here.
One of the most beautiful of our native insects is the Elephant Hawk Moth,
(Metopsilus Elpenor.) About five years ago several caterpillars of this fine
insect were taken in the Cemetery, in Exeter, and each of them in due course
produced a fine specimen; another I took myself near the Ei^er Exe feeding
on the White Lady's Bed-straw, f Galium idiginosum,) which I reared, and it
is now in my cabinet. The Death's Head Moth, (Acherontia Afropos.) —
Several fine specimens of this beautiful insect have been taken here; also two
or three of that gorgeous insect, the Convolvulus Hawk Moth, (Sphinx Con-
volvuli,) I have seen in the possession of — Ross, Esq., of Topsham, in
whose museum the specimens are placed. These, I was told, were caught
at Topsham, a village four miles from Exeter, situated at the estuary of the
Exe. Macroglossa Stellatarum, (Humming-bird Moth,) is tolerably plentiful,
but by no means a really common insect, though you may take several in a
season; they appear particularly fond of Verbenas, or rather the nectar con-
tained in the flowers, I do not know if any of the readers of "The Naturalist"
ever saw one of these insects at rest, I can only say that I never did, though
I have watched several at different times. Trochilium Tipuliforme, (Currant
Hawk Moth,) is a common insect, or at least you may rear almost as many
as you like, as the caterpillars, or rather grubs, are much too common, for
limb after limb of our currant bushes keep dying oflP, without any apparent
cause, till it is found that the larvae of this Moth are the cause of the mischief.

It now remains for me to enumerate, as far as my knowledge of the subject
goes, the Nocturnal species, beginning with the Ghost Moths: — Hepialvs lu-
pulinuSy (Small Swift Moth;) B. M. G. means the British Museum Catalogue,
from which most of the names are taken. This Moth is found in tolerable
plenty round Exeter; Hepialus Humuli, (Ghost Moth,) is also common in
the quiet shady corners of lanes, swinging to and fro, as it were, sometimes
showing one side of its wings, and then the other, so at every alternate swing
you lose sight of it entirely from the under side being brown, and the upper
satin white — this only applies to the male insect, the female being quite a
diflerent colour. The Goat Moth, (Cossus Liyniperda.) — This beautiful Moth
is by no means common; I have only seen two or three specimens since
my residence here. One I found on the road had been crushed by some
person's foot, near Dansford; and two caterpillars I have had brought to me.

252 '.SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER,

which were found walking along the road near Exeter. Pygoera Bucephala,
(Buff-tipped Moth.) — This very beautiful and distinct species is rather common
in the caterpillar state, feeding on the leaves of elms; the perfect insect is
rarely to be taken on the wing, consequently the best way to have good
specimens, is to rear them.

Gerura vinula, (Puss Moth,) is by no means common; I think it may be
on account of the district being rather bare of willows — its favourite food,
that is in the caterpillar state. The Figure of Eight Moth, (Diloha coeruleo-
cephala.) — This is not a common Moth, and a very good thing too for our
gardens, as the caterpillars are very destructive to our apple-trees, etc.
Glesiocampa castrensis, (Gi-ound Lackey.) — I have only taken one specimen
here. GUsiocampa neustria, (Lackey Moth,) is much too plentiful; I hav3
now two broods in my garden, one on a laurel-tree, the other on a scarlet-
thorn. Saturnia Pavonia minor, (Emperor Moth.) — This is a rare insect about
here; I have seen but one specimen, and that was bred from a chrysalis found
at Exraouth two years ago. Lassiocampa Quercus, (Oak Egger Moth,) is by
no means common. Lassiocampa Trifoli, (Grass Egger Moth,) is very rare;
I have only seen two specimens, which are in my cabinet. Odonestis
potatoria, (Drinker Moth,) is an abundant species, particularly the males —
you may take ten males to one female I believe; generally speaking, I think
the males of this species vary more in their colouring than any other insect
which I am acquainted with; for should you take ten males you will scarcely
find two alike. The Light Tussock Moth, (Dasychira pudibunda,) is fre-
quently to be met with. The beautiful White Satin Moth is very rare; I
have only seen one specimen, and that was taken in Matford lane, July, I80O:
it is now in my cabinet.

The very beautiful and rare Moth, the Clouded Buff, (Diacrisia Pussula;)
I have only seen one specimen, which I took on Haldon in 1851. I brushed
it out of the furze bushes on the heath. The Garden Tiger Moth is tolerably
plentiful, as is also the Cream-spotted Tiger Moth, {Arctia villica,) which has
been very common this spring about Exeter, The Large Ermine IMoth,
{Spilosoma Menthastri,) is an abundant species; also the Spotted Buff Moth,
{Spilosoma lahricipeda.) The beautiful Spotted Muslin Moth, {Cycnia mendica,)
is not common, though I have seen several specimens taken here, Gallimorplia
Jacohceoe, (Cinnabar,) is very abundant; it has been particularly so this spring,
A most beautiful variety I found this morning on the Topsham road; it
is larger than the generality of specimens, but unfortunately the two anterior
wings have got the posterfbr part of them torn away, I suppose from a horse
or some one havinjr trod on it. The antennae are much shorter — about half
the usual length, and the same size throughout. The anterior wings are
about the same colour as G. Jacohcece, but the red stripe which runs along
the ^interior margin is part of it buff in my variety, (or species;) the two
spots on the outer edge are shaded with buff. The posterior wings are
beautifully marked, and quite perfect; the ground colour is about the same

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 253

as C Jacobcece, but each wing has got a large patch of buff colour covering
nearly half the wing, with the nerves retaining the red colour of the species,
so as to give the wings a streaky appearance with red and buff. Had the fly been
perfect, it must have been very beautiful; but as it is, with its ragged wings,
I prize it much : is it a species, or what is it? Liihosia luridiola^^ (Common
Footman,) is not a very abundant Moth, though several are to be taken in
a season. Triphaena orbona is a very common Moth; also T. pronuba is equally
as numerous, darting out of the grass as you walk along. T. fimbria is by no
means common, in fact it is a rare insect, as I have seen but two specimens
since ray residence here. The one which I possess, taken in this neighbourhood,
an acquaintance of mine, who collects Moths merely for their beauty, gave me
the choice of picking out from some duplicates of his, but as his eyes are
not so keen in the discriminating of species as my own, he had to be the
loser of his Broad- bordered Yellow Underwing.

Agrotis exclamationis, (Heart and Dart,) is rather a scarce insect; Agrotis
Tritici is also a rare species: I have only taken two specimens. GrapJi-
iphora plecta, (Flame Shoulder,) is a common insect. The True-Lovers'
Knot, {Lycophoiia porphyrea,) is exceedingly rare; I took or rather found one
specimen on Haldon in 1850, sitting on a thorn stump in the hedge just
at the back of Haldon House; it is the only one that I can learn has been
taken in this neighbourhood. Semiophora gotJiica, (Hebrew Character,) is
rather a common insect. Orthosia cruda is a common Moth with us. O.f
spadicea is not very often to be met with. The beautiful Copper Underwing
is a very rare insect indeed; I have only heard of or seen but one specimen;
it was taken in the butler's pantry at J. Milford's, Esq., Coaver House; it is
now in my cabinet.

(To be continued.)

%m\\mum llntim

Occurrence of the Osprey, (Pandion haliaetos.) — A fine specimen of the Osprcy was shot on
September 11th., at Wcjbiidge, by a gentleman, who resides in Chancery Lane, who was
out on a fishing excursion. I believe Mr. Yarrell saw the bird on the 12th. or the 13th. I
have two specimens of the Little Stint killed last Tuesday on the Black Shelf, near Gray, on
the River Thames. — James Gardner, 29, Great Marlborough Street, September 19th., 1853.

Anecdote of a Chaffinch, (Fringilla ccrlebs.)' — I once observed a species of instinct in this little
bird, which, as I do not remember meeting with any similar instance in other birds, and have
not met with any one who has, I consider worthy of notice. Chaffinches are suspicious birds,
and very clamorous if you approach the nest, even whilst it is building, much more when
there are eggs or young; and as they are very neat and cunning architects, and particularly
clever in concealing their place of nidification, they thus often neutralize all their care, and by
their ciies attract the attention to, and thereby discover what they have taken so much pains
to conceal ; and if the nest, in course of building, should be too curiously looked at, or visited

♦ Quere, Complana, Ed. + Glsea, Ed.

254: MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

too often, they will usually forsake it. I discovered a nest of these birds some years since, by
seeing the pair constantly engaged in gathering materials, and always taking flight in one
direction. It was close to a Avalk which was constantly used, and hence in passing it was
natural to have a look at it; this speedily caused them to desert it, but it was too much to
repeat all their labours in collecting materials, so the old nest was, bit by bit, torn to pieces,
and taken to construct a new habitation, which was more quickly built than the first; and I
then called to mind another instance of the same kind, which had puzzled me at the time, but
■was now explained. I will pledge myself as to the truth of the above fact, having watched
the operation with considerable intei-est, although I did not discover the new nest until the
youno- were fledged. The time which was occupied in forming the second nest, from the materials
of the first, clearly appeared by the age of the young when I discovered them, and the identity
of the materials from the somewhat singular circumstance, in this instance, although the general
fact is by no means uncommon, of some pieces of muslin and carpet sweepings of a peculiar
pattern, being in both.— 0. S. Round, London, February 3rd., 1853.

Note on the Nest and Eggs of the Wood Sandpiper, (Tetanus glareola.) — I obtained a nest,
containing four eggs, of the Wood Sandpiper on the 23rd. of May, 1853, from a birch plantation,
situated some distance from a small loch in the county of Elgin, N. B. I saw the bird fly off
the nest, and I remarked to my companions that it was a Wood Sandpiper, and when I saw
the co-s I was perfectly satisfied that I was correct. I have shown them to Mr. Yarrell, who
says they are extremely like that bird's eggs; and Mr. Bond has also seen them, and has no
hesitation in pronouncing them as such. — C. Tiiurxall, Whittlesford, Cambridge, September
6th., 1853.

Note on the Nest and Eggs of the Dotterel, (Charadrius Morinellus.) — I likewise had the good
fortune to take in the same neighbourhood two nests, containing three eggs each of this bird,
and another nest, containing three eggs, has been taken since I left. — Idem,

Note on tlie Grasshopper Warbler's Nest, (Salicaria locustella.)— On the 5th. of June, 1853,
I had a nest of the Grasshopper Warbler, containing six eggs, brought me from Duxford, near
Cambridge. I have some of these eggs, and also many other species collected in this neigh-
bourhood, in duplicate, which I should be happy to exchange with any of your readers.— Idem.

Night Heron, (Nycticorax Gardenii,) at Blackpool.— k rare bird was shot near Blackpool by
Mr. Daniel Lare, ofNormoss, on the 14th. instant, namely, i\\c Nycticorax Gardenii, (Night Heron.)
It is as beautiful a specimen as could be wished for. The following are the measurements taken
before I skinned it: — Full length, from tip of bill to longest tail feather, twenty-two inches
and a quarter; extent of wings, thirty-nine inches and a half; wing from flexure, eleven inches
and a quarter ; length of bill along the gape line, three inches and a quarter ; tarsus, two inches
and seven-eighths ; middle toe, two inches and five-eighths ; claw, half an inch ; the three white
occipital feathers are without the black tip; the crown and nape, with the fore part of the
back and the scapulars, greenish black; wings and tail, bluish grey; lower parts, very light
cream. It may be seen at my shop at Blackpool. — James Bost, Blackpool, June 18th., 1853.

Egg of the Tree Sparrow, (Passer montanus.) — In my notes on the Tree Sparrow I stated my
intention of endeavouring to ascertain whether the light-coloured egg I have invariably found
in each nest of this species, which I have had an opportunity of examining, was "the last laid,
or the first, etc." — I have now ascertained that it is the last. This fact would seem to strengthen
the opinion of Mr. Yarrell, quoted by the Rev. F. 0. Morris, in the article on the Kestrel, in his
"History of British Birds," that the want of colouring matter on the shell of the egg is "occasioned
by the temporary constitutional exhaustion the bird has sustained." Having had occasion to
mention the work on British Birds by the Rev. F. 0. Morris, now in course of publication, I
cannot avoid expressing my opinion that it is a work which every lover of nature, every one
who wishes to become "intimately acquainted" with the feathered tribes of our land — and I know
not what more desirable, or at any rate what less objectionable "acquaintances" he can form —
ought by all means to possess himself of. The peculiarly pleasing and happy manner in which
each bird is introduced, its history given, its habits and peculiarities described, and the numerous
anecdotes, contained iu such history, related, impart a charm of no ordinary kind to this work ;

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 265

a charm only equalled by that which pervades the "History of British Butterflies," by the same
author; and I must here express my earnest hope that the Kcv. gentleman may be induced to
extend his labours to the illustration of the next family, the British Sphinxes. From his
masterly hand a splendid volume upon this family would proceed, which could not fail of being
hailed as a most desirable accompaniment to his "British Butterflies:" not only are the perfect
insects of this fiimily surpassingly beautiful, but the caterpillars also of most of them possess
great beauty. A coloured engraving of the perfcot insect, with the caterpillar on the plant, or
a portion of the plant upon which it usually feeds, also coloured, would form a very pleasing
picture; while the addition of the chrysalis, although it might not add to the beauty of the
picture, would at least add to its us(;fulness, and would therefore be a valuable addition. I
trust many will unite in entreating the Rev. gentleman to take this suggestion into consideration.
— Stephen Stone, Brighthampton, July 26th., 1853.

Note on a Wild Bee, (Bombus ten-estris?)— In the early part of January, 1853, when visiting
an old friend of mine, upwai-ds of eighty years old, and even now as careful an observer of
nature in his own limited grounds and sphere as he ever was, I received from him the par-
ticulars I am now about to relate: — At the bottom of his gsirden was a weather-board fence or
paling, thickly overgrown with the common broad-leaved Ivy. Under the shelter of this green
screen a pair of Robins formed an early nest in the spring of 1852. They were carefully protected
from the house-cat, which in fact was rather friendly than not to the parent birds ; for though
she watched them long and often, she never made an effort to molest them. In lime the brood
was off, and every object of the Redbreasts was attained. The nest remained, and was unnoticed
by the old gentleman for many weeks, until one day, in walking round his garden, musing,
his thoughts reverted to the Robin's nest, and he looked at the deserted home, but indeed it
was not deserted, but inhabited and carefully roofed over, for he saw a Bee of a Avild species
emerge from a small aperture near the top, and another, and another Bee. They returned and
seemed busy in gathering sweets, and storing them safely away. They revelled on the balsams,
and amused the old gentleman much; daily he gave them a look, and they continued their
labours. He did not think this colony of "Wild Bees exceeded a dozen; for his garden being a
small confined space, ho watched and counted them daily, and they never passed that number.
They appeared to have taken straws, or the bark of the bean-stalk, when nearing perfection ;
it might have been the cortex of some other tree or plant, or some entirely different material ;
but whatsoever the matter employed, it was used carefullj% and made a strong roof, cemented
over with some ceracious matter, not supposed to be pure wax. The little workers were observed
till even the middle of November at work, and seeking their home; but the wet of the heavy
and continued rains at that time would have injured them, for the Ivy did not offer a water-
proof protection ; so the old gentleman placed a tin awning over them, and this was quite
successful. He was anxiously awaiting spring when he gave me this information, that he might
once more observe the further operations of this colony of Wild Bees. "When I hear, I will record
all further remarks on them. It is no unusual matter to discover the nests of Wild Bees in
trees and banks; and White relates that near Lewes they formed nests in the summit of a
chalky promontory. But with those I have described, the curiosity is, the discarded nest being
selected, and the mechanical skill exhibited in a roof being added. This is a very powerful
argument to uphold the assertion that a something more than instinct, close bordering on wisdom,
characterizes the works of many of the lower orders of life, and leaves man in admiration at
their possession of such talents inherently, which to him are not natural, but only acquired, and
that often by great patience and industry. — G. R. Twinn, Bawburgh Hill, near Norwich, May
9th., 1853.

White Variety of Lamium amplexicaule. — During our rambles in the neighbourhood of
Aberystwith in search of rare flowers for our Herbal, we one day found a specimen of Lamium
amplexicaule, (Henbit Nettle,) perfectly white. You are aware that the usual colour of this
flower is "crimson," but on this there were no spots or trace of red. The plant agreed in
every particular with the description given by Withering of L. amplexicaule, and grew in the
same manner as the red, of which there are many roots here. Its situation was on a broken
hill amongst furze. There was another flower in bud, which looked equally white. Can any
of your readers inform us if it is often found in this variety, or if it is another species.'' —
C. AND J. D'Arcy, 51, Terrace, Aberystwith, August 13th., 1853.

256 THE QUERIST.

I have in my possession two fish-hooks taken from the stomach of a large Cod, (Morrhua
vulgaris,) caught in the Frith of Forth the other day. Attached to each hook is a piece of
cat-gut fishing-line. One would have been apt to iinaghie that the sharp-pointed barbs of the
liooks would have prevented their being swallowed. — Joux DoiG, Surgeon, Torryburn, Fifcsbire,
July 8th., 1853.

Colias hyale in Sussex, — Having seen sove^ral notices of the capture of rare insects in your
pages, I beg to inform you that Mr. F. I^I. Alexander, of this town, caught a beautiful female
specimen of the Pale Clouded Yellow near Brighton, on the 2tth. of June last. This insect,
together with Colias cdusa, is frequently met with here. This gentleman was also lucky enough
last year to procure the Mciojhv'lus Ncrii, mentioned at page 230 of your second volume.—
J. Cavafy, Brighton, August 6th., 1853.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATUUALIST.

Sir,

I think the request contained in the following letter cannot be better complied
with than by forwarding it to you for consideration, and if approved of, for insertion in "The
Naturalist." I fully concur in the opinions expressed by Mr. Long, and when to thp causes
mentioned by him as tending to diminish the nunaber of our native birds, and also those which
periodically visit us, are added, the inclosure and clearing of tracts of land, the draining of
fens and marshes, and the unwearied exertions of professed bird-catchers, it is not possible to
contemplate without regret how many birds, once familiar, are yearly becoming more rare.

I remain, Sir, yours faithfully,
Bath. E. WILBRAIIAM FALCONER.

Bath, May 25th., 1853.
Dear Dr. Falconer,

I wish you would point out in "The Naturalist," the advantages

which would result from the establishment of Public Museums in our largo towTis, and the con-
sequent discouragement of the formation of Private jSIuseuras of Natural History, for the supply
of which, with specimens of British Birds and their eggs, an unrelenting warfare is being
carried on, which thi-eatens the total extinction of many species, hitherto accounted common.
A well-known bird-stuffer of this place tells me, that during the few years in which th.> rage
for oology has become so general, many of our smaller birds have become every year more
scarce. The formation of a good collection of British Birds in every large town, which might
in most instances be easily effected by Ciontributions from private collections already formed,
would suffice for all the students of Natural History in their respective localities, and would
tend to check that wholesale onslaught upon our feathered neighbours, which will shortly
leave us but a few Rooks and House Sparrows upon which to exercise our ornithological obser-
vations. I add a copy of a note at page 294 of Mr. Barker's interesting book, "Lares and
Penates," which I have recently ^tumbled upon. — "I cannot avoid, making a few remarks here
on the wanton destruction of life, which the mania for collecting eggs and birds to stuff has
generated. At the late sale of the valuable and interesting Zoological Collection at Knowsley,
many a rare animal was bought in order to kill and stuff it ; and the exertions made in collecting
eggs, an unfair practice and a morbid taste, will soon deprive us of many an interesting bird,
unless put a stop to by the execration of public opinion, expressed on all possible occasions."

I am, dear Dr. Falconer, very truly yours,

"WILLIAM LONG.

€\\i (Tliitrist.

Is Guernsey to be considered, entomologically and ornithologically, as well as politically, a
part of "Great Britain?" for, if so, our cabinets and collections might perhaps be considerably
enriched by this "acquisition of territory."— F. 0. Mobri.s, Naffcrton Vicarage, September 22nd.,
1853.

257 /-;n:r

LETTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST. ( fl^m

( Continued from paffe 216. J X'^/V' '

LETTER IX.

lona, November, 1852.

My last ended rather abruptly, but yet I have very little more to add
regarding our lona quadrupeds; the only species that remain to be mentioned
are the Common Rabbit, (Lepus cuniculus,) Long-tailed Field Mouse, [Mus
sylvaticus,) the Otter, (Lutra vulgaris,) and the Seal, (Phoca vitulina.) As
for the two latter, they are so shy, and so rarely to be seen, that one can
scarcely make any observations upon their habits.

I have never discovered the nest of the Purple Sandpiper, {Tringa mari-
tima;) but I have observed one or two pairs about the shores of Staflfa all
through the summer. Late in the month of June last, there was a pair
flitting about the inner extremity of the great cave; on being disturbed they
went off to the next cave, (the boat cave,) where they were shot by my
companion.

I was very much amused by the account of your friend's adventure with
the Heron, a beginning which promises great success, for it is not easy to
circumvent old Long Shanks. There is a Gaelic saying — '^One who has killed
three Herons, three Geese, and three Curlews, may call himself a sportsman,"
so your friend has at least made one step towards acquiring that honourable
designation.* I never have seen the Little Auk, so I supppse it is more a
frequenter of the east than of the west coast; for if it ever came near us here,
I could not have failed to have seen or heard of it. But the Heron is a

* In all my field and sea-side rambles I do not remember having had a more fortunate afternoon
than fell to my lot on Saturday last. After shooting a Turnstone and a few smaller birds on
wing, I was much surprised on observing a stranger hurrying towards me, and I set down the
specimens, whose throats I had been plugging, seized my gun, and in another moment the
arrowy flight was stopped, and the little traveller fell at my feet. It was a Little Auk, {Mer-
gulus alle,) — the only specimen I have seen since 1846, when they were so abundant on our
shores. After carefully stuflSng his mouth, and wrapping him in a paper coffin, my attention
was taken by an approaching squall. Suddenly it became dark, and the big boulders frowned
as the tempestuous waves broke in succession on their backs. The tide was nearly full, and
the feathered tribes were consequently obliged to keep near the grass, which made their capture
all the more easy. A few Redshanks and Dunlins were coursing past, looking for shelter, and
various other kinds might be seen anxiously struggling forward against the wind. A large Heron
at length came in sight, beating his broad wings in apparent ill-humour at the storm. Down
he dropped (dose to the beach, composedly reducing his size as he best could to resist the
elements. His doom was however fixed. — I crawled forwards nearer and nearer, till he cawght
a glimpse of me as I approached. Up he started, spread his sails, and stretched his long stilts,
uttering at the same time a dreadful shriek, which mingled with the roar of the breakers ; and
just as he was fairly on wing, I brought him down. He fell into the foaming waves with a
broken wing; and without much hesitation I sprang in to secure him; but as I was on the
point of seizing him, the brute turned round arid showed fight gallantly. He flapped his huge
wings, and screamed like a pig in distress — attempting now and then to strike at me with his
bill; till at last the cold forced me to leave the water. The Heron was therefore left to come
out of his own accord, which he did slowly and cautiously when a lull occurred in the sea ; but
when a big wave approached, he threw back his head and barked angrily at it, as if deteraiined
VOL. III. 2 L

258 LETTERS OP AN OUNITIIOLOQIST.

very abundant bird in winter, and a very picturesque object. They roost,
when the tide is full, upon some unfrequented rocks, where I have sometimes
caught them napping. They have a very grotesque appearance then — a muffled-
up ball of feathers, stuck upon the end of a single long stick; the head, one
leg, and the bill, all entirely put out of sight, the bare extremity of the latter
alone being protruded from among the long breast feathers. One spring I
happened to meet with a Heron among the rocks at low water, who apparently
had received some hurt, as he flew off with difficulty, and alighted again at
a short distance. When I followed him I saw him gradually sink down into
a sitting posture; on my nearer approach, his neck slowly was lowered down
also, till it lay along the sea-weed; and as it was a low hollow rock, he thus
rendered himself almost invisible, and would certainly never have been noticed
by any one, who had not been all the time keeping his eye fixed on the
place; however when I came quite close to him, and he saw that he had
not escaped detection, he sprang up, and made a successful effort to fly off.

When a Heron has been sufficiently kept, though not so good as many
other sea- fowl, it may be eaten cold; at least I do not see why we should
be more fastidious than our forefathers, who thought it a sufficiently "dainty
dish to set before a king."

The larger Gulls take a special delight in tormenting their sedate grey
friend, whenever they catch him soberly traversing the air, going to or returning
from his feeding-ground. The Gulls, with hoarse cries, make repeated swoops
which, frightening the poor Heron out of his propriety, make him quickly
change the dignified measured flappings of his great wings for a series of
uncouth summersets through the air, by which he tries to escape their rude
attack; at the same time furiously uttering his harsh screams, by which (could
we understand the bird's language,) he probably threatens his assailants with
police! prosecution, and all the terrors of the law! This continues till the Heron
alights, or is driven far inland, or until the Gulls get tired of the sport.

The natural colour of the Cormorant's egg, as you are aware, is a sea-green,
covered with a rough coating, of a dirty white substance, like chalk. This
was very remarkable upon one specimen which T found in a nest, off which
I shot the female bird. On dissecting it I found another egg just ready for
laying — of a beautiful green, and pure colour, without a stain of white. Query.
Is the coating of lime acquired after extrusion, or immediately before it? I

to go ashore at his leisure. Another wave camo, and the same hoarse challenge met it from
the half-immersed bird ; until at last exhausted nature gave way, and a volume of surge washed
the unhappy wader far on the beach. The matter did not end here; up rose the prostrate
bunch of feathers, and away it stalked as majestically as the broken wing permitted. I was
not, however, to be cheated, and at once accosted the marching ghost; then a row commenced —
the Heron seizing me by the arm, or anywhere it could effectually aim a blow, till, by a lucky
twist, I got hold of his neck, which scoured me the victory. In spite of all his misfortunes he
was still dangerous; so I tucked his body under my arm, throwing at the same time the neck
over my shoulder to ensure protection against bites; and tlius I mai'ched home, — the Heron
screaming lustily all the way. A more perfect caricature of that odious instrument, the bag-
pipes, could not possibly be conceived. — W. Sinclair, Dunbar.

LKTTERS OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST. 2o9

tried the edible qualities of one Seart's egg, the white of which, (excuse the
bull,) was of a pale emerald green ; and, on the whole, I should not recommend
it as a delicacy.

A few days ago I took a little jaunt up to a large fresh-water loch, where
I had an opportunity of watching some Grebes. The air was perfectly still,
and the surface of the water like a sheet of glass. When at a distance
from one another these birds frequently began to call until they met: this
cry was a kind of creek! creek! ^creek! We chased several, which escaped
by disappearing just as we made sure of their capture, and appearing no more.
One went into a bed of reeds, through which we forced the boat, and suc-
ceeded in frightening him out into the clear water* but when the boat had
got within forty yards of him, he rose upon the wing with great ease, and
flew clear oflF to the other end of the loch.

LETTER X.

lona, December, 1852.

Immediately after I had dispatched my last letter to you I went out for
a short sail, and saw several Black Guillemots in various states of plumage,
the whitest of which I shot; and on exaniination it reminded me of what 1
had forgotten to remark, that is, that the tail of this Guillemot, like its
wings, does not change colour in winter, but remains black: this is only the
case with the tail feathers, for the upper and under tail coverts change colour,
becoming tipped with grey, or actually white.

I also killed a Great Northern Diver, weighing between eleven and twelve
pounds. The day was very calm, and the water perfectly smooth. I and my
companion observed a pair of these birds swimming together about two hun-
dred yards from us, and two fishing-boats at the same time were rowing up
towards them from the opposite direction. We accordingly lay quite still.
The Divers let the fishing-boats come within about eighty yards, and dived
with their heads towards us — a few seconds of keen excitement — and the monsters
emerged thirty yards the other side of us, having passed underneath our boat.
One dived again the moment it got its head above water; but the other one
seemed to be slowly sinking down in a very curious manner, so that there
was nothing appearing but its head when I fired. The splash caused by the
shot subsided, and there floated his huge hulk, helly up. We saw several
more Great Northern and Black-throated Divers during this short sail, but
had not time to go after any more, though I am sure they would have
allowed a near approach. It is said that the appearance of these birds prog-
nosticates bad weather: at any rate it blew a hurricane that night and the
next two days.

I regret that a dog got access to the specimen which I intended sending
to you, and bit its head off, so that it is useless. It was in poor condition,
and changing its plumage. The wings are still spangled with white stars, but

2G0 JIICRATION OF THE QUAIL,

on the back the plumage is mostly greyish blacky although there are a good
many black feathers remaining with the double white spot at the extremity.
It is worthy of notice, as shewing the manner in which they lose these hand-
some ornaments, to remark that as one of us was stroking his hand along the
back of the bird^ we observed several of these white spots drop off like flakes
of snow, breaking off from the feathers, of which they formed a part. It
was thi» peculiarity which made me wish to forward the specimen; and I
think I will yet preserve the skin of what remains. There was notliing
remarkable about the head and neck, which had completely assumed the winter

plumage.

{To be continued.)

ON THE MIGRATION OF THE QUAIL,
{COTURNIX DACTYLISONANS.)

BY THE REV. W. W. COOPER.

Certain questions connected with the migration of the Quail, (Coturmx
dactyh'sonans,) being still involved in considerable obscurity, I am induced to
lay before the readers of "The Naturalist" the present state of our knowledge
on the subject, in the hope of exciting others to such further observations as
may improve our knowledge of this interesting little bird, I will take up the
history at the beginning, as that will shew what progress has, in modern
times, been made in accurate observation, though, as we shall presently see,
there is still much room for improvement.

Pliny tells us, (I quote from the translation of Philemon Hollond, published
in 163o,) ^'But since we are entred into this discourse of those foules that
make voiages by whole flocks over sea and land to see strange countries, I
cannot put off to speak of lesser birds also, which are of the like nature.
For those before named may seerae in some sort to be induced to such great
travell, so bigge they are of bodie, and so strong withall. As touching
Quailes, therefore, they alwaies come before the Cranes depart. A little bird
it is, and whiles she is among us here, mounteth not aloft in the aire, but
rather flieth below neer the ground. The manner of their flying is like the
former, in troupes: but not without some danger of the sailers when they
approch neer to land. For oftentimes they settle in great number on their
sailes, and then perch, which they doe evermore in the right, and with their
poise beare downe barkes and small vessels, and finally sinke them. The
Quails have their gists, to wit, ordinarie resting and baiting places. When
the south wind blowes, they never flie: for why? it is a moist, heavy, and
cloggie wind, and that they know well ynough. And yet they willingly chase
a gale whensoever they flie, by reason their bodies are too weigh tie (in com-
parison of their wings,) to beare them up, and besides their strength is but
small. And hereupon it is that as they flie, they seem by their manner of
crie, to coraplaine, as though they flew with paine. Commonly therefore they

MIGRATION OF THE QUAIL. 261

choose a northerne wind to flie with; and they have one mlghtie great Quailc,
called Ortygometra, to lead the way, and conduct them as their captain. The
formost of them, as he approacheth neere to land, paieth toll for the rest unto
the Hawke, who presently for his welcome preieth upon him. Whensoever at
any time they are upon their remoove and departure out of these parts, they
persuade other birds to beare them company, and by their inducements there
go in their train the Glottis, Otis, and Cychramus. * * *

0 •' But to return to our Quailes aforesaid. If a contrarie wind
should chance to arise and begin to drive against them, and hinder their flight;
to prevent this inconvenience they are well provided. For they flie well
ballaised, either with small weightie stones within their feet, or els with sand
stuffed in their craw: the seed or grain of the White Elebore, (a very poison,)
they love passing well, and it is their best meat. But hereupon it is, that
they are not served up as a dish to the table. Moreover they are wont to
fome and slaver at the mouth, by reason of the falling sicknesse, unto which
they only of all other creatures, but man again, are subject."

Such is the amusing account Pliny gives us of the migration, etc., of the
Quail. The information Gould affords on this subject is scanty. He says,
^^In the British Isles the Quail is more sparingly dispersed, arriving in spring
as soon as the tender corn is of sufficient height to afford it shelter, and re-
maining with us till it has performed the duties of incubation."

Yarrell is more full in his account; he tells us that the Quail arrives in
this country in May; that the males come before the females; and that the
greater portion leave us in October. He also says, ^'this bird has generally
been considered as a summer visitor only to Great Britain; but so many
instances have latterly been recorded of its occurrence in Ireland in particular,
as well as in England, during the winter months, as to make it appear that
a portion of them do not return south in autumn."

Macgillivray agrees with Yarrell in fixing the time of their arrival to be
May, but differs from him by dating their departure in September.

It is however to the latter part of Yarrell's account that I wish to draw
attention. In the "Zoologist," I find several notices of the occurrence of the
Quail in winter. At page 361, after stating that he saw one on East Ilsley
Downs, February 12th., 1840, the writer, Mr. W. Hewitt, informs us that
he has heard his father say that he has caught Quails under sieve-traps in
severe weather about Christmas, at Spodon, in Oxfordshire.

Page 871, — Quails were seen near Cambridge in November and December,
1844.

Page 1299.— A Quail was killed at Shiffnal, Salop, December 20th., 1846.

Page 1367. — A Quail was killed at Topham, in Cambridgeshire, at the
end of January; and two were seen in a poulterer's shop at Bury St. Edmunds,
in February, or the beginning of March, 1846.

1 have one more instance to add, which came under my own observation.
On the 1st. of last February, my brother shot a Quail in the parish of

262 EGGS OF THE RRED WARBLER^ ETC.

Normanby-by-Spital, ia this county. It was in a small piece of reaped stubble,
on a strong, cold, wet, clay soil, where I had seen it a few days before, but
was unable to get a shot at it.

I find in the "Zoologist" two theories to account for the occurrence of the
Quail in winter. One writer supposes that the bird he saw had been wounded,
and was consequently unable to join the migrating flock. Another writer sug-
gests that, as at the tin)e he saw a Quail, there had been no severe weather, the
mildness of the season might sufficiently account for a bird being left behind.

With regard to the bird I saw killed last February, it had no appearance
of having been wounded. Up to that time the weather had been remarkably
open; but within a fortnight set in that snow-storm, which will be remembered
as the severest which has occurred since 1814.

The points of observation which I would suggest, as being most likely to clear
up the doubt attending the occurrence of a few stragglers in winter, are these : —
The precise date of their being seen; whether the specimens are male or
female; whether the birds appear to have been wounded or not; whether there
is any reason to suppose they are travelling at the time they are observed,
or whether they seem to be in winter quarters; their condition; the general
character of the season; and the nature of the soil and cover in which they
are found. A few accurate observations on these points would, I think, go
far to solve the questions — Whether the Quail is to be classed as a partial
migrant? or, whether those few that stay with iis in winter, do so from
some physical inability to join in the general migration.

I have endeavoured to set out a correct account of our knowledge, and its
progress, of the migration of the Quail; and if by your kindness in publishing
it in "The Naturalist," it succeed in directing attention to the cause of a
few not migrating, at all events not joining in the general migration, I shall
hope to have done something towards clearing up the main point, on which
I think information is wanted with regard to the habits of the Quail.

Hector^, West Rasen, Lincolnshire, August 27th., 1853.

EGGS OP THE
REED WARBLER, WHINCHAT, W^HEATEAR, ETC.

BY STEPHEN STONE, ESQ,

Mr. C. W. Brown's assertion, contained in last month's number of "The
Naturalist," vol. iii., page 13G, in reply to a query by a correspondent in a
previous number, that "the Reed Warbler's egg is precisely like the Blackcap's,
but rather larger," should be received with caution. How close a resemblance
there may be between the eggs of these two species found in his neighbourhood,
is a point upon which I am not in a condition to speak, and therefore shall
not presume to do so; but between those produced in this locality, the resem-
blance is by no means striking. The egg of the Reed Warbler, (Salicaria

EGGS OF THE RKRD WARBLER^ ETC, 2()3

arundinacea,) is with us rather the smaller of the two; T have always found
it tinged and spotted with green, in which respect, as well as in size, it more
nearly resembles the egg of the Garden Warbler, (Curruca Jiortensis.) There
is, I know, considerable diversity of opinion in reference to the eggs of the
Garden Warbler and those of the Blackcap, (Curruca atricapilla:) thus Mr.
Hewitson, in his "Coloured Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds," says,
"it was my belief that the eggs of the Garden Warbler, although in some of
the varieties resembling those of the Blackcap, were usually to be distinguished
from them by their more beautiful and bright colouring. Mr. Henry Doubleday,
of Epping, upon whose authority I have the utmost reliance, assures me that
the reverse is more frequently the case; ^that the eggs of the Garden Warbler
are generally smaller than those of the Blackcap, and never so bright in colour,'
but that the two often approach each other." "Who shall decide, etc." The
principal marks of distinction which have presented themselves in the specimens
I have hitherto found are these: — the eggs of the Blackcap are rather larger,
and more oblong in shape, than those of the Garden Warbler, while the eggs
of the latter are more or less tinged with a greenish colour, which I have
never yet observed in those of the former.

Mr, Brown goes on to say "The Whinchat's egg is a pale blue, precisely
like the Hedge Warbler's, the Redstart's, and the Wheatear's, between which
there is such a resemblance, that, if mixed, they could scarely be identified
again." Now the eggs of the Whinchat, [Saxicola rubetra,) which I have
procured, instead of being "a pale blue," are of a beautiful dark greenish
blue, and mostly speckled with pale brown; it may be that in some specimens
this latter characteristic is wanting, and in such cases it would be exceedingly
difficult to distinguish them from the eggs of the Hedge Warbler, (Accentor
modularis.) The egg of the Redstart, (Phcenicura ruticilla,) may be distin-
guished by its smaller size. The eggs of the Wheatear, {Saxicola oenanthe,)
are indeed "a pale blue;" I have many specimens, and those not faded ones
from exposure to the light, or from the length of time I have had them,
but specimens of precisely the same colour as they were when newly laid,
of as pale a blue as a mixture of chalk and water, or, which I need hardly
observe is one and the same thing — London milk; this, together with their
larger size, will serve in most instances to distinguish them from the eggs
of the Hedge Warbler, with which they are most likely to be confounded,

1 agree with Mr. Brown, in recommending all who may feel desirous of
forming a collection, to ^'collect their own eggs" as far as may be practicable,
since there are many species, which, if mixed together, there would be less
chance of identifying again than those he has mentioned; and besides, eggs
will occasionally be met with, the colour, markings, and the whole appearance
of which, instead of being a guide to us in deciding on the birds that pro-
duced them, have just the opposite tendency; being directly calculated, like
an Ignis fatuus, whether natural, moral, religious, social, or political, to mislead,
so that it would be utterly impossible for any one except the person who

264 LEPID0PTKR4 nOUND KXETER,

took them, to tell with certainty, to what species of bird they belonged. I
have several of this character in my collection, which would sadly perplex the
most experienced oologist in his attempts to assign them

"A local habitation and a name."
BrigUhatnpton, July 2nd., 1853.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER.

BV MR. E. PARFITT.
(Continued from poffc 2t53.)

Orthosia lan'osa is not a common insect, and it is very rarely to be taken
in good condition, the specimens are generally rubbed or the wings torn;
this species should have been placed before the Copper Underwing; Scoto-
phila Tracjopoginis, (the Mouse,) is a rare moth, I have only seen one specimen;
Ncenia typica is also very scarce, only two or three have been taken that I
am aware of. XtjUna rhyzolitha is rather a common insect; Xylophasia
charaderea is a scarce moth; I reared four from chrysalides found in my
garden in 1851, and I have not heard or seen any since. Jl. lithoxylea,
(Light Archis,) is also rare, at least only one or two have come under
my notice. X. pohjodon : several specimens of this moth are to be taken
during the summer months. Apamea didyma is a common species about this
neighbourhood; Mamcstm oleracea is much too common, or at least the cater-
pillars are; and M. Brassiere is another much too plentiful. Xylocampa
Lithorhiza is a rare moth, I have only taken one specimen, and have only heard
of another being taken hereabouts; the Li/chnis has been taken here by Mr.
G. Norcorabe, but I have not met with it myself; Polia flavicincta is a scarce
insect, I have only taken one specimen in 1849. The beautiful little moth,
the Peach Blossom, has just been captured here at Parker's Well House, by
the gardener, Mr. Bicknell: he brushed it out of a currant bush in the garden.
I believe it to be the first which has been taken in this neighbourhood, but
I hope it will not be the last. Another beautiful and rare moth I took
myself at Coaver, July, 1851. The Coronet, (Acronycta Ligustri.) — I have
not heard of another specimen of this beautiful species having been taken
here. Acronycta Bumicis, (Knot Grass,) is not very common, though many
specimens are to be taken during a season.

Another very .beautiful species, the Marbled Green, (^Bryophila glandifera,)
is rather plentiful on the Topsham road. I have found many of them sitting
on the wall early in the morning near Exeter. What do the caterpillars of
this insect feed on? is it mosses or lichens, or what? The Dun-bar, {Euperia
trapezina,) is about equal in its appearance to the Marbled Green. Xanthia
citrago is not a common insect, though I have taken several specimens, but
mostly on the west side of Exeter in meadows, or at least by the side of
hedges between St. Thomas and Foxhays. The Herald is particularly plen-

LEPIDOPTERA RODND EXETER. 265

tiful. The Pale Mottled Willow, (Garadrina culicularis,) has been taken by
Mr. G. Norcombe, but it is very rarely to be met with. The Angle Shades
is an abundant species. CucuUia Scrophularice is very rare. I have not heard
or seen any except one which I possess; it is a fine specimen^ which I reared
from a caterpillar found feeding on Scrophularia aquatica, by the side of the
canal, July 19th., 1852, and it went into the chrysalis on the 22nd. of the
same month. Cucullia Lychnitis has been taken by Mr. G. Norcombe, but
it is rare. The Shark, ((7. Umbratica,) is also a scarce species: I have only
taken one specimen.

The Spectacle, (^Ahrostola Urticce,) is a very rare insect; the specimen
which I possess I bred from a chrysalis — it came out May 29th., Ib53.
Plusia Gamma: the caterpillars of this moth are very injurious to many of
our cultivated plants, particularly Mignionette and Scarlet Geraniums. We had
a bed of Tom Thumb Geraniums very nearly destroyed by them two years
ago. I have not seen them so plentiful since, neither do I wish it. Plusia
Iota is rare, I have only seen one specimen, which I took in my garden.
P. chrysitis is also rare; only one or two have been taken that I can hear
of. The Small Yellow Underwing, [Noctua arhuti.) — This beautiful little
moth is of rare occurrence. I took one this year, in June, in some meadows
near Wonford: there were two of them flying about amongst the grass, but I
could not take them both. Phytometra Q^nea. (Small Purple Barred,) is
another very beautiful moth, not very common, though you may take several
on Haldon in the summer months. The Old Lady, (Mormo maura,) is
tolerably abundant. The Old Lady is now to be met with flying about some-
times in the streets of Exeter, but most frequently about the outskirts of the
city, about ten or eleven o'clock at night. Gatocala Nujpta was taken here
on one of the locks of the canal two years ago.

Mother Shipton, [Euclidia mi,) is a scarce insect, only one having been
caught, and that was taken on Haldon, in 1851, by Mr. Bicknell. Fidonia
atomaria is particularly abundant on Haldon in July. Hulia Vauaria, (V.
Moth,) was tolerably plentiful in 1851-52, but I have not seen a single
specimen since. This season is one of the worst for the entomologist that
has occurred for many years; I suppose it is from the quantity of wet we
had this spring, which no doubt drowned a great number of chrysalides buried
in the ground. Hyhernia defoliaria is not a common moth, as J have
only seen three specimens — these I took last year. Phigalia pilosaria,
(Pale Brindled Beauty:) I have only caught or seen one. Piston Petu-
larius is scarce — two or three specimens only have been taken. The Oak
Beauty is exceedingly rare, indeed it is as rare as it is beautiful. I have
only heard of one being taken, it was caught at Miss Gifibrd's Parker's Well
House, 1852. The Scalloped Hazel: I took several specimens of this moth
in 1850, and have only seen one since. The September Thorn, (Geometra
erosaria:) several of this moth I have taken. Geometra illunaria is a very

common species.

(To be continued.)
VOL. £11. 2 M

266
CAPTURES OP LEPIDOPTERA.

BY ROBERT S. EDLESTOX, ESQ.

Erehia Cassiope. — I captured several specimens on Sty Head, near Keswick,
on the 2oth. of June: this species varies considerably.

Crambas Lapponlcellus occurred in some plenty on the summit of Skiddaw,
but few fine. I was amused at the highest point to see a very fine Pontia
Brassicce fly past in first-rate style.

Ephippiphora Turbidana. — Several specimens taken near Manchester, end
of June, secreted in the dry leaves of Tussila(jo Petasitis.

Plusia Bractea. — This splendid Moth has occurred in tolerable abundance
near Macclesfield. They are taken at night on honey-suckles in July. Some
of the specimens have a bright yellow fungus, hatchet-shape, about one-sixteenth
of an inch in length, growing out of the eyes, giving the insect a strange
appearance. I do not remember observing anything of the sort previously in
my collecting.

Arctia Caja. — I possess a fine bred variety; upper wings all chocolate, the
lower wings black, usual black spots shew through in pta-ple. I bred a male
this season — lower wings are dissimilar, the right side being nearly suflFused
with black, and a small space in orange; the left side less sufi"used, and more
orange.

(Ecophora Curtisella — I met with this species in great abundance, in July,
on Broughton Park palings — all the varieties from black and white to jet
black.

Smerinthus populi. — A beautiful variety of this species was bred here this
season; the whole of the insect being suffused with the pinky hue, seen on
the wings of Ocellatus.

Manchester, August oth., 1853.

A BOTANICAL RAMBLE ALONG
THE BEACH FROM BRIGHTON TOWARDS SHOREHAM.

r.Y J. E. SMITH, ESQ.

C Continued from page 2o0. j

Liquorice is obtained from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, not a nativ^e of
this country, though Astrnlagus glycyphyllus, (the Sweet INIilk-Vetch, or Wild
Liquorice,) is not uncommon in calcareous soils, and contains a considerable
quantity of sweet juice in its roots and leaves. The manna alluded to is,
derived from a plant of this order that grows in Persia; but the manna of
Mount Sinai is obtained from a variety of Tamarix gallica, a shrub which
is very common in the squares of Brighton, and occasionally as a fence. You
may have observed it at Hove and many other places on the coast; it is a
doubtful native, and belongs to the order Tamaricaceee. If we now go out

A BOTANICAL RAMBLK. 267

towards the sea, where the herbage is more scanty, and the pebbles predomi-
nate, we shall find a number of interesting plants. This straggling shrub,
with flowers like those of a potatoe, its young shoots with an odour of musk,
is Solanum Dulcamara, (Common Nightshade, or Bittersweet, as its Latin
name implies;) it belongs to a most dangerous and suspicious family, the
Solanacece, famous for their narcotic properties; the Henbane, Hijoscyamus
niger, Atropa belladonna, Tobacco, Nicotiana, the edible Tomato, and Egg
Plant, both Solanums; the potatoe, etc., are of this order; these however
are only wholesome when deprived of their poison by heat. The juice of A.
Belladonna is well known to produce dilatation of the pupil, and the leaf
applied to the face relieves the tooth-ache. The fruit of Solanum dulcamara
and S. nigrum, to be found on rubbish everywhere, are very poisonous: one
species of Solanum; the Burahura, in Demerara, is said to be an antidote to
the bite of the Rattle-snake.

But here is Geranium Rohertianum, (Herb Robert;) it is the small variety
B of Smith, and very pretty it is with its red stems, elegant leaves, and
purple flowers. Geranium dissectum and molle are also plentiful, but chiefly
on the banks near the road, together with Erodium cicutarium, (Stork's
Bill,) with finely-divided pinnatifid leaves; a plant of the same natural order
Geraniaceoe, so much cultivated by florists; — the ornament of every garden
and cottage window. That almost microscopic plant is Myosotis collina, a
small Forget-me-not or Scorpion Grass, distinguished by its brilliant blue
flowers that do not expand till by the unrolling of the raceme each is in its
turn brought into a perpendicular position. It is of the order Boraginacece,
to which also belongs this rough-looking plant, not yet in bloom, JEchiiim
vulgare, (Viper's Bugloss;) it will soon decorate the beach with its racemes
of handsome flowers, at first reddish purple, then turning to a brilliant blue
and sometimes white. The Gynoglossum officinale, (Hound's Tongue,) belongs
to the same order; it is found nearer the road and on the banks in great
plenty; you may know it by its dingy purple and funnel-shaped blossoms, its
fcetid musty smell, its soft downy elliptical leaves, and its height about two
feet.

The Borage, [Borago officinalis,) gives its name to the order. I have ob-
served it in the neighbourhood of Cosham, near Portsmouth; it is a rare
plant, and partial to calcareous soils, though not found in this district. It
was formerly used as an ingredient in a sort of summer punch, called cool
tankard. This dark shining plant, with its dense heads of green flowers, Beta
vulgaris, (Common Beat,) that seems to rejoice in the barren soil, belongs to
the order Ghenopodioe, of which there are many species in the neighbourhood
of Brighton; for instance, a little further on, covering the mud of the harbour
with its white powdery branches and leaves, is Atriphx portulacoides, on the
leaves of which grows the sea-weed Ehodomela scorpioides, and in its neigh-
bourhood is plenty of Salicornia herhacea, and the rarer species of S. radicans
— the two Glasswovts: they are sometimes pickled for Samphire, (Crithmum

268 A BOTANICAL RAMBLE.

maritimum,) a plant of the order Compositce, found on rocky coasts as at
Dover. —

"Half way down
Hangs one that gathers Samphire —
Dreadful trade!"

The Salicornia has a very salt taste, and from the ashes a fossil alkali is
obtained, useful in making soap and glass; in fact the whole of this genus
yields a vast quantity of soda. }Iere also is that ornament of the Downs,
Eaphorhia officinalis, (Eyebright;) you must admire the small but elegant
blossom streaked with purple, and just a dash of yellow. Withering says it
was formerly in repute as a remedy for impaired vision; but he adds it will
not grow unless surrounded by plants taller than itself, from which I must
dissent, as I have found it on the Downs with nothing near it but the short
grass, not half its height. The Whitlow-grass, {Draba verna,) that enlivened
the dreary beach in the month of March with its myriad tiny white blossoms
is gone. Gerastium vulgatum and tetrandrum, all early plants, may still be
found in blossom both here and on the road-side; they belong to the order
Caryophyllaceoe, the same as the pinks, thrift, etc., and have but insignificant
white flowers, and would scarcely be noticed at this time of the year among
their brilliant neighbours. To the same order belong Silene maritima, stretching
over the shingle, and Silene inflata, (Bladder Campion,) that grows on the banks
and on the hedges everywhere; Lychnis vespertina, (White Robin,) growing
in the same situations; Spergula arvensis, a purple plant with white flowers;
Stellar ia Holostea, with its elegant grassy leaves and large wliite star-like
blossoms, growing among the grass on the cliff" with its relations, Stellaria
Graminea, (Lesser Stitchwort,) and S. media, (Common Chickweed,) which
makes itself at home in every situation.

Let us now return to those rugged cliff's, from ten to twenty feet in height,
in some places almost perpendicular, where the red clayey soil shows itself in
agreeable contrast to the long grass that covers the more sloping parts. Here
and there the ground is broken by a winding footpath, leading up from the
beach to the highroad, that runs along its top. Two or three solitary houses
stand at the bottom, and in their immediate neighbourhood are a few mud
huts, built by the navvies employed in making the ship canal from Shoreham.
On our left is the salt marsh, soon to be converted into docks with quays
and warehouses; beyond it the canal and Shoreham harbour; behind us is the
roar of the sea, itself concealed from our sight by the high bank of shingle.
Xo doubt at one period the sea or a river washed the foot of those cliffs
with their rugged and precipitous sides, and at a still more distant one those
same cliffls extended much further to the south, keeping back the sea to a
greater distance, probably than it is even now; for here was once the mouth
of the Adur, and here the famous Partus Adurni of the Romans. Yes! this
silent and unfrequented spot was once a busy scene, where commerce poured
her wealth into the laps of hundreds, while thousands pined in misery. Here

A BOTANICAL RAMBLE. 269

were conflicting interests of man competing with his fellow-man, and though
they had begun to learn the new commandment, each was striving 'to o'ertop
his neighbour' in the unhallowed lust of gain.

Behold that merchant hurrying along the quay, attended by a crowd of clients
and slaves. — He is a citizen of the 'mighty mistress of the world,' he hastens
to learn the fate of his 'Argosies' that are expected from Rome, Sicily, or
Alexandria, laden with corn or the rich spices of the East. You would think
the world's fate depended on the success of his speculations; and yet this
man with all his fellow-citizens, the very town itself, nay the vast empire,
of which it was but an insignificant part, the whole framework of society
and form of civilization that existed in his time, and which was deemed
imperishable, have all disappeared; — -they have been swallowed up in the
centuries as the flake of snow is dissolved in the ocean: nothing remains but
that eternal precept, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto

you."

Yet again, after thirteen centuries, a similar scene is about to be enacted
on the very same spot; the same conflicting interests; the same vices, follies,
and miseries, all however destined to perish as before, leaving behind nothing
but that everlasting principle of charity, until it, and it alone, be acknowledged
in every act of life to be the ruling principle of man; and all the while, as
the ages roll on in their steady, silent course, these little flowers come forth
every season to perform their humble part in the great scheme of the uni-
verse, admonishing us mortals to perform each our allotted work with all
humility and faithfulness.

But here we are at the foot of the cliffs, let us scramble up the sides and
gather the Wild English Clary or Sage, (Salvia verhenaca^ which, with the
flowers already mentioned, has found a settled habitation on this bank. It
belongs to the order Labiatce, but diflPers from all the other British genera
of this order except Lycopus, in having only two stamens. The other Labiatce,
growing in the neighbourhood, are Ballota nigra, not yet in flower, Lamiuin
album and purpureum, Thymus serpyllum, (Wild Thyme,) and Stachya sylvatica;
and of the allied order, Scrophularice, we shall find Veronica chamoedvi/s,
Serpyllifolia officinalis, agrestis, and arvensis. The first is called Bird's-eye:
it is that beautiful blue flower so brilliant in the hedges during May and
June. The name Vewjiica, according to Hooker, is derived from two Greek
words, signifying the sacred picture, as the flowers, like St. Veronica's hand-
kerchief, were supposed to bear a representation of our Saviour's counte-
nance. From this spot we may see growing in the mud, together with Atriplex
portulacoides, the green leaves of Aster tripolium, a plant that, according to
Linnaeus, is eaten by horses and goats, but not by other cattle; it belongs to
the order Gomposit(e, a very extensive and most natural order, containing the
Dandelion, Hawkweed, Centaurea, and many others too numerous to be
mentioned.

Having now enjoyed the fresh sea-breeze, the enlivening prospect, the

270 SOMKRSET MAUINE AULK.

flower- bespangled earth, and collected a magnificent nosegay of every hue, we
may return by the train, or if we prefer the walk along the road, we shall
be well rewarded by the distant view of Brighton, the sea and the cliflFs beyond
Kemp Town, resplendent with the setting sun and stretching out bay beyond
bay as far as Newhaven, Seaford, and even to the summit of Beachy Head.

17, Cannon Place, Brigldon, Sejdejnher, 1853.

NOTES ON THE SOMERSET MARINE ALG.E.

BY MISS ISADELLA GIFFORD,
Author of "The Marine Botanist."

Thr vegetation of our seas has of late years occupied more and more the
attention of Botanists. No longer are the Algae classed along with the Lichens
as formerly, but their delicate structures have been carefully examined in all
their microscopic details, and these close investigations have aiforded an
intimate knowledge of their organization, upon which has been based the
improved classification now in use. In this present paper it is not my intention
to enter into any of these details, but to lay before the readers of "The
Naturalist" the result of my explorations on this coast, one that, until I
proved to the contrary, was considered to be entirely destitute of any but the
very commonest species. I cannot agree with an eminent Geologist who has
said, "There is scarce a chain's length of the shores of Britain and Ireland
that has not been a hundred times explored by the Botanist." I believe that
there are still portions of our coasts which, at least, have received but a very
superficial examination, and I trust collectors who peruse these notes will be
encouraged to investigate with care any unrecorded locality which may fall
tinder their notice. My first visit to Minehead beach in 1848, yielded me
specimens of the beautiful and rare Nitophylhim Ve7's{color, known from others
of the genus by its changing rapidly from rose-colour to a bright orange when
placed in fresh water. This sea-weed is very local in its distribution, and
appears unknown to continental Botanists; on our shores it has only two other
localities besides this, namely, llfracombe, where it has long been known; and
Youghal, on the south coast of Ireland. At none of these stations has it
ever been found growing. I should surmise, however, from the very fresh
state in which it is often cast ashore at Minehead, that its place of growth
cannot be far distant; probably vegetating attached to shells or corallines in deep
water. The time for collecting this plant is from June to the end of August.
In the beginning of the season the plants are small, and without any appear-
ance of the hardened substance that arises at a later period at the apex of
the stem and the ends of the frond; these, when mature, are found to con-
tain minute grains; no fructification, except these bodies be such, has yet been
detected. From Nitophyllum Bonnemaisoni, another uncommon kind which I
find drifted on this beach, it may be known by the entire absence of any

SOMERSET MARINE ALG.E. 271

yeininw; and under the microscope by the larger size of the cellules. Nito-
phyllum Bonnemaisoni is frequently found in fruit, and its habitat is on the
stems of Lahiinaria dujitata.

In the beginning of August, 1848, I was so fortunate as to meet with
the Stenogramme interrupta, one of our rarest sea-weeds, which had been dis-
covered in November of the previous year, on the shores near Plymouth, by the
Eev. W. S. Hore, and Dr. John Cocks; its only other known station then was
at Cadiz; but it is now found to be a native also of the shores of New Zealand.
The primary fruit is contained in a raised line, which traverses the centre of
each division of the frond, and when this is present it is easy to recognise the
plant; the secondary fruit, consisting of tetraspores, forms roundish dots on
the frond: these I first discovered on Minehead specimens, and plants with this
description of fruit have not been found at Plymouth, nor, I am informed, has
a scrap of the plant been met with for two seasons there. This species inhabits
deep water. One single plant, with tetraspores, has been obtained by the
dredge in Cork harbour by Mr. CaroU.""- On Minehead beach the young
plants are to be found in June; and in the following November and December
they attain to their full growth. Collectors who may visit the opposite shores
of Wales will do well to look for this and other species herein noticed.

On the Somerset coast I have enumerated eighty different species of Marine
Algae;f nearly one-half of these may be collected in their customary places
of growth — on rocks, stones, etc., and in pools left at ebb tide; probably
were the dredge employed, many more kinds might be discovered; and spec-
imens thus obtained are generally in a state of much better preservation
than those floated ashore after being battered about by the waves. Grate-
loupia fdicina, a rare species, grows on the beach at Minehead; and, with
the exception of Aberyswith, this is the northernmost limit for the plant in
Britain.

Geramium Jiahellijerum, which I find growing at Blue Anchor, and on
wood-work in the sea at Minehead, though marked as "rare" in the works
of Professor Harvey, will, I think, prove to be very generally distributed on
the shores of the British Isles. I have received specimens of it from many
difierent localities. By the naked eye it is scarcely to be discriminated from
the common Geramium i^nhrum, but the colour is more like that of Polysip-
honia fastigiata, a plant that grows abundantly on the fronds of Fucus
nodosus ; microscopically, G. Jlahelligerum is known from others of the genus
by the unilateral spines, which arm the outer side of the branches, and the
opaque articulations distinguish it from G. acanthonotum, a species set with
spines in the same manner, but with transpiarent articulations. Gallitliavmion

* A young specimen of S. interrupta has been found by my Mother in June of the present
year 1853 ou the beach at Lynmouth, North Devon; this locality affords several interesting
species.

f In the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society's Museum at Taunton, there
is a collection, which I presentgd to that Society, containing well-fruited examples, with only
one or two exceptions of all the Alga^ entered in the list that accompanies the volume.

272 NOTES ON THE LOBSTER.

Rorreri grows along the coast on rocks and wood-work; it vegetates on the
former as high up as Clevedon. At Blue Anchor the plants of it are larger,
and grow upon mud-covered rocks; this and Callithamnion Rothii, are the only
indigenous plants of the genus I have seen on the Somerset coast. Like the
land Flora, the Marine approaches to that of the adjoining county of Devon;
and all the rarer species are such as are confined in their range to the
southern coasts of Great Britain and Ireland.

October, 1853.

NOTES OjS" the LOBSTER.

BY WILLIAM THOMPSON, ESQ.

In the September N"o. of "The Naturalist," Mr. Jackson, of East Looe,
inquires, "What becomes of the young Lobsters and Crawfish, previous to
their attaining a marketable size?" and he states that although the old ones
are commonly taken in spawn, the young are never seen.

This question I can answer. If Mr. Jackson will turn to the "Zoologist'
for February, in this year, page 3765, he will find a description of a young
Lobster, measuring only nine lines in length, which I caught on the 18th. of
August, 1852, in from five to seven fathoms of water, off" Redcliffe Head, in
Weymouth Bay, whilst dredging over a bed of RyfipMcea pinastroides.

I had drawn out a very full specific description of it, not knowing at the
time but that it might be a new species closely allied to the Lobster. Having
sent it to Dr. Gray, he decided it was the young of the Lobster.

The most apparent difi'erence between it and the adult Ijobster consists
in the much shorter antennae, the more slender and more equal anterior
legs, the wider rostrum, and the more acutely triangular plates of the
segments.

Lobsters are caught by means of pots, made of withys, with the bars some
little distance apart, or in nets; in either case the bars of the pot, or the
meshes of the net allow all but such as are of a marketable size to pass; and
as Lobsters lay amongst rocks where no net can reach, they are safe from
all danger, except what they themselves run into: this is the reason that the
young are so seldom seen.

In the months of August, September, and October, pots are laid down for
Prawns, (Paloemon serratus,) and then we sometimes obtain small Lobsters.
The Prawn-pots are made precisely the same pattern as the Lobster-pots, but
smaller, and the open bars closer together, in order to prevent the egress of
the Prawn — this also prevents the escape of the Lobster.

There are now in the Aquavivariura of the Zoological Society five Lobsters,
which I have sent from here: all of them were obtained in Prawn-pots; the
smallest is four inches in length, and the largest about five.

These facts answer the question of Mr. Jackson.

NOTKS ON THE LOBSTER. 273

As to the Crawfish, we get them very seldom, and never very small — the
youngest I have seen was about eight inches in length. The Crawfish fre-
quent places where Prawn-pots are never set.

The five Lobsters, mentioned before, were kept some time in a perforated
box, moored in the tideway; in this box was also placed Coitus huTialis, and
some specimens alive of the Solenette Mmiochirus Uwjuatulus. Some days after,
on opening the box, I found nothing but some remains of the Solenettes. On
putting some more specimens in the box I took out the Cottits^ believing them
to be the evil doers, especially as a day or two previous, having missed
several Syngnathi, I found one coiled away in the stomach of a Coitus, giving
its destroyer a very extraordinary appearance.

With all my precautions still the Solenettes disappeared, and I succeeded
in tracing home the crime to the Lobsters, one of which I caught — Flagrmite
delicto. Having covered so much paper with what I at first intended to
comprise in a few lines, 1 will make a clean breast^ and at once commit all
my knowledge of the Lobster to paper.

The following show the large quantity exported from Norway from 181;")
to 1835; it is taken from a book, entitled "Norway and the Norwegians,"
by R. G. Latham; — "From 1815 to 1835 there was exported from Norway
the following quantity of Lobsters, in round numbers: — 1815 to 1819, six
hundred and five thousand; 1820 to 1824, nine hundred and twenty-seven
thousand; 1825 to 1829, one million, three hundred and twenty thousand;
1830 to 1835, seven hundred and eighty-four thousand; making a grand total
of three millions, six hundred and thirty-six thousand."

A single Lobster costs in Norway three-halfpence; a trifling duty is laid
upon them when they leave the country. The London market chiefly mono-
polizes the supply. The Norway Ijobster season is in the winter; they then
bite more freely: they are not caught in June. This differs from the times
Lobsters are caught in this part of the coast. The Portland and North Shore
Lobster-catcher prepares his pots about March, and continues them as long as
the weather will permit — 'that alone deciding him when to bring his pots
ashore. Warm and fine weather are here necessary to the success of the
Lobster-catcher.

Here, as elsewhere, the colour of the Lobster varies very much; and the
fishermen can tell by the colour whether it has been caught off Portland or
the North Shore, distant about eight miles from each other.

The Norway Lobsters are purchased before they are caught. They pass
the time between capture and embarkation in flat tanks, pierced with holes,
and half sunk, lying off the neighbourhood of Laurvig; in this manner they
wait weeks, and even months before they are shipped for market.

The Norway Lobstera are smaller than those which are caught on the
English coast; they also vary much in colour, some being of a light blue,
qr occasionally one side is black, whilst the other is white — this is a rarity.
They fight a great deal amongst themselves: hence the great number of one

VOL. III. i N

274 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

clawed Lobsters we sec on the fishmongers' stalls.

Lobsters are naturally voracious, but 'Muring their confinement/* says Mr.
Latham, ^'they eat nothing;" my experience tells me they will eat if they
can get food; but they are generally packed close with no food, so that they
have no opportunity of following their inclinations. Any judge of a Lobster
can tell whether it has been fresh caught, or if it has been caught some time
and kept in a preserve. When they have been kept some time, the epicures
portion, commonly called the dressing, suffers both in quantity and qualit}',
and the creamy substance round the abdomen and claws is wanting.

Females in spawn placed in the tanks are said to remain so; this may
happen from the altered condition of the temperature of the water: it cannot
arise from the will of the adult any more than could the hatching of the
eggs be interfered with by the moth or butterfly, iVn export duty is paid
before they leave Norway,

When they arrive in the Thames all the dead ones are thrown overboard,
as it is illegal to land them. Besides Laurvig, Christiansand and Bergen have
a large share in the Lobster trade.

Mr. Bell states in "British Crustacea," a curious story respecting the strong
afiection of the Lobster for its young. — One man told Mr. Peach that he had
noticed the old Lobster with her head peeping from under a rock, and the
young ones playing around her. She appeared to rattle her claws on the
approach of the fishermen, and herself and young took shelter under the rock.
Thus far is quite credible, but the remark this rattling no doubt ivas to give
the alarm; to this I cannot subscribe. Lobsters are gregarious, and have
their favourite rocks, and that instinct of self-preservation, which is born with
animals, is quite sufficient to drive the young Lobster under the rock at
the approach of danger without the care of the parent. The real instinct
of animals, even in the lower orders, is sufficiently wonderful without our
drawing on fiction. I know from experience that fishermen are not always
to be depended upon, and, whether from ignorance or something else, are
much given to exaggeration.

My father tells me he once caught a Lobster in a trawl, weighing
twelve pounds; and two years since a Lobster was caught in this bay
weighing eight pounds.

Wei/mouthy September Zrd., 1853.

IKisnllniipntts lintttFs.

The Tlobbij, (Falco subbuteo.) — Although mention is made of the an-ival of the Hobby as
early as March 7th. in "The Naturalist," my experience has Jed me to come to the conclusion
that the Hobby is one of our latest arrivals in this country. In a wood near whore I live
there has been for four years to my certain knowledge a pair of Hobbies breeding every year.
This year I made up my mind to obtain the old birds and eggs as specimens for my cabinet:
accordingly I watched close for the arrival. The second week in May I was told of one being seen;
on the Slst, I first saw a pair of them flying over the wood I have mentioned; in fact after

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 275

that every time I walked there (the wood) I saw them, but could not make out which
nest they had fixed upon, (there were many old Rook's nests in the wood, the Hooks having
been shot by the kcepere;) at last I discovered which they had chosen— secreted myself, and
shot the hen hird; fired at the cock, which I failed to obtain although 1 feared at the time
I had wounded him, as- several feathers came from him. I got up to the nest, but only found
two eggs instead of four,— nothing more could I see of my friend; however on the 19th. of
the same month, I saw a female Hobby soaring above the trees; and on the 25th., I saw the
pair near the old spot. July 2nd., I saw which nest the hen came off— one near the old one ;
and being prepared with four coloured Bantam's eggs, I got up to the nest, and there found
only two eggs, which I took, and left two of my Bantam's eggs in their place. The following
day I left home for ten days. On my return I visited the Hobby's nest, put the old hen off, and a
friend of mine shot her in mistake for the cock, which I at last succeeded in procuring; but as
it was blowing hard we could not get up to the nest at that time. About four days afterwards
we went for the eggs, hut found only the shell of one of the Bantams, the others were gone
— I imagine taken by the Ja3S. I know of several other places where they breed in Suftblk.
Their food, I feel convinced, consists in a great measure of insects. A practical ornithologist,
Avith whom I am acquainted, has told me that on an evening he has seen the Hobby flying
round an oak tree, and catching in his claws the cockchafers, and transferring them to his mouth
while on the wing. A gentleman, who keeps many Hawks, gives it as a reason why he prefers
the Merlin to the Hobby, that the Merlin does not fly at butterflies as the Hobby does. /
have myself seen the Merlin chase a butterfly. In the crop of one Hobby that I shot was the
remains of a young Lark. — J. Fark, Frosteuden, Wangford, Suffolk, October 16th., 1853.

Occurrence of the Eed-necked Phalarope, (Phalaropus hyperboreus,) at Benacre. — On the 24th.
of September I shot a nice specimen of the lled-necked Phalarope at Benacre; and the day
before a friend of mine shot two. I generally see several every year: it is very pretty to
see how buoyant they are upon the water. — Idem.

Is our correspondent quite sure these were specimens of the Red-necked Phalarope'^ wliich
is very much rarer than the Gray Phalarope. — B. E. M.

A hint to Naturalists. — It is with the deepest regret that, as each month's number of
"The Naturalist" comes to me, I find in its contents little else but accounts of wholesale
massacres of those sweet songsters, whose presence enhances so greatly the pleasure one must
ever feel in a country walk. A constant war seems to be waged against the feathered members
of creation, on the plea of furthering the ends of Science. Should any rare bii«I make its
appearance on our shores, it is very soon captured by some greedy collector of "specimens,"
one who styles himself a "Naturalist:" but does the being a Naturalist consist in filling one's
study or museum with stuffed birds — with butterflies pinned in a case — with empty egg-shells
and nests? Are they not all rather monuments of cruelty .-" Does the killing of its subjects
further the ends of Natural History? Forsooth, if the slaughter increases as it does now, bye
and bye there will be no Natural History at all, or at least but a few scattered remnants
of its countless tribes, mourning in solitude their lost companions. Are there then no other
means of acquiring a knowledge of Nature's subjects than those I so strongly reprobate? How
did some of our most learned Naturalists, those who have taught us the most, obtain their
knowledge? Was it by means of the gun? Ah, No! but by observation, by diligent searching
into the ways of these happy denizens of the woods. Surely hooks enough have been written,
and are daily increasing, to supply every want of a Naturalist; or should we disdain to make
use of them for our guides, can we not see for oursdves? Among so many learned correspon-
dents as there are to this publication, some plan might be contrived whereby we could un-
derstand and know as far as is permitted these wondrous members of creation, not one of which
falls to the ground unless God wills it; and which would dispense with the cruel persecution
now almost universally resorted to. Should this succeed in softening the hearts of any of those
whose names so frequently figure at the head of Ornithological and Entomological captures, it
will be an abundant repayment — its pages will be filled with far more interest and in-
struction, and read, I am certain, with fiir greater pleasure. — Thos. G. B. Atkinson, 1, Mont-
pcllier Terrace, Cork, October 20th., 1853.

Pectoral Sandpiper, (Tringa pectoralis) near Redcar. — Two specimens of this extremely rare
bird have occurred near here lately, one was obtained in or near the Tees mouth last August,

276 REVIEW.

and fell into the hands of the landlord of the Masons' Arms in this place, who stuffed it and
hung it up in his parlour as an ornament. The other was shot on Monday, the 17th. instant,
in a grass field near the Lobster Inn at Coathain, near this place, and was brought to me on
the 21st., for inspection. The first I have succeeded, after some trouble, in procuiing, for the
owner was fullj' aware that it was a rara avis. — T. S, Rudd, Eedcar, October 2oth., 1853.

The Merlin, (Falco JEsalon,) near Banff. — ^I shot a beautiful male specimen of the Merlin on
the 15th. of August, on thi ftirm of the Mill of Boyndic, near Banff. It is a rare bird so far
north. — Geouge Dox.^luson, Mill of Boyndie, near Banffj September, 1853.

Brnirn.

The Eggs of British JBirds, displayed in a series of Engravings, copied and
coloured from Nature, with descriptions of British Birds. By C Jexnings.
1 The Illustrations by Dicke.s. p. p. 266. Second Eiition, Bath: Binns and
" GooDwiy. London: Low and Sons, Etc.

The above title would lead any one to expect some little information on
the subject of the Eggs of all our British Birds as displayed by Engravings,
and also descriptions of the Birds themselves. We much regret that we are
under the necessity of saying that the Engravings, instead of giving correct
information, originate error of the most unpardonable nature. Thus, for instance,
we have an Engraving of an Egg under which Thrush is printed, which in
size, colour, and markings evidently is intended for that of the Magpie; while
under another, clearly intended for that of the Thrush, is the word Magpie.
Another labelled Wbod-peclcer Is of a yellowish gray ground, spotted with
dark greenish gray. Another labelled Small Woudpeclcer is white, with
numerous red spots over it.'^ 'No explanation is given in the text, nor is
any special mention made of the colour of these eggs; indeed in very few
instances is the colour of any egg named. The Engravings are bad, the
colouring worse, and the unacknowledged errors show an amount of ignorance
which we did not expect to find in the present enlightened age.

Instead too of finding figures or descriptions of the Eggs of all our Birds,
only between forti/ and ffiij are figured and named; leaving upwards of two
hundred and fifty to the imagination of the reader. It is a pity the remaining
portion was not also left in the same way.

The letter-press is pleasingly written as far as it goes, and had the coloured
Engravings exhibited any approximation to nature, we could have made every
allowance for the small number • of Eggs or Birds included in the volume.
We cannot however but think that the title would, even in that case, have been
calculated to mislead, as giving the expectation of finding information respecting
all our Birds. It is not in our power, nor indeed is it our place, to point
out how the gross errors we have named occurred, or were allowed to go
before the public without explanation and apology,

* It is well known that all our Woodpeckers lay u'hite eggs. The egg given as the Crane
is that of the Common Heron, and is not above oncrthird the size of the Crane's egg; which
is also of an entirely different colour.

277

€\}t ilctrnspHt.

The followiTig remarks on the paper of 0. S. Eound Esq., in the last number of "The Natu-
ralist," on the "Wagtails, are offered, should no one more competent than I am, deem it neces-
sary to comment on it: — That Mr. 11. has misapplied the name 3IotaciUa Alha to the Pied Wag-
tail M. Yarrellu of modern authors is quite evident, altogether overlooking the iact that that
name has been more appi-opriately given to the now White Wagtail ; a description and coloured
figure of which he will find by the Rev. F. 0. Morris, in his excellent History of British Birds,
as well as by ' other ornithologists. I agree with him that we have not a bird of more ele-
gant form or graceful action, but I cannot agree with him when he says, that the hen is to
be distinguished from the cock by having a white chin, for I have examined a great number
of specimens, both male and female, and I am convinced the only diff'erence in the summer
plumage consists in the male having blacker markings, whilst in the winter (if Mr. R. is
correct) all the old birds become females, as in the winter plumage they have all white chins,
the young birds retaining their sombre grey plumage until the spring after their birth. Mr.
R. also denies that the Pied Wagtail is endowed with anything more than a "high chirrup,
and beyond this he has no song;" if he should ever visit this part of the world in the spring
of the year, I am certain he will be gratified by having opportunities of hearing a sweetly
warbled song (with which I have been frequently delighted) from many a Cornish Wagtail, who,
I believe, are not more highly gifted than others of their English brethren. In other respects
the description correctly applies to the Pied Wagtail. Mr. R. further says there are two other
kinds of Wagtails known in England, the M. Boarula, and the M. Flava; whilst Mr. Morris
enumerates five distinct kinds, (of the correctness of which there can be no doubt,) giving
coloured figures of each,— i!f. YarrelUi, M. Alba, M. Flava, M. Sulphurea, and 31. Neglccta;
yet Mr. R., because he had "never seen a nest of the noiv M. Sulphurea, or the bird itself in
any number," doubts its identity, supposing it to be a "mixed kind," until he had "oppor-
tunities of meeting with the like parties of the Gray Wagtails, old birds and their broods, as in
the case of the common Water Wagtail."* This is I think being rather over cautious, for
surely we ought to put some faith in the statements of the many excellent ornithologists,
who have had opportunities of seeing the various kinds of Wagtails, and so accurately describing
them. It is true I have never seen a specimen of the M. Alba or the M. Xeglecta, although
the former is not uncommon, the latter is much more rare, both east and west of us, on the
coasts of Devon and Cornwall; and I have been constantly on the look out for them for many
years past, yet I have sufficient faith to believe such men as Messrs. Rodd and Gatcombe,
when they tell us they frequcmtly procure them. Still I am one of those who doubt the
propriety of adding a new bird to the British Fauna from a specimen or two being found straying
to these parts. Throughout this paper I have used the specific names, as given in the Rev.
F. 0. Morris's work, now publishing, which I have no doubt must become a standard work,
and will lead to a more regular system of nomenclature in ornithology, for the want of which
Mr. Round appears partly to have erred. — Stephex Clogg, East Looe, October l'2th., 1853.

l^rnrrrMngs nf Inrirtici

Scarborough I'hihsophieal and Archmological Society. Meeting, Monday, June 27th., 1853. —
Du. MuiiUAY, one of the Vice-Presidents, in the chair.

The Chairman read the following paper "On a specimen of Squalus Spinosus, lately cap-
tured a few miles off Scarborough, with some observations on the Squalus Angelus": — "A Shark
remarkable as a rare visitor of the British shores, the Squalus Spinosus, or Spinous Shark, and
of very uncommon magnitude, was captured by some of our fishermen, last week, in our bay,
and as before mentioned, was of unusual size, being upwards of eleven feet in length, by eight
feet five inches in girth, and three feet nine inches in depth, and in weight about one thou-
sand two hundred pounds. The extraordinary bulk of the fish in proportion to the length, is
very striking and characteristic of this species; -and another distinction is offered by the skin
being sprinkled over with strong bent sharp bony spines, arising from broad circular bases, im-
perfectly radiated and semi-transparent. The colour of the skin leaden grey, somewhat paler

• I have never met with them in snch parties, miless immediately after the breeding season, before
the yomig are cajmble of caring for themselves, after which they are only to be found singly or ia pairs.

278 OBITUARY.

on the sides and bellj\ The head nearly truncated beneath the upper jaw, and the mouth
exceedingly wide, and furnished also with a triangular fold of skin arising from each jaw,
and thus affording the capability of a yet wider extension of the gape. Teeth nearly triangular,
and in one row in the lower jaw: in a triple range in the upper, and of a more quadrangular
form. Nostrils small and each divided by a narrow cartilaginous septum. E3'cs very small
with green irides. The first dorsal fin nearer to the caudal extremity than in other Sharks,
but less so than in several of the figures and descriptions of this particular species. The liver
•weighed twelve stones, and would yield a large quantity of oil. In the stomach a large cod's
head and ling were found.

Yan-ell in the Supplement to his valuable History of British Fishes, when noticing this ad-
dition to our Ichthjology, enumerates four examples liaving occurred on our coasts before the
publication of that Supplement, of which two were found in the Yorkshire seas; but all very
infeiior in size to that now taken.

The Squalas Spinosiis was first described by Brongsonet in the Memoires de 1' Academic, in
1780: and is a fish of very wide geographical range."

"Another species of Shark, remarkable in form, and very interesting as connecting the genera
of Shark and Hay, has also been taken in our bay within the last few months, the Squalus Angelas
or Angel Fish, which has been constituted by Dr. Fleming and others into the separate genus
of Sqnatina, and like its namesake, favouring our seas with visils few and far between. The
body is long and depressed, with the characteristic mouth and teeth of the Shark; and from
the singular expansion of the pectoral fins, has obtained the name of Angel, in consequence of
a fancied resemblance to wings. Length, five feet; weight, one hundred pounds ; colour, dull ash,
with a tinge of brown on the back, the under parts of a dirty white. The flesh dark coloured and
said to be exceedingly coarse and rank, insomuch that even the Lazzaroni of Naples, who can
eat almost everything, even many of the molluscous animals, refuse this."

Mr. Leckenby then exhibited a series of fossil plants, recently obtained from the supposed
exhausted beds at Gristhorpe; amongst them were examples of Fterophyllum tenin'caulis, Phillips,
Fterophgllum angustifolium, Bean's M. S. Tveniopteris major and vtttcita, Lindley. Oyclopterls
digitata, Glossopteris Fhillipsii, Brongiiiart; several specimens of the genus Feeopteris, a probably
undescribed Sjihenopteris, and a series of specimens shewing the gradations from Tympanophora
of Lindley, to Sphenopteris, one specimen exhibiting the two conditions of the barren and fertile
leaflets on the same frond, a circumstance which he had detected, in conjunction with his friend
Mr. Bean, some years ago.

A claw of the common Crab was exhibited, presenting a singular malformation in an abortive
jointless pair of fingers inserted and projecting from the ordinary upper moveable finger, which
was distorted and curved under the lower normal one.

Some further conversation took place between Mr. Cooke and the chairman, on the subject
of a letter which Mr. Cooke had received from a scientific friend at Berwick, applying for in-
formation and particulars as to the local Flora and Fauna, recent and fossil, which many of
the members expressed their readiness to furnish.

Several contributions were promised for the next meeting — after which,
f On the motion of J. J. P. Moody, Esq., seconded by Mr. Page, the thanks of the meeting
were presented to Dr. Murray, for his valuable paper on the Sqtutlus Spinosus.

(Dbituaq.

Ix is with sincere regret that we record the death of Hugh E. Strickland, M. A., F. G. S.,
etc. It took place under peculiarly painful circumstances while on his return home from tlw
meeting of the British Association at Hull, on the 14th. of September last. He was anxious
to examine the cutting at Clarborough, near Gainsborough, with a view to elucidate some points
of geological interest, and to do this he walked from the station to the cutting. While inves-
tigatuig the exposed strata, he saw a train coming in one direction, and stepped on to the
other line of rails, not having observed another train, which was coming iu the contrary
direction. He was struck by the unseen train, and his death must have been instantaneous.
His loss will be long felt, not only by his own immediate family, but by the whole of the
scientific world. We quote the following just tribute to his memory from the "Athenaeum."

OBITUAKV. 279

Wc will not venture to curtail it in any of its interesting particulars:—

"Mr. Strickland was in the prime of life— at that age when the promise of }-outh is fast
realizing itself. He Was born at Righton, in the East Eiding of Yorkshire, on the 2ud. of
March, 1811. His father, Mr. Henry E. Strickland, of Apperley, in Gloucestershire, was a son
of the late Sir George Strickland, Bart , of Boynton, in Yorkshire. He was a grandson on
liis mother's side of the celebrated Dr. Edmund Cartwright, whose name is so indissolubly
connected with the manufacturing greatness of England on account of his invention of the
Power-loom.

Mr. Strickland's boyhood was spent under his father's roof; where he was under the private
tutelage successively of the three brothers Monkhouse, one of whom is now a Fellow of Queen's
College, Oxford, From his father's house he was transferred to the late Dr. Arnold, who,
prior to his appointment at Rugby, took private pupils at Laleham, near Staines. He finished
his education at Oriel College, Oxford.

Although distinguished for his classical knowledge, Mr. Strickland had early acquired a taste
for natural history pursuits; and after the completion of his studies at College he resided with
his family at Craeourt House, near Ev(;sham, Worcestershire, whei-e he studied minutely the
geology of the Cotswolds and the Great Valley of the Severn. Some of his earliest published
papers were on Geology; but his first effort as an author indicated a taste for the pursuits
of his maternal grandfather. It appeared in the "Mechanics' Magazine" for 1825, and was
on the construction of a new wind gauge.

In 183.5, Mr. Strickland travelled in Asia Minor, in company with Mr. "W. J. Hamilton,
M. P., who was then Secretary to the Geological Society. An account of this journey was
published, in two volumes octavo, by Mr. Hamilton, in 1842, under the title "Researches in
Asia Minor, Pontus, and Armenia." This tour resulted also in the publication of several
interesting papers on the geology of the districts visited, both by Mr. Strickland himself, and
conjointly with Mr. Hamilton. The principal papers published by Mr. Strickland singly,
were— "On the Geology of the Thi-acian Bosphorus," "On the Geology of the Neighbourhood
of Smyrna," and "On the Geology of the Island of Zante." He early devoted his attention
to the study of birds; and during this journey he gave proof of his ornithological knowledge
by adding to the list of birds inhabiting Europe the Salicaria Olivetorum. He subsequently
devoted a large share of his attention to the study of birds; as his papers in the "Annals
and Magazine of Natural History," and in Sir William Jardine's "Contributions to Ornithology"
amply testify. His principal work, however, on this subject, and the one which will give
him a place amongst the classical writers on the ornithology of this country, is devoted to
the history of the Dodo. This work was publi-shed in 1848, with the title "The Dodo and its
Kindred; or, the History and Affinities of the Dodo, Solitaire, and other Extinct Birds." It was
handsomely illustrated ; and was an example of how the difficult subject of the affinities of extinct
animals should be dealt with. Mr. Strickland was aided in the osteological portion by Dr. Melville.
Since the appearance of this work, he has twice published supplementary notices regarding
the Dodo and its kindred, in the "Annals and Magazine of Natural History." One of Mr.
Strickland's last contributions to science was on the subject of ornithology, when, in the Section
of Natural History, the day before his death, he gave an account of the Partridge ( Tetrao-
gallusj of the great Water-Shed of India, recently illustrated in Mr. Gould's "Birds of Asia."

Although, as a zoologist, ornithology was his strong point, Mr. Strickland had an extensive
knowledge of the various classes of organized beings. Thus, several of his papers wore devoted
to accounts of the MoUusca, both rec(;nt and fossil, in various districts. One of his papers at
the last meeting of the British Association at Hull was "On the Peculiarities of a Form of
Sponge, {llnlichondria saberea.")

Mr. Strickland paid a large share of attention to the terminology of Natural History, and
was the reporter of a committee appointed by the British Association to consider of the rules
by which the nomenclature of zoology might be established on a uniform and permanent basis.
These rules were principally drawn up by him; and they have since their publicatiin been
very generally acted on, and have contributed greatly to simplify Natural History nomenclature.
The general principles of classification could hardly fail to interest a mind so discursive as
his, and accordingly, we find him at various times publishing on this subject. In an early
number of the "Annals and Magazine of Natural History" he inserted a paper "On the true
Method of discovering the Natural System in Zoology and Botany," in which he displayed

280 THR QURUTST.

a groat knowledge of the forms of animal and vegetable life. In the Reports of the British
Association for 1843, he published a paper "On the Natural Affinities of the Insessorial Order
of Birds;" ahd again, in the "Magazine of Natural Ilistor}^" vol. ii., "Observations on the
Affinities and Analogies of Organized Beings."

It must be obvious, that the labours to which wo have alluded, imply an immense amount
of industry; but in the midst of all his practical investigations, Mr. Strickland found time
for purely literary work. Thus, in 1847, he undertook to edit for the Ray Societj' a work,
the collection of materials for which had cost Professor Agassiz many years of labour, entitled
"Bibliographia Zoologite et Geologi»." Three volumes of this great work are published, and
the fourth and last is now in the hands of the printer. Mr. Strickland's labour licre was
not merely that of editing— it embraced the contribution of a large mass of additional matter,
amounting to a third or fourth of the whole. He spared no pains to make this M^ork com-
plete; and it must ever be regarded by the zoologist and the geologist, as a most valuable
gift to the sciences which they cultivate.

On the occurrence of the illness of Dr. Buckland, and his withdrawal from the duties of the chair
of Geology at Oxford, every one felt the propriety of inviting Mr. Strickland to deliver lectures
in his place. Though young for so important a post, and with a reputation in other depart-
ments of science, he was found able to sustain the fame of his predecessor in this, and brought
to bear with great advantage the stores of his varied knowledge upon a science which is
always susceptible of influence and amplification from the principles of other departments of
science, however distant from it they may at first sight appear. The Reports of the British
Association, the Transactions of the Geological Society, the papers of tin; Quarterly Journal
of the Geological Society of London, and of the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine,
all testify to Mr. Strickland's activity as a geologist. They contain a mass of valuable obser-
vations both on paleontology and on the physical structures of rock in this country and
in other parts of the world, which must for ever remain a part of the history of the science
of geology, and constitute a permanent monument of the industry and earnestness of the man
who made them.

In several of his geological papers, Mr. Strickland's name is connected with that of Sir R.
I. Murchison; especially in a work on "The Geology of Cheltenham and its Neighbourhood."
He assisted Sir Roderick in preparing for the press his great work on the Silurian system;
and the proof sheets of his now work on Siluria all passed through Mr. Strickland's hands^
the last of the work having been corrected at Hull.

At the time of his death, Mr. Strickland was engaged in working on his "Ornithological
Synonymy," the printing of which was delayed only to render it more full and complete.
He possessed a very ample and useful library, also extensive geological and ornithological
collections, which are now at his residence at Apperley Green, near Tewkesbur}'.

In 1845. Mr. Strickland was married to the second daughter of Sir William Jardine, Bart. :
both of whom, with Mr. Strickland's father and mother, survive to lament his premature
loss.

In the above brief sketch we have spoken only of Mr. Strickland's scientific career — but
he had moral qualities that endeared him to all who knew him. Few came in contact with
him who did not recognize in him a conscientious, amiable, and excellent man. In him
Oxford has lost & Professor whom she could ill afford to part with at this time. To him,
they who hoped for the wider culture of natural science at Oxford looked as to one who had
tlie power and ability to take a lead. The scientific Societies have lost in him a member
who was unwearied in his assiduity to carry out their objects in all their purity. His means
made him independent of his labours; and all recognized in his exertions thgl lovip^if science
and its objects which constitutes the true philosopher." /V^^^dL-" ^"^1^

€k (£immt

"Will Mr. Mc'Tntosh be so kind as to inform us whether all the trees he enumerates are
easily, and where, procurable, and whether any of them are very expensive? — F. 0. Morris,
Nafferton Vicarage, Driffield, October 27th., 1853.

INDEX.

Accentor modularis, 203.

Acherontia atropos, 20, 21, 207, 228.

Acinaea testudinalis, 134:.

Agrotis pascuea, 85.

Aluuda arvunsis, 108, 133.

Alcedo ispida, 108, 203, 227.

AlgiE, ^lariue of Somerset, 270.

Ancestors, our Zoological, 113.

Aueraone nernorosa, 64:, 112, 135, 160.

Anemone, Wood, 64, 112, 135, 160.

Anser Egyptiacus, 60.

Antlius lUchardi, 157.

Ardea minuta, 20, 106.

comata, 61.

cinerea, 161.

Argonaut, 31.
Arviuola amphibia, 19.

Arundo pbragmitis, 64, 136, 160.
Argus, Scotch, 85.
Astur palumbarius, 19.
Auk, Little, 84, 108, 156.

Bee, note on a Wild, 255.

Birds. Hire, near Aberdeen, 139, 219.

Birds' Eggs, 159.

Bittern, Little, 20, 106.

Black Game, 105.

Bombus tcrrestris, 255.'

Bombycilla gurrula, 157, 203, 204.

Botanical Rambles, 122, 171, 248, 266.

Botanical lleminisceuces, 50, 92, 144.

Botanical Scramble on Helvellyn, 4.

Botanical Stroll, 53.

Botany around Aberdovey, 221.

Botany, Marine, of Norfolk, 12, 75.

Brambling, 182.

Bullfinch, 36.

Bullfinch, Yellow-rum ped, 19.

Bunting, Snow, 83.

Yellow, 158.

Buzzard, Honey, 157, 182, 208.

Carabus nitens, 85.

Calf, Singular, 35.

Cat, Domestic, 81.

Cerura vinula, 85.

Chaffinch, 253.

Charadrius morinellus, 205, 25^.

Chajrocampa celerio, 85.

Chestnut, Horse, 62.

Cinclus aquaticus, 227.

Ciconia nigra, 19.

Circus cvaneu-*, 60

Montagui, 105, 202.

Clangula vulgaris, 156.
Clouded Yellow Butterfly, 158.
Clova, a Day at, 140.
Clupea alba, 78.

Coccothraustes vulgaris, 107, 157, 158, 181.
Colias edusa, 88, 158.

hyale, 256.

VOL. III.

Columba livia, 1, 156.
Colymbus glacialis, 84, 107, 134.

■ septentrionalis, 107.

Comatula rosacea, 22, 184.

Corvus frugilegus, 36, 61, 62, 211.

monedula, 106, 227.

Coturnix vulgaris, 105.

• dactylisonans, 260.

Crex pratensis, 156.

porzana, 204.

Crithagra chrysopvga, 19.
Cuckoo, 61, 82, 203, 207.
Cuculus canorus, 61, 82, 203.
Cuckoo V. Wagtail, 207.
Curious Fact, "207.

Cypselus apus, 21, 157, 203, 204.

Devon, a Day's Ramble on the Coast of, 117.

Dipper, 227.

Diver, Speckled, 107.

Northern, 134.

Dotterel, 205, 254.
Dove, Rock, 156.

Edinburgh, Royal Physical Society of, 22, 37,

63, 110.
Eel, 22.

Eggs, Extraordinary Hen's, 108, 184, 206.
Egyptian Goose, 60.
Emberiza citrinella, 158.
Erinaceus Europoous, 35, 60. 81, 208.
Erythaca rubecula, 20, 46, 203, 205.
Eufragia bartsia in Sussex, 8.
Evergreens, British, 191, 223, 245.

Falco aesalon, 157, 276.
. Islandicus, 60, 135.

peregrinus, 82, 106, 107.

subbuteo, 181, 182, 274.

tinnunculus, 135.

Falcon, Jer, 60, 135.

Peregrine, 82, 106, 107.

Fieldfare, 20.

Finch, Mountain, 83.
Fish, Curiou.s, 206.

Propagation of, 206.

Flustra Murryana, 207.
Flycatcher, Pied, 21.

Forest Trees, with Method of Propagation, 152.

Fossil found on Bagshot Heath, 14, 134.

Fowl, Cochin China, 108.

Fox, Peculiarity iu Femur of, 185.

Fratercula arotica, 181.

Fringilla montifringilla, 83, 182.

:^ caslebs, 253.

Frog, 21.

Fuligula cristata, 156.

Gallinula chloropus, 156.
Gannet, 158.

Carrot, Golden Eye, 156.
Gasterosteus aculeatus, 189.

2 O

282

Glasgow, Natural History Society of, 23, 38.

Gleanings by the Way, 195.

Goedartius, Johannes, 113.

GoWcrest, 24, 82.

Goosander, 156.

Goosander, Bay-uecked, 82.

Goshawk, 19.

Grebe, Crested, 204.

Eared, 61.

Sclavonian, 60.

Guillemot, 182.

Gull, Ivory, 107.

Hare, 60.
Harrier, Hen, 60.

- Montagu's, 105, 202.
Hawfinch, 107, 157, 158, 181.
Hawk tribe, do they drink, 183.
Hedgehog, 35, 60, 81, 208.
Heronries, 36, 64, 87, 157, 183, 227.
Heron, Common, 161.

• Night, 254.

Squacco, 61.

Herring Gull, 27.
Hcterogena asellus, 207.
Hipparchia blandina, 85.
Hirundinida; at Lewes, 133.
Hirundo apus, see Cypselus apus.

riparia, 203.

■ rustica, 82, 203.

. urbica, 21, 61, 82, 203, 204.

Hobby, 181, 182, 274.

Hoopoe, 61, 204.

Horse, 81.

House Fl\', 87.

Iluddcrsfield, Naturalist Society of, 87.

lona. Notes on Birds of, 1, 166, 235.
Insects, Capture of, 184.
Instinct of Animals, 233.

Jackdaw, 106, 227.

Jottings at Brighton, 118.

Jottings of a Naturalist at Killamov, 9.

Jottings, Local, 89, 137, 138, 210, 244.

Kestrel, 135.

Kingfisher, 108, 203, 227.

Kitten, a Hemarkablc, 18.

Lamium amplexicaule, 255.

Lanius borealis, 159.

• coUurio, 158, 239.

cxcubitor, 227.

Lapwing, 181.
Lark's Nest, 34.
Lark, 108, 133.
Larus argentatus, 27.

' ebumeus, 107.

Lepidoptera, Captures of, 266.

of Exeter, 126, 154, 250, 264.

of Midlothian, 69.

Diurnal, of Sussex, 48.

Leptocephalus Morrisii, 158.
Lepus cuniculus, 133, 155.

timidus, 60.

Lestris, llichardson's, 19.
Lestris Richardsonii, 19.
Libellulina) near Lewes, 71.
Lobster and Crawfish, 208.

Notes on, 272.

Locust, 21.

Locusta migi'atoria, 21.
Lutra vulgaris, 133, 226.

Magpie, 62, 205.

Marine Animals, 31, 73, 90, 130.

Polypes, Observations on, 15.

Martin, 21, 61, 82, 204.
Melbourne, Plants of, 167.
Meles taxus, 155.
Melizophilus Dartfordiensis, 227.
Mergulus alio, 84, 108, 156,
Mergus scrrator, 82, 107, 182.

merganser, l56.

Meriin, 157, 276.

Mctopsilus ci'lerio, 206.

Miscellaneous Notices, 18, 35, 60, 81, 105,

133, 155, 180, 202, 226, 253, 274,
Mollusca, 73, 90, 130. '

Marine, of Dorset, 196.

liand and Fresh- water, near Lewes,

54.

Morrliua vulgaris, 256.

Morris, the Anglesea, 158.

Motacilla alba, 216.

Mouse, 65.

Museums, Advantage of Public, 256. .

Musca domestica, 87.

Muscicapa atricapilla, 21.

Mus musculus, 65.

Mustela vulgaris, 232.

erminea, 232.

Natica helicoides, 207.

Naturalists, a Hint to, 275.

Needham Market, Migratory Birds near, 109.

Nightingale, 205.

Nuthatch, 205,

Nycticorax Gardenii, 254.

Obituary, 40, 278.
Oidemia perspicillata, 83.
Orgyia antiqua, 109.
Ormthogalum pyrcnaicum, 85.
Ornithological Captures near Plymouth, 228.

■ Notes, 44.

Ornithologist, Letters of an, 25, 41, 211, 257.

Ornithology of Leeds, 66, 180.

Orthagoriscus mola, 40, 88, 135.

Osprey, 253.

Otter, 133, 226.

Ouzel, Ring, 182.

Owl, Note on an, 61.

Snowy, 157.

Tawny, 202.

Pandion haliaetus, 253.

Partridge, 37, 83.

Parus cfcruleus, 83, 108, 203, 228.

Passer domesticus, 36, 133, 158, 182, 183, 204.

montanus, 163, 254.

Pastor roseus, 156.
Peewit, 82.

Perdix cincrea, 37, 83.
Pemis apivorus, 157, 182, 208.
Petrel, Storm, 19, 62, 107.
Pha)nicura Suecica, 203.
Phalaropc, Gray, 158.

Red-necked, 275.

Phalaropus hyperboreus, 275.

lobatus, 1.58.

Phasianus Colchicus, 19.
Pheasant, 19.
Pliilomola luscinia, 205.

turdoides, 159.

PHysospermum Cornubiense, 207.
Pica caudata, 62, 205.

Pigeon, House, 82, 182.

283

Pike-fisliing, Extraordinary, 158.

Pipit, llichard's, 157.

Plants, Early Flowering of, 135.

Plectroplumes nivalis, 83.

Plymouth, Rare Birds near, 84, 204

Pochard, Tufted, 156.

Podiceps auritus, 61.

cornutus, 60.

cristatus, 204.

Polypes, Something about, 58, 101.

Polyprion, Couch's, 158.

Polyprion ccrnium, 158.

Poole, as a Locality for the Study of Natural

History, 145.
Procellaria pelagica, 19, 62, 107.
Propagation of Hardy Trees and Shrubs, 147.
Prunella vulgaris, 228.
Puffin, 181.
Puss Moth, 85.
Pyrrhula vulgaris, 36.

Quail, 105, 260.

Querist, 24, 64, 112, 136, 159, 208, 232, 256,
280.

Rabbit, 133, 155, 202.
Rail, Land, 156

Spotted, 204.

Rana temporaria, 21.
Reading, Rare Birds at, 19.
Reed, Common, 64, 136, 160.
Regulus anricapillus, 24.

cristatus, 82.

Retrospect, 39, 64, 87, 112, 135, 207, 232, 277.
Reviews : —

Agrostographia, 86.

Cocks' Sea-weed Collectors Guide, 231.

Gifford's Marine Botanist, 158.

Gosse's Naturalist's Rambles in Devon, 229.

Jennings' Eggs of British Birds, 276.

Landsborough's Popular British Zoophytes, 62.

Moore's Herbarium Labels, 110.
Richmond, Rare Birds near, 108.
Robin, 20, 46, 203, 205.
Rook, 36, 61, 62, 211.
Rose-coloured Pastor, 156.

Salicaria arundinacea, 262.

locustella, 254.

Sandpiper, Pectoral, 275.

Wood, 254.

Saxicola ccnanthe, 181, 204, 262.

rubetra, 156, 262.

Scarborough Philosophical and ArchsBological

Society, 277.
Scolopax rusticola, 19, 61, 106, 134, 204, 205.
Scoter, Surf, 83.

Sea-shore, a Day's Ramble by the, 174.
Shells, Land and Fresh- water, near Plymouth.

128.
Shore, a Walk on the, 209.
Shrew, 24, 202.
Shrike, Great, 227.

Red-backed, 158, 239.

Sitta Europcoa, 205.
Snow-storm in May, 199.

Sorex araneus, 24, 202,

Sparrow, 36, 133, 158, 182, 183, 204.

Hedge, 203.

Tree, 163. 254.

Starling, 20, 61, 227.
Stephens, J. F., Death of, 40.
Sterna fuliginosa, 84.

hirundo, 181.

Stickleback, Nidification of, 189.
Stoat and Weasel, 232.

Stork, Black, 19.

Strickland, H. E., Death of, 278.

Sturnus vulgaris, 20, 61, 227.

Sula alba, 158.

Summer Birds, Arrival of, at Bamsley, 241.

Disappearance of, 82.

Sun-fish, Short, 40.
Sunflower, Gigantic, 85.
Surnia n5-ctea, 157.
Swallow, 82, 203.
Swift, 21, 157, 203, 204.
Sylvia, 218._

luscinia, sec Philomela luscinia.

Symium stridula, 202.

Taxus baccata, 86

Tern, 181.

Testacella scutulum, 179, 228.

Thalassidroma pelagica, 19, 62.

Thrush, 134, 208.

Tit, Blue, 83, 108, 203, 228.

Tetanus glareola, 254.

Trachinus draco, 184.

Tringa pectoralis, 275,

Turdus musicus, 134, 208.

pilaris, 20.

torquatus, 182.

Upupa opops, 61, 204.
Uria troille, 182.

Vanellus cristatus, 82, 181.
Vanessa antiopa, 134.

urtica;, 207.

Vapourer Moth, 109.

Vine, Historical Notes on the, 94.
Vitis vinifera, 94.

Wagtail, White, 216.
Warbler, Blue-throated, 203.

Dartford, 227,

Grasshopper, 254.

Reed, 262.

Water Hen, 156.

Rat, 19.

Waxwing, Bohemian, 157, 203, 204.
Wecver, The Large, 184.
Wheatear, 181, 204, 262.
Whinchat, 156, 262. •

Whitby, Rare Birds near, 84.
Whitebait in Devonshire, 78.
Wilson's, Alexander, Grave, 80.
Woodcock, 19, 61, 106, 134, 204, 205.
Wren, Willow, 218.

Yew, 86.

284

LIST OF CONTRIBUTOES.

Adams, Mrs. Arthur, 58, 101.

Atkinson, T. G. B., 160, 275.

Balshiiw, J., 182, 203.

Banker, J., 20-lr, 207.

Barlow, W., 82.

Beadles, H., 131.

Bedingiiold, P., 60, 85.

Bolton, Miss Sarah, 128.

Bond, W., 19, 21, 61, 133, 181.

Bonney, T. G., 227.

Bost, James, 254.

Braim, J., 85., 135.

Brook, R., 87.

Broughton, R. H., 108.

Brown, C. W., 136. 157.

Brown, J., 202, 228.

Bucklev, H., 160, 205, 207.

C. A. J., 19, 21.

Carter, S. H., 83.

Cavafy, J., 256. l$f.

Clarke, G. B., 20

Clarke, VV. B., 184.

Clogg, S., 83, 184, 205, 206, 277.

CoUingwood, C, 9, 140.

Cooke, C. R., 158, 182, 203,

Cooper, Rev. W. W., 60, 61, 206, 260.

Cradock, R. W. 182, 205-

Crocker, C. W , 85, 86.

Daniel, H., 64.

D'Arcv, C. and J. 255.

Dashwood, C. H., 12, 75, 106.

Davies, J. B., 34, 112, 185.

Di.xon, J., 22, 66, 180, 181.

I)oig, John, 256.

Donaldson, G., 27, 61, 80, 85, 276.

Duck, J. N., 85.

Edleston, R. S., 266.

Edward, T., 174, 232.

Editorial remarks, 39, 81, 83, 87, 135, 136.

207, 20S, 275.
E. K. B., 21, 134, 135.
Falooner, R. VV., M. D., 228, 256.
Fane, Rev. F., 105, 106, 145.
Farr, Rev. J., 275.
Ferguson, D„ 21, 22, 184, 207.
Ferris. H., 36, 83.
Fuller, T., 106.
G., 24.

Gardner, James, 253.
Garland, J., 62, 89, 137, 210, 244.
Gatcombe, J., 84, 228.
Gifford, Captain. 203.
Gifford, Miss, 270.
Glasspoole, H. G., 109.
Graham, D., 19.

Graham, H. D., 1, 25, 41, 166, 211, 235,
Guise, W. V. 202.
Hague, Thomas, 208.
Hannaford, S., Jun., 79, 167.
Harper, J. 0., 156, 159.
Hazel. W., 20.
H. C S , 221.
Hesse, B., 227.

H. S., 64, 108, 208, 227, 232.
Ingpen, A. 88.

206,

257.

Jackson, C, 84, 107, 189, 208, 227, 232.

J. B., 156.

J. D., 36.

Johns, Rev. C. A., 135.

Johnstone, W. G., 81, 107, 156, 161.

Jones. J. M., 138.

Julian, R. A., Jun., 117, 157. 158.

Kirkham, J., 20, 109.

Laurie, J., 62.

Lee, T., 44.

Lingwood. H., 109.

Lister, T., 199, 241.

Logan, R. F., 65, 69, 88.

Long, W., 256.

Longmuir, J., Jun., 40, 136, 155, 157, 158,

183, 219.
Lukis, J. W., 36.
Macduff; W., 83, 85.
Martin, W., 60, 61, 83, 135, 156, 205.
Matliews, W. G., 107.
Me' Intosh, J., 40, 84, 94, 147, 160, 169, 191,

223, 245,
Morres, Rev., R. S., 36.
Morris, B. R., M. D., 19, 64, 107, 108, 134,

204.
Morris, Rev., F. 0., 46, 64, 84, 109, 112, 133,

160, 183, 184, 228, 256, 280.
Nichol, T., 15.

Parfitt E., 126, 154, 250, 264.
P. B., 108.

Pulman, G. P. R., 78.
Robson, N., 208.
Rose, J., AL D., 50, 92, 134, 135, 136, 144,

195, 204, 228.
Round, 0, S., 14, 31, 73, 90, 130, 134, 209,

216, 218. 233, 254.
Rothery, C. W. 157.
Rudd, T. S., 20, 21, 276.
S. de v., 113
Sladen, Rev., E. H. M., 8.
Smith, J. E., 122, 171, 248, 266.
Soames, F. D., 82.
Southwell, T., 19, 87, 202.
Stone, S., 118, 157, 163, 207, 211, 232, 239,

255, 262.
Stride, E. E., 24.
Stuart, H. C, 53, 155.
Stubbs, C, 204, 206.
Subscriber, A., 108.
Taylor, J., 85, 88, 134, 139, 207.
Tiiorn, D., 206.
Thompson, W., 196, 272.
Tlionipsoii, W., 207.
Thurnall, C , 62, 254.
T. S., 64.

Turner, T., 20, 35, 82.
Twinn, G. R., 182, 203, 205, 255.
Unwin, W. C, 48, 71, 85, 133.
Webber, F. W. S., 133.
Weeks, C, 107.
Westcott, M., 18.
Wliytehcad, W., 81.
Wiiiht, J. C , 152.
Williamson, J., Jun., 83, 204, 206,
Wilson, J. C, 19, 21.

LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.

Bo.x for capturing Insects, 184,

Double e^g, 184.

Femur of Fox, 4 cuts, 185.

Fossil found on Bagshot Heath, 14.

Glen Clova, plan of, 141.

Lingula, 92.

Malformed Partridge, 37.

Spirifer rostratus, 91.

Spondylus, 131.

Terebratula, portion of shell of, 91.

Te.stacella soutulum, 179.

Wilson's, Alexander, Grave, 80.

No. 35.

JANUARY, 1854.

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PAGE.

The Coney. By John Lonqmuir, Esq 1

Notes on the Cere and Legs of Birds. Idkm 3

Notes on the Days when the Summer Birds were first observed about
Barnsley, with Incidental notices of our Rarer Birds, and their

Systematic Extermination. By Mr. T. Lister 6

Notes.— No. I. By Mr. 0. Stuiibs 9

Protracted Continuance of Insects in the Chrysalis State. By Stephen

Stone, Esq 10

Notes on the Lepidoptera of Baiiif. By Mr. T. Edward 12

The Propagation of Hardy Trees and Shrubs. By J. Mc' Intosh, Esq. 14
Anagallis Arvensis, Etc., in Flower November 14th. By J. Rose,

M. D., R. N 17

Miscellaneous Notices. — A Black Hare. Occurrence of the Honey
and Rough-legged Buzzards in Banfishire. 'J'he Merlin near Banff.
The Blackstart near Chichester. Variety of the Rook. Occurrence
of the Pied Fly'catcher in Davon, and the Black Redstart in
Somersetshire, Malformation in the Bill of the Starling. Second
Note on a Wild Bee. Sphinx convolvuli. Acherontia atropos.

Capture of Vanessa antiopa. Colias hyale 18

Review. — The Natural History of the Birds of Ireland, Indigenous
and Migratory, containing descriptions of the habits, migrations,
occurrence, and economy of the two hundred and sixty-one species
comprised in the Fauna. By John J. Wattrbs, Associate Member
of the University Zoological Association. Dublin: Jamfs Mc'Glashan.
London: W. S. Orr and Co. Edinburgh: John Menzies, 1853.

p.p. 300 19

The Retrospect. — The Wagtails. Lepidoptera round Exeter. White
Variety of Lamium Amplexicaule. Plants with Unnaturally White

Flowers 20

The Querist. — The Domestic Swan 22

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Contributions have been received, up to December 15th., from the Eev. W
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KINGDOMS.

CONDUCTED BY

BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A.B., M.D., T.C.D.,

meme: wern: clvb.

VOL. IV.

WITH ENGEAVINGS.

LONDON:

GROOMEEIDGE AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW.

M. DCCC. LIV.

THE

THE CONEY, {H

ALIST.

STRIACVS)

BY JOHH LONGMUIRj ESQ., JUN.

0\E of the most singular quadrupeds, in a scientific point of view,^with
which, we are acquainted, is the Coney of Scripture, alias the Daman, and
the Hyrax St/riacus of naturalists. In its general appearance, colour, and
size, it so closely resembles a Rabbit, that several of our older naturalists
placed it in the order Glires, (Bodentia, Cuv.,) along with these animals.
Pallas, who was perhaps the first naturalist that anatomically examined any of
the species of the genus Hi/rax, saw some individuals alive at Amsterdam, but
obtained his description from a specimen, preserved in spirits, of a very closely
allied species, the Cape Hyrax, (IT. Capensis;) but the value of the specimen
obtained by Pallas was very greatly diminished by its not possessing two parts,
which, although always important, were especially so in this case, namely, the
bead and feet.

The illustrious Baron Cuvier was the first to assign to it its proper place,
and, according to him, no quadruped could exhibit, in a more decisive manner,
the utility and importance of comparative anatomy; for, by a careful examination
of its skeleton, he has shown that it is in reality a miniature Rhinoceros, as,
although altogether unlike that ungainly animal in general appearance, it agrees
with it to a remarkable extent in the internal structure, in the skeleton, and in
the dentition. The Prince C. L. Bonaparte, in his arrangement of the class
Mammalia, places it in a family immediately after that of the Rhinocerotidce,
which he calls Hyracidoe. In this family there are five or six species, the
principal of which are the Hyrax, or Klip-das, pre-eminently so called, {H.
Capensis',) and the FI. arhoreus of Western Africa, which has obtained its name
from its habit of climbing trees. Mr. Swainson, in his ^'Classification of
Quadrupeds," considers it to be the Gliriform type, (or representative of the
order to which the Rabbits, etc., belong,) of the Pachydermata, on the sole
authority of what M. Cuvier states regarding the construction of its feet.

The wide space which intervenes, in our modern fauna, between the
Rhinoceros and the Hyrax, is filled up by fossil species, such as the Anthra-
cotherium, Merycopotamua, and Chceropotamus, which last, according to Pro-
fessor Owen, "was the earliest form of the Hog'; tribe introduced upon our
planet." It seems to have resembled the Peccary, {Dicotyles torquatus,) in
form, but was about one-third larger. Its remains, which have been discovered

VOL. IV. B

Z THE CONEY.

near Ryde, Isle of Wight, show that it was once an inhahitant of this country.
Another link is supplied by the Leporine Hyracotherium, [Hyracotlipj-ium
leporinum,) whose remains occur in the London clay, at a short distance from
Heme Bay, and which, in the conformation of its skull and general form, seems
to have resembled the subject of the present sketch.

Commentators on the Bible, and those who have employed themselves in
the more particular elucidation of the Natural History of the sacred volume,
have experienced considerable difficulty in the determination of the particular
animal meant by the word Shaphan, which our translators have rendered
"Coney;" the Rabbit, the Jerboa, and the Mouse being supposed by dilrerent
writers to be intended; the difficulty arising principally from the incorrect or
superficial statements of travellers.

As before stated, the Coney has a very strong resemblance to the Rabbit,
hence the name of "Rock Rabbit," which is frequently applied to it. The eye
is remarkably small, and the ear is short and somewhat pointed, thus distin-
guishing it from a variety which inhabits Abyssinia, and which, according to
Bruce, has a rounded ear; there are, during nonage, two very small canines;
the upper incisors, which are two in number, are bent, pointed, and stout,
and placed at a short distance from each other; the lower incisors are four
in number, closely arrayed, flat, and directed forwards; the molars are seven
on each side, above and below, the first, however, generally falls out, and in
old individuals the next is also frequently wanting; the jaw-bone is not artic-
ulated so as to admit freely of ruminating. The general colour of its fur,
which isj thick and soft, is dark brown, and along its back there are traces
of a light and dark shade; it has a few bristles about its mouth, over its
head, and along its back, and other parts of the body, and from the resem-
blance which these bristles bear to small thorns, the inhabitants of Amhara
call the animal Aslikoko, Ashok in their language signifying a thorn. Its
bind foot has three toes, which are buried in the skin as far as the small
and'^rounded horny hoofs, precisely in the same manner as those of the
Rhinoceros; in the fore foot the toes are four, the fourth being contracted,
but possessing, in compensation, a rather long, bent, oblique nail. The
expression "feeble folk," applied by Solomon to these interesting little animals,
besides referring to their general weakness, is thought by some to convey a
more especial allusion to the feet, the under surface of which is very soft and
tender, altogether unfitting it for burrowing or catching prey, its only mode
of attack being by means of its teeth, with which it sometimes inflicts rather
severe wounds; its tail is a mere tubercle.

It tenants the acclivities of rocks, where its nest is generally a hole com-
fortably lined with moss and feathers, agreeing with the statement in the
book of Proverbs that the Conies make their houses in the rocks. It is
gregarious, and whole families may be seen at one time, gambolling and skipping
about among the rocks, or sitting, enjoying the warmth of the sun, upon the
large blocks of stone near their places of retreat, to which they run with

NOTES ON THK CERK AND LEGS OF BIRDS. 8

great celerity at the least appearance of danger, shrinking even from the shadow
of a passing bird. In the book of Leviticus the Coney is mentioned as chewing
the cud, but it would seem that this expression refers to the peculiar motion
of its jaws when eating, which appears to resemble the action of ruminating so
much, that Bruce, the traveller, who kept one in order to watch its habits,
says, "it certainly chews the cud." Its food consists principally of grain,
vegetables, and roots. It is considered an acceptable prize by the Eagles and
other birds of prey that frequent the localities in which it is found, for the
purpose of feasting on any stray one which they may observe wandering beyond
safe limits.

The Rev. Dr. Wilson, of Bombay, who describes and gives a representation
of a specimen which he obtained near the convent of Mar Saba, between
Jerusalem and "the Dead Sea, seems to have been the first English traveller
that actually recognised the Coney within the bounds of the Holy Land, so
that it still continues to inhabit Palestine and Syriaf, and Mount Lebanon in
particular, in great numbers, although in the "Biblical Cyclopaedia," edited by
Dr. Kitto, it is slated that in the countries just mentioned, not a trace of it
has been found.

The various species of the genus Hyrax seem to bear confinement well; they
are mentioned among the animals in the collection of the Zoological Society
of London.

Aberdeen J September, 1853,

NOTES ON THE CERE AND LEGS OF BIRDS.

BY JOHN LONGMUIK, ESQ., JUN.

A considerable time ago, when the attention of the writer was first directed
to the Raptorial order, an almost constant similarity appeared to him to prevail
in the colours of the cere and legs of the birds of that division. As no
statement confirmatory of this was found in a few accessible ornithological
works, it was held to be a mere supposition, true perhaps in a few instances,
but not entitled to the position of a general rule. An article in "The
Naturalist," (vol. ii., page 96,) by the Rev. Greorge Sowden, directed attention
to the subject once more, and another examination was determined on. With
this view, the works of Gould on the Birds of Europe and Australia, the
descriptions of the species inhabiting Western Africa, by Swainson, and the
volumes containing the biography of the Raptorial tribes of the United States,
by the celebrated Audubon, were consulted.

For the sake of some who may peruse the following remarks, a few words
may be said about the cere, which is so called from its resemblance to wax,
{cera.) It is a belt of naked soft skin, generally smooth, though sometimes
rough, as in the Sea Eagle, covering the base of the bill. It is of various
forms — long, as in most of the Vultures, and short, as in the group of the
Falcons. In all birds of prey the nostrils are situated near ths middl« of

4 KOTES ON THE C'EUB AND LEGS OF BIRDS,

this appendage, and some writers consider it to be connected with the sense
of smell. It is not confined to this order, for the Parrots, which are exclusively
vegetable feeders, have a cere, although indeed on a much smaller scale, "No
other land birds," says Svvainson, "possess this appendage; nor can it be said
to exist, under the same form, in any other birds, excepting some of the
Rasorial orders: most of the Cranes, Herons, etc. have the spuce between the
eye and the bill naked and soft; but this is merely from the ordinary skin
being destitute of feathers." Ornithological writers seem to have paid com-
paratively little attention to the cere, as it frequently happens that, in the
description of species, any mention of this part is altogether wanting. Its
colour often furnishes cause for a diversity of statements, which may arise
from a want of minute accuracy, or from its having been noted some time
after the death of the bird, during which a considerable change may have
taken place. The colours in young birds are often considerably different from
their appearance when in adult plumage, so that they cannot be referred to
for any confirmation or denial of the rule which we are attempting to prove.
In the following remarks it has been found convenient to follow the
arrangement proposed by Mr. Swainsou, in his ^'Classification of Birds" in
Lardner's Cyclopaedia: —

FAMILY I.— YULTUBID^.

The Griffon Vulture, ( Vultur fulvus,) a specimen of which strayed into Cork
harbour in the spring of 1843, has bluish black cere and legs; these parts in
the Turkey Vulture, (Gathartes aura,) nearly approach a blood red tint; in
the Californian Vulture, (C. Calif ornianus,) the cere is yellowish red and the
legs yellowish grey, the same colour predominating in both; in the adult
Egyptian Vulture, (^Neophron percnopteras,) both these parts are yellow,

FAMILY II.— FALCONIDiE,

Sub-family I. — Aquilince, (the Eagles.) — The cere and legs of the Osprey,
(^Pandion haliaetos,) are blue; of the White-headed Osprey of Australia, {P.
leucocephalus,) bluish lead-colour; in the Wedge-tailed Eagle of Australia,
(Aqaila facosa,) the Imperial Eagle, (.4. imperialis,) the Spotted Eagle, {A.
noeoia,) the Golden Eagle, {A. chrysaetos,) with many others, both cere and
legs are yellow; these parts are whitish yellow in the Little Australian Eagle,
[A. morphnoidcs,) and also in the White-headed Eagle, (A. leucocephala,)
which is the one chosen as the emblem of the American Republic, a choice
with which Benjamin Franklin and J. J. Audubon are by no means satisfied;
in the Short-toed Eagle of Europe, {Circaelos hrachydactylus,) both are of
a bluish colour.

Sub-family II. — Gymindinoe, (the Kites.) — In this division we meet with
what appears to be an exception in the case of the Brazilian Caracara,
{Polyhotms Braziliensisj) which, according to Audubon, has the cere carmine
and the feet yellow; but as he himself mentions that the colours in the specimen
which he examined began to fade immediately after it was shot, may not

NOTES ON THE CERE AND LEGS OF BIRDS, 5

these parts have changed considerably? it is possible* but even had they not
done so, this is but one exception. In another species of this group, the
Cymindis hamatiis, a native of Brazil, both cere and legs are yellow; in the
Swallow-tailed Kite, (Nauclerus furcatu^,) which possesses great beauty of
form and singularly graceful and protracted flight, the cere is light blue, and
the legs are of the same colour slightly tinged with green; in the Black-winged
Kite, {Elanus. melanoptenis ,) and Letter-winged Kite, (E. scriptus,) both
Australian species, these parts are yellow.

In Sub-family III. — ■Buteoninae, (the Buzzards,) the Common and Black
Kites, (Milvus re(/alis and M. atei-,) have yellow cere and legs; in the case
of the Honey Buzzard, (Pernis apivorua,) there seems to be a diversity among
writers on this subject; the authority of the Rev. F. 0. Morris is quoted for
the cere being blue, Yarrell states that it is (jrey, and Sir W. Jardine, in
describing a fresh-killed specimen, gives the colour of its cere as lemon yellow;
the legs, according to all these writers, are yellow; so that, adopting the
colours given by the last-mentioned ornithologist, even this proves to be no
exception: it may be remarked that a yellow cere becomes in a very short
time of a greyish colour. In the Crested Spizaetus, (^Spizcetus cristatellus,) a
species which is said to be extremely rare, the cere and legs are of a yellow
colour, the former being considerably tinged with green. Proceeding to the
Buzzards of this country, we find in them, as well as in the Black-breasted
Buzzard of Australia, (Buteo melanostenion,) a yellow cere, and; legs of the
same colour, which is also the case in the European and Australian species
of Harrier, (Circus.)

Sub-family IV. — Falconinoe, (the Falcons.) — In all the examples of the
genus Falco from Australia, Western Africa, America, and, with one exception,
from Europe also, the parts under consideration more or less nearly approach
a bright yellow colour; the exception being in the case of the Orange-legged
Falcon, {F. rufipes,) which has reddish orange legs and cere. In a West
African species of the genus- Aviceda of Swainson they are bright yellow.

Sub-family V. — Accipitrince, (the Hawks.) — In this division of the Falconidce
are the Sparrow-Hawks, the British, Australian, and American species of which
have yellow cere and legs; the same is true of the Goshawks of these countries.

Having thus glanced at most of the genera in the Raptorial order, it
seems evident that the similarity which has been traced between the colours
of the cere and legs of these birds is not accidental; for although in one or
two stray instances, such as the White- bellied Sea Eagle of Australia, in which
the cere is of a bluish lead- colour, and the legs are yellowish white, there is
a considerable difference, this occurs in comparatively few cases, and it
may be inferred that the colour of both cere and legs, as a general rule, is
the same. More might have been said on this interesting subject, but it is
to be hoped that others will be led to complete these investigations, of which
what has now been stated is but the commencement.

Aberdeen, July \3th., hSuS.

NOTES ON THE DAYS WHP]N THE SUMMER BIRDS

WERE FIRST OBSERVED AB(>UT BAllNSLEY,

WITH INCIDENTAL NOTICES OF OUR RARER BIRDS AND

THEIR SYSTEMATIC EXTERMINATION.

BY MR. T. LISTER,
( Contlmced from page 244, Vol. III.)
April ISth. — Walked with my usual companion to Cliff Wood, which we
had scarcely left unsought one day this spring; here he was summoned back
at the relentless call of duty, and unfortunately in this instance, as in that
of the ChifF Chaff, to miss the first notes of another member of that interesting
family. A few moments after he had gone, I was greeted by the more musical
strain of the Willow Wren, one week later than last year, and soon after by
the more loud and dashing notes of the Tree Pipit. These strains, the first
of the present year, added a new and lively interest to the chorus of Sky
Larks, Buntings, Thrushes, and Finches resounding on every side. The strain
of the Meadow Pipit, our winter resident, which I had first noticed on the
3rd. of this month, was heard in fine contrast, from the near fields, to its
kindred bird of the woods and trees. It sings both in its ascending and
descending flight, a habit which distinguishes it from the Tree Pipit, whose
song begins at the top of its Sight, continuing through the descent until near
the ground or tree where it alights. I have never seen any variation from
these habits in either bird, when the song is uttered in flight, (for both will
sing from a tree, or post, or the ground,) and I am surprised not to find by
any naturalist the distinction pointed out, the song during descent only being
ascribed to both birds, or the distinction is passed over in silence, by men
whom I have followed with unquestionable deference, and have not hitherto
published the discrepancy, to avoid the appearance of a petty carping spiirit.
Both are about here indiscriminately called Titlark, but a well defined account
of their song would have made the two species distinct to the learner; as with
the three summer Wrens, (Si/Jvla,) where the oiftward similarity is so great,
except in minute points of claws and quills, the song would be the easiest
mode of knowing them one from another. It is difficult to mark at a distance
the long straight hind claw of the Meadow Pipit so as to distinguish it from
the shorter arched one of the Tree Pipit.

April 19th. — Saw the Yellow or Spring Wsigtail the first time this season
in the corn lands adjoining Mottram Wood, attracted by its sprightly call-note
and jerking undulating flight.

April 21st. — Heard the first Redstart of the season in Mottram Wood,
during my morning walk to the Dearne Valley.

April 22nd. — Walked with my companion to Cliff Wood. While entertaining
ourselves with the unbought minstrelsy of our home songsters, as the Storm-
cock, Spink, Jenny Wren, and our newly-come visitants, as the Willow Wren,
Tree Pipit, and Chiff Chaff, now abounding in every copse and wood, and
having our ears awake to detect the earliest sounds of any new arrivals, we

BUMMER BIRDS ABODT BARNSLEY. 7

heard a few low strains, ascending to a cheerful buoyant carol, which had in
some notes a resemblance to the Blackbird and Thrush; indeed my friend
went away with the impression that it was the latter of these fine songsters.
Not being satisfied myself, as we stood at some distance, I penetrated deeper
into the wood, and soon recognised as the voice of an old friend the rich lilting
note, increasing in elevation to the close, of our favourite the Blackcap Warbler,
which, with the Garden Warbler, are the only first-class songsters of this
family to supply the loss of the imprisoned Nightingale.

April 24:th. — Heard first the few grating notes of the Whinchat's song in
the fields below the town.

April 25th. — Varied ray walk, and went up Pogmoor fields, and was rewarded
by seeing for the first time this season the Wheatear flitting over the fallows,
and attracting my attention by the vividness of tint on its upper tail coverts,
seeminff at first like a floating white feather.

April 29th. — Walked on the canal bank this evening, and observed sporting
over the Dearne meadows the first Martins that have come under my notice
this year.

April 30th. — ^ Walked down Old Mill Lane and along the canal side; a
young relative overtook me at the Aqueduct, and shared in my high privilege
of hearing for the first time this year four of our warbling visitants in Cliff
Wood. First was heard the 'cha, cha, wheet, wheet, why' of the Whitethroat,
followed by its merry interruptedly gurgling song; next the plaintive call,
unlike that of any other bird, the 'pheu, pheu' of the long-winged Wood
Wren, succeeded by its equally singular song, 'tzit, tzit, tzit, tz-z-z-e,' which,
from its hissing character, has gained for it its specific designation of Sihilaii^ix,
and one of its local English names of the Wood Shaker; next we beard the
'tir-r-r-x-x' of the Gra.sshopper Warbler; and lastly the polyglot strain, half
chatter, half warble, of that comedian of birds the Sedge Warbler. These
birds were all unknown, previously, to my companion; the latter three interested
him greatly on account of the peculiarity of thair notes, particularly the
Grasshopper Warbler, which, like most other people, he would never have
pronounced to be a bird, but an insect of the grasshopper kind. His curiosity
to get a sight of it was at length rewarded, and by the aid of my small Dollond,
he proved that the singular sound issued from a veritable bird. To crowa
the whole, and mark this day with a white stone, that pleasant wandering
voice, the Cuckoo's two-fold note, was heard in our land, probably for the first
time this spring."^

May Gth. — Tidings of two Nightingales observed this day in Ethersley Wood,
two miles north of Barnsley; heard, alas! in the same breath as their capture,

* Cuckoos are amongst the various large birds that have been more numerous than usual
throughout this summer, even visiting the gardens about the town ; in such cases being the
mark for every idler's pop-gun, and, like the Thrush, Blackbird, and Nightingale, instead of
reaping the reward of gratitude, doomed to death or a prison for their song. I have seen for
the first time a Cuckoo's egg, pointed out to me by a boy amongst the blue eggs of the Whinchat :
this puzzle to him was soon made out from Morris's plates.

8 SUMMER BIRDS AROUT BARNgLElf.

This is as mortifying as to read in the naturalist journals of the occurrence
of some rare and beauteous bird, and, in nine cases out of ten, to read in
the next line that it was shot or captured, sometimes with the editorial comment
as to the party being fortunate enough to observe and secure such a prize.
How Worthier for scientific authorities to encourage the preservation of such
diminishing rarities for the gratification of the many in their free natural state,
than to foster a spirit of self-appropriativeness, and sometimes a vain craving
for notoriety, in the few; this is a question they will have to take up, if they
have a true love for the object of their study.

May 7th. — Observed in the Dearne meadows the Sand or Bank Martins in
numbers, chasing flies, in company with the House Martin, Swift, and Swallow.

May 9th.-— A fall of snow occurred, covering the ground to the depth of from
ten inches to two or three feet, deepening westward; the rain-gauge on the post-
office roof, twenty-eight feet above the ground, indicated two inches of water.

From May 10th. to IGth. — Took many walks in various directions, observing
the fearful effects of the snow-storm and flood on fields, trees, and the feathered
tribes. The ground-builders suffered greatly; even the bush and tree-builders
did not escape injury to their ingenious dwellings. The ravages of this spring
storm I have recorded at length in the public prints. Of the rarer birds
noticed in these rambles were the Long-tailed Tits, and their curious bag-like
nest ruined and desolate: of this family we have all except the Bearded and
Crested Tits. The Large Spotted Woodpecker was repeatedly seen in our vast
woods, which contain also the Lesser Spotted, and, more rarely, the Green
Woodpecker. The Nuthatch and Tree Creeper were seen abundant in Stainbro'
Park, which locality has the uncommon reputation of possessing in summer
the Pied Flycatcher, The Siskin I have seen thrice this season; not seen by
mo previously. Several Bullfinches, and, more rarely. Goldfinches I have seen,
but the bird-catchers soon rob us of this pleasure. The Snow Bunting, the
Brambling, and, very rarely, the Hawfinch occur.

May loth. — I walked through Mottram and Low Cliff Wood, where the
long-expected honey-flowing note of the Garden Warbler was heard for the
first time this season, one week later than last year, completing my enumeration
of the arrivals of our summer Warblers. After much labour to reconcile book
with common names often loosely applied, I have ascertained this bird to be
identical with what the nesting boys call Small Straw, what I had long thought,
but, not having previously turned my attention to nests and eggs, had
not proved. When I asked what sort of song the Small Straw had, they
could not tell me — they only knew its slenderly-built nest. When I pointed
out the Garden Warbler, they called it a Peggy; on remarking its superior
mellow strain, they would say it was a Peggy with a better note than usual;
the same would be said of the more varied sprightly note of the Blackcap,
unless a sight was caught of his dark glossy head emerging from the thick
brake or leafy boughs in which he loves to ensconce himself.

Barnsley, July, 1853.

NOTES.— No. 1.

BY MR. C. STUBBS.

Brown Rat, (Mus decumanus.) — I have, while ferreting Eats in hedge-rows,
frequently seen them run to the top of the highest branches, and try to conceal
themselves among the foliage till the danger is past.

Heron, (Ardea cinerea.) — A few pairs of Herons breed about here, but
nowhere in sufficient numbers to be worthy the name of a Heronry. I had
a fine one brought to me, which was shot just as it had captured a pike
weighing about three pounds; it had struck a hole right through the fish at
the back of the head. I saw three settle one day in a Rookery^ the Rooks
immediately drove them ofi", and followed them for some distance. I have
never seen more than seven together, unless in nesting-time.

Kin^sher, (Alcedo ispida.) — This beautifully-plumed bird is rather common
along the banks of the Thames here. I have oftentimes taken their eggs,
and occasionally the young ones, but never could discover anything like a
nest, only a few fish bones. I once took six young ones; they were nearly full-
grown, and could fly some distance. There was a dead gudgeon and another
fish, (I think it was a bleak,) in the hole: the hole smelt very bad indeed.

Green Woodpecker, (Picus viridis.) — A pair of these birds were about building
their nest close to Grey's Court, a fine old mansion in this neighbourhood,
last year, but they began boring so many of the trees, and made the lawns
in such a mess with the chips, that they were destroyed. I saw them; they
were in good feather. I never knew that they would breed so close to human
habitations before. I was in Windsor Park last March, when I was startled
by hearing the cry of this bird, as I thought, close to me; I looked about,
and saw it fly off a tree some distance from me; it soon came on to rain after.
In some counties they are called the Rain-bird. That pretty little species the
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, (Picus minor,) is occasionally seen and obtained
about here; a boy killed one with a stone in Yansley Wood, and I have one
that was shot near Park Place here. The Greater Spotted Woodpecker,
{Picus major,) has been shot several times; a fine pair were shot at Mill
End, near here, some time back.

Cuclcoo, (Cuculus canorus.) — I was once out in a boat taking Reed Warblers'
nests, when I found the egg of the Cuckoo in one. This was a curious nest
to select, as it was continually being swayed by the wind, and, I should have
thought, not large enough to have held the young Cuckoo when hatched.

Common Tern, (Sterna hirundo.) — A pair of Common Terns were shot here
late last autumn; they are a rare bird with us, being so far inland, but have
occasionally been met with.

Black Tern, (Sterna nigra.) — On the 23rd. of April, 1852, I saw a very
fine specimen of this bird, which had just been shot here, on the Thames. It was

VOL. IV. c

10 PROTRACTED COKTIKUANCE OF INSECTS IN THE CHRYSALIS STATE.

very windy, but rather warm for the time of year. When first seen it was
resting on an old pollard willow; it flew up, and kept gliding round in circles,
when the man shot it. It measured twenty-four inches across the wings, and
was ten inches in length. It was rather early for it to appear, and looked
somewhat like its breeding here. It is quite a ^rara avis' in these parts, never,
I believe, having been obtained above once or twice before. Terns are occa-
sionally met with here, though it is so far inland; I saw one myself whilst
out in a boat one day, but it flew so high and swift that I could not say
what species it was.

Bing Snake, (Natrix torquata.) — I was walking between Wookingham and
Tyford last autumn, when I saw a very large Snake basking in the sun. I
immediately ran up and seized it by the back of the head; it twisted round
my arm, and tried hard to escape, but finding it could not, it then emitted
the most horrid stench I ever smelt; I was soon glad to shake it off, when
it quickly wriggled oflF into the hedge. I think I never remember anything
so nauseous, and I could not get it out of my clothes and hands for some
time. This is a very wise provision of Providence, for without it the Snake
seems helpless and unable to defend itself.

IIenIey-upo7i-Thames.

PROTRACTED CONTINUANCE
OF INSECTS IN THE CHRYSALIS STATE.

BY STEPHEN STONE, ESQ.

In vol. ii., page 208 of "The Naturalist," the Rev. F. O. Morris records an
instance of a caterpillar of the Large Egger Moth having duly passed into
the chrysalis state, and in that state continued without further change through
the winter: his after-statement that though alive in the spring "it subsequently
proved to have been infested by an Ichneumon," sufiiciently, I think, explains
the reason of its so continuing.

The Ichneumon having deposited its eggs in the body of the caterpillar some
time previous to its transformation to the chrysalis state, these eggs in due
course produced larvae, which at once, as is their usual wont, commenced
feeding upon the body in which they had thxis become domiciled. When the
period of its transformation to the chrysalis state arrived, they might not have
proceeded so far in their work of destruction as to incapacitate it for under-
going that change, but not being as yet fully matured themselves, (their
ravages would still go on, until at length they had not only rendered it in-
capable of undergoing a further change into the perfect or imago state, but
had also in fact completely destroyed its vitality; and the life which it after-
wards seemed to possess, would be only the appearance of life imparted to it
by the living embryo Ichneumons within it, as a chicken enfeebled by the
cold, which we enclose in a stocking, and place by the fire, in order to its

PROTRACTED CONTINUANCE OK INSECTS IN THE CHRYSALIS STATE. 11

recovery, gives to the said stocking an appearance of life and motion, which
it does not in reality possess.

The Ichneumons would naturally remain till the spring ere they came forth
in ^propricX persona/ when they would be prepared in turn to deposit their
eo-o-s in the bodies of other caterpillars, and thus fulfil their mission, as agents,
in common with insectivorous birds, appointed by Creative Wisdom to keep
a salutary check upon the too rapid increase of species, which might otherwise
become so exceedingly numerous as to overrun the whole earth, and devour
•^every green thing;" thus rendering the labours of the husbandman abortive,
and his efforts in the cultivation of the soil fruitless. Why then will the
husbandmen blindly persist in destroying these latter-named agents, for no
other reason, forsooth, than because some of the species, as well as being
eminently insectivorous, happen to be also in a trifling degree granivorous;
but is this a sufficient reason why they should be destroyed? Suppose a
farmer, acting upon this principle, were to slaughter and destroy his horses,
for they too, as well as the birds, consume a portion of his produce, what
would be thought of that man? Would he not be deemed an eligible can-
didate for Saint Luke's — a fitting subject to be placed under restraint?
undoubtedly he would; and yet he really would not be acting a more insane
part than his neighbours, who persist in destroying Sparrows and other birds.

Immensely as the benefits derived from the services of the horse, when
put in the scale against the loss sustained by the corn, and other farm produce
which he consumes, turns the balance in his favour; it would not be found
to be relatively greater than the benefits derived from the services of the
Sparrow, if submitted to a similar test.

Whether we reflect on the infinite wisdom which the Almighty has displayed
in the ordinary provision He has made for keeping within due limits the
different classes of beings He has formed, of which the habits and economy of
the Ichneumonidae, briefly noticed above, afford us a familiar example; or whether
we consider His infinite goodness in a like provision for the preservation of
each particular species, which to the observer of nature will in a thousand
ways manifest itself, we shall scarcely fail to find awakened within us feelings
of a holy devotion, of fervent piety, and of the highest adoration of Him who,
although he ^'inhabiteth eternity" — though his dwelling-place is in the "highest
heaven" — yet condescendeth to provide for the life and enjoyment of the
meanest creature upon earth — of Him who

"Gives the lustre to an insect's wing,
And wheels His throne upon the rolling worlds."

But to those who attentively watch the operations of nature, an extraordinary
provision for the preservation of a particular species will likewise occasionally
present itself; the following fact, which came under my observation not very long
ago, may serve as an illustration : — I had about thirty caterpillars of the Water
Betony Moth, (Cucullia scrophuIari.ee,) which all passed into the chrysalis state
in the autumn, having previously buried themselves in the earth contained in

12 NOTKS ON THE LEriDOPTERA OF BANFF.

a small tub, which was sunk to within two or three inches of its upper edge
in a moderatelj dry flower-bed in the garden, and provided with a covering
of net, as well to prevent the escape of the caterpillars as of the perfect insects
when they emerged as such. The majority of these insects came out the
beginning of the following June, but about ten or twelve individuals continued
through the next summer, autumn, and winter, and till the beginning of the
succeeding June, ere they made their appearance, thus having continued the
greater part of two years in the chrysalis state. As no artificial means were
resorted to in this instance to retard their development, I cannot but consider
it to be, as already stated, an extraordinary provision of nature for the pres-
ervation of the species; for should one season prove adverse to their well-being,
there is, if I may be allowed the expression, a 'corps de reserve' provided, in order
to supply individuals for the following season, which may prove more propitious.

Brighthampton, August 10th., 1853.

NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OF BANFF.

BY MR. T. EDWARD.

Perhaps the following notice of the occurrence and capture of a few of the
Tarer'^Creptcscularies of this quarter, during the present and by-gone seasons,
may not be uninteresting to at least some of the readers of "The Naturalist."
I give them not in order, but at random.

The Broad- bordered Yellow Underwing, (TripTiccna fimhria) — A most splen-
did specimen of this species was procured this summer by me in the Den of
Eden, and is now added to my collection. This is a very rare species here,
so much so, in fact, that I have never met with nor seen another but the
one alluded to.

The Small Tiger Moth, (Nemeophila plantaginis.) — This may be a little
more common insect than the last, but I have only met with two, one on
the Wagle Hill, parish of Monquhitter, and the other on the Clashraach,
Clashma, or Clashmack, a hill near Huntley, and which means a hill of
stones, or a stony hill. They are male and female, and are both in my own
collection.

The Six-spotted Sphinx, or Burnet Moth, {Anthrocera filipendaloe.) —
Rummaging about the Bin, a large wood and district betwixt Keith and
Huntley, one warm and sunny day in July last, looking for what I could see,
and listening to what I could hear, I was most agreeably surprised and more
than delighted at coming upon five of these gaudy little gentlemen, all
within a compass of about six feet of each other, and all of which I
had the good and happy fortune of hoxing; not pugilistically, 0 no!
for, believe me, courteous reader, I am the quietest man, I had almost said
the greatest coward alive, and am a member of the "Peace Society," that is,
one of the peaceful inhabitants of the quiet north, and do not in consequence

NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OP BANFF. 13

fight any. How then? it may be asked by some who may be unaccustomed
to entomological pursuits and with insect hunting. Why, my answer is, simply
by surrounding them, to be sure, as Pat did his foes, and then storing them
all safely into my collecting- case, without either a blackened eye or a broken
limb. O happy, happy Crispin! None but the persevering deserves to be
rewarded, 0 how wellj do I yet remember, although it is long years ago,
finding about this same spot the fragments of a species of this sort! and 0 how
oft have I looked, and looked, and searched the place for a perfect specimen
since then, but all in vain until the present instance! no wonder then that I
should feel a little overjoyed, and somewhat elevated at my good luck at last.

But it may be that some of ray southern brother naturalists may laugh at
my foolishness in exhibiting such childish glee over what they may be able
to term quite a common species. Well, smile away my friends. O how
I glory in your mirth. 'Tis mine to love to see a merry countenance. But,
my dear friends, believe me, and see you bear the truth I am about to tell
you in your remembrances, namely, that although they may be quite an
abundant species with you, they are very, very far from being so with us,
in fact they are very rare. Another, I am credibly informed, was taken at M.
Duff, also during the present season, by a servant girl belonging to Mr. W.
Gregen, teacher there, but the hand that grasped it not being accustomed to
finger such fragile ware, crushed it to atoms, rendering it thereby perfectly
useless.

The Humming-bird Sphinx, (Macroglossa stellatarum.) — Towards evening
of a very stormy day, a specimen of this Moth sought, by beating against a
window, and obtained shelter from the then warring elements in a house in
town; next morning it was secured, and is now in my collection, and to have
a finer or a more complete specimen no mortal man, especially a poor one,
could desire. This species is also very uncommon here.

The Vapourer Moth, {Orgyia antiqua.) — I have seen it recorded, but where
I do not now remember, that the Vapourer is a very common insect; it may
be so in some places, but I must deny its being such with us, or in this
quarter; two specimens, a male and a female, are all that I have met with
during all my entomological peregrinations here, and these have neither been few
nor far between, and have now been continued for the space of twenty long years.

The Unicorn Sphinx, {Sphinx convolvuU.) — 'A most beautiful individual of
this pretty Moth was captured a few days ago in a garden in town ; it is now
in my collection, and is the largest I have ever seen, and the prettiest marked;
the body measures nearly three inches, the proboscis more than five, and the
wings expand to above six. Other two, one of which is now in the collection
of the gentleman already named, were taken in M. Duff a few weeks previous
to the one above mentioned. This species is only of casual occurrence here.

The Emperor Moth, {Saturnia Pavonia-minor.) — Although I have never as yet
had the good luck to meet with an Emperor, either Scotch, English, Irish,
or French, yet I believe that the formei*, not to speak of the others, is to

14 HARDY TREKS AND SHRUnS.

be found in some of the more heathy portions of our country j but if it were
80 to happen that I and a personage of this description were to meet, I do not
think that I should stand very long and cry out ^Vive Y Empereur/ that is,
if 1 could get him by any means into my clutches. But though I have never
met with the insect myself, I have occasionally found their empty cocoons
amongst the heath when on my oological and ornithological excursions through
the hills here; and I am credibly informed that the Moth itself has been
found, but of course rarely, so that I must find it a place in our fauna, and
live in the joyous hope of the "good time coming."

The Death's Head Sphinx, (Acherontia Atropos.) — This species is also, or
at least has been, found with us. My highly-respected, and dearly- beloved
friend by all who knew him, and whose death was universally regretted, the
late, alas! Rev. Mr. Smith; and than whom a better or a kinder-hearted
being, save one, never trod this beauteous earth of ours, possessed one of these
Moths, which was taken in a potato field at Mount Clary, the seat of Alex.
Morison, Esq., of Bognie; it was a pretty specimen; I have seen it often, and
each time I did so the more I prized it. But although I have searched all
the potato fields round this anxiously and annually, and other places where
the species is most likely to be found, and I do wherever I go, I have
never as yet met with a specimen myself, so that I must set it down in this
meagre list of mine as one of the rarer of the Lepidoptera of Banfishire.

Banff, October ISth., 1853.

THE PROPAGATION OF HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS.

BY J. Mc'iNTOSH, ESQ.
( Continued from page 152, Vol. III.)

ORDER XYII.— XANTHOXYLACEiE.

The species found in British gardens are comprised in the following genera: —

Xanthoxylum — Flowers, bisexual; calyx, three-five-parted, with an equal
number of petals and stamens; carpels, one-five, twovalved; leaves, simple,
tornate, abruptly and impari-pinnate.

Ptelea — Flowers, bisexual; calyx, four- five-parted; petals, four-five; stamens,
four-five; fruit, compressed, two-three -celled; cells, winged; leaves, of three
leaflets, rarely of five leaflets.

Ailantxis — Flowers, polygamous; calyx, five-cleft; petals, five; stamens, ten,
unequal; styles, three-five, arising from the notches of the ovaries; carpels,
three-five, membranous, one-celled, one-seeded; leaves, abruptly or impari-pinnate.

G-ENUS I.

Xanthoxylum, (Toothache Tree,) Dioccia Tri-Pentandria. — This is a low
deciduous tree, native of North America, from Canada to Virginia, in woods
near rivers. The bark and capsules are of a hot acrid taste, and are used for
relieving the pains of the toothache; a tincture of the bark is also used for

HARDY TREES ANlJ SHRUBS. 15

curing rheumatism, the bark being imported from New York, and sold in
Covent Garden: the tree is common in most collections. Flowers, yellowish,
with red anthers; of easy culture in any common garden soil, and is readily
propagated by cuttings of the roots, or of the branches, by seeds and layers.

Genus II.
Ptelea, (Shruhby Trefoil,) MonDccia Tetra-Pentandria. — A shrub or low
tree from North America, producing small greenish-white flowers in clusters,
easy of culture in any common soil, propagated by cuttings in the autumn
under hand-glasses, or by seeds. This plant should be pruned up to a single
stem, when it forms a handsome low tree.

Genus III.
Ailantus, (Ailanto,) Polygamia Monaecia. — This tree is a native of China;
in France it is much planted as a tree for shading public walks, etc., in
company with the Tulip Tree, Horse-chestnut, the Plantain, etc. It grows
in any soil, but likes the shade; in France we have seen large trees growing
in chalky soils, where scarcely any other tree could exist. It is easily prop-
agated by seeds, suckers, roots, and cuttings. We would strongly recommend
this tree to the attention of coppice- wood planters, for various useful purposes.

OEDEE XVIII.— COEIACEiE.

This order consists of only one genus which is quite hardy; there are two
other species which are half-hardy.

Genus I.

Coriaria, (Coriaria,) Dioccia Decandria. A deciduous shrub from four to
five feet high. In its native country, namely, the south of Europe and north
of Africa, it is used for tanning and for dyeing black. M. Dumont asserts
that the leaves and berries are deadly poison both to man and beast. In
France the leaves have been used to adulterate senna leaves, and have been
known to produce fatal consequences, and M, Fee says that several of the
French soldiers, when in Catalonia, became stupified by eating the berries, and
that three of them died.

OEDEE XIX.— STAPHYLEACEJE.
This order consists of one genus only, namely,

Genus I.
Staphylea, (Bladder Nut Tree,) Pentandria Di-Trigynia. — Deciduous shrubs
propagated by seeds, suckers, and cuttings; the seeds should be sown as soon
as ripe. The nuts of Staphylea pinnata, in some parts of Europe, are strung
for beads by the Roman Catholics. In Germany the kernels are eaten by
children, and Gerrard says that in his time they were eaten, though not
relished, in England.

OEDEE XX.— CELASTEACE^.

Shrubs or low trees, chiefly deciduous, natives of both hemispheres, chiefly
remarkable for the form and colour of their fruits. All the species are readily
propagated by seeds, by cuttings in sand, and by layers. The genera are six.

16 HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS.

Euonymm — Sexes, hermaphrodite; calyx, four-six-lobed ; petals, four- six,
inserted in the disk; stamens, four-six; fruit, a dehiscent capsule of three-five
cells; seeds, with an aril; leaves, mostly opposite.

Celastrus — Sexes, mostly hermaphrodite; fruit, a dehiscent capsule of two-
three cells; seeds, without an aril; leaves, alternate.

JVemopantJies — Sexes, polygamous or dioecious; calyx, minute, four- five-
parted; petals, five; fruit, an indehiscent berry, three-four cells and three-four-
seeded.

Maytenus — Sexes, polygamous; calyx, five-cleft; petals, five; stamens, five;
fruit, a dehiscent capsule of one-four cells; seeds, few in bottom of cells, each
with an aril; leaves, alternate.

Gassine — Sexes, hermaphrodite; calyx, minute, four-five-parted; petals, five;
fruit, an almost dry drupe, its nut indehiscent, slender, of three cells and
three seeds, each pendulous from the top of a cell; leaves, opposite.

Hartogia — Sexes, hermaphrodite; calyx, four-five-cleft; petals, four-five;
stamens, four-five; fruit, a dry drupe, its nut indehiscent, ovate, of two cells
and two seeds; leaves, opposite.

Genus I.

Euonymus, {Spindle Tree,) Tetra-Hexandria Monogynia. — There are about
twenty-five species, besides mixtures, of EuonymtLs known in gardens. The
E. Europoeus is common throughout Europe; its wood, from the earliest ages,
has been used in making various domestic utensils, particularly for making
netting-needles and spindles. In England it is employed in the manufacture
of musical instruments; in Scotland it is employed, with the wood of Cylissus
alpinus, or Alpine Laburnum, in making noggins or luggies, that is, small
vessels for porridge, and drinking out of; in Germany the small branches are
employed for the shanks of tobacco pipes, the wood split into thin pieces is
made into what are called whisks for driving away flies, and a charcoal is
made of the shoots, which is much valued by artists, from the lines made by
it being easily efiaced. This charcoal is made by putting shoots of two years'
growth into an air-tight iron tube, and then into a fire till it becomes red
hot; the tube is then taken out, and allowed to become cool before the
charcoal is withdrawn. Their fruit has been employed by dyers, who derive
green, yellow, and red from them; green is obtained by boiling the seeds with
alum, yellow by boiling the seeds alone, and red by using the capsules : the fruit
and inner bark are purgative and emetic. The principal use of the Spindle
Tree in Britain at the present time is for butchers and cooks for skewers.
In plantations the species are very interesting in autumn, by their numerous
pendant capsules of a bright red colour, or pure white, and their white or
orange-coloured seeds, spreading rays of brilliancy over the departing season.
It is propagated by seeds, layers, and cuttings in sandy soil under a hand-glass.

Genus II.
Celastrus, (Staff Tree,) Pentandria Monogynia. — The stems of C. secundum
are woody and flexible, arid twist themselves round trees or shrubs, girding

ANAOALLIS ARVENSIS, ETC. 17

them so closely as in a few years to destroy them; as a free-growing
twiner it deserves to be more cultivated; propagated by seeds, cuttings, or
layers. G. hullatus is a low shrub, native of Virginia; it rarely ripens seeds
in England, but is propagated by cuttings and layers. There are several
half-hardy species, which, we have no doubt, will yet prove to be quite hardy,
as they are principally from the Cape of Good Hope.

Gentjs III.
Nemopanthes, (Nemopanthes,) Polygamia Dioecia. — This plant is sometimes
found in English gardens under the name of Prinos lucidus; it is a deciduous
hardy ornamental shrub, propagated by cuttings of the young wood under
glass, suckers, or layers in a sandy loamy soil.

Genus IV.

Maytenus, (Maytenus,) Polygamia Dioecia. — This is a handsome evergreen

shrub, flowers of a greenish yellow, well deserving general cultivation; by

cuttings.

Genus V.

Cassine, {Cassine,) Pentandria Monogynia. — Of Casslne we have two hardy

species, namely, G. Maurocenia, (the Hottentot Cherry,) a native of Ethiopia,

and G. Gapensis, (the Cape Phillyrea,) a native of the Cape of Good Hope;

by cuttings under glasses and by seeds.

Genus VI.
Hartogia, {Hartogia^ Tetra-Pentandria Monogynia. — Of this genus we have
only one hardy species, namely, H. Gapensis, or Cape Hartogia; there is a
narrow- leaved variety of Gerasus laurocerasus frequently sold in the nurseries
for this species; propagated by cuttings and seeds.

(To be continued.)

ANAGALLIS AEVENSIS, ETC., IN FLOWER NOVEMBER 14th.

BY J. ROSE, ESQ., M. D., R. N.

During the first ten days of November the temperature was unusually mild,
with bright sunshine during the day, in fact a sort of second spring, and
admirably adapted for agricultural operations. The green blade of the recently-
sown wheat is now apparent, and near Rowner and Titchfield fresh foliage is
seen on some of the branches of the trees, while the rest of the leaves have
fallen, or are yellow and withered; I think this fact was mentioned by some
of your correspondents last year. Many of the Gompositce and Umhellifercc are
still in flower, and the beautiful Anagallis arvensis, or Poor Man's Weather-
glass, as well as several species of Stellaria, still adorn with their modest
bloom the fields and hedges in this neighbourhood. This period of the year
is calculated to call forth reflections of a somewhat melancholy but salutary
character, and reminds us of the words of a learned and pious bishop: —

VOL. IV. D

18

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

"See the leaves around us falling
Dry and withered to the ground;
Thus to thoughtless mortals calling,
In a sad and solemn sound: —

Sons of Adam, (once in Eden,
Where, like us, he blighted fell,)

Hear the lesson we are reading,
Mark the awful truth we tell.

Youth on length of days presuming,
Who the paths of pleasure tread,

View us late in beauty blooming
Number' d now among the dead.

What though yet no losses grieve you,
Gay with health and many a grace;

Let not cloudless skies deceive j'ou,
Summer gives to autumn place.

Yearly in our course returning.

Messengers of shortest stay,
Thus we preach this truth concerning,

Heaven and earth shall pass away.

On the tree of life eternal
Oh, let all our hopes be laid!

This alone, for ever vernal.

Bears a leaf that shall not fade."

Haslar Hospital, Gosport, November loth., 1853.

3JImllniirati5 Sntirrs.

A Black Hare, (Lepus timidus.) — I saw to-day, in the hands of a bird and animal preserver
in this town, a Black Hare, which was killed (coursed) at Enville, the seat of the Earl of
Stamford, and was intended to be preserved for his Lordship's collection. Black wild Babbits
jure by no means uncommon, and I examined the specimen in question minutely, but could
not detect any symptom of a cross. — H. Saunders, Elderfield, near Kidderminster, November
5th., 1853.

Occurrence of the Honey and Rough-legged Buzzards, (Pemis apivorus and Buteo lagopus,) in
Banffshire. — I had sent me the other week from Gardensto\vn, near to which plase it was shot,
a most splendid specimen of the Honey Buzzard, or Bee-Hawk; it is a female, and in excellent
plumage. I had also sent me yesterday from Troglen, the seat of Sir Eobert Abercromby, of
Birkenbay, a pretty Eough-legged Buzzard; it is a very large bird, and also a female: these
birds are rare with us. — Thomas Edward, High-Street, Banff, November 11th., 1853.

Tlie Merlin, (Falco ajsalcn,) near Banff. — I shot a beautiful male specimen of the Merlin on
the 15th. of August, on the farm of the Mill of Boyndie, near Banff: it is a rare bird so far
north.— George Donaldson, Mill of Boyndie, near Banff, September, 1853.

The Blackstart, (Sylvia tithys,) near Chichester. — Being a subscriber to "The Naturalist," I
take the liberty of writing to inform you that I have purchased a female Blackstart, which was
shot by a man of the name of Richard George, this day. I send you this information, as it
is of rare occm-rence near Chichester, and I think it is rather early for its appearance in
England. — G. Jackson, Chichester, October 25th., 1853.

Variety of the Rook, (Corvus frugilegus.) — Last spring I shot ;i young Rook with a white
spot on the throat, and the middle claw of each foot was pure white, whilst the others were
of the natural black colour. — W. S. M. D' Urban, Newport, near Exeter, November I2th., 1853.

Occurrence of the Pied Flycatcher, (Muscicapa atricapilla,) in Devon, and the Black Redstart,
(Sylvia tithys,) in Somersetshire. — On the 23rd. of August I saw killed by Mr. James Dodd,
in his garden at Plymouth, a specimen of that rare bird in Devon the Pied Flycatcher; its
habits were very similar to those of the common species, (Muscicapa grisola.) I also observed
on the 2nd. of the present month, near the village of North Petherton, Somerset, and about
twelve miles from the Bristol Channel, a Black Redstart flitting about on the roof and chimneys
of a cottage; the weather had been very boisterous during the previous night. — John Gatcombe,
Wyndham Place, Plymouth, November 14th., 1853.

Malformation in the Bill of a Starling, (Stumus vulgaris.) — I have the head of a Starling
shot on this town moor, the lower mandible of which is five-eighths of an inch longer than
the upper; is not this rather extraordinary? the upper portion of the bill is of the usual size
and length : this bird was in remarkably fine plumage when shot last Monday. — George Hodge,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, September 17th., 1853.

REVIEW, 19

Second Note on a Wild Bee, (Bombus terrestris ?) — In the latter part of last June, I was
enabled to see personally the result of the Bees' workmanship, referred to in a former paper.
We carefully removed the tin awning, but it was under very fearful apprehensions, for my
friend told me he had seen no traces of them all the spring. The nest had naturally suffered
from the ravages of insects, for we found the roof perforated in many places, and from what
I saw, I still fancy it formed of strips of the common bean-stalk, or the tree balsam. The
poor tenants had all perished, and, from the mangled remains, had doubtless been frozen by
the cold, and then become the prey of hardier insects; no trace of any store of food was found,
but that might have shared a similar fate to their own. From the wings and pieces of the
trunks of the Bees found, I believe they were the common Humble Bee, (Bombus terrestris,)
though I am aware they, after tlie manner of Wasps, have an underground house. I regret I
was unable to procure a specimen, which I should have greatly desired, as I fancied, from
the reports I had given me, that it might liave been a species of Solitary Bee, {Anthiditim
manicatum of Fabricius,) and which, Kirby and Spence say, select cavities of old trees, key-
holes, etc. Among the foliage of the ivy, not two feet from the old nest, was, at the time of
our search, a Eobin's nest, containing six eggs; doubtless the old birds of last year had returned
to a spot rendered dear to them by former prosperity in all respects. — G. E. Tm'inx, Bawburgh
Hill, near Norwich, August 11th., 1853.

A fine specimen of Sphinx convolvuli was captured about three miles out at sea by C. Dobson,
and is now in my collection. Query. — Was this specimen migrating, or the contrary? — D.
Fergusox, Eedcar, September 14th., 1853.

Acherontia Atropos. — Another specimen was taken a few days ago by G. Reade, Esq., Guisbro',
and is now in the hands of Daniel Duck, druggist, at that place.— Idem.

Capture of Vanessa Antiopa. — I have great pleasure in recording the capture of a fine pair
of that rare Butterfly, Vanessa Antiopa. — One was caught by a friend, September, 1852, on
the heath; the other on the grounds of Mr. Biggs, Loampit Hill, near Lewisham. This last
adorns ray cabinet. — Larret Shields, Dartmouth Grove, Greenwich, October 23rd., 1853.

Colias Hyale. — The Eev. Henry Hilton, of Milstead Eectory, near Sittingbourne, has informed
me that he captured a specimen of this Butterfly the present summer, I believe near Dover. —
F. 0. Morris, Nafferton Vicarage, October 27th., 1853.

The JV^atural History of the Birds of Ireland, Indigenous and Migratory,
containing descriptions of the habits, migrations, occurrence, and economy, of
the two hundred and sixty-one species comprised in the Fauna. By John
J. Watters, Associate Member of the University Zoological Association.
Dublin: James Mc'Glashan. London: W. S. Orr^ and Co. Edinburgh:
John Menzies, 1853, p. p, 300,

The object of the writer of this little work, appears to have been to offer
to the public an authentic and careful account of the birds of Ireland, at
such a price as to allow every one who wished for such information to obtain it.
The habits and history of two hundred and sixty-one birds are given; and
much valuable information respecting them is contained in these pages. It
is a matter of great regret, that Ireland should possess so few observant
Naturalists; for although there are bright exceptions, there is no doubt that
the study of Natural History is generally much less cultivated in Ireland,
than in this country. Had it been otherwise, it is highly probable that many

20 THE RETROSPECT.

more than two hundred and sixty-one species of birds would have been recorded,
Mr. Watters has done good service to the cause of science, by giving as it
were, an abstract of what is known at present of the Irish birds, and we
sincerely hope that the perusal of his book, may induce many to enter more
at large into the subject.

The author does not give descriptions of the birds, but many interesting
accounts and anecdotes of their habits are given; Mr. Watters is an out-of-
door Naturalist, and supplied many facts as to various birds to the late W.
Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, which appear in his valuable work on the same
subject as the book now before us. We give one or two short extracts taken
at random as specimens of the style of the work. Speaking of the nesting
of the Curlew, he says —

"On some barren and desolate moor, tenanted by the Grouse, Moor Harrier, and Lizard,
the Curlew prepares an artless nest on the ground, in a dry tuft of grass or rushes, lined with
withered herbage. Sometimes it is formed in a natural hollow or depression, smoothed by the
bird, and lined with leaves, where the eggs are deposited, four in number, of a pale green,
blotched with brown. During the breeding st)ason, these solitarj^ tracts frequented by the Curlew
appear replete with animation. From early dawn to the last hour of twilight, their incessant
screaming and repeated motion afford a relief to the otherwise changeless and dull monotony
of the scene; on the nest being approached, the male and female assail the obnoxious intruder
with noisy screams, beating at him with quivering wings, and, that failing, run and skulk
before, in hopes of decoying and deluding him."

One more extract of a somewhat different character. A tame Spoonbill is a
novelty, certainly a rarity in this country, so we give Mr. Watters' account
of his behaviour when domesticated,

"A male bird at one time in the possession of an ornithological friend, became so familiar
as to proceed upstairs and enter the break fast -room regularly during meal hours, and appropriate
to itself, at all seasons, the hearth-rug, where it would nestle down and enjoy the wamith of
the fire. Having at one time been scalded by accident, it ever after evinced the utmost horror
of the tea-urn, — rising quickly from its resting position, and walking away indignantly, not
returning until the enemy had been displaced, when it resumed its position. If annoyed by
young children, it walked quickly round the room, and selected an unoccupied chair, if at a
distance" from the wall, and, perching upon it, would take bread from the hand, or bread and
milk in a tea-cup. Its usual resting-place was the top of a pump in the centre of an out-
yard, on which perch it would often remain motionless for hours."

We should be glad to find that this little book had an extensive circulation,
and that another edition of it was required. This could not take place without
much good being effected.

€\}i IUtrD3|itrt.

I 'perceive in the "Retrospect" of "The Natm-alist," for the last month, some remarks by
Mr. Stephen Clogg, of East Looc, in Cornwall, upon my article on the "Wagtails," which I
will endeavour to answer, only premising, that, as no Naturalist, but an observer of Nature
only, I feel considerable diffidence in entering on the discussion. He states that the Motacilla
alba, is not the Pied Wagtail, on this head I will only refer him to Linnaeus, Latham,
Ray, Gilbert White, and Bewick, and especially to the History of Selborne; Mr. Bennett in
his Edition of 1837, takes no notice by way of note or otherwise, of there being more than
three kinds of this bird, and I take the word alba, as merely contradistinguished from Jlava,

THE RETROSPECT. 21

and einerea. "With respect to the black chin, that was the result of my own observations, at
nesting time, when the sex is most certainly determined, and therefore I considered it a
distinguishing mark, for that there is a gi-eat flocking of Hens, like Chaffinches in Autumn, I
am certain from actual observations. Mr. Clogg, next refers to the song; now this is really
a matter of opinion, and it has always appeared to me, that Naturalists have somewhat strained
this matter. There are many birds, which if the "Wagtail be a singing bird, may, in the
same sense, be said to have a song, for instance," the ;Swallow, the Turtle, and the Golden-
crowned Wren, which last is indeed almost entitled to that appellation ; butas to the "Wagtail,
I would especially refer Mr. Clogg to the Rev. F. 0. Morris's beautiful work, at vol. ii. page 128.
"With respect to the five species, I suppose there is scarcely any one who has had more
opportunities than myself, of observing and obtaining specimens of these birds, and I perfectly
call to mind the birds which are now said to be distinct species, having [possessed both,
especially the so-called Motacilla alba, which I always looked upon as fine specimens of the
Pied "Wagtail, and never certainly should have dreamed of calling them anything else. The
second I considered either the young of the Grey "Wagtail, or the female of the Yellow ; and I
will only say that it is impossible for me successfully, nor would it be seemly, to offer any ideas
of my own in opposition to those of such excellent naturalists as Mr. Yarrell, Mr. Gould,
and the Rev. F. O. Morris, who, however, himself says, "two species are now believed to have
been hitherto included under one, (vol. ii., page 126,) putting it no higher, and declining to
give a decisive opinion, and coming to the conclusion, at page 134, that "all this seems like
'confusion worse confounded,' " in which I heartily agree with him. If the Motacilla alba of
modern ornithologists be a distinct species, it is a larger bird, and breeds later, or is said to do
80, and to be migi-atory. The whole subject was a difficult one, and at the time I wrote my
article, now years ago, although I saw no reason to alter it afterwards, the Grey Wagtail was
so scarce that speculations were fair enough, however I myself acknowledged that they were
only such, although the varieties we meet with amply supported the probability of such a
suggestion. I quite agree with Mr. Clogg that a certain liberality should be exercised, but I
am so opposed to anything like "making species out of varieties," or calling birds "British"
that have no title to the name, that I may be led into the other extreme. Birds to be "British"
must, I apprehend, either breed here, remain a considerable time, or in considerable numbers,
and at regular intervals; all others should, I think, be classed as birds that have occasionally
visited our shores. In this view, therefore, admitting the existence of the Motacilla neglecta
for the sake of argument, I do not admit it as a British bird. The article which gave rise to
this controversy was a mere sketch, the result of nothing but actual observation, although of
course I am familiar with most works on the subject, but in future I will state the opinions
of others as well as my own, although I am content to be thought ignorant if I feel confident
that I am correct. — 0. S. Eound, Lincoln's Inn Fields, December, 1853.

Lepidoptera round Exeter. — I have read Mr. E. Parfitt's account of the Lepidoptera about
Exeter, in your number for November, and, living as I do, only three miles from Exeter, and
one from Topsham, I was surprised to see that he found many insects scarce, which I have
observed as being abundant. Perhaps a few remarks may not be uninteresting to the readers
of "The Naturalist." Mr. P. says that he has not heard of the capture of the Eyed Hawk
Moth, (Smerinthus ocellatus,) in tliis neighbourhood; but F. "W. L. Boss, Esq., of Topsham,
has several specimens which were captured in that town, and I have one in my cabinet taken
there also. Of the Lime Hawk Moth, {S. Tilice,) I bred a fine pair last spring from larvae
taken in the preceding August, and two others died in pupa. The Privet Hawk Moth, {Sphinx
Ligustri, far from being uncommon, is very numerous both in the larva and imago; [I have
bred and captured more than half-a-dozen here this season alone, and two were taken within
ten minutes of each other at the same flower; in many specimens the bands on the hinder
wings are white instead of pink, which is the usual colour. The Elephant Hawk Moth, {Me-
topsilus elpenor,) I have found plentiful in June, hovering over the Rhododendrons then in
flower. I took five this year, and a larva was brought me in September; last year I saw three
larvae which a boy had offered for sale to a bird-stuff'er in Exeter. The Death's Head Hawk
Moth, {Acherontia Atropos,) has been rather numerous this year in this neighbourhood ; Mr.
Ross had four of the imago and two of the larva), all taken near Topsham, during the last
summer and autumn. As to the three specimens of the Convolvulus Hawk Moth, {Sphinx

22 THE QUERIST.

convolviili, J in the fine museum of Mr, Ross, tlie first was taken on the Exe, about eighteen
years ago, the second, a female, was struck down bj* a Sparrow in one the of streets of Topsham,
September 1841, and the last, a fine male, was taken a few daj's after, asleep on some fishing-
nets near the river, from which it appears that this species has a partiality for the neighbour-
hood of water. Mr. P. says he never saw a Humming-bird Ilawk Moth, {Macroglossa Stella-
tarum,) at rest, but they frequently pitch on walls, and Mr. Ross has one taken asleep in the
house September, 1847. The larva3 of the Goat Moth, {Oossus Ligniperda,) were very plentiful
in 1851, but I have not seen any since. No mention is made of the following Moths, all of which
occur in this neighbourhood: — the Lappet Moth, {Gastropacha Qiiercifolia) the larva of which
feeds on tlie thorn — occurs occasionally; the Brown-tail and Gold-tail Moths, {Euproctis chry-
sorrhaa, and E. aurijlua,) — not very numerous; the Scarlet Tiger, {Jlypercampa Dominula,)
— not rare at Topsham ; Red Arches, {Miltoehrysta miniata,) I have taken two of these beautiful
little Moths here. Dun Footman, {Lithosia griseola,) — common in the grass during the summer
months; the Lesser Broad Border, {Triphwna Janthina,) — not uncommon. Agrotis exclamationis,
I have found very abundant. In conclusion I will take the opportunity of mentioning that
the larva of the Scarce Dagger, {Acronycta auricoma,) was taken on a nut bush, last Septem-
ber, in Mr. Ross' garden; another occurred in the same place in 1845. — "W. S. M. D'Urban,
Newport, near Exeter, November 12th., 1853.

White Variety of Lamium amplexicaule. — In vol. iii. page 255, of "The Naturalist," I read
an account of a white specimen of the Lamium amplexicaule^ (Henbit Nettle,) having been
found in the ne'ghbourhood of Aberyswith, by Messrs. C. and J. D'Arcy, and they wishing to
know if any of your readers could inform them if this variety is often met with. Being at
liberty this afternoon, I took a ramble in search of this very variety, and I found it more
plentiful about hei-e than the crimson one, for where I found one of the crimson, I should
think I found twenty of the white variety. — G. Jackson, Chichester, November 1st., 1853.

Plants with unnaturally White Flowers. — In answer to C. and J. D'Arcy, I wish to state that
the colour of the flower, if there is no other distinction, is not allowed to constitute a species
botanically. The best answer is the following extract from Lindlcy's article "Botanj^," in the
"Library of Useful Knowledge:" — "It is probable that whiteness, or that kind of paleness which
constitues white, is owing to the chromule not being completely elaborated. This may be
inferred First, from the analogy between this colour and blanched plants; Second, from the
much greater number of white flowers in northern than in equatorial regions; and Third, from
a considerable number of flowers which are born white, acquiring some other colour before
they die, if exposed to solar light." Most of the plants in the list below I have found, where
they were much shaded, or after a long continuance of cloudy, showery, and cold weather, some
exceptions of course there are, within the last three years with white flowei's: — Geranium
Jtobertianum, G. molle, Prunella vulgaris, Cnicus palustris, Thymus acinos, Ballota nigra,
Bartsia odontites, Calluna vulgaris. Campanula rotundifolia, Hyacinthus non-scriptus, Orchis
Morio, with many intermediate shades of colour, and all in the same field ; Betonica officinalis,
ditto, Viola odorato ditto, and Veronica hederacca. The "Botany and Geology of Malvern," by
£. Lees, Esq., is the authority for the two next — Digitalis purpurea, and Orchis mascula, a
pnre white, and without spots on the leaves, continuing white in a cultivated state, which is
not generally the case with the rest. Colchicum autumnale, is sometimes found white according
to Withering.-^W. C, Stratford-on-Avon, November 9th., 1853.

I should feel greatly obliged if any correspondent of "The Naturalist," who has had the
opportunity of observing, would be kind enough to answer the following queries respecting the
Domestic Swan:— Are the feet and legs ever slate-coloured, or sooty grey? If so, at what age
do they become black ? Is the tubercle at the base of the bill covered with feathers in the
young bird, if so, 9t what age is it bare." Is it conspicuously large in the first Autumn? At
what age are the young birds able to fly, and when may they be said to have attained their
full size? "VMiat is the usual number at a brood?— T. Southwell, Fakenham, Norfolk.

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CONTENTS.

PAGE,

A Glance at the Feathered Residents in, and Visitants to, the Grounds
of Terrick House; with a few Remarks from personal observation
upon their habits and peculiarities. 15y B. Stone, Esq 23

Local Jottings. No. 11. Dorchester — Dorsetshire. By J. Garlano,

Esq ! 29

Kotes on the Dodo. By "Mus." 30

Extracts from my Diary on the Nightjai", or Fern Owl. By Giookge R.

TwiNN, Esq 32

An Entomologist's Excursion to Ebbor Rocks. By Mr. IMichakl

Westcott 31

On Two iSTew British Marine Algae. By Beverley R. Morris, Esq.,

M. D 40

Miscellaneous Notices. ...A Large Ermine. Occurrence of the Euro-
pean Crossbill at Craigston, Aberdocnshire. Ornithological Notes,
Occurrence of the Rednecked Phalarope in Aberdeenshire. Rare
Birds near Scarbro.' The Mallard. 'J'he Cormorant, Note on the
Autumnal Incubation of the Wood Pigeon. Capture of the Quail.
Departure of the Swift and Swallow. Late Nesting of the IMartin.
The Bernacle Goose at Redcar. Sclavonian Grebe at Redcar. Wood
Sandpiper breeding near Newcastle. The Purre at Naffcrton.
Curious circumstance. The Jack Snipe. Late stay of the Swallow.
The Little Auk near Whitby. Asplenium fontanum. Note on the
Caterpillar of the Goat Moth. Note on the development of Euphorbia.
On the Vitality of Seeds. Logilo vulgaris taken at Banff. Twaite
Shad. Occurrence of the Two-spotted Sucker in the Moray Frith. 42

Proceedings of Societies. — Natural History Society of Glasgow 46

The Querist 4G

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received, up to Jan. I7tli., from J. C.Dale, Esq.;
— \V. C. LuKis, Esq.;— M. E.;— Rev. J. P. Bartlett;— J. L. J.;— J. G. Bakek,
Esq.; — J. K. Stebistdale, Esq.;— O. S. Round, Esq.

Contributions have been received, up to Jan. 17tli., from the Rev. W. W. Cooper;
— Mus;— G. Jackson, Esq.; — J. P. Feknie, Esq.; — C. W. Rothery, Esq.; —
S. Clogg, Esq.;— Me. T. Edward;— J. W. Eccles, Esq.;— Mr. M. Westcott;—
Rev. Dk. Landsborough; — W. Sawees, Esq.; — R. B. Cooke, Esq; — Rev. F. O.
MoEEis; — H. Smuethwaite, Esq.;— J. Dixon, Esq.; — J. Gatcombe, Esq.

To M. E. — Either Yanell or Margillivray, or Morris's "Eritish Birds," now publisliiiij,', wliicli
has tlie advantage of e.\celk'iit coloured figures of all the Birds.

"Will J. L. J., of "Winchester, favour us with his name.

AFr. Clogg's paper was received too late for the current numher.

J. K. Sterndale. — They are the cocoons of Trkhiosoma litcoruin.—Scc "The Naturalist," vol. i.,
page 150, for a full account.

Commnnications, Drawings, Advertisements, etc., to he addressed to BEVERLEY H. JtfOJRRIS,
Esq., M. I)., Driffield ;— Books for Jieview, and Earceh, to the care of Messrs. GEOOMBItlDGE
and SOXS, 5, Paternoster lioiv, London,

23

A GLANCE AT THE FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN,
AND VISITANTS TO, THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE;

WITH A FEW REMARKS FROM PERSONAL
OBSERVATION UPON THEIR HABITS AND PECULIARITIES.

BY S. STONE, ESQ.

In the few remarks I may have occasion to make on the habits of the
birds I am about to bring under notice, I may be able to offer but little, if
anything, new, or differing essentially from that which may be gathered from
the various works upon Ornithology, published or being published; but impressed
with the belief that it is possible many readers of "The Naturalist," may
not only be prevented by the nature of their avocations from making obser-
vations for themselves, but may also be precluded by the want of pecuniary
means from partaking in the advantages to be derived from the perusal of
Ornithological works, which if good, must necessarily be expensive; believing
also in the desirableness in Ornithological as well as in spiritual matters, of each
one giving to the rest the ^'benefit of his experience," and that the only
way to arrive at the truth in investigating any subject, is to bring together
every fact connected with the subject it is possible to collect on either side;
I am induced to offer the result of my observations to the readers of "The
Naturalist," trusting that it may not be wholly valueless, although possibly
as the agricultural operation of ^^paring and burning," is advantageously
practised upon some descriptions of land, so might the like operation, and
that to a considerable extent, be performed with corresponding benefit upon
my papers; this however is a point which I will leave the reader, that is, if
I should chance to have one, to decide.

Birds and other animals are found to vary somewhat in their habits, at
different times in different localities, and also in different individuals; we can-
not therefore hope to meet with a history of birds, quadrupeds, etc., approaching
completeness, until a perfect knowledge of these various habits and peculiarities
is gained, and the only way to obtain this knowledge is for each district to
be provided with its "constant observer," and for each observer to publish the
result of his observations, for which purpose the pages of "The Naturalist"
are specially adapted; the immense number of interesting facts already recorded
therein renders this magazine of great value, and it cannot fail of materially
assisting in the advancement of science.

To recline upon a well-cushioned sofa in a well-appointed drawing-room, gazing
upon the beaming countenance of some "fair denizen of earth," or listening
to the music of "the last new opera," her fair fingers cause to proceed from
the instrument at which she is seated, or to the words of a favourite air,
that opera contains, warbled from the sweet throat, may be a situation enjoyable
enough, especially in winter; but give me, in summer, a seat on or near the top
of some "greenwood tree," let me listen to the music of ^'the minstrels of the
grove," as they sit warbling their "native wood notes wild," and pouring forth

VOL. IV. E

24 FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE.

hymns of praise to their Great Creator; let me gaze on the fair forms of these
"free denizens of the air," as according to their several habits, they may be seen,
now flitting from spray to spray, now mounting on soaring wing, now dropping
from a neighbouring tree top to the shelter of the underwood, now sailing about
in the upper regions of the air "with wings expanded and motionless," now
dashing with impetuous velocity round the tower of the distant church, now
skimmiug the surface of pond or lake, now rowing placidly and noiselessly
upon, now splashing, flapping, and diving noisily and impetuously through and
under its waters, now cleaving the liquid air in straight, rapid, arrow-like,
and onward flight, now describing a series of semicircles, or dancing about
on the wing, "with odd jerks and gesticulations," now darting from a neigh-
bom-ing thicket to pick up, at the distance of several paces, some small insect;
you deem it next to impossible that it could have discerned so small an
object at so great a distance, and apparently concealed too, amongst the herbage,
the fact however of its darting directly to the spot, and then and there
seizing upon the said insect, convinces you that it must have done so, and
you infer from the circumstance that its organs of vision must have telescopic,
microscopic, or other powers which your own have not.

Birds were considered by the Rev, Gilbert White, "to be somewhat wild
and shy in proportion to their size," to this might be added, they are also
wild and shy in proportion to the degree of persecution they meet with;
it is astonishing the confidence most species will exhibit, when for any length
of time they have met an asylum, and a consequent immunity from persecution
and annoyance: and here I cannot refrain from expressing my entire concurrence
in, and warmly pressing upon the attention of others, the humane and most
excellent suggestion of your correspondent, Robert Gray, Esq., that the use
of the telescope might supersede that of the deadly fowling-piece, (See "The
Naturalist," vol. i. page 122.) A circumstance which occurred to myself but
yesterday, October 26th., serves to place the advantages that might accrue
from the use of the former instrument over the latter, in a strong light. I
was walking in the neighbourhood of Cokethorpe Park, when a bird flew past,
and at the distance of about a hundred yards beyond me, alighted on a spray
in the hedge, where it remained for several minutes; the bird had so much
the appearance of a Cuckoo, (Cuculus canorus,) that I felt more than half
inclined to set it down as one, still it is possible that it might have been the
Merlin, (Falco cesalon.) I was prevented from approaching nearer, even had
the bird been disposed to have permitted it, by an insurmountable fence which
intervened, and alongside which I was walking. Now a gun would have been
of no manner of service in this instance, while a telescope would have been
of the greatest use, for it would have enabled me to have placed the identity
of the bird beyond a doubt; in this I should have felt much interested, never
having personally met with an instance of the Cuckoo remaining in this
country so late in the season as this, by nearly two months. This is onfe
of the many instances in which the telescope might be advantageously employed

FEATHRHED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE. 25

instead of the gun; it frequently happens that we merely wish to ascertain

to J what species a bird may belong; this the gun will only enable us to do

by possessing ourselves of the dead or mutilated body, which may be of no

use to us whatever, while the telescope would enable us as effectually to

satisfy ourselves upon the point, without the sacrifice of the life of the bird,

which cannot fail greviously to mar the pleasures of the humane ornithologist's

studies, besides tending seriously to lessen his opportunities of study. We

can generally, too, approach birds sufficiently near to identify them with

a good telescope, while to approach them within gunshot is often, from their

wildness, shyness, and wariness, extremely difficult. Could the use of the

gun be entirely dispensed with,

"A consummation
Devoutly to be wished,"

this shyness and wariness in birds would soon wear off; we should then expe-
rience comparatively little difficulty in approaching them, for the purpose of
observing their habits, and that in a far more satisfactory manner than we
are now enabled to do.

The grounds of Terrick House, the residence of one of my three brothers,
J. S. Stone, Esq., have afforded the feathered tribes an asylum for several
years past. Within the limits of these grounds no gun is ever discharged;
nor nets, nor traps, nor other engines of destruction allowed to be used; here
the birds are at full liberty to enjoy themselves as best they may; all are
free to come, and free to go; free to pursue the round of courtship, marriage,
nest building, laying, incubating their eggs, and rearing their young; welcome
to the shelter its evergreens afford from the blasts and storms and snows and
cold of winter; welcome to the protection those evergreens, as well as deciduous
trees and shrubs, afford from the powerful rays of a noontide summer's sun,
and its consequent parching heat, tempering that heat, and diffusing a delightful
and refreshing coolness around; welcome to partake of the fruit or vegetables,
or any other fare the place affords; welcome to disport themselves, if they
be of aquatic habits, upon its waters; welcome, and more than welcome, to
solace themselves, their partners, and the inmates of the house with their
music.

The consequence of this freedom from molestation is, that the Barn Owl
breeds annually in a neighbouring barn, or Dove-house, or hollow tree, changing
from one to another as circumstances may render it necessary, or desirable so
to do. There is something wayward, capricious, and inconstant in the way in
which it produces its eggs, both as regards number and the periods between
their production; for I have found the nest containing young ones which
varied very considerably in their respective ages; thus affording presumptive
evidence that the eggs had been laid at long intervals. I have known it
produce four eggs at regular intervals of three days, commencing the task
of incubation upon the first and each succeeding egg as soon as laid;* and

* See "The Naturalist," vol. i., page 62, for a confirmation of this curious fact. — B. R. M.

26 FEATHERKD RKSIDENT3 IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE,

I have found the nest containing six eggs, none of which appeared to have
undergone the process of incubation in the slightest degree.

Some difference of opinion appears to exist as to whether this species hoots
or not. Sir William Jardine says that it does, and that he has shot it in
the act. ''This/' observes Waterton, in his usual straight-forward manner,
''is stiff authority, and I believe it because it comes from the pen of Sir
William Jardine;" but though he freely allows the faculty of hooting to this
one individual, he denies it to the rest of the species. Now I also most
implicitly believe that when Sir William Jardine made the statement he felt
fully convinced, and had every reason to believe, that that statement was
correct; and so indeed it may have been, but a circumstance, which
occurred to myself, tends to shew that it is just possible that even Sir W.
Jardine may have been deceived in the matter; for we are all, more or less,
fallible; unless we make an exception, which some will insist on, in favour
of His Holiness the Pope. The circumstances I have alluded to is this: — In
the latter part of April, 1851, I was in want of a specimen of the Sedge
Warbler, (Salicaria arundinacea,) and had accordingly gone out with the gun
to search for one; when from a bush, about twenty yards distant, I heard
its well-known voluble and imitative notes. I looked in the direction the
sound indicated, and there in the midst of the bush, which was an isolated,
and not very large one, I perceived what I considered could be no other
than the bird I was in search of, and to whose song I was listening: there
was no other bird to be seen, and the leaves were not sufficiently expanded
to offer much concealment, I therefore levelled the gun at this object, and
pulled the trigger; there was an explosion, a flutter in the bush, and the
bird dropped lifeless to the ground. Judge of my surprise when on picking
it up I found it to be not the Sedge Warbler, but a Willow Warbler, (Sylvia
trochilus.) I was for a moment fully impressed with th« idea that I had
shot a Willow Warbler in the act of singing the song of the Sedge Warbler;
and this impression would no doubt have remained upon my mind, but that
the notes were quickly resumed in another bush not far distant. The real
facts of the case now forced themselves upon me; — the bird I had shot must
have been in a direct line with, and immediately in front of, the bird I had
heard singing, thus concealing it from my view; and as the front ranks in
an engagement receive the first fire, and consequently afford protection to those
in the rear, so this unfortunate Willow Warbler received the fire intended
for the Sedge W^arbler; thus preserving, for this time at least, its life.

Now there is just a possibility that such might have been the case with
the Owl shot by Sir W, Jardine. The Barn Owl was the victim, but the
real culprit might have escaped, and unobserved too, under cover of the smoke,
in the person of the Tawny Owl, as they might have been sitting "cheek
by jole" together, the body of the hooter covered and concealed from view
by the body of the non-hooter; for a non-hooter I most firmly believe the
Barn Owl to be; and did I constitute a jury, and were I called upon to

FEATIIEBED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE. 27

decide on a charge of hooting, brought against any individual of this species,
I should be unanimous for a verdict of acquittal, I have lived many years
in a district free from wood, where the Barn Owl is the only kind of Owl
to be met with; now although this species is common and plentiful enough,
the hooting of an Owl is never by any chance to be heard in this district;
while in a well-wooded country, in which I have also resided, where the
Tawny Owl abounds, the hooting of the Owl is almost as familiar a sound
as the cooing of the Ring Dove, or the cawing of the Rook. This convinces
me that it is at the door of the Tawny Owl the charge of hooting is prin-
cipally to be laid, and that this principal "count in the indictment" must
fall to the ground if preferred against the Barn Owl. A few minor "counts"
might perhaps be sustained, such as screaming or screeching in a way calculated
^^to create a breach" in "the peace"ful slumbers, or even to "disturb the
peace" of mind of certain of Her Majesty's loyal, but withal timid and
superstitious subjects, and some others.

The Rook, {Coi-vus frugilegus,) has "an establishment" in some pine, oak,
and beech trees at the rear of the house. These birds, as we naturally
expect "members of temperance societies" to be, and there is no mistake as
to their being evidently of this class, are of strictly regular habits; they have
no relish for "keeping late hours," but a decided aversion thereto. "Early
to bed, and early to rise" is one of their maxims, and though fond of
society, as good fellows are, they, like rational beings, eschew '^'^the bottle."
The "crystal spring," the "limpid stream," or even the "stagnant pool," or
wayside puddle supplies them with the only kind of beverage they indulge
in, and this is the only kind of beverage they, or any other description of
animals, really require; and happy would it be could none other be procured;
happier still would it have been, had none other ever been invented or
thought of.

There are some who maintain that the Rook does not breed until it is
two years old: I know not what arguments are used in support of this
opinion, but my reasons - for believing that it does so at one year old are
these: — It is well known that in each large district, embracing an area of
many miles, there is a common roosting-place, to which all the Rooks in that
district nightly resort the greater part of the year; that is, except during
the breeding-season. As soon as the breeding-season has fairly set in, these
roosting-places become quite deserted; the vast masses of birds, which resorted
there, having broken up into separate communities, and become tenants, ^pro
tempore,' of the various breeding-places — ^'rookeries" — which are scattered here
and there over each district. Let us take the trouble of ascertaining the
number of tenanted nests in any "rookery," and the number of birds that
rookery contains, and we shall find there are just as many tenanted nests as
pairs of birds; thus proving that all here are engaged in the task of rearing
their young, or are preparing to do so. If, therefore, the young of the
previous year are not to be found here, or at the common roosting-place.

28 FEATHERED IlESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOtTSE,

where arc tliey to be found? We never see, at least I have never seen, a
colony of Books living throughout the spring and summer in a state of '^single
blessedness/' which unquestionably would be the case if they did not breed
till their second year, unless, indeed, they have institutions in which to retire,
similar to those in which certain of our '^'fair ones" are wont to immure
themselves; but as I have never heard of the existence of any such institutions
amongst these sable inhabitants of the rookery, I can come to no other con-
clusion than that the young of the previous year are to be found similarly
engaged with those of more mature age.

The eggs of this species are exceedingly variable in colour, in size, and in
shape; light ash, dark green, or blue, with every intermediate shade, is displayed
in the ground colour: blotches, spots, and specks, in an endless variety of
colours, forms, and sizes, are scattered, now thickly, now sparingly, thereon;
black, brown, grey, lavender, purple, and other colours, compose these spots.
Now you meet with an egg rather rotund in shape; now one drawn out
into the shape of a jargonelle pear; now one tapering at each end: here is
one equalling in size that of the Carrion Crow; there, one as -small as
that of the Jackdaw. I have two remarkable varieties — the first, which was
taken twelve years ago from a nest in this rookery, is less in diameter, but
somewhat more elongated than that of the Blackbird, (Merula vulgaris,) —
ground colour, greenish ash, mottled all over with yellowish brown and bluish
ash; it is probably a sort of abortion, similar to those we sometimes find
produced by domestic fowls. The other is of medium size, and there is
nothing extraordinary in its shape, but in the distribution of its colours there
is something '^very peculiar." A zone of plain dull oil green surrounds the
middle, which fades gradually away on either hand to a leaden hue, this
lead colour entirely pervades the larger end; there is a total absence of spots
or specks, but the whole of the smaller end is concealed beneath a black cap,
whose edges are extremely regular and well-defined. This cap, which is of
intense blackness, gives it an appearance as strange, though certainly not so
appalling, as that of My Lord Chief Justice or Chief Baron, when they ^'put
on" that horrible head gear. It is not my intention to write a history of
this or any of the birds I shall have occasion to bring before the reader's
notice in these papers; to do so, would be to eke them out to a length
exceeding all bounds, I must therefore confine myself to the few remarks I
have already made upon this species. I might have written a few lines in
advocacy of its cause with the agriculturist; this however I am happy to
find has already been ably done by J. Mc'Intosh, Esq., a gentleman who
writes like one practically acquainted with his subject. — See his "JS'otes on
the Rook," in vol. ii. of ''The Naturalist."

(To be continued.)
Brighthampton, Octoher 21th., 1853.

29

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 11.
DORCHESTER— DORSETSHIRE.

BY JOHN GARLAND, ESQ., memb: ent: soc:, jiemb: wern: club.

Instinct of Birds. — Among the many interesting anecdotes of Instinct
recorded by others and myself, I remember none more singular than the
following: — A friend of mine, a Clergyman, was walking with the boys of
his school near this town, when a boy threw a stick or a stone at three
birds, which were flying out of a hedge, and struck one of them. The wing
of the bird was broken, or otherwise so hurt as to impede flight. The bird,
a Sparrow it is believed, would have fallen to the ground, had not the others
supported him. They actually went one on each side, and with outspread
wings, carried the injured bird between them to a hedge some little distance
off. This was seen by many witnesses, and it strikes me as worth a '^Jotting."

Fungus. — I am indebted to the same friend for the following singular
anecdote: — A person, a short time since, was gathering mushrooms, when he
observed a fungus, called in this neighbourhood ^^a toadstool," of singular
appearance; and on going up to it, he saw that it had grown up in the
centre of a small gold ring, and lifted the ring up with it. The ring must
have been dropped by some person, and most extraordinarily the fungus must
have risen exactly in the centre.

A Hint to Naturalists. — I can scarcely say how much I was gratified by
the perusal of an article at page 275 of vol. iii. of ^'The Naturalist," headed
as above, and written by T. G. B. Atkinson, Esq. I think he deserves great
credit for having written it, and you for having inserted it in your most
useful and entertaining pei-iodical; and I trust the "hint" will not fall useless
to the ground. I am sure I have often felt the same sensations, and have
frequently hesitated about "speaking out" on the subject, but a foolish dread
of being thought "squeamish" has hitherto kept me silent. Another reason
why I feared mentioning the subject was, that the "Tu quoque" applied to
myself in a slight degree, as I am bound to plead guilty to occasional captures
of specimens of Entomology for my own collection. I cannot, however, help
thinking that it is much to be regretted that so many more are killed by
collectors than can be of use, except for the purpose of exchange. Even then
the cool confessions of many collectors of having taken the unfortunate animals
in such large numbers, and the cruel experiments tried on them, etc., damp
the pleasure of perusing many, in other respects, interesting articles in the
different magazines devoted to science. In all kindness, therefore, to my
brother naturalists, I will point out one or two cases in which, although I
know the "heads and hearts" of the writers are right in every sense of the
word, the above circumstances mar, to a certain extent, the gratification the
perusal of their works would have otherwise afforded.

I allude first to a valuable contribution, called a "Note on the supposed

30 NOTES ON THE DODO.

late appearance of Insects/' in the ^'Zoologist/' page 4129, in which the
author states of the Pamphila Adceon these words: — "I did not procure
anything like the number of specimens that might have been obtained in fine
bright weather, although what I did get (nine dozen) were in much finer
condition than they would have been if the sun had shone continuously," etc.

Imagine! nine dozen, (one hundred and eight specimens,) inter alia, of one
poor insect! The other instance to which I allude, is the work, lately
published, of '^A Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast," by P. H.
Gosse, Esq. This book is, as all must admit, a most important addition to
a very little known branch of Natural History, most pleasingly written, and
that by a true lover of Nature and her works; but I am sorry to say that
the pleasure here is again lessened by the description of the various experiments
performed on the beautiful animals so well and minutely described therein.
It is the only drawback to a most delightful work.

The comments of that healthy-toned contemporary, ^^Kidd's Own Journal,"
in a Review of "The Naturalist," vol. iv., page 283, amply also bear me out.

I hope, therefore, that it is only necessary to have the evil fully pointed
out, for these and other wholesale slaughters to cease amongst collectors.

Dorchester^ Decemher 6th., 1853.

NOTES ON THE DODO.

In the December number of ^'The Naturalist," mention was made, in the
obituary notice of Mr. Strickland, of the work entitled ''The Dodo and its
kindred; or the History, Affinities, and Osteology of the Dodo, Solitaire, and
other extinct birds of the Islands of Mauritius, Rodriguez, and Bourbon,"
(Published by Reeve, Benham, and Reeve, King William Street, Strand;)
the joint production of that lamented gentleman and Dr. Melville. Having
by me some notes extracted from that book, and thinking they might interest
such of your readers as have not seen the work, I send them to you to
act with as you may think fit. Notes so short as these can of course only
give a faint idea of the interest of the work, and of the curious and learned
researches which it contains. Of the various kinds of evidence adduced in
proof of the existence of the Dodo, the Historical evidences will, I think,
be considered the most important; and to these I shall confine myself.

I. — Nothing definite is recorded of Mauritius and its productions, till the
year 1/598, when the Dutch, under Jacob Cornelius Neck, or Van Neck,
took possession of the island, having found it uninhabited. Accounts of this
voyage were written in French, German, Latin, and English, and published
in 1601; the title of the French edition is, "Le second Livre, Journal ou
Comptoir, contenant le vrai Discours et Narration historique du voyage faict par
des huict Navires d' Amsterdam au mois de Mars I'an 1598, soubs le conduitte

NOTES ON THE DODO. 31

de r Admiral Jaques Corneille Neeq, et du Vice- Admiral Wibrant de
Warwicq." Published in folio at Amsterdam, by Corneille Nicolas; a copy
is preserved in the Radcliffe Library, adorned with curious engravings on wood.
Of these, Plate II contains figures of the various productions of the island,
amongst which we find a Dodo rudely drawn: the accompanying description
of the plate says of this bird that it is '^called by us Walck-vogel, the size
of a Swan. The rump is round, covered with two or three curled feathers;
they have no wings, but in place of them three or four black feathers......

We cooked this bird, which was so tough that we could not boil it sufficiently,
but eat it half raw." Well therefore might they call it Walckvogel (dis-
gusting bird,) having by them also an ample supply of Turtle-Doves.

II. — The account of a voyage of Jacob Van Heemskirk, in 1601 : he
stayed in the island of Mauritius nearly three months, and mentions Wallich-
vogels as found there among other game.

III. — Willem Van West-Zanen, in 1602, stayed a considerable time at
Mauritius, and in his Journal, (published Amsterdam, 1648,) makes repeated
mention of Dod-aarsen, called, he says, by others ^Dronten,' And he writes
• — "When Jacob Van Neck was here, these birds were called Wallichvogels.

They have great heads, with hoods thereon; they are without wings or

tail, and have only little winglets at their sides, and four or five feathers
behind more elevated than the rest." Two of them, he says, more than
dined the whole crew.

IV. — Clusius, in his work "Exotica," says that in the year 1605, he saw
in the house of Professor Panwins, at Leyden, a Dodo's leg, of which he
gives an accurate anatomical description, with measurements.

V. — Cornelius Matelief, a Dutch Admiral, arrived at Mauritius in 1606,
and, after alluding in his journal, to the abundance of birds on the island,
he proceeds: — '^'On y trouve encore un certain oiseau, que quelques-uns nom-
ment Dodaise, ou Dodaeisen: d'autres lui donnent le nom de Droule. Les
premiers qui vinsent er cette isle le nommerent Oiseau de degout," etc. —
giving similar description to the one above.

VI. — Two ships, under the command of Van der Hagen, in 1607, remained
some weeks in Mauritius, and the crews feasted on abundance of "tortoises,
dodars, pigeons, turtles, etc."

VII. — P. W. Verhuffen touched at Mauritius in 1611, and mentions Dodos
under the name of Totersten. His men killed several, but were obliged to
be cautious, on account of their powerful beaks. He describes them in nearly
the same terms as Van Neck.

VIII. — Van der Broecke visited Mauritius, (April 19th. — May 23rd.,) in
1617; — in the account of his voyages, is a plate containing the figure of
a bird which must be a Dodo.

IX. — Sir Thomas Herbert, in 1627, visited Mauritius, and found it still
uninhabited. In his travels he describes and figures the Dodo: he derives
the name from the Portuguese 'doudo,' — stupid; but this wants confirmation.

VOL. IV. ' F

32 ox THE NIGHTJAR.

X. — Francois Caucbe, in an account of his voyage, made in 1638, says that
he saw in Mauritins birds called Oiseaux de Nazaret, the description of which
pretty well answers to the I)odo, though apparently made from memory.
He says the egg was about the size of a half-penny roll.

Xr. Sir H. Lestrange relates that about 1638, a live Dodo was exhibited
in London, which he saw and describes as being *^bigger than the largest
Turkey-cock."*

XII. — A specimen of ^a Dodar' is enumerated in Tradescant's Catalogue
of his Collection of rarities, I606. The head and foot of this specimen are
preserved in the Ashmolean Museum, at Oxford.

XIII. — A Dodo's leg, mentioned in a Catalc^ue of Rai-ities at the Music
House, St. Paul's Churchyard, 1665: now in the British Museum.

XIV. — ^A Dodo's head at Copenhagen, (catalogued 1666,) still exists at
that place.

XV. — The last mention of the Dodo is in July 1681, when the ship
Berkeley Castle put into the Mauritius, and the crew partook of Dodo's
flesh, "which/' says Benjamin Harvy, (chief mate,) ^'is very hard."

EXTRACTS FROM MY DIARY ON THE
NIGHTJAR, OR, FERN OWL, (CAPRIMULGUS EUROPCEUS.)

BY GKOROE R. TWINN, ESQ. •

On Saturday Evening, May 7th., at twenty minutes before nine, I heard
a wild but subdued screaming noise, unlike that of the Owls, The twilight
was getting very heavy, so that from my window I could not discern the
birds well; they continued flying round the bottom of our fields and those
adjoining, for nearly ten minutes. The ci-y was very wild, and not that of
sorrovi, so it did not appear to me to proceed from Blackbirds that had been
startled and plundered; moreover the time was very unsuited for such an event;
and the nest of young Blackbirds was safe next morning, in our field. It
occurred to me, that it might proceed from the Nightjar; but I have no
authority for my supposition, as for upwards of ten years I have never met
with a specimen in our village. The screams were very expressive of calls,
and appeared the mutual sounds of two birds actuated by familiarity. I could
just trace th'e dusky flight of them. The following evening I watched but
beard »o repetition. — May 9th., 1853.

As I have been seated by my window, reading or musing in the
twilight, between half-past eight and nine in the evening, I have several
times, during the past week, been very much amused with certain cries,
from a pair of birds, that I concluded were scouring the adjacent fields for
moths and insects: the cry of one was powerful — of a harsh ^craking' noise;

* In a not«, a copy of the ^'Dodo Hook" is promised to any one who shall discover another
contemporary notine of this exhibition.

ON THE NIGHTJAR. 33

the other weak, anJ merely a succession of "chucks." Last evening I heard
them for nearly a quarter of an hour; I saw them skim from a barley field
over the end of our orchard. They were not a very large bird, and flew
but seldom higher than the hedge, which was rather more than six feet
high. I have early in the morning searched for them, but as yet they are
uiilcnovn to rns; for I believe the Xightjar makes his appearance in the
morning twilight as well as in the evening. The regularity of their turning
out for food convinces me they are birds of a very retired nature, for in the
day they are not seen nor heard by me, though I have endeavoured to trace
them.— May 19 th., 1853.

1 am fully certified now, that the evening cries I have previously noted,
are those of the Nightjar. I have several times seen them skimming
over the field even after nine o clock; and several who have heard
theuj, assure me I am correct. I only wanted to discover a nest, or to
have a bird brought me; and in this I had hitherto failed. But on the
evening of June 8th., as a gentleman, rather late, after an evening's amuse-
ment in rat-shooting, was about to fire his gun for replacing it, unloaded,
in the house; he fired at a bird suddenly darting by, and instantly brought
it to the ground, but unfortunately minus its tail. It was a fine specimen,
otherwise, of the Nightjar, in full plumage; and in the opinion of the person
who shot it, was winging its way from Bawburgh Hangings (or Hanger;) a
spot from its very cool and retired sheltering foliage, peculiarly adapted as
the retreat of such a bird. I have searched for a nest, but have failed in
securing such a desired specimen. The gentleman who brought it down, has
known for many years this bird to abound in the neighbourhood of Webbourne,
in Norfolk. Though I am not certified as to these birds coming from our
Hangings to our Hill, a distance in a direct line of a lengthy mile; yet I
am sure that in our village the Nightjar has a home^ and may be classed
among our visitants henceforth.

I scarcely fail any evening hearing and seeing them, as they skim round
the fields, seldom rising higher than the hedges, gathering Moths and other
Bocturaal insects. It is a shy, close, retired, bird; very rapid on the wing, and
from its cry and action of toying, now high as the hedge, now on the surface
of the field, then circling round its mate; I conclude it is a very afiectionate
bird.— J'une 10th., 1853.

On Saturday morning, June 18th., (the first aniversary of Waterloo, since
the decease of the honoured Duke,) I was obliged, from necessary preparations
to be made for my taking that day a long journey by rail, to be up early.
Having retired with this impression, I necessarily had a rather restless night,
and was awake at a very early hour, for at twenty minutes before two, I heard
very beautifully, as I threw open my window, the glad music of the skylark,
offering to its great Preserver a rich tribute of thanks; whilst busy and
listening to the Lark, the long desired evidence was mine, relative to the
Nightjar. I heard its cry, and saw the playful flight of a pair of these bird.«.

34 AN entomologist's excursion.

as they swept the surface of G. C's field, and seldom rising higher than the
hedge, appeared diligently securing all the Moths and Beetles then abroad,
or at rest on the leaves. At three o'clock they were rising with a gentle
sweep up and down, more apparently for pastime than for plunder, and at
last, in the full enjoyment of their morning excursion, past over into our
orchard, and took the insects from the top boughs: a very short stay, and off
they went round the hedge-rows of G. C's field once more, and finally into
the one adjoining, and I lost then all trace. They were of a fine mottled
brown plumage, very bright; and during the time I had the best opportunity
of observing them, they seemed to carry their necks, naturally rather short,
distended to a somewhat greater length than you reasonably could imagine
in a horizontal posture, I have no doubt whatever, now, in placing the
Nightjar among the birds that visit Bawburgh, and I naturally conclude their
retreat is our Hangings, the only probable spot. — June 20th., 1853.

Having been unsuccessful in meeting with any nest of this bird, and
not having discovered any of its eggs in the nest of another bird, as it
is supposed by some Naturalists, to follow the Cuckoo's practice, I must
here conclude my remarks, and hope, if spared, to be more fortunate
next season. I have been led to make these notes from the duty incumbent
on all, to arrive at just conclusions relative to any disputed matter, and also
to show how perseverance and close observation may be rewarded. Should
these draw forth other remarks from any of the readers of "The Naturalist,"
to aid in producing true evidence, ray object will be more than realized.

Bawburgh Hill, September \st., 1853.

AN ENTOMOLOGIST'S EXCURSION TO EBBOR ROCKS.

BY MR. MICHAEL WESTCOTT.

What a fund of pleasure does a country ramble create for him who is a
lover of nature; and especially if he delight in the study of Natural History.
But to him who has to labour mentally or physically for his sustenance, a
rural retreat is doubly pleasing because he can enjoy the harmony of the
groves, or view the golden-studded fields, only at such times as he can spare
from his vocation. This I know from experience, and had it realized on the
20th. day of August, as I wended my way along lover's walk, intent upon
an excursion to Ebbor Rocks. But although to ascertain the local range of
insects, and to collect specimens of them was my object, yet I could not
refrain from noticing every subject of Natural History which came under
my observation. And whatever I saw in my rambles which gave me more
than ordinary pleasure in seeing, I thought might likewise interest some of
the readers of "The Naturalist" consequently I give them a place in these
notes.

The day was in every way suited to my purpose. In the hedge, and in the

AK ENTOMOLOaiST S EXCURSION.

d§

field, the spider was traversing his dew-decked web, and the Lark was carolling
in the cloudless sky; and I felt as happy as they, in having a day to myself,
to walk hand-in-hand with nature, viewing and admiring the variety of the
Almighty's beautiful works.

I saw nothing worthy of note until I arrived on Milton Hill. This is
indeed a delightful spot, and a favourite walk of the inhabitants in the sum-
mer; not only on account of the picturesqile beauties it possesses in itself,
but likewise on account of the grand prospects visible for twenty miles
around. As I was watching a multitude of Ichneumons and other small
insects flitting about a furze bush, an Oak Egger Moth, (Laslocampa Quercus,)
made his appearance; but so quick and varied were his evolutions, that I
had not the slightest chance to net him. However, having a fancy for the
blooming furze, he alighted at the base, and hurrying through the long grass,
he found his ^'lady love." He was so delighted with the discovery as to lose
his playful wildness, and allow himself and partner to be taken.

In a few minutes after this capture, I beheld on the wing for the first
time, a Clouded Yellow Butterfly, (Colias Edusa,) a very rare visitor in our
neighbourhood; and after a good run, and many attempts, I succeeded in
capturing him. I was now by the lime-kiln, which stands in a very romantic
spot. It is now in disuse, and nearly overgrown with nut-bushes, young
oaks, pollards, etc. The quarry which supplied it with stones, is situated
close behind it, in the midst of an oak wood. The rocks are steep and
slippery, and are here and there adorned with brushwood, honeysuckles, fox-
glove, and a variety of other plants. Here I took one specimen of the
Large Tortoise-shell B., ( Vanessa polycliloros,) and two Rock-eyed Underwings,
(^Hipparchia Semele;) both of these species are uncommon. I climbed the
rocks and threaded a narrow path, which is hid by the drooping limbs of
oaks, at the left of the kiln, and came to an agreeable spot called Milton-
hill-hore. Many persons who have visited Milton Hill, have never been
to this pretty secluded place. It forms a portion of the wood, and not
being accessible to cattle, it revels in its natural wildness, bearing a variety
of botanical subjects which I have never seen in any other place. The moss
is grown over it so thickly, that when you are walking on it, you fancy
yourself treading on so much down.

I have gathered cowslips here of a gigantic size, bearing as many as
eighty petals on one stem, and the stem more than an inch in circumference.
It is surrounded by blackthorn bushes, and when they are in bloom they
cannot help enhancing the delight of every observer.

There are many ways leading to Ebbor Rocks from here, but on this
occasion I chose to go down the hill in a north-eastern direction, crossed
an old sheep-pond, thence along a narrow lane, which brought me to lower
Milton. On my way thither I saw two Ring Ouzels, {Tardus torqnatiis;)
these birds are rare; but a keeper told mc that he knew a tree where a
pair built several years in succession. I took five caterpillars of the Privet

'88 AN ENTOMOLOaiST S EXCURSlOlf.

Hawk Moth, {Sjihinx Ligustri,) feeding on some lilac, and a few yards from
the same spot, I found two full-grown larvae of the Goat Moth, {Cossus
ligniperda.) There is a footpath leading from Lower Milton to Wookey-
Hole, a pretty little village, noted for its cavern, from which issues a fine
stream of water which drives several grist and paper n.ills. As I was going
to Wookey-Hole, I heard some Magpies chattering, and saw three or four
flying round a spot in a corner of the field; their excessive noise and
active movements indicating their having something more than common to
engage their attention. After watching them for some minutes, for I felt
quite amused to see them, and particularly one bird, which seemed to be
a young one — it would dart down on the ground, and as quickly ascend,
perch in a holly tree, and again ascend j all this he would do in less time
than I can write it, I approached the spot very cautiously, and the birds
redoubled their chattering at my intrusion. But guess my horror in finding
the object of all this bustle and clamour was a poor unfortunate sheep laid
down ^in a hollow, and unable to get up. The Magpies, taking advan-
tage of her helpless position, attacked her, and actually plucked out both her
eyes. It was a pitiful scene — a scene I never wish again to witness. I
assisted the poor creature on her legs, but she could not stand. I could
see she had been there some time: she was quite powerless on that side on
which she lay. I remained with her until I saw a farmer's man, to whom
I gave her in charge. I declared vengeance against the predatory chattering
rogues, who still looked me in the face from a neighbouring tree; and if
I could find them in the same predicament as they found their victim, their
lives should pay the forfeit.

On ray Way to Wookey-Hole I took the Holly Blue, {Polyommatus Argiolm,)
Little Blue, {P. ahus,) Common Blue, (P. alexis^ and Brown Argus Blue,
(P. agestis.) The foregoing Butterflies, with the exception of the Holly Blue,
are plentifully distributed about our neighbourhood. When I got to Wookey-
Hole, I went in through the gateway at the east side of the paper mill,
and walked along by the river till I reached the overhanging rocks whence
the water issues. These rocks form a natural arch about thirty feet
high, forty broad, and sixty long, covering a beautiful sheet of crystal
water. As you gaze on these rocks, the cavern's mouth stands on the
left; the entrance to the cavern is narrow, but soon opens into a
spacious vault eighty feet in height. The whole roof and sides are incrusted
with sparry concretions of curious forms, and present a grand appearance
to the spectator, when accommodated with a good light, through this dark
subterraneous passage. These rocks are favourite building-places of numerous
Jackdaws, and they not only build in the chinks of the rocks, but in for-
saken rabbit-holes around the surface edges; and likewise in many of the
hollow trees. About five years ago, when rambling about these huge piles,
I heard a noise close to me resembling the loud breathing of one asleep.
After searching some time, I found it proceeded from a hole under a tree

AN entomot.ogtst's excursion. 87

hanging over the cliff. Having secured a firm footing, I put my arm in,
and pulled out a young Jackdaw, which occasioned the strange sound. The
poor bird was in a pitiful condition; it was swollen to an enormous size by
the admission of air between the flesh and the skin; indeed it was so large
that I could not put it into my hat. There were three others in the nest,
and although they were fine birds— about a fortnight old, yet they looked
like pigmies by the side of their monster companion. I punctured the skin
in several places, which caused it to collapse, and then the creature breathed
with more ease. But the air readily swelled the skin again, and then the
windy subject resumed his old habit of breathing. About three weeks after
wards, I found it dead in the nest; in all probability he was starved — not
being able to follow his fledged companions, he was forgotten by his parents.

I now went up through the hazel coppices on the left of the cavern, and
pursued my way across some four or five fields, but found nothing worthy
of notice, save a very large Toad, which I discovered in a low thick-set bush;
I was led to the discovery by seeing a small hole in the long grass which
was interwoven in the bush. The inhabitant had made this his dwelling for
some time, as the interior of his establishment was very smooth, and as
comfortable as a Wren's nest, which it very much resembled.

I was now on Ebbor Hocks. The first interesting object that met my
gaze, was a circle of scarlet fungi, about sixty yards in circumference; and
so perfect was the ring, that they were not more than a foot apart; they
presented a magnificent spectacle as the sun shone on their glossy velvet-
like skin. The Gray and Golden Plovers frequently build about this part
of the hill. In the course of my rambles here this season, I took some of
all our known species of British Skippers; and, might as well observe,
that I have seen most of them in other places about this locality; but the
most rare is the Lul worth Skipper, {Pamphila Actceon.) The most picturesque
parts of this hill, are observable on traversing the valley, which forms
a boundary of Sir 0. l^aylor, Bart., and R. C. Tudway, Esq., M. P's property.
There are, in this valley, a thousand various objects on either side: — high
rocks are standing like pyramids decorated with moss, ferns, and ivy; while
underneath are shrubs, and trees, and flowers. In the highest rock, called
the "Giant's Cave," a pair of Ravens have built for many years; as have
also the Kestrel, the Sparrow-hawk, and Goshawk; and I have no doubt
but they are imitated by the Peregrine-Falcon, as I have seen them on
several occasions, quivering and making the hills echo to their shrill note.
I observed some specimens of shells — CycJostoma round the limbs of trees,
Limax pellucida and Bulimus lubricus under rubbish, and in the chinks of
rocks. I saw no less than eighteen blind worms, and nine Ringed Snakes
to-day; I caught one of the latter — a very fine one; it measured three feet.
As I had it in my hand, a farm-labourer came by and was wonder-struck
to see me handling a snalce! He asked me if I had not "hut his back
off, and pulled out his stinger?" On replying in the negative, he looked

88 AN entosiologist's excursiox.

upon me as a necromancer, for, as he said, he never saw any one handle a
Snake before. I assured him that there was no venom attached to them
whatever; to prove which, I took hold of its long livid tongue, alias
^'stinger," with my finger and thumb, and afterwards put its head to my
face; and by so doing, I believe my astonished beholder became a proselyte
in kindness towards this beautiful ill-treated reptile.

Forget-me-nots, {Mijosotis palustris,~) Common Marjoram, and a variety
of St. John's Wort plants are common about this hill, but more especially along
the banks of a little stream that runs through a beech wood at the south
end. There were numerous species of the Common Physa fintinabis, trans-
porting themselves along, adhering to the surface of the water, with the shells
downwards. Several Golden-crests, (Eegulus auricapillus,) were flitting from
twig to twig in search of insects, singing their sweet little song as they fled.
I observed here likewise, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, (Ficus major,)
several Sand Martins, (Hirundo nparia,) and a Water Ouzel, {Cindus aquaticus.)
About half-way down this stream, the water is dammed in for some purpose,
and is about three feet deep. I sat down on the bank to have some
refreshment, and to watch the manoeuvres of the Water Boatmen, {Notonecta,)
and other aquatic insects. I perceived a Water Eat, (Arvicola ampliibius,)
on some weeds, who was, like myself, enjoying a repast. When I turned
my head to ascertain on what he was feasting, he made a start, but did
not disappear; and on seeing me again motionless, he felt no alarm, as was
shown by his sitting up and washing his face. I never miss an opportunity
of watching the movements, and knowing more of the habits, of this singular
animal.

This little fellow performed many tricks which I never saw acted by any
of his family: it was indeed pleasing to sec him dive and run along on the
bottom of the water in search of food, which consisted of roots and stems
of aquatic plants. There was one root for which he had a greater relish
than the rest; he made several unsuccessful attempts to bring it up, and
on one of these occasions, he remained quite a minute under water. By this
time, another Rat made its appearance, which the other seemed not to
notice; however they soon came in contact, and a friendly understanding
commenced therewith. The first Rat being much smaller than the second,
I concluded was a male, as diminutivcness of size is the characteristic dis-
tinction of the male sex. The small Rat began licking the face and ears of his
companion, which she seemed to like very much, for when one side was
well 'licked,' she turned the other to be dealt with in like manner. This
performance, which lasted about five minutes, being done, the small Rat
approached the spot where his favourite root lay under water, which he had
not yet pronounced as *sour;' he was followed by the large Rat; and now a
mutual understanding seemed to exist between them; for as soon as the
little one dived, and began tugging at the 'root, he was joined by the other;
and by their united exertions, they bore the prize to the surface, and com-

A\ EXTOMOLOniST'.S EXCURSION. 39

nienccd feasting upon It with the avidity characteristic of their species. The
root was but small, and of course soon disappeared. Their hunger being not
yet satisfied, they ran along the edge of the bank, diving and swimming
alternately, in search of more food, as was proved by one of them seizing
a dead frog, lying among the rubbish; and while in the act of eating it,
both Ttats disappeared in an instant. As I was wondering what could have
frightened them, a very large Snake caught my eye, noiselessly wending his
way down the stream; and when he came to the deep water, he seemed in
ccstacics; so gracefully did he move, or rather swim, and so nimble and varied
were his manoeuvres in the liquid element, that it surpassed anything of the
kind I ever before witnessed; and he felt as much pleasure in diving as
he did in swimming, for he disappeared several times under water; and at
last he went under and remained so long, that I lost him altogether. I have
not the least doubt but when he dived, he was in search of thornbacks or
minnows, which are plentiful in this little stream.

From this spot I started homeward through the coppice; just before I came
to the farm-yard belonging to Mr. Hill, I saw a Stoat, {Mustela erminea,)
pushing an egg across the lane; when he observed me approaching, he used
all his efiForts to secure his prize, but owing to the largeness of the egg, or
the smoothness of the shell, he could not succeed; I looked into the ditch
where the Stoat came out from, but could see no sign of either nest or
eofgs. A short distance from this yard stands Wookey-Hole House, the re-
sidence of Robert Davis, Esq., whose talented lady has succeeded in forming
a beautiful shrubbery and flower-garden, which display her skill as an hor-
ticulturist, as much as her works do her literary attainments.

It was now about four o'clock, and although the pride of the day was past,
yet the flies, bees, and wasps, were in abundance in and around the garden.
On my way home over Milton Hill, a pleasant walk, which most people in
the neighbourhood are aware of, I took the following moths and caterpillars.
Pink Underwing, (Galomorpha Jacohcece,) Double 0, (Cymatopliora Oo,) Orange
Underwing, [Brepha Parihenias,) Clouded Buff, [Euthemonia RussuJa,)
Vapourer, [Orgyia Antiqua,) Pebble Prominent, (Notodonta Ziczac,) Swallow-
tail, {Ourcij)te7'yx Samhucaria,) Lunar Thorn, Geometra lunaria,) Mottled
Umber, {Hihernia defalaria,) Green Brindled Crescent, {Miselia Oryacanilice^
Large Holly, {Sarrothripus Ilicanus,) and several other moths, the names of
which shall appear at some future period.

St. CuthheH's Place, Wells, December StJi., 1853.

VOL. IV.

40
ON TWO NEW BRITISH MARINE ALGiE.

BY BEVERLRY R. MORRIS, ESQ., M. D.

Desmarestia pinnatinervia.

Iw our November number, we announced on the cover, that Mr. W, Sawers,
of Londonderry, had discovered a new Marine Alga, believed to be a Lami-
naria. Mr. Sawers communicated specimens to various distinguished Algologists,
and also to the late Meeting of the British A.ssociation, but without throwing
much light upon it, except in determining that it was new to Britain, Mr.
Sawers obtained his '^specimens in August last, after high winds, floating in
Lough Foyle, at Moville, county Donegal, in the north of Ireland." Mr,
S. not being able to obtain any authority for a previous name to this very
interesting plant, called it provisionally, Neuroph/llam Morrisonii, after an
intimate friend of his — 'Mr. Charles Morrison. We regret, however, that, at
present, this name would seem to fall to the ground; for specimens having
been forwarded to our friend the Rev. Dr, Landsborough, he transmitted a
specimen to Dr. Montagne, who pronounced it to be Desmarestia pinnaiim.r via. In
a letter just received from Dr. Landsborough, he gives the following account
of his proceedings in this matter: —

''In the summer of 1853, a sea-weed was sent to me by Mr. Sawers, which
he had found in Lough Foyle, not far from Londonderry. It was unknown
to me; neither was it known to some distinguished Algologists, to whom I
shewed it. Mr. Sawers, therefore, sent it to be exhibited at the Meeting of
the Briti.sh Association at Hull; — but it returned unnamed.

In the month of September, 1853, he found in the same locality several
specimens in better state, and he sent some of them to me. I had been
introduced, when I was in Paris, in 1851, to the celebrated Dr. Montagne,
Member of the Institute of France, and to him therefore I sent a specimen,
and very soon I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from him, saying that he
discovered it in 1823, at St. Sebastian, in Spain, and had published a description
of it, with a plate, giving it the name of Desmarestia pinna tiner via. He
says that it had also been found at Brest, and mentioned by M. M. Crouan,
as a variety of Desmarestia Dresnayi, Lam. "Mais je maintiens," adds
Dr. Montagne, "la Icgitimitt' de mon espece."

. It bears some resemblance to a Laminaria, or rather to an Alaria, as it
has a midrib. It is an interesting plant, and I congratulate Mr, Sawers on
this fine addition to the Marine Flora of Ireland."

' Mr. Sawers thus describes it: — "Root, a disk; frond, simple; one or more
from the same disk — six-twelve inches long, one and a half-two inches broad,
with a short stem; colour, olive green. Delicately membranaceous, with a
fine midrib, and still finer lateral nervelets opposite. Somewhat resembling
delicate fronds of Laminaria phyllitis, with the addition of the midrib, and
lateral nervelets."

TWO NEW BRITISH MAUINTE ALG.E. 41

Mr. Sawers further remarks that '^^the exploration of Loughs Foyle and
Swilly, in the north of Ireland^ is adding new localities for a number of the
rarer Algae. Of those already obtained, there may be enumerated Taonia
atomaria, Haliseris jwlypodioides, Stilophora rliyzodes, Arthwcladia villosa,
Sporochnus ptdunculatus, Bonnemaisonia a.iparatjoides, Ginnania furcellata,
Gloiosiphonia capillariSf Gigartina acicularis, Kalymenia Dubyi, K.
renifovmis."

Having received from Mr. Sawers some very important additions to our
collection of Marine Algae, besides specimens of the new Sea weed, we were
struck with the number of, hitherto, southern species among them. We trust
that the zealous labours of two such ardent Algologists as Messrs. Sawers, and
C. Morrison, may yet bring out new localities for many of our rare Algae, for
the gi'owth of which the sheltered Loughs of the north of Ireland would
appear to offer many facilities. The subject of this notice, to our eye, looks
very unlike any Desmarestia with which we are acquainted, and we should
much rejoice were Mr. Sawers' designation yet applied to it.

Striaria fragilis.

Wo have to announce the occurrence in Scotland of another southern
species, also new to Britain; and Dr. Landsborough has kindly favoured us
with the following notice of it. Striaria attenuata is the only other British
species, and that we believe has only occurred on the north and south coasts
of Devon and Cornwall, and on the coasts of Connemara: —

"It is encouraging to learn that Algao are from time to. time occurring
that had not previously been known as British. Striaria fragilis is one of
these. It was dredged in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran, in August, 1853.
The party consisted of Professor Walker Arnott; the Rev. Mr. Miles, of
Glasgow; Mr, Campbell, of Glasgow; and myself. A considerable quantity of
it came up in the dredge, but little of it was secured, as it did not strike
us as new. Professor W. Arnott was not in the boat at the time, but when
it was shewn to him, he ascertained that it was Striaria fragilis, having a
named specimen, which he had received from M. J. Aghard. When I re-
turned home, I found that I had a good specimen, which I had dredged
in the same locality in the summer of 1851. It bears some resemblance to
an overgrown specimen of Stilophora Lynghycei, dredged along with it. On
learning that it was new to Britain, the same party went back about a month
afterwards to lay in a store, but we got not a specimen worth preserving.
I am sure, however, that it is abundant in that locality."

We congratulate not only the discoverers of these new species, but also Algo-
logists in general, that they have fallen into liberal hands; they will not be
hoarded up, but put out, we trust, to good interest; for liberality in the ex-
change of specimens cannot fail to induce a corresponding feeling in the
recipients; both our friends deserve largely in this respect.

42

3)lisrf(lniifnn5 liutitts.

A large Ermine, (Mustcla Erminea.) — There was shot a few days ago by Alexander Kaimie,
Esq., Boyiidie, near Banff, an Ermine, which measured nineteen inches in length; it is a very
pretty animal, having nearly attained its full winter garb— that of a beautiful snowy white,
except a stripe of brown, the only remaining rag of its summer dress, which runs down its
back. The tail of course has the usual black and bushy tip. The length of the longest which
I ever remember having met with, was fifteen inches, and it was considered no trifle. I
am happy in being able to add that Mr. Kanuie has preserved his specinien. — T. Edavaku,
Banff, December 26th., 18-53.

Occurrence of the European Crossbill, (Loxia curvirostra,) at Craigston, Aberdeenshire, the
scat of Tollok TIrquhart, Esq. — Six of these birds, three males and three females, were brought
me to-day, having been procured by Mr. Morison, gamekeeper at the above-named place, on
the day previous. They were entirely unknown to the people of the district, and were in
consequence denominated foreigners. — Idem.

Ornithological iVofcs.— There was shot about a fortnight ago, by H. Eannie, Esq., Boyndie,
in a dam near his house, a very fine Widgeon, {Mareca Penelope.) It is somewhat strange to
hear sportsmen and gamekeepers, individuals who should know better, denominating, almost
without distinction, every specaes of Duck, the Mallard excepted, wliicli falls to their lot in this
quarter by the term of Widgeon or Teal. Now the fact is, that the Widgeon is one of our
rarest Ducks, being very seldom met with here. The specimen in question has been preserved
by Mr. Ilannie, and is in his possession. There was likewise killed by the same gentleman
in the beginning of last week, in one of his tuniip-fields at Boyndie, a rather strange variety
of the Red or Black-headed Bunting, ( Emberiza Schaniclns.) Its peculiar and piebald appearance
■whilst hopping about, being beautifully mottled with white and reddish brown, was very remarka-
ble, and had the effect of drawing Mr. Eannie's attention towards it. It is a very fine, and,
I may add, an interesting specimen of its kind. There was also, and about the same time as
the above, a very beautiful specimen of the Barn Owl, {Strix Flammca,) killed on the estate
of Durn, by G, Donaldson, Esq., of Glasgow, but who is at present residing at Boyndie. It
is somewhat curious, but no more strange than true, that this, by far the most lovely in colouring
of all our nocturnals, is the commonest species in England, whilst with us it is the rarest —
their appearances in this quarter being indeed few and far between. It seems also to be rather
a scarce bird with our neiglibours on our west, at least I find it so mentioned in a list of the
birds of Moraysliire which is now lying before me. Mr. D. has preserved his specimen, and,
as a matter of course, it will be added to his collection. — Idem, October 7th., 1853.

Occurrence of the Red-necJced Phalarope, (Phalaropus hyperboreus,) in Aberdeenshire. — A very
fine female specimen of the above species was shot at Fraserburgh, on the 27th. of last month,
by John Gatherer, Esq., of II. M. Customs there, and who, by-the-by, is one of my best
friends, not forgetting his fair partner in life, the amiable Mrs. Gatherer, that I meet with
when I go a naturalizing down that way. It was observed, just before, and where it was
shot, swinnning about in a stagnant pool near to the light-house. The bird is now in my
possession, having been very kindly forwarded to me by Mr. G., and in a note which accom-
panied it, my friend informs me that he observed it flying about his neighbourhood for several
days previous to the one on which he obtained it. It is a very small and slender specimen;
the bill also is slender, longish, and much pointed, and the scallops on the toes not verg broadlg
developed. — Idem, November 7th., 1853,

Mare Birds near Scarbro'. — I was in company with a gentleman at Scarbro' last year, who
had been busily engaged in picking up mounted specimens of the various sea birds found about
Flamborough Head. His collection excelled in quantity, but not in quality; amongst the lot
there was a fine specimen of the Whimbrel, (Niimcnius pheeopus,) bought of an old woman
near Filey, whose husband had shot it under Speeton cliffs ; besides an indifferent specimen of
the Oyster-catcher, ( Ilcematopus ostralegus,) and two Purple Sandpipers, (Tringa maritima,)
procured near Filey.— John Dixon, Leeds.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

48

The Mallard, (Anas boschas.)— A nest of this shy bird was found by a lad amongst a clump
of sedge near the Eccup reservoir; he took the eggs home, and out of curiosity they were set
under a Domestic Duck, and in process of time all hatched. The young brood seemed to take
very kindly to their homely foster-parent, and grow remarkably tame, which lasted until they
were well fledged, when their natural wildness appeared to be slowly returning. The company
of their domestic congeners was now too tame for them, and they generally kept to themselves,
paying frequent visits to the not-far-distant reservoir, but always returning to the farm-yard;
a sudden noise, or the presence of Dogs, etc., would start them up, and away they would go
again for the still waters. This continued until one day a gun was discharged very near them ,
when one and all took to their wings and never afterwards returned. I believe that many
attempts have been made to restrain the natural wildness of this beautiful bird, but I can hear
of no instance where the exporhnent has been perfectly successful in reconciling it to domestic
life. While writing this, the recollection of another curious circumstance comes fresh to my
memory. During a visit to some friends at Wistow, many years ago, where perhaps my taste
for Natural History was first developed, I was often amused with the eccentricities of an old
Goose, who had seemingly forsaken his own kindred and formed a friendly alliance with a flock
of Ducks, in the midst of which he was always to be found, either afloat or ashore, indeed any
approach to his own tribe generally met with a rebuff"; but he was of a peaceable turn— a sort
of Quaker bird— and not the Goose to pick up a questionable quarrel, so these insults were
never retaliated but by a goodly liiss. On inquiring into this strange friendship, I was given
to understand that the venerable Goose had been hatched under a Duck, whose motherly kindness
he still evidently cherished, in the fact of his sticking to the family group ever after, in the
midst of which he probably still maintains a conspicuous place. — Idem.

The Cormorant.— The "fanqui" or foreigner in China may have seen, and the "kind reader"
of modern phraseology may have read of, a small vessel trading up and down the "celestial
waters," dignified by the name of a Duck-boat, so called from the hundreds of these birds they
are stowed with, which forms the floating capital of a numerous class dwelling on the Chinese
rivers. These Duck-merchants often combine the fisherman with their other avocations, and
indeed it is absolutely necessary for this povertj' -stricken race to turn their wits to the best
advantage if they mean to honestly exist, so that we may expect to meet shrewd customers
among them, who verify the old adage of "either fishing or mending the net," and in modern
parlance "being up to a thing or two," one of which is training the Connorant to fish, which
it docs with surprising dexterity and success. We may say if the Chinese can train this bird
to such perfection, surely it can be done here; so thought a gentleman residing in this neigh-
bourhood, whose name I do not feel at liberty to mention, who accordingly procured some young
Cormorants from near Flamborough Head, and by diligent training, succeeded in domesticating
and making them fii-st-rate fishers. The birds are earned about in a sort of hutch, to some
suitable pond or stream ; a small strap is then fastened round the neck to prevent them swallowing
their prey; thus prepared, they are turned adrift, and, if the water is sufficiently clear, may
be seen beneath the surface chasing their prey with the rapidity of a dart, and they seldom
fail in procuring large numbers of fine fish. One old gentleman was very glad to get them
out of his favourite trout stream, for it seemed certain that if they were allowed a fair day's
sport, the destruction of all the fish would have been the result. — Idem.

Note on the Autumnal Incubation of the Wood Pigeon, (Columba palumbus.) — About tho
latter end of September, as I was enjoying a leisurely stroll through a wood in tlio immediate
vicinity of this place, my attention was attracted to one of the numerous spruce firs planted
along the margin of the path, by the hurried flight from its centre of a Wood Pigeon; and
upon intently reg-arding the point from which it issued, I faintly perceived through the thick
branches the outline of one of those peculiar collections of sticks used as nests by this species.
As it was not placed any very considerable distance above the surface of the ground, I climljcd
upon the lower branches of the tree, and looked into it with a view of examining its condition,
when, to my surpiise and astonishment, I found that the nest contained two eggs. In the
course of my oruithological experience I have not met with the eggs of this species except
during the earlier mouths of the season. Have any of your correspondents noticed a similar
deviation in the period of incubation from the ordinary habit of this species? — J. Henry Davies,
Thirsk, October 14th., 1853.

44 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICKS.

Capture of tJie Quail., (Cotumix vulgaris.) —An intimate friend of mine has in his
collection a female specimen of this rare and lonely bird, tluit was caught in a snow-storm near
Kighton, in this county, on the 6th. of February last; he kept it alive for some time, but
finding it too much trouble, and considering it a 'rara avis,' he was induced to kill and stuff
it. I can say they are very scarce in this county, also in my native county, Warwickshire;
although I have been a field-ranger for the last twenty years, I never came across one of these
birds. In the winter of 1849, Mr. White, of Newparkcs, sent one to me to preserve for him
that was shot on his farm, about a mile from here, but it is singular enough that in the above
two instances they should occur at a time of the year which proves that they do occasionally
remain with us the winter through. — William Bond, Frog Island, Leicester, September 15th. ,
1853.

Departure of the Swift, (Cypsolus murarius,) and Swalloro, (Ilirundo rustica.) — The Swift has
this year remained with us rather longer than usual— one was seen up to the 29th. of August ;
I remember SDme years ago seeing a pair on the 3rd. of September, the latest I have any
record of. I have watched these birds about the time of their departure, and have found that,
of all the Ilirundines, the Swift makes its exit the most punctual and sudden ; I have particularly
remarked this some years when the weather has been most glorious and inviting to their stay,
but no! their time is come, and off they go with unerring instinct. The Swallow is more
protracted, diminishing daily by the middle, and in general finally by the end, of October,
but on referring I find that I saw one as late as the 2oth. of November, 1842. Three years
ago, at the west end of this town, by the River Soar, there was an osier-bed, which afforded
shelter, at this time of the year, to such vast quantities of these birds, that we called it the
grand "dep6t" for the county; I am certain they must come miles to roost in this "bed;"
I have been out at all points round Leicester, and invariably found them making for this
favourite spot. On fine evenings it was amusing to see how high and playfully they would
fly along, but in stormy weather, low, direct, and rapid in their course; towards sunset they
would pour in from all quarters, making the air ring with their twitter, and forming one
immense body. After performing these aerial evolutions over their roosting-place till nearly dusk,
they would begin to fall like a shower of stones, till all was hushed. I and a friend were once
amongst them, and I was more astonished than ever to see such numbers— every available spot
had its occupant; but now, to our mortification and regret, it is cut down, and it will take
years to produce again such a shelter for these very interesting and useful creatures. — Idem.

Late Nesting of the Martin, (Hirundo urbica.) — While sitting near the window one afternoon
about a fortnight ago, I was rather surprised to observe a House Martin very busily engaged
in laying the foundation of a nest in a corner of the window; it proceeded very indcfatigably
for some time, but then, seeming to bo seized with some sudden caprice, left the newly-begun
nest altogether; the same thing took place in another window of the house. Is it not a singular
circumstance for a bird of this species to commence building at such an advanced period of the
season? The second brood being generally fully fledged before this time, it is certainly rather
strange that the bird should have been engaged in constructing a nest so late in the year. I
do not know if any of your numerous ornithological correspondents have ever observed the
like circumstance. — John Doig, Surgeon, Torrybum, Fife, September 16th., 1853.

The Bernacle Goose, (Anser bemicla,) at Redcar. — A very fine specimen of the Bemacle Goose
•was shot on the 1st. instant, in Coatham Marsh. The person who killed it, says there were
nine in the flock when he fired, but as only seven were seen the following day, he supposes
another had fallen elsewhere. They have now disappeared from this locality. This Goose is
rare in this part of the country, for I never saw it, or heard of its having been met with here
before.— T. S, Rudd, Redcar, October 22nd., 1853.

Sclavonian Grebe, (Podiceps cornutus,) at Redcar. — A fine immature specimen of the Sclavonian
Grebe was found this morning in a disabled state by the side of the Railway; supposed, in its
flight, to have been in contact with the wire of the Electric Telegraph; for, on dissection, it
was found to be much injured on the fore part of the breast. Two Short-eared Owls, {Otus
brachyotos) were also found about the same time and place, having each a wing broken. — Idem.

Wood Sandpiper, (Tetanus glareola,) breeding near Newcastle. — A nest of the Wood Sandpiper,
a bird which has hitherto not been known to breed in Great Britain, was found at Prostwick

MTSCKLT.ANEOITS NOTICES. 45

Carr, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, early in June, by Mr. John Hancock, of that city. The female,
to remove all doubts concerning identity, was shot as she flew from the nest, which contained
four eggs. — H. S., llichmond, September 13th., 1853.

The Purre, (Tringa variabilis,) at Kafferton.—S. specimen of the Purre, (the Dunlin when
in the summer plumage,) was .shot on the Nafferton "Beck," within about a hundred yards of
Nafferton Vicarage, on the 4th. of January, during the prevalence of the severe snow-storm.
It is ten miles from the sea. I never knew an instance of the kind before; a proof I consider
it, if one were wanted, of the extraordinary severity of the season. Even Hens' eggs were frozen
hard, and the Gas-meter at Driffield froze, so that when I came through the station one evening,
it was in darkness.— F. 0. Moiiius, Nafferton Vicarage, January 6th., 1854.

Ourious circumstance. —h. few days ago I was informed by a friend that in February, 1852,
he found a quantity of Sea-weed, which he did not identify, in some comparatively sheltered
places on Stinchcombe Hill, in the Cotswold range, near Dursley. It had evidently been carried
there by a recent storm, either from the Bristol Channel, a distance of about thirty miles, or
from the muddy banks of the Severn, about six miles oflf. — "W. Waldo Cooper, West Easen,
November 9th., 1853.

The Jack Snipe, (Scolopax gallinula.)— On the 16th. instant, I saw a Jack Snipe killed
in the middle of Toft plantation. The plantation is an old one, nearly square, and contains about
ten acres. I believe the occurrence of Snipes in old woods, except in cleared spaces, to be
unusual, and as such may be interesting. — Idem.

Late stay of the Swallow, (Hirundo rustica.) — Last year I observed two Swallows on the 1st,
of December; and this year I , 'observed two on the 30th. of November; I took notes of both
occurrences. — George Jackson, Chichester, December 21st., 1853.

The Little Auk, (Mergulus alle,) near Whitby. — During the first week in March, I had
three specimens of the Little Auk brought to me ; they seem to have been driven to our coast
by the prevailing north-east winds. They were in an entirely exhausted condition, having been
caught by the hand; I understand they are a very scarce bird in this country. Should any of
your correspondents desire to possess one, I would dispose of one in exchange. — John Braim,
Sleights Bridge, Whitby, 1853.

Asplcnium fontanum.— I have had a specimen of this rare plant given to me to day. It was
obtained in England this year. — H. C. Stcaut, Christ's College, Cambridge, December 2nd., 1853,

Hooker only gives two localities for this verj' rare and distinct plant. Can Mr. Stuart ascertain
the exact locality of his specimen? — B. R. M.

Note on the Caterpillar of the Goat Moth, (Cossus ligniperda.) — I met with a singular instance
of tenacity of life in the Caterpillar of the Goat Moth, It had escaped from the box containing
it, and when upon the floor was unfortunately trodden upon, a tea-spoonful of thick cream-like
matter was squeezed out, and speedy death seemed certain. It lived however under these painful
circumstances more than a week: it laid upon its back apparently lifeless, but moved when
touched, — T. P. Fernie, Kimbolton, December 22nd., 1853.

Note on the development of Euphorbia. — I have in my possession, through the kindness of
Professor Forbes, a dried specimen of Euphorbia Pepliis, in which the stamens and pistils are
developed into separate and distinct leafy branches, a satisfactory evidence, if any were wanting,
that the stamens and pistils of Eujihorbia are each a separate and independent floret. — J. E. Smith,
45, Bedford-place, Kensington, August 10th., 1853.

On the Vitality of Seeds. — I give the following on the authority of Professor Forbes : — Gardiner
Wilson obtained wheat froln mummies that had never been opened, carefully preserved and
planted the grains which grew and came to perfection. There are now growing in the Horticultural
Society's garden several raspberry trees, which were raised from seed obtained by Professor
Lindley from an Aftcient Saxon tomb, at the opening of which he was present. I think this
is conclusive evidence that seeds will lie dormant for immense periods without having their vital
principle destroyed. — Idem.

We have known several instances where mummy wheat has germinated. Some sown by our
friend, Martin Tupper, Esq., author of "Proverbial Philosophy," grew readily, and produced well,
We believe. — B. R. M,

46 PROCKEDI^fGS OF SOCIRTIES. THE QUERIST,

Loligo vulgaris taken at Banff. — A specimen of this [Calamary, which was brought on shore
the other week at M. Duff, by Mr. W. Legall, fisherman, measured about four feet in length,
and above one foot across the fins, and yielded a most splendid gladius of sixteen inches in
length. This is the longest pen that I reminnber ever having seen as belonging to the common
Calamary of our seas. — Thomas Edward, High-Street, Banff", October, 1853.

Twaite Shad, (Alosa finta.) — A very beautiful specimen of the Twaite Shad was taken on the
26th. of August in one of the Salmon-nets on the Deveran, at a place called The Rack ; it was
quite unknown to the fishermen. It is the first that I have seen here, and, as far as I can learn,
it is entirely new to the locality where it was procured, or even to our neighbourhood. ^Idem.

Occurrence of the Two-spotted Sucker, (I.epidogaster bimaculatus,) m the Moray Frith. — I
have just received from my very kind and much respected friend, David Greive, Esq., collector
of H. M. Customs here, a beautiful specimen of the above Lepidogaster ; which was brought
on shore by one of our fishermen to-day. The little creature had got itself encased within a
large but dead shell — that of a Cyprina Islandca, and in that condition it was brought to land.
It is rare, if not altogether new, to this quarter : our fishermen do not know it. Having boon
kept alive a few hours in a tumbler of salt-water, it was quite amusing to observe its
active and lively habits. One trait in its character I cannot pass over in silence, namely, that
of its adhesive powers. Having become attached to the side of the vessel, which it did several
times, it required a good deal of strength to be used by the finger to force it again from its place,
such was the pertinacity with which it held on. — Idem, December 3rd., 1853.

^IrnttrMiigs nf Inmtits.

The Natural History Society of Glasgow.— Bccemher, 6th., 1853. The ordinary meeting of
the Natural History Society of Glasgow, was held this evening. Thomas Gray, Esq., Vice President,
occupied the chair.

Dr. CoLQrHOUN exhibited the following species of Lepidoptera taken at Ardrossan last summer;
— Fhragmatobia lubricipeda, (Fab.) Liipcrina furva. (W. V.) Agrotis fiimosa, (Fab.) Bianthmcia
conspersa, (W.V.) Hadena dcntina, (Esp.) Onophos obscuraria, (W.Y.) Harpalicc galiaria, (W .\ .)
{Bmmelesia rivularia, (W. V.) Eupithecia distinctaria, (Hcrrick Scha)ff"er,) two specimens. E.
ansteraria, (H. S.) Bosithea imnmtaria, (Hub.) Tortrix semialbana, (Guen.) T. adjunctana, (Zr.)
Notocelia udmanniana, (Linn.) Grapholita nigromaculana, (Haw.) Ephippiphnra trigemiiiana,
(Steph.) E. Scutulana, (W. V.) Eupacilia nigricapitana, (Stc. Mus. Cat.) Xanthosetia Zoegana,
(Linn.) Crambtis perlellm} (Scop,) dark var. Endorea ambigualis, (Tr.) E. coarctata, (Z.)
Pempelia dilutclla, (Hub.) Beprcssaria nervosa, (Haw.)

Dr. CoLauHOUX also exhibited a strongly marked fi]tcc\men oi Phragmatobia TFalkeri (Curt.,)
(var. of Phr. menthrasti, ) taken in the neiglibourhood of Glasgow.

"William Gourlie, Esq., president of the society, then read a most interesting and instructive
paper entitled "Botanical memoranda taken during an excursion to Switzerland,"

Business being concluded, the society adjourned till the first Tuesday in January.

Having a quantity of Birds' Eggs, common in the Midland Counties, perhaps they may be
acceptable to some of your more remote correspondents or readers, who would exchange them
for those of sea-birds, or others. Should any one wish for such exchange, I shall be glad to
give him particulars of them.— T. P. Frrxie, Kirabolton, December 22nd., 1853,

Three years since I found a nest containing five white eggs, about the size of a Yellow-
hammer, or rather less, the nest was placed under a stone, on a kind of rocky bank, with a small
stream flowing at the foot; it was composed of dried leaves, fibres of roots, and lined with hair.
I may as well mention that these eggs have a very smooth and highly - polished surface. I
will feel greatly obliged by your informing me what they are, either by letter or by inserting
your answer in "The Naturalist," as I liave never been able to ascertain.— George Hodge,
Newcastle, 1853.

Can any correspondent help us on this point. Were they the eggs of the "Wryneck?— B. R. M.

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ADDRESS.

The great interest whicli naturally attaches to our Game Birds and
Wildfowl, renders it a matter of surprise that no work has yet appeared,
not only devoted exclusively to them, but which should give, in
addition to the ordinarj' infomiation as to their history, habits, and
sporting peculiarities, accurately coloured figures of each of them. The
object of the present work is to supply' this deficiency, and in doing
this it will be the author's endeavour to avoid, as much as possible, all
niei'c technicalities, while at the same time, the most accurate and com-
plete history of each bird shall be given, so that the sportsman who has
never made Natural History his study, may find no difficulty in recog-
nising any bird he may meet with in his shooting excursions, whetlier
he confines himself to the limits of the preserves, or seeks the more
exciting sport to be met with on our secluded lakes and sea-shores.

The very general want of information among our sportsmen upon the
extensive tribe of water-birds which fall to their guns, is much greater
than would perhaps be expected: thus if a Swan is shot, it is simply
a Swan, although we have several very distinct species; a Wild Goose
is seldom more than a Wild Goose, though we have ten distinct species;
and a Duck, with the exception of the Mallard and Teal, is almost sure
to be a Widgeon; and yet there ai'e at least twenty- seven well marked
kinds.

We propose to figure and describe about sixty birds, and as each
number Avill contain four engravings, it will only require fifteen or
sixteen numbers to complete the Avcn-k. The low price determined on
will allow every sportsman, however humble, to possess a copy, while
as an ornament on the drawing-room table it will be sure to interest,
amuse, and instruct eveiy guest. We trust too that many sportsmen,
who have such admirable opportunities for furthei-ing the study of
Ornithology, may be induced, after learning somewhat from our work,
to pursue the study of ovir bii'ds much farther, and sure we are,
that they would find the pleasures of sporting infinitely increased, and
tlie chances of success much greater, by being acquainted with the
liabits of the various birds they pursued.

LONDON:
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CONTENTS.

PAGE,

Utility of the Common Mole. By J. Mc' Intosh, Esq 47

A few Notes on the Nesting of Birds. By W. G.Johnstone, Esq... 50

Ornithological and other Notes. By S. Stone, Esq 52

On the Common Ring-Snake. By Mr. Michael Westcott 55

The Salmon Manufactory on the Tay 57

Some Account of the Lepidoptera round Exeter. By Mu. Eoward

Parfitt 59

Stray Notes on the Elm. By John Dixon, Esq CI

Sand Martins. By O. S. Round, Esq 64

The Late Frost 65

Miscellaneous Notices. — A Cat with many Toes. A White Hare.
Variety of the Common Hare. Glossy Ibis. The Brambling. Rare
Birds near Plymouth. Hooded Crow in London. The Redbreast.
Note on the Wren. Gray Phalarope. Note on the Blue Titmouse.
Anecdote of a Robin. Early occurrence of the Stone Curlew near
Hull. Red -breasted Merganser near Richmond. Little Auk at

Harrogate ^ ^G

The Retrospect 69

The Querist 70

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received, up to February 15th., from J. Scrymgeoitk,
Esq.; — ^Rev. D. Landsboeough; — D. Ferguson, Esq.; — H. P. Cholmeley, Esq.;
— J. P. Eraser, Esq.; — J. Gatcombe, Esq.; — J. L. J.; — C. W. Harrison, Esq.;
— J.Garland, Esq.; — S. Hannaford, Esq., Jun. ; — H. Newdigate, Esq.

Contributions have been received, up to February 15th., from W. G. Johnstone,
Esq.; — C. Hauynou^ght, Esq.; — Rev. F. O. Morris; — C. W. EoxnERY, Esq.;
— A. S. Moffat, Esq.; — J. Longmuir, Esq., Jun.; — C. Ashford, Esq.; — E.; —
H. Buckley, Esq.; — H. Smurthwaite, Esq.; — W. Armstrong, Esq.; — J. W.
Watson, Esq.; — Rev. W. W. Cooper; — Rr;v. R. A. Julian; — H.J. EIarding,
Esq.; — G. R. Twinn, Esq.; — J. Cavafy, Esq.; — T. Southwell, Esq.; — J. P.
Eraser, Esq.

Hooks Received. — "The British Tritons." I>y Joha lligginbottom, F. 11. S. 8vo. p. p. 16.
2 Plates.

"The Gardener's and Naturalist's Alniaiuick" for 1854. Uy Jcsujjh Harrison. London :
Whitaker and Co. p. p. 98. Is.

This Alniauack will be found very useful to any })erson, more particularly to those interested
iu Horticulture; containing as it does much very use.ful and vahiablc information relating to
Gardening, in addition to all the usual matter found in the best Almanacks. It aLso contains
some general observations on Natural History, which may, we trust, lead to a more extensive
cultivation of that most fascinating study.

"The Floricultural Cabinet," for January, 1851. By Joseph Harrison. London: "Wliitaker
and Co. Svo. p. p. 24. Published monthly. Price 6d. 1 Coloured Plate.

Wc can safely recommend this useful and ornamental Mjigazine to any of our readers who
wi-ih information on tlie culture of flowers and fruits. It is full of useful and valuable
information, and will well repay au attentive perusal.

Vommttii/ca/ions, Dratvinffs, Advertisements, etc., to be adiJiexmd lo BEVEIiLEY R. MORRIS,
Esq., M. />., Driffield ;— Boohs for Rcvieiv, and Parcels, totlecarc of Messrs. GROOMBRILGE
(I, ' '■'",^'\\ ;}j Paternoster Rotv, London.

47
UTILITY OF THE COMMON MOLE, {TALPA VULGARIS.)

BY J. MC' INTOSH, ESQ.

It is a fact well known/ that man, from the earliest ages, has been at war
with his own class, it need not then surprise us that his arm should be lifted
against numbers of his friends and natural allies, but such is the fact. He
wages a perpetual war against the Itook, the Owl, the Sparrow, etc., and
contrives "artful engines," to entrap the useful Mole, who taught him draining
and sub-cultivation, and from whom, some day, he will learn a greater lesson,
and call him a prophet, that is, when he has done hanging him. Wherever
I go, I see trees and bushes in the corners of fields, and by gates of plan-
tations, the hedges by the highway side, yea even at the door-side of some
ruthless and ignorant biped, who calls himself 'lord of the creation,' covered
with the dead bodies of the poor Moles, killed without mercy or judgment.
Without being an enthusiast in a wrong sense, I kill nothing, not even,
what is called vermin, but rats and mice, and these I should not have occasion
to kill if my fellow-creatures would leave things as God has made them. The
only excuse the farmer iriakes for destroying the Mole, is, ''that their hills
look unsightly;" "that they eat the seed-corn, and destroy the roots of the
same in the construction of their hills;" and "that they stop up their
drains."

Now, in answer to the first of these charges, I only wish for the sake of
the farmer, and the welfare of his fellow-creatures, that there was nothing
more unsightly on the generality of their farms than Mole hills. — Look at the
essence of their manure-heaps; the cifluvia of gas, which is suffered to escape
from them, is not only wasteful altogether, but is lost to useful vegetation,
and what is still worse, fills the atmosphere with particles injurious to health,
and often destructive to life. The evaporation from the farm-yard robs the
farmer of part of his substance, starves his crops, and it is well if it does
not, moreover, poison him and his family by its contaminating influence.
Some receptacles for manure are so offensive, that if they do not generate
typhus fever, in its worst form, which I fear is frequently the case, they at
least cause languor and debility; and it is a fact well known, that these
exhalations, so injurious to animal life, are the essence of vegetable life; and
the volatile substance, which offends our senses and injures our health, if arrested
in its transit by the hand of skilful industry, may be so modified in the
great laboratory of nature, as to greet us in the fragrance of a flower, regale
us in the luscious peach, pear, or plum, or furnish the stamina of life in
substantial viands from the field and stall of the cultivator. Again look at the
dirty hedges and the filthy ditches, etc., which to me are ten thousand times more
unsightly and unprofitable than as many acres of Mole-hills.

I entirely agree with Mr. E. Jesse, in his "Natural History," page 137,
when he asserts that Moles were intended to be beneficial to mankind. Sheep
invariably thrive better, and are more healthy Qft-ttttge pastures where Mole-

VOL. IV. /^^"" "^ "

48 UTILITY OF THE MOLE.

hills are most abundant, owing to the wild thyme, and other salubrious herbs,
which grow upon those heaps of earth. The healthy state of sheep is par-
ticularly remarkable on the extensive pastures of Lincolnshire, and there Mole-
hills are extremely abundant. Deer, likewise, appear to be benefited by their
existence in their pastures. It is asserted as a fact that after the Mole-hills
had been destroyed in a park, which belonged to the Earl of Essex, in
Herefordshire, the Deer in it never throve; and to use the words of James
Hogg, better known as the 'Ettrick Shepherd,' "The most unnatural persecution
that ever was raised in this country is that against the Mole, that innocent
and blessed little pioneer, who enriches our pastures annually with the first
top-dressing, dug with great pains and labour, from the fattest soil beneath.
The advantage of this top-dressing is so apparent, and so manifest to the eye
of every unprejudiced observer, that it is really amazing how our countrymen
should have persisted, now nearly half a century, in the most manly and
valiant endeavours to exterminate the Mole from the face of the earth. If a
hundred men and horses were employed in a common-sized pasture, say from
fifteen hundred to two thousand acres, in raising and carrying manure for a
top dressing for that farm, they could not do it so effectually, so neatly, or
so equally, as the natural number of Moles on that farm would do it of
themselves." Thus then I have disposed of the first silly charge against this
useful and innocent little sub-cultivator, and would remark that it is not so
wise to throttle him as you may think.

The second great charge against our "blessed little pioneer," is, "That he
eats the seed-corn, and destroys the roots in the construction of his hills."
This charge is so utterly absurd that it carries with it its own confutation.
That they eat grain I flatly deny, having examined the stomachs of many,
and have never found an ato4u of a grain in them. But it is stated, and
that on good authority, that sixty thousand bushels of seed-corn are yearly
destroyed by wire-worms, (Elateridce,) some of which it is well known to
naturalists, live in their larva state from four to five years, devouring the
roots of wheat, rye, oats, and other vegetables; in some seasons destroying
whole crops. Now it is upon these Elateridce that the Mole lives, with other
insects, worms, (Vermes,) frogs, (Rana,) with slugs and snails, (Limax and
Helix,) the two last of which, it is well known, are wholesale destroyers of
vegetable life in its young state. How absurd then is it to see the poor Mole
hanging gibbeted by dozens, his clever paddles stopped by cruel ignorance.
Well may we exclaim —

"Oh, ignorance! where is thy blush?"

"Prior to my coming to reside in my parish," says the Rev. G. Wilkins,
of Wix, in the "Farmer's Magazine," "the land I occupy had been for many
years in the occupation of a very old man, who was a determined enemy to
every living creature of which he could not discover the benefit, and his
enmity was especially directed against the Mole. In my barn, as a kind of
heir-loom, hung a bundle of Mole-traps, which I at once consigned to the

UTILITY OF THE MOLE. 49

fire. Then came the Mole-catcher for his salary, as he caught my Moles by
the year. I paid him his money, and made him stare like a lunatic when
I told him rather than kill them, he would do me a favour if he would
bring rae a cart-load of his Moles, and turn them down in my fields. My
fields being near a village, where Rooks could not come, swarmed with wire-
worms. Every year one-third of my crops was quite destroyed by them. One
narrow field, surrounded with trees, was nearly useless from them. But at
length relief came; I had long hoped to see my favourites, the Mole-heaps,
and at length, as if by a simultaneous agreement, that little long field was
full of Moles, which set to manfully upon the destroyers of my crops, and
after some time completely destroyed them. They then passed over into the
next field, and the pests in this field shared the same fate as the others. I
now veril}' believe I have not a Avire-worm left in my fields; and as the
Moles have entirely done their work unsolicited, they have gone ofi" to my
neighbours with the same good intention."

The farmers on the continent, particularly in Belgium, are greatly averse
to their being destroyed; and I believe that the most unpopular act in my
respected father's life, was the introdus^tion of the English Mole-trap into that
country, about the year 1834; and although upon a royal domain, and at
the command of Majesty itself, all endeavours to extirpate them proved una-
vailing; and the habits and wise judgment of a gardening and agricultural
people were yielded to as an act of expediency. Happy I am to state that
both His Majesty and my father have repented them of the evil, and are now
numbered amongst the merciful defenders of our useful little sub-cultivator,
the Common Mole! Thus, then, I hope 1 have clearly defended ^^the little
culprit" from the second and absurd charge brought against him, to the
satisfaction of his accusers!

The third charge brought against the tiny Mole, in an agricultural point
of view, to those unacquainted with its usefulness, would lead many to sign
its death-warrant. Against which I will place the following evidence from the
pen of an agricultural gentleman, in the "Agricultural Gazette," for 1844,
who says, "I have wet meadows, in which they do me vast service. One
of my meadows was so wet that no Mole worked into it, but only burrowed
on the surface, barely deep enough to cover his body with the roots of the
grass and weeds, and this only in very dry hot days of August — the only
time when worms could be found. I dug a few drains, and the next summer
found the Moles worked as deep as the bottom of the drains, and into them.
Another year the drains were cut as deep as the fall would allow, and the
same result followed. My friends, the Moles, opened scores of their channels
into the very bottom of these drains, and the meadow is now firm and sound.
In all my meadows, finding the good they do, I never have them disturbed,
but only in April send out a man to level their hillocks, then roll them,
and 1 never have any complaint from the mowers. Depend upon it, that
they are very beneficial to all lands, particularly to wet bog soil. When four feet

50 NOTES OS THE NK8TING OF BIRDS.

drains are made with inch tiles, they cannot enter, but would work at that
depth in all directions^ and be of the greatest possible use."

On some lands the drainage is wholly effected by the Mole, so far that
the farmer might save himself some shillings, nay pounds, to the Mole-catcher.
Let us hope, then, that henceforward he may be suffered to live in peace,
and die of old age, throughout the length and breadth of our blessed land.
To the farmer and the gardener this matter is worthy of more consideration
than it has yet obtained.

Having thus brought the agricultural charges against the Mole to a con-
clusion, I will, D. v., in my next carefully examine the horticultural charges
against him, and hope to gain "a verdict for the defendant."

5, Middle-Street, Taunton^ Somersetshire.

(To be continued. )

A FEW NOTES ON THE NESTING OF BIRDS.

BY W. G, JOHNSTONE, ESQ.

In a small space of ground behind No, 9, George- Street, Dumfries, there
is a little green-house in which are ranged three rows of flower- pots, each
containing flowers; many of them very beautiful. In the middle row?
and again in about the centre of it, stood, this spring, a pot containing
some small-rooted cuttings of Lonzia elegans. One day a Blackbird appeared
in the said green-house; and shortly afterwards his mate. All they did that
day was seemingly to reconnoitre. Again, the following afternoon, not only
did they appear, but they took possession of the pot above-mentioned, tearing
up the small plants, which they used as the foundation of their nest; some
pieces of rope and string lying in the green-house, were also made use of;
and, as a finish, some of the rotted poplar leaves from outside.

The morning of the second day after they commenced to build, an egg
was laid; and in uninterrupted succession one each day till five were laid.
On the seventeenth day after the beginning of the whole, four young appeared;
and in four weeks again, old and young disappeared in high health and
spirits. What is remarkable, the bird sat quietly, and allowed the plants all
around her to be daily watered without shewing any signs of fear, although
the hands of the party watering would come within a few inches of her.
The male took his turn on the nest. Another thing confirmed is that they
regularly carried away the young birds' excrements, keeping everything clean
and neat. The male bird had a few white feathers on his head.

A Robin was observed daily flying out and in, and the good lady of the
house beautifully conceived the idea, that Robert was helping the Blackbird, but
it was soon found out this was not the case; Robin also had a nest in
the green-house on the ground in a corner below the stage, and here were
brought out six Robins, all of which arrived at bird's estate. I may also

NOTES ON THE NKSTJNG OF BIRDS. 51

remark that the best of friendship seemed to subsist between the two families
both in and out of doors. Water was regularly supplied to them outside, and
they, (the Robins and Blackbirds,) have repeatedly been seen drinking at
the same time. Being rather early in the year to keep the green-house
door open all night, (to be ready in time for them in the morning,) the
lady had a small hole made in one end of the green-house for their accom-
modation.— April, 1853.

This week the male Blackbird has made his appearance. The pot and nest
had been laid aside, but now it stands in its former place, ready for their
use we trust again this spring. — January, 1854.

On the top of an old tower in the Terraughtie Gardens near this, a pair
of White Owls, (Strix flammea,) breed regularly. As I required an egg for
my cabinet, this week I went out and clambered to the top, where I
foiind the nest with four eggs, three of them the usual rotund form, the
other quite oval, and a considerable length. About five feet from the Owl's,
and on the same level, was a Jackdaw's {Corvus monedula,) with two eggs, and
a little lower a Sparrow's, (Passer domedicus,) with three eggs. — April, 1853.

In an old fir plantation, parish of Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire, I this year
had the pleasure of discovering a Siskin's nest, containing one egg, and being
so valuable, what could I do but take it for my cabinet. The nest was
close to the trunk of a larch tree about eight feet from the ground, not
particularly well concealed, and not remarkable for neatness; it was composed
of Hypnum, hair, and fibrous roots, (no feathers,) rather firmly compacted.
Near to the same spot last year a nest was taken containing young; the
party who took them succeeded in rearing two of them. In the same wood
the Crossbill, {Loxia Eurojxjea,) breeds; for some years the nests have been
regularly found with young. I must next year try for eggs. — April, 1853.

On a rugged clifi\, Auchenstroan, Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, the Peregrine-
Falcon, (Faico peregrinus,) builds her nest, and brings forth her young;
while a little lower on the same cliff" may be seen the Ring Ouzel, (Turdus
torquatus,) quietly and undisturbedly brooding over her charge; lower still by
the brink of the stream, may be found the compact cunning nest of the
Water Ouzel, (Ginclus aquaticus ) These three birds are only to be found
in the secluded glens of our native hills, the very sojourning among which
gives a calm and pleasure to the mind not easily described, but deeply felt
by the lover of nature and nature's works, and above all of nature's God.

The following winter visitors have been seen in this neighbourhood lately: —
Brambling, {Frinyilla montifringilla,) Crossbill, [Loxia Europiiea^) Quail,
[Coturnix Dactylisonans,) Water Rail, [Ballus aquaticus,) Bernacle Goose,
{Bernicla Brenta,) Tufted Scaup Duck, {Fuligida marila,) Great Northern
Diver, {Colymbus glacialis.) The Quail is certainly the rarest of the above
with us. I had a fine specimen brought me the other day shot in this
neighbourhood.

Greenbrae Cottage, Dumfries, January 1854.

ORNITHOLOaiCAL AND OTHER NOTES.

BY 8. stonp:^ esq.

Singular choice of situation for a Blackbird's Nest.— In the course of a
ramble last spring through a wood adjoining Cokethorpe Park, I "paid a
morning visit" to a Magpie's nest of the previous year, for the purpose of
ascertaining whether it had again become tenanted; great was my surprise on
cautiously approaching the spot and looking into the nest, for it was situated
in a bush about five feet only from the ground, to see the bright eyes of a
female Blackbird, (Merula vulgaris,) flashing full, yet timidly, upon me, as
she was sitting in the midst of this bower of thorns without the roses; having
chosen this extraordinary site for the construction of a domicile for her '^expected
family." I should have been glad to have found that she continued in quiet
possession, and that her "fondest hopes" had ultimately been realized; but alas!
poor thing, retributive justice overtook her, as it will sooner or later overtake
all who surreptitiously "build upon another's foundation," for on visiting the
nest again a few days afterwards, I found that some one less scrupulous than
myself had robbed it of the eggs it had previously contained: or as inexorable
landlords seize upon the goods and chattels of such of their tenants as from
want of means or from lack of principle, fail to "pay their respects" and
something besides at "quarter day," even so might these eggs, the sole "treasure"
of this poor bird, have been seized upon by the owner of the original fabric,
in liquidation of a claim for "ground rent;" whether such a claim might or
might not have been a legal one, I must leave to the proverbially "fertile
brain" of "Gentlemen learned in the law" to discover: albeit, I cannot help
thinking that if the motto "jus supra vim," were reversed it would be very
applicable in the above case; unquestionably might does at times dominate
over right, among other creatures as well as amongst those of "the Genus Homo."

An incident in the Nesting of the Missel Thrush, (Turdus viscivora.) — On
the 24th. of February, 1849, I observed a pair of Missel Thrushes in an
orchard adjoining the residence of Henry Eustace, Esq., EUesborough Grove,
near Wendover, Bucks., busily engaged in the task of nidification. The building
continued to progress satisfactorily enough till the evening of the 28th., when
a heavy fall of snow followed by several days of severe frost caused a "sus-
pension of the works" till the 21st. of March, when the weather in the
interval having become more genial — operations were actively resumed. The
nest was finished and the first egg deposited on the fourth day from the later
date. This is the only instance which has come under my observation of a
nest having been partially built, abandoned for several weeks, and then again
proceeded with. There is a certain class of politicians whose cry is "economy
and retrenchment," the simple meaning of which said cry if carefully analyzed
would I fear be found to be no more patriotic or philanthropic than this —
all possible abridgment of the comforts of other people, and all possible
increase of their own. To this class I would by no means refer the above-

OENlTHOLOaiCAL AND OTHER NOTES. Od

mentioned birds, yet of a verity they must be considered "thorough economists"
— economists in "the raw material/' economists in time, and economists in
Labour; or did the exigencies of the case require extraordinary dispatch? and
is it possible that in order to meet this, they might have been gifted with
discrimination enough, or even with powers of calculation sufficient, to enable
them to arrive at the conclusion that a fabric half-raised might be completed
in just half the time that would be indispensable in the construction of a
fresh one? Their proceedings would almost seem to justify such a supposition.

A Moorhen chased hy a Rat. — Standing one evening in autumn on the
margin of a moat, near the just-named Gentleman's residence, an extraordinary
noise proceeding from the opposite side suddenly arrested my attention, when
on turning my eyes in that direction I observed an enormous Rat, [Mus
dec.itmanus,) in hot pursuit of a Moorhen, (GalHnula chloropus.) The extra-
ordinary sounds, which partook of something of the nature of a hiss and a
yell, and which I can compare to nothing so aptly as those produced— of
course in a less powerful and appalling degree — by the escape of the steam
from the boiler of a railway steam engine, intermingled with its horrible whistle,
or rather shriek, warning all who may not feel desirous of undergoing the
process of decapitation, amputation, or mutilation, to "keep clear of the line,"
I found proceeded from the pursuer, in good sooth never before nor since
have I heard "sounds such as these" proceed from the oesophagus of mortal
Rat. If the pursuer gave vent to this extraordinary noise under the impression
that it would so act upon the nervous system of the pursued, as to paralyze
its efforts at escape, he for once ^'^reckoned without his host," for instead of
producing any such effect it chanced to have just the opposite one, "to wit"
ths selfsame eflfect which the poet informs us fright produced upon the steed

bestrode by that

"Citizen
Of credit and renown,"
John Gilpin; it only

"Made him faster run."

Although the bird was not foolhardy enough to pit itself against so formidable
an antagonist in a "stand up fight," it nevertheless seemed to have selected
for its motto "never say die," and had moreover presence of mind enough
promptly to act thereon, deeming, as "featherless bipeds" have deemed, that
"the better part of valour is discretion." Escape from an enemy is almost
tantamount to victory over him, for although the enemy may not be said to
be defeated, his intentions effectually are: in this sense I had the satisfaction
of seeing that the Moorhen was victorious over the Rat, and heartily did I
congratulate it, as Hudibras did himself and Squire, on having

"Made so I'esolute
And brave retreat."

The Goat Moth, (Cossus ligniperda.) — The Entomologist who may be in
search of caterpillars of this species, will require no canine or other agent to

64 OnNITHOLOGICAL, AND OTHER NOTES,

reveal to hira their whereabouts, for his olfactory organs, unless indeed he
should chance to have been relieved from the inconvenience and unpleasantness
their sensitiveness sometimes occasions, by his having been privileged to
dwell in the immediate vicinity of a Currier's yard, a depot of "The London
manure company," Leadenhall market, or some other locality equally distinguished
for the salubrity of its atmosphere will prove an amply sufficient guide, he
has only to walk leisurely round any suspected tree, halting for a moment
at the point where his perambulations have brought the said tree

"Betwixt the wind and hia nobility,"

and there will be no mistake as to whether the game he is in search of
abounds there or not. I do not know whether all kinds of trees are equally
to their taste, but those in which I have usually found them are the Oak,
the Elm, the Ash, and the Pear. In the garden of a cottager near here,
are many trees of the latter species, the whole of which, although they should
be just in their prime, are in a state of rapid decay, occasioned by the
ravages these creatures have made upon their interior, the principal stems
being in many places absolutely honey-combed, they seem in fact fated — would
that this fate were reserved exclusively for trees — to be bored to death. We
have often, when the wind has been in the right direction, scented these
creatures at distances ranging from twenty to fifty yards and upwards, so
powerful is the odour they emit when large numbers of them are congregated
together.

"An affair" not ''of honour" betioeen a Weasel and a Babbit. — The following
occurrence, witnessed by my friend, Henry Eustace, Esq., and related by him
to me a short time ago, affords a striking proof of the keenness of scent
possessed by the Weasel: — Walking early one afternoon through one of his
fields, his attention was drawn to a Rabbit, {Lepus cunicidus,) which kept
dodging, now in, now out of the hedgerow, which bounded one side of the
field; suspecting, from seeing the animal astir at that unseasonable hour, for
Rabbits, in common with Owls, fashionable people, and other creatures of
nocturnal habits, affect to shun the glare of day, being seldom to be met with
till toward evening, that the privacy of its (h)earth must have been invaded,
or at any rate that something must have gone wrong in its domestic affairs,
my friend was induced to stand still, and watch more attentively. His sus-
picions soon proved to have been well founded, for presently he perceived a
Weasel, {Mustela vulgaris,) tracking, with deadly precision, the steps of the
fugitive, which having gradually become aroused to the consciousness that the
covert of the hedgerow afforded it no protection from the pursuit of its
dreaded enemy, at length boldly struck out towards the middle of the field,
where it secreted itself beneath the shelter of an overhanging tuft of long
grass. The Weasel having come to the point at which the Rabbit left the
hedgerow, paused but for a moment, and then guided by its keen unerring
sense of smell, pursued the same course which the Rabbit had taken; and

ox THR COMMON RING-SNAKE, 55'

on reaching within about two feet, or springing-distance of the place in which
its intended victim lay concealed, sprang with fell inient full upon the spot.
The Rabbit, however, seemed to be in no humour for tamely yielding up its
life while a "forlorn hope" still existed, for having no doubt from some con-
venient loop-hole watched the advance of its pursuer, it, simultaneously with
that pursuer's spring, rushed from its hiding place, and again bounded off across
the field. At this juncture, my friend, moved with a feeling of pity towards
the Rabbit, or of indignation against its persecutor, or })erhaps a combination of
the two, hastily advanced to the rescue; and the enemy having, in the eagerness
of pursuit, marched too far from "head quarters" to be able to make good
its retreat, there and then met the fate which my friend conceived its mur-
derous intentions merited. How the affair might otherwise have terminated,
must of course be left to the imagination to conceive, but there can be little
doubt that it would have resulted in a manner as tragical in the case of the
Habbit, as it has appeared to have done in that of the Weasel,

BrigJdhampton, September ISth.^ 1853.

OX THE COMMON RING-SNAKE, {NATRIX TORQUATA)

BY MR. MICHAEL WESTCOTT.

Among our many British Reptiles, none surpass in beauty the Common
Ring-Snake. Its beautiful dazzling eyes, its neck encircled with a golden
band, its livid tongue, its curiously constructed scales of various colours, and
its graceful movements, are objects of intense interest even to a casual
observer of nature, when viewed without prejudice or timidity. I make it a
rule, to ascertain, if possible, what venomous properties are invested in subjects
of Natural History which come into my possession ; but I never succeeded
in finding any venom whatever attached to the subject of these remarks; at
least so far as it is used in self defence. I have teased it for an hour
together to make it bite, without success. It is a well-known enemy to the
equally harmless Toad; an animal which has been and is treated with an
abhorrence and cruelty which superstition is alone capable of producing, f
have seen Toads of an enormous size taken from the stomach of a Snake,
indeed so large were some of them, that it would appear incredible they
could have been swallowed by their common enemy, had I not witnessed
the extraction.

There is a prevalent belief in many localities, and a belief in which
some men of science concur, that the Snake swallows her young at the
sight of approaching danger; but it never has been stated by an eye-witness as a
fact to be relied upon, for all who have yet written upon the subject, have done
so from hearsay — the ignis futuus to the truthful naturalist — or from their own
imperfect observations. We have an instance of this in "The Naturalist," vol,
ii. page 233, where Mr. Garland says he saw a Snake glide into a rut made

VOL. IV. I

56 ON THE COMMON RINO-SN'AKE.

by cart-wheels," he ^'looked into the rut, and saw the Snake and several
young ones, not very large;" he "stepped back to pick up a stone, still
keeping his eye upon the spot, when he saw the Snake glide out of the rut,
cross the roadway, and go into the hedge at the side. He then went to
the rut, and looked in, thinking to take the young Snakes; but to his "sur-
prise" he "saw none of thera." He searched for them in vain, and had no "doubt
but they must have been taken away by the old Snake swallowing them
^pro tern.'" He "was quite sure" he "must have seen them had they remained
there, as he never once lost sight of the spot, although he did of the depth
of the rut."

Now when Mr. Garland lost sight of the bottom of the rut, where he
saw the young Snakes, was it not possible for them to glide away and cun-
ningly hide themselves without his knowledge of their whereabouts? If he
had only drawn back a short distance, so as not to lose sight of the little
ones, why then he might be able to satisfy himself and his readers upon
the much mooted subject of the Snake's "swallowing her young," instead of
leaving it among the things that are doubtful. I certainly should have taken
advantage of such an opportunity as Mr. G. had, in settling once for all this
important question in the history of the Snake. For instead of walking
backwards in search of a stone to slaughter a harmless reptile — a fact which
Mr. G. might have known by his '^experience with them when a boy," I
should have endeavoured to obtain ocular proof whether the old Snake swallowed
the little ones, or whether she left them to take care of themselves.

For my own part, I feel satisfied that the female Snake has nothing what-
ever to do with her young from the time they emerge from the eggs, till
they are full-grown, and certain it is that she disowns all maternal aflfection
for them then. I believe so because it would follow as a rule that if ever any
one single Snake was seen to swallow her young to hide them from intruders,
her congeners would be instinctively led to do the same thing; for nature is
not a partial bestower of her gifts, to lead any of the lower animals, untutored
by man, to act differently in their habits and economy to others of their
class, especially in the care of their young.

"Undamped by time, the generous Instinct glows
Far as Angola's sands, as Zembla's snows;
Glows in tlie Tiger's den, the Serpent's nest,
On every form of varied life imprest."

We see that the attention which a Cat or Dog pays to its young, is
common to the whole species. And it would likewise follow that if the
instinct attributed to the Snake of swallowing her young were true, it would
be of common occurrence, and might be witnessed by every one who would
deem it worthy of observation, I have met with many a young Snake from
three to six inches long, and no bigger round than a Crow's quill. I have
also watched them emerge from the eggs, and soon after distribute themselves
to the four quarters of the globe; a fact I think sufficient to set at rest the

SALMON MANUFAfTORY. B^

possibility of their dam collecting them together again, and swallowing them
'pro tern.' It is true I have never seen but one brood of Snakes quit the
eggs, and in that case the old one might have been killed, and thus her absence
on this occasion be accounted for. But 1 have seen as many as fifty young
ones, as described above, separately and collectively, but never have seen
any old ones near them, although 1 have watched them for some time crawl
through the hedge-grass, or coil up on a warm bank, basking in the sun.

There is no doubt if the readers of "The Naturalist" investigate the sub-
ject with assiduity next spring and the succeeding months, that it might
be finally settled to the satisfaction of all true naturaUsts. It will be only
for them to search for the chain of Snakes' eggs deposited this year in
dunghills, heaps of rubbish, or around the base and shady nooks of old
lime-kilns. Having found the eggs, the finder, instead of doing the same
as the Ichneumon, (Herpcstes Ichneumon,) does with the eggs ot Crocodiles,
he must let them remain, and pay them a visit every fine day if possible,
which can be done by most persons, if it is not too far from their residence,
and especially if they wish to clear away doubtful mists floating between
them and their delightful study.

Saint Cathbert's Place, Wells, Octoher llth., 1853.

THE SALMON MANUFACTORY ON THE TAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATURALIST,

Sir,

Allow me to call your attention to the enclosed paragraph

from "The Times" of the 9th. instant. The experiments which are going

on in Salmon breeding are interesting, and I trust some of your correspondents

may furnish you with a detailed account of them. — W. Waldo Coop£R.

Rectory, Wed Rasen, Dec( ruber loth., 1853,

"The ponds for this purpose are situated on the river bank, near Store-
mountfield, the spawning-bo'xes being sixteen feet above the summer level of the
river. The water which supplies the ponds is taken from Storemountfield lade,
(but, owing to the impurity of the Tay during spates, a supply is also to
be taken from a neighbouring spring,) by a pipe with a valve into a filtering-
pond j thence it is carried by a canal along the upper end of the spawning-
boxes, through which it runs. These boxes are eighty-four feet long by one
foot six inches broad, and three feet deep. They are placed with a fall of
six inches, so as to allow the water to flow freely through them, and are
partly filled — first with a layer of fine gravel, next coarser, and lastly with
stones somewhat coarser than road metal. In distributing the ova, it is
gradually poured out of the vessel which holds it, at the upper end of the
box. The water flowing downwards carries it among the stones, under which

58 SALMON MANUFACTORV.

it settles down, and by gently applying a few buckets of water at the upper
end of the boxes the ova are taken down and distributed equally among the
gravel. When the young fry are in a proper state the)? are allowed to escape
into a pond situated at a foot lower level than the boxes, where they will
be fed, and allowed to remain, until such time as they are in a fit state
to be turned into the river. This pond is not yet made, but will be finished
by the time the fry are hatched. Great care has been taken to prevent
any animal entering with the water that would prey upon the young fish.

Mr. Rarasbottom, from Clitheroe, (who has experimented successfully for
the Messrs. Ashworth, on the Lough Corrib waters, in Ireland,) has the
sole management of the Tay ponds. Saturday was a remarkable fine day for
the season, and we were privileged in being present at the operation of
stripping the fish. When we arrived Mr. Ramsbottom had already got about
fifteen thousand ova in round tin cans, and he showed us an oval-shaped tin
box with a lid, which contained a small male fish swimming in water, which,
he said, was waiting for his mate. Presently the net was shot in the Tay
at the mouth of the Almond, when two fine female fish ripe for spawning,
from eighteen to twenty pound weight, along with a small male fish, were
caught. Mr. Ramsbottom having taken the largest female in his left hand,
drew his fingers firmly down both sides of the belly of the fish, when the
ova flowed in a stream into the tin box formerly mentioned, in which there
were a few inches of water. The fish was instantly returned to the river,
and, after a short time, sailed off as if nothing had happened to it.

After the ova had been washed, by water being poured on and ofi" — care
beirjg taken never to allow it to be exposed to the air — the male fish was
brought (which all this time had been in the river under a fold of the net,
and manipulated in the same manner as the female, only a small portion of
milt being required. On the milt being shed a slight change was seen to
take place in the colour of the ova, which became paler. Water was again
poured on and off, when the operation was complete. The ova were then
poured into round tin cases and carried to the ponds; when we left the river
side upwards of four hundred thousand ova in fine condition had been obtained.
We observed that a few of the ova, after impregnation, turned white, instead
of being a fine salmon colour. Mr. Ramsbottom said they were barren ova.

In the month of March the fry will have burst their shells, when we hope
to report further.

We should be obliged for any further information on this interesting subject.
— B. R. M.

59
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LEPIDOPTERA ROUND EXETER.

BY MR. KDWAUD PARFITT.
{Concluded from Vol. III., page 265.)

PerricalUa mjringaria, (T^ilac Beauty,) is very rare, I have only taken one
specimen. Rumia cratdegata is as common as the one above is rare. Oarap-
teryx sambucaria: this beautiful moth is tolerably plentiful. Campcea mar-
garitaria is a rare insect, at least I have only been able to take one or
two of them. Aids rhomhoidalis, (Willow Beauty:) this is frequently to be
met with. Numeria pulveraria: this is very rare indeed, though I have had
the good fortune to meet with two specimens. Cabera pusaria is rather
common. Bradyepetes amataria: several of this beautiful moth are to be taken
here. I have met with them most frequently on the west side of Exeter.
Phasiane plumbaria is plentiful on Haldon, darting out of the furze and
heath which abounds there. Anaitis plagiaia is not common, though several
are to be captured in a season, Coremia Jlactuata is particularly abundant.
Oidaria propngnata is also common: of three species belonging to the genus I have
not been able to ascertain the names. Elect ra marmorata is also common in most
years. Harpa^yce silaceata is by no means common. Steganolnphia prunata
is tolerably plentiful. The Streamer, (Antidea derivata,) is by no means a
common moth, though several are to be taken during a season. Polyphasia
Pnssata is comparatively rare; also two varieties whose names I have not
been able to satisfy myself about. Cheimatobia brumata, the males of which
are particularly common; four years ago I never saw them so numerous before
nor since, but I have not been able to obtain a single female specimen, though
I have looked our fruit trees over and over again. Eupithecia Linariata: four
specimens of this beautiful little moth I bred from larva?, found feeding on
the seeds of Lin aria vulgaris. E. rectangulata: this is a rare moth about here.
E. austerata is very common in this neighbourhood. E. centaureata: this is a
rare moth, I have only been able to obtain a single specimen. Three other
species belonging to this genus I have not been able to obtain the names of.
Tiiphosa dubiata: this is very rare indeed, I have only seen one specimen,
which I took three years ago.

Camtpogramma bilineata: this is particularly common, every hedge abounds
with them. Abraxas Grossidariata: the caterpillars, and also the moths, are
much too common. Venilia maculata: this moth abounds on H[aldon amongst
the furze and heath. Corycia taminata: I have only taken one specimen of
this pretty moth. 3Ielanthia AlchemiUata is very common. Zerene adustata
has been taken here by Mr. G. Norcombe; also Lomaspilis tnarginata: one
specimen of this beautiful moth has been taken here by the same gentleman.
Acidalia uversata is very common. Thalera uEstivaria is not a common moth
by any means, as I have only taken two in six years. Timandra iviitaria:
this is not very common, and what specimens are caught are generally rubbed,
so that a perfect specimen would be an acquisition. Cilix spinula is tolerably

60 LKPIDOPTERA ROUND KXETER.

abundant some seasons. I possess a pair of moths, marked in the British
Museum's General Collection, Grambus pratea. 1 took them three years ago
near Exeter, but I cannot find the specific name in the Museum's catalogue;
also another named in the same collection Cramhus pohlea, which I cannot
find in the same publication. The moth is very common about here; several
other species belonging to this family I have not been able to determine the
names.

Aglossa pinguinalis: this moth is tolerably plentiful. Pyralis Jarinalis: this
is very common in stables, coach-houses, etc. Phlyctcenia Sambucalis has
been taken here by Mr. G. Norcombe. Eurrhypara urtlcata: this is an abun-
dant species. Nemophila noctuelJa: this is also very common; and Botj/s
verticalis I never saw so plentiful as they have been this year — hundreds
might have been taken in a n'ght in the lanes between Exeter and Topsham.
Botys lancealis: this is a rare insect, [ have only heard of or seen but one, which
I possess; one other species of this genus I have not been able to obtain
the name of; it is common about here. PteropJionis pentadactylus is tolerably
abundant, and Alucifa hcxadactyla is also an abundant .species.

Tortiicidve: of this interesting and beautiful family of moths, I am sorry to
say I cannot furnish many names, though 1 possess a number of species. I
also have a number of species of the family Tineitis, which I shall defer to
some other time for the want of reference. In the last-named family we have
Tortrix viridana: this is found in considerable abundance on Red hills, about
two or three miles from Exeter, on the north-west side; the hedges there
are principally oak, and there these beautiful little moths are to be found in
great numbers. Lozotcenia Carpiniana : this is common in gardens and hedges
round about Exeter. L. Gerningana is also an abundant species. L. loevigana:
this is a common insect in hedges and gardens. Spilonofa Bohorana: this is
not a common moth, at least I have only met with two or three specimens.
jEcophora sulphurella : both the larva) and moths of this beautiful species are
abundant in this neighbourhood; the larvae are found in old posts and rotten
branches of trees in great plenty. Yponomeuta padella: this insect is much
too common in orchards and gardens; the caterpillars, which are gregarious,
live on the apple trees, and where numerous cause a deal of mischief.

I bred some very interesting little moths this year from larvae, found feeding
on Stellaria polostea. The caterpillars are confined, or rather live, in small
somewhat fusiform cases; they fix themselves to the under surface of the
leaves, and eat a round hole just large enough to admit the body; they then
go on and eat the parenchyma, or fleshy part, so far as they can reach all
round. When they have eaten as far all round as they can, they remove
to another place on the leaf, and go on as before. They soon exhaust a leaf
of its fleshy parts, leaving nothing but the two skins of the leaf, and these
are untouched, and turn white. When a number of these caterpillars are
at work, they give the plants a peculiar mottled appearance, and the little
cases hanging down on the leaves look very curious. The little moths are

STRAY NOTKS ON THR KLM. 61

of a somewhat light brown colour, the points of the anterior wings with a
long fringe of the same colour. If any of the readers of this work can furnish
me with the name of it, I shall feel greatly obliged.

Thus ends my list of Ijcpidoptera, so far as I have been able to ascertain
the names. When I shall be able to make out the names of what I have
remaining, and what I may collect, I shall be most happy to communicate
them through the pages of "The Naturalist."

Exeter, November 9th., 1853.

STRAY NOTES ON THE ELM.

BY JOHN 1>IX0N, ESQ.

Some eight or ten years ago, a violent gale of wind did considerable damage
in this neighbourhood; its fury being most apparent in some parts of the woody
districts about Temple Newsam and Methley, where many a noble tree that
had long withstood the wintry blasts, was that day laid prostrate, or reduced
to a complete wreck. One victim to this elementary strife at Methley, was
the skeleton of a huge elm, some fifteen feet in circumference at the base;
time had long ago shorn it of all verdure, and nothing but its scathed trunk
remained, from which a few large branches spread out in curious contortions,
making a fit subject for the pencil of the passing artist. Several large fungi
had made their appearance on it, sure evidence of a stealthy decay, yet,
for all this, few would have thought its downfall so nigh at hand. In falling
it broke into several pieces, when the bole was found to be quite rotten,
furnishing the lads with a plentiful supply of "touchwood," as we call it in
these parts. But the most curious circumstance connected with it arose from
the discovery of a singularly shaped object in the very heart of the bole.
The best guide to its shape, unaccompanied by a drawing, and on a reduced
scale, would be found in the common cup moss. Its discovery, as a matter
of course, raised sundry rustic, philosophic conjectures, consequently the first
reports were much at variance, one setting it down as a "wooden trumpet,"
while another strenuously averred it to be some sort of an "old-fashioned
cocked-hat;" so that in the midst of much disputation respecting its origin,
it soon formed a good "cock-and-bull" story. A friend of mine procured this
wooden wonder and presented it to me. The substance resembles close-grained
oak, but somewhat harder; I have seen similar objects before, but being at
a loss with respect to their origin, deem it worth notice in the valuable pages
of "The Naturalist," the circulation of which I am glad to find is progressing.

A few years ago the road entering Leeds at Sheepscar, was beautifully
ornamented with several noble elms, one of which was fourteen feet in circum-
ference; they were of great height and most beautifully proportioned, one
might have travelled miles to find their equals. They seem to have been
regarded with a favourable eye more than a hundred years ago, for we find

62 STRAY NOTES ON THE ELM.

that when General Wade and his army encamped here in 1745, a Mr.
Whitelock furnished the soldiers with coal, on condition that these trees,
and two or three others which until lately stood in Wade Land, might be
spared, for it appears they had cut down nearly all others for fuel, so that
it is probable these were the only few that survived the campaign, being
however (unfortunately it may be said) too near a rapidly increasing town,
they were cut down to make room for such modern innovations as now crowd
the spot where once they flourished, in the glory of a green old age. The
timber was perfectly sound to the very heart, and if the number of concentric
rings might furnish correct data, they must have arrived at a great age.

In the centre of one, near the base, two smooth pebbles were found, one
of which I procured; it is perforated apparently by some natural agency,
perhaps the pholas, for the stone is quite foreign to this district. I have
seen such stones attached to keys by country folks, to keep off ''bogies, witches,
and other such cattle," probably it has been an amulet of this kind, dropped
here during the so-called ''good old times." A great number of old-fashioned
tobacco pipe heads, a gun lock, and sundry collections of beef and mutton bones,
were found about the roots; interesting relics of this campaign, from which
we may augur that the gallant sons of Mars at least lived well, smoked hard,
and doubtless drank deep.

I have somewhere read an account of a large Elm, in the heart of which
several initial letters were discernible, apparently caused by incisions in the
bark when the tree was young, perhaps one of the most interesting rtlics of
this kind is shown in the museum attached to Kirkleatham Hospital, and is
thus described by Mr. Walbran, in his pleasing "Guide to Redcar." "There is,
too, a portion of a tree, grown in Newbrough Park, near Thirsk, and sent
here by Lord Fauconberg, which, on being cut down, and split up for billet-
wood, was found to bear the following inscription graven in rude Roman capitals,
about five or six inches high, on a bole or core of about twelve inches in
diameter, which came out entire from an outer rind of about four inches in
thickness:

This tre lovng time witncs beare
Of toww lovres that did walk hcaro.

The letters encircle the tree in nine spiral lines, occupying a space of about
five feet, and are impressed both on the bole to which they have been origi-
nally committed, and on the rind by which they have been subsequently enveloped.
Two hearts, each transfixed with an arrow, after the usual and approved fashion,
are introduced in the third line, and in one of them may be traced the letter
B. The other is uninscribed"

Not many years ago a large elm was cut up at Tockvvith, when several
bullets were found imbedded in it, no doubt relics of the sanguinary battle
of Marston Moor, fought in July, 1644.

Some writers assign the healthy period of the elm to about one hundred
and twenty or thirty years, but consider their most profitable age to be from

STFlAY NOTICS ON THE ELM. G3

fifty to sixty years; but this of course cannot be adopted as a general
scale, so much depending on soil and situation, for we find the Sheepscar
Elms, which must have been at the very least two hundred years old, perfectly
sound,- and making capital timber; while others at no great distance, planted
probably not more than eighty years ago, were fast decaying, a fact which
may be attributed to a damper soil and situation. One of these last was
quite hollow^ yet still continued to flourish, but at last several fungi made
their appearance about the roots, and then it soon perished. I remember a
pair of Starlings building in it for many successive years; the nest was in a
crevice of one of the larger branches, and somewhat difficult to reach; the
entrance was too small to admit the hand, and the lads were continually
hacking away to get at the young, but they were too deep in the trunk, and
could never be got at, a fact which the poor birds seemed aware of, for they
built in it for years after. Another branch was at one time occupied by a
colony of Humble Bees, but these fell victims to sufibcation.

The Elms at Kirkstall Abbey, one of which is fourteen feet in circumference,
must also be more than two hundred years old, and still they seem in perfect
vigour. The roots have forced their way through an almost impenetrable
accumulation of stones and rubbish, and present a curious contorted appearance,
being also inosculated in many parts, that is, one root or branch intersecting
another, a feature, it is said, that first suggested grafting. A remarkable
example of this kind may be seen in a little copse opposite Bishopton Bar,
on the left hand side of the road leading from Ripon to Studley. It is a young
Maple, with the iipper branches intersecting each other in every direction, present-
ing one of the most curious specimens of inosculation it is possible to conceive.

While adverting to the powers of vegetation, it may not be out of place
to mention an example at Walton Hall, in the shape of a Hazel tree growing
out of the centre of a large millstone, which it has raised several inches from
the ground; some very interesting particulars connected with it may be found
in Waterton's delightful Essays on Natural History. A friend of mine once
had a flag in his stable misplaced by a species of fungus growing under it;
and I have heard of Ivy penetrating through a strong stone roof, much to the
discomfort of the inmates of the house. In two or three old churches I have
visited in my rambles, the Ivy has forced its way, and continues to flourish
in the sacred interior, not without a most beautiful efiect, from which a pious
moral may be read.

We have many Elms in this district ranging from eight to fourteen feet
in circumference. This tree seems to have been a great favourite in the olden
time, for we have scarcely any antiquated mansion that cannot boast its noble
Elms; there are isolated specimens, too, remarkable, for their size, or celebrated
on account of their historical or legendary associations. About Leeds they
are generally a little later in budding than those in the country, yet it is
one of the first trees to remind us of returning spring, for early in the season
it puts forth its purple flowers, which are closely followed by leaves of cheerful

VOL. IV. K

64

SAND MARTINS,

green; and although the contemplative mind can find charms and beauties in
every season, yet we are always glad to hail the halcyon days of spring, when
the meads are once again spangled with floral beauties, and the woods resound
with nature's joyous choir; it is then we find that

"Trees, and flowers, and streams
Are social and bcnerolent; and he
Who oft coniinuneth in their language pure,
Koaniing among them at the cool of day, •

Shall find, like him who Eden's garden dressed.
His Maker there to teach his listening heart."
Leeds.

SAND MARTINS, {HIRUNDO RIPABIA.)

BY O. S. ROUND, ESQ.

Of all the Swallow family, there is not one perhaps more amusing and
attractive than the Bank or Sand Martin, though the least indebted to nature
for '^personal attractions." How often have I sat on the river's bank, in the
close of an October evening, watching with wonder and admiration the settling
of myriads of these birds to roost in the willow beds on the banks! and what
food for mental speculation did it afford me ! Nor was it the sight alone, but
as the light waned, and objects were no longer fairly discernible, there came,
as it seemed, more distinctly on the ear the "hum of wings," comparable to
nothing so much as the ^'rush of mighty waters." To attempt to calculate
the numbers would have been a useless as well as fruitless task, for many
thousands were most probably there; and when the chill air no longer permitted
me prudently to remain, it seemed as though the ceaseless feathers would
never cease their stirring, arising, I suppose, from the difficulty of the slender
waving twigs being found adequate to the accommodation of such multitudes,
each in such a snug position as, we may fancy, even a bird would choose for
his roosting-place. I could well picture to myself some half-dozen occupants
of a bending bough comfortably settled for the night, when an ousted wanderer,
by adding only his tiny weight, would upset the whole economy, and oblige
all, like himself, to resort once more to their wings. But what a sound and
sight it was! truly astonishing; and as the bright moon shone mildly on the
glittering stream, still as I receded I could hear the same eternal hum and
fancy the same eternal commotion.

They were certainly in good practice of their flying powers, and good need
would they full soon have of them all; and it was a natural thought of how
soon that mighty legion would be fluttering, like butterflies of larger growth,
aloft in the fields of air over the wide ocean to distant realms, dispersed, and
when again to be re-united, perhaps as to as much as two-thirds, never;
for it is a notorious fact that to the same locality the same number of pairs
regularly return. This curious fact was discovered by Gilbert White, the
Selborne historian, with regard to the Swallows and Martins, and why

THE LATE FROST. u[>

should it not hold good of the Bank Martins also? although their multitudes
would almost defy the computation.

Linnaeus named these evidently from their habit of frequenting water-sides,
the word riparia signifying pertaining to a river's bank, and certainly this is
the habit with the mass, but there are parts of the country quite remote from
considerable rivers where I have often seen colonies of these birds. One
instance of this kind was somewhat singular. It was, I think, somewhere
about the year 1824 that a colony of Bank Martins had established themselves
in the sandy sides of the Great Western Road, near Virginia Water, well
known as the south-eastern extremity of Windsor Great Park. The rain
having washed away some of this soft soil, it was thought advisable still
further to shelve the earth away and lower the hill, and this work of course
destroyed the fastnesses of these little creatures, who, at their return to their
old habitat, found it not. What was to be done? True the bank remained,
and the holes being utterly worked away, it might be supposed that it would
have been the same thing to have dug away anew there as well as anywhere
else, not to mention local predilection, but, whether the soil was too hard or
not I cannot say, at all events they fled the spot, and at once established a
colony in a cottage garden some three miles distant, in a soft sand-pit side,
and there for years — many years — regularly bored and nested, when, by, the de-
struction or filling up of the pit, they were again ousted, and I know no farther
of their movements. It is not uncommon for a few pairs suddenly to take up
their residence where they have never before been seen, but they never stay.

The Sand Martin is a pretty little bird, but unfortunately so infested by
a species of insect known as the Hippobosca Hirundinis, that an examination
of them too closely is almost thereby forbidden, but I know of no prettier
recreation on a warm August afternoon than sitting on the river's bank and
watching their flitting movements, ever presenting a pleasant variety of scene,
and not only pleasant but instructive; their sweet little voices, their agility
of wing, their elegance, their delicacy of form, and all their little actions; it
really deserves more than the mere word ^amusing' to describe it. I think it
is these apparently insignificant pleasures that make up a great mass of our
happiness here.

Lincolns Inn Fields, November.

THE LATE FROST.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATURALIST.

Sir, .

It may be interesting to some of your meteorological readers

to know that during the late severe frost the thermometer here did not sink

below 18° Fah,, according to the register kept by the Scarborough Philosophical

Society, and that on the day on which in London it sank to 8° below zero,"'

* Vide Mr. Lowe's observations, "The Times," Jaauary 5th, 1854.

66 MISCETXANK0U3 NOTICES.

it stood at 19" at Scarborough. On the same day (January 4th.,) it was
noted nt zero at Hackness, six miles iiihmd, and rather lower at Thornton,
sixteen miles inland; at York it fell to 2" below zero. On looking back to
the register of former years, T ob?ervc that from 1832 to 1840 the temperature
was never lower than 20^ P'ah.; and during the severe winter of 1838, the
thermometer on the 19th. of January stood at 30" at Scarborough, 2"^ at
York, and 13' at London! The proximity of Scarborough to the sea, its
peculiar position, and geolocjicnl fonnation, are influences, operating conjointly
with other causes, which prevent great extremes of temperature, and contribute
to produce that equahility of climate alluded to by Professor Dove, in his paper
on "the Distribution of Heat," at the late meeting of the British Association.

E. BARRINGTON COOKE.
Scarborough, January, 1854.

Blisrdlniirniis JdntirrH.

A Cat (Fclis catus-domcsticus,) with mniiy Toes. — In the Wells Brush Factory there is a
black female Cat with t\vc'ut}'-cight toes, arranged in the following manner: — on each of the
fore paws there are eight, and on the hind ones six. But what is more remarkable still, is
that she hiis had four lots of young ones, all of which were endowed with more toes than
common. She has two pretty kittens with her now, about a month old, and one of thorn is
the owner of twenty-five, and tlic other twcnity-seven .toes. It is very probable that if these
monster-clawed Cats were prevented from breeding with those with less talons, tlieir toes would
increase to a certain number rather than diminish. — Michael We.stcott, Wells, Somerset,
December 12th., 1853.

A Wliitc Hare,. (Lepus timidus.) — A perfect Albino was shot on the estate of Thomas Sibbald,
Esq., R. N., of Trebarrow, near Dolsdown, Cornwall, about a fortnight ago, by Mr. Southby,
of Cambridge Terr, Hyde Park, who has had it stuffed, and in whose possession it now is. —
C. Hauynought, Richmond, Surrey, January 2nd., 1854. *

Variety of tlie Common Hare, (Lepus timidus.) — There is this da}-, Saturday, exposed for sale
at a poulterer's in the London mai'ket, a singular variety of the Common Hare, having all the
head, with the exception of one ear, perfectly white; the remainder of the body and one ear
being of the usual colour. — James Gaudner, 29, Great Marlborough Street, November 12th.,
1853.

Glossy Ibis, (Ibis falcincUus.) — A specimen of the Glossy Ibis was shot in October, in the
Harbour near Christchurch, and is being preserved by Mr. Hart, of that place. — Idem.

T/ie Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla,) at Preston.— On the 26th. of December, 1853, a
large flock of Bramblings was seen here, of which one was 8hot.--J. W. Eccles, Leyland, near
Preston, I<ancashire.

Hare Birds near Tlymouth. — On the 9th. of the present month, a fine specimen of the Gray
Shrike, {Lanim exvubitor,) was killed near Plymouth, and sent to Mr. Bolitho for preserva-
tion. I examined the contents of its stomach, and found some feathers, bones, and an entire
leg and foot of a small bird, but could detect no remains of insects : the Gray Shrike is very
uncommon in this locality. During the late severe weather two of the Common Bittern, (Arclea
stellaris,) have been obtained in this neighbourhood. — John Gatcomke, Wyndham Place,
Plymouth, January 16th., 1854.

Sooded Crow, (Corvus comix,) in London. — On the 27th. of December I saw a Hooded or
Koyston Crow on the National Gallery; it seemed to me to be rather a strange position for this
denizen of the north, but I knew the bird too well, from having seen numbers of them in
Norway, to be mistaken.— C. Hai;yxovght, Richmond, Surrey, January 18th., 1854.

y

MISCELLANKOUS NOTICES. 67

The liedbrcast, (Erythaca rubecula.) — With much truth it may indeed be maintained, that
this dear little English songster la a daily ministrant to our pleasures, for I have very carefully
made it an object of study ; and even during the period of moulting I find the same bird will
not, in individual instances, desert its habitat. On the whole (speaking of the body of Kcdbreasts,)
I will not maintain that they are true to their haunts; but this I know, that upwards of a
score of these "Sacred" birds, in various localities known to me, have for the whole year been
very faithful in retaining only one and the same dwelling-place: they have never, even for a
day, deserted their location, even in the moulting season ; but true and dear, have been welcome
visitants; and evinced as much tamcness as in the winter; — liencc this attachment to a par-
ticular spot has cnabl(!d mo to mark their song; and I discover that the months, May and
June, are those in which we hear them the least; though even then the birds sing gaily at
noon to their broods. Late in August and in September, the Robin certainly is very sweet,
I think as sweet aa at any time; for our gardens being then destitute of small fruits and
seeds, he appears at once to seek our doorways and windows, and beg for food. The contrast
from perfect silence to rich but solitary music is great ; for in September, we seldom hear any
birds but the "Window Swallow early in the morning, or at the evening twilight, and the
Lark from eight a. m. till noon, except the Redbreast, and he scarcely passes an hour without
a flood of song. I hear him as early as five a.m., and as late as seven P.M.; and as I
listen I am insensibly drawn into a train of very grateful reflection, to find the favour of our
God so pleasingly portrayed as it is, in never deserting the great page of Nature, for a record
of himself is ever found there; and the Redbreast with its never-ceasing song, is one of the
plainest illustrations to me.— G. R. Twinn, Bawburgh Hill, near Norwich, February 9th., ISo-l.

Note on the Wren, (Troglodytes Europccus.) — Hunting the Wren on Christmas Day lias been
a pastime in the Isle of Man from time immemorial. "It is founded on a tradition that a syren
fairy once upon a time infatuated the warriors of Mona, and by her charms decoyed them into
the sea, where they Avere drowned. She had tlius well-nigh stripped the country of its chivalry,
when a knight sprang up so bold and artful, that he had certainly compassed the death of the
enchantress, but that she escaped by taking the form of a AVren. The knight cast on her a
spell by which she was compelled on every Christmas Day to appear in the same form, with
the definite sentence that she should ultimately perish hy human hands. From that time to
this, once every 3'ear from dawn till even, men and boys, with bows and arrows, sticks and
stones, pursue, pelt, and shoot the whole family of Wrens, in the hopes that the fairy one may
thus fall by their hands. The feathers of the slain are craved as charms to preserve mariners
from shipwreck, and many a Jack Tar conceals them in his bosom. The sport ended, the
supposed witch-Wren is, on St. Stephen's Day, affixed on the top of a pole decked with ever-
greens and bows of ribbons, and as the sportsmen march through the town in marshalled
triumph, and amid the blowing of horns, they sing —

"We'll away to the woods, says Robin the Bobbin,
We '11 away to the woods, says Richard the Robin,
We '11 away to the woods, says Jacky the Laud,
We '11 away to the woods, says every one.
What will we do there? says Robin the Bobbin, etc.
We'll hunt the Wren, says Robin the Bobbin, etc.
Where is he? Where is he? says Robin the Bobbin, etc.
In yonder p'eon bush, says Robin the Bobbin, etc.
How can we get him down? says Robin the Bobbin, etc.
With sticks and stones, says Robin the Bobbin, etc.
He 's down, He 's down, says Robin the Bobbin, etc."

The sport is now (1853.) pursued by the boys, merely for the sake of the few pence to bo
realized from the exhibition, and the sale of the charmed feathers."— Zuiggin's Illustrated
Guide to the Isle of Man.

I have known many Wren's nests in hedges, usually in brambles, four or five feet from the
grotmd; also one in a hole in a barn wall, where the scalfolding pole had been fixed; and several
placed against the trunks of trees, as high as twelve feet. I am told Wrens are infested with
vermin.— In a letter from James Croome, Esq., to the Rev. F. 0. Morris. Douglas, 1853,

68 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES,

Gray Phalaropr, (Plialaropus lobatus.)— A bird of this species was shot at the mill-pond,
Bagshot, Surrey, by Mr. John Hears, Junior, on the 25th. of September, 1845, and sent to
me, and I preserved it, but very indifferently; and it has since been re-stuffed by Mr. John
Cooper, of Radnor Street, St. Luke's. This is the third specimen I have met with in that
neighbourhood, one of the two others formed part of the collestion of Mr. John Wheeler, of
Wokingham, but I do not know what became of the other. These birds are nowhere common,
and the Eed-necked Phalarope, {Phalaropus Hyperboreus,) still less so. — 0. S. Rouxd.

Note on the Blue Titmouse, (Parus caeruleus.) — A Blue Titmouse always perched in the spout
of a pump on our premises at "Walsham Hall, which our gardener at last secured for me, at
my request, and I caged it ; and singular to say that it could never perch on the stick in the
cage, but always at the bottom, from which I concluded that always being used to sleep sitting
in the pump spout, it could do so only in that posture. It was remarkable a bird like tliat
should take to such a cold roosting-place, was it not? A very fine male specimen of the
Hobby Hawk has occurred here. Also I must tell you that not long since on the lawn at
Walsham Hall, a snow-white Rook was seen amidst a flock of the natural-coloured ones: it
was never seen again. — J. Wilkixson, Walsham Hall, in a letter to the Rev. F. 0. Moms,

Anecdote of a Robin, (Erythaca rubecula.) — A few-weeks since a Robin had been living in
our greenhouse for a month, upon, I suppose the insects it found on the plants. Our gardener at
Walsham Hall, on heating the flue in the greenhouse, saw this Robin flying about, and upon going
out (it was a very cold night) the Robin flew out and lit upon the vine just outside, and
wanting to go home, he shut the door and loft the Robin perched on the vine. Next day he
looked for it on the vine, and it was dropped off the tree, and dead; it was from the
extreme beat of the greenhouse and the intense cold which killed him. Also during this
severe weather a Robin lived m our house, and although driven out nearly every morning by
the domestics, it would not quit us, and still lives with us partially though not so constant
during the thaw as when the frost bit him. — Idem.

Early occurrence of tlie Stone CurUtv, (CEdicnemus crepitans,) oiear Hull. — As an instance of
the early occurrence of the Stone Curlew may be of interest to you, I write to mention the
fact that I have in my possession a specimen which was shot in the first week in February,
1852, at Roos, in Holderness. I believe it is very seldom that they are seen so early as that.
— T. W. Stears, Coltham Street, Hull, in a letter to the Rev. F. 0. Morris, January 23rd.
1854.

Red-breasted Merganser, (Mergus serrator,) near Richmond. — A fine female Red-breasted
Merganser was shot near this town on December 12th., and was preserved by Mr. F. Ableson,
at whose house it may now be seen. — H. Smuiitiiavaite, Richmond, Yorkshire, January 16th.,
1854.

Little Auk, (Alca alle,) at Harrogate. — A fine specimen of the Little Auk was taken at
Harrogate on the 10th. of January. The bird was observed by a blacksmith running about in
his yard, and he easily captured it by walking leisurely to the bird, and taking it up in his
hand. This 'knight of the smithy' never before having seen so queer a little web-footed thing,
thought of his pump, and to plunge it into the trough in order that he might see if he was a
swimmer. Tlie Auk being placed in his trough instantly dived, came to the surface, shook
its feathers, and courted the ruffled water with its side as it might have done on the ocean.
The bird was fed and retained a short time alive by a person living at Harrogate, who pur-
chased it for two shillings; but as it was supposed to shew better in a stiff form incased, the
little stranger was deprived of life, and it is now set up and looks very well. By information
I received, the Auk became quite domesticated, and ran about the room in which it was
lodged, stopping at times to preen its feathers. It seemed a solitary little visitant to the bleak
region of Harrogate Common, far away from home; the severity of the weather having driven
it to seek food inland, in a country where ponds and lakes are not abundant. I have heard
of several Auks at difterent times being shot flying with other birds, but one so tamed by
starvation and cold as to accept the offer of a hand to its own destruction is worth remarking.
More winterly was that hand to it, poor creature, than the hard midnight frost fastening its
tiny feet to the frigid grasp of hyemal greeting— the earth-covering snow. — C. W. RoxiiEuy,
Harrogate, January 13th., 1854.

69

€^t f\i\m^t±

I

ITie Wagtaik. — If you can afford me a small space in the "E(;trospect," for next montli, I
will endeavour to reply as concisely as possible to Mr. Round's answer to my remarks on his
paper on the "Wagtails. I never said or implied that the Pied Wagtail was not the Motacilla
alba of the authors to whom he refers me, nor can I allow him to include Linna)us in the
list, as I believe he refers to the Continental Wagtail; but I contended the M. Yarrellii of
the present day was the old M. albi, and that the term alba had been applied by modern
ornithologists to the Continental Wagtail, with I believe ample grounds for the change. My
observations on the plumage of the Pied Wagtail lead me to a conclusion in direct opposition
to Mr. R. I have examined hundreds of specimens since I last wrote, and have not been able
to see a black-chinned one amongst them ; I am confident if Mr. R. were to obtain any number
of specimens in their winter plumage, he would find a proper proportion of them give, on
dissection, internal evidence of their being males. I am equally confident that the summer
plumage is the same in both sexes, and that the male is only to be, and may easily be, dis-
tinguished from the female by his much deeper black markings. On referring, as requested
by Mr. R., to page 128, vol. ii. of Mr. Morris's beautiful work, I find he says "It sometimes
aspires to a pleasant modulation which may almost be dignified with the name of a song;" no
very strong authority against my opinion; but let Mr. R. refer to the same work, page 103,
vol. ii., he will find much stronger evidence against his opinion of the song of the Swallow.
Mr. R. says he has obtained specimens of both the M. alba and M. neglecta, but being "no
naturalist," never "dreamed" that the former was anything more that a fine Pied Wagtail,
and the latter the young of the Gray Wagtail, whose existence he appears to doubt in his original
paper, and in which only two other species are named, or the female of the Yellow Wagtail;
surely, if he had been wide awake he would not have placed such opinions in opposition to
those' of Mr. Tarrell, Mr. Gould, and a host of others who are naturalists, and whose opinions
are always looked on as sufficiently conclusive for any observations they make on Natural
History. I must now decline any further discussion on this subject, as I think the pages of
"The Naturalist" may be better filled than by a controversy by two persons who are not
naturalists; and I see no hope of convincing, in fact it would be presumption in me to hope
to do so when the highest authorities fail. — Stephex Clogg, Looe, January 11th., 1854.

Can your correspondent, J. Longmuir, Esq., Jun., be really serious when he asserts that the
Starling, ( Sturnus vulgaris,) for the purpose of breeding, sometimes "chooses high trees, in
which it excavates a deep hole?" (see "The Naturalist," vol. iii., page 220.) If he be really
serious, and if his statement be correct, the Starlings, which breed in the neighbourhood of
Aberdeen, must surely differ very widely in their structure and organization from those which are
to be met with elsewhere; they must, one would imagine, be furnished with the stiff, whalebone -
like shafts to the feathers of the tail, which characterize the Woodpeckers, to enable them to
poise themselves against the trunk of the tree, in order to commence operations; their feet
and claws must also necessarily undergo considerable modification; they must moreover be
furnished with the powerful, wedge-shaped beak of the Woodpecker, to enable them successfully
to accomplish what they have begun. Would Mr. Longmuir be obliging enough to procure a
specimen of the Aberdeen Starling, and favour the readers of "The Naturalist" with a description
of the beak, feet, tail, etc. ? we should then see in what essential particulars they differ from
the common sort. That Starlings do breed in holes in high trees, and low trees, and trees of
intei^nediate height, is well known, but it is in holes previously excavated by the Woodpecker
tribe, not in holes excavated by themselves. They may possess strength of beak sufficient to
enable them to remove particles of soft, decayed wood, so that when this kind of wood presents
itself in the hole chosen by them, they may perchance enlarge that hole, if it should not have
been found sufficiently large for their accommodation previously; but for the general purposes
of "boring" or "excavating," the beak of this species is by no means adapted or powerful
enough. We can give full credence to the fact that Starlings breed in the holes of trees in
the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, but I imagine Mr. Longmuir must have taken it for granted
that they excavated the holes themselves. Now it would be well in ornithological, as in many
other matters, not to take anything for granted; we should thus avoid the danger we must
otherwise be constantly in of mis-stating facts. — S. Stone, Brighthampton, October 6th., 1853.

70

€liB (Tlttrriijt.

Qurri/ as to the Ticl-b^cked Shrike depositing its egg in other birds' nests. — "Would you be
kind onougli to inform me whether the Eed-backcd Shrike, C La)iius Collnrio,) ever lajs, like
the Cuckoo, in other birds' nests; for an egg has been brought to me very similur to that bird's
egg, which was found in a Hedge-Sparrow's nest, and the next day the nest was brought to
tnc with a lledgo-Sparrow's egg in it, pecked in at the top and sucked clean. If you could
give me information on this subject I should be greatly obliged. — Fued. W. S. Webbeii,
Callipers llall, Rickniansworth, Herts.

We imagine the explanation of the above fact to be that a female Shrike, as many birds
will do, deposited her egg in the Hedge-Sparrow's nest, het own not being ready for it. The
sucking of the Hedge-Sparrow's egg afterwards may have been by a Jay or Magpie. — B. R. M.

In answer to a question which appeared in "The Naturalist" of last month, regarding the
autumnal breeding of the Wood Pigeon, {Cohtmba palmnbus,) I beg leave to inform your
correspondent that I found a nest of this species in Hulne "Woods, near Alnwick, during the
last week of October, 1853, containing two young ones. They appeared to be about a fortnight
ohl. — "William Aumsthong, Alnwick, February 3rd., 1854.

In answer to George Hodge's, Esq. inquirj% in connection with finding "five white eggs,
about the size of a Yellow Hammer's," I have just met in Part xxxiv. of "Meyer's British
Birds," now issuing, that "he has specimens of the Eggs of the Yellow Bunting, {Emberiza
citrinella,) of a spotless milk-white, and others plain stone-colour, without any spot or line
whatever." I myself have a perfectly white egg taken from a Yellow Hammer's nest, but the
surface "is not highly polished," but very rough and uneven, which I have thought resulted
from, the age of the bird perhaps, in connection with some peculiar disease. The "Wryneck
I believe usually selects elevated spots for nidifi -ation, as hollow or pollard trees, etc. — G. R.
Twivx, Bawburgh Hill, Norwich, February 9th., 1854.

Are the eggs mentioned by G. Hodge, Esq., in "The Naturalist," vol iv. page 46, those of
the Blackstart, {Sglvia Tithijsf) — Henuy Buckley, Calthorpc Street, Birmingham, February
2nd., 1854.

"We ventured on the suggestion that they were the eggs of the Wryneck, having more than
on<;e heard of its selecting a similar situation for its nest in the North of England, near York.
— B. 11. M.

Preserving Birds and small Quadnqieds by means of Ether. — Has any reader of "The
Naturalist," ever used ether in preserving birds and quadrupeds. If go, I shall feel obliged by
any remarks from thera, as I am now engaged in conducting a series of experiments with it
{ether.) The results of which will be laid before the readers of "The Naturalist." — J. Mc'Intosh.

In "Patterson's Zoology," he makes mention of a purple dye, which makes an indelible
marking- ink, found in the I)og- whelk, ( Fnrpnra lapillKS,) which I take to be what is sometinics
called the Horse-whelk, the colour of which varies from white to light straw. What I wish
to know is how to obtain the dye contained in a wliitish coloured vein close to the head; is
it by bruising the whole animal, or how.'— R.

I do not know whether there is any person in London, or elsewhere, who keeps Cabinets, etc.,
for collections of insects, and other objects of Natural History, ready-made for sale, but if not,
I think it very desirable that there should be some such general rc^pository, exclusively devoted
to the sale of such articles, where all kinds of needful articles for the purpose might be kept.
But I more particularly desire to observe that it would be a great advantage, and as far as
I know, a new feature in any such establishment, to have the cabinets, etc., with labels all
ready put in them, cut out of the most approved lists; and also eases for birds of all proper
sizes ready papered and with labels, etc. This would promote a sale, and so remunerate the
vendors, and a world of time and trouble would be saved to purchasers. — F. 0. Moukis, Nafierton
Vicai-age, Driffield, December 13th., 1853.

THIS DAY IS PUBLISHED,

In Crown Octavo, Price One Shilling, Number One of the

CABINET OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY,

Containing in a systematic arrangement, descriptions and carefully-coloured Illus-
trations from !N^aturo of all the most beautiful and interesting

NATIVE INSECTS.

BY C. WEIGHTMAN HARRISON.

The above work is intended to aid in meeting the general demand for such

Eublications as tend to promote in the Public mind a desire for scientific and
calthful pursuits, by presenting faithful representations and accurate descriptions
of the Insects of Great Britain, at a price that will not only bring it within the
pecuniary reach of all students and lovers of this most interesting Field of Nature,
but in such a popular form as will render the subjects easy of recognisance, a
point of importance to those whose time is mostly occupied by other and more
pressing engagements.

A Number of the Work (until completed,) will appear regularly on the 1st. of
each Month, Price One Shilling, containing Three Plates; each Plate being illus-
trated with sevei'al figures of different species of Insects, coloured after nature,
and accompanied by accurate letter-press descriptions of the various peculiarities
of the genera and species represented. The whole ■nill be given in their systematic
arrangement, and no exertions will be spared to render the publication a Standard
Work on British Entomology, at a comparatively moderate Price,

LONDON:
SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., STATIONERS' HALL COURT,

AND OF ALL ISOOKSELLEKS.

TO ENTOMOLOGISTS.

MR. FOXCROFT begs to return his sincere thanks to the Trustees of the
British Museum, the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergymen, and the Members of the
Entomological Societies, for the patronage he has received for a number of years;
and takes the liberty of informing them and others, that he intends collecting
Insects during the whole summer of the present year, (1854,) in the best locality-
known in Scotland, which is round the Black Forest, Rannoch, Perthshire; com-
mencing on the 6th. of April, and collecting for six months.

Mr. F., to enable him to carry out this plan, wishes to raise a sufficient sum
by Subscriptions of One Guinea; each Subscriber to be entitled to one specimen
of every species collected during the season, which will be equally shared in
November, on his return, by himself Those Subscribers who are Coleoptera-
collectors, will have all the choice and rare Beetles divided amongst them in the
boxes; and those who are collectors of Lepidoptera, will have all the rare and
best specimens of Moths and Butterflies divided amongst them. The specimens
will be sent to the residences of the Subscribers; and the boxes containing them
are to be returned or paid for.

Mr. F. hopes, by stopping in one locality in Scotland, to take such choice
Insects, or some new specimens that may be rai'e, to afford an excellent opportunity
to gentlemen to obtain A\hat may be wanting for their Cabinets; also for Pi'o-
prietors of Museums, and collectors of Britisli Insects.

Persons wishing to become Subscribers, are requested to send their Subscriptions
by Post-offiee Order, or otherwise, by the end of March at the latest, to Mr.
James Foxckoft, 3, Union Yard, 191, Oxford Street, London. Post-office Orders
to be made payable at 210, Oxford Street.

No person will be allowed to subscribe after the Gth. of April; and no one
will be considered a Subscriber vmtil he has paid liis Guinea.

A variety of British Insects always on sale. All kinds of Insect-boxes ^wX
Cabinets for Insects. Nets and Breeding-cages of all kinds, and Cabinets for
Shells or Fossils made to order.

Mr. F. has just bred a quantity of Boletophagus crenatus, which are
to be sold alive at Two Shilling's each.

NOW PUBLISHING,

In Monthly Parts, Royal Quarto, Price 28. 6d., each containing

FOUR HIGHLY-COLOURED ENGRAVINGS;

AND

BY BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ.

JUST PUBLISHED.

In Octavo, price Two Sliillings,

A THEORY AS TO THE
PROXIMATE CAUSE OF INSANITY.

BY BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A. B., M. D.

LATE PHYSICIAN TO THE YORK. DISPENSARY.

ALSO BY THE SAME AUTHOR,
In Octavo, price Sixpence,

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CONSTRUCTION
OF HOSPITALS FOR THE INSANE.

LONDON:
GEOOMBKIDGE AND SONS, 6, PATEBNOSTEE EOW.

No. 38.

APRIL, 1854.

Price 6d.

f

A POPULAR MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

ILIiUSTRATIVE OF THE

ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, AND MINERAL
KINGDOMS.

WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.

CONDUCTED BY

BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A.B., M.D., T.C.D.,

memb: wern: club.

LONDON:

GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATERNOSTER ROW.

EDINBURGH: JAMES HOGG, 4, NICOLSON STREET.

AND MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Habits of the Fox. By A. S. Moffat, Esq 71

Rare Animals, etc., occurring in Aberbeen shire. By J, Longmuir,

Esq., Jun 73

The House Sparrow. By J. Mc'Intosh, Esq 74

A few Remarks on the Woodcock. By the Rev. R. A.Julian 77

A Notice of some of the Birds occurring near Richmond, Yorkshire.

By H. Smurthwaite, Esq 80

Some Account of the Coleoptera round Exeter. By Mr. E, Pakfitt, S3
Notes on Land and Fresh-water IMollusca. By J. W. Watson, Esq. 85
Miscrllaneous Notices. — Common Rat. Curious conduct of the Hooded

Crow. Nutcracker. Great Gray Shrike. Black Grouse. Greenshank.

Pectoral Sandpiper. The Pink-footed Goose. Little Auk. The

Nightjar, or Fern Owl. Snow Bunting 88

Proceedings of Societies. — Yorkshire Naturalists' Club. Alnwick

Botanical Society. Natural History Society of Glasgow 81)

The Retrospect 93

The Querist 94

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received, up to April 18tli., from S. Hannaford,
Esq., Jun.; — R. Gray, Esq.; — W. Webster, Esq.; — W. Felkin, Esq.

Contributions have been received, up to April 18th., from H. C. Stuakt, Esq. ;
— Mr. E. Parfitt; — Mr. T. Edward; — J. Mc'Intosh, Esq.; — Rev. G. Sowden;
— Rev. R. p. Alington, — Mr. C. Jackson; — J. Longmuir, Esq., Jun.; —
Rev. R. a. Julian; — H. Smurthwaite, Esq.; — L. Shields, Esq.; — G. Hodge,
Esq.; — C. M. O.; — T. Kirkham, Esq.; — J. H. Davies, Esq.;— C. H. Dashwood,
Esq.; — S. Stone, Esq.; — Miss I. Gifford.

W. Webster, Esq. — A work such as j-ou allude to, would be extremely useful, and is at
present a desideratum. We fear no publisher could be found who would risk the expense of
bringing out such a book.

We beg to call the attention of our readers to "A Practical Naturalist's Exhibition, in the
Victoria Gardens, Bury, Lancashire," which will take place in the present month, (April.)
nie exhibition will consist of specimens of pi'eserved Quadrupeds, Birds, Ecptiles. Insects,
Shells, etc. ; also of live Birds. These will be sent by all the practical Naturalists of the
district, about eighty of whom met at Bury in December, to arrange the preliminaries. A
small sum will be charged for admi.ssion; and any surplus, after paying the expenses, will
be divided among the exhibitors, wlio are all, we believe, mechanics. We shall be glad to
hear that the exhibition proves successful. Jlr. G. Booth, of Bolton Street, Bury, occupied
the chair at the preliminary meeting.

Communications, Drau-ings, Jdvcrti.semeiits, etc., to be ttddre.tfird to BEVERLEY 7?. MOTiEIS,
Esq., M.I)., Driffield ;— Books for Review, and Parcels, to the care of Messrs. GROOMBRIDGE
and SONS, 6, ratcrnostcr Row. London.

71

HABITS OF THE FOX, (VULPES VULGARIS.)

BY A. S. MOFFAT, ESQ.

Although many wondrous tales are told about the cunning and sagacity
of the Fox, some no doubt true, others fabulous, I trust that the following
account of the manners and habits of one which I kept upwards of two years
in confinement, may not prove uninteresting to the readers of "The Naturalist."

In the spring of 1838, the woodman at Beanley Plantation discovered the
breeding-earth of a Fox, at the mouth of which he placed a trap, and caught
the old bitch; and afterwards, with the assistance of two or three neighbours,
dug out the young cubs, five in number, about the size of half-grown Rats,
and covered with dark brown fur. I became possessed of one of these, which
for several days at first was very discontented with its new situation, and
kept almost constantly calling out in a sort of quick yelping bark. It
however lapped milk readily, and soon became reconciled, and so tame, that
until it was twelve months old, it had its liberty about the dwelling-house
the same as a Dog, which in many points of character it closely resembled.

When more than half-grown, it used to follow me about the garden and
village, and frequently made little excursions amongst the cottages by itself,
popping into the houses to investigate their larders, to the no small terror
of the old women, who regarded it with as much admiration as a Yankee
regards the Skunk; and frequently have I seen them to my no small
amusement, endeavouring in vain to drive him out with a broom, but
Reynard, not to be ousted in this manner, would contrive somehow or other
still to pop past them with the most impudent effrontery imaginable; and not
leave the house, in spite of every friendly invective, until it suited himself.

At this period of its life, it did not seem to evince that extreme distrust
towards strangers which was so sti'ongly marked when it arrived fully at
maturity; nor did it seem ever tc desire at that time to resume its native
habits; while its affection for all the members of our own family seemed to
be even stronger than is generally witnessed in Dogs. Every night while it
remained as an inmate of the dwelling-house, it slept upon a mat at the foot
of the staircase in the passage; and as each member of the family came down in
the morning, it used to meet them half-way, and express its joy by leaping
against them, and uttering a sort of hoarse scream, much after the manner
of an affectionate Dog, and fanning its tail in the same way; only the
expression of its satisfaction seemed more extravagant.

When nearly full-grown, Reynard's natural predilection for poultry manifested
itself one day, with his being met by the servant carrying in his mouth a
Turkey hen, which he had abstracted from her nest in the yard, for which
act of felony he was ever afterwards confined by a chain in a grass area
behind the house, with a Dog-coop for shelter. This house, made by man,
he very seldom inhabited, and preferred a hole of his own digging which
he generally lay in. His confidence and affection for every member of our
own family was never in the least impaired by his confinement, but his

VOL. IV. /<^H mI^

72 HARITS OF THE FOX.

disposition towards strangers was much altered; he seemed now so dibtrustful
and suspicious of any one with whom he was not acquainted, that his eye
was never for a moment removed from them, so long as they were in sight;
he watched them with the most intense attention, and on their approach
ran into his hole, from which it required great force to drag him. On the
other hand, if any of ourselves went towards him, he would bound to meet
us at the stretch of his chain, so as almost to strangle himself, uttering at
the same time a peculiar hoarse scream indicative of satisftiction, which was
the only vocal sound I ever heard him use. I have even seen him leave
his meal to welcome my youngest sister, who was an especial favourite; and
what was most singular in an animal naturally so wild, he would allow me
to open his mouth, place my fingers in it, even extending to the throat, as
often as I pleased, without once attempting to bite. I could also at any
time take him up in my arms — liberties I should not like to take even
with the quietest Dog.

A remarkable trait in his character was his fondness for the society of
Dogs; he would pull at the chain till half-exhausted to get at them, no
matter whether strange ones or not, and on their approach, he began fanning
his tail, whining, laying back his ears, smelling at their mouths, and betraying
other signs of a desire to play Avith them. I have seen him for hours gambol
with a Terrier bitch I had, as also with many strange Dogs; and, what
was equally singular, I never saw any Dog manifest the least dislike or
ill-nature towards him. The woodman had at that time a strong Terrier
celebrated for killing vermin^ and I have seen this Dog go forward, smell at
hi^i, and then turn quietly away.

I will here notice a point of dissimilarity in manner between this Fox and
Dogs in general, wbich, though trivial in itself, serves to indicate a difference
of disposition; it will be remarked that when two Dogs meet, (strangers to
each other,) it is their invariable habit to smell at each other's anus, while
the Fox always snuffed at the mouth. I kept this Fox between two and
three years, when, having slipped his collar, which he sometimes did, and
taken to a neighbouring Avood, he was fallen in with by a pack of Harriers,
and killed, much to my regret.

Many strange anecdotes are told of the Fox feigning death in order to
escape from his persecutors, but the following authentic instance which happened
at Wooperton, is as strange as any: — It happened a few years ago, that the
gamekeeper caught one in a trap, which was taken home to be worried by
Terriers; this having been done, the Fox, to all appearance dead, was taken
to the farm-house to let a lady see it, who had expressed a wish to examine
it. Reynard, who had either been duping his persecutors all the while, or
revived again from his contest with the Terriers, no sooner found himself
quietly laid out for inspection in the back yard, than he immediately bounded
to his feet and made off, to the no small consternation of the spectators.

Beanley, HForthumherland, January \lth., 1854.

73
EARE A:N^IMALS, ETC., OCCURRING IX ABERDEENSHIRE.

BV J. LONGMUIR, ESQ., JUS.
(Continued from Vol. III. jpage 1\%.)

The Otter, (Lutra vulgaris.) — This "aquatic Weasel" is gradually disap-
pearing from our county, and from Scotland. Although Otter hunting, which
was a favourite field sport with our ancestors, is now very seldom carried
on, except in some of the islands of the Hebrides, where the nature of the
ground renders the sport very exciting, a feeling of hatred to this much-
persecuted animal is still kept up, especially among the country people, and
no opportunity of killing an Otter is omitted. The caution (in the Zoolo-
gical Gardens, where an excellent opportunity of watching its peculiar habits
is afforded,) ^'Beware! the Otter bites!" is a very useful one, for its ferocity
is very "highly developed." The obstinacy and pertinacity, too, which it
exhibits when attacked, are remarkable; and yet, notwithstanding its natural
disposition, the Otter displays considerable intelligence, and may, when taken
young, be tamed without much difficulty. This is practised to some extent
in various parts of India, where a number of Otters may frequently be
observed fastened by means of long strings to stakes near the edge of the
water, in which position they are very useful, both for driving fish into their
owner's nets, and for seizing and bringing out the larger individuals. The
Otter claims to be ranked as one of the ^^ancient inhabitants" of this land,
its bones in various caverns, such- as Kent's Cave, Devon., fully certifying
its existence in England many ages ago. Three or four young Otters were
lately obtained within a short distance of Aberdeen; and now and then, at
various intervals, intelligence of the capture and consequent destruction of
some fated individual is conveyed to us. There is a variety spotted with
white sometimes seen in this and some of the neighbouring counties, which
the Scottish peasantry call the ^'King of the Otters," and which they con-
sider to be an individual of such importance, that, according to the current
tradition, this ^'King" is never killed without the sudden death of some other
animal, or even of man himself.

Death's Head Moth, (Acherontia Atropos.) — When we behold some gaudy
butterfly we are filled with admiration; when we examine with minuteness
some dull-looking moth we are often astonished at its beauty and perfection;
yet when we see the figure of a human skull — "the emblem of death and
the grave," distinctly painted in characteristic colours on a ground of dark
brown, and on the thorax of a dingy-looking moth, we are inclined to feel
some degree of aversion, if not of horror. The Moth, which carries about
with it the symbol of death — in itself a true memento mori — seldom strays
80 far north as our "granite city;" but in the winter time, (1853,) as two
boys were playing about some logs of wood near the ship-building yards of
Footdce, they observed a very large Moth — and well might they think it
large, for I believe it is one of the largest Moths in Europe — fluttering

74 THE HOUSE SPARROW,

about; and after considerable exertion they managed to secure their prize,
and to bring it, considerably mutilated however, by its endeavours to escape,
and their awkwardness, to Mr. Alexander Mitchell, who recognised the insect
as the "Death's Head." It struggled hard for liberty, and squeaked horribly,
displaying strength much greater than an ordinary Bat. At last it gave
in, and is now ranked among the spolia opirna of Mr. Mitchell, and the
Lepidoptera of Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeen, January, l&o4.

THE HOUSE SPARROW, {PASSER DOMESTWUS.)

BY J. MC' INTOSH, ESQ.

I AM well aware that ray present subject is rather inclined to be noisy, an<i
at times rather thievish, but there are few of us who are the least inclined
to balance the evil with the good. Well knowing that such is the case, I
will, in the present communication, show, or endeavour to show, or convince
those who are inclined to deal death and destruction around them, from igno-
rance and prejudice, that the humble Sparrow is not quite so bad as some
writer has been pleased in the following lines to designate him: —

"Thievish and clamorous, hardy, bold, and base,
Unlike all others of tlie feathered race.
The bully!! of his tribe— to all beyond
The gipsy! beggar!! knave!!! and vagabond!!!!"

This, reader, is a bad atid false sentence pronounced upon this bird by one
who appear to be totally unacquainted with its true character, and to whom

I would say —

"Reasoning at every step he treads,
Man yet mistakes his way;
While meaner things, whom instinct leads.
Are rarely known to stray."

COWPER.

The Sparrow is of the greatest use to the cultivator of the soil; if he was
not so, he, like his black persecuted neighbour, the Rook, would not be so
generally distributed over most parts of the world. It inhabits most European
countries — from the mountain chains of the Alps and Pyrenees, northwards
to the Arctic circle. He is not the less abundant in great cities than about
the rural homes of our cultivated districts. It has been the fashion of most
writers on the history and habits of this bird to brand it as an ugly and
vul«rar-looking bird, but this is really not the case. Take for example a rustic
cock Sparrow, examine his plumage, and, for a moment, consider how much
there is in that compact little frame, which would baffle the power of the

wisest man to explain.

"He who feels contempt
For any living thing, hath faculties
Tliat he hath never used, that thought with him
Is in its infancy."

THE HOUSE SPARROW. 75

Many and bitter have been the controversies which have taken place on
the merits and demerits of our present subject. Most writers adopting extreme
views; some contending for his total extirpation, and others advocating his
protection, and to this we incline. From my own observation there has been
a considerable decrease in some of the feathered tribes of late years, from
some unknown cause. It would be well for the husbandman to spare but a
little food to preserve their lives through the inclement winter, and he will
be amply repaid by the protection of his crops from the ravages of insects
when spring advances. Laws might be enacted for the protection of birds,
but universal opinion would act better than any law. In South America we
are informed that the Sparrows were persecuted with such unremitting perse-
verance, that insects increased to such a degree, that many cultivated lands were
so ravaged by them, that it became quite impossible to raise any crops upon
them. It is not only in America that a price has been set upon the poor
Sparrow's head, for our own enlightened country is, and has been guilty of
such wholesale murder from time immemorial to the present hour. We wish it
otherwise; however, we hope the day is not far distant when parish subscrip-
tions for the destruction of Sparrows will be discontinued; for such 'Societies!'
or whatever their local name may be, only point out the ignorance of their
members, for that portion of grain or fruit taken from them was intended by
the Great Creator of All for the birds for the benefits they confer upon man,
that selfish biped who considers himself 'lord of the creation;' but let him
remember in his ignorance that for all his misdeeds he will one day have to
answer.

"For uot a Sparrow 'twill be found,
Without His will falls to the ground,
"Who high above reigns o'er us."

That the Sparrows do eat grain, and at times to a considerable extent, no
true naturalist will deny; but we never, as yet, have heard of a farmer or
gardener being ruined by them, as some of their enemies have almost asserted;
but it is well known that whole fields of grass and grain have been destroyed
by one single species of insect, and that farmers have lost hundreds of pounds
by them in a season. That the Sparrows are the wholesale destroyers of our
crops, that some writers represent them to be, is not correct. Let such
watch them during the period of incubation, when they are most voracious,
and no better locality for such can be selected than a farm-steading or fiirm-
yard, surrounded with hedge-rows, stretching away towards a wood, etc. The
Sparrow will be seen to fly out of its nest with a rapid and bounding
flight, and after scouring the hedges, he returns with a caterpillar or some
other insect-enemy in his bill, and is welcomed home with a chorus of sweet
chirpings, and so on for many a long hour in the bright days of spring and
summer, when there is not an atom of grain for him, watching over the wants
and comforts of his offspring till they are able to fly and provide for themselves,
with a zeal and affection that would put many a christian to the blush.

76 THE HOUSE SPARROW.

A single pair of Sparrows having young to maintain, will destroy upwards
of four thousand caterpillars in one week. Now, what would these four thou-
sand caterpillars destroy in one week of the food of man? Supposing that
three thousand of these caterpillars alone arrive to perfect butterflies and
moths, and lay their eggs, why we should be overwhelmed with a more serious
pest than the poor House Sparrow, which we could neither shoot, trap, or
poison! Who, I ask, has not observed the persecuted Sparrow dart upon
that all-destructive pest to our cabbages, etc., the Common White Butterfly,
while seeking a favourite spot to lay her eggs, which are to produce voracious
caterpillars per the thousand. It is not only the insect world on which the
Sparrow feeds, but we have watched them in fields of young wheat, and other
agricultural crops devouring snails and slugsj and it is quite amusing to watch
them hammering away at the shell of a snail, similar to the Thrush and
Blackbird, till they have reached their prey. Watch them again in a field
of beans, cleaning that important crop of Aphides. Again, who has not ob-
served them pulling the thatch out of the roofs of cottages during winter?
what is this for? not for mere wanton mischief, as is generally supposed, but
for the myriads of flies which are quartered there for the winter, to issue out,
in the summer to annoy us, our cattle, to pollute our food, and otherwise to
become an intolerable nuisance. The Sparrow frequently attempts the capture
of insects on the wing, but with poor success. Nature never intended him to
catch flies on the wing; though the hunting of butterflies by Sparrows trained
for the purpose, is said to be one of the royal sports in Persia.

No sooner do the leaves of the hawthorn appear, than the Sparrows may
be seen to hunt the hedge-rows for insects, even before they have young ones.
We have watched them in large rose quarters in nurseries and gardens, and
on roses trained against walls and houses, clear them of every Aphis. A long
series of observations induces me to assert, which I do without the least fear
of contradiction from those acquainted with their real habits, that the Sparrow
prefers insect food to all other when he can procure it; in fact, many of their
summer haunts are chosen with reference to a supply of such food. What
we have here advanced is with reference to the rustic Sparrow. The town
Sparrow is diflFerently situated, — they are obliged to pick up all the nutritious
particles from the streets, roads, yards, and dunghills. Who has not observed
them hopping about the streets, picking up the filthy cereal fragments which
have been swept from the shops, imbibing from their infancy that boldness
and carelessness, which are so conspicuous in the character of a town- bred
Sparrow. Indeed, nothing can exceed the self-complacence of the town Sparrow.
You see him build his nest, and rear his young, amongst the richest tracery
of a church-roof or window; within the very coronet or escutcheon set up
over gate of hall or palace; nay, he would build in the Queen's crown itself,
if it were placed conveniently for his purpose.

Perhaps by this time many of my readers will say hold hard Master Mac,
— you are only looking at one side of the question. Well Sir, for the other

A PEW REMARKS ON THE V.'OODCOCK, 77

side; and as a cultivator of the soil from my cradle, I, without the least fear,
pronounce them to be far more serviceable than injurious; and am convinced
that in gardens a few white threads, with feathers or bits of paper tied and
suspended, so as to dangle over the beds, will prove effective in scaring them
away; for with all their impudence they are exceedingly wary and fearful of
danger; while netting is effective in the preservation of all fruit trees. To accuse
the Sparrow of nibbling off the buds of trees, etc., for food, is a most mistaken
idea; — they do nothing of the sort. They are also accused of plucking off
the flowers of auriculas, polyanthuses, etc., and even to diet upon the petals
of the dahlia. Has it never occurred to those persons who thus accuse them,
that it is insects they are in search of, particularly that destructive pest, the
common earwig; for this service the poor Sparrow is denounced as the destroyer
of their flowers, while the real enemy is hidden from their sight. In gardens
the gardener is in nine cases out of ten himself or his employers to blame,
as there are innumerable devices without the aid of poison, traps, or guns-
The farmer is differently situated, he cannot cover his fields of seed, but with
the use of a little powder and a boy, he may effectually guard himself, without
dealing death and destruction around him.

We should bear in mind that the injuries we receive from birds are direct,
and the benefits indirect, which leads many of us to decide against them;
we, therefore, should carefully investigate their habits before we proceed to
take away that life we cannot give. As we have before said in our remarks
on the persecuted Rook, that man is justified in protecting his crops, but he
should act discriminately; for, let those societies for killing Sparrows beware,
lest when they find their seed crops in the jaws of a more deadly enemy,
which they can neither shoot, trap, or poison, they may wish that they had
paused in their work of destruction, and left a few of their poor enemies, the
vSparrows, to rid them of the pest. To such societies I would most seriously
suggest the following Motto: —

"Xo birds that haunt my valley free,
To slaughter I condemu;
Taught by the power that pities me,
I learn to pity them."

5, Middle- Street, Taunton, February 6th., 1854.

A FEW REMARKS ON THE WOODCOCK,
{SCO LOP AX RUSTICOLA.)

BY THE REV. R. ARCHER JULIAN.

This species has been more than usually abundant here this season.
From the 5th. to the 12th. of October a few are invariably to be found
on Dartmoor amongst the heath and dead ferns near the tors, probably the
first land of seeming security which they perceive on their arrival in this

7o A FEW REMARKS ON THE WOODCOCK.

locality. Here they recruit their strength. I more particularly observed this
to be the case, whilst staying with a friend during the present season, in the
vicinity of the moor. If a Woodcock was shot at the commencement of the
day very light, and with its breast-bone, as he remarked, ^'keen as a razor,"
a good day's sport was prognosticated, as he immediately conjectured a flight
had arrived, which invariably proved to be correct. Now we know that although
all birds living after the manner of the Woodcock, have very quick powers
of digestion; yet to reduce them to such a state as this, they must have
been very many hours deprived of food, and thus we may surmise have come
a long distance. Two or three days, however, serves them to regain their
accustomed plump condition, though what astonishes me much, is, that no one
seems in that neighbourhood ever to have seen them arrive; thus they must
have come during the night, though how they can manage to hit the time seems
marvellous. — Do they migrate at a great height, and keep on the wing until
the shades of night allow them to drop down unseen, and in security? This
is probably the case, at least with some, which are found at that period in
the streets of a town or a high-road. Even the Nightjar, so ably treated of
by that admirable observer of Nature, White, of Selborne, is not more punctual
in its evening flight than this bird. Many are the times I have waited in
some noted spot for it to pass; — a glade formed at the top of a vale by a
few straggling oaks or firs are almost certain to entice it to wing its way
amongst them.

The habits of this bird lead it, as soon as the Blackbirds and Thrushes
have retired to rest in the hollies and thickets, and have uttered their last
sharp notes for the night, when a certain darkness seems to drop over the
earth for about ten minutes, so as to render small objects undistinguishable
on the ground at the distance of twenty yards, to leave its day resort, and
fly to some moist ground or swamp in the open, and there spend the night
in searching for food, again returning to its place of security during the same
light in the morning. This I have frequently proved to be the case when
eager to secure a bird, by shooting at one of an evening without success,
and getting to the place by the same light in the morning, I have invariably
seen it retracing its last night's flight. In this locality countrymen recognise
the time by the name of "cock-light." As many as a dozen occasionally pass
the same spot within ten minutes; and I have frequently observed two in
pursuit of each other. I believe all nets, (formerly known as Roading-nets,)
used for the capture of these birds are now abolished. The slow ignition of
flint-guns having being superseded by the instantaneous discharge of detonators,
has reudered the rapid flight of the Woodcock of no avail as regards baulking
the sportsman.

By the above remarks I do not mean to say the Woodcock does not also
feed in coverts by day, and especially in severe weather, when they all quit
the hills for the unfrozen alder-beds and warm springs. I frequently noticed
last season the fallen oak leaves disturbed in patches for some yards where

A FRW REMARKS ON THE WOODCOCK. 79

I found these birds, and was at length highly gratified, whilst peeping over
a banlv, in seeing one taking up the leaves separately and passing them, quick
as thought, through its beak; thus clearing off the small insects that adhered
to both sides. We have had, that I ara acquainted with, two nests near
here — one, many years since, at Saltram; and the other, more recently, near
Callington, Cornwall In the former, five young I believe were reared, one
of vvhich, in scarcely a fledged state, is now preserved in the Museum of the
Earl of Morley, and is a striking bird to the eye of a naturalist, though
placed near a Fork-tailed Kite and many other rarities, shot by the noble
Lord on his estates. The latter I am informed was made on an old moss-grown
alder-stump, a few dead leaves being the only preparation; it contained four
eggs, one of which is now in the collection of the Rev. C. Bulteel.

My father informs me a bird of this species, which had been pinioned, was
kept alive for several years at Widey Court, about three miles from this
town; it suffered, however, severely in dry summers, and was only sustained
by strips of raw meat, placed in a pan with mud. At other times it man-
aged to shift for itself pretty well.

A most singular formation in the Woodcock is the backward position of
its eyes. Here we again perceive the beautiful interposition of the Creator;
for were they more forward, as in other birds, no doubt the mud and dirt
would be continually getting in them, and thus incapacitate it from thrusting
its beak so deep in soft places consistent with its habit, which may be seen
from the "borings" visible in the place where it has fed, and the dirt on the
base of the mandibles and forehead.

The Snipes, which feed in like manner, have this peeub'arity, whereas
Godwits, Curlews, and Sandpipers, which take their food on the surface, do
not require it. This formation, however, enables it to see but imperfectly
directly before it. This season one flew against my breast; and last year another
was observed by a friend of mine to knock itself down against a house, and
when he came to the spot it was perfectly dead. I have heard my father
relate an incident of one flying against a marker, whom he had stationed in
a tree, and striking him so severely on the cheek as to draw blood. In
brushwood, or wherever the trees are very thick, the sportsman invariably finds
it rise upwards, to preserve itself from coming in contact with the twigs
and branches. In other situations its sight is keen. The irides are hazel,
like those of the Nightjar; probably peculiarly adapted for the twilight, during
which time the former obtains the bulk of his sustenance, and the latter wholly.
These, however, fade in both instances shortly after death.

Can any naturalists yet discern any marks of distinction on the plumage
between the sexes? I once considered the outward web of the first primary
being plain instead of spotted as a certain mark of a male; this, however, I
have proved by dissection in several instances to be erroneous. I conclude the
brighter redness of the plumage, and the distinctness of the bars on the occiput
more to be depended upon, and also that the female is usually larger,
vol,. IV. M

80 BIRDS OCCITRRINO NEAR RKHMOND.

Scarcely do individuals of any species of British Birds vary in size more
than these; and I think if a distinction of the sexes by marks on the plumage
could be accurately ascertained, it would greatly tend to elucidate this point.
Were we in the dark concerning the sexes of the Sparrow- Hawk, how difficult
would it be so clearly to trace its changes: may not this be the case with
the Woodcock? We hear among sportsmen in this neighbourhood of "the
little red, the lanje black, the ash- coloured, etc.," all probably denoting the
bird at various ages, and perhaps also difference of size occasioned by the sex.

The largest of the kind I ever had an opportunity of seeing, is now in a
state of preservation at Bolitho's, taxidermist, Plymouth, (by-the-by, any
ornithologist who visits this town, and would give him a call, would find an
hour or two pass almost inperceptibly in his upstair room, where he has a
fine private collection.) This bird was within the weight of a barleycorn of
sixteen ounces. Another, shot by my father on the 11th. of January, 1848,
weighed fourteen ounces. I think the average weight to be about eleven
ounces. The condition of the bird is a very nmterial cause of its weight,
for the fat assumes an unusual solidity.

They leave us in the end of February and during March, though a straggler
may be found in the commencement of April, at which period I have noted
two occurrences.

My chief purpose in making the foregoing remarks is to endeavour to draw
the attention of naturalists more particularly to this interesting species, for
there is no doubt at present great room for improving the history of the
Woodcock.

Laira House, Plymouth, Fehrnary Srd., 18ij4.

A NOTICE OP SOME OF THE
BIRDS OCCUilRING NEAR RICHMOND, IN YORKSHIRE.

BY H. SMURTHWAITE, ESQ.

I WAS much pleased with a list of the birds found in the vicinity of Leeds,
which appeared in "The Naturalist" a few months ago; papers of this description
must be read, I think, with pleasure b}' every lover of ornithology, for from
them he obtains information which no book can afford him. I subjoin a list
of birds which occur in our neighbourhood, omitting, of course, those which
are everywhere plentiful.

The Osprey, (Pandion haliaetus.) — This bird is rare, having only been seen
once, as far as I can ascertain, near Richmond. It was, after many unsuccessful
attempts, shot, and is now in the collection of a gentleman residing in the town.

The Merlin, (Falco aesalon,) is not very uncommon during the winter
months, and a few breed on the Grouse moors, placing the nest among the

BIRDS OCCURRING NEAR RICHMOND. 81

long heather; I have once heard of the nest being found in the centre of a
field of young wheat.

The Kedrel, (Falco tinnunculus,) is of course very abundant, breeding in
uU the cliffs about the town, and very frequently depositing her eggs in the
deserted nest of the Carrion Crow.

The Sparrow-Hawh, (Accipiter nisus,) is even more comraon than the last-
named species; nunibcrs of eggs and young birds are taicen annually.

The Buzzard, (Buteo vulgaris,) is very seldom seen, a pair, however, built
their nest in the spring of last year on a crag calkd the Red Scar, and
hatched five young ones; this must, however, be an unusual occurrence, as
Mr. Yarrell mentions four as the greatest number of eggs he has ever heard
of this species laying.

The Tawny Owl, (Strix aluco,) is not very uncommon, and breeds in some
of the fir woods, but, owing to the antipathy in which all the Strigidce are
held by gamekeepers, is gradually becoming scarcer.

IVie Barn Oiol, (Strix flanimea,) breeds in decayed trees, and in several of
the ruins in the vicinity of Richmond.

Two specimens of the Shdrt-eared Owl, (Strix brach/otos,) have been obtained
during the course of the last month, but I have never heard of the bird
having been seen in the breeding-season.

The Long-eared Owl, (Strix otus,) is frequently observed, and as specimens
have been killed in the months of April and May, there is no doubt that it
breeds with us.

The Carrion Crotv, (Corvus corone,) and the Jay, (Corvus glandarius,) are
exceedingly plentiful, the latter especially so.

The Bed-hacked Shrike, (Lanius collurio,) is rarely seen, but as my friend
Mr. Wood, has in his collection several eggs taken from nests near the town,
it is not improbable that it is more plentiful than is supposed.

The Fieldfare, (Turdus pilaris,) is very common in winter; and the Redwinw,
{Tardus iliacus,) is also abundant, although not found in such numbers as
the preceding species.

T]ie Bing Ouzel, (Turdus torquatus,) is sometimes obtained in December
and January, but the nest has never, to my knowledge, been found here.

The Dipper, (Cinclus aquaticus,) is by no means rare; I saw during the
summer of 1853, no less than five nests within a circumference of four miles.
The situation in which the nest is placed varies considerably; of those above
mentioned one was fixed against the bank of the river, about three feet above
the surface of the water, another on a high rock overhanging a deep pool, a
third behifid a waterfall, where it shot over a steep descent, and the remaining
two under the arch of a small bridge. It appears to be an early breeder, as

82 niuDS ocruiirUNO near Richmond.

I have known four eggs to be laid by the 2Gth. of March.

The Sedge Warbler, (Sylvia salicaria,) is not very common, but its small,
clumsily built nest is occasionally brought me by bird-nesting boys.

The Blackcap, (Sylvia atrieapilla,) and Garden Warbler, (Sylvia Jiortensis,)
are but seldom seen; and the same may be said of the Lesser Whitethroat,
(Si/hia garrula.)

The Wood Warbler, (Sylvia sibilatrix,) is found sparingly; but the little
Willow Warbler, {Si/hia trochilus,) is very abundant, placing its well-concealed
nest in a tuft of thick grass, and not unfrequently in a low shrub, or in a
clump of nettles.

The Golden- crested Regulaa, (Regulus cristatus,) is found in considerable
numbers in winter, consorting with the Blue and Long-tailed Tits, but in the
breeding-season it is not so commonly observed.

The Wheatear, (Saxicola cenanthe,) together with the Whinchat, (Saxicola
rubetra,) and the Stonechat, (Saxicola ruhicola,) is rather scarce; the last-
named bird is perhaps the most numerous of the three.

The Pied Wagtail, (Motacilla Yarrellii,) and Ray's Wagtail, (MotacUla
flava,) may be seen on the banks of every small 'stream. I have never seen
a specimen of the Gray Wagtail, (Motacilla hoarula,) but it is most probably
an occasional visitor.

The Tree Pipit, (Anthus arboreus,) and the Meadow Pipit, (Anthas pratensis,)
are very plentiful. I. have found the nest of the latter species, containing
eggs, so late as the 19th. of July.

We have all the Tits in great abundance, with the exception of Parus
cristatiis and Parus biarniicus.

The Reed Bunting, (Emberiza schoeniculus,) is found in tolerable plenty,
placing its nest on the side of a bank near a stream; the nest mentioned by
your correspondent in '"The Naturalist" for February, which was placed in a
similar situation, was most probably that of the Yellow Bunting — a white
variety of the eggs is not at all unusual. A specimen of the Girl Bunting,
{Emberiza cirlus,) was shot near the town about three years ago.

The Common (Jrossbill, (Loxia curvirostra,) is a very rare winter visitor.

The Tree Sparrow, (Friiigilla raontana,) is common, building usually in a
hole of a decayed tree, and sometimes also in a thick blackthorn hedge.

The BrambUng, (Fringilla montifringilla,) is exceedingly rare; but the
Mountain Linnet, (Fringilla montana,) and Lesser lledpole, (Fringilla Unaria,)
breed with us annually.

All the Woodpeckers, except Picus martius, are found occasionally; the
Green Woodpecker, (Picus viridis,) however, is the only one of the family
which can be called common.

COLEOPTKHA nOUND KXKTI'R. B3

The Nuthatch, (Sitta Europoea,) is rare; specimens, however, are occasionally
obtained. The Wryneck, [Yunx torquilla,) is quite unknown in this part of
the country.

The Kinfjfisher, (Alcedo ispida,) breeds in several localities in the neigh-
bourhood, but appears to be most common in winter.

Richmond, Yorkshire, Fvhruary dth., 1854.

(To be continued.)

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE COLEOPTERA ROUND EXETER.

BY MR. E. PARFITT.

Of this very interesting family of insects I am sorry to say I am very
deficient as regards the names, though I possess a number of species collected
in this neighbourhood. One of the most beautiful of our native insects is the
Cinclndela campestris, which is found in considerable abundance on Haldon,
and also in Stoke Wood; they were particularly numerous at the former place
in I80O. Anothel" very beautiful Beetle I took in Stoke Wood flying over
the furze on a hot sunny day in August, I80O; I have not seen a single
specimen since: it is Rhacjium Ijifasciatum. Caiahus horfensis is a rare insect
with us; I have only seen one. G. violaceus is not common in this neigh-
bourhood. G. cutenulatiis : this is more frequently to be met with than G.
violaceus. G. cupreus is very common in gardens, etc. Many other species of
this family I am not able to furnish the names of. Of the family Dermestidce
I possess several species. Dermestes murinus: this species I have met with
in a dead Magpie which was lying on the ground near Exeter. S faphi/liniis
enjfh7'opterus: this is frequently to be met with round Exeter; T have often
seen it on the Topsham road. S. maxillosus is rare, at least I have only
seen one specimen, but S. oJens is particularly numerous by the side of the
wall on the Topsham road. P(jederus viparius is very common.

Of the family Hideridee the n.ost common is JHnter unicoJor, and another
with red somewhat spreading spots on each elytron; both kinds are found in
hot dung when made into cucumber beds. C)f the Lucanidce, Lucanus ce^^vus
is perhaps the most rare with us; I have not heard of its being captured by
any one, but Dr. Scott told me he saw a specimen fly at a lamp in the railway
station at Star Cross two years ago. Several specimens of Dorcus paraUelipijiedus
I have taken in old stumps in this neighbourhood. Geotrupes stcrcorarius are
very numerous about here, and another with copper- coloured elytra, which are
not so hard, but more of a coriaceus substance than G. sfercorarius; whether
this is a distinct species or the males of the former 1 am not prepared to
say, but at any rate they are not so plentiful as the one above mentioned,
neither are they so large; if any of the correspondents of ''The Naturalist"
can give me any information on the subject, I shall feel greatly obliged.
Anisoplia hodicola is very common in gardens round Exeter. The Mtlulouthce

84 COT,EOPTERA ROUND KXETKR.

were particularly abundant in 1851 ; M. vulgaris was in such quantities as I
never saw before; on quiet evenings they made such a humming round the
trees, that the noise was like an immense swarm of bees, or rather a number
of swarms. M. sohtitialis is common some years. Another, much smaller
than the former, with reddish coppery elytra and black head and thorax; I have
only met with two of these.

Of the beautiful and showy family of Beetles CetoniUoe I have not taken
any about here, though Cetonia aurita has been brought me from the borders
of Dorsetshire; I have not heard of its being seen about here. Elater halteatus
and E. lineatus are common, also E. sanguineus. Lampyris noctiluca: I have
not seen a single one in this neighbourhood; I suppose they do not like our
soil about here; I have had the females brought me from Torquay, which is
a proof they prefer a drier and more sandy district. Meloe proscarahceus is
very common here. Canthaiis livida is very common on water plants, also
G.fusca: this species is not so numerous as the one above. C. cardinaHs is
rather rare; I have only seen two. C biijuftata is also of rare occurrence.
Pyrochroa coccinea: several of this pretty insect I bred from larvas found in
an old rotten stump of laurel, which was sawn off even with the ground; the
larva is very much like the common Scolopendra, but the jaws are larger
and the colour of the whole insect a trifle darker, otherwise there does not
appear to be much difference in the outward appearance. QSdemera coeruJea:
several specimens of this very beautiful insect I have taken on the Topsham
road, but it is by no means common. Tencbrio gihhosum is common on the
hii'h lands in the neighbourhood of Dunsford, and also on Haldon, but not
so abundant as at the former place.

Of the great family CurcuUonidce I possess a number of species, but the
fact is I do not possess a work on Coleoptera, and there is no such thing,
so far as I can learn, in the libraries in Exeter that 1 can refer to; all I
can do is to give the names of such species as I am pretty certain are correct;
it may give some faint idea as to the general distribution of certain species.
First, then, is Curculio lineatus, which was particularly numerous on cultivated
leguminose plants, such as peas and beans, what are called broad beans I mean,
{Faba sativa.) C. argentatus was very abundant, too much so a great deal,
for they eat and destroyed the young shoots of pears to a considerable amount
in i8o2; I have not noticed many this year. Another is found in great numbers
on elms in the neighbourhood; it is the Otiorhgnchus sulcutus; and several
other nearly allied species. The largest species, I believe, that is found here
is G.pini: this I have found eating the leaves of the common ivy, (Iledera
helix,) but it is not common, as I have only seen three specimens since I
have been here. 3Iordella sulcata is not very common, at least I have only
come across three or four. A very beautiful and rare insect in this neigh-
bourhood is the O. frumentarium, and from its specific name we may be very
thankful it is scarce. In 1851 I had several leading shoots of different species
of Pinus brought me, which had died or were dying; these had been bored

NOTES ON LAND AND FRESH- WATER MOLLUSCA. 85

into and the centre or pith eaten away by some insect, which proved to be
Hylurgus piniperda. In one or two instances the Pines had been planted
out where they were intended to remain to form ornamental trees on lawns;
the consequence was they had to be taken up as useless, for when once the
leader of a Pinus is destroyed, the beauty of the future tree is destroyed
also. From the quantity of elms which abound in this county, the larvae of
Scolytus destructor are very numerous; I have had a difficulty of obtaining
specimens of the perfect insect, but have at length succeeded in taking three
or four specimens.

Of the family Leptura I have only been able to take one species, Leptiira
verbasci. The larva of this lives in dead wood, such as stakes used in gardens,
etc. In 18 j1 I saw the work of an insect in a laurel stake used for staking
raspberries; I with m}'^ knife cut away the bark and wood till I arrived at
the end of the hole, which was worked round the stake beneath the bark but
not touching it; the hole was filled up with the gnawings of the larvae, but
it did not appear to have passed through it in the shape of food. The insect
when found had passed through the larva state into the pupa, which was
nearly white, and not enclosed in any cocoon or horny chrysalis, but merely
enveloped in a transparent skin, so the perfect insect could be distinctly seen
through it; the insect was without any colouring, that is, black or yellow,
the larva itself I have not seen, so cannot give any description. The habits of
this species no doubt have been observed before by others, but I have not seen
it; I shall be glad should I have added anything in its habits or economy not
before observed, as anything in the habits and economy of insect life tends to
one's knowledge and gratification. The beautiful and curious little Tortoise Beetle,
(Cassida viridisj is frequently to be met with in meadows on Cnicus arvensis.
I have also taken one specimen of Coccinella variabilis; it is the only one I
have seen. Thus ends my very poor and meagre list of Coleoptera.

4, Muir-field Place, Exeter, December lO/h., I8o3.

NOTES OX LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSCA.

BY J. W. WATSON, ESQ.

Perhaps a few remarks on some of the Land and Fresh-water Shells, which
have come under my oWn observation, may not be out of place in ''The
Naturalist."

There is one circumstance with which I have often been struck, and I have no
doubt others have been so too, namely, that of the great sensitiveness to mois-
ture, which many of the Land Molluscs exhibit, particularly those inhabiting
mountainous and rocky districts, such as the genera pupa and vertigo, which are
generally found most abundantly on Limestone formations. Another very
sensitive Mollusc is Helix Lapicida. Well do I remember taking a walk of
six miles, one sultry summer's day, to the top of one of the Hambleton Hills,

8G NOTES ON LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSCA.

near Thirsk, in search of this shell, not knowing its peculiarity. When I
arrived at the foot of the mountain, I could find no traces of it, but thought
when I got to the top, I should be fully repaid; there again I was disappointed,
and had the mortification of only meeting with a couple of specimens, com-
pletely blanched by exposure to the sun and weather; and was obliged to
return without obtaining the object of ray journey; the only consolation I
received being a few mosses and lichens, which were new to me.

I was somewhat disappointed a second time, when on a tour through Wen-
sleydale, at finding but few specimens of this shell, which had been collected
in great abundance near Aysgarth, a few months before, by a young friend,
who was with me at the time, and had no doubt but that we should meet
with it again; but though there had been a considerable shower of rain a
few hours before we visited their habitat, it was only after a laborious search
that we found a few specimens; whereas had there been a continuous rain
for some time, we should have found them crawling in all directions over the
low walls which abound there, in place of hawthorn hedges; for it was during
a wet season that my friend had found them.

The same fact is true of Glausilia duhia^ which is found chiefly and most
abundantly in Limestone districts, though I have not found it in this neigh-
bourhood, where Magnesian Ijimestone abounds; but we have Helix Lapicida
in considerable numbers. The first time I met with Glausilia dubia was close
by Houghton-le- Spring, on the Sunderland road, where it is cut through the
Limestone Cliff". It was extremely abundant, together with Bulirnus obscums,
as a quantity of rain had fallen the previous night. But once when I sent
to a friend in the neighbourhood, to gather me a few more specimens, it
was with difficulty he could find a few stragglers. Zonites umbilicatus may
be ranked among those enumerated above, as it is essentially a Limestone
Shell.

Though I have mentioned these particularly, I would not deny that all
Land Molluscs are eff"ected by the rain; we need only go a few yards from
our own doors, after a wet night, to feel considerable difficulty in avoiding
the destruction of numerous Limaces, Arions, etc., which are crawling about
on the paths. But I consider that those I have mentioned are peculiarly
sensitive to moisture. Probably it is owing to the almost utter absence of
moisture, in any other than damp weather, on the rocks and walls, which
the pupa, etc., inhabit, which causes them to seek crevices, and to bury them-
selves amongst the stones and in the soil.

These remarks have been made chiefly because many who collect Shells,
are often disappointed at not finding those they are looking for in any par-
ticular locality, though they have been told of their abundance there; and
that they may know that the best time for making a crusade against such,
is during or soon after wet weather.

Another circumstance has very much interested me, that is, the gregarious
nature, if we may so express it, of several species, which literally swarm in

NOTES OX LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSCA. 87

some places, and yet extend to no very great distance. Among such may
be numbered Helix virgata, ericetorum, and Cantiana, particularly virgata,
which I first found near Middlesbro' in the greatest abundance, but confined,
as far as I could discover, to comparatively small areas.

This might be owing to a difference in the soil or formation, did not ob-
servation prove the contrary. When at Thirsk once, I observed this fact
with regard to Cantiana, which was pretty common a mile or two out of
the town, but confined to a small space; and if I had not been directed pretty
clearly to the spot, I should have had some diflBculty in finding it. Azeca
tridens seems to be another of the same class. This, though by no means
an abundant shell, I have found occasionally in considerable numbers near
Ay ton; and as I always found the above rule hold good, I have come to
the conclusion that, generally, when one is found, a colony is not far distant^

With regard to Water Shells, I have frequently noted that one or two
species abound to the exclusion of others. This, I have thought, is owing
to one having got the upper hand, and preying upon other species, or at any
rate destroying them. This is very noticeable in the Limnoeus tribe. The first
specimens of Limnceus Stagnalis, which I remember to have seen, were from
some ponds near Stockton, collected by my friend, George Dixon, of Ay ton;
and, with the exception of Velletia lacustris, which was found riding on the
backs of the Stagnalis, there was scarcely another Shell in the pond, except,
perhaps, Cyclas cornea; whilst in other ponds in the neighbourhood there was
not a single specimen of Stagnalis, but abundance of Pereger. The only
ponds in which I have found Cyclas lacustris, have been almost destitute of
other species; in one near Ay ton they were very plentiful. Planarbis Icevis
is found in a small fishpond here, and though almost the whole district for two
or three miles round, and in some directions for five miles, has been diligently
explored, I am not aware that they have been found in any other pond in
the neighbourhood, though they are particularly abundant in the above-men-
tioned pond, but no other Shell is to be found along with them, except a
few L. pereger. In fact I might go on enumerating almost the whole of the
Fresh-water Shells, which have come under my own observation, as examples
of what I have stated. The Pisidium is a good example. If two pieces of
water in the same neighbourhood are found to contain Pisidium, it very
often turns out that the whole of those in the one are of a different species
from those in the other. — This, though not invariably the case, I have found
very frequently so. I have observed, too, that in the same running stream,
where more than one species of Mollusc abounds, they seem to congregate,
as it were, in colonies; but at the same time mixing more or less with each
other, from the outposts of one species coming in contact with those of another,
and from their being frequently carried along by the stream without exercising
any will of their own.

A fruitful source of some of the smaller Shells, as Pupa, Vertigo, etc.,
to the mere collector, is the debris which is brought down by various streams,

VOL. IV. N

88 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

when, during periods of unusually stormy weather, they overflow their banks.
I once found Achatina acicula in considerable numbers, and generally in a
pretty good state of preservation, though the animals were all dead amongst
the wreck brought down by the River Tees, and deposited on its banks near
INIiddlesbro.' A few specimens of Vertigo cylindrica were found amongst it,
together with several other common kinds. These Shells had most likely
come down from the Limestone district through which the River Tees flows.
I have come to this conclusion, as we have found Achatina acicula and
Vertigo cylindrica amongst the roots of grass which fill the fissures and clefts
of the Magnesian Limestone clifls of West- vale, four miles from Ack worth.

Flounder's Institide, AcJcivorth, 7ih. of 2nd. months l&od:.

SKisrtllniirnns |!nta.

Common Rat, (Mus decumanus.) — A pure white specimen of this Rat was caught in a trap
in the stackyard at Canledge Park Farm, near this town, during December last, the skin of
which is now in my possession. — W. Akmstuong, Alnwick, February 1st., 1854.

Curious conduct of the Hooded Crow, (Corvus cornix.) — As I was riding in this neighbourhood
on the 8th. instant, I noticed a Gray Crow pick something off the grass in a low wet field by
the road side, and fly up into the air some heiglit; it then threw its head up and rose a little
higher perpendicularly, its flight at that time resembling that of a towering Partridge just before
it falls; it then turned nearly on its back, and let drop something from its beak, which I thought
■was a Mouse, but I could not get near enough to ascertain this distinctly. The Crow repeated
his flights four or five times, and then I left him. How long he had been amusing himself
in this way before I saw him, or how long he continued to do so after I left him, I cannot
say. The greatest height to which it flew might be twenty yards. What was his object? It
could hardly be to kill the Mouse, which he could have efiected with one stroke of his powerful
bill. — "W. Waldo Cooper, Rectory, West Rasen, February 9th., 1854.

Nutcracker, (Nucifraga caryocatactes.)— A Nutcracker was shot off" Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 7th.
October, 1853. — T. Southwell, Fakenham, February lltli., 1854.

Great Gray Shrike, (Lanius excubitor.) — One killed near Fakenham towards the end of October,
1853; another a short time later near Lynn. — Idem.

Black GroHse, (Tetrao tetrix.) — A gray hen brought off' her brood in Refley Wood, about two
miles from Lynn, last summer. This bird was introduced some years ago at Sandringham,
and I am informed has increased in number of late. — Idem.

Greenshank, (Scolopax glottis.) — I saw a Greenshank at Lynn, in the end of August last. —
Idem.

Pectoral Sandpiper, (Tringa pectoralis.) — I saw a specimen of this rare bird, which was shot
on the 30th. of September last, near Yarmouth, Norfolk. — Idem.

Tlie rink-footed Goose, (Anser brachyrhynchus,) has occurred several times; and A. albifrons
has been unusually common this winter near Lynn. — Idem.

Little Auk, (Mergulus alle.) — Three specimens were killed in Norfolk, in November, 1853: —
one near Norwich, one near Yarmouth, and a third near Lynn. — Idem.

TJie Nightjar, or Fern Owl, (Caprimulgus Europoeus.) — I am induced to send you a few notes
on the habits of this bird, as your correspondent G. R. Twinn, Esq., seems to think himself
somewhat unfortunate in not having been able to discover its nest; and certainly when he
discovers one, it will be a very remarkable circumstance, seeing that it makes none, but its
eggs may easily be discovered in any spot frequented by the bird. Darcnth Wood, in Kent,

PROCREDINOS OP SOCIETIES. 89

produces it in some numbers. Soon as the shades of evening gather round, begins the Nightjars'
rattle, as I call it from its resemblance to the sound produced by that constant companion of
the policeman on his lonely round — from this circumstance they may be called "Policemen of
the Wood." This is kept up for an hour or more, when it ceases. At a later period of the
night they have crossed my path in silent flight; — sometimes as late as twelve o'clock, and so
close, that I have expected to have had my hat knocked off as they whirled past in chase of
souie favourite beetle or moth. Oft and many are the times on a fine clear night, when
entomologizing, that I have sat down on some neighbouring bank or fallen tree, to listen to
their mysterious melody, if I may so call it, strangely breaking upon the stillness of the swiftly
closing eve. You may blame n«e for keeping late hours. I confess myself a night rambler. I
love to watch the moonbeams as they steal through the boughs overhead; to listen to the
Nightingale's sweet song; to the rustling of the pendant leaves ; and to the sighing of the wind
away up in the tops of the tall trees. — But to resume. A word more about finding their eggs.
Notice the spot where you heard the birds commence their rattle ; the next morning repair to
that spot — look well, beating the bushes the while to the right and left, when perchance you
will see a bird tumble close to your feet, and bobble on a yard or two in advance, trailing
its wings along the ground. You follow it, expecting soon to capture the seemingly crippled
bird; suddenly its powers of flight are recovered, audit disappears before j'our wondering gaze;
its object is attained, itself and eggs are so far safe; but retrace your steps to the spot where
you first put up the bird, look well around, and in some dry open spot you will find two eggs
laid in a little hollow among grass or heath, which accounts for your correspondent's unsuc-
cessful search ; but I must conclude, hoping that my plain remarks may not give offence, and
that he may not think me more plain than pleasant. To give instruction was my object
in penning these observations. — H. J. Harding, 1, York Street, Church Street, Shoreditch.

Snow Bunting, (E. nivalis.) — This species is very abundant in the marshes below Louth,
during the winter months, on a tract of land in the parish of North Summercoats, which has
lately been reclaimed from the sea by my brother, Henry Alington Pye, Esq., of Louth. — R. P.
Alington, Rectory, Swinhope, Lincolnshire.

l^rntBrMEgs nf Intirtie.

Yorkshire Naturalists' Club.— July 6th., 1853. — W. Anderson, Esa. in the chair.

Mr. Graham exhibited a cliicken with four legs, and rudimentary wings, which had been
hatched at Richmond.

Mr. 0. A. Moore exhibited a curious specimen of the Common Mushroom, on which a second
one had become inverted, with the gills and root upwards. He also exhibited and made some
remarks upon some calcareous incrustations, which occur in abundance at St. John's Well, near
Sutton-on-the-Forest. The water at this place being strongly impregnated with carbonate of
lime, deposits calcareous matter upon the vegetation with which it comes in contact. The
vegetable tissue subsequently disappearing through decay, perfect casts of the plants are left
in the stony mass, resembling the casts of organic bodies, which occur in the regular fossiliferous
strata.

Mr. Charlesworth exhibited a series of beautiful Fossils, recently obtained from the York-
shire coast, including two examples of a large and very remarkable undescribed bivalve shell
from the chalk.

The club decided to purchase a collection of these specimens, for presentation to the Yorkshire
Philosophical Society.

The following works were bought for the library of the Club: — "Gossc's Rambles on the
[Devonshire Coast;" "Henfrey and Tulk's Anatomical Manipulation;" "Cock's Sea-weed Col-
►lector's Guide."

The business of the evening was concluded with an account, by Mr. Charlesworth, of some
of the more remarkable facts in the history of the animal of the Paper Nautilus ; in the course
of which he detailed the recent important discoveries by Miiller, that the male of the Paper
Nautilus has no shell, and that the curious creature, described by Cuvier as a Parasite upon

'90 TROCEEDINaS OF SOCIETIE,^.

the Nautilus, under the name Hectocotylus, is really an organism connected with the function
of reproduction, though apparently enjoying a temporary independent existence.

September 7th, — W. Axdersox, Esq. in the chair.

Mr. J. HoGGARD, JuN., of Cliftou, was elected a member.

Mr. CiiARLESvroRTH exhibited a remarkable Fossil from the Lias, of Whitby.

Mr. Graham exhibited two specimens of the Greenshank, (Scolopax glottis,) shot by T. H.
Barker, Esq.; the first specimens recorded as having been taken in Yorkshire.

Mr. Gr.\ham also exhibited two white specimens of the Weasel, and a very fine specimen
of the Common Teal.

The Rev. H. V. Palmer then read a very interesting paper on "The Manifestations of Instinct
and Reason in the Lower Animals."

After a short discussion, the meeting separated.

October 5th. — W. Anderson, Esa. in the chair.

A letter was read from Dr. Morris, resigning the oflSce of Secretary, in consequence of his
removal from York.

A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Dr. Morris, for his past services to the Club.
Mr. S. W. North was appointed Secretary for the remainder of the year.

The Chairman exhibited some very fine specimens of the Gourd, from Col. Richardson, of
Fulford.

Mr. Graham exhibited a white Weasel, and a beautiful specimen of the Peregrine Falcon,
sent by Payan Galloway, Esq., of Thirkleby.

Mr. Charlesvvorth exhibited specimens of Fossil Shells from Hambleton, near Thirsk, sup-
posed to belong to the genus Fholas; also a rare recent British Shell, the Natica Helicoides,
found at Staithes.

Mr. Wright exhibited a Kitten, which had been born alive, having two distinct bodies and
only one head.

After some general conversation, the meeting separated.

November 2nd. — E. Charlesworth, Esq. in the chair.

The Chairman exhibited the jaw of a Fossil Saurian, sent by Mr. Ripley, of Whitby, re-
markable for its great length : it had been found at Whitby. He also exhibited some specimens
of the Locust, from North America, which are remarkable, as they only appear at intervals of
seventeen years, the caterpillars remaining dormant for that period.

Some interesting conversation then took place, relative to the disease now existing in the
vine crops, and the potatoes, after which the meeting separated at the usual hour.

December 7th. — E. Smallwood, Esq. in the chair.

Mr. Bainbridoe exhibited the head of a Rabbit, in which the teeth had attained an unusually
large growth.

Mr. William Thompson exhibited a fine specimen of the Diver.

Mr. Graham exhibited several cases of rare British Birds, shot near York.

Mr. J. Pearson read a paper by Quarles Harris, and some extracts from the "Gardeners'
Chronicle," relative to the disease which has recently attacked the vines in the wine-growing
countries which excited a good deal of discussion as to the climate, state of the atmosphere and
temperature under which the disease had manifested itself.

The meeting separated about the usual time.

Alnwick Botanical Society. — The Sixth Annual Meeting of the Society was held on Monday
evening, January 30th., 1854, Mr. T. Walby in the chair, when the report was read by the
Junior Secretary, Mr. W. Armstrong, as follows: —

PROCEEDINas OP SOCIETIES. 91

"The proceedings of the Botanical Society during the past year have not been devoid of interest
or importance. In no previous season has the study been prosecuted with so much ardour, per-
severance, and success, especially in the elucidation of obscure and difficult genera. It was not to
be expected that in a district previously so well explored, many new plants would be found ; but
the searches of our members have resulted in the discovery of numerous species and varieties,
and even of some not hitherto observed in the county. The difficulties attending the study
of the Cyperacea), Kosacese, Amcntiferae, Gramineae, and the minute and polymorphous tribes of
Cryptogamic plants, have been steadily encountered and successfully overcome. Neither the in-
clemency of the season, nor the fatigue of long excursions, have ever sufficed to throw a momentary
damp on the enthusiasm of our members.

At the close of our fifth year a brief sketch of our indigenous botany, as far as relates to the
immediate district to which our researches have been principally, though not exclusively, con-
fined, will, it is hoped, be neither uninteresting nor useless. Our circuit is chiefly within ten
miles of the town, but places of interest at a greater distance are occasionally explored by parties
of our members, such as the rocky Hills of Spindlestone, the Kyloe Crags, Kothbury Forest,
and the Cheviot Hills. Within an easy walk of Alnwick the following rare plants grow plenti-
fully, many of them in extreme profusion: — Ranunculus Lingua, Cardamine amara, Stellaria
neraorum, Geum intermedium, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Pyrola rotundifolia, Lathraea
Squamaria, Trientalis Europcea, Polygonum Rail, Paris Quadrifolia, Orchis pyramidalis, Habenaria
viridis, Neottia Nidus-avis, Gagea lutea, Scilla verna. Allium Shoenoprasum, Juncus maritimus,
Blysmus rufus, Carex extensa, distans, laevigata, pendula, vesicaria, and filiforniis, Arundo
Calamagrostis and Epigejos, Sesleria cserulea, Leptenus incurvatus, Polypodiura Dryopteris,
Asplenium marinum, Myrica Gale, Mcenchia erecta, etc., etc.

Besides the plants here enumerated, all of which are undoubtedly wild, there are numerous
others appearing to grow spontaneously in our fields and woods, but which are generally con-
sidered to be introduced, and not originally native. The Snowdrop, Periwinkle, Red Valerian,
Dame's Violet, Lungwort, Clustered Bellflower, Mountain Currant, Fly Honeysuckle, Hautboy
Strawberry, Black Mullein, Leopard's Bane, Flax Dodder, Green Hellebore, Crocus, Narcissus,
Daffodil, Columbine, Water Lilies, Celandine, Sweet Violet, Sweet William, Sweet Cicely, Orpine,
Martagon Lily, Jacob's Ladder, Butcher's Broom, Bluebottle, Marigold, Misseltoe, Borage, Gold of
Pleasure, etc., besides a variety of trees and shrubs, are mostly frequent in the neighbourhood ; ^.
and some of them exceedingly abundant, though they may have been planted, or escaped frc^i
gardens, and are now only naturalized. The list might be very greatly extended, but enou{,ll'
has been said to show how rich our district is in botanical treasures.

■ While, however, we possess a large and diversified flora ; while many plants, usually considered
rare, are very common with us; — on the other hand it is remarkable that many plants, generally
dispersed in abundance over the kingdom, and in some places troublesome weeds, are so seldom
met with here, that they may be deemed rare. The Wormwood, Mallow, Mugwort, Hemlock,
Cuckoo Pint, Annual Knawel, Mayweed, Water Pepper, Water Plantain, Duckweed, Hounds-
tongue, and Cowslips are not common in the vicinity of the town; and some of them are so
very rare, that our members have never seen them in the district.

Although the fascinating species of Flowering Plants have engaged the studies of most of our
members, the minute, intricate, and multiform, but curious and interesting tribes of Cryptogamic
Plants have received no ^small share of our attention. It would far too much extend the limits
of this Report to give even an outline of the state of Cryptogamic Botany in this neighbourhood.
It may suffice to state that it is not less rich in flowerless than in flowering plants — Griramia
tricophylla, Dicranum Dillenii, and Hypnum undulatum, all in fruit; Peziza auricula, Tulos-
toma mammosum, Polyporus perennis, Mitrula paludosa, Cantharellus cornucopioides, Cyathus
crucibulum, and a vast number of other species grow in profusion near Alnwick ; their beauties
unknown and unheeded except by the botanist, who finds interest in the wild moor and marsh,
and new charms in the forest and the field.

Encouraged by the signal success of our researches in practical Botany, it is intended to make
some effort to publish our transactions annually, commencing at the close of the present year
with a "Flora, of Alxwick." Our district in future will be bounded on the north by
Bamburgh, on the west by Cheviot and the Simonside Hills, and on the south by Morpeth, the
Wansbeck, and the Wallington Moors. When it is considered that our register already records
nearly eight hundred Flowering Plants and Ferns, it is evident that our future labours will

92 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIKTIES,

increase the number of our species till our Flora surpasses, as it already equals, most districts
of similar extent in the kingdom.

Our Sooietj' was formed in the beginning of 1849, and more than five j'ears have now elapsed
without any diminution in the enthusiasm of our members. Never indeed was there so much
done in the study, though no lectures have been delivered; and a provincial Society, which
without extraneous assistance, is free from pecuniary liabilities, and has done so much for tlie
mutual improvement of its members, must be considered emphatically successful.

It is hoped that while the Society increases in members, as it has done in the past year,
there may be nothing in our next season to occasion regret. That war, pestilence, and famine
may pass lightly over us, and find our ranks entire, and our friendships unbroken; and that
He, who formed the lilies of the field, and bade us consider how they grow, will preserve us
in body as healthful as the hills over which we roam, and in mind as pure as the flowers
we love."

JoHx Lamb Luckley, ) „ , .
„. . > Secretaries.

William Armstrong, )

The Report was adopted unanimously, and the following Office-bearers were appointed for
1854 : —

President.— J. Davison, Esq., M. R. C. S.

Vice-Presidents. — Messrs. T. Walby, II. Huvter, G. Cockburx, and W. Richardson.

Secretaries. — Messrs. J. L. Luckley and W. Armstrong.

Treasurer. — Mr. Edward A. Storer.

An Herbarium and Acting Committee were afterwards chosen ; and the meeting, after a long
discussion of various subjects, separated at a late hour.

Natural History Society of Glasgow. — February 7th., 1854. The ordinary meeting of the
Natural History Society of Glasgow was held this evening. Mr. Roger Henuedy occupied the
chair.

The Secretary read the following paper upon the '•'■iledusce and Little Fishes," by Charles
W. Peach, Esq., of Wick:—

"Having read in various works that the large MeduscB preyed upon fishes for food, I have
thought it right to place on record the following, which I observed in the present j'ear at
Peterhead, first stating that the under-mentioned Medusw were very abundant, so much so,
at times, as sadly to inconvenience the fishermen, and render it somewhat difficult to lift the
oars, especially of small boats, from amongst them. They were the Cyanea aurita and C.
capillata or C. inscriptaf of Peron.

I extract the following from my journal: — 1st. August, 1853. — I have observed for the last
few days very small fishes playing round the large Mrdasce in the harbour and bay. Sometimes
they sported round the C. aurita, but would instantly leave it for the C. inscripta when an
enemy was near; occasional!}' two or three might be seen attending one of these Cyanea, and
when attacked or alarmed, they would rush under the umbrella amongst the tentacula, and
shelter in the large folds connected with the ova, remaining there until the danger had passed,
when they would emerge, and sport and play about their sheltering friend ; it was really pleasing
to observe their movements when thus gambolling round their sanctuary.

So closely would they lie when under the umbrella on seeing danger, that they were taken
into a bucket with their shelter, and when permitted to rest for a short time, they would come
out and sport as when in the sea. I captured many this way, at times two or three, varying
from less than an inch- in length to two and a half inches; they were «/oi<w^ Whiting, probably
the offspring of the larger ones which were so abundant at this time in the bay.

It is evident these little creatures feel that shelter, and consequently protection, is afforded
by these glass-like creatures, and not destruction, and more, they prefer the "stinging one,"
with its eight bunches of long tentacula, and large fringed ovaries, to the C. aurita, with its
single, and frequently short row of delicate appendages.

I am led in this case to ask, what becomes of the paralyzing influence of the tentacles of
this Medusa on fish ." I fancy it opens a new field for observation, and if it does not do away
with the fish-eating propensities ascribed to these water-framed creatures, at least, it throws

THE RETROSPECT. 9S

considerable doubt on such an assertion, for we can hardly fancy that the little fish, like the
moth around the candle, is fascinated thus to play around the Medusae to its own destruction.
I feel quite certain in these instances it believed it to be its preserver.

The Gijanea aiirita is called at Peterhead "Loch Lobberton" or "Loch Robertson," the other,
"The Doctor;" I record the provincial names for local reference, having found such names
frequently useful to me in my reseai-ches.

The subject is so interesting, I cannot resist making one extract more.

2nd. August. — About six p. m. to-day I observed one of the little fish (Whiting) gliding round
a small weak Ci/anea aurita; a single "Baddock" (young Pollack) about five inches in length
saw it and attacked it; the little fellow easily evaded all its movements by dodging round its
friend; the chase was soon joined by another, and both set to work; for some time it baffled
the pursuers; one unlucky move drove it from its poor shelter, and then a severe chase took
place; several more joined like a pack of hounds, the little creature rushed fearfully on the top
of the water, for a time the fight was doubtful, — had "the Doctor" with its long appendages
been near, it would have escaped; at length it became exhausted, and lay as if dead; the
hunters, however, bit and dashed it about for some time, but not being able to swallow it,
they left it to all appearance dead, and the tide gently drifted it along with the Cyanea,
After a time it recovered, and took refuge as at first; this movement was soon seen by the
fiendish pack, they allowed it a very short respite, and soon drove it into open water, and after
a much shorter chase, this time they killed it, and, as before, not being able to bag their
game, left it, exulting no doubt in their noble deed of daring. I felt greatly excited, and
much sympathy for the poor thing, and although I threw stones, and did all I could to drive
off the pack, so intent and determined were they on their murderous cruize, that they dashed on
unheedingly; at any other time the least stone would have turned them aside and alarmed them.

We here see that the young of one species of fish, although much like those of another, will
not allow such "to come between the wind and their nobility," carrying out "war to the knife"
to the member of any other clan presuming to poke his nose into their territory.

I ought to have said, I have never seen a fish in the stomach of these Medusae, — all could
liberate themselves when they pleased."

Thinking this worthy of notice, I have forwarded it for the purpose of being read at your
next meeting, so as to preserve a record, and set others observing in other localities.

Dr. Lyle was admitted a resident member.

Business being finished, the society adjourned till the first Tuesday in March.

€llB EctrnsiiEt.

In Vol. i., page 189, we read of a Hen Chaflinch having been "frozen to death on her nest."
I do not question the fact that this bird was found dead on her nest, but that she was "frozen
to death" in that situation, admits, I think, of grave doubts. If this bird was "actually frozen
to death" in so warm and comfortable a nest as that of the Cliafflnch, I should like to know
how the rest of the Chaffinches in that district came olF, which pass the night on the bare
twigs or sprays; or is it the writer's opinion that these may occasionally resort to gymnastic
exercises during severe nights, in order to keep their blood in circulation, and that the maternal
feelings of the bird in question being too strong to permit her to indulge in this kind of exercise,
which would have involved the destruction of her eggs and her hopes togetlier; she thus, not-
withstanding the protection from cold the warmth of the nest must have afforded her, miserably
perished. Plausible as such an opinion may be, I must confess that I cannot view the matter
exactly in this light, and inasmuch as it does not appear that the Rev. R. Barras, to whom the
nest was brought, made, or caused to be made, a post-mortem examination of the body, so as
to be quite sure that the cause of death was as stated, I feel vastly inclined to attribute its
death to some other cause than the one assigned ; and I am convinced that had such post-mortem
examination been made, and had a coroner's inquest been held, the surgeon's evidence, and that
of other intelligent witnesses, would have caused the jury to bring in some other verdict than
that of "Found Frozen to Death," or "Died from exposure to the Cold." If there was an
intense degree of cold in the atmosphere at the time the bird was found, the body might have

94 THE QUERIST,

been in a frozen state; but it doea not necessarily follow from that circumstauoc that the bird
must have been "frozen to death," since it is fiir more likely that the freezing of the body com-
menced after death than before it. The writer concludes with the remark that "the preceding
winter had not been very severe." What the preceding winter had to do with an occurrence
said to have taken place in the spring, it would be difficult to comprehend. If by that remark
he would lead us to infer that there was an absence, throughout the entire season, of any great
degree of cold, then the story would assume an aspect still more strange and marvellous, for
the bird would then appear to have been not only "frozen to death on her nest," but "frozen
to death" in weather rather mild than otherwise. — S. Stone, Brightharapton, Oct. 12th., 1853.

T/t« Starling. — At page 220, vol. iii. of "The Naturalist," I stated that this bird "excavates
a deep hole," which Mr. Stone thinks ridiculous. The word "excavate," as Mr. S. should know,
means very commonlij to ^'■hollow out," which is not exactly to bore. Using the word in this
sense I am quite correct. But for his satisfaction I may expand my statement. The Starling
frequently selects an old tree for the purpose of incubation, in which there are holes formed
either by Woodpeckers, or, more commonly, by decay (Mr. S. seems to forget that Old Time
may have a hand in the matter.) These holes, however, from various causes, are often so
shallow that it requires to deepen them and to hollow them out, which it can easily do. I
make this additional explanation, although I hope ornithological readers understood my original
statement without difficulty. I have not therefore "mis-stated facts," of which offence I am
rather uncharitably accused; and I may be allowed to suggest that, in future, a reference to
an English dictionary would save, as it would in this case have done, coiigi«bq^[pjtqJ^'jT«^ble. —
J. LoxGMUiR, JuN., Aberdeen. /^i

€liB (^nml

Common Shrew, (Sorex araneus.) — With regard to G's query at page 24 of your third volume,
the following extract from Mr. Jesse's interesting "Scenes and Occupations of Country Life"
may serve to throw some light on the subject. At page 66 he says, speaking of this little
animal, "I am obliged to confess that it is a most pugnacious animal, and this pugnacity is
the cause of the death of those we meet with in our walks, during the months of April and
May. At this season of the year the males fight together, and I have examined several of
those I have found dead. They were all males. I sent some also to Mr. Gulliver, a friend
whose researches into Natural History have been equally curious and indefatigable, and he
discovered several livid spots about the neck and shoulders. This decisive fact will be sufficient
to controvert the various opinions which have been brought forward as to the frequent appearance
of the dead Shrew." — J. CAV.\.Fy, Westbourue Terrace, London, February 9th., 1854.

Swallow-tailed Kite, (Nauclerus furcatus.) — Can any of your correspondents inform me whether
the cere and legs of the Swallow-tailed Kite are yellow, and the irides silvery cream, at any
period of its life.' these are the colours given by Wilson, while Morris and Yarrell describe the
cere and legs as blue, and the irides brown. With regard to the colour of the cere of Polybonis
Braziliensis, it is brick red in a living specimen in the possession of the Zoological Society;
the legs are dull yellow. There are also some other exceptions : in the adult and young of the
Chilian Sea Eagle, {Ilaliaetus Aquila,) the cere is bluish, the legs dull yellow. In the Harpy
Eagle, {Uarpyia destructor,) the cere is bluish blaok, the legs ochre yellow.— Idem.

Unknown Eggs.— The white eggs mentioned by Mr. Hodge, in the January number of "The
Naturalist," may possibly have been those of the Blackstart, {Duenicm-a tithys;) its eggs are
glossy white, from five to seven in number, the nest generally placed in a hole in a rocky bank.
I believe the Wryneck generally builds in holes of trees; the size of the eggs, however, certainly
approaches nearer to those of the Wryneck than the Blackstart.— Idem.

In reply to the inquiry of Mr. Tuckett in "The Naturalist" for September, 1851, about the
occurrences of the Great Bustard, I may refer him to my "History of British Birds," No. 47,
where he will find, I think, a pretty complete catalogue.— F. 0. Mokuis, Nafferton Vicarage,
Driffield.

XU JUXVXUITIUIjUU-XOXO.

MR. FOXCROFT begs to return his sincere thanks to the Trustees of the
British Museum, the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergymen, and the Members of the
Entomological Societies for the patronage he has received for a number of years;
and takes the liberty of informing them and others, that he intends collecting
Insects during the whole summer of the present year, (1854,) in the best locality
known in Scotland, which is round the Black Forest, Bannock, Perthshire;
commencing on the Gth. of April, and collecting for six months.

Mr. F., to enable him to carry out this plan, wishes to raise a sufficient sum
by Subscriptions of One Guinea; each Subscriber to be entitled to one specimen
of every species collected during the season, which will be equally shared in
November, on his return, by himself. Those Subscribers who are Coleoptera-
collectors, will have all the choice and rare Beetles divided amongst them in the
boxes; and those who are collectors of Lepidoptera, will have all the rare and
best specimens of JMoths and Butterflies divided amongst them. The specimens
will be sent to the residences of the Subscribers; and the boxes containing them
are to be returned or paid for.

Mr. F. hopes, by stopping in one locality in Scotland, to take such choice
Insects, or some new specimens that may be rare, to afford an excellent opportunity
to gentlemen to obtain what may be wanting for their Cabinets; also for Pro-
prietors of Museums, and collectors of ]}ritish Insects.

Persons wishing to become Subscribers, are requested to send their Subscrip-
tions by Post-office Order, or otherwise, by the end of March at the latest, to Mil.
James Foxcuoft, 3, Union Yard, 191, Oxford Street, London. Post-office Orders
to be made payable at 210, Oxford Street,

No person will be allowed to subscribe after the 6th. of April; and no one
will be considered a Subscriber until he has paid his Guinea.

A vai'iety of British Insects always on sale. All kinds of Insect-boxes and
Cabinets for Insects. Nets and Breeding-cages of all kinds, and Cabinets for
Shells or Fossils made to order.

Mr. F. has just bred a quantity of Boletophagus crenatus, which are
to be sold alive at Two Shillings each.

BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS.

For Sale, a small collection of very choice sj)ecimcns, well marked,
neatly blown, and selected from a very large quantity taken by the
Advertiser. Apply A. B., No. 1, Church Lane, Whitechapel, London.

TO INCIPIENT BOTANISTS, ETC.

For Disposal, the following collections of British Plants, carefuUv
prepared, neatly mounted, scientifically named, and systematically
arranged:— ^, ^ ^

A Collection of Nine Hundred Flowering Plants . 4 10 0
A Collection of Four Hundred Flowering Plants . .200
A Collection of Eiiijhty Beautifid Mosses . . . 0 8 0
A Collection of Elegant Ferns 0 10 6

Hare Species always on hand for supplying Desiderata.

WILLIAM FOGGIT, Market Place, Thirsk.

TO ENTOMOLOGISTS.

AV^nited to purchase, a SECOND-HAND COPJvED AND
GLAZED CABINET, of not less than six, and not more than
about twelve, drawers. Address, stating price and full particulais.
"Ekv. F. O. ^Iohkis, Nafferton Vicm-acje, near Drijfield, Yorlshirc.'"

SITUATION WANTED.

A Lady is anxious to hear of a situation for a res])ectable middle-
aged person, whom she can well recommend, and who has lived in
her service for more than ten years, as Upper Nurse, or to wait ou

THE BEST AND MOST PRACTICAL WORK ON BEES.

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OPINIONS OF THE PEESS:—

"Tlie 'Bee-keeper's Manual' is a iTsefiil compendnim of the Natural History of
the Bee, with observations and hints on their habits and treatment. The author
gives the result of his own experience, and describes various kinds of hives, some
of his OM'n construction. He also quotes the opinions of Gelien, Nutt, Payne,
and other apiarians, who have devoted their attention to tlie subject. One great
object he has in \-iew is to shew the needless cruelty of destroying bees in any
kind of hive to obtain their honey, and that the true interest of the proprietor
is best promoted by adopting the 'humane, or depriving system.' " — Annals of
Natural History.

"An exceedingly neat and well got up pocket volume. Mr. Taylor gossips
pleasantly on the habits and mode of feeding and keeping these especially useful
and interesting insects." — Farmer s Herald.

"We recommend this work as an elegant and exceedingly useful 'Manual for
Bee-keepers,' and as conveying much instructive information to those who intend
to become so." — United Gardeners' and Land Stewards' Journal.

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BY ROBERT HOGG.

Illustrated with Nine Colonrod Puit;\^,
From Original Drawings, expressly executed f)r this Work,
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No. 39.

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Price 6d.

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A POPULAR MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE

ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, AND MINERAL
KINGDOMS.

WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.

CONDUCTED BY

BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A.B., M.D., T.O.D.,

memb: wern: club.

LONDON:

GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATERNOSTER ROW.
EDINBURGH: JAMES HOGG, 4, NICOLSON STREET.

AMD MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLEES.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Singular Occurrence of Polecats attacking a Man 95

A Glance at the Feathered Residents in, and Visitants to, the grounds
of Tcrriek House; with a few remarks, from personal observation,

upon their habits and peculiarities. By S. Stoke, Esq 96

A Notice of some of the Birds occurring near Richmond, Yorkshire.

By n. Sjiurtiiwaite, Esq 102

On the Names of Birds in the North-Riding of Yorkshire. By Johx

H. Davies, Esq 104

Ornithological Notes. By Mr. Clement Jackson 105

British Evergreens. — No. 4. By J. McTntosh, Esq 106

Miscellaneous Notices. — Occurrence of the Rose-coloured Pastor, near
Glasgow. Notes on the Tree Creeper. Note on the Hooded Crow.
The Mountain Finch. Little Auk near Northampton. Skeletons
A White Variety of the Common Mallow. Orchidacefie with White

Flowers 112

Proceedings op Societies, — Royal Society of Edinburgh 114

The Retrospect 118

The Querist 118

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received, up to April 20th., from W. Sawees, Esq. ;
— E. Gray, Esq.

Contributions have been received, up to April 20th., from S. Stone, Esq.;—
G. Donaldson, Esq.;— G. M. Bahnaed, Esq.;— J. Fotheegill, Esq.;— J.
Gaeland, Esq.;— G. E. Twinn. Esq.;— J. J. D.;— G. Lawson, Esq.;— J. P.
J. Mc'Intosh, Esq.;— H. Colquhoun, Esq., M. D.;— C. W. Eothery, Esq.
H. H. Deuey, Esq.;— E. J. Meynell, Esq.;— Anceps;— J. B. Davies, Esq.
C. Wood, Esq.

Book lteeewed.—'''Qix\iom's Class Book of Botany." Part II.— "Physiological Botany." A. and
C. Black, Edinburgh.

"We have received communications from J. J. D., of West Grange, Perthshire; from J. P. of
Rochdale; and from W. of Macduff, Banff. Will these gentlemen favour us with their names
in confidence, in conformity with our Eule.

Conummkathns^Brawings^Advcrtisements etc., to be addressed to BEVERLEY R. MORRIS,

London.

Esq ,M.T)., Drifield ;~-BooJcs for Review, and Rarcels, to the care of Messrs. GROOMBRIDGE
and SONS, 5, Fatcrnoster Row, Lond

96

SINGULAR OCCURRENCE OF POLECATS, {MUSTELA
PUTORIUS,) ATTACKING A MAN.

"A FORTNIGHT sinco, as John Roderick, of Llanidloes, carpenter, was
returning home from Pantygessel, in the parish of Llanwnog, he was attacked
by a number of Polecats, which bit him in several places, and one crept up
his body, and bit him severely on the shoulder. With difficulty he made his
escape, and upon arriving at Pantygessel he aroused the inmates, who set out
in chase of the animals, and killed four. The poor fellow is not yet recovered
from his fright and injuries." — Thus far appeared in the Western Courier
Newspaper, during August 1853.

The Reverend Oourtenay Bulteel, of Holbeton Vicarage, Devon, con.sidering
so short an account of this circumstance unsatisfactory, wrote to Roderick,
and he being unable to reply handed over the note to a clergyman in the
neighbourhood, who very kindly answered it, and the following interesting
particulars were elicited, of which I forward a copy: —

The Green, Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, August 29th., 1853.

Rev. Sir,

Interested like yourself in Natural History, I was just now in-
quiring from John Roderick, (who happens to be at work here this morning,)
the particulars of the "attack upon him by the Polecats," when he put your
letter into my hands and requested me to reply to you.

I make no question, but the main facts were as stated in the papers —
Roderick was passing down a cart track which crossed the second field from
a hill farm-house, at which he lodged, between eight and nine o'clocl^ one
evening in the end of June; he came upon a group of Polecats, (which did
not at the moment appear to be travelling across his path, but as I conceive
to be stopped by the young ones becoming chilled and cramped as I have
often seen Ferrets by the rain, which was then, and had been most of the
evening, falling heavily,) these young ones seem to have been crouching in
the wheel-rut, while the old ones would appear, from Roderick's account, to
have endeavoured to shelter them, and at the same time to entice them
forward, by going and returning towards and from the hedge. I may here
observe that it proved the rain had dislodged them just before from their
nest under the barn floor, it being extremely heavy, and great floods occurring
on that night through the whole of this part of Wales.

The man having no stick, rushed forward and struck at one with his hat, and
at the same moment "kicked another into the air;" in doing so he fell, and
at once was fastened on by four or five of the Fitchets, (as we call them
here:) two only of them reached his flesh, one, (an old one,) pinning him by
the shoulder, and another by the heel, the others had hold of his clothes;
he got out his pocket-knife and stuck it into that on his shoulder, and then
getting on his legs he ran ofi", the Fitchets dropping ofi" him one by one, that
on the heel holding longest and most savagely. Hastening to the farm-house^
he called some of the workmen, and returning with sticks and with sheep-dogs,

VOL. IV. o

96 FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE.

they found the Fitchets in the adjoining hedge. Being overmatched, these now
took to flight towards the barn, but the men succeeded in killing four, one
of which was that which had been stabbed while on the man's shoulder; under
the barn floor they found the remains of nearly twenty fowls, some lately
killed with their heads only eaten ofl^. The rain, as I have before stated, had
burst in and evidently been the cause of the Polecats decamping in a body;
a little beyond the field where they were met, is a rabbit-warren on higher
ground, to which they appear to have been making their way.

The only point on which I have any doubt in the man's account is as
to the number. I mean he may in his terror have over-estimated it; he says
''they were more than a dozen; at least sixteen." Now if it was so, the only
way of accounting for it is, that there having been a nest in or about the
same place the year before, tivo pairs had kept together and bred under this
barn floor; for, though I have often observed that a whole litter of Polecats
remain with the two old ones through the summer and autumn, yet I have
never known an instance of a Polecat producing at a birth more than six
or seven, (and I do not think that they breed more than once a year,) though
the Ferret, (which will breed with the Polecat, and their offspring I know to
be productive;) the Ferret, I say, will sometimes produce ten, and I have heard
of- more.

I am. Rev. Sir, Yours faithfully,

JOHN MEREDITH.

Forwarded for "The Naturalist" magazine, by Rev. R. Archer Julian,
Laira House, Plymouth, February 9th., 1854.

A GLANCE AT THE FEATHERED RESIDEINTS IN,
AND VISITANTS TO, THE GROUNDS OF TERRIOK HOUSE;

WITH A FEW REMARKS FROM PERSONAL
OBSERVATION UPON THEIR HABITS AND PECULIARITIES.

BY STEPHEN STONE, ESQ.
(Continued from page 28. )

The Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris,) occupies ervery available hole under the
tiles, or in the thatch of barn or summer-house, where, in a nest loose in
construction, and coarse in the materials employed, being often nothing more
than a few straws, it lays five or six eggs, varying in colour from pale blue
to pure white. I have an egg of this species which bears the following
inscription: — "Found in a Carrion Crow's nest, April the 26th., 1852;" this
specimen I procured myself on the day and in the situation here recorded,
the eggs of the "original proprietor" having been removed the previous day;
whether the bird dropped this egg there by accident, or whether she deposited
it there with the serious intention of adding others to it, and then proceeding
to incubate them, I cannot now say; having most inconsiderately taken pos-

FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE. 97

session of this one as soon as discovered, and thus destroyed the opportunity
I might otherwise have had of observing what ulterior proceedings the bird
would have adopted in reference thereto. I much regret my precipitancy in
the matter, as the issue might have been of some interest.

I once saw a pair of these birds in great distress, in consequence of a
whole army of invaders, in the shape of a swarm of bees, having stormed
and taken possession of the citadel which contained their infant progeny.
They seemed fully to understand and appreciate the formidable nature of the
powers possessed by these invaders, for their screams and outcries, so long
as the enemy continued to occupy the fortress, which was the greater part
of one summer's afternoon, were loud, piercing, and incessant. Happily,
however, the enemy, not finding the place sufficiently commodious, evacuated
it before nightfall, and, much to their honour, and to the infinite relief of
the parent birds, they, like brave soldiers, had disdained to harm or injure
the helpless; for, on their leaving, the young birds were found to have
sustained no manner of hurt, although unquestionably they must have been
for some time in imminent danger of suffocation.

The young of this species remain in the nest until they are capable of
sustaining very lengthened flights, in fact until they have become almost ^s
perfect adepts in the art of flying as their parents. The youth of our own
species would do well to take these birds for an example, and endeavour to
repress their eagerness to escape from the trammels of home and education,
and launch themselves upon the world ere they have become capable of
resisting its temptations and allurements, and of avoiding the snares and
dangers with which they are sure to be surrounded.

I have known a pair of these birds dispute, and that successfully, possession
of the hole in a tree with the Green Woodpecker, (Piciis viridis,) notwith-
standing the superiority in size and strength of the latter bird.

In September last I witnessed what to me is an entirely new feature in
the habits of the Starling. During the whole of one afternoon, some thirty
or forty of these birds were to be seen over a particular spot, evidently
hawking for insects after the manner of the Swallow tribe; or, from their
vacillating mode of flight, they might be said to bear a stronger resemblance
to a number of overgrown Bats in quest of prey. Launching forth from
the top of an elm they traversed the air in all directions; and after making
sundry captures returned, apparently fatigued with the unwonted exercise,
and after resting for a few moments again launched forth to repeat their
aerial movements. That they were in pursuit of some kind of insect
seemed to me evident enough from their sudden and abrupt turnings — darting
off occasionally at acute or other angles, and clearly making a grab at
something; possibly an unusual flight of some coleopterous insect suited to
their taste, caused this departure from their ordinary manner of seeking their
food.

As an instance of the pertinacity with which these birds cling to a

98 KEATHEUED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE.

favourite roosting-place, I may mention that a few years ago, a large flock
suddenly took a fancy to a clump of evergreens immediately in front of, and
close to, the entrance hall of Wotton House, the seat of the Marquis of
Chandos. All attempts to scare them away on the first evening of their
appearance proving ineffectual, a "council of war" was the next morning
called, the result of which was that the gamekeepers and male domestics
were "put under arms," and stationed in the evening around the carriage
swee{), in the centre of which the clump of evergreens aforesaid was situated.
On the re-appearance of the birds in the evening, volley after volley was fired
into their ranks; still they persisted in their attempts to occupy the position
they had pitched upon, which the survivors succeeded in doing, darkness at
length putting an end to further hostilities for that night. The next evening
the "action" was resumed, and continued till darkness again intervened; and
it was not till this slaughter had been continued for several successive evenings
and their ranks had in consequence become fearfully thinned, that they were
finally driven from their "position," and compelled to look out for "quarters"
elsewhere.

If the reader will now accompany me in an imaginary birds'-nesting expe-
dition round the grounds, I will further point out to him the nests we shall
be likely to meet with on the way, supposing the breeding season to be just
at its height. Let us then first pay a visit to yonder summer-house partly
clothed with ivy; its somewhat dilapidated condition outside impresses us
rather favourably than otherwise with the probability of its richness in the
production of oological treasures; nor shall we be disappointed in our expectations,
unless a change should have taken place since the last summer I visited it.
As we approach the entrance, and are about to pass into the interior, a
bird of sober and unpretending colours darts silently away from our very
elbow; our eyes follow her in her flight, which is but a brief one, for the
next instant she i% sitting on the nearest convenient post, or rail, or naked
branch, where she has an uninterrupted view of us, and we of her; there
she remains, and though unable wholly to suppress her anxiety, awaits with
exemplary patience the issue of our visit. Our eyes now turn to the place
from whence she darted off, and on the horizontal branch of some trained or
climbing plant, we perceive a nest something like that of the Chaffinch, but
less firm, compact, and beautiful; externally it is composed of tree moss and
lichens, intermixed with wool and a large proportion of spiders' webs; internally
it is lined with hair or feathers, or both. The nest is found to be placed
close to the wall, so close indeed that the wall forms one side of it, or rather
its being so placed enables the bird to dispense with the trouble of building
a circular nest, it forming when detatched only half, or at most three-fourths
of a circle, and has very much the appearance of a nest cut in two; thus
the bird effects a saving of time, trouble, and materials. In it we find four
or five eggs which, from their peculiarity in colour and markings, we should
feel no hesitation in pronouncing to be those of the Spotted Flycatcher,

FEATHERED RESIDKVTS IK THK GROUNDS OP TERRICK HOUSE. 99

{Mmcicapa grisola,) even if the bird were not herself before us in confirmation
of the fact.

As we are examining this nest, another bird passes out with a graceful
sweep from immediately above us, and, alternately rising and falling in curves,
alights on the margin of a neighbouring fishpond, where, with apparent unconcern
for the fate of the nest and eggs it has left, it forthwith commences running
down the different species of flies it may there find disporting themselves
in the sun. Having procured a short ladder, we mount to the place from
whence this bird was seen to issue, and there in some hole or corner, where
a brick or stone has been removed, either by the "hand of time" or the
fingers of man or boy, and thus enabled it to effect a safe and convenient
lodgment, we find its nest. This nest is rather rudely constructed, and
composed of rather rude materials to boot, having evidently been selected
from the manure heap in a neighbouring farm- yard; the lining consists of
cows' hair, wool, and bits of rag. The eggs, five or six in number, are rather
large for the size of the bird, which at first sight we could not fail to
recognise as the Pied Wagtail, {Motacilla Yarrellii;) they are of nearly a
white ground, freckled all over with bluish grey. Should the nest chance to
contain one rather larger than the rest, and differing from them more or less
in colour, we may without much risk of coming to an erroneous conclusion
set it down as the egg of the Cuckoo, (Guculus canorus.) I have in my
collection a nest of this species, (the Pied Wagtail, not the Cuckoo,) lined
throughout with well-washed snow-white dogs' hair, which gives it rather a
distingue appearance. It may be as well to state, for the special behoof of
the reader, that T. supplied the bird with this material myself, having placed
a quantity at her disposal about the head of the pollard ash on which the
nest was situated, so soon as I found the superstructure sufficiently advanced
for the purpose; this supply she readily availed herself of, without giving herself
the trouble of searching for any other. By adopting this or a similar plan
in reference to any other kind of bird, as the Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Hedge
Warbler, etc., you may generally succeed in obtaining a nest lined with any
desired colour.

The Pied Wagtail chooses a variety of situations for the construction of
its nest, and places it at various degrees of elevation, sometimes even beneath
the surface of the earth; I have on several occasions found it underneath a
ploughed furrow on a stale fallow, and in a crack in the side of a newly- cut
I water-course. A pair produced an annual brood for several successive seasons
over a door which opened on^ to the leads at the top of a lofty house in which
I we resided a few years ago. Perhaps the most favourite situations are old
abridges and ruins, or stacks of haulm, peat, or faggots.

Although the male of this species is not to be regarded as a Braham, a
, Mario, or a Sims Reeves among birds, it nevertheless has a sweetly-warbled
I song, which it gives while tripping with airy lightness over the dew-bespangled
^lawn, along the roof of barn or dwelling-house, beside the margin of the lake.

100 FEATHERED RESIDENTS IX THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE.

or even upon parts of its surface where a safe footing is afforded it by the
floating outspread leaves of the surpassingly-beautiful water-lily and other
aquatic plants, in pursuit of its insect prey; and in the season of love it
gives forth this song with redoubled ardour, as in the exuberance of its
feelings, and in an ccstacy of delight, it dances about on the wing, not "with
odd jerks and aesticulations", like the Whitethroat, nor by springing into the
air, and then steadily descending in a curve like the Tree Pipit, but by
repeated vaultings, in a manner peculiarly its own, around the neighbourhood
its lady-love graces with her presence.

With us the Pied Wagtail is partially migratory, its numbers gradually
becoming less as the winter advances, till in the depth of that season, a
solitary bird is only now and then to be seen. Along the banks of the Isis,
in Oxfordshire, I have often in November met with parties of thirty or forty,
a "gathering," no doubt, from places further north.

The noise we make in ascending the ladder brings out another bird from
beneath the tiled roof, which takes some such stand as the first we disturbed,
it is however more restless and noisy, uttering its note of disquietude with an
impatient shake of the tail. This is the Redstart, (Phoenicura ruticilla,) whose
nest, if we choose to remove some of the tiles, we shall discover containing,
it may be, six or more eggs smaller than those of the Hedge Warbler, but
of the same beautiful blue colour. A hole in the wall, a hollow tree, and
sometimes a hole in the thatch of an outhouse is chosen by this bird for the
construction of its nest. I have found it in the hole perforated in an oak
to the depth of two or three inches only by the Green Woodpecker. If un-
molested it will bring up its brood in the same spot year after year.

We eater the building; when, with a loud shriek, one-third of alarm, another
of indignation, and the remaining one of menace, a bird dashes almost into
our very faces in its retreat; this is the Chimney Swallow, (Hirundo rustica,)
whose nest we perceive on a moulding which runs round near the ceiling.
We take a seat and perchance begin to discuss some point in the history of
the bird, upon a specimen of whose handiwork our eyes are fixed. We shall
however soon find it convenient to "move the adjournment of the debate," for
assuredly we shall not be able to carry it on without constant interruption
here, for every half minute or so, the bird will be popping in upon us, re-
doubling its cry of alarm, indignation, and menace.

Whatever the cause may be, it is an unquestionable fact that this bird
occurs much more sparingly in this part of the country than it did some
twenty years ago. May not this be traced in some measure- to the treacherous
nature of our late springs? I know that in the unusually severe weather we
had in April, 1849, and again in 1851, after the arrival of these birds, they
were found by hundreds, either starved to death by hunger, or killed by the
severity of the frost, along the banks of the Isis. It was even said, and I
have no reason to doubt the truth of the statement, that bushels of their
dead bodies might have been collected within a comparatively short distance.

i

FEATHERED UICSIDENT8 IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE. 101

1 have known instances of their having perished from a succession of cold wet
days, even after the commencement of summer. They usually withdraw from
this locality early in October, but at Brighton, and doubtless other places
along the south coast, they may be met with far on in November.

On the occurrence of a cold and stormy day in summer, when the insect
world has hid itself among herbage, in thatch, in crannies, and other places
which may afford it shelter, these birds will assiduously attend the mower,
as with measured tread he wields the keen-edged scythe, and, like time, slowly,
but surely, sweeps down all before him; here a temporary supply of food
awaits them in numerous Phalenae, which are roused from their lurking places,
and, like timid people, in the attempt to escape from an imaginary danger,
rush into a real one; or as there would be some danger of their being cut
by the blade of the mower if they remained in their place of concealment,
the case of the oppressed and unfortunate Kaffirs in the late war would
perhaps be more applicable, who, when the lighted match was applied to their
tents, had no alternative but to perish in the flames, or by rushing out, all
defenceless as they were, men, women, and children, to be struck down by
the shot or steel of the enemy. To comment upon this war would be entirely
out of place here; I must, therefore, refrain from doing so.

For the reason before stated, we leave the interior, and walk round to the
back of the building, and casting our eyes up its walls, we perceive foundry
small twigs projecting from behind some loose plaster, which has become de-
tached from the face of the wall, but arrested in its descent, and prevented
falling further by the clinging embrace of that strengthener and beautifier of
old walls and ruins, the ivy. What a faithful and pleasing picture does the
ivy-clad wall display to us, of the benefits to be derived from mutual support;
the wall supporting, and thereby invigorating and enabling to mount heaven-
ward the ivy, which must otherwise have remained grovelling along upon
earth, (and this is precisely what education, when combined, as it ought in
all cases to be, with religion, does for man,) the ivy giving additional strength
to the wall, concealing its blemishes and defects, and rendering that which
would otherwise have been an unsightly object, a picturesque and beautiful
one.

We place the ladder and ascend to this nest, where we shall probably find
the owner firm in her determination not to quit except by absolute force; we
therefore gently exert that force, when she descends nearly to the base of
some tree near at hand, and then commences an erratic and zigzag course up
its trunk. We recognise in this movement the Common Creeper, (Certhia
familiaris.) These birds, though generally dispersed over this part of the
country, are by no means numerous; a solitary bird, or at most a pair, being
only occasionally to be met with. Having selected a suitable locality for a
home, they appear to me to reside there permanently throughout the year,
and also from year to year. Around this home they make daily excursions
in order to procure their daily food, searching for it behind the bark of trees,

102 BiriDS OCCURRING NEAR RICHMOND.

and sometimes iu crevices of old walls. They are furnished with much the
same kind of tail as the Woodpeckers — strong and elastic, which supports
them in their ascent of trees, walls, and palings; they do not perforate the
bark like the Woodpeckers, and are therefore provided with a beak widely
different in construction; being very slender, rather long, and considerably
curved; which enables them to reach insects behind the bark, or round a
slight angle, which, with a short and straight beak they would not be capable
of doing. How beautifully is every part of every creature adapted to the
respective habits of such creature! Throughout the whole of creation, even
in its most minute portions, the marks of Infinite Wisdom are plainly visible.
Nothing, however small, however apparently insignificant, but has these marks
indelibly stamped thereon. Well may we exclaim with the Psalmist, —
"How manifold are Thy works, 0 Lord, in wisdom hast Thou made them all."

In the composition of the nest we find one rather odd sort of material,
namjly, small pieces of light decayed wood, commonly called touchwood. It
is generally a very slight affiiir, — a few slender dry twigs, sundry pieces of
the aforesaid touchwood, with the addition of hair and feathers as a lining.
The eggs, five or six in number, are so like those of the Blue Titmouse, that
one might easily be mistaken in their identity, although the ground of the
Creeper's may be of a more shining white, and the specks a trifle deeper in
colour than those of the Titmouse.

(To he continiicd.)

A NOTICE OF SOME OP THE
BIRDS OCCURRING NEAR RICHMOND, YORKSHIRE

BY H. SMURTHWAITE, ESQ.
{Continued from page 83^)

Thb following list contains the remainder of the birds which are found about
this town; the number being, owing to the formation of the surrounding
country, but scanty, and the species, generally speaking, not rare.

The Ringdove,) Golnmha j^ctlumbics,) is extremely abundant, chiefly inhabiting
young plantations of firs and larches, placing its loosely constructed nest very
frequently in the branches of the former tree, occasionally in a holly bush,
and not uncommonly in a low yew or "ivy mantled" ash. The height at
which the nest is placed from the ground, varies from four to twenty feet,
but I am inclined to think eight or nine to be about the average.

The Pheasant, {Phasianus Colchicus,) and the Common Partridge, {Perdix
cinerea,) are tolerably plentiful; I lately saw in the cabinet of a friend, a
curious variety of the egg of the former bird; in colour it much resembled
that of the Common Heron — bluish green, the surface very smooth and glossy,
and the egg itself unusually rotund. The nest from which it was taken contained

BIRDS OCCURRING NEAR RICHMOND. 103

eleven eggs, nine of the usual colour — tawny brown, and the remaining num-
ber resembling that above described; curiously enough, the last-named were
so much cracked, (although freshly laid,) that the specimen belonging to my
friend was the only one which could be preserved.

The Red Grouse, (Tetrao Scoticus,) is not rare, and numerous nests are
annually discovered; the eggs of this .species are for richness and variety of
colouring equalled by those of no British Bird, with the exception perhaps
of the Broad-billed Sandpiper, (Tringa platyrhyncha .) Whilst on the subject
of eggs, it may perhaps be not amiss to warn young oologists (a rapidly increasing
race,) against buying specimens from every dealer whose shop they may enter.
Generally speaking it is quite impossible to rely on the eggs being authentic,
and Mr. St. John was not far from the truth when he said that the dealers had
"as many tricks as a horse jockey to dispose of their specimens;" the well-
known "Great Auk fraud," must be fresh in the minds of most London
oologists. My principal object in mentioning this was to bring forward the name
of an individual who to most men of his profession is a bright exception; I
mean Mr. J. Gardner, of 29, Great Marlborough Street, whom I consider quite
unequalled for the cheap price at which he sells both stuffed birds and eggs,
and in whose honesty I have the greatest confidence.

The Golden Plover, (Charadrius pluviaHs,) is occasionally killed during the
autumn and winter months, but never as far as I can ascertain, breeds with us.

The Lapwing, (Vanellus cristatus,) is very abundant, haunting during the
breeding season, ploughed fields and waste land, but after hatching, retiring,
with the exception of a very few individuals, to the sea coast.

The Common Heron, (Ardea cinerea^) is sometimes observed standing in
shallow parts of the river, deeply engaged in the pursuit of its finny prey,
but specimens are seldom procured, and there is no heronry within many miles
of Richmond.

Although by no means plentiful, the Curlew, (Numenius arquata,) may
be generally seen on some of the tracts of moorland within a short distance
of the town, and from such a locality I have had the eggs.

A specimen of the rare Green Sandpiper, (Totanus ochropus,) was recently
killed at Killerby, a short distance from the town. Whilst conversing with
one of the most eminent ornithologists of the present day, I was assured by
him that the eggs of this species had never yet been found; but I find that
in a sale of specimens which took place a short time ago in London, several
eggs stated to be those of T. ochropus, were disposed of.

The Common Sandpiper, {Totanus hypoleucos,) is not very abundant, and
any stragglers which remain to breed are generally shot by bird-stuffers.

The Woodcock, {Scolopax riisticola,) the Common Snipe, {Scolopax gaUinago,)
and the Jack Snipe, {Scolopax gallinula,) are all scarce, the last named es-
pecially, is very rarely seen.

VOL. IV. p

104 NAMES OF BIRDS IN THE NOUTH-UIDING OF YORKSHIUK.

The Common Coot, (FuUca atra,) breeds on some of the neighbouring ponds,
but specimens are very seldom seen on the river, which is far too rapid to
suit their taste, and besides this, is not bordered by those reeds and flags
which are always found near the haunts of this species.

The Little Grebe, (Podiceps minor,) is occasionally observed during winter,
but is only a very rare visitor with us.

The Common Tern, (Sterna hirundo,) and perhaps also the Arctic Tern,
[Sterna arctica,) visit us at long intervals, generally before a severe storm,
and the same may be said with respect to the Herring Gull, [Larus argent atus.)

Flocks of the Grey-lag Goose, (Anser Ferus,) pass over the town during
the course of their annual migration, at very distant periods, and this I
believe to be the only member of the family by whom we are ever visited.

The Wild Duck, [Anas hoschas,) is abundant during the months of De-
cember and January, and the Teal, {Anas crecca,) is not uncommon, but the
Wigeon, [Anas Penelope,) and the Pochard, [Anas ferina,) are very seldom
observed.

A specimen of the Tufted Duck, [Anas filigula,) was seen swimming in
the river in November, 1853; the person who observed it, considered it to
be a young male bird.

The Ked-breasted Merganser, (Mergus serrator,) is very rare with us; the
Goosander, (Mergus merganser,) is somewhat more common; those which are
procured are almost invariably females.

Richmond, March Srd., 18o4.

ON THE NAMES OF BIRDS
IN THE NORTH-RIDING (>F YORKSHIRE.

BY JOHN H. DAVIE8, ESQ.

On looking through various lists of the local names of birds, I find that
many of the designations employed by the inhabitants of this part of the
country, still remain unrecorded. So that perhaps by inserting in "The
Naturalist," a list of some of the more remarkable distinctive appellations that
come under this head, I may be performing a useful service to some ornithologist,
who might otherwise find himself puzzled by the intricacies of our primitive
dialect.

The first given are the ordinary names;' and those following are the names
by which the species are known in this part of the country: —

Kestrel, (Red-backed Hawk.)
Sparrow-Hawk, (Perry-Hawk.)
White Owl, (Jenny Howlet.)
Blue Tit, (Billy Blue-cap.)

Long-tailed Tit, (Long-tailed Titty-
mouse.)
Crow, (Dowp.)
Hooded Crow, (Blue-backed Crow.)

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.

105

Magpie, (Nanpie.)
Jay, (Jenny Jay.)
Creeper, (Creepy-tree.)
Nightjar, (Gable Ratchet; so called
because it ratches (i. e. hoots) on
the gables of houses. Its cry is
superstitiously believed to be the
•harbinger of death.)
Swift, (Dibbling.)
Pied Wagtail, (Willy Wagtail.)
Tree Pipit, (Bulking Lark.)
Black-headed Bunting, (Seave Cap.)
Yellow-Hammer, (Goldspink,)
Chaffinch, (Bullspink.)
Sparrow, (Spag and Spadger.)
Green Finch, (Green Lenny.)

Thirsk, Fehruary •Jlth., 1854.

Linnet, (French Lenny.)
Bullfinch, (Bullflinch and Bully.)
Starling, (Ship Starling.)
Missel Thrush, (Thrush.)
Thrush, (Throstle.)
Fieldfare, (Fellfer.)
Blackbird, (Blacky.)
Dunnock, (Cuddy and Hedge-creeper.)
Eedstart, (Lenny Redtail.)
Whitethroat, (Peggy Whitethroat.)
Lesser Whitethroat, (Mealy mouth.)
Wren, (Tricker, Jenny Wren, and

Tommy Tit.)
Golden-Crested W^ren, (Firecrown.)
Wood Pigeon, (Cowscot and Cowshot.)
Lapwing, (Teafit.)

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.

BY MR. CLEMENT JACKSON.

Marsh Harrier, (Circus rufus.) — Having perused with much interest Mr.
A. Strickland's note on the migration and change of plumage exhibited by
the Marsh Harrier, as detailed in Morris's "British Birds," vol. i., page 162;
and as this species in common with all large predaceous birds, is now of rare
occurrence here, the following notice of a male specimen brought to me on
the 28th. of December, 1853, may be worth recording: —

It was shot a few days previously on the moors, a few miles from Liskeard,

during very severe frost, late in the evening, as it rose from a ditch where

it had probably been discussing its last meal. The stomach was filled with

the remains of a Teal and a Thrush, torn in small fragments, and well

plucked, as comparatively few feathers were swallowed, the beak and legs

alone identifying the owners. It was in good flesh and feather, and measured

about twenty inches from beak to end of tail; spread of wings four feet two

finches. Irides, dark brown; primary quills, dark; secondaries, grayish brown;

Itail, gray. Head, neck, and body, above and below, dark brown, with a few

[lighter markings around the beak and facial disk; wing coverts, dark brown,

nth some old worn feathers, evidently the remains of summer plumage, scattered

)ver them: these appear to have beea light brown or straw-colour; their faded

|and worn tips are very conspicuous on the new dark brown plumage, exhibiting

ift marked difference in colour from the summer livery, and confirming Mr.

iRtrickland's conjecture respecting the autumnal change.

106 BRITISH EVERGREENS.

The Blaclcstart, (Phoenicura Tithys.) — Two oi* three Blackstarts were observed
flying about our hill on the 4th. of Kovember, and we noticed several during
November and December, all in similar plain plumage. The only adult male in
mature plumage I have yet met with was shot on the 16th. of iS'ovember, 1846.

Do the young males retain their plain garb till the ensuing spring?

East Looe, February 21st., 1854.

BRITISH EVERGREENS.— No. 4.

BY. J. Mc'iNTOSH, ESQ.

C Continued from Vol. III., ^mge 248.^

Hedera, {The Ivy,) Pentandria Monogynia.

"Dark creeping Ivy with thy berries brown,
That fondly twists on ruins all thine own."

Hedera Helix, L. — The common Ivy is a free-born shrub to every country
of Europe, from the south of Sweden to the Mediterranean Sea, and from
Ireland to Siberia. It is also found in the north of Africa, in Asia, on the
mountains of India, Japan, and in China; it does not exist in America or
in Australia, except by cultivation. Kalm says that he saw Ivy but once in
North America, against a stone building, and conjectures that it had been
brought from Europe, and planted there. Royle says that the variety with
yellow berries, {Hedera Helix chrysocarpa,) is the most common on the Hima-
layas, and may be seen clinging to the rocks, or clasping the Oak. Thunberg,
who first observed it in Japan, remarks that the leaves are not lobed. The
Ivy was well known to the Greeks and the Romans; its Greek names were
Kissos and Kittos, from Kissos or Cissus, the name of a boy whom Bacchus
is said to have changed into it. By the Romans it was called Hedera, which
name it still retains. Ovid gives it the very appropriate epithet of "fiexipes,"
(Met. X. 99,) twiny footed. Virgil calls it wandering or 'straggling "errantes
ederas, (Eel. iv. 19.) Catullus describes its manner of growth with great beauty
of language,

"As clasping Ivy shoots its sprays
Around the tree in wanton maze." — Ixi. 34.

Horace gives a similar representation of it —

"More close than Ivy girds the lofty oak,
With pliant arms adhering."

And Ovid adds the circumstance of its forming knots by the reflection of
its branches, and likewise mentions its bunches of berries —

"The oars by loops of creeping Ivy bound
Are held; its clusters fill the sails around." — Met. iii. 664.

The ancients held Ivy in great esteem; it was consecrated to Bacchus, who

BRITISH EVERGREENS. 107

is represented as crowned with it, and it was often twined with the laurel
and the vine, in the poets' wreath. JVIilton speaks of "the Ivy crowned Bacchus,"
And Pliny informs us that it was the yellow fruited which was consecrated
to the god of wine, and also destined to crown the poets. When Bacchus
was seized by the pirates, his presence was made manifest by many wondrous
changes that took place in different parts of the vessel, which Leigh Hunt
thus translates from Homer —

"For first a fountain of sweet smelling wine
Came gushing o'er the deck with sprightly shine,
And odours not of earth, their senses took;
The pallid wonder spread from look to look:
And then a vine tree overran the sail.
Its green arms tossing to the pranksome gale
And then an Ivy, with a flowering shoot,
Ran up the mast in rings, and kissed the fruit,
Which here and there the dripping vine let down:
On every oar there was a garland crown."

Homer also describes his heroes as drinking out of a cup made of Ivy
wood. The beechen-cup of Alcimedon had a lid of Ivy carved with grapes —

"The lids are Ivy; grapes in clusters lurk
Beneath the carving of the curious work."

Dryden's Virgil.

It is related that when Alexander's army, after their conquest of Babylon,

arrived at the mountain of Nyssa, the reputed birth-place of Bacchus, and

found it covered with Laurel and Ivy, they were so delighted that they

tore up the Ivy by its roots, and, twining it round their heads, burst forth

into hymns to Bacchus, and prayers for their native country. The Greek

priests presented wreaths of Ivy to newly-married persons, as a symbol of

the closeness of the tie which bound them, as man and wife, together.

Ptolemy Philopater, king of Egypt, ordered all the Jews who had abjured

their religion to be branded with an Ivy leaf. The Ivy has always been

considered symbolical of friendship, from the closeness of its adherence to

the tree or ruin on which it has fixed itself. "Nothing," says St. Pierre,

"can separate it from the tree which it has once embraced; it clothes it with

lits own leaves in that inclement season when its dark boughs are covered

Iwith hoar-frost. The faithful companion of its destiny, it falls when the tree

[is cut down; death itself does not relax its grasp, and it continues to adorn

[with its verdure the dry trunk that once supported it."

"When the oak denies her stay,

The creeping Ivy winds her humble way;

No more she twists her branches round,

But drags her feeble stem along the barren ground."

Lloyd.

Spenser gives the following delightful picture of its embraces: —

108 BRITISH EVERGREENS,

"Emongst the rest, the elamb'ring yvie grew,
Knitting his wanton arms with grasping hold,
Least that the poplar happely should rew

Her brother's strokes, whose boughs she doth enfold
With her lythe twigs, till they the top survew.
And paint with pallid green her buds of gold."

Spenser's Virgil's Gnat.

The Ivy has certainly a very beautiful and picturesque appearance upon
old buildings, where it is often seen hanging in luxuriant and heavy masses;
as on the ruina of old castles, abbeys, churches, rocks, and stumps of trees.
It may often be seen growing in a soil that received no preparation from
man, with nothing to cling to but basaltic rocks; yet one column of rock
after another is surmounted: but it does not stop there — it scales the walls and
pushes onwards (in fact its motto is ^onward — onward,') until its evergreen
flag waves in the breeze, and in the storm upon the ramparts.

"High from the fields of air look down.

Those eyries of a vanished race;

Where harp, and battle, and renown,

Have passed and left no trace.
But thou art there serenely bright,

Meeting the mountain's storms with bloom;
Thou that wilt climb the loftiest height.
Or crown the lowliest tomb;
Ivy, Ivy, all are thine.
Palace, hearth, and shrine."

Mrs. Hkmans.
And Keats says of it —

"The little chapel with the cross above,
Upholding wreaths of Ivy."

We do not know a plant which claims more particular notice than the
Ivy. This '^rare old plant," as Dickens has sung, is not to be surpassed in
point of utility. Its viridity is perpetual; when all around it may be bleak
and bare, the Ivy appears fresh under every circumstance, and clothed in its
sombre beauty. In the pleasure-ground it cannot be dispensed with, for
nothing else can so eflfectually turn the bare hollow trunk into an object of
beauty. As a plant adapted for an ornamental fence or screen, it is fairly
unrivalled; it only requires the partial support of a few slight stakes, or a
rudely- constructed lattice, and in a short time it covers the whole in the
most graceful manner, completely shutting out the view on either side. For
covering walls or buildings, too, there is nothing to be compared to Ivy; and
it has this great merit, that no other plant usually employed for such a
purpose can so effectually preserve the masonry from that dampness and decay
which inevitably follow exposure to rain and beating winds; and which fre-
quently render detached dwelling-houses quite unhealthy. On this subject we
find a correspondent of the "Paper-hanger's and Upholsterer's Guide" says —
"The last thing I have to mention on the subject of damp relates to Ivy
on exterior walls of buildings; its efiect on walls is, that if it does not

BRITISH EVKKGRERNS. 109

entirely eradicate damp it may be admitted to be a repellant placed on the
exterior. I had my attention drawn to a case of this description where damp
had prevailed for a length of time in the walls of an apartment; but Ivy
having grown up to cover the opposite exterior side, the affected parts inside
had become dry."

A Rural Dean contends that, "So far from Ivy rendering the structure
damp, and so hastening its decay, nothing so effectually keeps the building
dry, as may be seen by examining beneath the Ivy after rain, when it will
be found that the walls are dry, though everything around is deluged with
wet." "And further," he says, "its exuberant and web-like roots, issuing,
as they do, from every portion of the branches, and running all over the
surface on which it grows, binding everything together that comes within
their reach with such a firm and intricate lace-work, that not a single stone
can be removed from its position without first tearing away its protecting
safeguard. In those parts of the structure that have not had the advantage
of this protection, all has gone to utte^ decay. Where the Ivy has thrown
its preserving mantle, everything is comparatively perfect and fresh, and often
times the angles of the sculptured stones are found to be almost as sharp and
entire as when first they came from the mason's yard."

About London, and other large cities, it is raised in the nurseries in large
quantities in pots, to form external framing to the windows of houses instead
of architectures, and for placing in balconies. In rooms, also, the Ivy may
be planted in boxes; and, when properly treated, forms a most beautiful rustic
screen; is then for excluding the light of the sun by day, or that of lamps
by night; also to conceal or disguise any disagreeable objects that may present
themselves, and create an allusion to the country. A variety of opinions exist
as to its injurious properties to timber trees for sale — some writers contending
that it is highly injurious to them, while others as strongly contend that it
is beneficial. That it is not injurious to trees, we are perfectly satisfied in our
own mind, having had large quantities of timber trees covered with it to
the summit of their branches, cut down, and sawn into planks, and have
never found the timber in the least injured by it, but on high and exposed
places greatly benefited by it; in which situations few objects are more
picturesque than the trunks of large trees verdant with this "rare old plant."
Sheep are very fond of Ivy, and in severe weather it is a warm and wholesome
food for them; therefore the shepherds in many places in winter cut down
branches for their flocks to browse on. Cato directs that cattle should be fed
with it in scarcity of hay. Deer also are particularly fond of its leaves; for
the use of the latter the park walls should be planted with Ivy, thereby
insuring an additional amount of food to these animals during winter; also
ornamenting the walls, and protecting them against the ravages of time,
remembering that —

"Our Ivy-crowned turrets, the pride of past ages,
Tliough mouldering in ruins, do still grandeur impart."

110 BRITISH EVKRGREEN3.

The berries are attractive to many of our early spring birds, and its dense
foliage affords an excellent situation for the nests of the Blackbird, Thrush,
Wren, Blackcap, Sparrow, Tomtit, Robin, Jay, Wood Pigeons, Owls, Jackdaws,
and the various Finches. Ivy was formerly included in the English Materia
Medica, as it was in that of the Greeks, and still is in that of India. The
berries are caustic and purgative, and the substance which is called hederine,
which is now in use in India, is said to be aperient, resolvative, and balsamic.
The wood is soft and porous, and in the south of Europe it is used by the
turner. The roots are employed by leather-cutters to whet their knives on;
and curiously-polished cups, boxes, and also tables of great value are made
from them. A decoction of the leaves dyes hair black, and it is said to form
a principal ingredient in the composition sold to prevent hair from turning

The Common Ivy is a well known plant, unjustly considered parasitical.
In its infant, or very youthful state, it has spear-shaped leaves, and bears
neither flowers nor fruit, and was called by old botanists, Hedera humi repens,
(Ivy creeping on the ground.) At a more advanced state it bears five-lobed
leaves, climbs on trees and walls, and is barren: in this stage it was called
Hedera major sterilis, (Greater Barren Ivy.) In its next, or more mature
state, it sends forth three-lobed leaves, rising above its supports, and flowering;
it was then called Hedera arhorea, (Tree Ivy;) but when old its leaves are
entire, and it was known as the Hedera Poetica, or Poet's Ivy. After this the
branches with old age droop, grow dry, wither, and become covered, as well
as the trunk, with moss; first one branch decays, then another, till the whole
tree moulders away, and "the place thereof knoweth it no more."

The following list contains the species and varieties at present known, though
there are more than fifty other species described in "Dons Miller," vol. iii.;
they are, however, trees from the tropics, and belong to the genus Aralia: —
Hedera Helix. — Common Ivy. In Pantgla.ss Park, South Wales, there is the
famous Ffynongoleh Ivy growing on an oak tree, with a
straight stem, six feet in length, and three feet in circum-
ference: the stem of the Ivy is independent of the stem of
oak, with deeply furrowed bark, like an oak. On a cottage,
in the town of Morpeth, Northumberland, there is, or was, a
fine specimen, considered to be nearly a century old. At
Great Canford, in Dorset, there is a magnificent specimen,
covering the beautiful and interesting old kitchen of John of
Gaunt, which must be more than a century old. Robert
Bloomfield tells us that the largest Ivy he ever saw was at
Ragland Castle, which he says "set iron and stone at defiance."
Of varieties of Hedera Helix we have the following, which are to be found
in the nurseries and gardens: —

Hedera Helix vulgaris. — This is the commonest form of the Ivy throughout
Europe in a wild state.

BRITISH KVKRQUEENR.

Ill

Hedera Helix Canariensis. — This is the Giant or Irish Ivy, and the Hedera
Canariensis of Willo. A native of the Canary Islands, but
when introduced into Britain is quite uncertain. Of varieties
of H. Canariensis there exist the following: —

" " Canariensis hora. — A small palm-leaved variety, with the veins

of the leaves white — rather slender in growth.

'( " Canariensis variegata. — This is the common variegated Irish Ivy,

one half of the leaves are yellowish, and the other quite green.

" " chrysocarpa of Dec; H. Poeticus, C. Bacch.; H. chrysocarpus,

Dalech.; H. Dionysis, J. Bacch.; H. Helix, Wall. This variety
differs from those already described in having yellow berries,
and being of a stronger growth. Virgil speaks of a white-
berried Ivy; but Tournefort considers it was our present
subject, and says, "that it is not surprising that the Bacchantes
should formerly have made use of these, the H. H. chrysocarpa,
to adorn their heads, since all Thrace is covered with this
plant."— Vol, ii. page 24G.

" " Raegneriana. — -This is a distinct and new variety; its foliage is

totally unlike that of any other Ivy. The leaves are entire,
and of great thickness, while a peculiar gloss unmistakeably
distinguishes it from all the others. This valuable Ivy should
be cultivated in preference to any other.

*' '' Taurica. — This pretty Ivy is of an opposite character to the

last, having the foliage small and compact.

*' " digitata or palmata. — The palm or hand- shaped leaved Ivy. The

foliage of this variety resembles the human hand, hence its
name. All the leaves have not this character, but as the
plant advances in age it is more observable. It is a pretty
and distinct variety.

" " foliis argenteis. — Silver-striped Ivy. Rather a delicate grower

when compared with the others; the leaves are margined with
white, edged with pink.

" " foliis aureis. — Gold-striped Ivy. This is a larger foliaged, and

more robust grower than the last; it is also known in the
nurseries and gardens as Pontey's Golden-blotched Ivy.

" " arborescens. — Tree Iv}'. This is nothing more than the flowering

shoots of the Hedera Helia cut off and rooted, and grown

as a separate plant, forming an upright bush or small tree,

which character it retains for some years, but it soon resumes

its native habit, and throws out creeping shoots like the

Common Ivy.

Having enumerated all the species and varieties of Hedera Helix, we must

now conclude our description of this ^^rare old plant," and, in the words of

the Village Minstrel, Clare, say —

VOL. IV. Q

112 MrsCEIXANEOUS NOTICK8.

"But, bloom of ruins, thou art dear to me,
"Wlien, far from danger's way, th}' gloomy pride
Wreathes picturesque around some ancient tree,
That bows his branches by some fountain-side.
Then sweet it is from summer suns to be
With thy green darkness overshadowing me."

5, Middle Street, Taunton, October 21st., lSo3.

3JIisrBllniirnu3 JMim,

Occurrence of the Rose-coloured Pastor, (Pastor Roseus,) near Glasgow. — 'My friend, W. C.
Alston, Esq., has politely sent mo for inspection two specimens of this beautiful bird, male and
female, which were shot in July last on his property, Rosemount, near this city. They had been
seen for some days frequenting the garden, and were in excellent plumage. It is a matter of
great regret that interesting strangers like these should be mercilessly destroyed on appearing
amongst us; for so long as such persecution continues, we can never hope to see their numbers
increase. Rollers, Waxwings, IIoopoc^s, etc., have been all killed within a mile of the city in
the same manner, and their murders duly recorded; while the same ends would have been
gained to science had the poor birds been allowed to live, and their appearance simplj' com-
mented upon. — II. CoLQUHOUN, M. D., 3, Kew Terrace, Glasgow, March, 1854.

We quite agree with Dr. Colquhoun's remarks. We cannot even understand the temptation
to kill rare species of any zoological object in this country, if it be a well-known and common
species elsewhere. For our own part, were we shewn a largo series of either birds or insects,
rare as British, we should in all probability select continental specimens in preference to those
taken in this country, as they would undoubtedly be more valuable when captured within the
limits of their geographical distribution, than after having been tarnished by the fatigues of
emigration, or otherwise. The philosophic naturalist, if he collects birds, for instance, would
gladly receive an example of a species from any part of the world; or if that species were cos-
mopolite, he might wish a series from various parts to shew the variety of plumage produced
by difference of climate, etc. ; but as regards poor stragglers to our ungenerous shores, we believe
thev would excite no interest in him bcsyond a feeling of pity for their fate.

The Red Grouse, (Tetrao Scoticus,) is the only bird in the British Islands which is peculiar
to their Fauna; and when its numbers, already rapidly diminished, become still more so by the
annual persecution to which it is subjected, we expect to see eager collectors taking the field
on the "12th.," vainly searching for the extinct Gor-Cock. — B. E. M.

N'otes on the Tree Creeper, (Certhia familiaris.) — In April, 1852, a pair of Tree Creepers began
a nest in a wooden building erected in a plantation behind the cottage where I am residing,
but, as there was daily some one going into the place, they were scared away, and left their
nest unfinished: this, considering the natural shyness of the bird, was not to be wondered
at. They must, however, have built somewhere near, as I saw them constantly about the
plantation during that spring. The unfinished nest remained for the rest of the year just as
the birds had left it; I took no more notice of it until last spring, (1853,) when one day seeing
on the floor more twigs, etc., than I had previously observed, I looked up, expecting to find
that the old nest had fallen down, but, to my surprise, I found that it had been recommenced,
and was nearly completed. This time the birds did not take fright, but, after a few daily visits
from me, became quite accustomed to my coming in, and continued their work during my presence
without showing any alarm. On the 19th. of May there were six eggs in the nest, all of which
■were hatched by the 5th. of June, the birds having commenced incubation on the 21st. of May.
The young left the nest on the 20th. of June, from which time I have seen nothing of them,
either old or young, except on the 4th. of September, when I saw one bird of the species, but
whether of the same family or not, I cannot say. The outhouse where they built is made of
overlapping deals; between one of these and the upright was tlie hole where they entered. A

MISCELLANKOUS NOTICES. 113

young oak tree grows at the side of the shed, and I found that the birds, in going to their
nest, invariably alighted on the lower portion of this tree, and climbed up the stem, until
they were opposite their entrance, when th(;y flew direct in ; they never on one occasion out of
the many times I observed them enter either flew into the hole from any other tree, or
climbed up the side of the building itself. So familiar did they at last become, that, with
caterpillars in their bills for their young, they would climb up to their nest on one side of the
tree, while I was leaning on the other. — C. M. 0., Glencorse Cottage.

Note on the Hooded Croiv, (Corvus cornix.) — The following curious circumstance has just been
related to me by a gentleman in this neighbourhood:— One day last month, while walking near
the salt marshes that border this coast, he observed a pair of these birds chasing a small species
of Grallidce, I believe a Dunlin, (Tringa variabilis,) which they knocked down, killed, and
afterwards devoured. I should be glad to know if any of your readers have observed a similar
instance. — C. H. Dashwood, Thornaye, Norfolk, March 10th., 1854.

I was in hopes that the last month would have produced accounts of the capture of many-
scarce birds, but inquiries among my ornithological friends have confirmed my own observation
in that respect, that, though the winter has been unusually severe, there has been a great
scarcity of the rarer occasional visitors to this country ; the Natatores no doubt were completely
frozen out, and retired from their inland winter haunts to the sea-coasts. The only strangers
I procured, (very common in many localities, but only seen by myself once before in this
parish,) were specimens of the Mountain Finch, ( F. montifringilla.) Of these large flocks
remained during the storm, feeding about some retired corn-stacks, and under the shelter of
some neighbouring beech trees, to the mast of which, according to my friend, the Rev. F. 0,
Morris, in his "History of British Birds," they are partial.— R. P. Alington, Rectory,
Swinhope, Lincolnshire.

Little Auk, (Alca alle,) near Northampton.— Mr. T. Dickens, the animal preserver of this
town, purchased on Saturday last, a Little Auk. It was found dead upon the ice in the lord-
ship of Great Houghton, about two miles from this. He is also stuffing a young Kittiwake,
(Larus tridactylus,) killed at Pattishall, in this county, during the frost. He has preserved two
fine specimens of Pied Blackbirds, C Tardus merula,) killed at Lord Spencer's seat at Althorp.
— W. Brooks Gates, Derngate, Northampton, in a letter to the Rev. F. 0. Morris, January
23rd., 1854.

Skeletons. — My method of preparing skeletons of small quadrupeds and birds is the same as
that many years ago practised by Sue, also by Daubenton, and many others, by first boiling the
object in water, and then throwing cold water upon it by the force of a syringe. By this
simple process the flesh is soon detached from the bones, which remain perfectly clean. If any
flesh remains, which is often the case, I use a sharp knife and scrape it off. By this method
I have preserved the heads of the following animals: — The Horse, Ass, Ox, Badger, Fox, Cat,
Dog, Boar, Wild Boar, young Deer, Fallow, and Roe, Donnouse, Hare, Hedgehog, Mole, Rat,
Mouse, Otter, Squirrel, Stoat, Rabbit, and Bat; with about one hundred of the skulls of birds.
Specimens of which I will be pleased to send you, should you wish them. — J. Mc' Ixtosh.

A White Variety of the Common Mallow, (Malva sylvestris.) — Last July I found a pui-e
white variety of this plant. It was growing on a dry sandy bank, with a great many of its
purple brethren, which it exactly resembled, with the exception of the flowers being white. —
C. H. Dashwood, Thornaye, Norfolk, March 10th., 1854.

Orchidacece with White Flowers. — I beg to send you a list of the Orchidaceae, which I have
found round here, with white flowers. — Orchis morio, 0. mascula, 0. pyramidalis, 0. latifolia,
Gymnadenia conopsea, Ophrys muscifera, and 0. apifera. Most of these I could to a certainty
find with white flowers almost any day in the season, if required, All of them I have at
different times brought home with roots, and have had them in flower in the garden. Whether
they will again come up white, remains to be seen. Several other plants not unfrequently
flower white round here. In many places the chalk is covered with a A'ery slight soil, and I
suppose that the absence of material, from which the plant can elaborate colouring matter,
must be the explanation of ^the frequent occurrence of this 'lusus' in this locality.— J. L. J.
Winchester.

114

^c^rntrrMiigH nf InthtitH.

Royal Society of Edinburgh.— On Monday evening, February 6th., 18-54, a paper was read by
Professor Bennet, being "Observations on the strueture of the Torbanehill mineral, as com-
pared with various kinds of coal." Dr. B. explained the nature of his investigations on this
subject, which were chiefly confined to a very careful examination, by the microscope, of the
Torbanehill mineral, and of all the different kinds of coal, including those kinds to which the
Torbanehill mineral was said to be allied. He was clearly of opinion that the Torbanehill mineral
was a substance quite distinct from coal, and not to be confounded with it by any one who paid
strict attention to the microscopical characters of the two substances. By the aid of a series «f
elegant drawings, he explained the peculiarities of the different kinds of coal, and pointed out
the structure by which the Torbanehill mineral is distinguished. Coal he believed to be formed
by coniferous wood, and the structure which coal exhibited under the microscope accorded with
this idea; but, in the Torbanehill mineral, the wood fibres of ConifersB were not seen. Jle par-
ticularly referred to certain bodies of a circular form, which were seen in transverse sections
of all true coals, when examined under a high magnifying power. These bodies he considered
to form the true mark of coal, and he had never failed to find them in any specimens of true
coal. But in the Torbanehill mineral they did not occur, and their absence showed it not to
be a kind of coal, but a mineral having a different origin.

The bodies or appearances in question were considered by Dr. Bennet to be the ends of woody
tubes, and in this manner he endeavoured to show that true coal is iiecessarily made up of such,
the tubes being in all cases those of coniferous wood. He also directed attention to the characters
afforded b}' the presence or absence of tissues in the ashes of coal and substances with wiiich
coal was apt to be confounded. In some cases coals did not exhibit their organic structures until
they were submitted to partial combustion ; hence in the ashes of coals generally, the wood-cells
(Coniferifi,) of which the coal had been formed, could be easily traced. The Torbanehill mineral
was remarkably different in this respect, for although its ashes had been very carefully exaniinedj
no traces of organized structure could be detected in them; and on this part of the subject, as
on several others. Dr. Bennet specially referred to the investigations of Mr. Quekett, as detailed
in the "Transactions of the Microscopical Society." Dr. Bennet stated that those bodies which
had been called "cells" in the Torbanehill mineral, did not exhibit the character of cells; they
were merely spherules of bituminous matter; and the fact that they polarized light was sufficient
evidence of their not being vegetable cells. The bituminous matter, moreover, was stated by
Dr. Bennet to be the same as that found in Binny quarry, which was there used by the work-
men for illumination, and he exhibited a specimen of the substance. He then proceeded to
inquire into the nature of the organic structure seen in the Torbanehill mineral. There could
be no doubt about the fact that such structures occur in the mineral; namely, the scalariform
ducts of cryptogamic plants; but when such a specimen occurred, it was merely accidental, and
no more to be regarded as entitling the mineral to be called vegetable, than the occunence of
a fossil bone or tooth in a rock entitled it to be called animal. That the scalariform vascular
tissue could not belong to Conifers; was proved by the fact, that no Conifera; in this country
exhibit cross fibres in their wood cells. Even if it were granted that the yellow bodies in the
mineral had the character of vegetable cells, and that the ducts, occasionally found amongst
them, were the tissues of the same plants. Dr. Bennet considered it impossible to conceive a
plant having such a superabundance of cellular tissue with such a paucity of vessels; for the
latter would be quite inadequate for the nourishment of the former, and with such a structure
of course, the plant could not exist. It was, therefore, clear that the Torbanehill mineral was
not a fossil plant.

Dr. Bennet exhibited a series of specimens to show the manner in which the Torbanehill
mineral was sometimes intermixed with coal, — thin seams or layers of coal running through
the mineral, both, however, always retaining their characters unaltered. Such specimens he
thought, were likely to give rise to error in observation, as under the microscope an accidental
fragment of coal might be looked at instead of the proper mineral. If observers were, in all
cases, careful to guard against this source of fallacy, they would have no difficulty in distin-
guishing the Torbanehill mineral from coal. For the purpose of showing the view taken of the

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 115

microscopical evidence at the trial, Dr. Bennet read some remarks from the Lord President' s
address to the jury, and took exceptions to some of them: —

"The pursuer's witnesses told you that there was no trace of organic structure, no woody
fibre nor tissue, in short, no trace of vegetable matter in this substance, although occasionally
there might be the incidental presence of vegetable remains. The witnesses on the other side
told you, on the contrary, that in every part of it there were the most clear vestiges of vegetable
structure. I do not know when I have so many geologists and so many microseopists telling
nie that it is not coal, and so many on the other side telling me the opposite,— I say that I
do not know that I feel myself much the wiser, or further advanced in the inquiry. But if
you have, in addition, a great number of chemists, and speaking with equal authority and equal
contrariety, it is difficult to know what to make of the controversy. I do not know that I have
anything to say against the skill of the microseopists, or the skill of any of those gentlemen;
but one general remark may be made on the microscopic testimony, and it is that there are
those who sec a thing, and also those who do not see it— those who do see it cannot see it
unless it is there, and those who cannot see it do not see it at all. But very skilful person^
looking for a thing and not seeing it, creates strong presumption that it is not there. But when
other persons do find it, it goes far to displace the notion that it is not there. But there is
another observation on the microscopic evidence that occurred to me. I do not know whether
I am under any misapprehension, but I think that three, certainly two, of those examined by
the defenders are botanists also; and I do not think that any of those examined for the pursuer,
two of them from Loudon, represented themselves as botanists. Now, the defender's witnesses
are accustomed to look for plants, and can understand them when they see them. The gentle-
men on the other side, again, looking for woody fibre or tissue, are not, as I understand, con-
versant or skilful in fossil plants. But finding such a difierence of opinion, and such opposite
conclusions arrived at by those persons, I do not know, unless you think that some gave their
reasons more satisfactorily than others — I say that I do not know that I feel my mind much
relieved from the difficulties of the case by listening to all that evidence."

In allusion to the above remarks. Dr. Bennet stated that the differences in the results of the
observations of the witnesses on both sides of the case were more apparent than real, — the fact
being that both had seen the same thing, but had interpreted it in different ways, so that the
extraordinary circumstance of the defender's witnesses finding plants where the pursuer's could
see none was at once explained, without having recourse to the assumption, that the latter did
not know plants when he saw them. It was the globular bituminous bodies that gave rise to
the diff'erence of opinion; the defender's witnesses regarded them as vegetable cells, while those
for the pursuer did not believe in their vegetable origin. Without drawings it is impossible
for us to enter more fully into the details of facts relative to structure, etc., of which Dr.
Bennet's paper chiefly consisted; but this is not desirable, as the paper will, no doubt, appear
at full length in the "Eoyal Society's Transactions," or some other scientific publication.
Not so, however, with the discussion which followed the reading of the paper, — no sucih record
is likely to be made of it, and we therefore deem it important to occupy this vacant ground,
by reporting as fully as possible the opinions expressed by the various members who took part
in the debate.

The Puesident having called for the opinions of members, Pkofessor Balfour rose, and
entered at great length upon the subject. While regretting that so much of the lloyal Society's
time should be occupied in the discussion of this questio vexata, he had hopes that the candid
spirit in which the subject had hitherto been discussed, would continue to mark the Society's
proceedings, and eventually lead to the discovery of the truth. He stated that it was impossible
to give an accurate definition of coal, which included many varieties of combustible material
formed from plants. Much depended on the nature of the plants, the pressure and heat to
which they had been subjected, the length of time which the deposit had taken to form coal,
and the degree of admixture of earthy matters. There was a gradual transition from anthracite
to parrot coal. Coals having an illuminating, gas-giving propertj', seemed to contain a peculiar
yellow matter, but this matter was very variable in its proportions, being much larger in Bog-
head gas-coal, and in Methil parrot, than in ordinary household coal; hence the value of the
two former in the manufacture of gas. The yellow matter appeared to be of vegetable origin,
and to have been formed from coal plants. It contained a considerable amount of carbon, and
had been deposited in circumscribed cavities of diflferent kinds. In considering the structure of

116 PIIOCEEDINOS OF SOCIKTIES.

coal, Dr. Balfour thought it well to examine the plants which formed the flora of the coal epoc^h ;
these were chiefly Acrogens and Gymnosperms, the Ibrmer predominating. Of five hundred coal
plants mentioned by Brogniart, three hundred and forty-six appeared to have been Acrogenous
species, and one hundred and thirty-five Gymnosperms. He alluded to the remarkable character
of the fern flora of the coal epoch, which resembled that of islands such as New Zealand, where
the ferns were described as social plants, forming forests, to the exclusion of other plants. The
Acrogens in structure di3pla3'ed a large quantity of cellular tissue, some prosenchymatous tissue,
and scalariform vessels. In many of the coal plants allied to ferns the texture was described
as loose, the vascular tissue only occurring at certain definite spots, and the transverse and
longitudinal section of the cellular part of the stem being nearly similar. This Acrogenous floi-a
seemed to have contributed to the formation of coal, specimens being in fact seen in which
stigmarias and sigillarias were actually formed into coal. Gymnosperms, no doubt, also contributed,
but Dr. Balfour thought it by no means proved that they were the only plants that did so,
facts seeming rather to lead to the conclusion that both Acrogens and Gymnosperms had con-
tributed to form coal, and that, as in peat at the present day, cellular plants might also have
been mingled with them. In one coal basin certain tribes of plants might predominate, in
another basin a difierent tribe, and thus arise different varieties of coal.

While a certain similiarity of structure existed among the parrot coals, the brown, Methil,
and the Boghead gas-coal appeared to occupy a special position, being very similar in appear-
ance and qualities, and both containing a large amount of yellow matter deposited, apparentlj',
in an organic basis, consisting of circumscribed cavities of different sizes, which might possibly
be altered cells. It was impossible to demonstrate the cellulose of the cell wall, and no one
would expect, as Dr. Bennet had hinted, to find the primordial utricles and nuclei in such
circumstances, the changes induced having altered the cell contents, and their place being now
occupied with yellow matter. The Methil coal was stated to belong to the same seam as the
Wemyss parrot coal, which differed from it in many respects, thus showing that varieties occur
even in the same bed. These varieties might be traced to peculiar local floras, or to chemical
and mechanical causes of various kinds, which induced alterations in the cells and their contents.
The quantity of carbon in the ]5oghead coal was said to be small, but in making the calculation,
the yellow matter had been discarded, which, as a product of the coal plants, it ought not to
have been. In Methil coal the amount of carbon, when similarly estimated, was also small;
the chemical analysis of brown Methil and of the Torbanehill coal being very similar; nor was
it easy to separate them by any definition. He therefore regarded them as mere varieties, vari-
ties, however, which a practised eye might be able to discriminate by the microscope, as Dr-
Bennet had stated, but this did not militate against their being mere varieties. Besides the
yellow matter, the Torbanehill mineral contained scalariform tissue, sometimes entire, sometimes
broken up in the same way as Corda had figured the tissue of stigmaria. Dr. B. thought that
the vegetable tissue did not appear to be a mere accidental admixture, but to be in reality part
of the Acrogenous plants which helped to form the coal. The existence of the tissue at certain
points only might be expected in coal formed of such plants, and the presence of peculiar
inflammable matter was by no means uncommon among ferns and Lycopodiacea of the present
day. In coals there were found certain brownish rings, which Dr. Bennet considered to be char-
acteristic, and to be the cut extremities of tubes; they had not, however, been traced. If tubes,
they must be similar to the dotted ducts, and not to the woody fibres, and this would tend to
prove that the tissue was not that of Coniferoe.

Dr. Balfour was disposed to look upon these rings as being sections of sporangia or spores,
and similar bodies had been seen in most coals, and among others in the Torbanehill coal. [Dr.
Bennet, however, denied that they were spore cases or .seeds, as they were of a different size
from such bodies, as usually seen in coal.] Professor Balfour thought that the amount and nature
of the tissue required to constitute coal had certainly not been determined. In the coke of the
Torbanehill coal, Mr. Quekett had found a considerable amount of vegetable tissue. This seemed
to be an important fact which had been omitted by Dr. Bennet. [In reply, we understood Dr.
Bennet to say that he had not been able to corroborate the fact.] In regard to the occurrence
of structure in the ashes. Dr. Balfour thought that little stress could be laid upon it, as much
depended upon the extent to which the coal was burnt; and the inflammable nature of the
Torbanehill coal might cause the combustion of the tissue to be more complete than in other
coals. In conclusion he stated that he considered the Torbanehill coal to be a cannel coal, nearly

PnOOF.EDIXGS OF SOCIETIKS. 117

allied to brown Metliill, formed from Acrogcnous plants, containing scalarifomi tissue, and an
abundance of vegetable j'cllow gas-giving matter apparently the altered contents of cells.

PiioFESSOR GiiEGOiiY approved, in general, of the observations of Professor Balfour, and alluded
to some of the more special points in which he concurred. He then proceeded to consider the
subject briefly in its chemical aspect, in the first place noticing the changes in the plants' tissue
that were probably induced dui-ing the process of their transformation into coal. Coal was be-
lieved to be formed of vegetable matter, (the remains of plants,) in various ways, but chiefly
by a kind of fermentation taking place under great pressure. This would, of course, cause
changes in the cells and their contents, and probably the yellow inflammable matter was one
result of the process. In regard to that matter, which was, perhaps, more a resinous than a
bituminous substance, he thought Dr. Bennet was in error when he said that it was identical
with the inflammable bituminous matter used in Binny quarry. The Binny substance was quite
soluble in naptha, but no chemist had been able to say the same in regard to the yellow matter
of the Torbanehill mineral. With respect to the general chemical characters of that mineral
it did not differ in any essential point from Methil, and, perhaps, some other kinds of undoubted
coals.

Dr. Wilson remarked that while Dr. Bennet had confined his paper chiefly to the peculiar-
ities of the Torbanehill mineral. Dr. Balfour had gone farther, and taken up the whole question
as to its relationship with different kinds of coal. Dr. Wilson submitted, however, that the
question before the meeting was not so much between the Torbanehill mineral and coal, as
between coal and bituminous shale, for the Society would be well aware that bituminous shale
was well known to the Germans as a commercial article, and the affinities of the Torbanehill
mineral seemed to lie in that direction.

Dh. Douglas Maclagax desired an explanation of the opinions expressed by Dr. Bennet in
regard to the structures found in the brown, Methil, and Torbanehill coals. Dr. Bennet had
stated the fact, that scattered vessels, few in number, were found in the Torbanehill mineral
and in the brown Methil; he had also stated his conclusion that in the latter the structures
were normal, and that they pointed out the brown Methil to be coal, while in the Torbanehill
mineral they were merely accidental, and not to be regarded as affording evidence of the origin
of the substance. Dr. Maclagan wished to know the process by which Dr. Bennet had an-ived
at this conclusion, and whether there were any facts to support it. [Dr. Bennet replied, that
in the case of the brown Methil coal, the structures alluded to formed the organic basis of the
coal, which was not the case in the Torbanehill mineral, where they were merely accidental.]
At a subsequent period of the discussion. Dr. Maelagan again put his question.

Professor Fleming regarded the remarks of Dr. Wilson upon bituminous shale, just as one
of those attempts to draw away the attention of the Society from the subject in hand, which
had been observed on a former occasion. He called attention to Dr. Bonnet's statement that
coal could not be formed of cellular tissue, without an intermixture of vascular to a large extent,
which he (Dr. Fleming) thought sufficiently answered by a fact he had detailed from his own
observation at a previous meeting of the Royal Society, namely, the formation of a bed of peat,
many feet in thickness, by a single cellular plant, having no vascular tissue whatever, Tri-
chostomiim lanuginosmn. There was another part of Dr. Bonnet's paper to which he would
allude. Dr. Bennet had stated that although a fossil bone or tooth was found in a rock, we
did not regard the rock as of animal origin; but Dr. Fleming reminded the Society that lime-
stone rocks often occurred, the great mass of which consisted of fossil shells, and in such cases
geologists did not hesitate to ascribe the origin or formation of the rock to these.

Dr. Greville corrected a misconstruction that seemed to be put upon the evidence given by
him at the trial, in regard to the yellow bodies seen in the Torbanehill mineral. He was far
from saying that they were actual cells in their normal condition ; but in his own mind he was
perfectly satisfied that the mineral had a vegetable basis. This opinion was formed after a very
careful examination of numerous specimens. Seeing that there was so much difference of opinion
on this subject amongst scientific men, he thought it a great comfort to those of them who
had been examined on the trial, that the decision was not founded on their evidence.

Dr. Bennet expressed a desire to see the specimens upon which the statements of some of
the speakers were founded, and stated his willingness to demonstrate, under the microscope,
the various facta in regard to structure upon which his conclusions were based.

118

€]}i fxtiu^nl

I remark in "The Retrospeot" of "The Naturalist" for January last, some observations on
"Plants with Unnaturally White Flowers," in which the writer states that most of the plants
he found with such, were growing in situations much shaded, or after a long continuance
of showery weather, and their difference in colour may very reasonably be ascribed to a deficiency
of sunlight; but I have noticed in situations near the sea many plants with white flowers growing
where they are fidli/ exposed to the sun's influence, not in an)' way stunted in their growth.
On the Sandy Warren here, close to the sea, the following are frequent with white blooms,
though plants of the usual colours are also common in the same spot, namely, Lycopsis vulgaris,
Cynoglossum officinale, Erodiiim cicutarium, Myosotis collina, Carduus tenuifolius, and Veronica
Chamocdrys, but the latter not common. In these instances we must ascribe the change of hue
to peculiar properties in the soil, certainly not to any want of solar light. A white variety
of Callima vidgaris occm-s on the hills in the same situations as the plant is usually found in.
Digitalis purpurea with white flowers grows on Greenaleigh, a hill close to the sea. Ballota
nigra 1 occasionally see with white blossoms in the hedge banks. — Isabella Giffoed, Minthcad,
Somerset, March, 1854.

Preserving Birds and Small Quadrupeds by means of Ether. — In answer to Mr. Mc' Intosh's
inquiry in "The Naturalist" of the present month, I beg to state that I have frequently made
use of ether in the preservation of birds; I believe I took the idea from some notes of Mr.
Waterton on bird-stulfing. Taking out merely the entrails of the bird, I fill the cavity with
a solution of sublimate of mercury in spirits of wine; this remains a few minutes, according
to the size of the specimen, when it is drained oflF, and the cavity filled with a piece of wool
soaked in ether, and heat applied for a moment or so : the visible etfect is the immediate turning
white of the eyes. I find birds thus preserved keep for years even when exposed without glass.
While on the subject of preservation without removing the flesh, I may mention a curious
circumstance which came under my observation: — A Tree Creeper which I had intended to
stuff was shut up in a cupboard, and laid upon a glove which had been used in painting, and
covered with common black paint. Leaving home, I forgot my bird for two months; on my
return I expected to find it in a state of putrefaction, but on the contrary it was in perfect
preservation. I kept it for a year or more, when I opened it, and found the whole body, as
well as the entrails, dried up, and as hard as a board: I have no doubt it would have kept
for years. I may as well add that there were bottles of ether and sublimate of mercury in the
same cupboard. I never tried ether on a bird larger than the Oxeye. — R. P. Alington,
Eectory, Swinhope, Lincolnshire, March, 1854.

May not the egg stated by Mr. F. W. S. Webber, to have been found in a Hedge Sparrow's
nest, have been in reality the production of a Cuckoo? Among the eggs of this species almost
every imaginable variety is to be found. I do not happen to possess one very closely resembling
the egg of the Red-backed Shrike, but I have some quite as strongly-marlced varieties. — S. Stone,
March 15th., 1854.

On the 2nd. day of the present month I captured a specimen of the Small White Butterfly,
{Tontia rapa;.) Has any reader of "The Naturalist" met with so early an occurrence of this
insect? I do not remember ever having before taken it till towards the end of April or the
beginning of May.— Idem.

In the February number of "The Naturalist" I am asked by Dr. Morris the exact locality of
a specimen of Asplenium fontanum which was given me in December last. The specimen alluded
to was gathered by the Rev. W. H. Hawker in Hampshire, who, in a note read at "The
Phytologist Club" on December 27th., 1852, says, "I am advised, for obvious reasons, not to
publish the exact locality, but will add, that it is 'not a hundred miles' from the place whence
I date this." The note is dated "Ashficld Lodge, Petersfiold, Hants." The exact locality,
therefore, I am unable to give, but it was gathered not a hundred miles from Ashficld Lodge,
Petersfield, Hants. Mr. Hawker's note is one of great interest, and well worthy the perusal of
all the readers of "The Naturalist;" it is to be found in the "Phytologist" for January, 1853. In
Mr. Moore's "Handbook of British Ferns" this locality is also mentioned.— H. C. Stuaht, Christ's
College, Cambridge, February 16th., 1854.

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CONTENTS.

PAGE.

The Craig of Ailsa. By George Donaldson, Esq 119

The Arrival, Nestling, Habits, and Departure of the Sea-fowl at the

Craig of Ailsa. Idem 125

A List of the Rayed Echinodermata of Banffshire. By Mu. T. Edward. 127

Notes on British Swallows. By a Sea-side Naturalist 132

Injurious Insects. — The Earwig. By J. McTntosh, Esq 136

Miscellaneous Notices. — Do Hawks drink. The Wryneck. Early
Nesting of the Wood Pigeon. On licucophasia Sinapis and Vanessa

Hampstediensis 138

Reviews. — Class Book of Botany: being an introduction to the study
of the Vegetable Kingdom. By J. H. Balfour, M. D., F. R. S. E.,
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1854. p. p. 755. 'On the British Tritons. By John Higginbottom,

F. R. S. From the ^^ Annals and Magazine of Natural History," for

December, 1853 140

Proceedings of Societies. — Dorset County Museum and Library 142

The Retrospect, — The Starling 142

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and SONS, 5, Paternoster Row, London.

119

THE CRAIG OF AILSA.

BY GEORGE DONALDSON, ESQ,
Eead before the Natural History Society of Glasgow.

It has frequently been a matter of considerable surprise to me, that so
little notice has been taken of a place so admirably adapted by nature for
our instruction, and which in my opinion has been completely overlooked, at
all events by the Ornithologist, and ray surprise is increased when I find
that Macgillivray and Audubon, when visiting the Bass together, as they
did in 183o, should have overlooked the Craig. In no instance can I quote
the practical remarks of any interested in the science; and it is only an
occasional reference which points out its existence at all as an aviary, and
that too in such a remote way as would scarcely induce one to visit it, so
that it is more with a view of bringing it prominently before you that I
have been induced to make the present remarks, than for any information
which may be obtained from me, and that it may pave the way for some
of the members of this Society, at some future period, to furnish us with
much detail that I must have overlooked.

Independent of its attractions as one of the greatest breeding situations
in this country, it possesses many other beauties; and I have no doubt that
both the Geologist and the Botanist have found much there to interest them;
(and although rather deficient in both of these sciences,) I could not help
gazing in astonishment from the base, at its majestic and precipitous grandeur,
and this arises not so much from its height, (which is computed at only
twelve hundred feet,) as from the insolated position which it occupies.* The
incessant screaming and croaking of myriads of Sea-Gulls, Solan Geese, Razor-
bills, and Guillemots, during the summer, is beyond description, and renders it
in my opinion a scene rarely to be met with. This extraordinary confusion of
tongues is a striking contrast to the silence which prevails during the winter
months, for, with the exception of the hollow croak of the Raven, and the
occasional scream of a storm-stead Sea-Gull, all is hushed up.

How and when the rock came here would be quite as difficult for me to
account for, as the production of either Dumbarton Castle or the Bass
Rock, unless we acquiesce in the popular tradition of its removal from out of
the hill of Knockgirran, in the parish of Dailey, in Ayrshire, and being cast
into the sea through the mystic influence of a witch called Maggie Osborne,
as a stepping-stone for her from Currick into Cantyre: as this hypothesis is
rather doubtful, we must fall back upon geological authority, and acknow-
ledge a primary formation with a proportion of basalt.

I am afraid you would find it a tedious narrative were I to enter into

* J. W. Naul, a smuggler, was cast ashore here about fifty years agn, with part of his wreck.
He lived three months upon it, during the winter subsisting entirely upon Limpits, {Patella
vidf/ata,) Dog "Wilks, (Purpura lapillas,) and a cask of French Brandy, (requiring no inter-
pretation,) which had been washed ashore with him.

VOL. IV. R

120 THE CRAIG OP AILSA.

a detailed account of its appearance, for this is not so much my object as
to endeavour to "point out to you the appearance and habits of some of its
tenants, as frequent opportunities have enabled me to do so. As an outline
however of its general expression may not be unacceptable, I will risk it, were
it for nothing else than to point out to you the way to the Cairn; for the
ascent of the rock can only be accomplished in one way with safety, and that
is after landing near the small house occupied by the keeper; you take a
south-western direction along the shore for upwards of a quarter of a mile,
■where a narrow and steep path will be observed leading up to the ruins
of an old chapel, situated at an elevation of at least four hundred and fifty
feet, the history of which appears to be perfectly unknown.

I am not aware that any date has hitherto been discovered to clear up
the mystery; and the only remnant which may yet establish the tradition,
is a shield in relief, built into the outside wall of the tower, upon which
there appear to be three roses engraved. A number of silver and copper coins
were discovered about twenty years ago, by some fishermen, upon the beach
below the chapel: had they been preserved they might have assisted in
clearing up the historie, but the scramble which ensued for them prevented
that. The path here wends round the back of it, and immediately takes
the hill amongst a luxuriant growth of vegetation, springing from a rich
deposit of black moss, where the Scarlet Catchfly, and other wild flowers, are
in great profusion. The Tree Mallow arrives at great perfection, and Boor
Tree is abundant around part of the base. Nettles, to which I would call
the attention of tourists, should be carefully avoided, as they are certainly
the most wicked and poisonous that I have ever stumbled upon. This appear-
ance of soil continues for about one hundred feet, till you reach a delicious
spring close to the path; the ascent shortly afterwards becomes very rugged,
and the immense accumulated masses of rock, scattered in wild confusion,
continue till you reach the summit.

It is only from this point, and by descending to the front of the northern
and western precipices, that the extent and appearance of the Craig can be
thoroughly understood. The circumference of it is estimated at fully three
miles, and at low water it is quite possible to make a circuit of it on foot,
but I would never recommend any one afflicted with gout, or using crutches,
to make the attempt. The western side of it presents an extraordinary
appearance of dilapidation, from the gigantic masses that have fallen from
time to time, and now lie piled upon each other to a height, in some places,
of at least three hundred feet.

The inequalities produced on this precipitous front, constitute the only
breeding-places of the Solan Goose, which, in the month of June, can be
seen hatching in thousands; as it invariably selects the projecting ledges and
ridges for this purpose, every other nook and crevice sufliciently large to
contain a nest, (I ought to say an egg,) is sure to be occupied by either
the Razor-bill, {Aha torda,) or the Guillemot, (Uria troile,) between which

THE CRAIG OF AILSA. 121

the most friendly disposition appears to exist. Immediately adjoining this
division, and to the north is the principal situation occupied by the Guil-
lemot for hatching.

The character of the rock here suddenly changes, from the shattered
appearance it presents amongst the Geese, to that of a more massive and
solid nature, along which a series of ridges, averaging from ten to fifty feet
in length, and varying in height from fifty to five hundred, and seldom
exceeding six inches in breadth; on these ledges the birds are so closely packed
that it would be difficult to introduce the hand betwixt them, and no idle
or barren bird is countenanced by this industrious community. As the Com-
mon Guillemot is the bird to which my observations principally apply, I
would remark that, with the exception of the Solan Goose, it is the earliest
bird which arrives at this breeding station. They begin to appear about the
1st, of April, and if a westerly wind should prevail, they have nearly all
returned by the 4th.; there are also other arrivals about this time, to which
I shall probably refer on some future occasion. The Guillemot builds no
nest, and not even one fragment of sea- weed or any other material is provided
by the bird, to ensure the egg, (for you are aware they only lay one,) from
rolling ofi" the uncertain position in which it is very frequently placed; and when
the birds are driven from their nests, or eggs rather, from a shot being fired
amongst them, the exposee of eggs is about one of the most interesting
sights to be witnessed upon the Craig, and the Naturalist looks with astonish-
ment at the endless variety before him; for I am persuaded that from out
of one thousand dozen, not two eggs could be found alike, and I question
much if ever two were; this does not arise from any difference in the formation
of the egg, but from the variety of markings and colouring, which you will
find illustrated in the specimens before you. The Guillemot, as I remarked,
lays only a single egg about the middle of May, and as the young one becomes
pretty well fledged about the 15th. of July, she then carries it on her back
about that time into the sea. It has been a matter of much conjecture with
me how such a wonderful difference should exist in the colour of the eggs,
considering that the food and habits of the birds are precisely alike; and as
I have not yet been able to reconcile this, I attribute it wholly to some
physiological cause, which, I have little doubt, can be explained by some of the
members better skilled in the science than myself. If I recollect properly,
I think the late Professor Wilson, during a tour through the western islands,
remarked the variety, and thought that it might occur to enable every bird
to distinguish its own egg; and from this being a very reasonable supposition,
I feel inclined to support his opinion. If this bird, however, had provided
itself a nest, I might think otherwise, but from the indiscriminate manner in
which the eggs are placed, and that so close to each other, I consider it a
very judicious arrangement for each bird to have its own private mark.

The egg of this bird is larger in proportion to the bird than any other
I have ever seen. The eggs of all the aquatic birds found at the Craig are

122 THE CRAICr OP AILSA.

quite fit for use; and indeed^ with the exception of the Solan Goose, which
to my taste is rather salt, are by many esteemed preferable to that of the
domestic fowl; but as I have unfortunately come upon them nearly hatched,
1 arrived at precisely the same opinion expressed by a little girl during
breakfast, who remarked, "I do like eggs, mamma, but I do 'nt like eggs
with beef in them."

Mr. Hewitson, the Oologist, who has so ably described, and beautifully
illustrated, this branch of Natural History, gives no opinion as to how such
a variety might occur. This gentleman, (I mean Mr. H.,) has been most
successful, and has probably succeeded in forming the finest and most extensive
collection of the Eggs of British Birds of any man in this country; and if I
may be permitted to judge by the distances, difficulties, and disappointments,
which I have had while endeavouring to form a small cabinet, I cannot
estimate his expenditure in the pursuit, under no matter how much, and how-
ever far such a desire may go, to establish our fame as cadgers, I cannot
allow myself to think that any banker would judge very favourably of our
investment, and would naturally feel very uneasy if nothing else could be
found at a man's credit than a quantity of egg shells.

I have heard it frequently stated that birds possess the means of removing
their eggs from one place to another; and as I have never seen it described^
I much doubted it, particularly in the case of aquatic species, and more so
in those which have the feet webbed, the structure of these members rendering
the birds incompetent to perform the operation; and to suppose that they
could accomplish it with their bill, rendered it still more improbable; but
from actual observation, and that in more instances than one, I have observed
the Guillemot alight close to her egg, and by a quick and almost imperceptible
elevation of the wing, snatch it up, and run along a ledge for a short distance,
where I have seen her deposit it. However scrupulous I was in believing
this, I am inclined to think that it is only the swimmers, and probably some
of the waders, which resort to this mode of transportation.

In addition to this extraordinary act on the part of the Guillemot, I would
here notice another habit equally interesting, and betraying the same aifection
for its oiFspring when in a more matured state. I allude to the fact of the
parent bird carrying her young upon her back from the high ledges into the
sea; birds of a tender age, and which had never been upon the wing, are
frequently seen on the water in the immediate vicinity of breeding ledges,
from which it would seem impos.sible for them to descend without assistance;
and it has been conjectured by some authors, that the parent bird had conveyed
them thither in the way alluded to. Although I believe no observations have
been made to confirm this supposition, it would seem to have gained credit
from its being the only apparent means of locomotion for these half-fledged
young ones being found on the sea; and I could hardly myself have deemed
it probable, but during my frequent visits to the Craig I have watched these
birds for days in succession, and I am enabled to substantiate the fact from

THE CRAIG OF AILSA. 128

personal observation, during the repeated stays I have from time to time
made upon it; many a pleasant hour have T spent in watching them in their
amusements, and within a shorter distance of them than they suspected. I
have often remarked that however near they will permit you at any other
time, you can never approach them, excepting under some ruse, at this merry
time of day. T have felt greatly interested, in a calm summer evening, to
witness several thousands of them swimming in divisions, within thirty feet of
the shore, the conditions of the game appearing to be sufficiently known; for
without any intimation, a number of the leading birds wheel right round,
and go fluttering and spluttering down through the centre of the vast and
varied community, which appeared to me the signal for diving, for in a second
there was scarcely one to be seen above water; and when a number of them
did appear, they seemed to look out for the reappearance of others, and no
sooner did that occur, than down they went again, followed by the pursuing
party. This order of things was carried out by other divisions, till the whole
were scattered without any regard to caste or colour, which circumstance quite
overruled the proverb of "birds of a feather flocking together," and went far,
I think, to prove the existence of a republic amongst them. In the midst
of their aquatic performances, I have observed a whole body of them suddenly
appear from underneath, in the midst of a large flock of Kittywakes, or
Sea Gulls, [Larus Sissa,) which were lightly and gently floating on the surface,
in fact, light as the ocean foam itself, and which they put to flight without
much ceremony; and if I could judge by their fantastic gestures, they seemed
highly gratified in having played ofi" this submarine trick so successfully.

I have also been much amused with the startling surprise exhibited by a
Cormorant, {Phalacracorax (jraculus,) on finding a hundred heads pop up
immediately under the rock on which he was perched. After viewing them for
a short time, with an expression as grave as a mustard pot, he waddles off
to a greater elevation, evidently considering this diversion a waste of time,
for his habits are decidedly more of the alderman than the anchorite.

It never follows that those beasts of the field, or fowls of the air, with
such unquenchable appetites, are as well suited for the food of man as those
which feed more sparingly; and my experience from the variety of which I
have partaken, enables me to judge of their quality; for in addition to upwards
of eighty British species, including Hawks, Owls, and Carrion Crows, I
could enumerate at least one hundred and fifty American species, commenc-
ing with the Canvass-back Duck, (Anas Valisineria,) which feeds upon the
wild celery so abundant in the Susquehanna, and also in the swamps of the
great Mississippi, and is esteemed above all others the greatest delicacy to be
found on that continent; from that I have descended as low in the epicurean
scale as the Turkey Buzzard, (Vullur aura,) which regales himself with as
much gusto upon a rotten carcass, as the Ruby -throated Humming Bird does
from the honey-cells of the Petunia, which proves that my knowledge of the
good things of this life was inferior to that of Saint Peter, for he knew where

124 THF CRAIG OF AILSA.

to draw the line in the assortment spread before him ; but I made no distinction,
just taking them as thej came, as I did with all the 8eafowl at the Craig,
some of which were certainly more palatable than others; and this fishy glutton,
the Cormorant, would have followed in the course, but having on one occasion
taken some young ones from their nest during a hot summer day, I was so
disgusted with the effluvia proceeding from them that I have never since had
the courage to fiice one at a table.

A. gentleman with whom I am intimately acquainted, informed me that
about forty years since, he shot and cooked one on his own account, and so
prodigious was the flavour, that he is inclined to believe he feels the taste
of it still. I do not guarantee this, but this same gentleman, about two months
ago, shot several fine specimens in the West Highlands, which he brought
home along with him, and complimented as an equivalent for some Widgeon
which he had promised, but as the formation of their bills could never have
borne him out in this compliment he defaced the enemy, by cutting them
short and flattening them, and he had little doubt, as he told me, that the
aroma, during the process of either stewing or roasting, would make the
old cook's hair curl. I have merely made these last observations to show
that we can, with perfect safety, prepare every animal for food, with the
exception, probably, of one or two species of the tropical fish, which it is
well to avoid at certain seasons of the year. The variety of material sold
for this purpose in the French markets of Lousiana, sufficiently bear me out
in this statement.

Before laying down this paper I will enumerate what is to be found roosting
upon the Craig, and by visiting it about the beginning of June, which I
would recommend in preference to any other season, you will find the Solan
GoosCj (Sula Bassana,) Razor-bill, {Aha torda,) Guillemot, (Uria troile,)
Puffin, (Fratercula arctica,) Cormorant, {Phalacracorax graculus,) Lesser
Black Sea-Gull, (Larus fuscus,) Silvery Gull, (Lams argentatus,) Kittywake
Gull, (Larus Rissa,) Stormy Petrel, {Thalassidroma pelagica.) — These constitute
the swimmers.

Peregrine P'alcon, {Falco peregrinus,) Kestrel, {Falco tlnnunculus,) Short-eared
Owl, (Ulula Brachyotus,) Raven, (Corvus corax,) Carrion Crow, (Corvus comix,)
Cornrail, (Crex pratensis,) Cuckoo, (Cuculus canorus,) Blackbird, (Merula
vulgaris,) Thrush, (Merula musica;) the nest and eggs of which I have
found there at an altitude of six hundred feet. Yellow Hammer, (Eviberiza
citrinella,) Rock Pipit, (Anthus aquaticus,) Robin, (Erythaca rubecula,) Wren,
(Troglodytes Europoeus.) — The foregoing birds are regularly in the habit of
breeding there, and so was the Eagle, (Aqnila chrgsaHtos,) which occupied a
clifi" on the north-western precipice till within the last five years; he continues,
however, to visit it occasionally, remaining about three weeks in October, and
appears entirely to subsist during that period upon the entrails of Rabbits,
which are plentifully strewn over the Craig, at that season, by men employed
in killing them.

SEA-FOWL AT THE CRAIG OF AILSA. 125

The other visitors and stragglers have been observed at the following seasons: —

Goldfinch, (Carduelis elegans.) — Seen only in winter.

^ky Lark, (Alauda arvensis.) — Seen only in winter.

Snowflake, (Plectrophanes nivalis.)

Wheatear, (Saxicola oenanthe.) — Seen in summer.

Wagtail, (Motacilla Yarrellii.) — Seen in summer and winter.

Wagtail, (Motacilla boarula.) — Seen in summer.

Woodcock, (Scolopax rusticola.) — Calls in passing.

Sloio Worms, (Anguis fragilis,) are plentiful, and Mice not a few.

There is a cave, I ought to have mentioned, immediately underneath the
precipice where the Geese hatch. In extent it appears to be from eighty to
one hundred feet in length; twelve feet high, and probably fifteen feet in
width, and fully one hundred feet above high water, in which there was a
stone coffin discovered some years ago, with a cross cut into the rock imme-
diately over it. The coffin I had an opportunity of seeing, and also part of
its contents. I looked carefully into the expression of the occupant,^but could
not recognise him, and I question much if even his grandmother could. He
reminded me of an old epitaph in the churchyard of Thornhill, which rhymes

"Here lies the remains of Geordie Denholm,
If ye saw him noo, ye wadna ken him."

This last remark in reference to this devout old catholic, you may consider
a digression; but as I undertook to describe what I found roosting upon the
Craig, I could not in justice have overlooked his reverence.

Mill of Boindie, Bavff, Aj)ril, 1854.

THE ARRIVAL, NESTLING, HABITS,

AND DEPARTURE OF THE SEA-FOWL AT THE

CRAIG OP AILSA.

BY GEORGE DONALDSON, ESQ.

Sula Bassava. — Arrives about the 24th. of February, lays one egg about
the 1st. of May, hatches about the 14th. of June, flies on the 1st. of
September; never seen to carry for his young, although, in many instances
he has been observed in great distress, with a Gurnard, {Trigla cuculus,)
partly projecting from his bill, the spikes of which had got stuck in his
throat, while attempting to swallow it. Dead birds have been picked up in
this condition. All leave about the 1st. of November.

Uria troth. — Arrives about the 1st. of April, lays one egg about the
loth, of May, and carries the young to the sea about the 15th. of July.
The description of fish which this bird appears almost invariably to feed
its young upon, is small herrings, which it swallows almost entirely, with
the exception of a small proportion of tail, which can always be seen from
its keeping the bill so far apart. All leave about the 1st of August.

Alca torda.— Arrives about the 1st. of April, lays an egg about the loth.

126 SEA-FOWL AT THE CRAIG OF AILSA.

of May, and flies about the loth, of July. This bird differs very considerably
in his mode of carrying food for his young from the preceding bird. He
appears to rear his young exclusively upon Sand-eels, which he carries across
his bill; he attacks the Puffin suddenly from underneath in mid-air, and
snatches from him the Sand-eels, which are dangling from his bill and
intended for domestic purposes. The Puffin frequently drops them to prevent
them getting into possession of this freebooter, but in this he is mistaken,
for the Razor-bill immediately descends along with them, and picks them up
at his leisure from* the surface of the deep blue sea. They leave about the
1st. of August.

Fratercula ardica. — Arrives about the 7th. of April, lays one egg about the
loth, of May, flies on the 1st. of August. He appears to raise his young
entirely upon Sand-eels, and the disposal of these fish in his bill is of the
most systematic character; the heads are, without an exception, all ivithin the
bill, and the bodies hanging outside. If he has an even number, they are
as sure to be equally divided between the two sides of the bill. The numbers
vary from seven to eleven, and I have shot them with nine. All leave about
the 31st. of August.

Lams liissa. — Arrives about the 1st. of April, lays two or three eggs about
the 26th. of May, and flies on the 15th. of August. Never seen to carry.

Larus Fuscus. — Comes and goes previous to his permanent residence, which
is about the 15th. of April; lays three eggs about the 14th. of May, and
flies about the 24th. of July. Departure uncertain. Never carries.

Larus argentatus. — Comes and goes previous to his permanent stay, which
usually takes place about the 15th. of April; lays three eggs about the 5th.
of May, and flies about the 10th. of July. Never carries. Departure
uncertain.

JPhalacracorax carho. — Come and go up till the 15th. of April, when they
remain; lay three eggs about the 20th. of May, and fly about the 14th. of
July. Never seen to carry.

Thalassidroma pelagica. — Breeds occasionally here, and one was caught upon
her nest, containing one egg, in the month of August, 1842; they have since
been repeatedly seen in the vicinity of the Craig.

The Land Birds which remain, visit, and breed there, are as follow: —

Aquila chryscetos. — Was regularly in the habit of breeding there, but has
not done so for many years past; he continues, however, to visit it for about
three weeks in the month of October, and appears altogether to subsist during
that period upon the entrails of Rabbits, which are very plentifully strewn
over the Craig, at that season, by men who are employed to kill them.

Falco peregrinus. — Breeds here regularly.

Falco tinnunculus. — Breeds constantly here.

Otus " — Breeds here, — the old and young having both been

seen. A fine specimen was caught in 184G.

Corvus cor ax. — Breeds always here. (One pair.)

RAYED ECIIINOUERMATA OF HANFFSHIRE, 127

Corvus comix. — Breeds always here. (One pair.)
Scolopax rusticola. — Often seen in the winter.
Grex pratensis. — Breeds here, — eggs and young being found.
Cuculus canonis. — Often seen in the summer.
Merula vulgaris. — Always breeds here.
Merula musica. — Always breeds here.

Emheriza citrinella. — Breeds here, but never seen during the winter.
JPlectrophanes nivalis. — Seen in winter.
Alauda arvensie. — Only seen in winter.
Anilius aquaticus. — Breeds here.
Saxicola cenanthe. — Seen in summer.
Motacilla Yarrellii. — Seen in summer and winter.
Motacilla hoarula. — Seen in summer.
Erythaca ruhecula. — Breeds here.
Troglodytes Europoeus. — Breeds and sings here.
Carduelis elegnns. — Seen only in winter.

The prevalence of an easterly wind occasionally prevents the Birds from
arriving at the dates specified, but they may be taken as a fair average.

Mill of Boindee, Banff, April, 1834.

A LIST OF THE RAYED EOHINODERMATA OF BANFFSHIRE.

BY MR. THOMAS KDWARD.

In offering the following list of the Star-Fishes of the Banffshire coast to
the readers of "The Naturalist," the winter would beg leave to say that it is
not to show his acquirements as an observer of Nature, or his talents as a
collector of natural objects, that he has done so; but rather to give, as far
as in him lies, all publicity to those animals which are, as far as he knows,
to be found in his neighbourhood, and places adjoining.

If this were done generally throughout the country, we might then, ere
long, be able to form something like an adequate notion of what we really
do possess; but until such be the case, we cannot even expect to arrive at
anything like a perfect idea of what animals there are, or where such are to
be found. Ijct naturalists, then, and observers of these things look to and
note this, that all who can may reap the benefit.

It will be seen that the term 'Common,' applied to several of the species
about to be I'cferred to, is not used here. The reason for this is, that it
appears to the writer to be a term quite misapplied, and tending to lead,
especially the young and inquiring naturalist, astray rather than otherwise, as
it is given to species which are in some places rather scarce, if found at allj
whilst others, not so denominated, are very numerous and plentiful.

Although certain species may be quite 'common,' and perhaps abundant

VOL. IV. s

128 RAYED ECHINODERMATA OP BANFFSHIRE.

in some quarters, it does not follow that such is the case in every
place. The writer's opinion is that, to say the least of it, the terra has, as
it were, too wide or vague a meaning, whether in a general or a more
limited sense, and ought, therefore, to be disused. This will be better shewn
from the species about to be enumerated; but doctors differ, and so do natu-
ralists, so that the writer may be wrong. There is one great consolation,
however, that if he is, he is not the first that has been so, and in all prob-
ability will not be the last. Now for the list, in the wish and hope that the
reader will excuse the many imperfections which it may contain.

{Greater?) Sand Star, (Ophiura texturata.) — This is, although termed
'common,' not what can with truth be called a very plentiful species with
us, neither can it altogether be said to be scarce, but just, as it were, betwixt
the two. Some splendid specimens are at times brought on shore by our
fishermen.

Lesser Sand Star, (Ophiura albida.) — With us, as far as I am aware, some-
what rare, although not so in some parts of the F'irth.

Grail Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma neglecta.) — This very little species is what
I would term of pretty frequent occurrence here in pools amongst the lower
lying rocks, especially where there is a sprinkling of sand. I have taken as
many as twenty during one ebb.

Rosy Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma rosula.) — So far as my experience and observa-
tion go in these matters, I cannot, in conscience, call this species 'common,' that
is with us, although it bears that general term in works which treat on this
subject. That they do occur, I, of course, do not, nor can deny; but not
in such numbers as one would most necessarily believe from the mere desig-
nation applied to the species.

Sand Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma minuta.)— Is there in reality such an Ophi-
ocoma as this? if so, I have found it here on several occasions, and generally
in company with, or near to, Ophiocoma nerjlecta; or is it rather the young
of rosula? This little species, if it is a distinct one, ,is, of all the Brittle
Stars which I have as yet met with, by far the most brittle.

Granulated Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma granulata.) — Now, although this species
is not denominated *^common,' it is the commonest of all the Brittle Stars
with us. I know that for. one of the so-named 'common' species, {Ophiocoma
rosula,) which I met with, I find fifty of these. I remember my young
friend, Maggy, and three of her sisters, once bringing me a large cargo of
these Stars — nearly two hundred, which they had picked up where the fisher-
men clean their lines, and there was not a single specimen of Ophiocoma
rosula amongst them; and could these have been got, they would have been
brought likewise. 1 remember also being particularly struck with the
numerous and brilliant colours displayed by this same cargo, exhibiting, as
they did, all those tints, and perhaps more than is possible to name, being
from the brightest scarlet down to the deepest black, and scarcely two being
alike. Their disks, too, were remarkably varied; some were of a perfect oval.

nAYF.D ECHINODERMATA OF BANFFSHIRE. 129

whilst others were pentangular; some were flat, whilst others were in a measure
pyramidal, and what in truth may be termed triangular in form, and that
too in its truest sense.

Daisy Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma bellis.) — This pretty Star is also found
here, and I must say, that if there is but one species they are about as
variable, if not more so, than that last named. I have specimens in my
collection which, if I were to write a history of such creatures, I would most
certainly hesitate to include under the term Ophiocoma hellis. They
might well, from their size, being considerably larger than that generally
found, be designated the "Greater Daisy Brittle Star." They are the most
beautiful of this beautiful tribe which I have as yet seen, and well worthy
of a more extended notice than I can give here. A full description in a list
of this kind cannot of course be given; a few words, however, may perhaps
be allowed. — They are larger, as I have already said, than those usually found.
Their disks, too, differ considerably from those commonly met with, being of
a pyramidal, or a conical form, somewhat resembling that well-known shell,
TrocJius tumidus. In colour they are like the finest variegated mahogany
after it is polished, although they have not the gloss, and their disks exhibit
the most beautiful carved work imaginable. The rays are short, that is in
proportion to the size of the disk, strong, and closely beset with short thick
hard spines. I may add that the specimens here alluded to, two in number,
were procured from that heterogeneous repository of marine objects, a cod's
stomach, which was taken about thirteen miles at sea. They are in very
good condition.

Bull's Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma Ballii.) — This pretty variegated little species
is rather plentiful here. I find them frequently amongst the refuse of the
fishermen's lines, attached to dead shells, zoophytes, etc. I am not altogether
very much surprised when I meet with a Star-Fish minus a leg or two, or
even when three or four are wanting; but I think it somewhat strange, and
not a little curious, when I find them with one more than those designed
them by Nature. I am sure it is not a very common thing for Ophiocoma
Ballii to have six legs; yet that such is sometimes the case will be presently
shewn, except you form a new species under the terra Ophiocoma hexacrura,
or Six-legged Brittle Star, but I do not think that that can be done in the
present instance; but I may be wrong; however, I will hold as I am in the
meantime, but ever ready and willing to be put to rights if I am in error.
One evening, not long ago, and just as I had begun to discuss the last meal
for the day, my little friend Maggy accosted me rather joyfully with, "Father,
I've got a new Star-Fish t' ye. Ane avi, sax legs!" "I hope so, Maggy,"
I replied, and at the same time added, "I doubt it some, Maggy." "Weel
look at it then," she continued, at the same time holding her prize up to my
face, and making it and my proboscis almost meet. "Wait a little," I again
said, "until I swallow my wee bit supper, and I will examine it head over
heels." Now, he who has even had the pleasure of eating a poor man's

130 RAVED ECHlNbDERMATA OP BANFFSHIRE.

evening meal, well knows that it does not take long to do that, especially
with such a character as the writer, and bearing in mind, too, that what was
termed a new species — a neio animal — was to be looked at. "Now Maggy,"
I said, the last bit nearly choking me, ^'let 's see this prodigy of yours. Just
as I thought, Maggy, it's not a new species; — -it's only an Oplnocoma Ballii,
but rather a peculiar one in its having, as you said, 'sax legs' instead of five.'
I have now two with six rays, having procured another a few dajs ago.

Goodsir's Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma Goodsiri.) — Although I have given this
species a place here, still I am not altogether sure if we can boast of it or
not, but I think we can, though not in any great numbers. 1 have four
specimens^ which differ considerably in many essential points from OpJiiocoma
Ballii, and which do not agree with any other that I know, except Ophio-
coma Goodsiri. I may be in error^ however^ but would be most happy, if
I am so, to be corrected.

Long- armed Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma brachiata.) — These are pretty often
got here from haddock's stomachs, but it requires some very nice fingering,
and a somewhat cunning hand to get a whole specimen in this way; their
long and slender rays being so interwoven with each other, as almost to defy
extraction. It is a great pity that the Moray Firth was never dredged by
naturalists, as I am led to believe it never was, that is, on a scale worthy
of its waters. If such were done, and done as it should be, I am quite sure,
from what I know, that many a valuable rarity, and I have no doubt new
species^ would be procured, and better got than those already known. If I were
but possessed of half the means that some are, it should not long be so;
wind and weather permitting, I should have it dredged from the one end to
the other, over and over again. Alas! that Nature, that fair and comely
damsel, which I supremely admire, and love so well, should have called me
into existence at the very moment when Want and Starvation stood hand in
hand, ready to stamp the unconscious and little heir of immortality with their
accursed brands. Money, it is said, is the root of all evil; but tell me, ye
who know, what the want of it is? But to return.

Thread-rayed Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma filiformis.) — This is another doubtful
species here, at least so far as I and my list are concerned; but if the dredge
were used, it might not long be thus. I remember once taking from the
stomach of a large Turbot, {Rhombus maximus,) which was caught at a place
called the 'bank,' or out sea-fishing, the remains of an Ophiocoma, which I
considered to be that o^ filiformis; but being in fragments I could not make
much of it. It differed considerably, however, both in the disk and rays from
that of hracliiata, especially in the slenderness of its arms. I have never met
with another, but am keeping an eye in that direction.

Sun Star, (Solaster papposa.) — Frequent. I have seen this species from a
bright red to a pale bay, and from having nine rays to upwai'ds of seventeen,
and from a size which would have covered the crown of the broadest hat
now in use, down to that of a very small lozenge.

I

RAYKD ECHINODERMATA OF BANFFSIIIRK. X31

Purple Stin Star, (Solaster endeca.) — Often met with. These, too, are fre-
quently of numerous and different shades of colouring, such as pink, red, brown,
gray, yellow, and, as its name denotes, purple.

{Shore?) Grossfish, (Uraster rubens.) — Of all our Crossfishes this is the
most frequently met with among our rocks in shore, and sometimes in great
numbers. It is also, perhaps, of all its kindred the most variable in form,
in regard to the number of its rays. I have seen a large disk with only one
arm, and a very long one too. It is not uncommon to find them here
with two, three, or four rays, and with both long and short legs on the same
disk. One in my collection has two very long arms, whilst other three are
just seen, as it were, to be emerging from the disk; another, with two long
and two short rays, when set up on the shorter rays, gives the appearance
of a miniature sofa in profile.

Violet Grossfish, (Uraster violacea.) — This species, about as numerous and
as A'ariable as the last, takes to and abides in deeper water, at least with
us, and are on that account a great pest and nuisance to our fishermen, by
becoming attached in vast numbers to their hooks and lines, and no doubt
often depriving them of more enviable game.

Btdthorn, (Asterias aurantiaca.) — Not rare, nor yet abundant.

Lingthorn, (Luidia fragilissima.) — Similar to the last in numbers. I do
not think that it is possible to get a full-grown specimen of this species
complete, at least I have never seen it yet. One, in my collection, with
seven rays, has one more than a foot long, whilst the others range from
eight inches down to one and a half. A friend of mine tells me that
he once saw an individual of this species brought on shore, which had only
the bare rudiment of a single ray protruding from a large disk, yet this
creature was alive, and moved about when put into a basin containing sea-
water.

Bird's-foot Sun Star, (Palmipes membranaceus.) — Eare. A splendid spec-
imen was lately procured at Me' Duff, by my friend, the Rev. Mr. Gregor,
Teacher, and is now in his collection. It is large, and of a most beautiful
pinkish red.

Knotty Gusliion Star, (Goniaster equestris.) — Occasionally met with, but
not so rare as the last.

Bosy Grihclla, (Cribella rosea.) — More frequently met with than either of
the two last named, but by no means numerous.

M/ed Cribella, (Cribella oculata.) — Well now here is another very doubtful
gentleman, eye him as you will, either with one, two, or even five lenses.
Here I would again ask. Is there in reality such an animal? or is it merely
one of fancy or of mistake? For my own part I am rather inclined to believe
that it is either of the two, or perhaps a compound of both; but if not, and if
there is actually such a creature, then I think I have found it here on two
or three occasions, at least I have met with Gribellas which differed consid-
erably from rosea, and which had something of the appearance of what some

132 NOTES ON BRITISH SAVALLOWS.

might term eyes; but I must confess I did not see them sparkling finely,
neither can I say that they were of a very "lovely blue."

It will be seen from the foregoing list that, even if we take away the
doubtful ones, we can, after all, boast of sixteen distinct species — no mean
number, everything considered; and I have no doubt that future observation
will add more, and tend to clear up the mist ti t hangs over others alluded
to here.

Banff, February 26th., 1854.

NOTES ON BRITISH SWALLOWS.

BY A SEA- SIDE NATURALIST.

We well remember the deep interest we took in these birds as we watched
them flying along shore at the time of their arrival in spring. Our Journal,
from the second week of April to the 1st. of May, famishes proofs of the
frequency of our observations respecting them; and a common source of wonder
appears to have been the immense number that swept past, — all in one direction
— northwards. We conjectured they had coasted along the shores of England,
and were proceeding to people our northern towns, villages, and country-places,
where we were sure the glad presence of the Swallow had not been hailed.
And this may be illustrated by the following scene we witnessed: —

Up to the 20th. of April, 1848, not a Swallow had been seen in the town
or neighbourhood of Dunbar; and in the morning of that day, just about
sunrise, when rambling by the sea-side about a mile distant from the town,
we observed, by the aid of a glass, an immense concourse of small birds out
at sea, a long way off to the south-east, but speedily approaching; they were
distinctly seen glancing in the light streaks on the water, and in their
flight inclining towards the shore. When nearer us, we knew them to be the
Common Martlet or Window Swallow, {Hirundo iirbica,) and the main body
of the flock flew steadily past, giving off" detachments, now and then, which
steered landwards, and broke up into smaller companies. A second and a
third troop of them appeared, and, like the first, flew steadily onwards, with-
out diverging in the main from their flight northwards; and in our return
we found the town street alive with them flying to and fro. In front of
one unoccupied house, were at least thirty or forty, chirping and chattering
around the window corners bearing the remains of old nests; and on
different chimney tops we observed others busied in arranging their plumage
after their journey. But this manner of appearing is not usual; generally
speaking, a few scattered pairs are the heralds, and even these may be seen
for some days before others arrive. We may remark, however, that every
season we have noticed these migrations — flocks passing, and straggling parties
leaving them in the manner described.

The Chimney Swallow, (£". rustica,) and the Sand Martin, {H. riparia,)

NOTES ON BRITISH SWALLOWS. 133

arrive about the same time, generally a few days earlier, but in smaller numberg;
the latter, indeed, mostly in pairs, though sometimes we have counted ten in
a troop. The former is our favourite amongst Swallows, and however much
tastes may diflFer, we think it the most elegant. Perhaps our partiality may
arise from the close attention we gave to its habits, and from our having
kept tame individuals, for a time, in confinement. The nest is found in almost
every situation, for though its common name would lead us to suppose it
frequented chimneys, such a habit is not characteristic of the bird; yet it
is the only species which, so far as we know, inhabits chimneys. In a few
instances we have seen a pair issuing from a red chimney-can, where their
nest must have been built, but it is proper to mention that the chimneys
were not in use. They do not, however, always choose a safe place, for they
will sometimes mistake a sootless aperture for one in disuse, and involve
themselves in all the horrors of a smoky house. The most curious case that
we can quote occurred within our own observation, and was repeated annually
for a period of four or five years. Three pairs of Swallows, (H. rustica,)
built their nests in the interior of the smoke-funnel of a kiln for drying oats,
and had, when we first discovered them, each a brood of young ones. The
kiln had been once used when these birds were sitting on eggs, without causing
them to forsake their nests; but one morning on going out of doors, there
was a sad spectacle awaiting us. The miller was at his work, drying oats,
and the parent Swallows were fluttering and screaming in great distress. . The
smoke and heat did not deter them from venturing inside, and we could not
at first divine their object in exposing their lives to jeopardy. It was soon
explained, however, th'e young were nearly fledged, and by and by made their
exit, but in what manner we could not discover, as we had for a short time
left the spot. Towards evening, when the fire was put out, and the tenants
of the funnel quiet, we dispatched a boy to the roof of the building, and he
reported that there were three nests, all containing young.

The Chimney Swallow occasionally remains with us much later than its
congeners. In 1847, we saw several specimens on the 24th. of November,
and a solitary individual on December loth., flying close to the sand, on the
lee-side of the high wall by the sea- shore. It was observed again on the
following day, hawking over the same spot, but was apparently languid in
its flight. The weather at that time was mild, but had been cold and bois-
terous for some days towards the end of the previous month.

We are disposed to look upon the Bank Swallow, {H. riparia,) as a
solitary bird; for, although in some cases, where an extensive abrupt cliff" may
afford room for a great number, and find tenants too, yet the species is
more frequently, we think, found breeding in a colony of, at most, four or
five pairs. During our own direct observations we concluded that a solitary
couple was oftenest seen, but we should hardly venture to publish that opinion
against so much contrary testimony. In the county of East Lothian we have
never seen a spot where more than thirty or forty were established together

134 NOTES ON BRITISH SWATJ.OWS.

while on the other hand we could lead doubtful ornithologists to the burrows
of almost a hundred single birds. The Sand Martin is easily tamed when
young, and will greedily take flies and other insects when offered to it. We
had two or three at various times, which were great favorites, having become
quite familiar, and accustomed to use their wings in a room in search of prey.

One interesting fact in connection with the Martlet or Window Swallow,
(^H. urhica,) is its habit of associating sometimes in large communities in
rocky cliffs near the sea: these colonies far surpass, in extent, those of the
Bank Martin. At the Cove shore, in Berwickshire, there were last summer
from fifty to a hundred families lodged in the face of a high cliff at the
time of our visit. We slung a few stones at the most thickly populated
quarter, and alarmed the whole of the feathered tenantry, which issued wildly
from their resting-places forming a perfect cloud of birds, and screaming
incessantly till we retired. Few of the nests were affixed to the smooth
parts of the rock; the greater proportion were lodged in the crevices and
inequalities, some of them adhering to each other.

The Swift, (Ci/pselus apus.)

Opportunities have boen within our reach for watching the proceedings of
this bird while nesting. In one case a pair had taken possession of a hole
under the eaves of a slated roof, which a couple of Sparrows had been
accustomed to call their own for many seasons. There was a continued war-
fare for the mastery ; and we have often been amused at the impertinence of
the male Sparrow, in doggedly maintaining his ground when the Swift
attempted to get in. An unusual clamour attracted our notice one evening,
as the Swift had forced a passage, and turned out his opponent, who called
to his aid an indignant multitude of neighbour Sparrows to resent the
affront. One or two of the boldest entered the hole while their fellows kept
up an encouraging chatter outside. There was no doubt war in the interior,
so we procured a ladder, being anxious to hear the altercation; and, having
reached the top spar, we put our ear to the mouth of the crevice. It was
more capacious than we had imagined, for we could hear nothing for a while
but smothered chirping; then the Swift made some wrathful exclamation — •
*Hree-ee-ee, hree, hree,' which broke out at intervals, prompted in all likelihood
by the impudent perseverance of the 'SSprauchs;" till at length one grand
scream dissolved the interview, and the Swift rushed out. For our caves-
dropping we got what a rude spectator called a 'whang on the lug,' which
however, caused us more alarm than pain; and we descended with the intention
in future to let "Develings" and "Sprauchs" settle their own quarrels; we
therefore looked up to them ever afterwards, and waited for the result. Neither
party were like to give in, for both pairs of birds regularly supplied materials for
the nest. It was curious to notice this; the Sparrows brought paper, strings,
wool, and cotton, and the usual articles employed by the species in building;
while the Swifts, with equal diligence, gathered feathers and floating straws,
which we distinctly saw them seize when on the wing and carry to the hole.

NOTES ON BRITISH SWALLOWS. 135

It turned out, however, a fatal mixture; one of the Swifts was seen in the
gloaming soaring aloft, displaying a floating pendent in one of the Sparrows*
hempen lines, and next morning found tethered to the branches of a pear-
tree growing nearly in contact with the wall, quite dead.

Tiiis bird sometimes leaves its young to perish in the nest, should it un-
fortunately have a late brood, not fledged in time to migrate with the others,
when they leave in September. We once witnessed a distressing case where
the abandoned family suffered a slow death by starvation. It was really
painful to see the little creatures after their parents had gone, protruding
their round sooty faces, and plaintively dieeping for food. Their cradle served
them as a tomb; and next year, the old birds finding the skeletons difficult
to remove, built another nest on their remains.

In addition to the species whose habits we have in part attempted to
describe, we have to record the supposed appearance, in our locality, of the
Alpine Swift, ((7. Alpinus;) but we are sorry that what we have to relate of
it is of a very unsatisfactory nature. From our Journal it appears to have
been on the 22nd. of May, 1847, when this bird '^^met our astonished gaze."
Our attention was riveted in a moment to it, as it hawked for prey above a
range of stables early in the morning of that day; and from that hour we resolved,
if possible, to get hold of it. For three successive days and evenings, we saw
it occasionally in the same neighbourhood, flying in company with other
Swifts, and having got ready a charge of small shot, we took as determined
a stand against it as any misguided or cruel collector of British rarities ever
did. Many an upward look did we indulge in, waiting a chance to bring it
down; now it would poise at an altitude of eighty yards, or thereby, and
again dash off at lightning speed, while its white breast glanced in the light
— the very phenomenon that gave eagerness to our designs on its person;
then it would return again and hang on almost motionless wing above us
at the same respectful distance, until some shrill scream from one of its
darker companions gave the signal for a change. But, shy though it was,
its doom was fixed; we shot it as it glanced athwart a chimney top — a most
unfortunate moment. Now, cried we, for the decision; but alas! it was
swallowed in the jaws of the gaping funnel, and was seen no more. It had
•actually fallen down the wide-mouthed chimney of an unoccupied house, whence
[it was impossible to recover it. We could in our turn do nothing but give
IjTeht to our regret that our winged prey had in this way cheated our hopes.
pThere were besides, the unpleasant doubts about its species, connected with its
pudden and unlooked-for disappearance, which heightened the loss. Colour
lone induced the question, Alpinus or Apus? and in our mortified enthusiasm
fe*we could only answer — "Too black, and yet too white."

"Like spirits of a middle sort,
Who dropt just half-way down, nor lower fell."

Dryden.
April \st., 1854.
VOL. IV. T

136

INJURIOUS INSECTS.— THE Ex\RWIG,
(FOBFICULA AURICULAEIA.)—No. 1.

BY J. MC' INTOSH, ESQ.

The genus Forficula, (Vulgo Earwig,) belong to the order Orthoptera. Our
present subject is too well known to require any minute description, and is
too generally an object of unconquerable dislike, from the absurd idea of its
ins'nuating itself into persons' ears. Of this idea the populace of most countries
are alike persuaded, and it is astonishing to find even the great legislator of
Natural History perpetuating the same error. In consequence of this notion
a general proscription is extended against this race of insects throughout the
whole civilized world, though I believe unsupported by a single fact. They are,
however, wholesale destroyers of peaches, apricots, plums, and other fruits, with
a catalogue of flowers too numerous to mention; and if they congregated like
ants they would destroy everything of this sort. They make their way to
the foot-stalk of the fruit, get to the stone, etc., and live there day and
night; and when you open a fine and delicious fruit, with the full intention
of having a nice mouthful, you find to your horror and disappointment that
it is already in possession of two or three Earwigs, and by them half consumed.
So it is with the petals of some choice flower on which our fondest hopes have
been set. The rapidity with which they devour the petals of flowers is re-
markable; they clasp the edge of the petal in their fore-legs, and then,
stretching out the head as far as possible, bite out a mouthful, and so on,
till the head is brought to the fore-legs, just the same as leaf-feeding
caterpillars do. When the breeding-time has arrived, the female retires to
some sheltered place, as the cracks in the bark of old trees, walls, etc. Here
she lays her eggs, to the number of twenty-five or thirty. When she has
done laying, she sits upon them in the same manner that a hen sits upon
her eggs, till they are hatched, and with as much care and fondness. If
the eggs or the young after they are hatched are disturbed, she will immedi-
ately collect them together till they are old enough to find food for them-
selves. How the young at this stage are fed, or with what sort of food,
I am not able to state, nor have I met with any writer who is; therefore
any information on this point will be greatly esteemed.

Although vegetable substances form the principal diet of the adult Earwigs,
De Geer asserts that they are not only carnivorous, but cannibals. We have
tried several experiments to ascertain the truth of this remark, and we have
always found them devour vegetable food when it could be procured, but
when this was withheld they would devour flies, and even one another. It
may therefore be inferred that Earwigs in some degree make up for their
ravages on vegetable life by destroying other insects, though their nocturnal
habits render it somewhat difficult to ascertain the truth of this.

A remarkable fact in relation to this insect is its great abundance in par-

INJURIOUS INSECTS.

137

ticular times and places, and its subsequent rarity: for the last four years we
have not met with four dozen specimens. They are also well known to migrate
in large flocks, selecting the evening for their excursions. It is an exceedingly
timid insect, and if the head is buried, so as to exclude the sight of danger,
the other portion of its body may take its chance of detection. In this
position they may frequently be found amongst the petals of flowers which
they frequent. The best trap for them is cabbage leaves baked, or held before
the fire till quite soft; then rub them over with butter or dripping, and lay
them on the ground by the side of walls or flowers. Bowls of tobacco-pipes^
bean-stalks, small pots filled with moss, or bits of paper made like extinguishers
on the top of stakes, to which the plants are tied, are common and excellent
traps for these vermin. They find these extinguishers delightful retreats from
the angry eye of man, and the burning rays of the sun. These traps should
be examined every morning, and the Earwigs destroyed. Where poultry is
kept, we should recommend their being fed with the captured insects, on
which they will soon show signs of improvement.

The wings of this insect are of a curious and elegant texture and wonderful
structure. The upper part is crustaceous and opaque, while the other part is
beautifully transparent. They fold up into a very small compass, and lie
neatly concealed under the elytra, which are not more than a sixth part of
the wing in size. They shut the ribs like a fan; the strong muscles used
for this purpose are seen at the upper part of the figure, (which is consid-
erably magnified.) The ribs are extended from the centre to the outer edge;
others are extended only from the edge about half way, but they are all
united by a band at a small but equal distance from the edge; the whole
evidently contrived to strengthen the wing, and facilitate the various motions
thereof, and executed with a neatness and elegance surpassing my poor power
of description.

5, Middle Street, Taunton, February 13</t., 1854.

13S

Do Hawks drink? — Having seen an article in your interesting journal, vol. iii., page 135, .
regarding the fact of Hawks requiring drink, I beg to offer you the following remarks on the
subject, presuming that tbey may be interesting: — I caught a young Kestrel iu my garden in
September, 1853, wliich had escaped from some cottage children who had clipped his wings. The
bird is still alive, and doing well, is as playful as a Kitten, but cannot, of course, fly as yet,
as his wings have not grown. Since I have had him he has, on an average, completely got
into a large pan of water once a week, and remained in it sometimes as long as ten minutes,
thoroughly soaking every portion of his body by settling down and throwing the water over his
back with his wings; this he did even when the water had a coat of ice on it, during the
severe weather in January, but then only on a fine, clear, sunny day. I have frequently seen
him drink, as your correspondent says, exactly as a Common Fowl would drink. I supply him
regularly with raw beef, and as many small birds or mice as* I can get. A few weeks ago I
obtained a female Merlin which had its wing broken by a shot; I noticed it drink out of the
pan in the same manner. At the expiration of a week I was obliged to kill it, as it appeared
to pine with its broken limb. I gave the body to a friend, who has sent it, I believe, to the
Dover Museum, it being rather rare in this county.— A. H., Tenterden, February 27th., 1854.

The Wrynech, (Yunx Torquilla.) — This morning I early discovered the Wryneck in our orchard,
March 18th., 1854. On referring to my calendar I find that last year I heard its cry on March
1st.; I saw it on the 5th. White records March 5tli. as the earliest period of his observing
it; and I think the date of last year worth registering, as we were suffering from very severe
cold and snows then; but with the present season, which is much milder, it is a much later
visitor.— G. 11. Twinn, Bawburgh Hill, Norwich, March 18th., 1854.

Early Nesting of the JFood Pigeon, (Columba Palumbus.) — On Monday, March 20th., as I
was walking through a thick plantation of spruce firs, I was surprised to hear a Wood Pigeon
fly off a tree in the same manner as they do when they are nesting. On going up to the tree
I found a nest with one fresh-laid egg in it. This is surely very early. A little farther on,
in the same wood, I found a Squirrels' nest with two young ones in it. — J. J. D., West Grange,
Perthshire, March, 1854,

On Leucophasia Sinapis and Vanessa Hampstediensis.

Mr. Dale wrote to me some time since, asserting —

1st. — That iu my "History of British Butterflies," I had, under the head of Leucophasia
Sinapis, figured two species, the other being Leucophasia Lathyri.

2nd. — That I ought not to have included Vanessa Hampstediensis as a British insect.

I demurred to either of my good old friend's inconclusive dicta, and think it necessary to
put forth my reasons for being "of the same opinion still" that I have been all along,
inasmuch as I gathered from his letters that he had been conveying to other persons an idea
that I had been mistaken in the above particulars; and also that he did not seem inclined to
own his error to those whom he had thus misled, nor to re-imbue them with the truth. I will
therefore, 'pro bono publico,' recapitulate the facts I pointed out to him. First, as to the
supposititious Leucophasia Lathyri i and. Secondly, as to the Vanessa Hampstediensis: —

As to the former, he asserted that my left-hand figui-e, (as you look towards the plate,)
represented Leucophasia Lathyri, and that that species was to be distinguished from Leucophasia
Sinapis, in three particulars, namely, in its, {Lathyri) having, Firstly, the wings narrower;
Secondly, its shape on the outside hollowed instead of rounded; and. Thirdly, the under side
different, (this last particular being afterwards qualified into its being distinguishable by a
"practised eye.")

To this I pointed out, beginning with the last-named particular, —

Ist. — That my cabinet containing ten specimens of Leucophasia Sinapis, from two of which
the figures in the plate were taken, in none of them was there any appreciable difference from
the others in the under side. — This was not enough to convince him!

2ndly. — That hardly any two of my specimens agreed in the shape of the wings, all the
others being intermediate, more or less, between the rounded oue, which he allowed to be Sinapis,

MISCELLANEODS NOTICES. 1S9

and the hollowed one, ■which he called Lathyri, I sent him the shapes of each. — Tliis was not
enough to convince him!

3rdly. — That they in like manner varied in width, some being here again intermediate between
the broad one he allowed to be Sinapis, and the narrow one he called Lathgri. — This was not
enough to convince him!

Yet, observe, on these three supposed distinctions, he grounded his assertion. Neither of the
two latter, it will be perceived, is, as shewn above, any ground whatever, in the present species,
of specific distinction, and the former is applicable to none of my specimens or figures.

I should here add that Mr. Dale admitted that he had himself formerly figured two specimens
of P. Dispar, to prove that the width of the wings might vary.

2ndly., as to the Vanessa Hampstediensis. — Let it be observed how guarded I was in what I
said of it in my account. — "The only specimen of this insect that has ever yet been recorded,
was captured at Hampstead, near London, by Albin, and then first described and figured by
Petiver. It has since been continuously figured and described by succeeding Entomologists, who
have faithfully copied the original picture. By some it has been considered a foreign specimen,
accidentally imported ; by others as the product of two different species. The specimen is however
no longer in existence, and cannot speak for itself; no 'Ecce signum' can now testify to the
truthfulness of the Entomologist who shall pretend more accurately to describe it, than in the
stereotyped form which has come down to the present day."

Mr. Dale said that I ought not to admit it at all, because it must have been a mistake of
Petiver to say that Albin took it at Hampstead, and that he must have meant the "Isle of
Amsterdam."

To this I replied, and reply, —

1st. — That Petiver' s express words are, (I quote from my copy of Haworth,) '■'■Papilio oculatus
Hampstediensis ex aureo fuscus, (Albin's Hampstead Eye,) where it' was eaught by this curious
person, and is tlie only one I have yet seen."

2ndly. — That if he had meant the "Isle of Amsterdam," he would have said so.

3rdly. — That Amstelodamum being the Latin for Amsterdam, the word in this case would
have been Amstelodamensis, and not Hampstediensis.

4thly. — That Hampstediensis means "of Hampstead."

5thly. — That the Isle of Amsterdam is described as a barren rock in the Indian Ocean, on
which it was remarkable that not a single insect was to be found except the Common Fly!

He then said that there were three Isles of Amsterdam ; but he could neither toll me in which
of the three the Butterfly was taken, nor when, nor by whom.

6thly. — That every Entomologist of eminence, down to Stephens and Curtis, has given it as
British.

"The very height and front" of my "gravamina et reformanda" "hath this oflfence no more."

I think, therefore, that I have sufiiciently proved myself right in both points— Q E D.

Not to trust too much, however, to my own judgment, I have (which was indeed Mr. Dale's own
proposition,) consulted Mr. Allis on the subject of the Leucophasia, and the following is his report,
after seeing all my ten specimens, and comparing them with the two figures in the "Butterflies:" —
■ 1st. — That all the specimens are British.

2nd. — That they are all Sinapis.

If I remember right, Mr. Dale expressly disavowed attaching any importance to the colour
of the tips being more or less dark. In fact, throughout his letters, he laid no stress whatever
o\\ that feature, but confined himself exclusively to the three points above mentioned. In a
later letter, too, he says, ''''Sinapis varies also, as well as Lathyri, in having more or less black
on the tip; but the c/t;'e/' difference is in the outline, and on the reverse side of 2d. wings,"
Again, "There is a rotundity at the apex, which forms a specific distinction in Sinapis."

Now I have shewn that several of my specimens, pronounced by Mr. Allis to be British, and
Sinapis, as they most unquestionably are, have the outside of the wings hollowed instead of
rounded, the distinction being really that, as remarked by Mr. Allis, between the male and
the female! not a "specific" distinction at all!

I have only to add that I two or three times compared, before Mr. Allis, the specimen with
the figure, and he not only did not observe on any apparent difference between them, but pro-
nounced that they agree as closely as a figure can be e.Kpected to do with a specimen. In a letter
since received from, him, he says, "Whatever stress Mr. Dale may lay on colour, I consider

140 REVIEWS.

that it is of more importance in a figure of Sinapis than perhaps in any other species of our
Diurnal Lcpidoptera, because the intensity of colour is the most palpable characteristic of at
least one nearly allied species."

I need add no more, but when we find such "doctors disagree," it may teach us all that
humility which is the true spirit of science.

I can shew the specimens to any entomologist. F. 0. MORRIS.

Class Booh of Botany: heing an introduction to the study of the Vegetable
Kingdom. By J. H. Balfouk, M. D., F. R. S. E., etc. With upwards of
Eighteen Hundred Illustrations. Part II. — Physiological Botany. Edinburgh:
Adam and Charles Black. 1854. p.p. 755.

In a short notice of the First Part of this work, at page 158 of vol. ii.
of ^'The Naturalist/' we expressed our decided opinion that we had a book of
great and intrinsic value before us: any one taking up the present work, which
is the second and concluding part, cannot avoid feeling that Dr. Balfour's high
character as a Botanist is amply and fully sustained. The volume is
indeed rich in varied and most useful informationj and we trust that any of
our readers requiring a Class Book will procure it. There are indeed few to
whom its pages would not prove instructive; while to the student it will be
an invaluable assistant. Even the agriculturist may learn much from this
volume; for he will find the principles on which many of his every-day works
are dependent fully explained; and the nature and properties of the plants
among which he lives elucidated. We cannot pretend to give any outline of
the subjects embraced in this volume, but shall take one or two short extracts
at random. At page 623, speaking of the "Vitality of seeds an(f modes of
preservation," he says, —

"Some seeds must be sown immediately after they are ripe, otherwise they lose their vitality,
and decay. This is the case with the seeds of Magnolia, Coffee, Clove, and with those of an
oily and mucilaginous nature. Even though the germinating power is lost, the seeds may be
in a state fit for food. The seeds of the double Coco-nut, ( Lodoicca Seychellarum, ) when
carried from the Seychelles Islands to the Maldives, and those of Entada {Furswtha) sandeus»
when borne by the gulf-stream from the Antilles to the outer Hebrides, are to all appearance
fresh, although they will not sprout when planted. Wheat which had been placed in wooden
casks, well pitched and secured against tlie influence of the weather, in 1548, made excellent
bread at Zurich in 1799, although it did not germinate. Seeds with very delicate integuments
can seldom be kept longer thaa a few weeks or months, while hard and bony seeds have been
known to germinate after the lapse of many years. Certain seeds are known to retain their
germinative powers for a long time. The seeds of Cucumber have germinated after seventeen
years, those of Colsa and Malva crispa after eighteen, of Altha)a rosea after twenty-three, Maize
after thirty. Haricots, or French Beans, after thirty-three. Melons after forty-one. For sixty
years a bag of seeds supplied the Jardin des Plantes annually with Sensitive plants. Haricots
taken from the Herbarium of Tournefort, and wliich were at least one hundred years old, were
found to germinate, as were also seeds of Hieracium, fift}' years old, from Fries' Herbarium.
Grains of Rye have been found fertile after one hundred and forty years."

In investigating the phenomena of Nature, Dr. Balfour finds nothing which
he can interpret as opposing the facts revealed to us in Holy Scripture; and

REVIEWS. 141

as this is sufiSciently evidenced, without in the most distant manner approaching
to cant or prudery, it renders this volume a most safe and valuable guide to
the young, while sceptics might, if they would, derive a salutary lesson from
the extensive series of evidences of the power, wisdom, and goodness of our
Creator. As bearing on this subject, we quote the concluding paragraph of
the body of the work: —

"When we find animals and plants of forms unknown at the present day, in all conditions
as regards development, we read a lesson in regard to the history of the earth's former state
as conclusive as that which is derived from the Nineveh relics (independent of Kevelation) in
regard to the history of the human race. There is no want of harmony between Scripture and
geology. The Word and the Works of God must be in unison, and the more we truly study
both, the more they will be found to be in accordance. Any apparent want of correspondence
proceeds either from imperfect interpretation of Scripture, or from incomplete knowledge of
science. The changes in the globe have all preceded man's appearance on the scene. He is
the characteristic of the present epoch, and he knows by Revelation that the world is to undergo
a further transformation, when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and when all the
present state of things shall be dissolved ere the ushering in of a new earth, wherein right-
eousness is to dwell,"

The Appendix contains ample and well-digested instructions for collecting,
preserving, and examining Botanical specimens; and a copious Glossary of
fifteen pages, in double columns, will enable any beginner to make himself
master of the subject as he peruses the book. The illustrations are admirable
and numerous, — about eight hundred being contained in the volume before us,
while upwards of one thousand will be found in the first volume.

We cordially recommend Dr. Balfour's Class Book as not only entirely
trustworthy, but also admirably adapted to the wants of the Botanical student.

On the British Tritons. By John Higginbottom, F. R. S. From the ^^Annals
and Magazine of Natural History," for December, 1853.

This little essay is the result of constant observations extending over a
period of five years, and many very important facts are detailed in the accounts
of the three species, which are all that Mr. Higginbottom looks upon as fully
recognised in Great Britain. That the changes which each species undergo
are more numerous than generally suspected, is clearly proved; and that they
are four years in arriving at maturity is also shown. We are unable to give
any long extracts, and must content ourselves with the author's summary of
what he has proved. —

"1st. — That thei-e are only two species of Triton in the midland counties of England.

2nd. — That the tadpole of the Triton remains in the water until the branchice are absorbed,
^and the legs become sufiSciently strong to enable it to leave that element, and does not usually
return to it again until the expiration of the third year.

3rd. — That during three years it is a land animal, in a state of activity in the summer, and
■of hibernation during the winter.

4th. — That the Triton is three years before it propagates its species, and four years in arriving
at its full growth.

5th.— That it revisits the water in the spring for the purpose of reproduction, and leaves it
, early in autumn.

142 THK nETROSPECT,

6th. — That fecundation is accomplished^ through the medium of water, and not bj' actual
contact.

7th. — That a very dry or a very wet situation are both fatal to the Triton when in a state
of hibernation.

8th. — That the habits and changes of the new Triton are in accordance with the other species."

The paper is illustrated by two plates, with nine outline figures of the three
species described.

2f5rntBtMiig3 nf IntbtiM.

Dorset County Museum and Library: — We have received from J. Oakland, Esa., one of
the Secretaries of the Society, a short report for 1853 ; from which we are glad to see that the
institution continues to receive increased support and encouragement. The additions made to
the Collections and Library during the year have not been very large, but the proper arrangement
of the Geological specimens is in progress. The circulation of books from the Library among
the members has been considerable, and the council are desirous of obtaining additions from
their friends, either as a loan or gift. Arrangements are being made for the delivery of Lectures
on subjects connected with the objects of the society, and which, we have no doubt, will
materially advance the study of Natural History in the district. ^ — sH mT^'-'v,

€\i IUtrD0|irtt.

The Starling. — May I be allowed to offer a few remarks in vindication of T»^]^tit^^j»|TOn
Mr. Longmuir's statement, in reference to the nidification of the Starling. In reply to that
attack, Mr. L., with the help of an English dictionary, gives for my special instruction a
definition of the word "excavate." Let me ask, when the Woodpecker commences operations
upon a tree where no hole previously existed, does she not begin "excavating" or "hollow-
ing out?" As the work proceeds, and approaches completion, is she not still "excavating"
or "hollowing out?" And when she has completed her task, has she not "excavated" or
"hollowed out a deep hole?" And is not this precisely what Mr. L. in his original state-
ment informs us the Starlings in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen are in the habit of doing?
In that statement no allusion whatever was made to decayed trees, nor was any mention
made of pre-existing holes, unless the expression "it excavates a deep hole," be taken to
mean that the "deep hole" was there before, and that the work of the Starling consisted
in merely deepening it still further, which meaning he now finds it convenient to point out
as the one intended to be conveyed. With a slight stretch of the imagination it may be
made to convey this meaning certainly; but the more obvious one is the one I have applied,
namely, that the Starling began the hole, and did the entire work from beginning to end;
nor would it be unreasonable for those who might be but imperfectly acquainted with the
bird in question, to infer that this took place in a sound tree, nothing having been stated to
the contrary. Although it was not new to me, that to "excavate" means "to hollow out,"
it is entirely new to me, and I imagine must be so to others, that an "excavation" can
be made, or that "hollowing out" can be accomplished without "boring" or "piercing,"
which according to the authority Mr. L. appears to have consulted, and to which he very
modestly refers me, are synonymous terras. This would seem to be a secret known only to
himself; I do not ask him to divulge that secret, it is but right that he should be allowed
the quiet enjoyment of any benefits that may arise from his having made so valuable a
discovery. Mr. L. in conclusion suggests "that in future a reference to an English dictionary
would save considerable trouble." I venture to suggest to him in return, that to avoid all
ambiguity of expression would also contribute to so desirable an end; and that in future
no statement should be made which may tend either directly or indirectly to mislead those who
may not be well-informed upon subjects of Natural History, and whose pecuniary i-esources
may only enable them to obtain information upon these subjects through the medium of
"The Naturalist."— S. Stone, April 8th., 1854.

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CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Zoological Notes 143

Gleanings from my Note Book, No. 3. By J. McTstosh, Esq 146

Spring Birds. By 0. S. Round, Esq 147

Local Jottings. — Dorchester — Dorsetshire. No. 12. By John Gar-
land, Esq 148

A List of the Land and Fresh-water Shells, found in the neighbour-
hood of Exeter. By Mr. Edward Parfitt 150

Notes on the Raspberry Plants from seed found in the Stomach of an

Ancient Briton. By J. McTntosh, Esq 153

Injurious Insects — No. 2. Slrex Gigas. By J. McTntosh. Esq 156

Description of a New Coleopterous Insect belonging to the genus Prionus.

By John Gray, Esq 158

Utility of the Common Mole. By J. McTntosh, Esq 159

Singular Breeding-place of the Rabbit. By A. S. Moffat, Esq 162

Nature and Harmony. By George R. Twinn, Esq 1G3

Miscellaneous Notices. — Note on a Rook and Weasel. Note on
the Greater and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Observations on
Birds about Barnsley. Late departui'e of the Cuckoo. Occurrence
of the Nutcracker at Yarmouth. Occurrence of the Red-necked
Phalarope near Norwich. Occurrence of the King Duck on the
Suffolk Coast. Sand Martins and a Swallow in April. Occurrence
of the Dipper in Norfolk. Observations on the Weather, for January. 164

The RiiTRosPECT 1 65

The Querist 166

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received, up to June 17th., from J. P.; — G. R. Twinn,
Esq. ; — J. P. FiiASER, Esq. ; — R. A. ; — J. Baker, Esq. ; — W. G.

Contributions have been received, up to June 17th., from John Riddell, Esq.;
— C. Thurwell, Esq.; — C. W. Rotheey, Esq.; — J. Longmuie, Esq., Jun.; —
J. W. EccLEs, Esq.; — J. Dixon, Esq.; — W. Martin, Esq.; — S. Stone, Esq.; —
J. Gray, Esq.; — G. B. Clarke, Esq.; — D. Ferguson, Esq.; — S. Hannafoed,
Esq., Jun.; — Rev. R. P. Alington.

Communications, Brmoings, Advertisements, etc., to bo addressed to BEVERLEY It. MOJiliTS,
Esq., M.I)., Driffield ;---Boo7cs for Rcvirw, and Parcels, to the care of Messrs. GROOMBIUDGE
and 6'OiV/S', 5, Paternoster Row. London.

143

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

We have received from John Fothergill, Esq., M. R. C. S., of Darlington,
some extracts from a correspondence in the years from 1807 to 1813, between
the late William Fothergill, Esq., of Carr End, in Wensleydale, and the late
Charles Fothergill, Esq., a native of York. They are original papers on
subjects connected with Natural History, consisting of notices of some rare
birds; curious instincts in birds, quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects. Some sug-
gestions on Ornithological classification, with sketches of several excursions in
the pursuit of Natural History; and, occasional interviews with Naturalists. —
B. R. M.

William Fothergill to Charles Fothergill, 1812.

Periodical Mortality of the Shreio. — "Pennant has remarked that the Common
Shrew, {Sorex araneus,) is subject to an annual mortality in the month of
August, when numbers are found dead by the sides of roads, particularly
footpaths, in the latter part of summer. I can corroborate Pennant's testimony
from my own long observation, but I do not attribute the mortality to divsease.
Domestic Cats ramble in the night from one farm-house to another, and
from one village to another, in quest of their prey, or in pursuit of their
amours, and, though they will kill Shrews wherever they meet with them,
very few, if any, will eat them; and they are consequently found in the situations
where they were killed. That more are observed dead about the month of
August than any other part of the year is what we may naturally suppose,
as at that time, the young Shrews having left their nests, they are more
numerous; and the meadows being cut, and the aftergrass not arrived at its
full growth, they, not having so much cover, are more exposed, and more
frequently destroyed by the watchful cat, than at any other season. This
is the manner in which I have long accounted for the fact; whether I am
right or wrong will be discovered by future naturalists."

Charles Fothergill to William Fothergill, July 18th., 1812.

"Thy mode of accounting for the mortality amongst the Common Shrews,
at a certain time of the year, is satisfactory, and perfectly accordant with
my own view of the matter,"

Charles Fothergill to William Fothergill, January, 1809.

^'The newspapers' account of one of old Bishop Pontopidam's Sea Serpents
of enormous size, being cast up on the shores of one of the Orcades, made
me wish I knew how to discover. the truth of this matter. The account
reminded me strongly of the report of a captain of one of our northern traders,
who assured me with all due gravity of countenance, that being ofi" the coast
of Shetland one fine summer's day, whilst standing near the helm, to his

vol. IV.

144 ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

great surprise a Sea Serpent appeared on the surface of the water in his wake,
which laid hold of the rudder by its mouth, and stretched out its vast length so
far to windward that he could not see the termination; he seized his telescope,
but could not even then discern the extremity of this wonderful animal. I
felt inclined to inquire into the genealogy of this bold narrator, not doubting
that he was lineally descended from the famous Baron Munchausen ! But I
satisfied myself with a smile."

William Fothergill to Charles Fotheugill.

Fishing Cats. — "When at Masham on my last journey to York, having a
little time to spare, I went to chat an hour with Julius Caesar Ibbetson, the
painter, who is known as an artist rising in fame; he has been in most parts
of the world, and is both intelligent and communicative. In the course of
conversation, he said, if I stopped all night, I might see a great natural
curiosity, which was. Cats catching fish for themselves. There is a mill near
the town, which, when stopped in the evening, the water being turned off,
leaves a shallow stream abounding with small fish; at which time, several
Cats regularly attend, boldly pushing into the water and fishing till they are
satiated; and often kill more than they eat. This practice has been long
continued by a succession of Cats."

The following was published anonymously in a provincial paper of rather
limited circulation, and is consequently not well known.

^'In my garden, at Carr End in Wensleydale, there is an Alcove, in which
a seat is fixed, and which is the most public and most frequented part of
the garden. In this recess, in the spring of the year 1809, the imp of a
bee-hive happened accidentally to be suspended; on the upper rim of which
a pair of Flycatchers, (Muscicapa grisola,) built their nests and reared their
young, apparently regardless of frequent interruptions by the family. The imp
being suffered to remain, and the old nest taken away, in 1810 a pair of
the same species again made their nest, and succeeded in rearing their young,
and have continued to do so in each successive year; and at the time of writing
this, July 2nd., 1813, there is a half-fledged brood in the nest. This sit-
uation being apparently so unlikely to be selected as a place for incubation,
is it not improbable that it should be annually chosen, except by the individual
birds which first made use of it, or their immediate descendants.

Will not the above fact excite in the mind of the experienced ornithologist,
the following, or similar queries? Do all birds of passage annually return to
precisely the same situation which they oqcupied the preceding year. Or, is
it peculiar to this species, and perhaps some of the Ilirundince? If these
interesting little travellers do annually return to the same place, by what beacons,
by what way-marks are they guided? Instinct, a term too often resorted to

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES, 145

in order to hide our ignorance, will not properly apply in this case, though
it will to the general act of migration, that being most probably necessary for
the preservation of the species; and to enable them always to enjoy a climate
best adapted to their allotted mode of life. But there does not appear any
assignable reason why, after landing, they may not set about the great business
of incubation in one place as well as another," — William Fothergill, Carr
End.

William Fotheugill to Charles Fothergill,

Books and Pine Martins. — "In a rookery at Deepdale in Craven, Yorkshire,
about forty-four years ago, a Fine Martin was shot in the very act of de-
vouring young Rooks in the nest; the tree in which the circumstance happened,
had at that time, as usual, a great number of nests in it. It is yet standing,
in almost the centre of the rookery, and in every respect as likely to have
nests as any other tree in the grove; yet from that year to the present, 1812,
it has been wholly forsaken, though the Rooks continue to build in the sur-
rounding trees. Are Rooks birds of such longevity that some of them are
yet in being that remember the fact, and warn their descendants? Or, have
they the means of communicating traditions from one generation to another?
Or, is it merely accidental?"

Charles Fothergill to William Fothergill, July 18th., 1812.

'^^At York, I understood thee to say, that the rookery visited by the Pine
Martin was in Langstrath Dale, but now thou mentionest Deepdale in Craven.
Didst thou ever observe that Buffon positively says we have no Pine Martins,
because we have no woods in England I I remember a very fine specimen
being killed in Kexby Woods, near York, that was first in Walker's, and is
now in Mr. Haworth's museum, at little Chelsea."

William Fothergill to Charles Fothergill.

"Thy recollection was correct that I said, at York, the rookery visited by
the Pine Martin was at Langstrath Dale. The fact is, Deepdale is in Lang-
strath Dale, nearly opposite to Raydale. I can now tell thee the Pine Martin
is no rare animal here. Since I wrote to thee, I was informed that they
had, at Raydale, the skins of three Sweet Marts, meaning the Mustela Martis.
I took an early opportunity to go and see them, and was much surprised to
find them all Pine Martins. They were taken last winter and spring; two
were shot in a tree, and one taken in a hollow tree where it had its young.
When Henry Pierse, Esq. was in the dale this shooting season, he called
upon me as usual, and I told him what curiosities he would find at Raydale.
His reply was, ^come and dine with me and you shall have tbem all ;* which
I did, but only accepted one of them. Pennant says, 'in Scotland they have
only the Pine Martin,' and I now fully believe we have no other sort in

146 GLEANINGS FROM MY NOTE BOOK.

this part of the county. I well recollect Buffon's denying them to be natives
of Great Britain 'Parce qu'il ny a pas de bois! And Pennant shrewdly
observes that gentleman never did our kingdom the honour of making a progress
through it."

GLEANINGS FROM MY NOTE BOOK.— No. 3.

BY J. MC'INTOSH, ESQ.

Musical Animals. — The fabled feats of Orpheus are not perhaps so wondrous
as at first they appear* certain notes, for exan)ple, sounded on a flute, or
other wind instrument, will cause a dog to set up a lamentable howl. A
lady friend of mine some years ago, possessed a Russian Terrier, which would
sit on its hind quarters, and howl as long as she was playing the piano-
forte, evidently from the pain it produced either on the ear itself, or on
the nerves connected with it. The war Horse seems to derive new life and
vigour from the sound of the drum and the trumpet; and it is well known
that at the circus, the horses will not pace regularly without music. Out-
rageous cattle have likewise been calmed into gentleness by music; of this
musical feeling in Oxen, Mr. Southey gives a singular instance in his letters
from Spain : — The carts of Corunna made so loud and disagreeable a creaking
with their wheels, from want of oil, that the governor once issued an order
to have them greased, but it was speedily revoked, on petition of the carters,
who stated that the oxen liked the sound, and would not draw without its
music. In the southern counties- of England bells are still fixed to the
collars of waggon horses, who seem exceedingly proud of them. Birds are
well known to be fond of music, and will pipe to the bird-organ. Even fish,
upon good authority, independent of Amphion and the Dolphin, and of the
old harper, who, as the ballad has it, 'harp'd a fish out o' the water,' are
said to have shown signs of having been affected by music; and Seals
crowded to hear a violin, as we are told by Mr. Laing, in his voyage to
Spitzbergen; Scoresby, Junior, also tells us that music, particularly whistling,
draws them to the surface, and induces them to stretch their necks to the
utmost extent so as to prove a snare, by bringing them within the reach
of the shooter. Gaudabunt carmina phocoe, says Valerius Flaccus, which
Sir Walter Scott translates —

Rude Heiskar's seals through surges dark,
Will long pursue the minstrel's bark.

Some years ago I had a Cat which would follow me by my whistle, and if
in the house, the instant I commenced whistling, the Cat would come and
spring upon my shoulder, where she would sit till I had done, evidently
much pleased with the sound.

Do Bats leave Dangerous Places f — The statement made by the mate of
the schooner "Dewdrop," of Whitby, which was wrecked oflF Arbroath, would

SPUING BIRDS. 147

seem to answer this question in the affirmative. He says, the vessel had
for a long time been infested with Rats; but on the night before they left
Hartlepool on their fatal voyage, the whole vermin disappeared, not a single
Rat being seen, when the day before, they might be seen in dozens.

Lampyris noctiluca, (Glow-worm.) — Entomologists in general have stated
that this insect affects damp woods and hedge-rows in preference to dry
places. This may be true, but not so with our observations; we have never
met with them but on dry banks and hedge-rows, and on heaths. They are
particularly abundant in some parts of Dorsetshire, on dry chalky banks and
hedge-rows; in Surrey on heaths, and in Somersetshire, as far as our obser-
vation goes, on dry hedge-rows.

The Sparrow in Asia. — As we advanced, we put to flight flocks of Sparrows,
which had been tempted to take up their abode in these grottoes by the
grains of millet scattered all about in profusion. The Sparrow is a cosmo-
politan bird; he is found wherever man is found, and his character is every-
where the same; but in Tartary, Thibet, and China, he is perhaps more
impudent than in Europe, for his ncvSt and his brood are always religiously
respected, and he enters every house quite at his ease, and picks up whatever
he can, from the food of the family. We hope this example will be followed
by his enemies in this country. — "Hue's Travels in Tartary, etc."

Happiness of Animals. — It is impossible to view the cheerfulness and
happiness of animals and birds without pleasure; and it is astonishing how
much man might do to lessen the misery of those creatures which are given
to him for either food, use, or pleasure, if he were so inclined; instead of
which, he oftener exercises a degree of wanton tyranny and cruelty over them
which cannot be too much deprecated, and for which, no doubt, he will be
one day held accountable.

5, Middle Street, Taunton.

SPRING BIRDS.

BY 0. S. ROUND, ESQ.

This spring I have made the same observation that I think is made by
Gilbert White somewhere in his charming letters, that the cold weather
which generally nips our hopes of warm weather almost in the bud, affects
our newly-arrived birds of passage in a strange manner, and they literally
disappear after we have seen them basking in the sunshine of a line young
April day, and listened to their novel notes, strangers to our ears for perhaps
seven months past, for there is little music from them after August.

Now, of course we cannot suppose that they take a flight across the
Spanish territory, and so find their way to Africa again, or whatever warmer
region they may retire to, when our frosts fairly scare them from our shores:
but certainly they do vanish in a most unaccountable manner. This year

148 LOCAL JOTTINGS.

I was led most particularly to make this observation. March and April, up
to the middle of the latter month, were almost unpreecdently warm, fine,
and still; and on the 5th. of April, as I was walking with my ftither in
the fields, I was attracted by a well-known /twitter' overhead, and there
was a Swallow toying about at a short height just over us; I suppose we
watched him for a quarter of an hour.

When we returned home, we were sauntering round our shrubbery, and a
Blackcap came out of the laurels, and perched on a bare Mountain Ash,
higher than the other shrubs, as I have observed to be their wont, and
sang delightfully. The Chiff-ChafF I think I never heard so noisy, if it is
not an improper expression, and one in particular all through March seemed
never weary of telling his whereabouts, at the top of some lofty beeches, from
morn till night.

On the 6th., a little girl from the village, (Sunninghill,) brought word
that she had heard the Cuckoo, and my brother the same day heard it too.
The Whitethroats soon made themselves heard in the hedge-rows, and the
Wryneck, which always haunts an old thorn near our grassplot, was more
garrulous than usual, (by the way, it is about us called the Pea or Pee-
bird, I suppose because its note is like ^pee, pee, pee,' often repeated.) From
this time I occasionally saw a Swallow, and the Cuckoo was heard at
intervals, but on the 20th. rain, which we had had none of for nearly ten
weeks, came, and with it a total change of weather, which became so cold
that icicles several inches long hung from our spouts, and the leaves of
all the young Chesnut trees and Fuschias were cut off as black as tea-leaves.

Not a summer bird was to be seen; of course they were somewhere ^sad
and silent,' but they hid themselves marvellously well; no Cuckoo, no Swallows,
no Whitethroats or Willow Wrens, no Blackcap, in short winter had
returned with its dead silence, and I expected to find my solitary Swallow
dead by the pond-side, like the youth in ^sop; one Swallow truly does not
make a summer! Even my pretty Chiff-chaff seemed out of spirits, and even
the return of warm weather, upon which, however, we must not plume our-
selves, has not restored our early visitors, but I suppose they will shew
themselves again shortly. May the 2nd. was a cheering day, and the
genial rain will set all going again* I heard sweet Luscinia in a copse as I
drove to the station.

Lincolns-Inn-Fields, May Sid., 1854,

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 12.

DORCHESTER— DORSETSHIRE,

BY JOHN GARLAND, ESQ., memb: ent: soc:, memb: wekn: club.

Spring Appearances. — The weather having been unusually mild and beautiful
of late in this neighbourhood. I am enabled to record the following appearances
etc., from my notes this year.

LOCAL JOTTINGS. 149

Primrose, (Primula vulgaris.) — At Gerne on the 10th. of March.

Violet, (Viola odorata.) — At Frome on the 5th. of March. — Very early.

Small Tortoise-shell Butterfly, (Vanessa urticaj.) — Common at Sandsfoot Castle,
Weymouth, on the 17th. of March. — Very early.

Horse-Ghesnut, (Fagus sylvatica.) — In the South or Chesnut Walk. Buds
on the 28th. of March.

Elm, (Ulmus campestris.) — In Wollaston Field. Flowers in April.

Great White Butterfly, (Pontia chariclea.) — In Frome Meadows. Abundant
on the 9th. of April.

The Snake, (Natrix torquata.) — I have met with several of these interesting
animals of late years, of all sizes, and watched their habits etc, and still I
cannot pronounce that the swallowing their young is a mere fable; although
I confess I know of no evidence except my own imperfect observations
recorded in page 233 of volume ii. of "The Naturalist." I had not
intended at first to have noticed the attack contained in page o5 of the
present volume, emanating from Mr. Westcott, as I conceived that the feeling
and spirit evinced thereby were not worthy of retort, and I gave him credit
for a morbid wish to ^^tease" a brother naturalist, as it seems he had done
"for an hour together" the unfortunate Snakes coming under his observation
with a view "to make them bite.''

I may not be in his acceptation of the word a true Naturalist, I only
pretend to be a true ^'Lover of Nature," and as such consider it my duty to
pen my jottings, however inconclusive they may be, with the desire of induc-
ing others to do likewise, and thus extend a study so delightful as that of
Natural History. — I regret I did lose sight of the place which Mr. Westcott
says I ought not, but I acted on the spur of the moment, as probably many
others would have done. I merely wished the inquiry to be followed up by
others with more opportunities than my limited time for amusement and
irecreation affords.

I must here thank my doughty champion, Mr. Kidd for his kind remarks
[at page 153 of the fifth volume of "Our Journal" in a Keview of the present
fWork; and I assure him I intend taking his advice in the concluding para-
fgraph sans pear, although I am sorry to say, I cannot add that I have
i hitherto always been successful in doing so, sans reproche.

Dorchester, April 10th., 1854.

We are sorry our friend Mr. Garland should have felt annoyed at the remarks
1 alluded to; we are sure that the writer intended no offence when he penned
them.— B. R. M.

150

A LIST OF THE LAND AND FRESH-WATER SHELLS
FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF EXETER.

BY Mil. EDWARD PARFITT,

AccoRDiisro to the promise I made ia my first communication to ''The
Naturalist," I now give a list of the Molluscous Animals inhabiting our rivers
and ditches, as well as the land and woods of this neighbourhood; at the
same time, I beg to state that I am sure more will or may be added to
the list. If some one living in Exeter, or in this part of the county,
would take upon himself to explore the ditches in Exminster marshes, which
laying in near proximity to the sea, I think it possible that our list would
be much increased by their researches. I am myself so confined by my occupation,
that I have not the time to devote to the several branches of Natural History,
which my will and mind grasp atj consequently I must be content with
what can amuse and instruct me in my own immediate neighbourhood, with
now and then a dart into the surrounding country, something like the points
of the angles of a star, shooting out from a common centre. Having said
thus much, I will proceed to give the aforesaid list of the Land and Fresh-
water Shells. Some time or other I may say a word or two on the Marine
Shells and Zoophj'tes, which I have taken, or have been cast ashore on Exmouth
Warren, during my peregrinations to that immense bank of sand.

First then is Paludma acliatma: this is very common indeed in the Exe;
they are sometimes brought down the river in times of flood, or at least
very high water, and deposited at what is called the Lower Weir, by the
Salmon pool, so that many barrows (I had almost said cart-loads) might be
taken away were they of any particular use. Bithinia tentaculata: this is also
particularly common in low meadows and stagnant waters. Valvata piscinalis:
this is not common; I have only met with two or three. Arion ater: this
species is not particularly common, at least I have not seen more than three
or four. I met with a very beautiful variety, of what I suppose A. hortensis,
last autumn, on the Topsham road, not far from Exeter; it was of a bright
orange-red colour, with a broad, irregular, longitudinal streak, reaching from
the anterior part of the mantle to very near the tail, of a beautiful bright
umber colour: this colour contrasts so greatly with the bright orange red of
the rest of the body, that it gives the slug a very beautiful appearance. I have
seen two of these, and both precisely alike, but I unfortunately did not preserve
them; but the next that crosses my path, will very probably find its way
into a bottle of Goadby's fluid.

Limax maximus is very common in gardens, outhouses, etc. L. slavus
is not so abundant as the former, but several of these are to be met with
very frequently where they are not wanted. L. carinatus: this species is frequent
about here, in gardens. L. agrestis is much too common. Vitrina pellucida
is rather abundant in pleasure grounds, in damp places amongst leaves; and
I have to record the finding of Testacella haliotoides in this neighbourhood;

LAND AND FRESH-WATER SHELLS. 161

I am not aware of its having been found here previously to the discovery of it
this winter. It was found in Messrs. Veitches' nursery, by one of the men when
digging a piece of ground; and knowing that I was curious in these matters,
he gave one to me, and a fine specimen it is. The same parties met with several
others, but much smaller than the first; I have found them myself some ten
years ago, in the Durdham Down nurseries at Bristol, which is, I believe,
the first place they were found in in this country: they were supposed to have
been imported with some plants from Teneriffe.

Helix aspersa is very much too common. H. hortensis is very abundant
also; I met with what I consider a curious variety of this species, the body
of the animal, yellowish green; foot on the upper sides, dark greenish yellow,
darker towards the margin, the bottom of the foot black; the long tentacles,
pale yellow; short ones, nearly black; eyes, black. The shell of this variety
is about the size of H. hortensis^ of a pale yellow colour, precisely like the
yellow variety of that species, but my variety differs in having a brown polished
mouth. The animal, as you will observe, too differs very much in colour
from H. hortensis; can it be a hybrid between H. hortensis, and H. nemoralis?
Helix arbustorum is not common, at least I have not met with more than
seven or eight, and these were found in Matford lane. H. fusca: two specimens
of this species on Exmouth warren are the only ones I have seen. H. aculeata
has been found in Stoke wooi, by the Rev. T. Hincks, but I believe that
gentleman only found one specimen, which he showed me: I have myself
hunted the wood several times, hoping to have met with it, but have each
time been disappointed.

H. hispida is particularly abundant in gardens about Exeter; also H. concinna
and H. depilata: (to me a doubtful species.) I have had H. rufescens from
Torquay, but have not met with it here. H. virgata is very numerous indeed
on the short grass, near the old lime-kilns at Counties Weir. This species
varies considerably in its markings, as it does also in size, for I have met with
specimens on Teignmouth den, half as large again as those found further
from the sea, and here they have a greater abundance of food than those
found near the beach. What can make the difference in this larger development
of growth and shell, can it be the more equal temperature near the sea, than
at the more inland stations? H. caperata: this is frequently to be met with,
very often in company with H. virgata. In the more inland stations Zonites
rotundatus is very common everywhere. Z. alliarius: many specimens I have
met with in Stoke wood, all of which have given out a very offensive smell
of garlic. Z. cellarius very common and very fine. Z. lucidus: I have only
met with two specimens of this; they were found in a wet meadow near the
Exe.

Succinea putris: this shell does not appear to be very common, though I
have found some very fine specimens by the side of the canal. S. Pfeifferi:
this is common by the side of the canal and ditches in Exminster marshes.
S. oblonga: I, last year, found three or four specimens of this shell in the

VOL. IV. X

152 LAND AND FRESH-WATER SHELLS.

salt-water marshes near Topsham it is not a common shell about here.

Bulimus obscurus: this does not appear to be of frequent occurrence, for I
have only met with about half a dozen. I may mention in this place that
Bulimus Ooodalli, has naturalized itself in the stove at Mr. Pince's nursery
at Exeter. The animal inhabiting this shell is very interesting; it appears
very active amongst the damp moss at the hottest part of the stove, where
som3 nepenthes were growing. The little animal is of a bright yellow colour.

Zua luhrica does not appear to be common, as I have only found three
specimens. Pupa uinbilicata is very plentiful at Counties Weir. Clausilia
nigricans is very abundant in every hedge. Carychium minimum: common
amongst decayed leaves in damp ditches. Limncea pereger is very abundant;
as also Vr. I. L. palustris is also common in many places round Exeter. L.
truncatulus: numerous in several places.

Ancylus Jluviatilis: abundant and fine in a shallow brook which runs through
Alphington. Velletia lacustris: common in the Exe, on aquatic plants. Physa
fontinalis does not appear to be very plentiful, I have met with some good
specimens in a ditch by the Exeter railway station.

Planorhis albus is common in the canal. P. inarginatus: common in ditches,
etc. P. vortex is also comnaon in ditches etc. P. spirorbis: very rare, I have
only met with one. P. contortus is very abundant.

Cyclostoma eleyans I have not met with here, but I have had it from
Torquay. Cyclas cornea is very abundant in the Exe: at times, when there
is a great fall of water, these shells are brought down in immense quantities.

Pisidium pusilhim: I found one specimen of this in a ditch at Counties
Weir, May 22nd., 1853. P. amnicum: I had a tuft of Tsolepis setacea
brought to me by a person who wanted the name of it, and in the tuft was
a specimen of this shell; it was taken from Stoke wood.

Anodon cygneus is very fine and plentiful in the Exe; also a variety very
much like Vr. VI. complanatas, though not so beautifully coloured as that
variety, and is rather more produced at the syphon end.

Alasmodon margaritiferus: I have found several of this species in the Teign,
near Dunsford.

Thus concludes my meagre list of Land and Fresh-water Shells.

I have just been shown a number of the ^'Zoologist," for January 18;'>4;
and at page 4176, it is stated that Mr. Foxcroft had reared some Ichneumons
called Tryphon nigriceps, of Gravenhorst, from the cocoons of Trickiosoma
lucorum, and the Ichneumon is new to Britain, Now I beg to say that I
reared, and much to my annoyance at the time, some of these Tryphons, from
cocoons of Trichiosoma lucorum; taken from a whitethorn hedge at Heavitree,
near Exeter, in January, 1852, and the Ichneumons came out in the June
following, that is June, 1852. I was not aware that the Tryphon was new
to the British Fauna, otherwise, I should have made it known at the time;
but, as it is, I think I am entitled to the priority.

There is one thing I wish to observe in regard to the specific name of

NOTES ON RASPBERRY PLANTS. 153

this Tryphon; I think nigriceps a bad name for it, as all Entomologists are
aware that numbers of the Ichneumons belonging to different genera have
black heads; black, generally speaking, is the prevailing colour in most of
the species belonging to the great family of Ichneumonidae. It is true there are
several exceptions to this, such, for instance, as Ophion lacteum, and several
others; but still there are several genera, as well as species, bordering so near
upon each other in external appearance, that it is a matter of the greatest
difficulty to give a good grapic description : indeed, without the aid of figures,
it is almost impossible to avoid confusion. I think, myself, it would be the
best way for authors, in naming such species as Tryphon nigriceps, to give
them a name indicating the~^^cies of insect on which the Ichneumon is parasitic,
for, so far as my observation goes, it is a very rare thing to find more than
one species of Ichneumon attack the same species of caterpillar, larvjie, or eggs;
therefore, I think, that would be the best course to pursue, though I can see
a great many difficulties looming in the distance, but still, the subject might
be made something of in abler hands than mine.

Exeter, March I3th., 1854.

NOTES ON THE RASPBERRY PLANTS P'ROM SEED FOUND
IN THE STOMACH OF AN ANCIENT BRITON.

BY J. MC' INTOSH, ESQ.

At page 45, volume iv. of ^'The Naturalist," for the current year, your
correspondent, Mr. J. E. Smith, writing on the Vitality of Seeds, is in error
when he says that ^^'Professor Lindley was present at the opening of the
Ancient 'Saxon Tomb,' from which the raspberries were raised, which are
now said to be growing in the Horticultural Society's garden." The facts are
as follows: —

A dentist living at Dorchester, Dorset, of the name of Maclean, anxious
to prosecute some scientific inquiries bearing upon his profession as a dentist,
obtained permission to open a barrow in the neighbourhood of that ancient
town, near to Maiden Castle, in which he found, at the depth of thirty feet
below the surface, not only the teeth of Ancient Britons, the chief object of
his search, but he also discovered, laying in what seemed the cavity of the
abdomen of a skeleton, a quantity of a substance, which turned out, upon
investigation, to be the seeds of raspberries, some of these seeds were planted
in a pot, and placed under the care of Mr. Hartwig, then employed in the
gardens at Chiswick. Four of these seeds germinated, and the plants were
preserved and grown therefrom, and which, we are told, are still in those
gardens. Wishing to collect all the matter possible on this interesting subject,
I wrote to ray friend the Rev. W. Barnes, of Doi'chester, a gentleman whose
knowledge and abilities require no mention at my hands. His statements in
the following letter will, I think place the truth of this question beyond all
doubt.

154 NOTES ON RASPlJEnRY PLANTS.

"In answer to your letter, by which I find you are seeking for confirmation
of the account of the raspberry seeds, which were found some years ago in
a barrow near Maiden Castle, by Mr. Maclean, I am very happy to place
at your service my small share of evidence in his behalf. About the year
1835, and I believe some few years later, Mr. Maclean was in lodgings on
the Cornhill, Dorchester, and I often talked with him on subjects of animal
and vegetable physiology, as well as on the Gaelic language, which I wished
to compare with Welsh, and which was his mother tongue. At one time,
when I was at Mr. Maclean's rooms, he showed me some pieces of brownish
earth-like matter, of rather cylindrical form, and hard throughout, though, as T
thought, still more hardened at the surface. He pounded some of it in my
presence, and showed me that a large proportion of it consisted of plant seeds.
He told me he had found it in some jaw-bones, in a barrow which he had
found somewhere near Maiden Castle; and that from its form, its matter,
and its place in the barrow, he fully believed it was a portion of the contents
of the colon of the man whose jaw-bones he had found near it. He told
tne that the teeth on the jawbones were those of an old man, but that
none of those bore signs of caries, and were worn down to the gums. 1 am
sure I am not mistaking these circumstances, for they afterwards formed the
subject of much thought, in which I at length drew a conclusion, which
might have been too hasty a one, that the only appearance of caries in the
teeth of civilized tribes, and especially of our own race — the Teutonic — was
owing to high feeding, if not flesh-eating, and therefore I rejected flesh food
through an interval of many years.

Mr. Maclean told me he had sent some of this seedy halfcoprolite substance
to some botanist — I believe Dr. Lindley; and at another time he showed me,
as it seemed, with much pleasure and pride, a spray of a raspberry plant,
which he said had sprung from one of the seeds of the seedy substance which
he had shown me as the contents of the colon of an Ancient Briton, and
that the sprig had come to him from the gentleman to whom he had sent
the seeds, and under whose care they had germinated. And, lastly, I once called
upon him, and found in his room two or three of the labourers who had opened,
under his own eyes, the barrow in which the seeds were found; and he told
me they had just signed a declaration of their knowledge of their finding of
the seedy substance in the barrow, and, as I believe, though I did not hear
the declaration of its manner and form, and relative place. I fully trust in
Mr. Maclean's good faith through the whole of the transaction, and know, or
believe most confidently, that he opened a barrow near this town, and that
he found in it the seedy substance which he showed as what he thought the
contents of the colon of a Briton who was buried in the barrow; and that
he sent some of it to some gentleman in or near London; and that he after-
wards received from him a twig of a raspberry plant, which he was told, and
believed, had grown from the seed of it. Mr. Maclean is now dead. The
^^Gardeners' Chronicle" makes Mr. Maclean to have said 'he found a coffm

NOTES ON RASPBERRY PLANTS. 156

in his barrow." I never heard that he found anything like what we call a
coffin, though he might or might not have found a kist-vcen, and might have
called a kist-vcen a stone coffin. There is not, I believe, any reason to believe
that any of the Ridgeway barrows are the graves of a later tribe than the
Ancient Britons or Belgae.

I am, etc.,
August 2l6t., 1852. WILLIAM BARNES."

In addition to the above I beg to add that of another friend, James Frond,
Esq., also of Dorchester, in whose house Mr. Maclean lodged for some time.
Mr. Frond says — *'It is with pleasure I bear testimony to the following: — Mr.
Maclean, who has been dead now some years, was a man of great natural
talent, persevering industry, a good botanist, and as a dentist stood high with
the profession and the public generally. The devotion with which he pursued
his profession induced him, on every possible occasion, to be an eye-witness
at the opening of any of the barrows in the vicinity of Dorchester; hoping
thereby to procure some specimens of human teeth^ which might confirm his
previously formed opinion that the Creator intended that those important parts
of the human frame should survive every other, and that unless interfered
with, either by taking deleterious medicines, or the use of acids, as articles of
diet, or tooth-powder, teeth may wear, but would never decay. It was, then, as
a useful member of his profession, that he tvas led to witness the opening of
barrows, and it was the accidental finding something resembling seeds that
excited his botanical propensities, and induced him to preserve, for future
investigation, the mass in which the seeds were imbedded. I was not present
at the opening of the barrow, but have the most distinct recollection of Mr,
Maclean bringing home and showing me the teeth and a mass of something
containing what he thought to be seeds of fruit, eaten by the person shortly
before death. He then told me that he should either send or take to London
the mass he had found, and leave it with some parties who, in all probability,
would be able ultimately to determine the character of its contents, and this
I know he did, but from that time to the present I had lost sight of the
subject altogether; for Mr. M., who had been with me three or four years,
soon after left my house for a more central part of the town.

Dorchester, August 28th., 1851. JAMES FROND.

To what I have already advanced on this interesting but disputed subject,
I will make a few quotations from a letter published in the ^^Gardeners' Chronicle,"
from Dr. Smith, M. D., Weymouth, whose letter is doubly interesting, he
having been an intimate friend of Mr. Maclean, and in possession, I believe,
of Mr. M's. papers, through Mrs. Maclean. Dr. Smith says — "I had the
pleasure of knowing Mr. Maclean intimately, for a period of four years before
his death, I attended him professionally during that period, and I am not
saying too much for departed worth, when I express my firm belief that he

156 INJUmOUS INSECTS.

was a man perfectly free from guile or deceit; in fact, that no two meanings
or ftilse pretences ever attached to any assertion he made. I have often con-
ferred with him on the subject of the fossil seeds in question, and have walked
with him over the very spot, where he told me he had found them at the
depth of thirty feet. I recollect his remarks, as if they had been only spoken
yesterday, *'in this barrow, Doctor, I found the seeds I told you of, and from
which were reared the raspberry plants I have sliowed you the two dried
specimens of; and yet Dr. Lindley, to whom I gave the seeds from which
these plants were raised, has never thought it worth his while to mention
my name or me as the discoverer.' "

For the truth of this assertion I beg to refer my readers to "Lindley 's
Introduction to Botany," published in 1835; when the first notice of these
seeds appears to the public, Dr. Smith again says — "I have seen a letter from
Dr. Lindley, date'd 1836, on this subject, to Mr. Maclean, and a copy of the
letter of the latter in reply, together with a copy of a certificate of the
labourers employed by Mr. Maclean, in proof of the fact."

These facts may be thus briefly and simply stated; that Mr. Maclean did
open a barrow near Dorchester, at or near the encampment known and called
"Maiden Castle," and one of the most perfect encampments in the West of
England; in which barrow Mr. M, found the remains of a portion of a skeleton,
from which he took a mass of matter containing raspberry seeds; a portion
of which was sent to Dr. Lindley, who placed them under the care of Mr.
Hartwig, then employed in the gardens at Chiswick, near London; four of
these seeds germinated, and produced the common raspberry. Now, if we have
as much proof from Dr. Lindley that the seeds were actually sown, and ger-
minated, and produced the raspberries in question, as we have of Mr. Maclean
finding the mass of seedy matter, the question as to the vitality of raspberry
seeds, two or three thousand years old, is for ever a settled question. The
above has already been published by me in "Notes and Queries," vol. vi., p. p.
535, for lS52, but as many of your readers may not have seen that interesting
work, I have been induced to send them for insertion in "The Naturalist."

5, Middle Street, Taunton, February Gth., 1854.

INJURIOUS INSECTS.— No. 2. SIRUX OIQAS.

BY J. MC'iNTOSH, ESQ.

The Sirex gigas belongs to the order Hymenoptera, and is a very destructive
insect to dead trees and timber, particularly Ahies excelsa. It is said to be
very common in Sweden, and in the Alps and Pyrenees; of late years it
has been met with in considerable quantities in England; we have ourselves
taken it in Surrey, Hamp.shire, Dorset, and Somerset, in the act of depositing
her eggs in timber. Our Fig. 1 represents a full-grown female, antennce inserted
near the forehead, thirteen to twenty-five articulations, mandibles denticulated

1KJURI0U8 INSECTS,

167

internally, maxillary palpi, very small, almost conical, with two articulations.
The extremity of the abdomen is provided with a very strong horny ovipositor,

composed of three threads. Fig. 2, by means of which she deposits her eggs
in the crevices of trees and timber. Fig. 3, represents a full-grown larva;
these, when hatched, burrow into the wood in various directions; they are
fleshy and cylindrical, with a scaly head, six very minute pectoral feet, and
a horny joint on the upper extremity of the body.

There are two species of this fine genus in Britain, namely, S. giyas and
S.j'uvencus, both of which we have captured in fir plantations at Claremont,
in Surrey. A correspondent of the "Gardeners' Journal," thus describes the
operation of our present subject: — "About the last week in May, in 1848,
it made its appearance in the village of Whetstone, emerging from a large
stick of fir timber, which had been brought from, and had grown upon,
Enfield chase. This tree was in some places almost honey-combed with them.
In the first week of July, 1 found a female insect in my yard, in Totteridge,
busy inserting her eggs into the stem of an American arhorista, which had
been cut only a few days; she had evidently been attracted by the peculiar
smell. I removed both stick and insect into a spare room, where for three
days, she almost unremittingly plied her destructive operations, taking no notice
of those who were narrowly watching her movements; when she fell off the
piece of wood, she instantly flew to the window, and tried to make her
escape, but no sooner was she brought in contact with the piece of wood
than she seemed to lose all shyness and all wish to escape, and went on
with her work. After walking along the rough bark a little way and feeling
with antenna3, she seemed all at once to find a place suitable for her purpose,
on which she at once disengaged her ovipositor from a sheath in which she
usually carries it, and having firmly fixed her claws in the rough bark, she
brought the point of her instrument to the place selected, and this she
managed by raising up her abdomen by means of her hind legs; with one
of these legs she guided the ovipositor till it was inserted a little way, after

158

NEW COLEOPTEROUS INSECT.

which, having placed the leg at a proper distance, and it had become per-
fectly steady and quiet, no part of her body moved but the boring apparatus;
she at first took about five minutes to sink a hole, but the second she took
five or seven minutes, and the third day she seemed so much exhausted
that she could scarcely sink a hole at all, often failing completely to pierce
the bark; and the fourth day she died from exhaustion. The boring tool
seemed to be a couple, at least, of saws laid flat upon each other, with
teeth the reverse way, and the outsides something like a rasp."

These proceedings of the female Sirex are, we consider, quite sufficient to
disprove the view of Count de Saint Fargeau, (see "Hist: Nat: Hymenop-
tera," tome i.,) that the Sindicce are parasitic upon other insects, like the Ich-
neumonidoe. Besides the structure of the mouth of the larva of the Sirex is
eminently formed for feeding upon wood. Mr. Marsham relates on the
authority of Sir Joseph Banks, that several specimens of S. gigas were seen
to come out of the floor of a nursery in a gentleman's house, to the great
horror of nurse and children. In this case the floor of the room could not
have been long laid down, and the planks must have contained the larvae
of the Sirexes. Mr. Stephens says that the fir plantations of Mr. Foljambe,
in Yorkshire, were destroyed by Sirex gigas; while the trees of another plan-
tation belonging to the same gentleman in Wiltshire, met with a similar
fate from the attacks of S. juvevcus. We have been informed that considerable
quantities of the males, of which species we are not quite certain, have been
captured flying about the tower of York Minster, no doubt seeking the females.

Any further information on these interesting insects will be greatly esteemed
by us.

5, Middle Street, Taunton, February llih., 1854.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW COLEOPTEROUS
INSECT BELONGING TO THE GENUS PBI0NU8.

BY JOHN GRAY, ESQ.

Amongst a small lot of beetles, collected in the neighbourhood of Ava,
which I received some years ago, there occurred a striking species of Prionus,
apparently undescribed. As subsequent enquiries have satisfactorily confirmed
this opinion, I have deemed it proper to record the species; and thus make
another fine addition to the magnificent entomological fauna of the East. As it
seems to agree, in all characters of generic value, with those of Prionus proper,
I propose in dedicating it to the accomplished author of "The Cabinet of
Oriental Entomology," to make it known under the name of

PEIONUS WESTWOODIANUS.

P. brunneus, Antennis acute serratis, corpore paulo longioribus; Mandihulis
incurvis capitis longitudine, exfus bidentatis, intus inermibus; Thorace utrinque

UTILITY OF THE MOLE. 169

trispinoso, pundatissimo; Ehjtris suhrngosis, nervis obsoletis duohus, sutures apicis
angulo siilmiucronato .

Of a brown colour, the head, antennae, and mandibles pitchy. Head rngose,
deeply grooved in front, punctate behind. Antennae deeply serrated, extendino'
over the elytra. Mandibles at the base deeply punctured, with a small double
tooth on the outer margin towards the tip, inner margin smooth. Thorax
with three spines on each side curved upwards and backwards, the two at the
posterior angles small; minutely and thickly punctured with a slight keel running
down the middle. Elytra finely wrinkled, with two slight ridges extending from
the base nearly to the apex; and a third, short, and very indistinct towards
the margins at the base; apex at the suture slightly pointed. Tarsi slender.

Length thirty-one lines. Hab: Ava, E. Indies.

The specimen above described is a female,

Glasgow, May, 18o4.

UTILITY OF THE COMMON MOLE, {TALPA VULGARIS)

BY J. MC'iNTOSH, ESQ.
{Continued from page oO.)

The charges brought against the Mole, by the generality of horticulturists,
are equally as absurd as those we have already exposed in an agricultural
point of view. It is, no doubt, teasing to the temper of the enthusiastic florist,
to find, some morning, that this industrious little engineer has, during the night,
driven a tunnel through the centre of his fancy tulip-bed, and perhaps upheaved
a favourite prime bagnet or byblaimen; or in the kitchen garden, that he has
upheaved some few onions, carrots, or other seeds; still, if he had not done
so, some wireworm, grub, snail, or other noxious enemy, would have done him
double, nay a thousand times more injury. It is quite absurd to accuse him
of stealing acorns or other seeds. This charge against the unfortunate Mole
no doubt arose from BufFon, who asserts that in the year 1740 he planted
fifteen or sixteen acres of land with acorns, and that the greater part of them
were, in a little time, carried away by the Moles to their subterranean retreats;
in many of these, he says, were found half a bushel, and in others a bushel
of acorns.

Now we are perfectly satisfied in our own minds, that if the great
Bufibn had minutely examined the point in question, he would have found
that, instead of the Mole being the thief, the real ones were rats and mice.
For the truth is, the Mole is exclusively, or nearly so, an animal feeder, he
does not object to a bird, a lizard, a mouse, or a frog, if it comes within his
reach; toads he rejects, even when famishing with hunger. In the extensive
gardens at Dalkeith there are two borders in the kitchen garden of equal
size; in one of these borders a Mole, for more than twelve months, took up
its abode: at one end of the border was a hole^ by which the Mole passed

VOL. IV. Y

160 TJTILITY OF THE MOLK.

out at night, in search of slugs and insects, returning again in the morning.
Now both these borders were, at one time, so infested with wireworms, that
the crops were continually destroyed. Traps for the wireworms were set in
both the borders, and the results were, that, in the border where the Mole
resided only two wireworms were detected, while the other, on three exami-
nations, produced six thousand three hundred and sixty wireworms, the number
of traps being one hundred and six, and the average number of wireworms
at each trap twenty-one, and, at one taking alone, two thousand one hundred
and twenty. This fact is, of itself, sufficient to convince the most sceptical
individual of the utility of the Common Mole in gardens. Those who
are still inclined to act on the offensive side, after what we have advanced
in behalf of the utility of the Common Mole, should carefully read the following
beautiful lines: —

"Distinguished much by reason, and still more
By our capacity of grace divine,
From creatures that exist but for our sake.
Which, having served us, perish, we are held
Accountable, and God, some future day.
Will reckon -with us roundly for the abuse
Of what lie deems no mean or trivial trust.
Superior as we are, they yet depend
Not more on human help than we on theirs."

Having gained "a verdict for the defendant," we will now turn our attention
to some other points in the history and manners of the Mole. Perhaps it
would be difficult to name an aniinal, with the exception of the Hedgehog,
(Erinaceus Europoeus,^ that is the object of a more systematic and unrelenting
persecution than our present object; and, if we are to draw our conclusions
as to the policy of destroying this animal from the wisdom of the ancients
in deifying their greatest Mole-catcher of the day, to whom they erected a
temple in Q^olia, then we would say both their policy and wisdom were
much upon a par. Old Thomas Tusser, author of "The Five Hundred
Points of Good Husbandry," appears to have been an enemy to this useful
animal, when he says —

"Get the Moule-catcher cunningly Moule for to kill,
And harrow and cast abroad every hill."

Dr. Darwin, in Phytologia, hands down to us the celebrated Mole-catcher
of his day, one Francis Paget, of Elston, near Newark, who invented and
used traps similar to those now in use. Buffon appears also to have been an
adept at the trade, for he asserts that he caught one thousand three hundred
in one week. Velmont de Bomace recommended suffocating them in their
holes by means of sulphur. De Vaux calculated that one-eighth of the whole
produce of spring corn was devoured by this useful animal. Mr. Couch informs
us in "Mag: Nat: Hist:" vol. viii., that a Mole-catcher, in Cornwall, took
no less than one thousand two hundred in six winter months. Samuel Jackson,
the notorious Cheshire Mole -catcher, asserts that he has taken the lives of no
less than forty to fifty thousand of this innocent animal. But all must yield

UTILITY OF THE MOLE. 161

to Le Court^ the notorious French Mole-catcher, who is said to have destroyed,
in the short space of five months, no loss than six thousand, and that within
a small district j and that two of his pupils, during the month that they were
under his instructions, killed nine hundred and seventy one: we have acted
enough of this wanton butchery. It is almost as foul as the late butchery
at Sinope, which will for ever remain a stain that time, that great destroyer
of human art, will never efface from European History. To use the words
of the Kev. C. A. Bury, in his interesting notes on the ^'Mammalia of the
Isle of Wight:" — ^'Man is too fond of meddling, and often blunders to his
own cost. In his attempts at improvement he only disturbs the balance of
creation. Granted that occasionally some species of animal, favoured by circum-
stances, either the scarcity of its appointed check (occasioned, perhaps, by the
meddling hand of man,) or a superabundance of its natural food, may increase
beyond due bounds, and so require the interposition of human force or skill,
let that force and skill be then exerted^ but I believe that this would be
seldom necessary, things would right themselves. They have been generally
found to do so, unless man has carried his meddling propensities to the extent
of utterly extirpating the appointed check, for it seems to be a law of creation,
that where there is food, there will be provided that which feeds on it, and
that in just proportion. The Mole is evidently an appointed check to the
undue increase of the earth-worm; it not only devours numbers itself, but by
its burrowing, drives to the surface many more, which, in their attempt to
escape the Mole, fall a prey to the Robin and the Thrush, The earth-worm,
unquestionably has its uses, in drawing vegetable substances beneath the surface,
and so the gases that are released in the process of decomposition, and which
would otherwise be lost, are preserved for the nutriment of the growing plant,
while the portion devoured by the worm is again thrown to the surface in
the form best adapted for the nutriment of the plant above ground. Thus,
then, all is well arranged by Divine Wisdom; but if man steps in, throttles
the Mole, and shoots and snares the birds, he must, if he carries his interference
far, produce a disturbance among God's works, to his own detriment." Not-
withstanding the universal ban under which this useful and innocent animal
lies, so bountifully does the Almighty supply its wants, and facilitate its increase,
that it still remains one of the most numerous of all our British quadrupeds.
Although the Mole is frequently seen above ground, its province is essentially
below the surface; there it lives, and moves, and has its being; there it
procures its food; there it constructs its dwelling; and there it brings forth
its young, with a care that would make many a christian blush. If we scan
the almost infinite variety of nature's works, we shall not find a more admirable
instance of adaptation than is afibrded by this little animal to its subterranean
abode.

5, Middle Street^ Taunton.

(To be Continued. J

162
SmGULx\R BREEDING-PLACE OF THE RABBIT.

BY A. S. MOFFAT, ESQ.

One beautiful day, last June, while rambling on Beanly Moor, I felt a
little fatigued by the heat, etc., and climbed upon the top of a large irregular
mass of rock, called the Mill- stone Heugh, to rest myself. The rock is of
an irregular circular form, with a flattish inclined top, and presents somewhat
the appearance of a huge uncouth mill-stone, hence its name. Upon the
highest part of the stone is a small patch of heather growing, about three
yards in diameter, and in the centre of this, I was not a little surprised to
find a Rabbit's nest containing four young; thus placed, in comparative security,
at a height of nine feet from the ground; while the inclined position of the
rock made the ascent and descent, on one side, easy to the dam. It is
well known that the usual breeding-place of the Wild Rabbit is in a short
superficial burrow in the earth, the mouth of which the female takes the
most assiduous care to cover over with soil every time she leaves it, to protect
it from the observation of any enemy, as well as a seemingly unnatural pro-
pensity which most of the males have to destroy their young. Another
example among many of the wise provisions of nature to prevent an injurious
superabundance of a species so prolific. But in this case the means of such
an attempt at concealment were totally disregarded and wanting, there being
neither soil to dig a burrow in, nor anything to cover it with when dug.
Hence the instinct of the parent animal must have suggested to it, that the
safety of her progeny was depending altogether upon a different train of cir-
cumstances, from the novelty of the situation, and that the usual precautions
were unnecessary in this case.

This case is certainly a singular exhibition of the almost half-reasoning power
we occasionally meet with in the brute creation, and in this instance also by
an animal not standing very high in the scale of intelligence; as she must
have considered, if I may be allowed to use the expression, the exposed situation
of the nest upon the surface of the rock, amply compensated for by its slight
sheltering of heather, and by its elevation above the ground where its natural
enemies were known to exist.

It is generally in the arrangements for the preservation and continuation of
the species, that animal instinct exhibits its most marvellous contrivances and
beautiful adaptations of means to ends, and makes its nearest approaches to
reason.

Beanly, February 14^,, 1854,

163

NATURE AND HAEMONY.

BY GEORGE K. TWINN^ ESQ.

There is something peculiarly indefinable as well as soothing in the rich
commingling melody of birds. Stand at a convenient distance from a sun-lit,
but bright green coppice, with its neat surrounding hedges, and you shall feel
your spirits all vitalized, your heart all palpitating with joy, and your thoughts
all heavenward, as you enrapturingly listen to the full concert of a hundred
bright-winged choristers. The soft sweet flood of gently dying cadences — soft
as the blush on childphood's brow — or the dear lull of moss-fringed runnels,
succeeded by the loud clear chorus of the blended songsters, in one burst of
love and gratitude, shall convince you of the inherent harmony pervading
nature's works, whether considered collectively, or in part. Does it not impress
you with real admiration of the one pervading principle of music? all-befitting
harmony, — no jarring discord — not one cry — not one note — not one stream
of song — not one full hymn of joy contradicts, or neutralizes, or infringes on
another, but gently do all the notes correspond, and the mutual end of every
bird is realized; each lets his mate or little ones know his peculiar cry or
song — each meets his wants; nor does the sound of one betray or mislead the
other; hence on the same tree, the Blackbird from the topmost bough trills
gaily out his note of rapture; high above him is the Lark, rending the air
with melodies to entrance the ploughman into the belief of angels hymning
in the midday air. Beneath the Merle's green perch, the Bullfinch with its
flute-like music sings unto his partner, all the dream of young love; whilst
in the holly bush beside, the Redbreast trills his ever-cherished lay. Around
and everywhere the Gnat and Bee, the Blue-fly and the Grasshopper make
their carols to join the concert of great Nature's ministers, that strive to
gladden man, and call his thoughts from plodding things of earth, to muse
on God and Heaven.

Ye who confess the existence of this Harmony through Nature's realms, I
ask your kind indulgence in the coming season; spare the soft tribes, and let
them

—"Range the air,
Or take their pastime in the spacious field;
There they are privileged.

Reader, I would not wrong you in the least; but while science and knowledge
loudly call you to a persevering discharge of your allotted tasks, I ask you
not to be too severe, or too much of the exterminator; for, alas! alas! we
are losing many a Bird and Butterfly, from our overweening pursuit and
wholesale butchery.

Bawhurgh Hill, near Nonoich, March 2>0th,, 1854.

164

Blisrcllniipniis J^ntirrs.

Note on a Rook and Weasel. — Your correspondent's observations in the "Naturalist," for
this month, respecting the Hooded Crow, remind me of a similar circumstance which occurred
in this neighbourhood about two months since. As my son and another person were talking
together in a field, they observed a Rook passing over with something in its mouth, and per-
forming similar antics to those described by Mr. Cooper, eventually tossing it over its back,
and falling to the ground ; they immediately ran to see what it was, which frightened the Eook
away; it proved to be a Weasel, not much the worse for its aerial excursion, or the attack
of its assailant, as it directly made for a ditch, and eluded their further observation.— C. Wood,
Dulwich, April 5th., 1854.

Note on tJie Greater and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, {Picus
minor,) remains with us through the season: it appears rather plentiful. The larger species,
{Picus major,) I have only seen two or three times, and have not as yet been able to pro-
cure a specimen. — Idem.

Observations on Birds about Barnslcy. — In the interval before the appearance of our summer
birds from warmer climes, the following notes applicable to the past month, though taken iu
the early part of last year, may not be unacceptable, and if not new they may encourage
similar observations. — February 10th. 1853. This morning I walked over Honey-well fields,
and by the Dcarne to Willow Pit Bank, returning up Smithy-lane. While observing a fine
Missel Thrush (better known here as the Storm-Cock,) in the meadow below, now hopping briskly,
then suddenly stopping, casting a wary look around ; anon with tail elevated and head plunging
downwards, digging with his bill into the ground for an earth-worm. As I was in the act of
fixing my telescope upon him, and a pair of Great Titmice in the field of view at the same
time, hopping on the grass in quest of their tinier prey, in the moment of shifting my point
of view I saw the flutter of wings in the sky, which proved to be those of the Kestrel or
Windhover, winnowing the air, then remaining steadily poised for some seconds, renewing at
times this fixed position by a gentle flap of the wing, and then gracefully wheeling without
perceptible effort, in a semi-circular flight, during which, as both back and front were exposed,
I could discriminate, not only the light grey feathers of the tail and the head, proving the
bird to be a male, but also the dark spots on the red ground of the body, so strikingly distinguishing
the plumage from the handsome barred feathers which mark the female from head to foot. I
turned down the lane towards Sykes' croft, and caught a nearer view of him from the railway
bridge. He frequently descended with a sudden stoop upon the fields, but I could not see for
the intervening hedges if any prize had repaid his effbrts. During one of these disappearances,
I saw another Kestrel hovering over the fields behind me. Presently, while I was concluding
it must be the same bird, it was joined by the one I had been observing, and both disappeared
over the shoulder of the hill, so that I could not ascertain if the other was a female. In a few
minutes one of them flew back, and hovered over the former station; and being projected in a
favourgible light against Burton-bank, I readily perceived with" the telescope that it was the
male bird again. I had not seen a Kestrel since summer, a proof that this most abundant and
harmless of the Hawk family is sharing the extermination vowed against his race by the
ruthless keeper and unthinking sportsman. Another point is settled, that the Kestrel as well
as the Merlin, the observation of which was recently noticed, are both found in this locality
in winter, both species being considered partially migratory to different parts of Britain. —
T. Lister, Bamsley, February, 1854.

Late departure of the Cuckoo, (Cuculus canorus.) — I shot, on the 9th. of August, 1853, a male
and female of this bird; immature specimens. — J, 0. Harper, Norwich, April, 1854.

Occurrence of the Nutcracker, (Nucifraga caryocatactes,) at Yarmouth. — A male specimen of
this bird, in good plumage, was shot at, or near, the above-mentioned town, the 12th. of October,
1853.— Idem.

Occurrence of the Red-necked Phalarope, (P. hyperboreus,) near this city.— On the 9th. of
November, 1853, I ha,d presented to me by J. Brownfield, Esq., a female specimen of this bird,
which he had just shot skimming the surface of the river near Trowse Bridge, about a mile
from Norwich. — Idem.

THE RETROSPECT. 165

Occurrence of the King Buch, (Somatcria spcctabilis,) on the Suffolk Coast. — I received, of
the 7th. of Januarj', of the present j^ear, a female specimen of this bird which had been procured
from the beach at Lowestoff. — Idem.

The three last specimens were prepared by me as natural skeletons for J. E. "Warwick, Natu-
ralist, 23, New Street, Kennington Road, London.— Idem.

I observed Sand Martins, (IT. riparia,) flj'ing over sand-pits near this city, April 14th., 1854.
Wind, S. E. And, on the following day, saw a solitary Swallow, (H, rustica,) near the same
locality. — Idem.

Occurrence of the Dipper, (Cinclus aquaticus,) in Norfolk — Mr. Knight, Taxidermist, of
this city, received for preservation, on the 26th. of April, 1854, a fine specimen of this bird,
which had, the day before, been shot at Lingwood. — Idem.

Observations on the weather for January. — There w^as rain or snow' on nineteen days, but in
general in small quantities, except on the 4th, 7th, and 8th,— first heavy snow, averaging from
ten to thirteen inches, and in some places drifted by the high winds to such a depth, as to
make some of the lanes and roads impassable; then sleet, changing to rain. The quantity
fallen on the whole month was three inches — probably much more, as some of the snow flakes
would be blown off the weather guage unmelted. The highest point of the barometer was 30
on the 26th, the lowest was 28 deg. 30 min. on the 8th. The highest point attained by the
thermometer in the town was 52 deg., in the shade, on the 30th; in the country the same day
it was 48 deg. The lowest registered in the town was 12 deg., on the morning of the 3rd;
and in the country 9 deg., on the 2nd. and 3rd. — probably lower in the night. The winds have
been from N. N. E. to S. S. E., S. W. and "W., the last few days in great force. The severity
of the frost during the limited pei'iod of its existence, was more intense than has been remem-
bered by any one here. The pools, canal, and even the river Derne were speedily frozen, to the
satisfaction of thousands of sliders "and skaters. The ice was from seven to ten inches thick. It
has been a hard time for the feathered race. Hunger has made strange companionship, and hard
and soft-billed birds have flocked round the haunts of man, too often to their destruction, as a
greater number of pitiless gunners have been at work than we suspected we had amongst us. Our
winter visitants have been more than usually numerous. The Common and Jack Snipe, Red-
wings, Fieldfares, "VVild-Ducks, Wild-Geese, Bramblings, and Siskins have abounded. The
Little Grebe, and Dun Diver, (the female of the Mergus,) have occurred in the Derne valley.
"Woodcocks have been a little more plentiful than of late years. One was aroused up in
Cockerham gardens, Longman row, close to the town; and a "^'^ater Hen, was taken in the
town, which is yet kept alive. The more scarce Water-Rail has been shot, as also the ash-
colourcd Shrike or Butcher Bird.— T. Lister, Barnsley, February 1854.

€\i lUtrnsprtt.

The reader will see that my explanation has not been proved unsatisfactory. Mr. S. seems
not to comprehend it. One evening, John Newton' could not light his candle — the extinguisher
teas on. According to Mr. S., excavation always implies boring. liens excavate holes in
gardens, etc.; do they bore? No! Neither do Starlings! His attack was unnecessary, as well
as frivolous in the extreme. Let him leave such work to those whose Lilliputian intellects
are fitted for it, lest he be ranked with them. Let errors be pointed out, and they shall
be readily corrected. The subject is unworthy of farther notice. ~J. Longmuir, Jun., June,
1854.

We trust this controversy, which can benefit no one, may now be allowed to drop. — B. R. M.

In volume iii., page 85, of "The Naturalist," is a communication by W. Macdufi', in answer
to which I now quote a piece from "De Gcer." "In the month of July I found a caterpillar
of the Puss Moth, (Cerura Vinula,) resting upon a small twig, which I cut in order to enable
me to examine it more attentively. As I was scrutinizing its appearance, I happened, accidentally,
to touch its body, instantly there shot out, from a spot near the head, two streams of a clear

16C) THE QUERIST.

fluid, which struck me on the face and partly entered one of my eyes, causing a very acute,
but, fortunately, not a very enduring, pain. My surprise at this salute prevented my taking
particular notice of the place from whence the jets proceeded. It appears probable that this
caterpillar has been endowed with this squirting apparatus to enable it to defend itself against
its enemies, or, at least, to assist it in frightening, or perhaps, in hunting its prej'. For myself,
I confess, after the reception I had met with, I felt some degree of fear at nearly approaching
it."— L. Shields, Blackheath, February 28th., 1854.

In St. John's "Field Notes and Tour in Sutherland," vol. i., page 208, I find the following
passage, which appears to me to account for "the curious conduct of the Hooded Crow," men-
tioned in the last number of "The Naturalist," by Mr. W. W. Cooper. "Amongst the curious
instincts which birds display in providing themselves with food, one, most resembling reason,
is that which teaches the Common Crow, on finding on the shore a shell containing fish, to fly
with it to a height in the air and then to let it drop, in order to break the shell sufficiently
to get at the fish enclosed in it. When the st3ne (shell ?) does not break the first time that
the Crow drops it, she darts down, picks it up, and ascends still higher, till she perceives that
the height is sufficient for her purpose. Sometimes another Crow darts in to carry ofi" the booty,
upon which a battle ensues in the air." — E. J. Meynell, Durham, April 5th., 1854.

€k (£iunmi.

Is Guernsey to he considered^ hy Naturalists, part of Great Britain. — 1 have, this morning,
noticed a query in "The Naturalist," by the Rev. F. 0. Morris, as to whether the Channel
Islands are to be "considered Entomologically and Ornithologically, as well as politically, a part
of Great Britain." I cannot say what the usage among writers on Birds and Insects may be,
but in all manuals of British Botany I have seen, and most of them have passed through my
hands, plants from these islands are included. May not the rule which applies to one department
of Natural History bo with advantage applied to all? — James B. Davies, Borage, Eipon, April
3rd., 1854.

I do not for half a moment doubt that the nest found by Mr. Hodge, one of the "Querists"
of your February number, was that of the most familiar of our birds, little Robin Redbreast.
The position and materials correspond exactly. And, though I believe almost all birds have white
eggs as an occasional variety, I do not think it is the case so frequently with any other as
with the Robin. Some, in my possession, which I took two years ago, from an ivy-covered
wall, are pure white, and very smooth. As both the Robin and Yellow Hammer vary considerably
in the size of their eggs, the eggs of the two may often be about the same size. I should
think the Wryneck never builds in this situation. — G. Sowdex, Curate of Houghton-le- Spring,
February 17th., 1854.

Is there not some mode of taking impressions, so to speak, of the wings of Butterflies and
Moths, on some kind of paper. Information on the subject will oblige. — F. 0. Moiuiis, Nun-
burnholme Rectory, Ilayton, York, May 30th., 1854.

G. R. Twinn would feel it a great kindness if any of the Botanical readers of "The Naturalist"
would advise a work on British Mosses, suited for the hands and wants of youth about fourteen
years of age; by which they might readily become conversant with all the genei-a they might
discover in their rambles and studies. A work with illustrations or specimens, after the manner
of Gardiner's, would be preferred; but including all the families. Also a work on British Ferns.
— Bawburgh Hill, near Norwich, March 18th., 1854.

I hope you will not consider the following question as out of place in the finst convenient
number of "The Naturalist," seeing that it is most likely some of its readers may be "City-
pent" Fern growers, as well as myself. I have one or two Wardian Cases in my bedroom,
and I am remonstrated with for keeping them there, as being unhealthy in a sleeping room.
Now I want to ask yourself, or some of the Correspondents of "The Naturalist," if any injurious
result is to be apprehended, or if experience, in anj' case, has proved having one or more Wardian
Cases in a bedroom to have an unhealthy tendency. — Anceps.

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CONTENTS.

PAOE.

Ornithological and Entomological Notes 167

Local Jottings. No. 13. Dorchester — Dorsetshire. By J. Garland,

Esq 169

Gleanings by the Way. By John Eose, Esq 170

Occasional Notes. By Mr. Michael Westcott 172

Superior Instinct in a Wagtail. By George E. Twinn, Esq 173

Land and Fresh-water MoUusks found during a few weeks residence in

Cheltenham and the Vicinity. By W. Webster, Esq 175

List of Land and Fresh-water Mollusks found in the neighbourhood of

Ackworth, Yorkshire. By Charles Ashford, Esq 178

Notes on the Ant of Scripture. By J. Longmuir, Esq., Jdn 181

October's Farewell Week. By George E. Twinn, Esq 186

Miscellaneous Notices. — Variety of the Eedwing. Note on the Wry
neck and Chifif-chaff. Anecdote of the Eobin. Occurrence of the
Common Crossbill, in the higher districts of Banffshire. Note on
the Blackcap. Anomalous Eggs. Wanton Cruelty. Note on the
Starling. Occurrence of the Sandsucker, or Lang Fluke. Occurrence
of Yarrell's Blenny at Gamrie. Occurrence of the Black Goby or
Eockfish at Gamrie. Occurrence of Anomia pattelliformis and Lima

minuta, at Banff. Vanessa Antiopa at Blackheath 188

The Querist 190

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

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Esq., M.D., DriffieM; — Books for Review, and Parcels, to the care of Messrs. GROOMBRIBGE
and SONS, 5, Paternoster Row. London,

167

ORNITHOLOGICAL AND ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES.

ClIAKLES FOTHERGILL TO WiLLIAM FoTHERGILL, AdGUST 16th., 1799.

^^As to the Willow Wrens, I think them the most active, and as beautiful
as any, of the genus. I also have met with them in woods, but they are
more frequent with us in Askam bogs, a large kind of morass, about two
miles from York, in which there are many trees though small ones. In the
thickest part of this place I observed some small birds very active in climbing
up and down trees, and catching insects with great dexterity; I watched
them for some time, and then, having my gun with me, I shot two of them
at one shot; no sooner had I taken them up than I pronounced them to be
Motacilla TrocMhis, and what was more singular, only two birds being shot,
they were of different sizes — the large and middle Willow W^rens were now
in my power: I therefore put them in my pocket in order to examine them
at leisure. I had not proceeded much further before I again saw some of
what I supposed to be the same birds, but smaller; accordingly I shot one,
and I found it was really the least of the three Willow Wrens. I was
much delighted, in one morning to meet with all these three rare birds, rare
at least here. When I reached home I examined "Latham's Synopsis," and
"White's Natural History of Selbornc," and found them really to be what
I had suspected them — the large, middle, and small Willow Wrens."

Charles Fothergill to William Fothergill, January, 1809.

^'This winter has not produced anything very uncommon in our vicinity
that has come under my notice. A man brought me a very beautiful male
Kingfisher which he had killed upon the Foss, behind our castle, during a
severe storm. The plumage was little injured, and I have its skin in tolerable
preservation. This bird is becoming very scarce with us."

William Fothergill to Charles Fothergill.

Spiders. — ^^I do not know much about Spiders, though they are certainly

very interesting insects. When I made the little summer-house in our garden,

it was plastered with the whitest lime I ever saw, and having a large window

[the room was unusually light. In a very short time some Spiders of a com-

;lDon kind took possession of the corners of the ceiling. In that room there

were no holes or cavities in which they could hide themselves; and, what

very much surprised me, the Spiders soon became nearly as white as the

iVall, yet I am very sure it was not from the lime externally adhering to

ithem. How have they the power of assimilating their colour to that of the

'Situation they have chosen, and by that means becoming less conspicuous to

their enemies, and less a terror to their prey?"

"There is a sort of Spider not unusual here, whi^hrrr'P^feeg its web

VOL. IV. /^\

168 ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES.

perpendicularly to the stone walls which usually form our fences; their webs
are formed of concentric circles, with transverse radii from the centre, where
the insect generally stations itself. In very clear weather when the sun shines
upon the walls, the web is very conspicuous, and easily avoided by the flies.
To obviate this inconvenience the Spider retires from the centre to a crevice
in the wall, where some of the transverse radii are fastened, and by its foot,
or, perhaps properly, hands, gives the whole web a rapid jerking motion, which
renders it, for the time, perfectly invisible. This motion is long continued,
with only short intervals, and I think is evidently the result of design and
contrivance the more certainly to ensnare and secure its prey. This may
probably have been noticed by authors, but having read very little on the
subject, I am not aware whether or not it is generally known."

Since sending the notice from my father's papers, of the method practised
by some Spiders in order to render their webs invisible, I have met with
the following, which I think may refer to a different species of Spider, that
renders not only the web but itself invisible, by the communication of a
rapid vibratory motion; and I observe the term hands is used, as my father
suggests it probably should be, instead of feet. This species is found amongst
furze bushes, and operates from the centre of the web, whilst my father's
were found on the sunny side of stone fences, and performed the vibrations
from the periphery of the web. I thought that it might be interesting if
this account was placed in juxtaposition with my father's, though I am not
aware to what extent, or how long, the facts may have been known to Natu-
ralists. The extract is from a recent work, entitled ''My schools and school-
masters, etc.,'' By Hugh Miller. — John Fothergill, M. R. C. S.

''The large Diadem Spider, which spins so strong a web, that, in pressing
my way through the furze thickets, I could hear its white silken cords crack
as they yielded before me, and which I found skilled, like an ancient magician,
in the strange art of rendering itself invisible in the clearest light, was an
especial favourite; though its great size, and the wild stones I have read
about the bite of its congener the Tarantula, made me cultivate its acquaintance
somewhat at a distance. Often, however, I have stood beside its large web,
when the creature occupied its place in the centre, and touching it with a
withered grass stalk, I have seen it suddenly swing on the lines "with its
hands," and then shake them with a motion so rapid, that, like Carathus,
the mother of the Caliph Vatheck, who, when her hour of doom came, 'glanced
off in a rapid whirl, which rendered her invisible,' the eye failed to see either
web or insect for minutes together. Nothing appeals more powerfully to the
youthful fancy than those coats, rings, and amulets of eastern lore, that
conferred on their possessors the gift of invisibility, and I deemed it a great
matter to have discovered for myself, in living nature, a creature actually
possessed of am amulet of this kind, that, when danger threatened, could rush
into invisibility."

I

1G9

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 13.
DORCHESTER— DORSETSHIRE.

BY JOHX GARLAND, ESQ., MKMU: ENT: SOC :, MEMB: WEUN : CLUB.

White Jackdaio, (Corvus monetlula.) — In my first Jotting I mentioned briefly
a very curious specimen of this bird in the possession of Mr. Pulman, of this
town, and I have the pleasure of stating that the same bird is now 'in esse,'
and in perfect health. It is a male, of beautiful plumage, perfectly white,
and a good talker. He is now just over three years old. This bird was
hatched in the belfry of St. Peter's Tower, Dorchester; and, singular to say,
the next year, that is, two years since, a nest of two was taken by the sexton,
also in the belfry, — one Daw, black as usual, and the other perfectly
white. These two birds were sent to the Rector of the parish, and by him
given to a gentleman of Maiden Bradley, who brought them up till a few
weeks since, when unfortunately the white one died, it is supposed from being
beaten by the other. Mr. Pulman would, I feel assured, be happy to show
his bird to any person wishing to see such a curious freak of Nature.

Newhj-dtscribed Trade.— 1 observed at Charmouth, in this county, one day,
en passant, the following newly-described Trade on a sign: —

"JOHN HUNTER,

FOSSILER.

N. B. — Pleasure Boats for hire."
Charmouth is famed for its Blue Lias, Pyrites, Minerals, and Fossils.

Fainted Lady Btdterfly, (Vanessa cardui.) — I have already mentioned the
scarcity of Butterflies in this neighbourhood this year, but I never saw so
many of the above at one time as last year. I had been bathing at Black-
water, near this town, and on my return in the common meadow, by a brook,
I saw at least forty or fifty of these large and elegant Butterflies disporting
themselves on the flowers of some loftily-grown plants of the Meadow Sweet,
(Spiroea uhnaria.) Having no net, I was not then able to take any, although
I and my little boy, who was with me, endeavoured for some time to do so.
This was about two o'clock, p. m. We returned home for a net, and were
down again in the meadow before three; but although the place is open, and
we looked everywhere we could think of, not one could be seen, nor could
we imagine whither they had departed. I always notice this Butterfly appears
"by tits and starts," and some seasons very plentifully.

Delicacy of the Horse, (Equus caballus.) — Although many cases are on record
evidencing the extreme delicacy and timidity of the Horse, 1 do not remember
seeing an instance exactly similar to the anecdote, showing the eflfect of fear
on that animal, which just occurs to me. Some time since, Wombwell's
Menagerie happened to be located in a neighbouring town, and they had
purchased some straw from a farmer living near, for the use of the wild

170 GLEANINGS BY THK WAY.

beasts. This straw, which was only slightly affected or injured by one night's
use, tlie Proprietors sold the next day to an innkeeper in the place. On the
straw being applied for the purpose of bedding his horses, they refused to lie
on it, — snorted and started as if mad or frightened, and nothing would induce
them to lie down. This occurred several nights, and the straw was ultimately
destroyed without any use having been made of it. The sense of smell in
the Horse must be very acute, for this happened some time after any odour
could be perceived by the ostler and others.

The Horse. — I do not know whether it has been observed that the skin
of all "Skewball" Horses is of a white and delicate pink colour under the
hair^ whilst that of all others, ^'Pieballs" as well, is dark.

Dorchester, May, 1854.

GLEANINGS BY THE WAY.

BY JOHN ROSE, ESQ., M. A., F. B. S., M. D. R. N,

The Chimney Swallow, (ITinindo rustica,) I first observed on the 8th.
of iVpril, the same day as last year, a coincidence in itself trifling, yet worth
noting, and interesting to those who, like the Rev. Gilbert White, and other
naturalists of later date delight in contributing to the formation of a calendar
of nature. This register can only be made accurate by observations extending
over a series of years in different localities : and all, however humble their
sphere, may add their mite. The Rev. L. Jenyns remarks that '^a calendar
of periodic phenomena in Natural History may be constructed for other pur-
poses than those immediately connected with that particular science. Observ-
ations of such phenomena may be combined with others in meteorology, ana
tend to enlarge our knowledge of particular climates. Or, without being so
combined, they may serve of themselves to point out many climatological
considerations, of the greatest importance in certain branches of human industry,
dependent upon the diUerences which one climate exhibits compared with
another. This results from the close connection which subsists between the
phenomena of climate, and the phenomena of the animal and vegetable worlds.
It becomes therefore a most interesting study, and almost forms a science
in itself, to trace out this connection, and to observe the periodic time, as
well as the simultaniety, whenever it occurs of all the resulting phenomena
considered relatively with each other."

On the 21st. of April, near Grange Farm, almost opposite Osborne House,
I heard the Nightingale, and listened with delight to its notes of harmony
mocking as they do the reach of art.

On the 25th. of April I saw a pair of Turtle Doves near Lord Ashburton's
marine residence: and on the same day a fine specimen of that handsome,
and, in this country, rare bird, the Hoopoe, (Ujmpa epops,) was shot by
Mr. William Leane, of Privet Farm, near Gosport. "The most unusual

0LEANIKG3 BY THE WAY.

171

birds I ever observed ia these parts were a pair of Hoopoes, which came
several years ago in summer, and frequented an ornamented piece of ground,
which joins to my garden, for some weeks. They used to march about in
a .stately manner, feeding in the walks many times a day, and seemed dis-
posed to breed, but were frightened and persecuted by idle boys, who would
never let them be at rest. Colonel Montagu mentions a pair that began a nest
in Hampshire, and Dr. Latham records a young Hoopoe shot in the month
of June. One specimen was shot in the county of Dublin, and another in
the county of Tipperary, in 1828. The species is abundantly met with in the
south of Europe; it also occurs in Holland, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden.
In the winter it retires to Asia and Africa, where it is also a permanent
resident."* Two notices of this bird occurred in "The Naturalist" last year,
in one of which the nest is said to have been discovered.

On the 29th. of April, I first hoard the Cuckoo, {Cuculus canonis,) and
who has not experienced a thrill of delight when its well-known sound first
falls on the ear in spring. —

'Hail beauteous stranger of the wood,

Attendant on the spring!
Now heaven repairs thy rural scat,

Aud woods thy welcome sing.
Soon as the daisy decks the green,

Thy certain voice we hear;
Hast thou a star to guide thy path

Or mark the rolling year?

Delightful visitant! with thee

I hail the time of flowers,
When heaven is filled with music sweet,

Of birds among the bowers.
The school-boy wandering in the wood.

To pull the flowers so gay.
Starts thy curious voice to hear.

And imitates thy lay."

During the month of April a profusion of wild flowers appeared in this
quarter, many of them much earlier than usual. The fields were unusually
bright and perfumed with the yellow flowers of the furze, (Ulex Europoeus,)
"unheeded by those who can delight only in the flower brought from afar,
it is ever an object of admiration to the lover of simple beauty. Linna;us
fell on his knees, and thanked God for its loveliness, when first he beheld
it. Among the plants of his native land, he knew not one which could equal
it; and he attempted in vain to introduce it into Sweden."f

By thinking of these and other objects of nature, our rural rambles become
full of enjoyment and interest. '^Few of us, perhaps in reviewing our by-gone
days, could the hours return again, but would wish many of them differently
disposed of, and more profitably employed: but I gratefully say that portion
of my own passed in the contemplation of the works of nature, is the part
which I most approve — which has been most conducive to my happiness; and
perhaps, from the sensations excited by the wisdom and benevolence perceived,
not wholly unprofitable to a final state ; and which might be passed again,
could I but obtain a clearer comprehension of the ways of infinite wisdom. If
in my profound ignorance I received such gratification and pleasure, what
would have been my enjoyment and satisfaction 'if the secrets of the Most

• "^Vhite's Selborne." + "Wild Flowers of the Year."

X72 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

High had been with mo, and when by His light I had walked through dark
ness ? ' "*

"Oil good beyond compare!

If thus thy moanei- works are fair,

If thus thy bounties gild the span

Of ruined earth and sinful man,

How glorious must that mansion be

Where Thy redeemed shall live with Thee!"

OCCASIONAL NOTES.

BY MR. MICHAEL WESTCOTT.

A Common Rat in Trouble. — A few days since, as Mr. James, Butcher,
was in his slaughter-house, he heard a strange noise issuing from a small hole
close by, which communicates with the common sewer. The cries, which
resembled the shrieks of a child, at last became so loud and frequent, that
they brought several people to the spot, who were standing at the back door
of the "King's Arms," a distance of fifteen yards at least. In the midst of
their bewilderment, they observed a round tile, which covers the small hole, fly
up as if by magic, and at the same time a huge Rat made his appearance
crying bitterly. He was quickly followed by an "infuriated mob" of his own
species, which was making a dismal clamour, and at the game time, no doubt,
breathing vengeance on the head of the object of its rancour. However, the
pursuers were prevented from putting their murderous designs into execution,
by the tile falling down over the hole just as two of them came up. When
they found themselves trapped, they showed no signs of combativeness towards
the runaway, but rather endeavoured to make a speedy retreat j that, neither
of them could accomplish, as there was a moveable grate over the aperture,
and consequently they shared the same fate as many larger quadrupeds do
in that slaughter house in the course of the year. The fugitive Rat measured
twenty-two inches long, including the tail, and weighed two pounds one ounce.
No wonder the others brought all their force to bear upon the monstrous
intruder.

Tlie Painted Lady Butterfly, (Cynthia Cardui.) — I did not see a single
specimen of this charming insect last season, nor did I observe more than
three solitary Red Admirals, [Vanessa Atalanta;) their scarcity must be owing,
in a great measure, to the excessive wet w^eather which we experienced in
the summer, as both the species were plentiful the previous year. The Pea-
cock's eye, {Vanessa loj) was more abundant, but I bred many more than
I saw.

A Canary in a Trance. — Mr. John Marks, 21, Bounday Road, St. John's
Wood, London, communicated to me the following anecdote: — When he was
a boy he kept one of those "little household pets" for nine years, and it was,

I

« "Journal of u Naturalist.'

SUPERIOR INSTINCT IN A WAGTAIL.

173

as may be supposed, a great favourite with the family. On taking down the
cage one morning to replenish the little occupant's food, Mr. Marks observed
his "pet" lying motionless at the bottom. He took it out, examined it, and
it was to all appearance dead; the sad event was quickly known among the
household, who handed the defunct body one to another, but no one entertained
any hopes of ever hearing its thrilling notes again. The bird was placed on
the chimney-piece in the parlour, where it remained for three days; during
which period it received many a fond caress and minute inspection. On the
fourth day the servant went into the "chamber of death," when, lo! a trans-
formation had taken place; for instead of poor "Dick" being quietly lying on
his bier, he was actually flying about the room. The mourners were quickly
summoned to bear witness to the happy change; their joy may be well imagined,
on seeing their little pet, which they deplored as dead, assume again its living
state, and perform the many pleasing tricks it was wont to do. However
he did not live more than about three months after the above event, and
did not sing as loud and frequently as before. There could have been no
deception practiced in the above affair, as the bird possessed some unmistakeable
traits in his character, together with a peculiarly marked plumage, to allow
of any fraud being played.

SUPERIOR INSTINCT IN A WAGTAIL, {MO'LAOILLA LOTOIi.)

BY GEORGE R. TWINN, ESQ.

It is a law that must have struck every earnest student of Nature, that
a system of counterbalancing agencies is always at work: — every event has
its opposite; every good its evil. It is very wisely arranged by Providence,
that no one created thing shall exclusively lay claim to a possession of all
the qualities, gifts, peculiarities, and endowments that are characteristic of
separate individuals, or even of families and classes. This is illustrated in the
Elephant, with its stupendous body, but very short legs; in the fleet Stag,
but with its impeding antlers, for passage through the thicket; in the Snake,
with its offensive odour, when grasped, to secure thereby its liberty; and in
the elongated neck of many a bird, but with a body comparatively small.
This law, if carefully observed, and the mind well directed to it in very close
thought, inevitably leads to the result of a very great admiration of Him,
who is thus seen to have furnished each family of his vast dominion, with
what is appropriate for its very wise destination and place in the earth.

There are many who take no heed of the common things around them.
Oh, how much they are to be pitied! Were they but to notice the tact of
the Hare, with its short, though elastic legs, doubling and re-doubling to elude
the long vaulting members of the pursuing hound; they would at once per-
ceive this dual law of compensation. But there are some who claim for man,
that he, by his position and gift of reason, has full advantages over the beasts
and birds: that he is an exception to this rule of counterbalancing agences.

174: SUPERIOR INSTINCT IN A WAGTAIL.

It is a good thing this class is rapidly diminishing. Has not superior civili-
zation brought in more weakness and eflPerninacy? I do not desire in any way
to confound learning with civilization, for that gendereth strength.

Now some few years ago, a party of young men, on a hazy afternoon, went
down the River Crouch, near Foulness Island, Essex, to look after a stranded
vessel: they were out some hours, and had provided pipes and refreshment.
The mist suddenly appearing to be much denser, they, for their safety, stoutly
pulled away to reach home. They were quite unable, from the denseness of the
atmosphere, to say whereabouts they were, but they all concluded they were
nearly two miles from home. The tide began to rise, and they now found
themselves rapidly riding onwards; unexpectedly one of the party cried out,
''see! here's a little bird in the boat!" and there tamely and busily feeding
on the crumbs at the bottom of the boat, (the fragments of their biscuits,
etc.,) was a little Wagtail. None knew Avhen it entered, or how they became
possessed of such a companion; but what pleased them, was its not taking
any alarm at them, but gladly allowed itself to be captured. It was certainly
very damp, as though it had traversed some distance in the fog, and had been
exhausted with its flight, and therefore glad to avail itself of the refuge found.

They marked the time by their watches, and it tarried with them nearly
twenty minutes, hopping very contentedly about the boat; but on a sudden
it was off on a strong refreshed wing, and the party, astonished, deplored
its departure. About five minutes after its flight, one of the young crew
said "hark! there's old Squire ll's rooks!! and, sure enough, it was a true
utterance: they knew at once their situation, and soon were in safety. Now
the point of the anecdote rests here with me, the very earhj discovery of land
and trees by the acute senses of the Wagtail; so readily perceived, and its
native haunts at once regained. The great keenness of the bird's vision; its
ready perception of its natural locations, certainly rank far above those of man;
and teach us, that, though knowledge, an artificial acquirement, dependent
on great pains and instruction, may distinguish man from his "living associates"
that lack reason; yet that God hath given to the lower orders of life, gifts
and capacities that man can never possess, nor deprive them of; save by de-
frauding them of their birth-right liberty.

Let me just add in conclusion, that the Hyaena is a fine illustration of a
superior sense and discernment of water in the desert, characterizing him before
his master, lordly man.

Even this last winter, during the snow, the Wagtail, with the Hobins, was
a constant visitor for the lavish crumbs we every meal reserved for them.
I hope this illustration of the law of compensation, or rather proof that God
provideth well for the fowls of the air, according to their respective necessities,
is very beautifully exemplified in what I have detailed.

I would merely add that I received this account of the Wagtail, from
one of the inmates of the boat.

Bawhurgh, near Noricich, April 10th., 1854.

175

LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS FOUND

DURING A FEW WEEKS RESIDENCE IN CHELTENHAM

AND THE VICINITY.

BY W. WEBSTER^ ESQ.

The Nomenclature is that of Gray's "Turton." —

Neritina Fluviatilis. — Tolerably abundant, though generally much eroded, in
the streams near canal at Chalford, on the Cheltenham and Great Western
Railway.

Paludina achatina. — Abundant in canal in the same locality.

Bithinia tentaculata. — Very common in all the streams I had an opportunity
of trying.

Valvata Piscinalis. — In canal at Chalford.

Valvata cristata. — Scarce at the same place.

Arion ater. — Common in damp situations; of many shades of colour — some
beautifully marked with orange round the edges of the foot.

Arion hortensis. — Yery common in similar localities.

Limax arboreus. — Yery abundant in beech woods, especially in early spring
and autumn, crawling on the smooth bark of the trees in moist weather, and
hibernating amongst the dead leaves.

Limax raaximus. — A few specimens, but the season was too dry for them
to shew themselves in any numbers,

Limax agrestis. — Everywhere very plentiful and very large.

Yitrina pcUucida. — Common in its usual haunts.

Helix aspersa. — Yery numerous and large. At Birdlip, six miles from
Cheltenham, I found one specimen of the white, or rather yellowish variety,
without any bands or marks whatever.

Helix hortensis. — Yery numerous : several of the beautiful variety with
colourless or transparent bands.

Helix nemoralis. — Yery fine and beautifully-banded varieties. Three speci-
mens, which I can only refer to this species, of a clear and beautiful milk
white; one with a roseate lip, one with a white lip like Hortemisj but with
the usual brown colour of nemoralis in the base of the body; the other, an
immature specimen, but with the brown mark beginning to make its appearance.

Helix Pomatia. — Found of a large size in several woods in the neighbour-
hood— Lineovcr, Witcomb wood, and Cooper's Hill, near Birdlip, etc.

Helix arbustorum. — Some pretty varieties.

Helix Lapicida. — Many on the Limestone rocks, but more frequent still on
the stems of beech trees in nearly all the woods around.

Helix pulchella. — A few specimens in damp situations.

Helix pulchella, (v. costata?) — Is it not a distinct species? most abundant
at Minching Hampton, on the driest walls I ever met with, amongst Sedum
acre, but not so fine as I have found them near Liverpool, in damp places.
The two varieties here appear quite to have changed haunts.

VOL. IV. 2 A

176 LAND AND FRESH-WATKR MOILUSKS.

Helix fusca. — Dead but very fine specimens in Witcomb wood and at Long-
ford, near Minching Hampton.

Helix fulva. — Amongst damp leaves: not infrequent.

Helix aculeata. — Occasionally met witli in company with the former.

Helix granulata. — In springy spots in the- valleys round Stroud and Minching
Hampton.

Helix hispida. — To be found in any quantities at Brimpsficld Castle, near
Birdlip; and tolerably numerous in other localities.

Helix concinna. — Generally diffused.

Helix rufescens. — Of every size and shade of colour, and in every variety
of locality.

Helix virgata. — Very numerous on the short grass of the downs, but most
commonly small, though well marked.

Helix caperata. — Not unfrequent, but rather local.

Helix ericetorum. — Very numerous with virgata; exceedingly variable in
size: a few specimens of the variety ohlitemta.

Zonites rotundatus, — Common: one very fine specimen of the crystalline
variety ; I may mention that I had previously found this variety at Kenil-
"worth Castle, and at Upton, near Birkenhead.

Zonites umbilicatus. — In myriads under the small loose stones of the dry
stone walls in elevated districts; I have traced them for twenty miles on
what may be almost called an unbroken chain of wall, and they appear to
extend across the country in every direction.

Zonites pygmaeus. — On dead and damp leaves at Birdlip, etc.

Zonites alliarius. — An occasional specimen under a stone or in moss.

Zonites cellarius. — Common and fine.

Zonites purus. — Very fine specimens amongst damp leaves at Birdlip, Down
Wood, etc.

Zonites nitidulus. — Some very fine specimens.

Zonites radiatulus. — Rather scarce.

Zonites lucidus. — On the brink of the canal at Chalford: a few specimens.

Zonites crystallinus. — Very common amongst damp moss and leaves.

Succinea putris. — Common.

Succinea Pfeifferi. — Common.

Bulimus Lackmanensis. — On the stems of beech trees at Birdlip, Cooper's
Hill, Lineover, and Chalford during summer; in winter amongst the dead leaves
and moss at their roots. As far as I am yet able to judge, this fine
Bulimus appears to be confined to the chalk and limestone formations.

Bulimus obscurus. — Common on rocks and beech trees.

Zua lubrica. — Tolerably frequent in damp spots.

Azeca tridens. — Local but not unfrequent. They appear to congregate in
little family parties, for if you find one, you may be pretty sure of finding
half a dozen others within a few inches.

Achatina acicula. — One dead specimen on Minching Hampton Common.

LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS, 177

Pupa umbilicata. — By no means numerous.

Pupa marginata, — Generally diffused in small numbers amongst short grass
on the downs; but at Minching Hampton on the top of walls in Sedum acre.
in company with II. costata in the greatest profusion, and most specimens
very fine.

Pupa Juniperi. — Very abundant at the foot of walls and under stones; one
crystalline specimen, but smaller than the usual variety.
Vertigo edentula. — A few specimens under leaves generally in damp and
boggy situations.

Vertigo pygmaea, — Amongst the short grass on the Common at Minching
•Hampton, etc.

Vertigo palustris. — In a damp spot on the same common.
Bala3a perversa. — Not uncommon on trunks of trees and old walls.
Clausilia bidens. — Very numerous and fine on the stems of beech trees,
in hedge-rows, etc. I found several specimens of a beautiful hyaline variety
at Cooper's Hill and Cranham Wood, adjoining.

Clausilia Rolphii. — Several colonies of this very local and rather scarce
clausilia, extending from Birdlip to Cooper's Hill. This appears to mc a
completely new locality, never having heard of its being found so far north
before ; the principal number I found amongst patches of Saxifraga oppositi-
folia, in company with Axeca tridens, and not unfrequently six or eight in a
cluster at the roots of a tuft of grass growing amongst the Saxifraga, which
was in a damp situation ; but it must be borne in mind, that they were
still enjoying their winter sleep; perhaps when the weather became more
genial, they might be more scattered.

Clausilia nigricans. — Also its variety, very common.

Carychium minimum. — Numerous.

Acme fusca. — One dead specimen at Birdlip.

Limnaeus auricularis. — Common and rather fine in canal at Chalford.

Limnaius pereger. — Several varieties in canal and in neighbouring ditches.

Limnaeus stagnalis. — A few specimens in same canal,

Limnaeus palustris. — A few specimens in same canal.

Limnaeus truncatulus. — A few specimens in same canal, and in ditches.

Ancylus fluviatilis. — A few on stones and shells, at Chalford.

Physa fontinalis. — One or two fine specimens at Chalford.

Planorbis corneus. — Numerous in some of the reaches of the same canal.

Planorbis albus. — A few in same place.

Planorbis carinatus. — A few in same place.

Planorbis marginatus. — A few in same place.

Planorbis vortex. — In ditches near Cheltenham.

Planorbis spirorbis. — In ditches near Cheltenham.

Planorbis contortus. — Canal at Chalford.

Cyclus Rivicola. — Canal at Chalford.

Cyclus cornea.— Canal at Chalford.

178 LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS.

Pisidium Henslowianum. — One specimen, canal at Chalford,

Pisidium amnieum. — Not unfrequent in same locality,

Pisidium cinereum?— Springeye on Minching Hampton Common, and one or
two of the smaller varieties, which I have not yet been able to make out.

Anodon. — Several young specimens; but I had no opportunity of dredging,
to find out to what variety they belonged.

Dreissena polymorpha. — Canal at Chalford.

Upton Hall, Birkenhead. May '[st., 1854.

LIST OF LAND AND FRESH-WATER

MOLLUSKS FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF

ACKWORTH,* YORKSHIRE.

BY CHARLES ASHFORD, ESQ.

Nomenclature, Gray's Turton's British Shells,

Bithinia tentaculata. — Abundant: invai'iably covered with an earthy incrus-
tation.

Valvata piscinalis. — Abundant at Wintcrset, (five miles S, W, :) common
here.

Arion ater. — Common: of several shades between black and russet brown.

Limax maximus, — Common, but generally not so large as I have seen them
in other districts.

Limax carinatus, — Several specimens once found on a stone wall after a
wet day.

Limax agrestis. — Superabundant.

Vitrina pellucida. — Of frequent occurrence in early spring, at bottom of
hedges among wet leaves, etc.

Helix aspersa. — As everywhere, common and voracious.

Helix hortensis, — Occasionally found here.

Helix hybrida. — ^Rare; one good specimen found a few days ago.

Helix nemoralis. — Common, One specimen was found marked with rich
irregular mahogany-like blotches instead of bands.

Helix lapicida. — Tolerably abundant among the fissures of the limestone
rocks at Went Vale,

Helix pulchella, — Pretty common. Specimens of v, Imbricata have been found
in dry as well as marshy situations, (See Turton, p. 142.)

Helix Cantiana, — Common but local, being confined to a few hundred yards
of hedging.

Helix fusca. — Not found nearer than the woods by Doncaster, and can
hardly be said to belong to this neighbourhood.

Helix fulva. — Tolerably common at roots of grass in damp situations.

* Ackworth is situated on the borders of the Sandstone of the coal measures, with the Mag-
nesiau Limestone and New lied Sandstone within two or three miles.

LAND AND PRESH-WATER MOLLUSKS. 179

Helix aculeata. — Common among damp vegetable matter at hedge bottoms.

Helix granulata. — Found in a small copse some years since, but not lately.

Helix sericea. — Two or three specimens were found last year by W. Robinson,
of York.

Helix hispida. — Common among loose stones, etc.

Helix concinna. — Abundant.

Helix depilata. — One or two supposed specimens.

Helix rufescens. — Common on a hedge bank near Wakefield. I have all
shades, from light horn to bright brown.

Helix virgata. — Abundant among the herbage near the Pontefract Railway
Station, but comparatively small in size.

Helix caperata. — Not common.

Helix ericetorum. — Common at Went Vale on limestone herbage.

Zonites rotundatus. — Abundant under stones.

Zonites pygrageus. — Pretty common at root of damp or peaty grass.

Zonites alliarius. — Occasionally beneath stones. Strongly garlic scented,
especially when excited.

Zonites cellarius. — Common in its usual haunts.

Zonites purus. — Common among decayed leaves at hedge bottoms, and in
woods.

Zonites crystallinus. — Common among decayed leaves at hedge bottoms, and
in woods.

Zonites nitidulus. — Very common under stones, etc.

Zonites radiatulus. — Occasionally found at roots of grass in damp pastures.

Zonites lucidus. — This beautiful shell occurs in unusual abundance among
the stranded flags and equiseta of Hemsworth Dam. The larger specimens
seem to be more or less corroded at the apex.

Zonites excavatus. — Three specimens of this animal were unexpectedly ob-
tained last year from an old loose tree stump in the wood at Winterset.

Succinia putris. — Occasional, but not by any means so abundant as
' Succinia Pfeifferi, which, though small, swarms in same locality as Z. lucidus.

Bulimus obscurus. — Not common: perhaps overlooked from its power of
concealment.

Zua lubrica. — Very common at roots of grass, etc.

Achatina acicula. — Several specimens of this shell from the limestone at

^ent Vale, but only two or three inhabited.

Pupa umbilicata. — Common.

Pupa marginata. — A few dead but good specimens from the moist earth
i)f same locality as Achatina acicula.

Vertigo. — Some of these beautiful little shells have been obtained from the

[agnesian limestone crags at Went Vale, chiefly among the debris that has

collected by the side of the rocks, and become mixed with the vegetable

mould and decayed leaves below. By filling a botanical case with this earth,

and examining it at leisure, I have procured at one forage above one hundred

180 LAND AND FRESH-WATEK MOLLUSKS.

and sixty specimens of pusilla, (not many alive but the shells in good con-
dition,) some thirty or so of pygmcea, and about fifty of edentula, besides two
or three suhstriata and cylindrical and many commoner shells.

Vertigo palustris. — A few dozen specimens from the wet grass on the banks
of Hemsworth Dam.

Clausilia nigricans. — Common in the woods among moss on trees, etc.

Carychium minimum. — Common in the woods at roots of mossy grass.

Limnseus auricularis. — Not uncommon at Hemsworth and Winterset.

Limnaeus pereger and its variety lineatus. — Common — varieties acutus and
lacustris. — Not common.

Limnaous palustris. — A few specimens from small field pools.

Limnseus truncatulus. — Abundant in grassy ditches.

Limnajus glaber. — Abundant in one meadow pool, confined to a few square
yards. The peculiarity giving rise to variety lineatus in the pereger I have
observed in all the species of this genus.

Ancylus fluviatilis. — Not uncommon.

Velletia lacustris. — 'Pretty common in one small pond, adhering to grass, etc.

Physa fontinalis. — Abundant in mill pond.

Aplexus hypnorum. — Not common.

Planorbis albus. — Good specimens from Hemsworth Dam.

Planorbis Igevis. — Abundant in one small depopulated fish pond; adhering to
Potomoijoeton crispus. Some strange monstrosities.

Planorbis imbricatus. — Not common: found with v. lacustris.

Planorbis carinatus. — A few specimens.

Planorbis marginatus. — Common.

Planorbis vortex. — Common in stagnant pools.

Planorbis spirorbis. — Common in stagnant pools.

Planorbis nitidus. — This well-named species was common in an old fish pond
among duckweed a year or two ago, then nearly disappeared, but has again
increased.

Cyclas cornea. — Abundant but small.

Cyclas lacustris. — Three specimens obtained last year from a stagnant pond.

Pisidium nitidum. — Common in one small pool.

Pisidium Henslowianum. — Three specimens hitherto.

Pisidium amnicum. — Pretty common in running streams.

Pisidium cinerium? — This and pulchellum, I am not satisfied about; we find
here abundantly in one locality a species we can refer only to cinerium.

Anodon cygneus. — Carted for manure from Nostall: I cannot speak to the
varieties; there appear to be puzzling connected links among them.

Unio plctorum. — Considerable numbers in the Went, near and in Went Vale.

Unio tumidus. — In same locality, but not so common as the last.

Dreissena polymorpha. — In the feeding canal from Winterset reservoir: attach-
ed in masses to stones as usual, but almost every specimen corroded by the water.

Flounders Institute, Ackioorth, PoMefract, January 21th., 1854.

181
NOTES ON THE ANT OF SCRIPTURE.

BY J. LONGMUIR^ ESQ., JDN.

There is an extensive authorship connected with many of the animals,
and most of the plants of Scripture. Perhaps more has been written on the
subject of the following notes than on most of its associates whose names
are recorded, or whose customs are alluded to in the Bible. If all the pages
that have appeared in times long gone by, or but a month ago, were collected,
that bear on the matter to be brought under consideration, a minature
library of the most diversified pamphlets — diversified as to style, language,
matter, and size would be the speedy result. The cumbrous pages of a
Bochart would contrast strangely with the few, but, to speak comparatively,
common-sense notes of Thaddeus (not Moses) Harris, the ingenious argument-
ations of a writer in the "Biblical Cyclopaedia," with the few but well chosen,
as well as facetious statements of the author of the "Episodes of Insect Life,"
and the difiidcnt opinion of a Kirby with Addison's elegant rendering of a
letter addressed to the French Academy.

Notwithstanding all these laborious researches, minute investigations, and
interesting experiments, the difficulties connected with the subject have not
been cleared away. The learned writings of the scholar and the studies of
the Naturalist, have but served "to make the darkness visible." These men
found the Bible student at the foot of a lengthy flight of stairs, and manage-
ed with great labour on their part, and no little difficulty on his, to get
him to commence the ascent. They were unable to bring him farther on his
way than a landing-place, midway between the starting point and the top;
at best it was but a dark landing-place ; and so he could not go farther
without lights. He has had a dreary stand of it, and there is beginning to
be more of despair than of hope in his mind ; he seems also much afraid
that the promised light will never come, and is at times tempted to escape
from the drear darkness by an expedient hinted to him by Kirby, Kitto, and
others. Yet he his bold enough to think these counsels too good to be true,
and so, in the spirit of honesty, finally rejects them. It is our intention in
the following remarks, to explain to the inexperienced reader, who may not have
made the subject a matter of examination, the position in which he, the Bible
student, has been left, and to bring a light sufficient we trust to enlighten his
gloomy station as well as to assist him in reaching the top.

To begin at the beginning then. The "Royal Preacher," in adducing the
Ant as an example worthy of consideration to the sluggard and the idler,
says of it, — "which, having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat
in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." What may be drawn
from this? Although it is true that Solomon does not say directly that the
Ant lays up grain for wint-er provision, or that it lays up grain at all, who
will not at once admit that there is every reason from the words just quo-
ted for the opinion that the Ant lays up in its subterranean magazine a store

182 NOTES ON THR ANT OF SCUIPTURE.

of proyisions for winter use? And such is the prevailing opinion. In the
paraphrase of this very passage, for example, which is used by the church
of Scotland, we read as follows —

"Yet see with what incessant cares,
She for the winter's storm prepares;
In summer she provides her meat,
And winter finds her store complete."

The opinion has been long prevalent, and is still held by many. We have
said that the opinion that the '^^provident Emmet" has a magazine of winter
provisions — a miniature granarj--, has been long prevalent, and it may not be
altogether uninteresting to shew briefly that this is the case. The jocose
Horace in the palmy days of Imperial Rome, speaking of the Ant in one
of his satires, says, when dressed in a garb of English, —

"For thus the little ant (to human lore
No mean example) forms her frugal store,
Gathered with mighty toil on every side,
Nor ignorant, nor careless to provide
For future want; yet when the stars appear
That darkly sadden the declining year,
No more she comes abroad, but wisely lives
On the fair stores industrious summer gives."

In these lines he no doubt gives expression to the 'opinion prevalent
among his countrymen, at that time in regard to the social economy of the
Formic tribes that are widely spread throughout the length and breadth of
sunny Italy. And so sang also Virgil as well as Ovid. The prose writers
too have similar passages scattered through their works. Milton also, if we
remambar aright, U33S similar language in his "Paradise Lost," and it has
been steadily adhered to for many generations. And whence arose this
long-established opinion? From the circumstance that Ants have been fre-
quently observed carrying what seemed grains of corn to their nests,* and
bringing them up again when damp to dry in the sun. These _^r«ms however,
on a more close inspection, have proved to be their own eggs. Such then is
most probably the origin of the opinion above mentioned j but nearly con-
nected with this, is another one which will be seen in the following passage
from Pliny, as rendered into English by that worthy "Docter of Physickc,
Philemon Holland:" — "The Ants are not without care and forecast; look what
seeds or grains they lay up for provision; sure they will be to gnaw it first,
for fear they should sprout, and take root again, and so grow out of the
earth." This passage, as will be seen, asserts not only that the Ant lays
up winter provisions for home consumption, but also that it bites out the
germ of the corn to prevent it from sprouting. Now Ants, though certainly
very clever, and possessed of a remarkable amount of instinct, never did

* Let it be understood that we do not intend considering whether or not Ants eat com, carry
com, or employ corn in any way; this would occupy more space than we have — we merely ex-
amine— whether any ant is a winter-store gatherer.

NOTES ON THE ANT OF SCRIPTDRE. 183

that, notwithstanding all the assurances we have to the contrary from an
immense multitude of Jewish, Greek, Roman, Arabian, and even English
Naturalists and Authors. Whence arose this second mistake? with great prob-
ability, it may be replied, '"from the Ant's being observed to open the cuticle
of the chrysalis to let out the inclosed insect," — to bite off the end of the
temporary coffin in whigh the young Ant lies.

Such is the answer to the two long-received and deep-rooted opinions, which
have been given by some writers. It would appear then from such statements as
those now made, that no just ground exists for the current belief,- which seems
to receive another and still more decisive blow from the fact, that repeated
observations of many different species of the Ant tribe {Formicid(je,) have
failed to confirm the general belief, and minute examination has proved that,
of the multitude of Ants with which Entomologists have become acquainted
in various parts of the world, not one species stores up its food in the way
supposed.

Still it was found that some explanation of Solomon's language was
required. And the way in which the difficulty was surmounted was this: —
The majority of writers on the subject, coincided in a great measure with
the opinion expressed in Kirby and Spence's Entomology, that the commonly
received interpretation of the Ant's storing up food had been ^'fathered
upon the words of Solomon rather than fairly deduced from them." They
farther argued that as it has been ascertained "beyond a doubt that no
European Ants, hitherto properly examined, feed on corn or any other, kind
of grain" and that as "no species of Ant has been found with food of any
kind laid up in its nest" it is highly probable that the habits of foreign Ants,
and especially of the Formicans of Palestine are in this respect similar.

x\nd besides this argument from analogy they proceed to offer one or two
others, very plausible and to many people quite convincing. They are such
as the following: — Exotic Ants, as the Termites or White Ants are carnivorous;
their carnivorous propensities having been fully tested on innumerable occa-
sions, an Italian Missionary for example bearing witness that while at Congo,
he was informed that a cow in her stall has been known to be devoured
by them. Many other instances, well authenticated, have been given by va-
rious travellers; the reader who wishes to see them may consult the "Penny
Cyclopaedia" and the ^^Encyclopaedia Britannica;" other species subsist entirely
on the saccharine exudations which are given forth in such abundance by many
trees; while every one knows that Ants, foreign and domestic, have what
have been termed their milch Icine, the aphides or plant lice which every one
has seen with sorrow covering the buds of a favourite rose, or swarming on
the leaves of a fine geranium, from whose bodies they extract, by a remark-
able instinct, the sweet juices with which they are distended. The liev. J.
F. Denham, in the "Biblical Cyclopaedia," urges another strong presumptive
argument to this effect: — The Ants in this country grow torpid in winter,
and consequently require no magazine of provisions, but their relations in the
VOL. rv. . 2 B

184 NOTKS OK THE ANT OP SCRIl'TDRE,

Holy Land have to endure a degree of cold quite as severe as ever occurs
in Great Britain, therefore, concludes the writer just mentioned, "Is it not
highly probable that the Ants of Palestine, at such times become torpid
and need no magazine of provisions?"

But let us see what all this comes to. The reader who feels interested
in our subject, must excuse our necessary brevity; and the reader who cares
nothing about the matter will no doubt feel very thankful that we intend
being short.

We must either hold with one party that Solomon makes a reference,
although not directly, yet very clearly, to the Ants storing up corn for
winter use; or we must join the opposite party in affirming that Solomon's
words have not been properly interpreted, and that they do not in any way
sanction the popular and very prevalent notion. Then, let the consequences
that follow be strictly marked. If we adhere to the former supposition, the
investigations of our most learned naturalists lead to the conclusion that
Solomon is wrong ! Some (as Dr. Kitto, in a very interesting work recently
published — his "Daily Kble Illustrations") give utterance to an opinion which
we are grieved to see again brought to light. "Even taking the words of
Solomon," says the writer just mentioned, "in the sense commonly under-
stood, why might they not refer to the common opinion respecting any creature,
when it afforded the moral lesson which he desired to inculcate. The sacred
writers generally regard it as no part of their duty to set right all the popular
notions of common things, but use them, as poets and moralists have done in
all ages, to enforce their teachings, and illustrate their arguments." And will
Dr. Kitto say that they would refer to the comnon opinion if it were erro-
neous, or that they would base a moral lesson on a falsehood? The words
quoted amount to this: — This language is unworthy of any one who acknow-
ledges the Divine origin of the Bible, and is at complete variance with the
facts of the case. It is indeed a statement almost as rash as one which we
were astonished to see in a work, written by a minister, and differs in little,
except in the form of expression, from the assertion that '^the Scriptures are
not to be considered as unerring guides in natural, although they are in
moral and divine matters!"

Again, if we take up the other opinion, we must of necessity admit, not-
withstanding the assertions of Hammond and others, that the illustration of
the Ant, although in many respects an excellent one, is altogether inappropriate
in the main point; and to believe this would be to hold an opinion in the most
direct opposition with the fact of Solomon's being an unrivalled naturalist,
and the '^visest of men!"

Such then is the awkward situation in which matters remain, and no wonder
that the Bible-student should be at a loss what to do. And now having
attempted to fulfil the first promise made in the outset, we shall proceed in
the next place, (to repeat our own expression,) "to bring a light sufficient, we
trust, to enlighten his gloomy station, as well as to assist him in reaching the top."

I

NOTES ON THE ANT OP SCRIPTURE, 186

The light we arc to produce is brought from a far country, and in the
opinion of some, may prove but a rushlight; admitted. Let it be remembered
that a rushlight is very commonly used in the ascent of literal stairs, and
surely a metaphorical rushlight may be equally well employed in the same
manner, in the case of metaphorical ones. The bearer of the lamp is a
veteran in science, and is well known to every Naturalist. His name is a
"household word" at our British Associations, Entomological Societies, etc.;
and we of Marischal College and University, recently manifested our respect
for him, and our appreciation of his acquirements, literary as well as scientific,
by electing him our lord Rector. We speak of Colonel Sykes, and we could say
much more about him, and about the speech delivered by him at his Instal-
lation, were it not that we hear a voice desiring us to show the light, in
order that it may be known whether it will prove an Ignis jatuus "a will o'
the wisp," or not. Here it is then — ''In June, 1829," for we prefer the ori-
ginal statement, ''in my morning walk I observed more than a score of little
heaps of grass seeds, (^Panicura,) in several places on uncultivated land near
the parade ground, near Poonah, where I was stationed; each heap contained
about a handful. On examination I found they were raised by a species of
Ant, {Atta providens,) hundreds of which were employed in bringing up the
seeds to the surface from a store below; the grain had probably got wet at
the setting in of the monsoon, and the Ants had taken advantage of the first
sunny day to bring it up to dry. The store must have been laid up from
the time of the ripening of the grass-seeds, in January and February." Is
this light enough on the subject? we venture to think that it is, and trust
that it may prove satisfactory. Had the observation been made in the Holy
Land, we should have considered it as completely so. And we feel assured
that the deficiensy comes from the want of a diligent investigation, by some
well qualified Entomologist, of the insect tribes of that memorable country.
Would that some one would set out, with the enthusiasm of a crusader,
and bring us back the birds, the beasts, the insects, and the shells of Palestine,
as the celebrated Hasselquist departed, at the desire of Linnaeus, to obtain the
floral treasures that awaited him in the land of Canaan. Yet we know not
but some Naturalist may have seen the very species intended by Solomon,
without making his discovery public, such a supposition receiving considerable
support from many facts. Let us mention a recent one: — M. de Sauley, in
1850, or thereabout, explored the Holy Land, and was accompanied by
geveral entomologists and botanists; what naturalist would not consider it
tantalizing to be informed in every second page or so, of this gentleman's
interesting work, which has recently appeared, that plants and insects were found
in abundance; that the exploratory searches for coleoptera, lepidoptera, etc.,
•proved very successful, without being told, except occasionally, and in very
general terms, what insects were found and what plants discovered. We trust
to hear more of these discoveries, however; and may possible come upon some
of the Atta family, or perhaps be told that the AUa providens itself extends

186 October's farewell week.

to Palestine.

Such a discovery as that made by Colonel Sykes relieves us of our difficulty,
and casts no dim light on a much contested passage, besides extricating us
from the dilemma in which we were formerly placed. We can now affirm,
without hesitation, that Solomon's reference to the Ant, in illustration of his
subject, is not only quite correct, but also is worthy of his character as an
observing Naturalist. We trust the "borrowed light" with which we have
presented the Bible-student "for a dark landing-place," may be of some assist-
ance to him in his upward progress to the attainment of completely satisfactory
information on the insect which has detained us so long.

There could be few conclusions more appropriate, as connected with the
subject, than the following one, with which we take leave of the reader. It
is a pretty little fable by Lessing, as rendered by Dr. Hamilton, in his elegant
work on ^^Ecclesiastes," page 143: — "It was a sultry day, and an avaricious
old man, who had hoarded a large amount, was toiling away, and wasting
his little remaining strength, when a heavenly apparition stood before him.
'I am Solomon,' it said, with a friendly voice, 'what are you doing?' ^If
you are Solomon,' answered the old man, 'how can you ask? When I was
young you sent me to the Ant, and told me to consider her ways; and from
her I learned to be industrious and gather stores.' 'You have only half learned
your lesson,' replied the spirit, 'go once more to the Ant, and learn to rest
the winter of your years, and enjoy your collected treasures.' "

Aberdeen, April, 1854.

OCTOBER'S FAREWELL WEEK.

BY GEORGE R. TWINN, ESQ.

Monday the 24th. was a clear, brown, sunny day, that gladdened the heart,
and caused you, nolens or volens, to turn out to enjoy the beauty of the
autumn. As far as my eye could track around our hill, it discerned among
the dark green Firs, (Pinus sylvestris,) the warm russet and golden branches
of the bronzed Beech, (Faffus si/lvatica.) In one direction the pale yellow
of the dying Ash, [Fraxinus excelsior,) contrasted with the rich orange leaves
of the Chesnut, {Fag us castanea;) in another the clustering Maples, (Acer
campestris,) with their light stems of pale sickliness, were relieved by the richer
brown of the Elm, (Ulmus campestris;) and over all the sunny sheen was
falling very gloriously, making it a luxury to ramble out and gather wisdom
from the lavish pages of Nature's wondrous work; on all which the impress
of Him, who is the God of all, is descried.

Rambling adown our lane, that, branching from the high-road, leads to the
villa^^e, we found the wild Geranium, (Geranium,) the Bladder Campion,
(Silene injlata,) and the wild Mignionette, {Reseda lufeola,) still in flower, and
an abundance of those dear buds "that light pale October on its way;" also

October's farewell wekk. 187

our first specimen of autumn, the beautiful Furze-blossom, (JJlex Europobus.)

The 26th. was a day equally as lovely, and the Redbreast, (Rubecula
familiaris,) was singing throughout it — -a merry little fellow! AVe found in our
walk round our viHage, the Holly, [Ilex AquifuUum,) in full berry; and
gathered the last Harebell, [Gampanula rot unci ifolia,) and a lonely Chicory
flower, (Cichorium.) We were amused with a flock of Larks, (Alauda arvensis,)
that enclosed in a ring a Kestrel, [Falco tinnunculus,) and so edged him in
that he appeared utterly unable to elude them. At last, affrighted at their
numbers, he sprang upwards, like a cork from a ginger beer bottle, and was
off.

The 27th. was a very wet day, raining in torrents, the wind direct west;
and on the following morn it somewhat abated; but we found on the 29th.
many fields on the banks of the Yare completely deluged, and the marshes
one sheet of water. On this day, however, we had a Swallow, {Hirnndo
rustica,) at the old nest over our window, taking its "last look," we thought;
like a friend reluctantly parting from its home. And on our taking a stroll
in a beautiful garden, belonging to a neighbour in our village, beside the
banks of the Yare, that adds great beauty to the grounds, we met with our
first specimen of the Didapper or Dab-chick, (Podiceps minor;) which, though
an annual visitor, we have never known before at so early a period; the late
fall of rain, we imagined, had tempted it hither before its stated time.

A Blackbird, (Me,rula vulgaris,) was cheerfully enlivening a Lauristinus,
beneath which a crimson Lobelia, {Lobelia fulgeus,) was in lovely show.

On our return home we saw a large company of Starlings and Rooks,
[Sfurnus vulgaris ct Corvus frugilegus;) and found on a Hawthorn tree, Crafcegus
oxi/acantha,) a body of hen Chaffinches, [Fringilla Ccelehs,) about eighty in
number, evidently preparing for their well-known migration. Overhead the
Lark was in full song.

On the 30th. we saw two Swallows at our nest several times during the
day; and on the 31st. we captured, in the sunlight so pleasantly warm, a
good specimen of the Privet Moth, (Sphinx Ligustri,) calmly sleeping; and
we saw a Red Admiral, {Vanessa Atalanta,) basking on a Larkspur, Delphi-
nium^ in our garden ; we were not equally 'fortunate in securing him. On the
evening of this day, from half-past six to nine o' clock, we were gratified by a
beautiful display of the Aurora Borealis; — after darting pyramidically for a
length of time, with many coruscations similar to the zodiacal light, it gradually
extended itself in a semicircle, from the East towards the S. West, and with
a pale but bright light, formed a lovely arch, like to a lunar rainbow. Have
any of the readers of "The Naturalist," noted whether these northern lights
are the heralds of frost or of rain? More frequently, when I have seen
them, they have been precursors of storm and wet, rather than frost; though
always rendering the atmosphere very cold.

Thus gloriously expired October, the "nut-brown" month! whose death was
amid smiles; and we feared his successor would awaken us to the reality of

188 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

how much loveliness we had lost; but November dawned on us in rich efful-
gence, a very clear and sunny morn, equalling those of the late month; and
we took a morning airing, conscious that many such could not be enjoyed
by us. We wended our steps by the boundaries of Colney Park, about a
mile from our hill; and the first object that engaged our regard was a party
of three Squirrels, (Sciurus vulgaris^) garnering the fruit of a fine oak for
their wintry store. This is a very pleasing trait of foresight possessed by
these animals, the loild nature of whose lives, frisking from spot to spot, with
a possibility of straying to any distance, either voluntarily or by compulsion,
would betoken perfect heedlessness to any future provision. But we are com-
pelled to admire God's love in furnishing this little animal with powers of
prudence, and of memory in some degree; for how, otherwise, should he know
the very cellar in which he has carefully deposited his nuts? In some stores
we have even found a cluster of moss, gathered from the banks, closely
enveloping the buried treasures; and then, over the entrance, the dry leaves
of the oak carefully laid.

In the spring of this year, the man employed in repairing our roads, told
me, that when engaged for upwards of a week near Colney Park, he daily
had visits from three or four of these pretty English quadrupeds; that when
OQ the hedge-bank, partaking of his dinner, they would approach within so
small a distaaee, and display so much tameness, that the bits of bread he
threw them in no way alarmed them, for they would eat contentedly and
quietly; but on his rising they always retired very hastily.

I have known one of these highly amusing creatures confined for several
years, and all attempts on the part of its mistress to tame it, were ineffectual;
nor do I recall any instance of its being domesticated or familiarized.

And now I record my last observation of a Swallow, on the evenin:; of this
day, November 1st.; at about a quarter past four, I saw one wheel over our
garden several times, as though, in its solitariness, quite undone: it departed
for the west, as if winging its flight towards Lynn. ''Poor lonely bird!''
thought I, as I entered my dwelling, ''thou art the care of my God, by
whom the fowls of the air were created, and are still supported; and He
will regard even thee; for not a sparrow falls to the ground unknown of Him."

Bawhurgh Hill, near Nonvich, November 12th., 1853.

3IIi3i:HlnnBntt3 Sniiut

Variety of the Redwing, (Turdus iliacus.) — T have to inform you of my good fortune
in shooting a beautiful variety of the Eedwing on the 27th. of December last, in a field
opposite Dulwich College. The crown of the head and the back are handsomely varied with
white and brown; cheeks and breast, nearly white; tail and quill feathers of the usual colour,
with the exception of a few white feathers; it retains the usual red tinge beneath the wings,
ehoulders of the wings pure white. — C. Wood, Dulwich, April, 1854.

Note on the Wrynech and Chiff-Chaff. — I have this day, for the first time this season,
heard the Wryneck, {Yimx torqttila,) also the Chiff-Chaff, (Sylvia hippolais.)— Idem.

MTSCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 189

Anecdote of the Robin, (Erythaca rul)ecula.) — I have just heard the following interesting circum-
stance, and thinking it might be worthy of notice, I send it for insertion in your valuable
journal, "The Naturalist," if you should consider it of sufficient importance. A friend of mine,
who, a few years ago resided at Bank House, Bunilej^ was in the habit of feeding daily a
well-known and favourite Robin. An envious Spanow coining one day to join in the good
things provided, was driven away by the Robin, and not well pleased at the treatment it had
received came again, attended by superior numbers, so that now it was the Redbreast's turn
to be defeated, but only in the way of "living to fight another day," for the next day to
the surprise of my friend and his family, a Crow, ( Corvus corone,) appeared with his red-
breasted friend, and kept away all intruders, whilst they partook of what was set before them
amicably together. They came several days in company, and then were both quite lost sight
of. However strange this may appear, I have the same confidence in it as though I had
myself been witness of the affair: it was seen by many members of the family. — Thomas
KiRKHAM, Manchester, February 26th., 1854.

Occurrence of the Common Crossbill, (Loxia curvirostra,) in the higher districts of Banffshire.
— A small party of these birds, consisting of five individuals, was observed a few weeks ago in
a fir plantation near Dufi'barsen. They were in active operation when first seen, feeding on
the seeds of the fir cone. The cones were split with remarkable dexterity and apparent ease.
Two were procured-»-a male and female. — Thomas Edward, High-Street, Banff, February 11th.,
1854.

Note on the Blackcap, (Curruca atrioapilla.) — I was much surprised on the 10th. ult., being
then at "Wynyard Park, at seeing a Black-cap: surely this is a very early appearance for this
bird ; the day was warm, with a westerly wind : there could be no mistake, as I took particular
notice of it.— George Hodge, Seaham Harbour, March 7th., 1854,

Anomalous Eggs. — Last summer I obtained, from a Grey-bird's nest, two eggs about the size
of a "Twite's," but rounder, with dark red spots on the small end, with a greenish ground,
these eggs had no j'olks I also received a Pheasant's egg, taken from a nest containing twenty,
this egg was about the size of that of a Common Bunting but rounder.— Idem.

Wanton Cruelly. — A circumstance occurred the other day, in the vicinity of Ripon, which
reflects no honour to amateur sportsmen on the highways. The same circumstance, I fear, is
now practised daily, with no credit to parties connected therewith. I saw in the heavens a
Lark, one moment happy in its song of adoration, and nearly the next it was seen torn away
with the sod upon which it had settled, by a ruthless fellow who levelled his gun and successfully
closed the happy throbs within an innocent and joyous little breast. The Lark seems sacred,
at this time of the year, to all human feelings for protection ; but toasted Larks appeared more
prized than a cheering song, bj' a person who went larking against Larks. — C. W. Rotheky,
Ripon, March 30th., 1854.

Note on the Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris.)— In the December number of "The Naturalist," I
noticed an article on the malformation in the bill of a Starling. "When I was at school in
Berkshire a pair of Starlings had a nest in an old acacia tree, we one day caught the hen bird
on the nest, and were surprised to find that her bill was quite crossed, and was very much
longer than is usual with them. It was nearly two inches long and crossed about the middle,
so that the bill was something of the shape of a pair of half-open scissors. We caught the
same bird the following year, in fact I dare say she, with her mate, continues to build there
now, nobody earing to notice her deformity with anything more than curiosity. At the same
time and place I was in the habit of going on a night and attempting to catch birds roosting
in some stacks of clover near the plajground. One time I went and put my hand in one of
the holes, to my astonishment I found in there a number of Wrens, and when I took my
hand out I found there weie seven of them. I had often seen two fly from the same hole
but never more, I do not even remember that it was particularly cold or wet at the time.
Yesterday I found the first nest I have seen this season (except rooks') it was a Robin's, just
finished and ready for eggs. I also noticed that the Starlings were building in the turret of
a friend's house.— H. D. Drury, Ju.v., Grote's Buildings, Blackheath, March 28th., 1854,

190 THE QUERIST.

Occurrence of the Sandsucker, or Lang Fluke, (Platessa limandoidos,) in the Moray Frith. —
A female specimen of this rare Platessa was caught a short time since by Mr. Andrew AVest,
of M'Duff. In several works on Ichthyology to which I have access, I do not find this species
mentioned in any, as having been found on this part of the British coast. Neither doe.s the
Rev. G. Gordon, of Birnie, include it in his List of the Pishes of the Iforay Frith, published
in the "Zoologist" for May and June, 1852.— ThoM.vs Edward, High-Street, Banft', February
11th., 1854.

Occurrence of YarreWs Blenny, (Blennius Yarrellil,) at Gainrie.— One of my girls, Maggy
by name, having been down lately at Gardenstown, zoologizing there for me, and passing
from hence one day on a professijnal ramble to a neighbouring village— that of Crovic, along
with a friend of mine — Mr. R. Gordon, of the former place— and just as they had rounded
a particular rock, called the "Snoak," they observed a small fish being washed ashore, which
Mr. G. kicked with his foot, thinking that it was of no use; and remarked that "it was a
young Sea-cat." ''Na," replied his companion, at the same time picking it up, "it's nae a
Sea-cat, it's ower thin (ribbon-like,) for that; I dinna ken fat it is, but I'll tak it an' sen'
it hame to my father, for he bade me nae miss naething o' this and o' native kine." Accord-
ingly 'hame' in due time it did come, and proved to be, not a Sea-cat, but a very fine
specimen of the above Blenny. I am not aware of its previous occurrence in this district.
— Idem. •

Occurrence of the Black Goby or Rock-fish, (Gobius nigcr,) also at Gamrie. — A specimen of
this rare fish was likewise sent me from Gardenstown, along with the Blenny. It was taken
from the stomach of a friendly Cod-fish, by Maggy, my young zoologist. The stomach, I
understand, was picked up by her from a midden in Crovie. I am not aware of this species
being cited on any work on this subject as having been previously detected in the Moray
Frith. It is not mentioned in Mr. Gordon's list, already alluded to, although he notices the
Freckled and the Lesser-spotted species as having been found. — Idem.

Occurrence of Anomia pattelliformis and Lima minuta at Banff. — It is to the zoologizing
propensities of my little friend Maggy that I am indebted for the discovery of these two
species, she having picked them up where the fishermen clean their lines. I believe that
although these shells are not unfi-equent in other parts of Britain, they have not been before
found on the shores of the Moray Frith. — Idem.

Vanessa Antiopa at Blackheath. — In "The Naturalist," for January, I observe an article on
the capture of Vanessa Antiopa at Blackheath, it seems that it is not of very rare occurrence,
as a young friend of mine caught one, last year, in a garden, at the back of Montpelier Row,
of that place. I think it worth while to mention that I caught on the 12th. inst., a Peacock
Butterfly, {Vanessa lo,) in a garden with a southern slope. This seems as if it had wintered
in the perfect state, as it was rather rubbed when I caught it. In the same garden also were
seen some of the Common "Whites, and a Tortoise-shell Butterfly, but which were not caught.
—II. D. Drury, Jun., Grote's Buildings, Blackheath, March 28th., 1854.

The Hj'bemation of specimens of the various species of the genus Vanessa is not uncommon ;
■we are not aware that the Whites hybernate, but the 12th. of March is extremely early for
their appearance. — B. R. M.

Early in May, I gathered a "Wild Hyacinth, ( Ilyacinthus nonscriptus^
being the only one I could meet with during five hours ramble through woods^covered with
thousands of the blue species; so that I imagine it is but of rare occurrence, at least in the
neighbourhood of Southampton. Perhaps some of your botanical readers will kindly inform
me if I am right in my conjecture. — Sidney Hyle, Southampton, May 9th., 1854.

Is there any Natural History of the Channel Islands? Are there any naturalists living
there.' Can any of your correspondents tell me the names of such.' — F. 0. Morris, Nun-
bumholme Rectory, July Ist. 1854.

This day is published, post 8vo., price 12s.,

A MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY,

roil THE USE OF TRAVELLERS;

Being a description of the Families of the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms; with
remarks on the Practical Study of Geology and Meteorologj'. To which are
appended directions for Collecting and Preserving.

IJy ARTHUR ADAMS, M.R.C.S.; WILLIAM BALFOUR BAIKIE, M.I).; and
CHARLES BARROX, Curator of tlie Royal Naval Muscinn at Ilaslar.

This day is published, post 8vo., price IT'S.,

THE AQUARIUM:

AX tTNVEILING OF

THE W O W D E B S OP THE DEEP SEA.

WITH COLOUKED PLATES AND WOOD ENGEAVINGS.
BY rillLIP H. GOSSE, A L. S. ETC.

This work includes a History of the Marine Aquarium — the Author's experience
in collecting and transmitting Animals and Plants, with Instructions founded
thereon — Copious details of the habits of such Species as have been observed in
confinement — Sketches of Scenery, of Local Customs and Manners, and of Pei'-
sonal Adventure — and finally, full directions for the Construction, Preparation,
Stocking, and Maintenance of a Marine Aquarium.

By the same Author, Post 8vo., 21s.,

A NATURALIST'S RAMBLES
ON THE DEVONSHIRE COAST.

LONDON: JOHN VAN VOOEST, 1, PATEENOSTEE EOW.

Just Puhlislied, Foolscap Svo,, Price Is. Qd. in Paper Wrapper; 2s. cloth.
DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO MRS. H. B. STOWE.

GOD'S IMAGE IN EBONY:

A SERIES OP

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ETC.,

DEMONSTHATIVE OF

THE MOEAL AND INTELLECTUAL CAPACITIES OF
THE NEGRO RACE.

Intended as a refutation of the opinion, that the African is incapable, by nature,

of occupying the same position in the scale of Humanity as his white-skinned

brother; and as an enforcement of the Divine Declaration, that "God hath made

of one blood all nations of men."

"Th'j« is certainly an interesting' little volume. It is edited by a Mr. II. G. Adams, accompanied by a
brief sketch of the anti-slavery movement in America, by F. W. Cheeson, and concluded by a "chapter
of additional evidence," communicated by Wilson Avmistead, Ksq., added to all which is a singular but
■well-ensfi'avod copy of a very strikinpr statue of Toussaint I/Overtiu-e, the revolutionary black Emperor
of St. Domingo. Dedicated appropriately to Mr.s. Stowe, the book, then, is a collection of extraordinary
Ne^o biographies, In which their larcrc capabilities, tractability, with other valuable evidences of tlieir
avfgrearate humanities, as an oppressed, despised, and outcast race, are cxemplitied without the slight-
est parade or ostentation. As a testimony to their worth and virtues, it is a most efficient book, and
we wish it every success." — Weekly Dispatch.

LONDON:

PAETEIDGE AND OAKEY, 34, PATEENOSTEE EOW.

AND 70, EDGWARE EOAD.

NEW POEM BY J. STANYAN BIGG.

Just published, crowii 8vo., price 6s.

NIGHT AND THE SOUL:

A DRAMATIC POEM.

BY J. STANYAN BIGG.

"The Author of 'I^ight and the Soul' is a genuine Poet. lie has original genius, prolific
fancy — the resources, too, of an ample scholarship— an unbounded command of poetic- language,
and," above all, a deeply-human, reverent, and pious spirit breathing in his soul. His imagery
is remarkable for its boldness and variety. He has exhibited an equal appreciation of the
beautiful and the sublime. He has that noble rush of thought and language which is so
characteristic of true inspiration. Nowhere out of 'Festus' do we find passages which heave
and hurry along with a more genuine afflatus than in many of ilr. Bigg's pages. On
the future career of such an one there can rest no shadows of uncertaintj'."

From a Criticism by George GilfiUan, Author of '■The Bards of the Bible.'

"We have perused the greater part of this poem, and have paid willing tribute to the
magnificence of the diction, the profuse prodigality of the imagery, and the air of grandeur
pervading it." — IFeckly Dinpatch.

"We question whether there is any modern instance where selections from a poem would
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main idea is gi-eat in its conception, that its result is lustrous and truthful. Stanyan Bigg
has not the fiery imagination, the intoxicating voluptuousness, the delirious and delicious
excitability of Alexander Smith, but his fancy is as vital, hia sense of beauty as sharp, and his
rellectiveness deeper, finner, and more stalwart. iEr. Bigg has entered the outer circle
of fame, the exterior Sephiraj only; but the Eternal Fountain, the Innermost Splendour is
within his ken, and we think within his reach." — Critic.

" 'Night and the Soul' at once places Stanyan Bigg in the front rank of English poets. In
every page there are thoughts that burn — deep and holy thoughts — which seem to well up
from the author's mind as natural as streams flow from their native springs." — Bucks Chronicle.

"This book is interesting as the index of the wealth and power of a young mind revelling
amidst the intellectual splendour of the age. Here is a fragment reminding us, in thought
at least, if not in form, of Wordsworth's intimations of Immoi-tality, from 'Recollections of
Early Childhood,' and possessing a beauty scarcely less than belongs to that noblest of the
odes of the bard of Rydal Mount. These stanzas are a noble burst of lyric rapture, and are
surpassed by nothing that we have met with in the whole compass of recent poetry. The
melody, the rhythm, and the sustained elevation of the sentiment, are all worthy of the
theme, and mark out this writer as one who has in him a soul which 'holds of the perennial,' "
— Glasgow Cltristian News.

"This poetry is indeed what it professes to be. Its ring is the ring of genuine metal. In
this production of our new Cumberland poet. Beauty and Truth, brought together by Faith,
are seen once more renewing their ever young, ever during espousals. The highest poetry,
and the poetry most wholesome in its social influence, is the fruit of their holy union." —
Whitehaven Herald.

"Yes! Stanyan Bigg is a poet! as Alexander Smith, Gerald Jlassey, and others whom wo
could name, are poets of the new cycle. Singers in that great choral symphony whereof
Tennyson and Bailey have struck the key-notes— whereof Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, and
Shelley gave prophetic utterances. 'Night and the Soul,' — how it sparkles with gems! Let
us prove our assertion that Stanyan Bigg is a poet, by placing before our readers a few
detached portions of this jewelled woof of thought and imagination, woven together by the
golden thread of harmony. Beautiful pieces of imagery stand out from every page of this
book; one can hardly read it without becoming poetical. Once again then let us exclaim.
Eureka! for of a truth we have found a new poet; a creator — a maker of beautiful things."
— Random Headings.

" 'Night and the Soul' is a great Poem, and promises greater things for tlie writer. It is
impossible to do justice to this poem by a few extracts — the passages are endless wliich we
might be tempted to quote: it is altogether a work of great fascination to any individual of
poetic taste and sensibility. We conclude with one of the numerous beautiful lyrics Avith
which it is interspersed." — Forres' Elgin and Nairn Gazette.

"We look upon 'Night and the Soul' as a work amply sufficient to secui-e for its author a
place among those whose names are 'familiar in our mouths as household words.' Deep in
philosophy, splendid in diction, and at once gorgeous and delicate in imagery, it has few
compeers among the poetical productions of our time. Wo rank Stanyan Bigg as the poet
par excellence of the rising generation." — Church of Fngland Quarterly Review.

This day is j)ubHshed, with One Hundred Engravings, price Five Shillings,

WANDERINGS AMONG THE WILD FLOWERS:

HOW TO SEE, AND HOW TO GATHER THEM.

With Chapters on the Economical and Medicinal Uses of our Native Plants.

BY SPENCER THOMSON, M. D.

Author of a Dictionary of Domestic Medicine and Household Surgery, &c.

LONDON: GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATERNOSTER ROW.

No. 43. SEPTEMBER, 1854.

Price 6d.

n

A J^OPULAR MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE

ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, AND MINERAL
KINGDOMS.

WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.

CONDUCTED BY

BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A.B., M.D., T.C.D.,

MEMB: wern: CXl'B.

I>

LONDON:

GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATERNOSTER ROW.

EDINBURGH: JAMES HOGG, 4, NICOLSON STREET.

AND MAY BB HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.

CONTENTS.

PAGE,

Random Recollections of the Cat. By John Dixon, Esq 191

A Young Cuckoo reared by Wrens. By H. H. W 200

The Land-Rail, Corn-Crake, or Dacre Hen. By John Dixon, Esq... 201

The Common Gull. By John Dixon, Esq 203

Short Notes from my Note Book. — No. 1. By Charlbs H. Dashwood,

Esq 204

Notes on the Natural History of Melbourne. By S. Hannaford, Esq. 20>
MiscELLANEors NoTiOES. — Occurrencc of Hoopoes near Plymouth, Note

on the Cormorant, The Sky Lark. The Ferns, etc. of Bawburgh •

Hill. Early Entomological Captures. To Entomologists 209

Reviews. — The Natural History Review. The Cabinet of British

Entomology 211

Proceedinos of Societies 213

The Querist 213

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received, up to Aus^ust 20th., from Mr. T. Lister ; —
S. Stone, Esq.; — ^R. Mc Lachlan, Esq.; — J. Longmttie, Esq., Jttn

Contributions have been received, up to Au^xst 20th., from J. Ceoome, Esq. :
—J. Cavafy, Esq.;— S. Clogg, Esq.;— T. S.;— J. Rose, Esq., M. D.;—
J. Dixon, Esq,;— G. R. Twinn, Esq.

Boohx Received.— ^os. I and IT, of "The Natural Ilistoiy RevicM ." Dublin : Hodges and
Smith. London: Slmpkin and Marshall,

X().«. I, II, and IV of "The Cabinet of British Entomology," By C. Weigh tman HarriFon.
I'iirec Coloured Plates in each number. London : Simpkiii and Marshall.

VommKnicathm, Drawings, Advertisements, etc., to be addressed to liEVERLEY R. MORRlti,
Esq., M.D., Driffield ;— Books for Review, and Parcels, tothecareof Mes.ivs. GROOMBRIDGK

,Tid R()N8, 5, Faternostef Rotv. London.

191
RAIS^DOM RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CAT.

BY JOHN DIXON, ESQ.
"A catt may loke upon a kjnge." — Old Proverb.
The character of your "harmless, necessary Cat/'* has generally been so much
censured by the world at large, that it would seem almost dangerous to
hazard any remarks in opposition to the many charges preferred against it,
on the score of being a most cruel and malignant good-for-nothing, and totally
devoid of all that affection and sagacity which characterizes its common enemy
the dog: while we readily admit some portion of the latter to be true, there
may still be found good store of published anecdotes,f from which it may
be seen that "poor puss" is by no means devoid of a vast amount of affection,
attachment, courage, gentleness, patience, and a host of other amiabilities,
which the eye of prejudice has either disregarded or overlooked. But I feel
certain that if its habits were only made the subject of a little quiet observation,
there would be found many pleasing traits, which would go a great way to
counterbalance a few of those bad qualities from which the best of us are
never free. The disposition and temper of most animals is as varied as our
own, but certainly not quite so stubborn and unyielding; and if we would
only practice that very simple word — kindness — rather oftener, we might at
least eradicate many of our prejudices against the Cat, by finding that it,
like most other domesticated animals, can repay our attentions with both
affection and attachment,

A country fireside seems almost imperfect without its dosing Cat and
chinking crickets, at least in my quaint old-fashioned way of thinking, and
the purring of some sage grimalkin is music to my ears, breathing of that
homely comfort which our favoured land can so well bestow. One little incident
connected with a long sojourn in a rural district has often struck me; it was
during an evening in December that somehow or other I had the whole house
to myself, and might, at that particular time, have been found in an uncommonly
quiescent mood, promoted no doubt by being so snugly ensconced within
the chimney corner, up which a lively fire was crackling and roaring in
very glee at the comfort it diffused around; at least it might have thought
so, for the night was just such a one as you would not turn a dog out in.
The rain was falling in torrents, and came pattering heavily against the
windows, while the old trees creaked and groaned in concert with a howling
northern blast. We can all appreciate the warm fireside on such a night,
and yet how few of us can ever give a thought to the hard world without,
with its houseless naked wretches, groaning beneath that load of misery which
too often death alone relieves. At such a time King Lear exclaims —

"How shall your houseless heads, and unfed sides,
Your loop'd and window' d raggedness defend you
Fi-om seasons such as these? 0, I have ta'en
Too little care of this!"
* "Merchant of Venice." f "Chambers' Miscellaneous Tracts, First series." "Magazine of
Natural History, (Loudon's.") etc.
. VOL. IV. /^^'^^^- ■'^''''\ 2C

192 UECOLLECTIONS OF THE CAT.

This reverie was abruptly broken off, by the piteous mewing of a poor
Cat, and on going to the outer door there stood "Tommy," drenched to the
skin, who, I presumed, had just returned from some little affair of honour or
^^clapper-clawing" forage, and was now in good trim for enjoying the comforts
of my lonely fireside. He soon made himself most indolently cozy, for the
crickets came frisking under his very nose with bold impunity; what cared
he about them, he too was musing, and

"Purring, purring, purring, with a soothing dreamy sound."*

I had taken up Washington Irving's delightful ^'^Abbotsford and Newstead,"
and rather singularly happened to hit on the very page where this graphic
writer has given us a pleasing anecdote connected with Sir Walter Scott and
his favourite Cat, I shall only spoil the story by omitting the extract, so
here it is. ^^Ah!" said he "these Cats are a very mysterious kind of folk.
There is always more passing in their minds than we are aware of. It comes,
no doubt, from their being so familiar with witches and warlocks." An idea
which always tickled the fancy of the amiable ^'author of Waverley," whose
vast mind has woven the thin gossamer of a fast fading lore into such fabrics
as will ever charm both old and young. One of his pleasing characteristics
was an attachment to dumb animals, and in point of kindness towards them
he was particularly sensitive ;f which tempts one to wish that there were
more Sir Walters in the world at present.

At what period the Cat formed such alliance with his satanic majesty's
emissaries we are at a loss to determine; but there is scarcely any nursery
story, of an old date, introducing its wrinkled hag without a companion in
the shape of some enormous Cat, whose presence seems fully requisite for
carrying out some diabolic incantation. There are legends still extant in the
"north countrie" which beat hollow the wondrous deeds of ^'Puss in Boots,"
the '^Cat and Fiddle," and all the revised editions of ^'Dick Whittington"
the press has vomited forth, to the genuine delight and edification of its
juvenile supporters. Hence we find a certain amount of superstition still
cherished by many vulgar minds towards the Cat, which has led it into
more scrapes than enough. But a good deal of this is fast dwindling away
before that march of common sense which has well-nigh extirpated the whole
tribe of witches, wizards, brownies, and spunkics, which had so long existed
to the terror of our great — very great grandfathers and grandmothers.

Why the Cat should have been accused of participation in these deeds of
darkness, in preference to other animals, I cannot clearly determine, unless
it arose from ^^poor puss" being often the only solitary friend, left those
miserable wretches, generally old women, who were so far unlucky as to incur
the least suspicion of being concerned in witchcraft; who, shunned by all
humanity, were now doomed to run the gauntlet of those fearful times^ when

* "MoncriefTs Home Mythology" — "Illustrated London News, December 20th., 1851."
■j- vide "Memoirs of the Life of Scott, by Lockhart."

RECOLLECTIONS OP THE CAT,

193

the blood of hundreds of innocent but hapless beings was poured out to quench
the hideous raging thirst of deluded fanaticism and bigoted superstition. In
many of the trials of this "reign of terror" one could almost be tempted to
laugh at the amount of ridiculous credulity displayed by many of the principal
actors in those tragic dramas: men who could be so far led away by the
wildest and most extravagant narratives it is possible to conceive, as to
become active agents in carrying out the most fiendish cruelty in prosecution
of that fell sentence, "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."* And all this
was enacted in the so-called "good old times." Well, let us be thankful
they are past and gone, never again, I hope, to return. Let us rejoice that
we live in an age of enlightened reason, with only the moon-stritck Bear of
Russia to bother us; and he, poor brute, must be "muzzled" ere long.
We now perceive how it occurs that

"Cats are thought imps, her broom a nag,t
And boys against our lives combine,
Because, 'tis said, your cats have nine."

And then the De'il himself in one of his "tantrums" is told
"Some cock or cat your rage maun stop. "J

I have no doubt that a great many of these marvellous stories of ancient
date, have had their origin in exaggerated anecdotes; the age was ready enough
to snatch at any trifle out of the common line, and at once set it down as
something in "no way canny;" and there were few quiet observers of nature
at that time, who dare attempt any refutation of vulgar opinion. Some of
our old naturalists have given us very pleasing accounts of the Cat, yet do
not forget to tell of its being a most malicious animal; selfish to an extreme,
and entirely devoid of all gratitude. One antiquated author says they are
very good in their place, but best kept at a distance. Goldsmith scarcely
does "poor puss" justice in his pleasing essay,§ he speaks about patience,
which we regard as a virtue, and says a Cat has been known to watch a
mouse's hole the livelong day; but if we take up a few more modern effusions
on Natural History, we shall soon be convinced that our feline friend has
some small claim to that kindness we might well bestow. For my part I
stand friend to both Dog and Cat, and when very young acquired a tender
feeling towards them, and a further taste for any of Nature's handiwork,
solely I believe from reading Aikin's pithy story of ^'Eyes and No Eyes, or
the Art of Seeing;"l| it inspired a love of observation I have never forgotten,
and from having had both eyes and ears open for some time, have consequently
managed to pick up a good budget of anecdotes relative to both Dog and
Cat. Some that have been vended me are no doubt, as Jamie Hogg has it,
"great lees," and

* "Scott's Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft;" "Roby's Traditions of Lancashire;" and
Gifford's Dialogue concerning Witches and Witchcraft," 1603; reprinted by the Percy society,
t "Gay's Fables." X "Bums* address to the De'il." § "Animated Nature." || "English
Keader."

194 RECOLLECTIONS OP THE CAT.

"Of some the aboundance of an ydle braine*
"Will judged be, and painted forgery,
Rather than matter of just memorie."

So that T shall keep all the marvellous to myself, and without treading
in the foot-prints of other worthy narrators, endeavour to give, as briefly as
possible, a few simple facts which will perhaps tend to put '^poor puss" on
a little better footing with some of its accusers.

The Cat's antipathy to water is proverbial.

"The Cat fain fish would cat
Yet she is loath to wet her feet.

Again an old Scottish poet draws a simile after this fashion —

"The Cat,t
They wald na weit their feit,
But yit if ony fisch ye gat
They wad be fain to eit.

A friend of mine, William Wood, Esq., of Whinbrook, Moorallerton, tells
me he well remembers a Cat at Aberford Mills, that was a regular fisher
in the little rivulet there, (the Cock.) So soon as the wheels were stopped,
and the mill race once agaia placed, puss might often have been seen, generally
at noon, swimming and diving about in pursuit of her finny prey. It was
not exactly ^'bobbing for eels," but "tickling trout," that was most to her
fancy, and when these grew scarce, smaller fry in the shape of minnows,
were made to suffice: "better sma' fish than nane." I believe that this is
not the only instance of the kind on record, but at any rate it is a curious
feature in the Cat's habits, whose particular relish for fish rarely induces them
to follow the "gentle craft" after this style.

I have known them take to water in time of peril, such as when closely
pursued by some uncivil dog, when no friendly tree has been at hand to
afibrd a shelter. In some parts we may still fall in with your Corporal
Bunting Cats,| who, turned adrift with a roving commission, commit sad
depredations among both game and poultry. A farmer once told me he lost
several young ducks by one of this class, who made little scruple about
launching himself if need required. But you will rarely find them turn out
badly if they are well fed and properly cared for. It is only your poor
half-starved and ill-used wretches who take to keeping themselves at the
expense of the squire's sport or farmer's pocket.

I recollect two male Cats kept at a farm-house at Pannal, remarkable
for their opposite dispositions; the least of them, for there was some little
difierence in their size, was a regular spitfire, and invariably the first to bring
the major up to scratch, the conflict generally ending in favour of the least,
not, I am sure, from any superiority in tactics, but the more peaceable
nature of the other, who generally beat a retreat, and perhaps absented himself

* "Spenser's Fairy Queen." f "Alexander Montgomery— Elizabethan Era." X "Bulwer's
Eugene Aram."

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CAT. 195

for a full fortnight together, before again venturing home.

My friend, Mr. Wood, will remember the amusement we derived from
some remarks made by Mr. Waterton, in reference to the temper of his Cats,
during our visit to Walton Hall. We were watching the movements of a
flock of Canadian geese, when one of the Cats stole into the drawing-room,
and came rubbing and purring against us. Mr. Waterton put him on the
chimney-piece, to let him have an opportunity of admiring his comely form
in the glass. The Cat seemed remarkably pleased with his elevated position,
but we were given to understand that it was not the favourite. ^'My other,"
said he *^'has a most beautiful temper, which is more than I can say for
this gentleman." Our short stay prevented any judgment in the matter, but
we saw both specimens — monsters in size — and fed up like civic aldermen;
and, if a fit of apoplexy has not carried them off, I have no doubt but they
may still be found, leading a most jolly life amidst the hospitality of the
far-famed Walton Hall. I was once conversing with a person who, although
no naturalist, had been most marvellously delighted with the Waterton collection;
one of his first questions was "did you see the Cats, for," said he, "they
are regular ^pummers' and no mistake." It is no unusual thing for Cats to
get much attached to dogs, particularly where they have been brought up
together, and the pleasure they seem to derive from each other's society, in
a great measure refutes our ideas of "a Cat and dog life," which we find
can be a happy one where kindly feelings exist on both sides. An instance
of this was pleasingly exemplified in the attachment existing between a Cat
and an old pointer bitch; they would gambol together for hours, and never
once got across during a friendship which lasted until the dog's death.

Some few years ago, we had an odd exhibition traversing the streets of
Leeds, rejoicing in the name of "The H^ppy Family;" it was a large cage
mounted on wheels, and well stored with a most heterogeneous mass of
animated nature. There hawks, owls, pigeons, blackbirds, starlings, etc., in
close communion with rabbits, guinea-pigs, squirrels, rats, and mice; and
to make the thing complete a most harmless Cat was pacing in the midst
of this zoological collection, to the great delight of a never-ceasing round of
curious spectators. It would have been a much happier family, however,
without the presence of a little blue-faced monkey, who was continually on
the stir — pinch his neighbours he would, and none got more "monkeys'
allowance," or bore it more quietly, than poor puss. Then up he would
bounce, first on to one perch then another, upsetting both hawks, owls, and
everything else that came in his way. I laughed heartily at his antics, but
could scarcely feel sorry when one of the perches gave way and precipitated
him into a large bowl of milk below.

This happy family cat was very different to one whose cruelty had well
nigh broken the heart of one of my early school-fellows. He kept some
tame rabbits, which were often allowed to run within the limits, of the
fenced garden. One of them was preparing for a family; the poor creature

196 IlECOLLECTIONS OF TIIR CAT.

had formed a burrow quite unobserved, and laid her breast completely bare
in lining it with her own fur. She wjis allowed to remain altogether in the
garden with seven young ones. In a day or two three of the latter were
missed, the following day another, until at last they had all disappeared but
one, in spite of much precaution; and to crowa all, the poor mother was at
last found dead in the burrow, a victim to the Cat's ferocity. This Cat was
a regular pest to all the rabbit fanciers in the neighbourhood, and defied all
attempts to take it dead or alive; its former owner had doubtless got tired
of it, and as there are precious few people who give themselves much uneasiness
about a Cat's feelings, it is very easy to put them into a convenient bag
or basket, travel a few miles, and then politely invite them to step out and
try their luck in a new quarter. Some are fortunate to meet with protection,
others get kicked and knocked about, grow reckless, and turn out regular
blackguards, generally ending a career of infamy in some convenient pond.
I heard of a Cat "bagged" in this manner, and transported from the purlieus
of Holbeck, through the heart of I^eeds, and put down "gratis" at Eoundhay,
a distance of some miles. !N"ow this was done by command of a good old
soul who did not like the idea of drowning the poor wretch, and she might
have been pluming herself on her humanity some days after, when a well-
known voice was heard at the street door, and, will it be credited, in bounced
the very identical Cat who should have been ruralizing at Roundhay, or Jericho
for anything I know. Well, who could have found in their hearts to "bag"
him again? certainly not the old woman, therefore puss staid at home without
seeing more of the world than his own immediate neighbourhood afforded.
To get home the Cat had travelled some six or seven miles, and how, in
the name of fortune, it had ever found its way through the intricacies of the
town, and unharmed, must for ever remain a mystery.

When Cats have a good home they can appreciate it, perhaps better than
most other animals, for while you find the dog can make itself at home
wherever the master goes, the Cat seems actuated by different motives, and
is oftener more attached to places than persons, and consequently is made a
most unhappy being whenever a "flit" takes place. It will generally be the
last piece of furniture left. A family in going to a new house, had of course
removed a favourite ^'tabby," yet, notwithstanding all coaxing and cajoling,
puss could not make herself at home, but scampered up and down the place
like a very devil, uttering most dreadful cries, running up a chimney, and
concluding with bolting through a pane of glass, and making her way to old
familiar quarters, was there again found sitting most disconsolately within the
threshold; food was given her, but nothing could induce a return to the new
quarters; at last the old house was again taken, and out of compassion "puss"
got reinstated as a permanent lodger, to her heart's content.

It was only the other day I noticed a poor Cat mewing most piteously at
the door of a house which had been empty some weeks; the Cat had
been well cared for, but could not be reconciled to the change. We may

RECOIXECTIONS OP THK CAT. 197

often hear of them, too, displaying attachment to particular individuals, and
evincing great pleasure in their society. One of my friends had a Cat of
this stamp, which invai-iably presented herself to notice in the bed- room at
one particular time in the morning; and if it so happened that the bed
"pulled hard," as the saying goes, and induced a longer nap than usual, puss
would soon begin to give mouth, jump upon the bed, and there would be
little peace until all were up and stirring; when she would jog quietly down
stairs, and there await the regular breakfast. Beneath one of the front doors
a piece of oil-cloth was laid, which formed a sort of Cat's alarum, for when-
ever puss kept untimely hours, and, as an attendant consequence, got bolted
out, instead of mewing at the door for perhaps an hour, she would contrive
to introduce one of her paws beneath it, get hold of the oil-cloth and drag
it about, which never failed to attract attention and a speedy admittance.
This Cat was much attached to one member of the family, who with a load
of infirmities, consequent on green old age, was confined to bed, by the side
of which the poor Cat would sit for hours together, preserving the gravest
silence; and when at last it pleased God to remove his servant to a happier
world, the Cat remained in the chamber of death for many days after.

The anxious solicitude displayed for the safety of their young, has often
been beautifully exemplified in many well-authenticated anecdotes, replete with
a most marvellous amount of instinctive ingenuity, carried out under such
peculiar circumstances as could not fail in exciting the sympathies of the
most careless observers. I can only relate one little anecdote touching upon
this; and it is scarcely worth recording; it was a cat that had had four kittens:
three were consigned to a watery grave, consequently the whole of pussy's
care had now to be lavished on the one dear object left. Some few days
after, a tortoise was brought into the house, set down on the floor, and
feeling himself at home, like all other good fellows "came out of his shell"
and began to expand his knowledge by a few turns round the apartment.
The cat had her ^'twa ees" riveted upon the curious customer for some time,
but seemed to understand precious little about him, any further than keeping
out of harm's way, at a long range. After shewing some uneasiness, she took
her youngster up and ran upstairs, where it was found deposited alongside
its mother, snugly incased between the coverlet and blankets of a bed. In
due time the cat's fear wore ofi", and at last she began to look on paddy's
"walking snuff-box" with sovereign indifference, for constant companionship
had demonstrated its harmless habits and friendly disposition. The cat and
tortoise were long together, and lived to assert the truth of "use being second
nature."

An instance of ingenious sagacity almost rivalling ^sop's "Jackdaw and
Pitcher" was displayed by a cat, who, like many more of his brethren, was
particularly fond of stolen sweets. One day, it so happened, that a comical
looking old-fashioned cream-jug was left alone on a table, containing a small
quantity of the rich fluid, which speedily attracted puss's attention ; who thought

198 RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CAT,

in all conscience there would really be no harm in tickling his palate with the
smallest quantity in the world; besides who would be the worse, even if he
took it all ; a piece of reasoning no way calculated to stop '^a watering o' the
mouth," What a misfortune! I cannot get my head into it. Must I upset
it? certainly not, I have suffered stripes innumerable for such clever perform-
ances, and since I cannot get my head within compass, I '11 e'en put my foot
into it. A clever expedient most assuredly, and what could have been daintier
than his own "^cat's paw" well saturated with such luxurious sauce. Another
little anecdote shews some amount of reasoning instinct in a cat belonging
to a small shopkeeper, which was regularly in the habit of opening the shop
door if it chanced to be shut against it. It generally managed to hang with
one foot to the iron loop while another was employed in pushing down the
^^sneck"* or latch. In opening the door a bell was rung, which often brought
"master" into the shop, to welcome no better customer than his own cat.
Another cat had a mischievous propensity for opening the door of a clock
case, getting inside, and if the pendulum was in motion she would be sure
to stop it. One day the pendulum would stand it no longer, but came down
with a rattle, an affair which wound up the cat's fun for the time to come,
the door being carefully locked ever after. It is not often we hear of cats
taking a liking to eggs, but I know an instance of one that was passionately
fond of them, and it was dangerous to leave any exposed, the cat being almost
sure to break a few, and enjoy the contents, I think this habit had been
acquired from egg-shells being given it to play with when a kitten, I have
seen kittens devour great numbers of the Common Cockroach, although they
often appear to suffer considerably from such fare; yet, you rarely find an
adult cat touch them, although they hunt and devour crickets greedily. Cats
never seem to relish meat too hot, but will throw it about for some time, for
the purpose of giving it what I have heard termed a ^'keeling-clauk."f A
curious killing "clauk" was once witnessed by a friend of mine while on the
top of a stage- coach: they were changing horses at a little road-side inn, one
end of which was beautifully covered with a large pear tree in full blossom.
A Cat was observed nestling among the branches, evidently bent on mischief;
immediately after a company of pugilistic sparrows congregated beneath, totally
unaware of the presence of so powerful an enemy; the seconds were chirping
most vociferously in support of the amorous melee, and just as the battle
was raging most furiously, down dropped the Cat, with a sort of "how do ye
do" into the very thickest part of the noisy crew: for one brief moment all

* "Sneck, old word for latch."

"Tip-tae she tript o'er the floor,
She drew the har, unsnccWd the door."

Jamieson's Ballads.

"Sneckteck, Latch the 'heck' or half door, generally found about farm buildings, Ileck
means a manger as well.

t Keeling-clauk, Cooling-scratch. Keel is a common north country word, signifying 'cool.'
Thus Shakspere says, "While greasy Joan doth heel the pot." It occurs in many local names, as
Kilbum, the cold burn or rivulet. Kildale— Killingbeck, the cold ing (or meadow;) beck, a stream.

RECOLLECTIONS OF THR CAT. 199

seemed petrified with terror, and it was not until two of their braves had
fallen that the rest could make off.

Some of my readers will rejoice to hear that my ^'Random Recollections" can
now carry me no further; my notes I know are but indifferently let off, and
I must now fiddle my tune out entirely on shifts. Some of you will perhaps tell
me to take a lesson from ^Esop's Cock and Cat, which I understand runs thus: — •
"Puss had a month's mind to be upon the bones of him, but was unwilling to
pick a quarrel however, without some plausible colour for 't. Come, come, says
puss, without any more ado, 't is time for me to go to breakfast, and Cats don't
live upon dialogues; at which word she gave him a pinch, and so made an end
both of the Cock and of the story."* This implies direct cruelty, which is again
heightened by the following piece of ingratitude : — "Upon a time there was a Cat
fallen into a fat of wort, and was almost drowned, the Cat cried out for help;
the Rats hearing the cry, came and saw her misfortune; the Cat desired them
in all love to help her out, and such a day she would give them a great
reward, which they did. The day being come, the Rats made their application
to the Cat for their reward; the Cat said she made no such promise; they
proved the promise exactly. 'Well,' said the Cat, 'I do not remember any
such promise, but if I did "make any such promise, I was then in drink;'
and was highly displeased with the Rats, and instead of rewarding them, she
fell upon them, and killed several of them. I shall leave the moral applica-
tion to you,"f hoping it will be regarded as "the aboundanee of an ydle braine."

In conclusion, I can only hope that my poor endeavours may serve to amuse
and at the same time engender a little compassionate feeling towards the
animal creation in general, but more particularly towards our feline friend,
who has suffered so much, and so long, in investigating whose habits we shall
no doubt find much both to admire and condemn; but as there arc none of
us perfect, let us endeavour as much as possible to judge with kindness, and
counterbalance the bad with the good. Do not let our friend have it to say,
"good troth, you do me wrong, good sooth, you do," J but let us so quicken
our powers of penetrative observation, that we may find something to please
and instruct, not only in the Cat, but in every living object with which a
Divine Wisdom has so plentifully surrounded us. Nothing was created im-
perfect; the whole range of animated nature, from the noxious serpent to the
gentle dove, uniting in one great cause for the fulfilment of some vast design,
which the Omnipotent alone can comprehend: and to conclude, let us bear ia
mind that —

"He prayeth best who loveth best I For the dear God that loveth us,

All things both great aud small; | He made and loveth all.

Coleiudge's Anciext Mariner.

Leeds, 1854.

Mr. "Waterton's two magnificent Cats are still in perfection; or were last June, when we
had the pleasure of enjoying our kind friend's hospitality and society at Walton Hall. — B. R. M.

* "JEsop's Fables. Sir Roger L' Estrange's edition, 1714." f "Humane Prudence, or the Art
by which a man may raise Himself and his Fortune to Grandeur, 1657." J Midsummer nights
Dream."

VOL. IV. 2 0

200

A you:n^g cuckoo reared by wrens.

BY H. H. W.

Amongst the fosterparents of the young Cuckoo mentioned by Yarrell
and others, the Common Wren [Troglodytes vulr/aris,) is not included, nor does
it occur to me that I have seen any record of an instance where the female
Cuckoo has intrusted the care of her egg to the above-named little deputy.

A few days since, however, I had an opportunity of witnessing, with some
friends, the interesting, and, as I imagine, unusual occurrence alluded to, in
a cottage garden in the parish of Inkpen, Berks. The cottage was situated
close to a fir plantation, in which, as well as in the garden adjoining, the
Cuckoo had been constantly heard and seen from the earliest period of the
season.

A pair of Wrens, well known in the garden, had built their nest in the
thatch of a wood house, immediately over the door-way. The cottager, aware
of the shy habits of the little birds, had on two occasions only introduced
his finorer into the nest. The first time he ascertained the presence of eggs.
The second time, namely, on the 25th. of June, he found young birds, more
than one little mouth encountering his finger as 'he imagined. Two or three
days subsequently a young bird was found upon the floor of the wood house,
immediately under the nest, which proved to be a Cuckoo. Nothing was seen
of any little Wrens, but it was suggested, as probable, that the cat might
have appropriated them, when ousted from above, for her own special use.
As the foundling had evidently fallen from the nest, an attempt was made
to replace it, but without success. The domicile was no longer capable of
containing its late overgrown occupant. The bird was therefore put into a
cage, and suspended from the branch of an apple tree close by, upon which
the Wrens without loss of time resumed their parental offices, and when we
visited the cottage on the 8th. of July, we had the pleasure of seeing them
employed, as it seemed, incessantly, and without being much impeded by our
observations, in feeding their insatiable nestling, which was then about ten days
old, nearly full fledged, and at least four times as large as either of its
diminutive protectors.

When indeed a finger was intruded into the cage, ruffling its feathers, and
swelling itself out, it opened a mouth that appeared capable of swallowing its
fo.sterparents bodily. Independently of the satisfactory proof as to the nest
of the Wren being occasionally patronized by the Cuckoo, another fact seems
to be established. The nest in question was built at the edge of the thatched
roof, and had of necessity an inclination forwards; nor was the entrance larger
than ordinary, so that it was next to impossible that the intrusive egg could
have been deposited in the usual manner. It must therefore, have been
conveyed to its asylum in the mouth of the Cuckoo.

The question was some time since discussed in "Kidd's Journal of Natural
History," and it has, I believe, been decided on good authority, that the Cuckoo

THE LAND-RAIti. 201

sometimes assists in the nurture of its young. During the summer I have
remarked the continued presence of a Cuckoo in a particular spot, and
imagined it might be for the above object. Nevertheless, I cannot believe the
fact, although admitted as such, to be of common occurrence. For we must,
in this event, suppose either that the Cuckoo lays but a single egg, or that
her eggs are laid in nests contiguous to each other, or that she passes from
one locality to another, and visits her young in succession, neither of which
suppositions are satisfactory. In the present instance no Cuckoo had been
seen or heard in the garden since the discovery of the spurious nestling, and
in another instance that has come under my observation this summer, the
total absence of the Cuckoo seems equally certain.

We have more to learn regarding the peculiar habits of the Cuckoo, and
I trust the pages of your journal may offer other communications from
correspondents on the subject.

Comhe Vicarage, Hants, July 14<^., 18 j4.

THE LAND-RAIL, CORN-CRAKE, OR DACRE HEN,
{OliEX PBATENSIS.)

BY JOHN DIXON, ESQ.

From my ^^Calendar of Observations," this bird seems to have generally
arrived in our district the second week in May, between the 8th. and 12th.:
a few earlier arrivals have been noted; some at the latter end of April; it
is, however, unusual to hear them before the dates first mentioned. This
present year they have been a little later than common, probably from con-
trary winds, which often have more effect in retarding the arrival and
departure of migratory birds, than a continuance of cold or wet weather.
When I speak of being "later than common," it must be understood as applying
to this district only; other observers near the coast will perhaps be able to
furnish different data. This bird cannot be called rare in Yorkshire, being
heard during the summer months almost throughout the county; there may
be a few solitary spots where it is rather scarce, but this, no doubt, can be
traced to the nature of the country not being compatible with its habits; but
if you have damp meadows, or sheltered corn patches, where the vegetation
is rank enough to afford secure protection and a supply of food, you will be sure
to hear its welcome note, not only throughout the livelong day, but a goodly
portion of the night. It seems of a very restless habit, and in warm moon-
light weather, I have heard it "crake" until an early hour in the morning;
its solitary cry echoing through the profound silence that reigns on everything
around. It possesses the power of ventriloquism to a certain extent; for
sometimes you fancy yourself close upon it, when the next moment it is far
distant — too far in fact to be gained by running, yet leaving no doubt as to
the notes issuing from one and the same bird.

202 THE LAND-RAIL.

They can run quickly through the rankest vegetation — a provision Nature
lias bestowed in part recompense for some little deficiency of wing; a defici-
ency we must not however terra it, the bird being, without doubt, perfect in
every part, and admirably adapted for performing the several functions for
which it was created. If surprised unawares, it will fly a few yards, then
suddenly drop and take to its legs, which seldom fail to carry it far out of
danger. They are often decoyed to their own destruction, however, with a
sort of toy much in request amongst the greater babies frequenting Greenwich
Fair; it is made on the principle of a watchman's rattle, a small notched
wooden wheel being set in a handle ; over it is fixed a thin elastic piece of
wood ; and when this ingenious machine is drawn heavily across any object,
it produces a sound so much like the Crake's call, that the poor unsuspecting
bird is drawn to the spot, and only finds the mistake out too late. At best
it is but a cruel expedient, and one that a person of any feeling will condemn.

It is surprising how this bird accomplishes its migratory movements, the
wings seeming almost inadequate for continuing a long, fatiguing flight, or
battling with adverse winds; and yet, regularly as the seasons roll round, does
it obey the great mandate of instinct, and perils the passage of a wilderness
of waters, to once more gain our sunny meads, and find a home wherein to
foster its callow young. They always arrive in Orkney and Shetland during
April, which makes me suspect that many migrate from the opposite coast
of JS^orway. We occasionally hear of their alighting on vessels at sea, but
I cannot learn of any being picked up about the coast in an exhausted state,
although many must perish in the transition. They are generally very lean
on their first arrival, some not weigliing more than five ounces, but towards
the period of departure, (September and October,) they are generally plump,
and will weigh from six to seven ounces, forming delicious morsels I under-
stand for your dainty-loving gourmand. I once heard an old man at Wistow
say, that he accidentally found a Corn Crake's nest in a field in which he
was mowing: the poor bird stuck pertinaciously to it, and only flew ofi" in
time to save herself from a stroke of the scythe, and the young birds from
utter destruction. They seemed to have been but just hatched; the nest
however remained unmolested, with a patch of grass about it; and, although
the hay-makers were at work some days after, the parent bird gained confi-
dence, and brought up the brood in safety. The old man further said, that
the young were covered with blackish down ^'and followed t'oud un just like
a hen and chickens." I heard a similiar story from the mouth of an old
keeper, who stated that these birds in pairing, fought like ^'billy:" such men
have better opportunities for observation than most people; but it is not
always wisdom to repose implicit confidence in their statements, although at
the same time they may have no desire to mislead.

Leeds, 1864.

203
THE COMMOX GULL, {LARUS CANVS.)

BY JOHN DIXON, ESQ,

Seldom a year passes over, without some solitary specimens of this bird
being either shot or observed about this inland district; but from all I can
learn, they seem to bs driven thus far from their "deep blue home," more
by stress of weather than any foraging errand, being often noticed during the
prevalence of east or north-easterly winds. When a gale is blowing from those
quarters, a flight from Flambro', or any other place on the Yorkshire coast,
would be performed in an almost incredible short space of time. At sea,
they are wonderfully expert on the wing, and will tack, veer about, and
make headway in a very heavy gale with admirable dexterity.

It is a beautiful sight to observe the graceful movements of our sea-birds
at any time, but they are certainly seen to greater advantage during a storm,
for when the sea is surging in full fury, they seem most active and at home.
At such a time, grim Death is riding with them on the crested billows, and
many a poor weather-beaten skipper, notwithstanding all his tacks and "ready
abouts," is drawn to the fatal lee-shore, and there swallowed up by a roaring
surf, with "all ocean for his grave,"

The Common Gull is easily domesticated, and may be kept in gardens,
where its services will be found useful, A person residing in Leeds, brought
some young ones from Flambro' Head, which he has now kept some years;
they have the run of a large yard, are fed principally on flesh, but will eat
almost any sort of food; they associate with other poultry, seem very quiet
in disposition, and will often stand for hours, sometimes on one leg, almost
without stirring.

Immense numbers breed every year about Flambro', indeed during the
summer months, the precipitous cliffs between Flambro', Bempton, and Speeton,
are literally alive with a variety of birds. You may find Hawks, Ravens,
Cormorants, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Razor-bills, Puffins, and varieties of Gulls
and smaller birds almost ad infinitum. You may often meet with young
Guillemots swimming and diving about, but totally unable to fly; the fishermen
say they get on to the old bird's back and are carried out to sea, when they
speedily commence business on their own account. The story does not seem
at all improbable, for if they attempted to leave the nest, they would inevi-
tably be dashed to atoms on the rocks below. Last July, I was hammering
about these chalk cliffs, and came suddenly upon two remarkably fine young
Guillemots, quite unable to fly, and seemingly resting themselves during the
ebb tide. They seemed terribly frightened at -my approach, and made a
ludicrous attempt to hide beneath a rock covered with long sea-weed; with
some little difficulty, both were captured, and carried, screaming most lustily,
to the water's edge; here I set them down, and felt glad to see them paddle
off to their hearts' content. Many of these young sea birds are esteemed
good eating, particularly the Kittiwake, which is said to resemble a Partridge,

204 SHORT NOTES.

I have conversed with old people, who say they can remember the time
when the birds were far more numerous than at present, which is probably
correct; for their nests are continually robbed of eggs, and some thousands of
birds must be destroyed in the course of a year. During the fine weather of
July, August, and September, you may often see a regular 6eet of cobbles out,
each with its cargo of gunners; besides these, a steamer or two from Scarbro'
will be occasionally cruising about. You may hear the murderous weapons
pealing volley after volley, awaking a thousand echoes, and making the caverned
cliffs boom and reverberate like distant thunder. I have stood on the edge
of a precipice near four hundred feet above the sea, and seen the poor
affrighted birds fly off b}' thousands and tens of thousands; some winging their
way far out to sea, others again settling on the rocky ledges, where human
foot could scarcely tread. It would be almost impossible to calculate the
deadly havoc made amongst them, but it is sufficient for me to observe that
a long and able article might be penned by some feeling heart in condem-
nation of the cruelty and wanton destruction here carried on; but as it forms
no part of my present paper, I will conclude with passing two or three
remarks on a place where a few days may be most agreeably and profitably
spent. Flambro' must ever be a delightful spot to the lover of Nature,
surrounded as it is with scenes of striking beauty and sublimity; it is
indeed a happy sunny-looking place; where you meet with kind attention,
good accommodation, and reasonable charges —three most important considerations
for your vagrant sort of traveller. The ornithologist will here find an endless
source of amusement, particularly if provided with a good telescope; the
botanist will be rewarded with many rare plants peculiar to the district; the
geologist has a wide field for study in the fossils of the chalk formation; and
the antiquary will find a very ancient church without a steeple, containing a
fine Norman font, a most elaborately-carved rood screen, some sepulchral
brasses of Flambro's early lords, and a host of interesting minor details;
while not far distant he may speculate on the ruins of the '^Danes' Tower"
and the earthworks about, rejoicing in the appellation of "Little Denmark."
The celebrated ravine known as the "Danes' Dyke" is close at hand, while
many tumuli may be found scattered about the district. There are few places
possessing such goodly store of attractions; and a volume might almost be
filled in illustration and praise of the "lions" of Flambro' Head.

Leeds, 1854.

SHORT NOTES FROM MY NOTE BOOK.— No. 1.

BY CHARLES H. DASHWOOD, ESQ.

Arrival of the Hinmdinidce in 1854. — The following are the dates on which
these birds were first noticed in this neighbourhood: — ■

Swallow, (Hirundo rustica,) April 15th. Sand Martin^ {Hirundo riparia,)

NATURAL HISTORY OP MELBOURNE. 205

April 16th. House Martin, (Hirundo urlica,) May 1st. Swift, (Ci/pselus
apus,) May 10th.

The Cuckoo, {Cuculus canorus,) was first heard on May 2nd.; on May 10th.,
I heard this bird singing shortly before midnight.

The Dipper, {Gindus aquaticus.) During the severe frost in the early part
of the present year, a pair of these birds were observed on a small river near
this place, where they remained some weeks. They are by no means common
in this county.

The Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris,) July 5th. To-day I found a nest of
this bird containing three young ones lately hatched. Is it not an unusual
thing for this bird to breed twice in the year?

The Missel Thrush, {Tardus viscivorus.) A few days since I saw one of
these birds in the act of eating the egg of a Hedge Accentor. I was close
to it at the time, and observed it most distinctly.

Garden Warbler, (Curruca hortensis.) Lesser Whitethroat, (^Curruca sylviella.)
Grasshopper Warbler, (Salicaria locustella.) I have never met with a single
specimen of any of these birds in this neighbourhood.

Large Plane Tree, (Platanus occidentalism A fine tree of this species is
growing at Beaupre Hall, in this county, which measures at three feet from
the ground, thirteen feet eight inches in circumference.

The White Dead Nettle, {Lamium album.) This plant, so common in the
western and southern parts of the county, is wholly unknown within ten miles
of this place.

Thornage, Norfolk, July IZih., 1854:.

NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MELBOURNE.

BY S. HANNAFORD, ESQ., JUN.

WHE>r I wrote you, some twelve months since, a few rough notes on
the Botany of Victoria, it was my intention, from time to time, to contribute
to your valuable publication, sketches of the natural objects met with in
my rambles. Unfortunately, however, other avocations have prevented me
from fulfilling my intentions, and allowed me only a few leisure hours
occasionally to devote to the study of our native plants. I am the more
anxious to send you a few lines now, for as civilization extends, so do I
find the neighbourhood becoming less and less interesting to the Naturalist,
from the decrease in number of all birds and insects, and the eradication
of many of our beautiful wild flowers, with which on my first arrival here,
the whole country was covered.

The Yarra banks, on which crept the small white purple-streaked Violet,
(Erpetion;) the delicate pink Gratiola; the elegant Lomaria; and the drooping
Sida prdchella; with a host of others even surpassing these in loveliness; are
now covered with tents inhabited by quarrymen and wood-cutters, whose camp

206 STATURAL HISTORY OP MELBOUKKE.

fires have entirely destroyed every vestige of vegetation. It behoves me then
to extend the range of ray walks^ and carefully to note everything of interest^
lest it too may, ere long, share the fate of its congeners.

I may mention that I have an entomological friend here, Mr. F. C.
Christy, cousin of the lamented W. Christy, so well known to all botanists,
who accompanies me in my excursions, and much very agreeable information
I have had the pleasure to receive from him.

Not to take up too much of your valuable space, I shall merely give
you a few extracts from my note book, with some brief remarks on the
vegetation of the Colony; at the same time wishing I could transfer to your
pages a few rough drawings of various interesting objects I may have to mention.

Our spring commences about August, and the country is then one vast
swamp from the heavy winter rains, and here it is we meet with some of
the most beautiful of our native flowers. The ground is literally covered
with various species of Drosera, (Sundew;) D. Whittakerii, (Planchen,) with
radical, rosulate leaves (which impart a reddish dye to paper when pressed)
and large white flowers. D. FlancJionii, (J. Hooker,) figured in Hooker's
"leones plantarum," as D. Mevziesii, from specimens found at Swan Foot,
on the East coast of Van Diemen's Land; easily distinguished from other
species by its long, slender, prostrate peduncles, and three leaves springing
on slight petioles from one point of the stem; and D. peltata, (Smith,) also
figured in the same work. Vol. i.. Tab, 54, as D. lunata; from specimens
sent from Van Diemen's Land, by Mr. Gunn. Leaves, alternate, those of
the stem, peltate; radical ones, reniform, cordate. Flowers pink in terminal
racemes. The exquisite little Star of Bethlehem, (Anguillaria dioica,) its
■white flowers circled on the interior with a band of brown, grows everywhere,
in company with the yellow Hypoxis vayinata, and Bulhine lulhosa. The
Lagoons in some places are mantled with the small flowers and floating leaves
of Ranunculus inundatus, (Water Crowfoot;) and in others the Azolla rubra,
(Marsileaceae,) clothes their surface as with velvet. In moist situations at
this season may be observed several Musci, as Ifi/pnum recognitum, (Hedwig;)
Dryptodon Africanus, (ferd. Mueller;) Funaria hygrometriea, (Hedwig.) A
species of Fimhriaria; Dicranum purpureum, (Hedwig;) and the handsome
lichen Cetraria aculeata, (Fries.)

A few weeks later and the Orchidew spring up; and I may particularly
mention Diuris maculata; D. sulphurea; D. aurea; Caladenia carnea; C.
ccerulea; C. alata; C. pulcherrima ; Pterostylis ciicullcda, (Hooded Orchis;)
and Glossodia minor. Of the Asphodelece, Ccesia coryrnhosa, with blue flowers
and yellow anthers, is indeed a bright star.

The various species of Acacia are now splendidly in flower on the Yarra
banks, emitting a most grateful perfume to the passer by. A great number
of Acacias, and particularly, I think, A. moUissima, were completely denuded
of their leaves this spring, by a small caterpillar, of a species of Tenthredo;
and at the present time their bark is covered with a Coccus.

NATURAL HISTORY OF MELBOURNE. 207

About September or October the Biccinocarpus sidoeformis, which forms a
dense shrub in some places, is in flower. Melaleuca Gunnii, (Tea-tree;)
Fabricia langata, on which is often found a small fasces-shaped cocoon,
Dianella revoluta; and in the grass pastures we find a host of small plants,
so minute as to be scarcely perceptible but to the quick eye of the botanist.
Of these perhaps the most interesting are Aphelia pumilo; A. cyperoides;
Desvanxia tenuior; Ranunculus sessiliflorus; Mitrasacme paradoxa; Marchantia
polymorpha; Seloea ovata, valuable for its medicinal virtues, and in salt marshes
near Brighton, the rarer S. albidijlora.

On the Yarra ranges, in October, I noticed a nest of the little Blue-
headed Long-tailed Tit, in a bush of Bursaria spinosa. Instead of a compact,
neatly built nest, like that of our Parus caudatus, it was composed of dried
grass carelessly put together, with an aperture at the side; the bottom of
the interior lined with a few feathers, on which were laid four or five white
eggs about nine lines in length, tinged with pink, and spotted at the base
with light brown spots. The male bird did not seem to fear whilst his nest
was being examined, but, perched on a tree overhead, from which he could
survey my operations, he kept up a sharp angry note until I left it; then after
a strict scrutiny of the interior, he entered the nest to see that all was
right there, and his joyful 'chit-chit- chit,' soon brought his anxious sober-
coloured mate to his side.

This absence of all fear I have had experience of in the Kingfisher, which
is so common on the Yarra. I was walking only a few evenings since in
Richmond paddock, near the residence of our worthy Governor, C. J. Latrobe,
Esq., intent on examining, and puzzling how to procure, the various beautiful
species of Loranthus, which are parasitic on some of the venerable Eucalyptidcce
and Casuarince; when I was startled by a Kingfisher darting at me with
great fury, and uttering at the same time a loud scream. It occurred to
me she had a nest near, and after a careful examination I heard the harsh
cries of the young birds proceeding from a hollow branch of a very tall
Eucalyptus. The whole of the time I was making my observations, the
female flew at me many times in great anger; but as soon as I left the
spot she returned to her nest, and soon quieted the young whose cries had
betrayed. them. This bird, although nesting in the Eucalyptus, procures its
food in the same manner as our Alcedo ispida, and after immersing itself,
and taking its prey, beats it against a branch of a tree to deprive it of life.

I have received from my friend, Mr. T. B. Hall, several very interesting
Fresh-water Shells from the River Plenty; amongst others Limneus pereger;
Pkysa hypnorum; and two species of Cypris.

November 30th., 1853. In company with my friend, Mr. Christy, walked
to Dight's mill, a very beautiful spot on the banks of the Yarra, between
Richmond and Heidelberg. On the bark of the Eucalypti we found some
very beautifully-coloured species of Plant Bugs, {Hemiptera;) and a great
variety of the Ichneumonidce. Making our way with some diflSculty through

VOL. IV. 2 E

208 NATURAL HISTORY OF MELBOURNE.

the dense vegetation on the high Yarra ranges, above the lunatic asylum, we
found very abundantly the Nicotiana suaveolens, with white flowers ; and trailing
along the banks, Muchlenbeckia complexa, (N. 0. Polygonese,) which also
climbed most gracefully amid the Acacias. Here, too, a beautiful Billardiera,
with long, pendulous yellow flowers. Several varieties of the Helichrysum,
(Everlasting,) ornamented the dry stony banks with their rich orange-coloured
flowers; and as we rested by the river side to lunch, we observed foot-marks
of the Opossum, Kangaroo, Rat, and native Cat. The Kingfisher uttered
his shrill scream as he skimmed hastily up the stream; the Laughing
Jackass startled us with his extraordinary cry; and the Bronze-wing Pigeon,
ever and anon started up with a loud clap, clap, from clusters of Rhagodia
nutans, on the fruit of which he had been feeding.

January 28th., 1854. Wind, north; thermometer, 93', in shade at 8 A.
M. By the sea-shore at St. Kilda, observed several specimens of the Spine-
tailed Swallow, (Hirundo caudacuta,) an individual of which (a young bird)
Mr. Christy shot at Richmond, from a flock of some hundreds, on December
30th., 1853. The following is a pretty accurate description, but we refer
our readers to a plate of this bird in Morris's ''British Birds," vol. ii., p. 86,
taken from a specimen shot in England, on July 8th., 1846, in the parish
of Great Horkesley, near Colchester, in Essex. Length, from tip to tip,
seven inches and a half; expanse of wing, nineteen inches; upper side of wings,
steel black. The back between the wings, dusky brown, approaching to buff;
two last minor feathers of each wing, next to body, half white; back of head,
and head, dusky black, with metallic hue. Rump, darkening until it reaches
the tail, which is quite black; throat, dirty white, extending one inch and a
half; tail feathers, ten in number, "the shaft of each feather projecting beyond
the web, forming a row of spines about an eighth of an inch long from the
middle feathers, and gradually shortening on the side ones." It is indeed an
unaccountable circumstance, as remarked by the talented author of the
"British Birds," why and wherefore this bird should have thus winged its
way from so remote a part of the earth, our very Antipodes, to our Island;
yet the length of the wings, and the rapidity of its flight, easily account
for the "how," particularly when we recollect that our common English
Swallow can with ease perform a journey of three thousand miles in three
days,^ and that this bird is able ''to sustain itself in the air during the
entire day without cessation."

On the sands noticed a Eay fish, which as far as I can remember is
precisely similar to the Sting Ray of our British Seas. Yellowish olive above,
with slate-coloured spots; under part white, with the exception of wings and
tail, which are dirty yellow. The natives call it "Stingaree" and believe,
I need not say how erroneously, in its venomous powers.

Mr. Christy took, near Brighton, very handsome specimens of a large
Wasp; — abdomen, barred with orange and black. And we noticed a spinous
* "Stanley's History of Birds, p. 91."

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 209

variety of the Parrot fish, (Scartis,) which has a peculiar mouth very like
the bill of a parrot^ and the jaws are so strong as to enable them to feed
on shell-fish and corals, large numbers of which may be found in their
insides. A. Sepia, (Cuttle fish,) was very abundant on the beach.

February 4th., 1854. In dry situations on the Yarra, near Dight's mill,
took specimens of Acheta campestris, in the pupa and imago state. It is
known here as the "Rain Crow," which name is also applied, in Virginia,
to the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, {Guculus Carolinensis,) from their being more
clamorous before rain. On a plot of Lucerne Mr. Christy took a very
beautiful Colias? somewhat like C. Hi/ale, (Clouded Yellow;) and a species
of Water-flea, (Gyrinite^ numbers of which were performing their beautiful
gyrations on the surface of the Yarra. Near the Yarra bend a great number
of Crows were congregated, apparently very much annoyed by about twenty
Hawks, very like our Kestrel, which were hovering about and bufieting them.
They were much on the ground, probably feeding on the Acheta. On the
Eucalypti and Casuarina, various species of the parasitic Loranthus were in
flower. The surface of the Yarra was covered with Potamogeton crispus;
P. nutans; P. ohtusifolius; and Ottelia ovalifolia, (Persoon;) and its margin
clothed with Mentha australis; 31. gracilis; Senecio odoratus; etc.

And here I believe I must end for the present, as I am much engaged
in preparing for the second exhibition of our Horticultural Society, on the
28th., promising to write again on an early day.

Melbourne, Port Philip, February 20th., 1854.

j^iBCBllaiiBnttB JMim,

Occurrence of Hoopoes near Tlymouth. — On the 27th. of last month, Mr. Bolitho, of Plymouth^
had a specimen of the Hoopoe, {JJpupa £pops.) sent him for preservation; and on the 29th.
another, both obtained in this neighbourhood. The person who killed the first saw others at the
same time. I examined the stomach of one of these birds, and found it to contain a quantity
of rather large short-legged spiders, of a pui-ple brown colour. I might at the same time
mention that a few days since, I opened the stomachs of two male Kestrels, (Falco Tinnunculus,)
killed in the vicinity of Dartmoor. One contained a large sloworm, {Angiiis Fragilis,) the other
a sloworm and a lizard, but in neither were there any remains of mice or beetles. From
this it would appear that reptiles form the chief food of this species during the spring and
summer months in certain localities. — John Gatcombe, Wyndham Place, Plymouth, May 15th.,
1854.

Note on the Cormorant, (Pelicanus carbo.) — Passing by Croxby Lake on Saturday last, I was
surprised to see a Cormorant ; one more species to be added to the list I forwarded some months
ago, as visiting that locality. The Cormorant is rare in this part of Lincolnshire, but is now
and then met with, generally resting, apparently after long journeys, upon elevated spots: the
spire of a church is sometimes selected. Many years ago one fixed upon the pinnacles of Louth
church; another the tower of West-llasen for its abiding-place. After once or twice disturbing
the visitor to Croxby, and watching his flight round the lake, I retired some little distance,
and he commenced fishing, and I had the pleasure of seeing him, after a protracted dive,
return to the surface with a tolerable-sized eel. The difficulty he had to manage his lively
and slippery prey was very amusing ; he frequently dropped it, but there was no escape. Once
I expected that he had fairly gone; down went the eel, down went the Cormorant after him.

210 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

disappearing under the water— a last chance for the fish— but it would not do, he soon again
rose with him. He gradually approached the shore, and I expected that he would have been
obliged to land, to despatch him on dry ground. But he managed, I suppose, to get his head
the right way, so down he went, (not, I think, a very pleasant internal companion.) For a
short time, the Cormorant appeared uneasy, stretching out his neck, rising to his utmost height,
as if balanced on his tail, gulping him down, but he succeeded at last; and my black friend
composed himself, preened his feathers, ducked two or three times, shook himself, and returned
to his fishing, at which employment I left him, having informed the keeper of the presence of
the poacher.— Richard Alington, Rectory, Swinhope, May 22nd., 1854.

Tlie Shj Larlc, (Alauda arvensis.) I heard at two separate times the full note of the Sky
Lark on' Sabbath, 12th. February. The locality is very much exposed, lying in one of the most open
parts of the Moray Frith. In some districts of the country there is an old saying with respect
to the song of the Sky Lark, namely, "As lang as the liverock sings afore candlemas, (12th.
February,) it greets (weeps) after it." I have given it in the vernacular dialect.— "W. Macduff,
March 22nd., 1854.

The Ferns, etc., of Bawburgh Hill. — On April 5th., we took a stroll round one of our
outlandish lanes, about two miles from our Hill; it is a very unfrequented one by most people,
save workmen; as it only leads to fields and lands belonging to the surrounding farms. It is
called Brammertye, or Brambletye Lane. With broad patches of waste ground in many parts,
it is one, I doubt not, would well repay local botanists by a careful ramble round it; our
object in selecting it now, was to search for Ferns, just breaking out most temptingly. Our
first plant was a small evergreen, having been well screened by the shelving brambles and
moss, the Aspleniiim adiantum nigrum. We had gathered several specimens of this on the
south side of our Hanger, on March 29th. The Hound's Tongue, as here called, ( Scolopendrium
vulgare,) was very abundant; in many places it was growing in clusters. Several plants of
the Lastrea Jilix-mas were found ; and also a very beautiful one, an evergreen, of the Asple-
nium Trichomanes, with many young healthy fronds appearing; the spores were quite safe on
the old ones, which had braved the winter. Mr. Moore, in his work on Ferns, says "It is
a commonly distributed species throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, growing on rocks
and old walls; more rarely on hedge-row banks, where, however, it is more luxuriant."
Certainly this was a fine plant — very elegant; I was glad to remove it; audit is now growing
well. I knew of its location on Weston Church, about seven miles from our Hill, but I
never found it so near home before. On the walls of our church we have the Asplenium
ruta-muraria, but it appears to lessen considerably: as this spring it is showing itself only
at one small patch of brickwork. In our ramble we found the Common Bracken showing a
few fronds, and with this I close the present list of Ferns peculiar to the district of our
Hill. We discovered in this lane a large bed, nearly fifteen feet long, of that delicate green
flower the Glory less or Moschatel, (Adoxa Moschatellina. ) We were struck with its beautiful
cool appearance, which renders it quite fit for rock-work ornament. Its flowers are a very
singular feature, being all at the summit of a long tapering stalk, and forming a square,
with four of them surmounted by a fifth, which is the crowning decoration. It has an
earthy but pleasant smell, when wet with dew. This is the only known locality around
our Hill for this lovely pale green floweret of the woods.— G. R. Twinn, Bawburgh Hill,
near Norwich, April Uth., 1854.

Early Entomological Captures. — In answer to your correspondent in "The Naturalist," of the
1st. inst. I beg to state that I captured the Small Garden White Butterfly on the 27th. March,
Orano-e-Tipped Butterfly, 14th. April. Humming Bird Moth, 20th. Small Heath Brown and
Wall Argus, 26th. I had some fine Emperors from the chrysalis, 11th. April; I have a singular
cocoon of the Emperor Moth, it has an opening at each end, with the domes complete in each
end. Small Heath Blue, one side male and the other side female. — T. F., Witney, May 6th.,
1854.

Be it known to entomologists that specimens can be sent fresh by post in a light chip box,
corked on one side, with a piece of wet sponge fastened on the other. — F. 0. Morris, Nunburu-
holme Rectory, Hay ton, York, August 7th., 1854.

211

The Natural History Revieio. Dublin : Hodges and Smith, Grafton-street.
London : Simpkin and Marshall. Edinburgh : Johnstone and Hunter.
Published Quarterly, Six Shillings per annum.

The "Natural History Eeview" commenced with the present year, and
if we may judge of the future hy the past, promises to be a valuable
addition to our Natural History serial publications. It is a source of much
gratification that it takes its origin in the Irish Capital, as we may
hope that it will tend to foster a taste for Natural History in Ireland,
where, although there are many bright exceptions, but few, comparatively,
have turned their attention to the observation or record of facts in Natural
History : indeed Ireland is usually looked upon almost as a "terra incognita"
by Naturalists; and although this is not entirely the case, there is ample
scope for abundant discoveries in every branch of Natural Science.

The reviews are well written, and from the amount of space at the dis-
posal of the writers, a very good idea of the general tenor of the works
reviewed is given to the reader.

' In addition to the reviews, very copious reports of the meetings of the
Natural History Societies, chiefly Irish, are given. We look upon this
feature of the work with great interest, and anticipate that much valuable
information will thus be brought to light, which previously, for want of
some suitable medium, was mostly lost to the Natural History student.

We present our readers with the Table of Contents of the two first
Numbers.

1. — "Reviews. — Rambles of a Naturalist on the Devonshire Coast. By P. H. Gosse. — A Flora
and Fauna within living Animals. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. — The Natural History of the
Birds of Ireland. By J. J. Watters. — Nereis Boreali Americana. By Professor Harvey, M.D.
The Phytologist and Zoologist — 1853. Proceedings of Societies. — Belfast Natural History
and Philosophical Society — Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Nov. 30. Dublin Natural History Society — Dec.
9, 1853, Jan. 13, 1854. Dublin University Zoological Association — Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19,
Dec. 3, Dec. 17, 1853. Entomological Society — Dec. 5, 1853. Literary and Scientific Insti-
tution of Kilkenny— Dec. 9, 1853."

2. — "Reviews. — Norway and its Glaciers. By J. Forbes, D. C. L. — Histoiy of the Eastern
Borders. By J. Johnston, M.D. — Popular Geology. By Joseph B. Jukes. — Himalayan Jour-
nals. By J. D. Hooker, M.D. — Palm Ti-ees of the Amazon, and their uses. By A. R.
Wallace. Proceedings of Societies. — Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society
—Dec. 14, Dec. 21, 1583; Jan. 25, Feb. 1, March 1, 1854. Dublin Natural History Society
— Feb. 10, March 10. Dublin University Zoological Association — Jan. 21, Feb. 11, March 4_
Literary and Scientific Institution of Kilkenny — Feb. 15. Notices of Serial Publica-
tions.— Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Annals of Natural History, Microscopical Jour-
aal. Zoologist. Phytologist. Hooker's Botanical Journal. Journal of Industrial Progress.
STaturalist."

In conclusion, we heartily wish the ^^Natural History Review" a full
measure of success; and indeed from the increased size of the second num-
ber, we trust, and may conclude that its projectors are satisfied with the
progress already made.

212 REVIEWS.

The Cabinet of British Entomology, containing, in a systematic arrangement,
carefully-coloured illustrations, and descriptions from Nature, of the most
beautiful and interesting Native Insects. By C. Weightman Harrison. London :
SiMPKiN AND Marshall. Edinburgh: J. Menzies. Dublin: J. M' Glashan.
Coloured Plates. One Shilling each Number.

The difficulties which necessarily attend the commencement of a work like
the present, are very considerable, not so much with regard to the letter-
press, as the execution of the engravings; for so little is usually known by
our engravers generally, of Natural History, that they can hardly be made
to comprehend the points to be attended to in delineating any animal or
insect. These difficulties are evident in the first number, which contains the
commencement of the extensive tribe of Coleoptera; but in the fourth, in
which the larger water-beetles are figured, there is a very great and excellent
improvement. If the succeeding numbers contain equally good figures of those
which follow, as we have no doubt they will, we anticipate much benefit from
the work. Its price places it within reach of the great bulk of entomologists,
who have hitherto been debarred from possessing systematic works on their
favourite subject, by the great price at which they were issued.

We trust the work now before us may induce many to commence a study
of our native insects, the general arrangement of which they will find much
facilitated by the "Cabinet of British Entomology." To give an idea of the
useful nature of the work, we transcribe the following from the fourth
number : —

Family— DYTISCID^. Genus— DYTISCUS.— 8 Species.

Character — antennce, eleven-jointed, the first, or basal joint, longest, the second, shortest; external

maxillary palpi, with the second and third joints equal, the terminal joint somewhat truncated ; head,

transverse; scutellum, distinctly formed; anterior tarsi, in the males, patelliform, spongy beneath;

intermediate tarsi, in the males, dilated in their three basal joints.

The large size of all the species renders this genus of Water-Beetles a very conspicuous
one. By means of their fringed legs they are enabled to swim with rapidity, and to dart
suddenly upon their prey, which rarely escapes them ; this consists of other insects, aquatic
worms, young fishes, &c. The larvae attain a length of about two inches ; the entire body
including the head, is divided into twelve segments, of which the three immediately behind
the head are each provided with a pair of legs. The head is furnished with two short
antenna;, and two powerful jaws. At the extremity of their body are two lateral appen-
dages, by means of which they suspend themselves on the surface of the Avater, and thus
absorb a supply of air for respiration. In changing their position, they strike the water
with their tail, and at the same time impart a sudden vermicular motion to the body.
When the period of their metamorphosis has amved, they leave the water and bury
themselves in the humid earth of the shore. It is stated by Eocsel, that the eggs of D-
marginalis are, during summer, hatched in from ten to twelve days, that in fifteen days
the larvsB enter the pupa state, and at the end of fifteen or twenty more, become perfect
insects.

Fig. 1. — D. conformis. The Large Alike-formed Water-Beetle. Head, olive, the anterior
margin reddish brown, and a rather deeper red triangular-formed blotch on the forehead;
thorax, dark greenish olive, bordered with ochreous yellow, finely punctulated, the anterior
margin dotted with a row of minute impressions, the posterior margin sinuous ; elytra,
dark greenish olive, margined with ochreous yellow, finely punctulated ; each elytron with
three faintly formed lines of minute impressions; antennai and legs, pale ochreous; body,
ochreous yellow beneath, the sutures of the breast, and segments of the abdomen towards

PROCEEDINGS OP SOCIETIES. THE QUERIST. 213

the base, black; hinder coxae, acute. In both sexes the elyti-a are almost alike smooth,
those of the female being but slightly marked near the base with the rudiments of channels.
Captured in ponds in Devonshire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire. Not
common.

In addition, however, to the descriptions of the insects and their habits,
Mr. Harrison gives much interesting entomological information, under the head
of 'Entomological Notes and Proceedings,' being a short summary of the
proceedings of the Entomological Society. The Work is expected to be
completed in six or eight volumes, each of -which •will be complete in itself.
We wish the Editor every success in his arduous undertaking.

2prnttBMiigs nf InriBtiri

Entomological. — July 3rd. E. Newman, Esq., President, in the chair.

Mr. Stevens exhibited a living larva of the rare Notodonta Carmelita, reared from the egg,
and now full grown. He also exhibited a specimen of the rare beetle, Damaster Blaptoides,
from Japan; this being the fifth known in Europe.

Mr. Waring exhibited several insects which had been found dead and covered with a tough
film, apparently of a fungoid nature.

Mr. Janson exhibited several scarce insects lately captured in Scotland by Mr. Foxcroft; and
several interesting species taken on the occasion of the Society's e.'ccursion to Darenth Wood,
on the 17th. of June.

Mr. Stainton exhibited specimens of the new British Anthrocera Minos, taken near Galway
by A. G. Moore, Esq., and forwarded for distribution among the members.

Mr. Douglas exhibited a new Lithocolletis, reared from larvaa in leaves of Vacciniiim Vitis-
Idma, sent from Scotland by Mr. Weaver; also Parasia Metzneriella, reared from the larva in
the receptacles of Centaurea nigra.

Mr. Smith exhibited specimens of the very rare bee, Nomada armata, taken by Mr. Dossetor
near Swansea; also a new British Crabro, and a male of Tenthredo eingulata from the same
locality.

Mr. Stevens exhibited a new British beetle, Pyroehroa pectinicornis, recently taken in
Scotland by Mr. Buxton.

Mr. Wateriiouse read a paper "On the Species of Amycturus and allied Genera of Coleoptera,
with Descriptions of some new Species."

Mr. Westwood read "Descriptions of some New Paussidae in the Collections of Messrs. Dohm
and Boheman." He also read "Notes on Various Insects," by Mr. W. Varney.

Mr. Stevens read an extract of a letter from Mr. Wallace, informing him of his safe arrival
at Singapore; where in a few days he had captured two hundred and fifty species of insects.

€b (tutmt

Would you, or any of your numerous correspondents, kindly inform me whether it is a correct
notion that in summer the Aphis breeds oviparously, and in the autumn, viviparously. Dr.
Mason Good having asserted that at difierent seasons of the year the Aphis breeds both ways.
At what ratio also do you believe the female Aphis breeds ." I am anxious to be set right on
these points, and any answer will be read with much pleasure should you deem this communi-
cation worthy of insertion in your valuable magazine. — T. J., Tottenham, June 16th., 1854,

In answer to the inquiry whether there be not some method of taking the impression of
Butterflies' wings on paper, I beg to inform you that by putting a solution of gum over any kind
of paper, and pressing the wing upon it, you have a most perfect representation of the wing
and all its colours.— C. G. Lenny, Earasgate, 1854.

Seeing in "The Naturalist," of this month, under the head of "The Querist," a request

214 THE QUERIST.

from you for information as to some mode of taking the impression of the wings of Butterflies,
I beg to give you the particulars of a very simple method I have adopted, with moderate
success, for the last twelve years. I use any ordinary smooth-surfaced letter paper to take the
impression on; I then keep ready prepared some of the cleai'est gum-arabic in solution. All
the implements I use are a pair of fine-pointed scissors, a pair of fine-pointed pincers, and a
piece of flat transparent hom, (the side of an old lantern.) As soon as I have caught my
Butterflies or Moths I kill them, to prevent the least loss of down; I then cut off the wings
close to the body and lay them on a piece of paper beside me, when, having various sizes of
paper ready cut, I select a piece as large as necessary, and give it a single coat, (but only
over as much space as the wings are likely to cover,) of clear gum. I then immediately proceed
to arrange the wings, outside downwards, on the wet gum, taking care to place them at once
in their proper position, as it will not do to move them after they have once touched the gum :
in handling the wings I use the pincers entirely. As soon as the wings are arranged, the
upper ones first, and the under ones lapping over them as they do in nature, I place the flat
horn on them and press them with my thumb or finger for a few seconds, but not long
enough to allow the paper to stick too close to the horn. I then remove the horn, bend the
paper a little back, when the wings will in most cases spring off' the paper, but perfectly bare
on that side, having left all the down on the paper. When dry I remove the gum with a
brush and clear water wherever it shows beyond the impression, so that the paper may look
clean: preserve the body to be copied in with a paint brush afterwards. I use horn to press
with for several reasons; — it can be wiped clean between every operation; — you can see if the
wings are lying smooth whilst pressing, and it will not break with pressure. If I take off
a white specimen I use slightly tinted paper instead of white, that the impression may be seen.
Large specimens are best left dead for two or three days to allow the juices to dry, else, when
pressing, a yellow liquid will squeeze out and soil the paper. Specimens that have been dead
for some weeks will not answer, as the down becomes so dried on to the wing that it will not
come off. Old specimens from a collection I can never succeed with. You will remark that
the colours and markings arc not so bright as in the original, because the portion exposed to
view is not the original surface, but the underneath of the down which is fixed to the wing.
I enclose you a specimen which has been done for three or four years, the body, and in fact
every thing but the wings, is painted. If this proves any use to you I shall be very glad,
as I have derived so much pleasure from j'our three works on "Birds," "Eggs," and "Butterflies,"
that I consider I am only repaying a debt of gratitude by endeavouring to afford you any
information. — Akthur Havers, Tenterden, Kent, in a letter to the Eev. F. 0. Morris, July
Ist., 1854.

The following method of taking impressions of Butterflies has been practised with much
success: — Cut off the wings of a Butterfly, and lay them upon clear paper, in the form of the
insect when flying. Spread some clear thick gum-water on another piece of paper, and press
it on the wing; the little coloured downy substance will adhere to it; then lay a piece of
white paper upon the top of the gummed paper, and rub it gently with your finger, or the
smooth handle of a knife. A perfect impression of the wings will thus be taken. The body
must be drawn and painted in the space between the wings. I cannot conclude without
thanking you for the pleasure which I, in company with every lover of natural objects, derive
from your beautiful works on "Birds," "Butterflies," and "Eggs," the latter are especially
beautiful, and quite indispensable to every oologist. — H. Smuhthwaite, Frenchgate, Richmond,
Yorkshire, in a letter to the Eev. F. 0. Morris, July 8th., 1854.

In answer to your query in "The Naturalist," for this month, I have taken several objects
by means of albuminized paper; I saw a specimen taken from the weed itself, Ptilota plumosa,
it is a negative and can be easily printed from: please return it. Wings of Butterflies and
Moths can be equally easily taken. I use albuminized paper, which is _to be washed over with
a solution of nitrate of silver, thirty grains to the ounce; it is then dried and the object to be
copied is laid on it and exposed for a few moments in a pressure frame. I obtained every
thing necessary from Home, Thornthwaite, and Wood, 123, Newgate Street, London. If you
write to them they will send you their book on "Photography," price one shilling, which
explains the subject very well. — William Thompson, Weymouth, in a letter to the Rev. F,
0. Morris, July 3rd., 1854.

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CONTENTS.

PAGE.

The Domestic Cat. By Jamks Bckymgeoxtr^ Esq 215

A Glance at the Feathered Residents in, and Visitants to, the grounds
of Terrick House; with a few remarks, from personal observation,

upon their habits and peculiarities. By S. Stone, Esq 216

The Gray Heron. By Henry Moses, Esq., M. D 223

Ornithological Notes. By G. B. Clauke, Esq 224

Occurrence and Capture of a few Rarae Aves and Pisces at Fraserbrough,

Aberdeenshire. By Mr, T. Edward 22r>

Notice of some Insects occurring in Hainault Forest. By George

Stockby, Esq 227

Airy Holme Wood, as a locality for Land Shells. By J. W. Watson,

Esq 228

Contributions to the Ichthyology of Banffshire. 'By W 230

Notes on the Star-Fishes found in the Moray Frith, at Macduff, near

Banff. By W 231

Miscellaneous Notices. — Notes on Eggs. Attack of a Magpie's nest
by Crows. Note on a Sandpiper. Occurrence of the Nightingale
near Barnslcy. The Dotterel at Brighton. Occurrence of Pied Rookj?.
The Mountain Finch. The Skylark. Note on a Willow Wren.
Is it a Ghost? The Greater Spotted Woodpecker. The Reed
Warbler. Luminosity of a Snake. The Phalacrocorax graculus.
The Liparis vulgaris. Zylopbaga dorsalis. Limosa melanura. Phala-
ropus hyperboreus. Physalia pelagica. Entomological captures near
Cartmel. The Small White Butterfly. The Wolf-Fish. Note on
the Nemophila. Second budding of Deciduous Trees. Tlse Haw-
thorn. Possible source of flillacy in the formation of a lociil Fauna.
Note on Honey-dew 233

The Querist 238

NOTICES TO COREESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received, up to September 18th., from W. T. Lanc.
Esq.;— T. S. Tinker, Esq.;--A. D. Matiiek, Esq.;— J. E. Daniel, Esq.;—
Mr. T. Edward.

Contributions have been received, up to September ISth., from Mr. T. Edward;
— Miss Cameron; — W. E. Eobertson, Esq.; — A. D. Mather, Esq.; —
E. Si:.iPKiN, Esq.;— C. E. Smith, Esq.;— S. P. Savill, Esq.;~Mr. E. Parfitt:
E. M. A.;— G. E. Tavinn, Esq. — J. Longmuir, Esq., Jun.

Wi)] ]'I. M. A., of Alanohcstcr, fnvonr n- with his n:imf in confidcnco?

- ^ ^'iications, Drawings, Advt, u.,,,n,„,,,, iU., i,j U uMuv^>.vd to BEVERLEY It. MORRIS,

Esq., M.D., Driffield;— Boohs for Review, an-l Parcels, to the cure of Messrs. GROOMDRIDGJ;

215

THE DOMESTIC CAT, {FELIS CATUS DOMESTICA.)

BY JAMES SCRYMGEOUR, ESQ.

A PARAGRAPH among the locals' of our paper of this day, sets forth an
instance of a Cat, which its master banished to the other end of the town,
finding its way back on the following morning — a very curious fact to be sure,
and worthy of note — but it is by no means an uncommon one, I have
heard and read of numberless instances of a similar kind. I may mention one
which never has yet been stated in print. The Rev. Mr. Mearns, Wesleyan
Minister at Perth, while a missionary at Guy's Hill, in the Island of Jamaica,
had a beautiful Cat, which he wished to give as a present to Samuel Rogers,
Esq., of Louisiana, which is situated fully six miles farther on among the
mountains, by wild and dangerous roads. The feline gift was accordingly
tied into a bag, and taken to Louisiana, and duly liberated there, in the
hope that it would make itself at home. The Cat never was away from
Guy's 1 1 ill in its life before, and could not possibly have seen the trees,
rocks, or any other objects which marked the route between Guy's Hill and
Louisiana, and yet next morning it was back at the Mission-house at Guy's
Hill, purring at the feet of her astonished master and mistress.

But to come nearer our own "great River Tay." A gentleman living in
Bank Street got a Cat from Claverhouse — three miles distant I should think.
This Cat, though kindly treated, would not stay, and, as it is supposed, found
its way out at a window in the roof of the house, and without any lesions
on longitude, returned to its former home. Some years ago, a person in
Kirriemuir, wijhing to get rid of his Cat without drowning it, gave it in
charge of a carrier going to Montrose, who turned it adrift near the city of
Brechin, nearly twelve miles away, and thought it "all right," so far as the
intention was concerned. But not so. Puss was back to its home in Kirriemuir
before night.

While on the subject, I may as well mention what may either be called
a remarkable instance of feline intelligence, or a curious coincidence. In the
summer of J 850, while living in lodgings on the other side of the water, at
Figtree Cottage, Newport, I was asked one day by Dr. Greig, the present
demonstrator at the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, then a student,
spending his vacation here, to bring over some frogs, alias padocks, with me,
for the purpose of subjecting their feet to the microscope, which beautifully
shows the circulation of the blood. I mentioned the matter to roy landlady,
with the view of eliciting from her the likeliest locality for capturing a few.
During our conversation on the subject, the Cat of the house, which was
present, appeared to listen; but whether it did understand us or not, I shall
not pretend to say; but of a surety it did go out of the room, and in less
than ten minutes, even while we were yet on the subject, it did return,
bringing a large toad with it in its mouth, which it dropped down at the
feet of its mistress, and looked up as if it had done its^ duty, and deserved

VOL. IV.

216 FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE.

something nice for supper. The toad certainly was not just exactly the animal
I wanted; but so very like that^ we must hold if it be not a coincidence,
that it was a mere scientific inaccuracy, the Cat not just being able to
distinguish more than many bipeds in the division Batrachia, between the
genus Rana, to which the frog belongs, and the genus Bufo, in which the
toad is classified!

I know a Cat in the centre of the town, belonging to a certain lone
widow woman, who shuts up her house on Sabbath. The Cat, a social sort
of creature, does not appear to relish Sabbath life in the house of her mistress,
and therefore regularly leaves it of her own accord, on the Saturday night,
for the house of a well-knoAvn gentleman, and there remains over the Sabbath,
punctually returning home on Monday morning. I know another Cat, belonging
to a farmer in the parish of Cortachy, which often follows her master far
a-field like a Dog, and springs on his shoulders on the appearance of danger.

Watt Institution^ Museum, and Library, Dundee, July 5th., 1854.

A GLANCE AT THE FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN,
AND VISITANTS TO, THE GEOUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE;

WITH A FEW REMARKS FROM PERSONAL
OBSERVATION UPON THEIR HABITS AND PECULIARITIES.

BY STEPHEN STONE, ESQ.
( Continued from page \Q2.)

Lower down, and within about four feet of the ground, some mortar has
fallen from a lath and plaster partition, disclosing an aperture between the
laths but just over three-eighths of an inch in width; if we introduce a
small stick into this aperture, a hissing sound from within will greet our ears;
we shall moreover receive, not an electric shock certainly, but something
akin to it, caused by a smart blow upon the stick from the beak of the
Blue Titmouse, [Parus coeruhus,) who happens like a good Housewife to be
where she ought to be, at home, and not idly gossiping with a neighbour,
but earnestly engaged in the discharge of domestic duties. We look about
if haply we may discover some larger aperture, doubting whether it be pos-
sible for the bird, small as it is, to pass in or out through this one; no other
however is to be found, and we are constrained to believe that through this
aperture it actually does force itself; and if we station ourselves within view
when the period of incubation has passed, and it has a family to provide for,
we shall have ocular demonstration of the fact; no wonder that our cred-
ulous ancestors, on witnessing a feat of this sort, should also be impressed
with a belief in the possibility of witches entering apartments, or making
their exits therefrom through key-holes. I wonder whether our tight-lacing
Misses have an idea that with proper training they will some day be able
to rival these latter-named worthies in the performance of this feat; I trust

FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE, 217

that, train themselves as much as they please for the purpose, they will never be
able to accomplish it, though I must confess it appears somewhat problematical,
judging from the slenderness to which it seems possible to reduce the human
frame, a distortion which, however it may cause them to be admired by
dandies, fops, and coxcombs, will never, they may i:ely on it, render them
objects of greater regard, esteem, or affection, among sensible people, whose
admiration is alone worth caring for. Could they but be persuaded to lay
aside this most pernicious habit, they would feel themselves infinitely more
comfortable, would enjoy infinitely better health, and consequently be far
better able to discharge the various duties of life, and we should moreover
be blest with their society in this lower world for a greater number of years;
for that hundreds are prematurely cut off and consigned to the tomb in the
very flower of their age, from this practice alone; and that it is the primary
cause of lingering, painful, and often incurable disease to thousands in more
advanced years, scarcely admits of a doubt.

The nest of the Blue Tit varies in the quantity of materials, according to
the size of the hole in which it is placed; it is sometimes a vast accumulation
of green moss, with a thick bedding of cow-hair. The eggs vary in number
from seven to thirteen or more; they are white with numerous specks of pale
red; some are more faintly as well as more sparingly marked than others.
The industry of the parent birds is rather heavily taxed during the period
they have their family to provide for; the war they then wage with the
caterpillar tribe, with which this family is principally, nay, as far as my
observations go, entirely supported, and the good service they consequently do
us in ridding our fruit trees and shrubs of thousands of insidious bud and
leaf-destroyers, ought to be as the seven-fold shield of Ajax to them in pro-
tecting them from harm; instead however of this being the case, the very
fact of their being seen in our gardens in search of these creatures, brings
destruction upon their innocent heads from those upon whom they are conferring
great and gratuitous benefits; but who, unobserving as they are, obstinately
and blindly persist in accusing them of destroying those very buds they are
most assiduously engaged in preserving from destruction. They are very fond
of picking a bone, and have a great liking for suet and fat meat. Butter
is an article in especial favour among them ; I generally place a small portion
at breakfast time outside the window of the breakfast room, which is reg-
ularly shared in by two or three Redbreasts, a couple of Great Tits, and
four or five Blue Tits, who all seem instinctively to know the breakfast hour,
assembling with great regularity about that time.

The talented and observant Editor of "The Naturalist," Dr. Morris, has
recorded an instance of his having heard this bird sing sweetly; another
instance has since been recorded by the equally talented and observant Author
of "A History of British Birds," the Rev. F. O. Morris. This is a pleasure
I have never yet enjoyed, but I do not now despair of obtaining it some
day: were this pleasing accomplishment to become general among the species,

218 FEATHERED RESIDENTS IS THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE.

it would add still more to the attractiveness of a bird^, whose unrivalled
beauty of plumage, and sprightliness of disposition, to say nothing of the
eminent services it renders us, ought even now to give it an high place in
our favour.

Like some other species these birds will, if unmolested, bring up their family
in the same hole year after year; they also occupy this hole as a roosting
place throughout the winter.

Most birds appear to take infinite delight in bathing; nor is the Blue
Tit at all backward in this refreshing and health-preserving exercise; it
performs its ablutions frequently, regularly, and (weather permitting) at all
seasons: I have often watched it at the close of a short winter's day, taking
its bath with evident enjoyment, just before retiring to roost; and from
repeated observation it would seem to be in the constant habit of doing so.

Clos3 at hand, among the ivy, we discern a bunch of dry brown leaves,
with here and there the skeleton of one, which on a nearer inspection we
find forms the outer portion of the nest of the Redbreast, {Erythaca ruhecula.)
If for the purpose of satisfying our curiosity as to the contents of the nest,
we cause the owner to vacate her seat, a cry, low, wailing, and plaintive in
the extreme will presently be heard — a cry so full of mournful sadness as
to go to the heart of the hearer, its frequent repetition generating a feeling
of pain from which he is glad to escape. On looking into the nest we are
astonished to find five pure white eggs, smooth and glossy as those of the
Wryneck: we ask ourselves can these be 'bona fide' eggs of the Redbreast,
so widely different from those usually produced by that bird? The presence
of the owner of the nest assures us that such is the fact. 1 have met
with several nests of this bird containing eggs of this character, and some
equally strange varieties. This is one of the earliest birds to begin nesting.
I have known of a nest in the month of January, and I have at times
met with it throughout every succeeding month till August.

In front of this summer-house stands a yew tree, near the extremity of
one of whose branches, and at an elevation of some eighteen or twenty feet,
a nest is seen, which at the distance we are below, we cannot at all make
out: on ascending to it we are somewhat surprised to find it to be the domed
nest of the Common Wren, (Trotjhjdyfes vulgaris;) probably it had been
driven to select this elevated and rather uncommon site, for I have only met
with two instances of the kind, from having had its hopes repeatedly crushed
when a more lowly situation had been chosen. Nests of this species are to
be found in a great variety of situations: — In a stump on the hedge-bank,
close to the ground; worked in between the stems of the ivy which adorns
the wall, or which begirts the hedge- row or forest tree; in the midst of a
thick hawthorn bush, or quick-set hedge; in a dead fence; in the side of
a hay-rick; high up in the interior of the thatched roof of barn or hovel;
and in a vast number of situations besides.

We often meet with instances of this bird building, or partly building

FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE. 219

several nests before it finally settles down into one; this may arise not so
much from fickleness of disposition, as from its having discovered after hav-
ing begun, or after having completed a nest, that some secret danger was
lurking about the neighbourhood, which drove it to the abandonment of the
spot, and caused it to look out for a fresh situation, so that, that which
might, on a superficial view being taken, have an appearance of fickleness,
will, on searching deeper, be found to proceed from that principle of love for
its oift^pring, an All-gracious Creator has implanted in the breast of every
creature, which aroused, leads to the preservation of the species.

This hardy little bird is another of our permanent residents, braving the
severity of our m.ost rigorous winters; nor does it appear to sufier much
from the effects of cold. I have heard it pour forth its song with an energy
for which this species is remarkable even in the middle of a rather severe frost.
When hill and valley, forest, field, and grove, have thrown oflF the gorgeous
livery with which they were adorned in spring and summer; when the splen-
dours of autumn have departed, and the golden hues and varied tints the
leaves at that season displayed, have vanished away; when the once smiling
face of nature is veiled in frowns, and the genial shower and gladdening
sunshine have given way to tempest, storm, and gloom; when the chill
wintry wind comes in blasts from the north, and the earth is inwrapped in
its mantle of snow, it is extremely interesting to watch this little creature,
as it may often be seen round the margin of the pond or stream, now
creeping like a mouse among the tangled roots, or into the cavities, which
occur in the overhanging banks, unmindful of the avalanche which is im-
pending and threatening to overwhelm it; now safely emerging and hopping
fairly out upon the ice-bound and snow-bestrewn surface, and ever and anon
even here picking up, or seeming to pick up a stray insect or food of some
kind. It may also be seen in the interior of barns and other out-buildings
in search of spiders; nor does it enter these buildings by stealth, as the
Sparrow in search of grain is obliged to do, if it enter at all, and in severe
weather when insect food becomes scarce, it is sometimes driven to make the
attempt, but it enters boldly and fearlessly; you may be standing within a
yard or two of the aperture through which it enters, it takes but little
notice of you, but proceeds calmly in its work of exploration. The obvious
reason of the marked difference there is between the 'entree' of this bird and
that of the Sparrow, is, that the latter is subjected to constant persecution,
from which the former is happily exempt, at least comparatively so, most
children being brought up to regard it, with the Redbreast, Martin, and
Swallow, as a sacred bird.

It likes to have a snug and comfortable "berth," wherein to pass the cold
and stormy nights of winter; sometimes a nest, constructed, — it may be with
this definite object in view, — late in the previous summer, is resorted to;
and sometimes a hole in the side of a hay-rick is selected for the purpose,
into which I have occasionally found feathers introduced, in order to render

220 FEATHERED RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE,

it warmer, and more comfortable; and, still further to increase the warmth,
several individuals will sometimes be found roostins; too:ether.

I have heard this interesting little creature, on its escape from a calamity
which threatened it, the attack of a cat, break suddenly out into a hymn
of thanksgiving and praise, for what else could the burst of song be? in
grateful acknowledgment of its deliverance. And when dangers are averted,
and calamities mercifully warded off from us, does an involuntary burst of
gratitude and thankfulness escape us too? Are we equally ready with this
little bird, to offer up our tribute of praise for mercies received, for blessings
bestowed upon us? If not, even it may one day rise up, and its voice be
heard in judgment against us.

Suspended from near the extremity of another branch, a small ball-like
object is seen, which we find to be the nest of the Golden-crested Wren,
{ReguJus cristatus.) The close, compact nature of the foliage which feathers
the branch beneath which it is hung, serves as an awning to protect its
occupants from sunshine and from storm, for, unlike the last, this nest is
open at the top. It is a perfect gem in its way; the hammock-like way
in which it is slung up commands our admiration; while the slender thread-
like shoots which hang gracefully about it, and to which it is ingeniously
and securely lashed, combined with the neatness of finish, and elegance of
shapo of the nest itself, render it an object extremely beautiful and interesting.
The line from the nursery rhyme,

"When the wind blows the cradle will rook,"

naturally enough suggests itself on viewing this tiny piece of architecture,
neither the bulk nor weight of which, however, will be at all likely to bring
about the catastrophe shadowed forth in the succeeding line —
"When the bough breaks the cradle will fall."

A spruce fir or yew tree is generally selected, and the nest is usually
placed at an elevation of from ten to fifteen feet, but I have found it in a
low juniper bush about four feet only from the ground; I have also found
it in an apple tree, and in one instance I met with it in a beech, in the
midst of one of those almost impervious and singular-looking boughs we
sometimes find in that and other trees, but in the beech especially. These
boughs have much the appearance, at a distance, of a Magpie's nest suspended
in the tree; their strange formation is most likely caused by the puncture
of an insect, or is the effect of some peculiar disease. The tiny eggs of this
tiny species I have usually found to be seven or eight in number, of a dull
white, suffused at the larger end with pale yellowish brown, varying in the
depth of tone; some specimens have this colour disposed in distinct specks.
A nest with seven eggs was this year found at Ookethorpe Park, as early as
the 14th. of April; the end of the month, or the beginning of May, is the
more usual time for this bird to begin laying.

Although partially migratory, this species braves, and that with impunity.

'PEATHEBRD RESIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE. 221

the severity of most of our winters, nor does it, so far as my observations
go, seek the shelter of hay-rick or thatch, in which to pass the nights, as
does the Common Wren; those same evergreens which furnished it with a
supply of food throughout the day, no doubt affording it sufficient protection
from cold during the night. That these birds find an adequate supply of
minute insects, even during a severe frost, I have had satisfactory evidence,
for in the depth of a rather long continued one, a specimen was caught and
killed by a cat, which on examination I found to be in the best possible
condition; its gizzard was completely stuifed with small flies, etc.

The hill sides around are studded with that neat-looking, but sombre-tinted
evergreen, the common juniper, while hanging woods of box of considerable
extent are here and there to be seen, which not only contrast finely, in winter,
with the gray, cold beech woods with which these hills (the Chilterns) are
likewise clothed, thus relieving in a charming manner the dreariness of a
wintry scene, but are also valuable in affording shelter and protection to the
feathered tribes. Here as winter approaches a large addition to the number
of Goldcrests, permanently resident, takes place, those which had been reared
in more exposed situations being driven to seek the shelter these woods
offer them.

The Song Thrush, (Tardus mtisictis,) has a nest between the forks of this
tree; the lining of this nest is of a most peculiar kind, widely different from
that of any other British Bird's nest. Most birds choose materials for the
purpose more or less soft, warm, and yielding; but the bird before us disdains
to allow itself, or to bring up its offspring, in the indulgence of any such
luxuries; the inside of the nest being coated over with a kind of adhesive
cement or plaster, of the composition of which nothing very satisfactory seems
to be known. One ingredient, however, appears to be that light, decayed
wood, known as touchwood; what else there may be, or what kind of fluid
the bird may employ for mixing the ingredients together, is not so apparent:
whatever the mixture, it forms, when dry, a cement hard, firm, and durable,
though extremely light. The eggs, five in number, are of a beautiful blue,
with black or purplish spots, I have some of a uniform blue, without spot
or stain of any description; these are of a darker hue than usual, as though
the blaclj or purple colour, which in ordinary cases exhibits itself in distinct
spots, were in these particular instances mixed up and blended with the
ground colour. I have found the nest of this species with eggs as early as
the month of February, and I have known of a nest with young ones as
late as the first week in September; it would therefore seem to breed more
than once or twice in the course of a season. The early nests are generally
placed among ivy; in a spruce fir tree, or evergreen shrub; in the side of
a bean rick, or faggot stack; on the side plate in a cart hovel, or any
open shed; and especially among the brushwood which is cut and laid in
drifts by the woodman, previously to its being made into fiiggots. As the
season advances, and the opening buds expand, places of concealment are no

222 FEATHERED RBSIDENTS IN THE GROUNDS OF TERRICK HOUSE.

longer "like angels' visits^ few and far between/' but become general, and
then nests of this species may be found in every hedge-row. I once met with
one placed inside a hollow tree, access being gained by an opening in the
side; the nest was supported by a briar which chanced to be growing there.

In lengthened periods of drought, as well as in long continued frosts, these
birds, in common with other species which subsist chiefly upon worms and
other moisture-loving creatures, find their resources in a great measure fail;
worms having penetrated to a sufficient depth to be out of the reach of
drought on the one hand, and of frost on the other, are consequently far
enough out of the reach of their feathered enemies; while snails have laid
themselves up in hidden and secret places, have retired within their shells,
and those shells are as it were hermetically sealed. It is to these the attention
of the Song Thrush is directed, they are diligently sought after, and when
found are conveyed to some convenient stone, against which, by repeated
hammerings, the shell is broken and the body of the creature extracted. An
immense quantity of broken shells may sometimes be found around a stone
used for the purpose; affording good proof that the Song Thrush is a staunch
friend to the Horticulturist, and, as such, ought to meet with protection and
encouragement.

Close by, in a box tree begirt with ivy, we find the nest of the Blackbird,
(Merttla vulgaris.) This nest is more bulky and heavier, as well as heavier
looking, than the last; the lining consists of coarse grass, with moss and dry
leaves. The eggs, generally five, sometimes, but rarely, six, are of a dull
greenish ground, freckled or clouded with various shades of brown; there are
many varieties both in size and colour. I met with a nest this year in
Cokethorpe Park, containing five eggs, one of which was of the fine blue of
the Song Thrush's, without spot or stain; three of the same ground-colour,
with a few indistinct markings; and the remaining one freckled over the blue
ground with the usual colouring. The situations chosen for the nest are very
similar to those selected by the Song Thrush, but, as a general rule, they
arc placed nearer the ground. I have, in numberless instances, in woods,
found them resting upon it, or at least upon the stump of a felled tree level
with it. It does not generally go to rest so early as the Song Thrush, nor
does it, so far as I have observed, continue breeding so late in the season.

There are but few birds, on a comparison with which, the Blackbird will
suffer. Its beautiful jet black plumage, admirably relieved by its bright orange-
coloured beak and eyelids, Avhen seen hopping across the snow-covered lawn,
and fearlessly approaching, as it will do when unmolested, the drawing-room
windows, in anticipation of sundry dainties with which it is wont to be regaled;
renders it an object which no one can see without admiring, And then its
notes, rich, soft, and mellow, as it pours them forth in the sweet spring
time, cannot be listened to without their exciting a feeling of unmixed pleasure.
Who so selfish as to deny this bird a small portion of his fruit, in return
for the pleasure its appearance and song give him; especially when it is borne

GRAY HERON.

22»

in mind that throughout the greater portion of the year it derives its chief
support from those insatiate foes to fruit and vegetables — slugs, snails, and
the larvje of insects, immense numbers of which it must of necessity destroy.

(To he continued.)

THE GRAY HERON, {ARDEA CINEBEA.)

BY HENRY MOSES, ESQ., M. D.

Many of us delight in studying the habits of particular birds. The Gray
Heron has ever been a favourite of mine. I like him for the wild, romantic,
and solitary sort of life he leads. He may be called a meditative bird, this
Gray Heron of ours — the last of a tall race who once peopled our fens — Lord
Paramount of the marshes. His near relative, the Little Night Heron, has
long since disappeared, and all we know of the Egret, the Spoonbill, and the
Bittern, as inhabitants of Great Britain, and companions of his ancestors, is
from books, or occasional reports we hear of such and such strangers being
shot by Sir somebody's gamekeeper, in some out-of-the-way locality, I never
see my lonely friend standing motionless upon one leg by the margin of some
rushy pool, with his neck retracted, and his powerful bill resting upon his
sternum, but I fancy I can almost divine his thoughts and read his meditations.
Is he mourning over the speedy extirpation of his race? When stationed
thus, for hours at a time, I believe our Gray Heron is not always intent
upon watching what is passing in the water below him. I believe he is given
to napping, for he has frequently allowed me to walk close upon him before
he was fully aroused to a sense of his dangerous situation, or thought proper
to 'move on.' We must not forget that our friend is nocturnal in its habits,
and angles much on moonlight nights, so we can pardon his day drowsiness.
The Barn-door Owl, I suspect, could tell us about these wanderings of his.
The Gray Heron is always alone. The Snipe and the Teal occasionally may
keep him company in severe weather, but they like not his hunting ground,
and are soon away back again to the purling brook of the mountain, where
there is less to fear from their common enemy, man.

About four miles from St. Asaph, at Bodryddan, the seat of William
Shipley Conwy, Esq., there is a very large heronry close to the mansion house.
The generous and much-beloved proprietor of this fair domain has taken no
common interest in the protection and preservation of this rare colony of
Herons. It is enough to say they are allowed to bring up their children
undisturbed by the genus homo. Blessings shower upon him and all who
delight in preserving for the gratification of the naturalist the beautiful birds
of our own fair land. It may appear singular that so timid and shy a bird
as the Gray Heron should have selected so frequented and public a place for
the rearing of their young. Doubtless time has given them confidence in their
protection, for here they annually resort during the breeding- season, and famous

VOL. lY. 2 G

224 ORNITHOLOGICAL N0TE8.

large nests do they build in the fine old elms, which have sheltered the
antique mansion for many a half century. The quantities of fish which these
birds bring from the River Clewyd, two miles off, is really astonishing. Every
half hour may one of them be seen slowly sailing towards his nest with some
aquatic capture in his mandibles, and then, what a noise, what a snapping
and gobbling do the hungry expectants make!

The steward informed me that he was seldom at a loss for a dish of fine
fresh trout after the young ones had been hatched, for both parent and child
were so awkward about the feeding, that nearly half the food they brought was
dropped from the nests and lost. During my last visit, for 1 have paid many
at this season, I could have collected in a very short time from under the
trees a handsome pannier full of trout and flounders. Broken green egg shells
lay scattered about, and the very air was tainted with the aroma of putrid
eels, strangulated frogs, and decayed shrimps and shell-fish.

Appleby, Westmoreland, 1854. In a letter to the liev. F.O. Morris.

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.

BY G. B. CLARKE, ESQ.

Occurrence of the Guillemot, (Uria troile,) at Fenny Strafford, Bucks. — Oo
the 13th. of November, 1852, during the heavy floods which then prevailed,
I had a Guillemot brought to me, which had been caught in the river at
Fenny; it was a male bird, and very poor; there was another seen at Simpson
the next day, but it escaped.

Gray Phalarope, (Phalaropus lobatus,) at Hockliffe, Beds. — One of these
interesting and rare little birds was shot at Hockliffe on September 30th., last;
its quick movements while in the water attracted the attention of the party
who shot it, who was also surprised that it was so tame; — it allowed of a
very near approach without exhibiting any signs of fear.

Ring Ouzel, (Turdus torquatus,) in Beds. — The occurrence of the Ring
Ouzel in Beds, is of rare occurrence; I believe only once before recorded, and
that in the winter. This bird was shot on April 25th., at Woburn Sands,
in the garden of W. H. Denison, Esq., by whom it was killed, he thinking
it was a singularly-marked Blackbird. I think there is very little doubt but
what it had a nest there; it is a male bird, and in excellent plumage.

Nest of the Redpole, (Linaria minor,) in Beds. — As I do not perceive that
there is any record of the Redpole nesting in this county, I send this
partly because the nest is somewhat differently constructed to the one
mentioned in the Rev. F. 0. Morris's admirable work on "British Birds," vol.
ii., page 323. This nest, a very small neatly made one, was placed in a
hawthorn, about four feet from the ground, and was built principally of wool,
stems of grass, a very small portion of moss, and lined with horse-hair,

A PEW RAR^ AVES AND PISCES AT FRASERBROUGH. 225

rabbits' fur, and a few feathers. It contained four eggs, marked precisely the
same as the description given in the work above mentioned, which I have
much pleasure in recommending as being one of the cheapest and hest works
on British ornithology.

Singular situation for the Nest of the Chiff Chaff, (Sylvia hippolais.) — On
the 11th. of May, I saw a nest of the ChifiF Chaff built in a furze bush, at
an elevation of two feet six inches— it contained four eggs. I have since
found one built in some brambles about a foot from the ground, containing
three pure white eggs; both of these nests were not merely arched, but com-
pletely covered over, similar to the Common Wren's, only the aperture was
rather larger. They were both built of dried grass and dead leaves, and lined
with feathers and horse- hair.

Common Lark, (Alauda arvensis.) — In confirmation of the fact related by
the Rev. R. P. Alington, in "The Naturalist," vol. i., page 58, I beg to state
that I have several times seen the Sky Lark perched on a hedge; and on
Sunday, May 7th., I saw perched on a furze bush on Bow Brickhill Heath,

Bucks.,

"The morning Lark, the messenger of day,
Saluting with her song the morning gray."

Arrival of some of the Summer Birds of Passage in the neighbourhood of
Wohurn, Beds. — Chiff Chaff, {Sylvia hippolais,) April 2nd. Sand Martin,
(Hirundo riparia,) April 7th. Martin, {Hirundo urhica,) April 11th. Chimney
Swallow, {Hirundo rustica,) April 16th. Whitethroat, {Curruca cinerea,)
April 16th. Cuckoo, {Cuculus canorus,) April 16th. Nightingale, {Sglvia
luscinia,) April 21st. Reed Warbler, {Salicaria arundinacea,) April 29th.
Sedge Warbler, {Salicaria phragmitis,) April 29th. Swift, {Hirundo apus,)
May 10th.

The Nightingale and Sedge Warbler are very plentiful in this locality this
year.

Wohurn, Beds., May 20th., 1854.

OCCURRENCE AND CAPTURE OF A FEW RAR^
AVES AND PISCES AT FRASERBROUGH, ABERDEENSHIRE.

BY MB. T. EDWARD.

During the evening of the 10th., or morning of the 11th. of October,
1853, a specimen of the Ring Ouzel, {Tardus torquatus,) a female, and a
Lesser Redpole, {Linaria minor,) a male, struck against the lighthouse, or, as
it is better known in Fraserbrough and neighbourhood by the term of "The
Old Castle," and were killed. Though both these birds breed in the higher
districts of the county, the former rather sparingly, but the latter rather
numerously, still they are not known to do so near the quarter where they
were obtained, nor even to be occasional visitors there.

226 A FEW RAR.E AVES AND PISCES AT FRASERBROUGH.

A male specimen of the Little Rotche, or Auk, [Mergulus alle,') was
obtained on the 4th. of February, 1854. The black on the neck and higher
portion of the breast is beginning to appear very conspicuously.

A very fine male Tufted Duck, (Fuligula cristata,) in full summer dress,
was procured in the bay on the 6th. of June, last. It was alone, and after
a hot pursuit, suffered itself to be killed with an oar,

A most beautiful male specimen of the Little Black-headed Gull, or Maw,
(Larus minutus,) was shot on the sands on the 28th. of June. There
were two, supposed to be male and female, but only the one mentioned was
obtained. They were fishing in company with other Gulls and Terns. It
is an adult bird, and being arrayed in its summer dress, has all its colours
of the most vivid description imaginable. The head and neck is of the deepest
black, which contrasts beautifully with the pure white and pearly gray of the
other parts; and add to this the bright carmine of its bill and walking members.
I have seen the bird, and should suppose that it is but seldom indeed that
any ornithologist, even in the south of Britain, far less in the north, claps
his hand on such a perfect specimen of this little active and rare Gull.

Near to the same spot where the Little Gull, above alluded to, fell, and
only nine days after, a male specimen of the Sandwich Tern, {Sterna cantiaca,)
was procured. It is also an adult bird, and in good plumage. It was feeding
when shot in company with the Arctic Tern, [Sterna Arctica,) Kittiwake,
(Larus rissa,) Black-headed Gull, {Larus ridihundus,) and a few immature
Herring Gulls, {Larus argentatus.)

All the foregoing birds have been preseved by a gentleman in Fraserbrough,
and are still in his possession, or, perhaps I should rather say, his collection,
as he is now forming one; and I am sure I wish him God-speed, and not
only him, but I should feel much gratified indeed if there were more gentlemen
like him in other localities that would do so to. There is plenty of room,
and much yet to be learned regarding the various branches of the natural
sciences; and it appears to me that there is nothing better calculated for that
purpose than attentive and accurate local observers.

But the Pisces: —

An entire and very good specimen of the Lesser Weever, {Trachinus vipera,)
was caught in the bay about the middle of last month. It was brought to
the gentleman whom I have already alluded to, and who very kindly forwarded
it to" me; and the individual, the captor, a fisherman, who brought it, said
that he never took, nor ever saw any of the same kind of fish before. I
have seen specimens from the Firth, but I must add that these occurrences
are certainly few and very far between.

Being down at Fraserbrough last week on a zoological tour with one of my
girls, Maggy, already alluded to in ^'The Naturalist," and whilst she, and a
boy and a girl belonging to my friend there, were rummaging about amongst
the sands, which are pretty extensive, Maggy, having observed something
Bticking up out of the sand, which she at first thought was a piece of tangle,

INSECTS OCCURRING IN HAINAULT FOREST, 227

and was about to leave it as such, but being prompted by curiosity, she gave
it a pull, when lo and behold! instead of a sea-weed she grasped a long
spindle-like fish; as she said 'Home be my friends/ she sped in all haste, and
chancing to be in at the time, I had the prodigy put into ray hands a few
minutes after it was exhumed, and with the remark that she had "foun a
lang tangle-like fish, but didna ken fat it wis." On examination, however,
it proved to be a specimen of that rare Piscis, the Equoreal Needle-fish,
(Syngnathiis cequoreus,) and a splendid specimen it is too. It is little, if any, the
worse for being buried amongst the sand; in fact, I should say it is better
for it. It is finely preserved, and will require very little trouble to make it
a cabinet specimen. It is eighteen inches in length, and has the dorsal, the
only fin it possesses, in the very best state of preservation. This species may
have been procured from the Moray Firth before, but I am not aware of its
having been so.

By what strange cause the specimen alluded to may have been cast on
shore, or how long it may have been laying, I will venture no opinion, but will
leave it to the readers of ''The Naturalist," and others, to surmise for them-
selves. Pleased with the discovery, and proud of being the possessor, I leave
all speculations on the subject to others.

High-Street, Banff, July llth., 1854.

NOTICE OF SOME INSECTS OCCURRING IN
HAINAULT FOREST.

BY OEORGE STOCKBY, ESQ.

As a local list I thought the following might prove acceptable for the
pages of "The Naturalist." All, with the exception of one species, were
collected by i"e, in my rambles during a series of years in this forest; and
if anything should be found interesting in their locality or otherwise, my
object in forwarding the same will be gained.

HYMENOPTERA.

Crabro clypeatus. — Occurs here in August but not common.

Melinus arvensis. — Found in the early part of the same month; local but
not uncommon.

Nomada rujicornis, — This species is certainly not common here, I have
only met with it twice.

Osmia hirta. — I have taken but two specimens of this species, as near as
I can recollect, in the spring of 1847.

0. caerulescens. — Of this species I have but one, taken, I believe, in the same
year as the last.

Eucera longicornis. — Occurs in May; an abundant but local species.

Chrysis dimidiata. — Found on gravelly banks exposed to the sun in July.

228 AIRY HOLME WOOD,

Ephialtes manifestator. — Found sparingly during summer,
Ciyptus ohscurus. — Not uncommon in the beginning of June.

DIPTERA.

J^ylota ignava. — Scarce: August,

Conipes tipuloides. — Common in the grassy glades of the forest in June,

G. rnfipes. — Occurs in summer; not common,

Ctenophora pectinicornis. — Common in May,

G. flaveolata. — I met with two of these handsome insects in May, 1850,
It seems to be rare in this forest.

Limnohia geniculata, (Black -jointed Cranefly,) is an abundant species in
the marshy parts^ especially when thickly shaded with trees.

NEDROPTKRA.

Libellula Scotica. — I have only taken two specimens, in September, some
years back.

Raphidia opJiiopsis. — I have taken several of this insect in the early part
of June, near the pools. The most favourable times are cloudy days.

Of Hemiptera and Somoptera I have selected three: —

Nepa linearis. — Rare: taken by an acquaintance in July.

Gentrotus cornutus. — Taken in May by beating, but scarce.

Issus coleoptratus. — Taken in summer, butj scarce.

Avenue Road, Old Ford, July Wth., 1854.

AIRY HOLME WOOD,
AS A LOCALITY FOR LAND SHELLS.

BY J, W, WATSON, ESQ.

Airy Holme Wood; what an odd name! and how little known to Conchologists
generally; and yet it possesses more claims for celebrity, than almost any
other wood which I have seen recorded; since there are perhaps more rarities
found in it, within the compass of a few hundred yards, than in the same area
in the North of England, or South either, T have collected no fewer than
thirty-six species, including the Limaces, but not any of the Water Shells,
two or three species of which are found in a stream which runs through
the wood.

Of these thirty-six, four are decidedly rare, and two or three quite local.
It may be asked in what geological district is this famous wood? and what
is it that renders it so favourable to Land Molluscs? It is situated about
a mile from the summit of Roseberry Topping, in Cleveland, below the lias
and oolitic groups, and just in the neighbourhood of rich beds of ironstone,
which have but lately been euflSciently appreciated to invite capitalists to work
them, though now they bid fair to be unrivalled in England, Ah! lovely
Airy Holme, I trast thou art not to fall just yet, many an interesting

AIRY HOLME WOOD. 229

visit have I paid there, in search of Land Shells and Plants; and the
recollection now, when many miles away, causes regret that there is no
such locality in this neighbourhood. Another interesting geological feature
is the Trap Dyke, which crosses it in one part. I do not suppose, however,
that it has much effect in rendering the wood favourable to the growth of
Molluscs. The chief cause of its fertility is the very great depth of vegetable
mould in all parts, giving evidence of its having been a wood for centuries.

The trees are chiefly oaks, which are very favourable to the growth of a
luxuriant vegetation; not like the beach and fir, that seem to exercise a
baneful influence on most vegetable life. The place is what might be called
a glen, the lower parts, near the stream, being damp — almost boggy. On first
entering the wood one is struck with the dense luxuriousness of everything
around, and amongst the plants most conspicuous are Paris quadrifolia, Stuchys
sylvntica, Eqiiisetum Telmateia, and abundance of the pretty grass, Melica
unijlora. Almost the first shell we find, presupposing that we make our
search in the autumn, is Helix fusca, which is to be seen in considerable
numbers crawling up the fronds of Dryopteris Filix-mas, or the stems and
leaves of Stachys sylvatica, etc. In company with this may be found in
abundance, Succinea putris, Helix Jiispida, and, crawling up the stems of
young trees chiefly, GlaiisHia nigricans.

Searching amongst the dead leaves, moss, and the roots of plants, we
are astonished at the number and variety of the little gems. Perhaps in
one place we come upon a whole colony of Azeca tridens, easily recognised
by its shining -coat, barrel shape, and small mouth, protected by three
threatening teeth; and within a yard or two all the Zonites, except excavatus
and lucidus; Helix aculeata, Vertigo pygmcea and suhstriata, and Zaa labrica.
In the damp parts of the wood, among dead leaves, moss, and at the roots
of Chrysosplenium aUernifolium and oppositifolium, we find the chief rarities^
Pupa Anglica, with its numerous teeth; Acme fusca, and Helix lameUata^
none of which are abundant — the collector may think himself fortunate if he
finds half a dozen at a forage. They are all interesting shells, Acme fusca
particularly so, the animal is much more lively than most of the small molluscs;
its horns have the peculiar characteristic of being contractile, but not retractile,
it has only two, with two jagged blackish spots at the base; its head too
is peculiar, being long, even proboscidiform. Viewed under a good microscope
the longitudinal lines on the shell are very beautiful, and cause one to
consider Hartmann's name, lineata, adopted by Forbes and Hanley, as much
more appropriate than ywsca. Along with these are found Carychium minimum;
and Zonites crystallinus.

Discontinuing our search amongst the leaves, etc., in order to relieve the
stiffhess consequent upon continued stooping, let us look under the lichen,
{Parmelia saxatilis,) which covers the stems of the trees, and we shall there
probably find a few specimens of Baha perversa; this shell, I believe, is
particularly partial to limestone districts, being found there much more frequently

230 ICHTHYOLOGY OP BANFFSHIRE.

and abundantly than in localities where there is no limestone. I have found
it in Dent Dale, not, however, confined to trees, but under the moss with
which the walls are covered.

Pupa umhilicata^ Virtigo edentuJa, and Vilrina pellucida, are found nearer
the ground under the moss which climbs up the stems of the trees.

Flounders Institute^ Ackworth^ near Pontefract, June 21s^., 1854.

CONTKIBUTIOiS^S TO THE ICHTHYOLOGY
OF BANFFSHIRE.

BY W.

"Banffshire, a maritime county in the north-cast of Scotland, lying
between Lat. 57° 6', and 57° 42' north; and Long. 2° 15', and 3° 40'
west; and bounded on the north by the Moray Frith; east and south by
Aberdeenshire; and west by Morayshire, and part of Invernessshire. It has
an extent of six hundred and eighty-six square miles, or four hundred and
thirty-nine thousand two hundred and nineteen statute acres; its extent from
north to south being fifty miles, and from east to west thirty-two miles; its
average breadth not exceeding twelve miles." It is divided into two parts,
the upper and lower, separated by a range of hills. The upper part is very
hilly, rising to its greatest height in Cairngoram, four thousand and ninety-
five feet.

When viewed from any of the hills in the lower district, it appears one
mass of heath-covered hills rising behind each other in endless succession, and
seeming to bid defiance to cultivation: but the scene changes on a nearer
approach. Between the hills lie fertile and highly-cultivated fields, with their
sides covered with trees in full luxuriance of growth; while others present a
beautiful intermixture of rocks and copse. The lower district is a fine open
country, of a rich, varied, deep, and well-cultivated soil, rising in some parts
into considerable hills, and finely diversified with plantations. It contains
many gentlemen's mansions besides Duff House, Cullen House, and the
princely Gordon Castle, all surrounded by extensive and beautifully laid-out
pleasure-grounds, affording a wide field for the student of Natural History.

It has about thirty miles of sea-coast, low and sandy, towards the west,
at tke mouth of the Spey; but becoming high and rocky towards the east,
and terminating in the beetling cliffs of Gararie.

Such an extent of hill and moor, of bog and field, of wood and water,
must offer a wide field of research; but, notwithstanding the great facilities
the county affords, it has never yet had the gift of one that has tried to
do justice to its 'Flora and Fauna.' To supply in some measure the deficiency,
I have had the boldness to begin with its Fishes, hoping that others may
supply what I have omitted.

Lesser Weever, (Tracbinus vipera.) — Not abundant: one was procured a

STAR-PISHES IN THE MORAV FRITH. 231

few years ago, entangled in the salmon nets near Banff^ and is now preserved
by Mr. Lemon, bird-stuffer, Macduff".

Red Gurnard, (Trigla cuculus,) is frequently met with.

Sapphirine Gurnard, (Trigla hirundo.) — A beautiful specimen was brought
me a few days ago. I am told by the fishermen that they occasionally
meet with them of two feet in length.

Gray Gurnard, (Trigla Gurnardus,) is common.

The Gurnards are popularly known by the name of ^Croonacks' in this
part of the country.

father- Lasher, 'Gundie,' (Cottus Bubalis.) — Very common.

Rough-tailed Stickleback, 'Bandie,' (Gasterosteus trachurus,) is most abundant
both in the salt and in the fresh-water. Occasionally I keep a few for
several weeks in a basin of water, and take great pleasure in watching their
changes of colour. Sometimes they are of a light greenish gray colour,
sometimes of a pale green, sometimes of an almost black, and sometimes of
a variegated colour. It is really a beautiful sight to watch so many differently
coloured tiny creatures sporting in all the luxuriance of happy life. It makes
one forget his trials and pains, and sport along with them. I have observed
a peculiar position they assume at times, particularly on supplying them with
fresh water. They rise with their heads to the surface, inclining at about
an angle of 45° and move round and round the basin, snapping with their
mouths as if catching flies. At such times the nose assumes a reddish tinge,
and the inside of the mouth is blood red. Is this red colour intended to
imitate flesh, and serve as a decoy for flies?

The Fifteen- spined Stickleback, (Gasterosteus spinachia.) — Very common,
though not so plentiful as the last. In this part^ Macduff, it goes by the strange
name of ^Willie Wanbeard.'

Mackerel, (Scomber Scomber.) — Rather plentiful during some seasons, and
during others scarce.

Macduff, June lith., 1854.

(To be continued.)

NOTES ON" STAR-FISHES FOUND IN THE
MORAY FRITH, AT MACDUFF, NEAR BANFF.

BY W.

Common Sand Star, (Ophiura texturata.) — This Star-Fish is common, though
not to such a degree as some of the following: — A large and pretty complete
specimen was brought me some time ago; it is of a pale reddish colour
above, and white below. The disk is one inch and an eighth in diameter,
and is pentangular. Professor Forbes says the disk is round, and the largest
he ever saw was nine-tenths of an inch broad. On examining the figure in
his "Star-Fishes^" I find no appearance of cirrhi at the roots of the ravs

VOL. IV. 2 II

232 STAR-FISHKS IN THE MORAY FRITH,

on their sides. There is in the above-mentioned specimen a double row of
cirrhi at the side of each ray; one row commences at the fifth scale, where
the rav enters the disk, and is placed on a thin plate attached to the side
of the ray. The other row is not attached to the ray but the disk. It
commences beside the fiddle-shaped plate below, and extends to the upper
triangular plates at the root of the rays. When it reaches the upper side
of the disk, it is fixed to a large scale that runs along the side of the ray
till it reaches the triangular plate. The one row at times overlaps the other,
so that both appear as one. The animal has the power of contracting them,
for in some parts of the specimen, they are not perceptible.

Ball's Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma Ballii.) — I find this beautiful Star-Fish in
great abundance, brought upon stones, shells, etc., by the lines of the fisher-
men, when fishing for cod, haddocks, etc. The disk is generally pentangular,
bulging out between the rays. The first specimen I obtained is fully one-fourth
of an inch in diameter, and its rays, as nearly as can be measured, are
one inch and one-fourth long. The disk is of a pale rose colour, in some
rays approaching to white, veined with a much darker rose-colour. The rays
of the same pale rose-colour are crossed by bands of a dark red, which
become paler as they approach the tips of the rays. In some specimens the
disk is nearly white, with rose-coloured rays; in others the disk is variegated,
sometimes with rays of a pale rose-colour, sometimes of a brighter colour, all,
however, crossed, as in the first specimen, by darker bands of red. In one
example the spines are of the same dark red.

Granulated Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma granulata.) — This is also rather a
common Star-Fish; I have now lying before me three rather large specimens.
The disks of all of them are pentangular, bulging out at the insertion of
the rays, and are of different colours. One is of a bluish colour, another is
of a pale rose-colour, and the third is beautifully variegated. I received the
last specimen alive, and in so doing enjoyed a real eye feast. The colours
were most brilliant, and, though much faded now, enough remains to tell of
its former beauty. In the centre there is a small spot of a dark red colour,
approaching almost to black. Around this is a reddish dun space of about
one-fourth of an inch in radius, with an irregularly notched exterior ed^e.
To this succeeds a band of the same dark red as in the centre, shading off
into a bright port-wine colour, reaching a full half inch along each ray.
The disk measures three- fourths of an inch in diameter, and the rays fully
four inches.

Daisy Brittle Star, (Ophiocoma TJosula,) is rather common. Professor
Forbes says the disk is sub-pentangular. I have a specimen before me,
■whose disk is round.

Hoping that these rude and imperfect notes may induce other naturalists,
(a title I do not aspire to,) to give their notes on this interesting subject;
I shall not trespass farther on the readers' patience, (if I happen to have
any,) nor on the valuable pages of ''The Naturalist;" but close my notes

i

MISCELLANEOUS NOIICES. 233

with the intention^ however^ of completing them as early as possible^ since

I have once begun them.

(To be continued.)

Macduff, March 22nd., 1S54.

JKiHcdlnErDES JMim,

Notes on Eggs. — Yesterday, June 7th, when out bird's nesting with two friends, we found
a Yellow-Hauimer's nest in a thorn liedge on the road side, about seven feet from the ground
on one side, and five or six feet on the other: the nest was large and but ill-concealed. The
other day we found four Yellow-Hammer's eggs at the bottom of a small bush on the bare
ground. The other day also a Bullfinch's nest was found, to my surprise, in a thorn hedge
by the road side: the hen bird was seen on the nest. Also a Chaffinch's nest, with eggs of a
blue ground colour, just resembling those of the Bullfinch, except that they were deficient in
breadth; and they had a zone of colouring resembling that of a Greenfinch. — John William
EccLES, Medstead, Alton, Hants, June 8th., 1854.

Attack of a Magpie's nest hy Crows. — I send j'ou an account of a curious battle of birds
which I witnessed in Northamptonshire, about the year 1838. At that time I was resident
at Middletou Cheney, near Banbury; and in some high elm trees, about a hundred yards from
the house, a Magpie had built for several years. The first lot of eggs were usually taken for
myself and brothers, but a brood was always hatched. About the year mentioned, 1838, for two
successive years, a pair of Carrion Crows attacked the nest when the young were half-fledged ;
and after a long and noisy combat between them and the two parent birds, succeeded in
carrying off" one nestling. They began the attack about ten o'clock, and it was near twelve
ere they had secured their first prize. As soon as they had devoured this, they renewed
the engagement, and had eaten the second nestling by about two o'clock. The magpies had
defended their castle with great spirit and resolution, but now appeared worn out; and the
third victim was being borne away about half-past two, when I shouted at the top of my
voice, and the Crow, which was just above me at the height of forty feet, let fall the young
bird, but instantly returned and fetched another from the nest, which I also made it drop.
One of them lived two days, as the field was pasture on which it fell. Several persons wit-
nessed this battle, which lasted from ten until after two o'clock, when the Magpies gave in;
and but for my interruption, the Crows would have had it all their own way. The second
year the Crows were scared away before they had fleshed their bills, after about an hour's
sharp fighting, during which time the Magpies had held their own. Since that time, 1838 or
1839, the Magpie has never built in these trees, though there is a nest every year in smaller
trees in the same field. I never heard of a similar ease of deliberate attack by Crows ou
Magpies, and submit the above for your consideration. — James Croome, 20, Great Ormond Street,
Bloomsbury, July 26th., 1854.

On the 20th. of May last, while rowing on the Serpentine, I started a Sandpiper, a small
one, from the Rhododendron bank; only one was visible; and on the 23rd. and 26th. I again
put it up near the same spot, followed it to the opposite bank, whence, on my close approach,
it returned to the first-named spot: I have not seen it siiice. Which of the Sandpipers was it?
and had it a nest there?— Idem. Probably the Totanus hypoleucos. — B. R. M.

Occurrence of the Nightingale, (Philomela luseinia,) near Barnsley. — The account in last
week's "Doncaster Gazette" of the capture of nine Nightingales in Edliugton Wood, near that
town, will give pain to every true lover of nature, and few there will be who will not unite
in the editorial condemnation of the ".barbarians" who have, at the same time, deprived these
sweet warblers of their libert}', and the public of their delicious out-door music. Knowing that
those who have the care of that noble wood are desirous to preserve these sweet singers, one
is surprised at the successful audacity of these wholesale exterminators; for, considering how
soon these birds die in captivity, it is little better than destruction to tear them from their
uatural haunts. Would that tliere were as much care in preserving these innocent creatures

234

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

as there is with respect to game. How much more innocent gratification to thousands would
be the consequence ; but there are few protectors of small birds like the owners of Walton
and Stainbro' parks. Even in this last beautiful domain three Nightingales, I am credibly
informed, were shot by a former gamekeeper. We have now to go a dozen or score miles to
hear one, chiefly to Edlington, though seldom a year passes without the occurrence of the
Nightingale in this part, but we only hear of it when it has fallen into the stealthy bird-
catcher's snare. Even this class of men might be impressed to some extent with the wrong
and absurdity of this practice as regards confining the bird, and the poor starving nature of their
calling, every year growing more uncertain and less gainful, as the birds are thinned off. 1
have a singular instance of self-denial to record of one of them, who sent me word on the
very day this Nightingale capture was recorded, that he had heard one on the 24th. of
May in a small wood near Elsecar, five miles from Barnsley, which he could have caught if
he had wished. Various engagements prevented me proceeding there until the 10th. of June.
Soon after reaching the wood and taking my bearings, then making my way, sometimes on
all-fours, under the thickly-tangled brushwoood, I heard, amid the chorus of warblers, tlie
delightful thrilling strains of 'jug, jugl, jug' — "and one low piping note more sweet than all" —
distinguishing the Nightingale from all other songsters. Not satisfied with this day's enter-
tainment, I started again with two companions on the following morning at two a.m., and
reached the place at day-break, just as the whole wood appeared to be hursting forth in
melody. In about half an hour we had the pleasure of realizing the fine description of that
truly natural poet "the peasant Clare,"

"Anon from bosom of that green retreat,

His song anew in silvery stream would gush,

With jug jug jug, and quavered thrilling sweet:

Till roused to emulate the enchanting strain,

From hawthorn spray, piped loud the merry Thrush

His wild bra^-ura thro' the woodlands wide."

We staj'cd about two hours, but only heard the song at intervals of about a quarter of an hour,
for, as our informant said would be the case, after sunrise the old birds would be busy feeding
their young. We saw them frequently with grubs in their bills. My thankful acknowledgment
for the information given by him, knowing my tastes to study birds in their natural state,
rather than in the cage or museum — too much the modern mania — appeared as satisfactory to
him as if he had made a captive of the bird.— T. Lister, Barnsley, June 18th., 1854.

The Dotterel, (Eudromias Morinella,) at Brighton. — I have lately bought of Swaysland, the
bird and animal preserver of Brighton, a fine male Dotterel, which he informs me was shot
towards the end of May last, together with five others, in a field near the Dyke road. He also
showed me several rare birds, procured at different times near Brighton ; among which were the
Pernis apivorm and the Short-eared Owl, ( Braehijotos palnstris,) shot at Shoreham, in 1853;
two specimens of the rare 3Iotacilla alba, a Hoopoe, a Great Shrike, a Dartford Warbler, and
a variety of Passer domesticics, with white wings and a light chesnut back; a Squacco and a
Night Heron, {Nijctiardea grisea,) a male and female Whimbrel, several Spotted Sandpipers,
(Actitis macularias,) a Knot in summer plumage, two Little Stints, {Tringa minuta,) one
Little Kinged Plover, {^gialites minor,) some Gray Plovers, a Greenshank, {Glottis chloropus,)
and one immature specimen of Larus minutus. — J. Cavafy, Brighton, August 7th., 1854.

Otcurrence of Pied Roohs, (Corvus frugilegus.)— Whilst walking along the coast near Dunbar,
towards the end of July, in company with an ornithological friend, my attention was directed
by him to a flo(!k of Rooks a short way off, among which was one with a bar of white across
either wing. It seemed to be much shyer than the others, like all these albinoes, for, as soon
as we approached, it made off, whilst the rest of the flock was almost quite regardless of our
presence. A short time previous, the same friend had an opportunity of examining a specimen
which was shot from the nest in a neighbouring rookery, and which had, besides the white
on either wing, also a few white feathers in the tail. Perhaps the above may be of some
interest to the readers of "The Naturalist," and so worthy of a place in your valuable
magazine.— W. E. Robertson, 72, Bath-Street, Glasgow, August 23rd., 1854.

The Mountain Finch, (Fringilla montifringilla.) — On the 10th. of July last, a female Mountain
Finch, which has been kept in a cage since the autumn of 1852, by Mr. Jackson, laid an Qgg,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 235

which was unfortunately hrokon, but with much care, and by putting it on the egg of a Hedge
Accentor, a fair specimen was made of it, and which, with another (sound one) laid on the follow-
ing Monday, the 17th., is now in Mr. Jackson's very excellent collection of British Birds' Eggs,
to which they make a very valuable addition. The colour of the eggs is of a pale bluish green
ground, as given in the first figure in the llev. F. 0. Morris's "Nests and Eggs of British
Birds," without the dark spots, but smeared with a dull rusty brown, dense at the large, and
gradually diminishing towards the small end, which is entirely free from brown. As these
eggs differ so much from Mr. M.'s second figure, and also from the figure given by Mr. Hewitson,
in his splendid work on birds' eggs, the question arises, does confinement modify the colouring
of eggs? The affirmation is borne out by some eggs laid by a Kestrel, for many years kept
in confinement by Mr. Jackson, who has the eggs still in his possession, the colouring matter
of which is collected at the small end, leaving the large end of a pure white.— Stephen Clogg,
East Looe, August 4th., 1854.

A short time since, I was struck by the strange appearance of a Skylark, (Alauda arvensis,) which
rose from a wheat-field, singing most joyously and clearly, at the same time bearing something
white in its mouth; it proved to be a mutin which he was carrying from his nest, and which
dropped close to my side on the road where I stood. I should have thought such a burden
would have interfered with the clearness of the song, but it had no such eff'ect. — Idem.

In the latter part of June, my dog disturbed a nest of young Willow Wrens, when one
apparently more frightened than the rest, attracted his attention by flying before him, keeping
a few feet from his nose; Mr. Jackson, another friend, and I, also started off" in pursuit of
the same bird; but after a fruitless chase for two or three hundred yards, the apparent youngster
flew vigorously into an oak overhead, when we discovered we had been lured away from the
nest and young by one of the old birds, who, I have no doubt, rejoiced at having deceived
three of the lords of creation. This is to me a new trait in the history of "Willow Wrens.
— Idem.

Is it a G/iosi?— Last night, between nine and ten o'clock, on my way home from the
country, in passing through a field which bears the unenviable notoriety of being haunted,
I was amused by the appearance in the twilight of a huge misshapen white figure hovering
over and accompanying my setter in all his turnings and windings, whilst hunting over the
field; presently he came close to me, when I discovered the figure to be nothing more than
a White Owl, and on his again scampering off from me, followed by the Owl, it struck me
that the two would have made an excellent ghost if seen by any one of a superstitious turn ;
and being unaware of the nature of the apparition — a White Owl, on the back of a large
black Setter, coursing over a so-called haunted field.— Idem.

T/ie Greater Spotted Woodpecker, (Picas major.)— On the 17th. of Jfay last, I procured a
female Greater Spotted Woodpecker with eggs, from an orchard near Shrewsbury. The eggs
were five in number, white, and about the size of a Starling's. The bird has since been set
up by Mr. John Shem, Taxidermist, High-Street, Shrewsbury.— John Kiddell, Leamington,
June 14th., 1864.

T/ie Seed Warbler, (Salicaria arundinacea.)— On Tuesday last. May 30th., I found the nest
of the Reed Warbler in an elder bush, containing three full-fledged young ones. This is certainly
the earliest nest I ever heard of, as I have seldom found a nest with eggs in before the
18th. or 20th. of May. Perhaps some persons may think I have mistaken the bird, as I
know there is a very common idea that these birds build only on reeds; but I can at once
disprove this, by forwarding you nests, (and eggs from the same nests,) placed in the side
branches of the upright poplar, the elder, the dogwood, and the alder. I have also found the
nests in lilacs, and once in some pendant ivy. In this part of the county we have a great
many pollard willow trees, and I frequently find the nests placed on the small twigs which
grow about three feet high in the heads of these willows, which would make the total height
from the ground about ten or eleven feet: I also find them in osiers about four feet from
the ground. By the small twigs on the heads of the willows, I mean the boughs that have
been overgrown by the others, and consequently never attain a size thicker than a small
switch. Should you think this, to me, remarkable occurrence of the early breeding of the

236 MISCELLANROns K0TICE3.

Reed "Warbler, worth noticing in "The Naturalist," perhaps you will have the kindness to insert
a short notice.— C. Thurxall, Whittlesford, near Cambridge, June 5th., 1854.

L'iminositi/ of a Snake.— Some years ngo, when residing in the Fylde district of North Lan-
cashire, I was taking a ramble on the banks of the IJiver Wyre, near Kawdiffe Hall, the seat
of R. W. Ffranee, Esq., where, upon a slight embankment, my attention was directed to a
luminous object a few yards in advance. It appeared to be about the size of a half-crown
piece, and round like that coin, but of the most beautiful colour, not unlike that greenish
golden hue which some of the Beetle tribes display. My already excited curiosity was soon
to be much heigbtened, for, as I approached, and had got within about four yards of the
unknown, it suddenly changed its flat circular into that of a serpentine foi-m, and darted with
almost the speed of thought, into a hole situate within a few inches of where it had been
basking. When uncoilt^d, it appeared to be about the thickness of an ordinary quill, and
about five inches in length. I watched the hole for a considerable time, thinking it would
re-appear; but was not favoured with such an indulgence. I marked the spot, and paid
it many visits, and was fortunate enough twice more to see liis puny Snakeship; but he was
so shy, and his movements so very rapid, that I failed in obtaining a better view than when
first I had the opportunity of seeing him. I may remark that on each occasion when I saw
the animal, it was about noon on a bright and sunny day, towards the close of the month
of June. Should you consider the above sufijciently eligible to a iiicJie in your valuable
journal, I have no doubt but some of your scientific readers would recognise the Snake and its
genus.— J. P., Rochdale, March 23rd., 1854.

January, 1853. — A splendid specimen of the Ffuilacrocorax graciilus was shot near- Pennance
Point, Swanpool, by Dr. William's son. The bird was in spring plumage; a large and high
plume of feathers, a perfect toupet crowned the forehead just above the superior edges of
the orbits.— W. P. Cocks, Falmouth, 1854.

February. — The Liparis vulgaris, two and a half inches in length, was found under a stone,
low water mark, Trefusis Point, Mylor, by the son of the Rev. Mr. Yescombe, of Flushing.
— Idem,

Zglophaga dorsalis, alive in a piece of wood, from Trawl refuse, by INIiss Vigurs. It contained
several dozen specimens. — Idem.

A fine specimen of the Limosa melanitra was shot by the Rev. Mr. Jackson, of Grade, at
the Lizai'd, July 14th. Preserved by Mr. Chapman, Falmouth. — Idem.

Phalaropus hyperboreus was shot by Dr. William's son in the pool, Swanpool, September
16th. Mounted by Mr. Chapman.— Idem.

Physalia pelagica was found alive on the sands by Master Basten, and brought to me by
Mr. W. BuUmore, November 2nd., 1853. It was six inches and one quarter in length. —
Idem.

Entomological captures near Cartmel.—k female specimen of the rolgomm^tus acis, or Mazarine
Blue Butterfly, and also a specimen of the Anania Ociomacnlata, or White Spot Moth, both
considered rare, were taken by me at Grange, near Cartmel, Lancashire, in the beginning of
this month.— Thomas King Atkinson, Cardew Lodge, (Carlisle, May 6th., 1854.

The Small White Butterfly, (Pontia Rap<e.)— The Small White Butterfly captured by Mr.
S. Stone, March 2nd., must, I think, be the earliest taken ever recorded. I have an entry
in my diary, March 22nd., 1852, of one I captured very weak, and apparently just crept out
from its chrysalis. This I thought remarkably earl)-, and therefore worthy of notice. —
Sidney Hyle, Southampton, May 9th., 1854.

The Wolf-Fish, (Anarrhichas lupus.) Many of these have been brought me by the fialiermon
during the past winter; they are various sizes, from one foot to three and four feet. Yarrell
Btates the colour to be of a brownish gray: this is the case with those of the middle size I have
obtained. The smaller ones are of a reddish brown colour, while the larger ones are of a d<!cp
blue colour. The fishermen say that all the large ones are .of this blue colour.— W., Macduff',
March 22nd., 1854.

A

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICFS. 287

Note on the Ncmophik.— Last year I had two patches of the Ncmophila—insignis and maculata
— growing near each other upon the same border. From seed cast by the hitter, there are
several phmts now in flower, whoso petals are of the most beautiful rose-colour, and on the
tip of ea(!h, corresponding to the dark spot on the petal of the maculata, are marks of a darker
hue than the other part of the flower, but not so deep as on the maculata. The leaver are
similar to those of the insignis. I have presumed to think they are hybrids— \he production of
both species. Probably some of the readers of "The Naturalist" have had a similar phenomenon
brought under their observation. — J. P., Rochdale, July 4tli., 1854.

Secondr budding of Decidnoiis Trees.— T\\\s circumstance is particularly observable on the Lime
trees in and about the metropolis, which at the present time have the light green appearance
they had in early spring. In fact, the London Limes appear annually to lose their leaves
about the end of June, and the trees are quite bare for a few days till this second crop appears.
This early fsiUing of the leaf does not so often take place in the country, and it is most probably
owing to the impure atmosphere that those planted in the parks and squares of London do so.
It is not only Limes that produce this second crop. Elms, Oaks, and various others, when their
first leaves have been blighted or nipped by the frost, frequently bud afresh late in the summer,
but these leaves never reach the size of the first. — K. Mc'L., London, July ISth., 1854.

The Haivthorn, (Cratnegus oxyacantha.)— I gathered Hawthorn in full bloom yesterday, April
12th., from a hedge near here; the other bushes around showed no signs of budding. 1 could
not ascertain the favourable circumstance that had led to itspremature development.— George
M. Barnard, Little Banfield, Braintree, April 13th., 1854.

The specimen in fine flower was sent with the above. — B. R. M.

Possible source of fallacy in the formation of a local Faima. — A curious instance of one of
the sources of fallacy in the formation of a local fauna, has presented itself in this neighbourhood,
two fine specimens of Fennatula rubra or phosi^horca having been brought to my friend Arthur
Adams, Esq., Surgeon, R. N., and said to have been found on the shore, near Ilaslar
barracks. They were contained in a common pickle bottle, and found to be strongly impreg-
nated with spirit of wine, leading to the belief that they had been thrown overboard from
some ship which had arrived from abioad, say the East Indies or Mediterranean, where they
are chiefly found. In this way possibly not a few spurious species may have been introduced
into the British Fauna. The specimens above referred to, are now in the Museum of this
establishment." J. Rose, M. D., Royal Hospital, Ilaslar, May 9th., 1854.

Note on Honey-dew. — Allow me to off'er, through the medium of your journal, a few remarks
and observations of my own upon a subject closely connected with entomological study, and
about which much diversity of opinion prevails; I allude to the cause of the production of that
singular substance termed honey-deiv. I believe the most generally received opinion among
entomologists is, that it is produced by the Aphis humuli and its allied species. I entertained
this opinion till further and close investigation confirmed mo in the .opposite belief; namel}',
that the substance is of vegetable origin. During the latter end of the spring of this year, I
have had great opportunties of examining this phenomenon; for it appeared In such abun-
dance, that in gardens and orchards the leaves of the currant, plum, and other trees distilled
from their tips a copious supply of honey-dew. The whole surface of the leaf was covered
with it, and a large drop of this substance hung pendant from the end of evei-y leaf. It is
true that the Aphides appeared in considerable numbers also, but had they been a hundred
fold more numerous, I feel sure they could not have possibly been the cause of the supply;
besides, the honey-dew was as abundant on leaves where not an Aphis was to be seen, as on
those which were covered with them. To make myself sure, however, that the substance was
excreted from the plant, and not produced from the insects feeding above, I wiped and dried
a particular leaf, and placing a piece of writing-paper between this and the over-hanging ones,
waited for the result. In the course of a few hours, the leaf so wiped and dried, had become
partially covered with honey-dew, though not to the extent it was before; probably from its
sources of excretion being greatly exhausted. It may not be out of place to remark that the
paper placed between the leaf and those above it had not the smallest particle of hone3--dew
visible upon it, which it would seem most likely to have had, if the honey-dew had been
the ejecta of the Aphides feeding above. From the formation of the feeding apparatus of

238 THE QUERIST.

this aphis, it would seem most improbable that this substance could be its food ; may not then
its appearance be ascribed to some peculiarity in the atmosphere, which, while it stimulates
the leaf to the secretion of this fluid, is also favourable to the hatching of the eggs of the
aphis deposited at the end of the preceding autumn? — T. J., Tottenham, June 16th., 1854,

€\\i d^liirriHt.

White variety of the Hyacinth. — In "The Naturalist," for this month, Mr. Ilyle, of
Southampton, mentions having found the flowers of the Wild Hyacinth perfectly white. In
this neighbourhood I have frequently found it, but oftener of a very light blue colour; but it
is not at all common. Within a few hundred yards of the house in which I reside, there is
a brook, which is the division betwixt two kinds of soils, on one side it is clay, on the other
sandy; but I find the white flower to be more common on the clay soil than on the other,
and in a ramble of a few hours, like Mr. Hyle's, I think I should be able to gather some
dozens of them.— T. S., Holnifirth, August 9th., 1854.

The query of your correspondent, Sidney Hyle, in the last number of "The Naturalist,"
reminds me of a similar observation that I made on Whit-Saturday last, June lOth. During
eight hours ramble through woods and lanes where the Wild Hyacinth, {Jlyacinthtis non-
scriptus,) was growing in the greatest profusion, I found owe pure white; it was a long distance
from any house, and in a situation which deters me from thinking it had got there from any
garden. I may observe, though a rambler, it is a number of years since I saw one in a similar
situation. — E. Simpkin, Bmy, Lancashire, August 25th., 1854.

ITarebell, (llyacinthus nonscriptus.) Bluebell, (Scilla nutans.) — Mr. Iljle's query induces me
to observe that white-flowered varieties of this plant are frequently met with on limestone soils
in Yorkshire. I remember rambling one fine day in spring, now many years ago, to the village
of Berwick-in-Elmet, celebrated for its stupendous Saxon earthwork, known as the Hull Tower
Hill; besides some minor archcological attractions in the shape of an old church, and the base
of a cross; close to which stands another pleasing relic of days long past:

"A may-pole gaye, with garlandcs hung."
After satisfying my antiquarian curiosity in the village, I strolled towards the woods, stretching
on to "Towton's fatal dale," and in crossing the fields met with two lads who had been gathering
Bluebells, amongst which I noticed many white varieties; one of the little fellows, full of good-
nature, would turn back and show me where these White Bluebells, as he called them, grew.
It was a copse, at no great distance north-east from the village; and there I found them in
plenty, together with a flesh-coloured variety. Being ignorant of the locality your correspondent
mentions, I cannot speak as to the rarity of his specimen, but in our limestone districts I
find they are not uncommon. I never met with a white one on sandstone soil, but perhaps
a more extended search would have been better rewarded. It may not be out of place to
mention that in my vagrant rambles about Berwick, and the neighbourhood, I have occasionally
met with flowers of the Wood Anemone, with the upper side of the petals of a light purple
colour. Thus we have two botanical peculiarities in one locality, with limestone soil, which
I think will not be so readily observable on the sandstone'; but probably some of your better
informed contributors can furnish further particulars on the subject. — John Dixon, Leeds.

Last spring I found a nest composed of dry stalks of grass, moss, and a little hair, placed
rather high up in a quick hedge, and containing an egg very much resembling that of the
Nightingale, though not so bulky. The thick end was encircled with a hair-like streak of
black. Ultimately the bird laid six eggs, all of which were streaked like the first. I saw the
hen on her nest several times, she was of the shape and size of a Sedge Warbler, having a
light streak over the eye. The name of the bird will oblige C. E. Smith.

Some years ago I found a nest composed of dry stalks of grasses, placed in a low yew bush,
and containing a pure white egg of the size of that produced by the Martin. Can any correspondent
inform me what it was? — Idem.

I have read somewhere of "Waterton's Triumphant Defence of the Ivy." — Where is it to be
found?" F. 0. Morris, Nunbumholme Eectory, August 17th., 1854.

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aggregate humanities, as an oppressed, despised, and outcast iacc, arc exemplified without the slight-
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we wish it every success." — JFceA/.y Dispatch.

LONDON:
PAETEIDGE AND OAKEY, 34, PATEENOSll
AXD 70, KDGWARE KOAD.

\X^)\\

No. 45. NOVEMBER, 1854.

Price 6d.

^f' itlt Tcf

il'iE

m M

A J^OPULAK MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE

AiNlMAL, VEGETABLE, AND MINERAL
KLNGDOMS.

WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.

CONDUCTED BY

BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A.B., M.D., T.O.D.,

MKMll: WJEKX: CLUB.

LONDON:
GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATERNOSTER ROW.

EDmBURGH: JAISIES HOGG, 4, NICOLSON STEEET.

AND MAY BB HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

The Birds of Strathbeg and its Neighbourhood, with a few Remarks

upon their Habits, etc. By Mr. Thomas Edward 239

The Ring Ouzel — Inland Migration. By 0. S. Round, Esq 247

The Findhorn Heronry, By J. Longmuir, Esq. Jun... 248

Local Jottings. Dorchester — Dorsetshire. By John Garland, Esq.... 252

RoUesby Gullery. By T. Southwell, Esq 253

List of Algae gathered in the North of Ireland. By William Sawers,

Esq ' 254

Miscellaneous Notices. — Hybrid between Anser Leucopsis and Anser
Canadensis. Red-necked Phalarope. Tufted Duck breeding in
England. On the note of the Cuckoo. Notice of the Night-Jar
near Barnsley. Thrushes feeding on the backs of Sheep. Little
Stint. Great Ash- coloured Shrike. Red-breasted Merganser. Hobby.
Appearance of the Hirundinidae, etc., at Bawburgb Hill. Note on
Sirex Gigas. Occurrence of the Opah, or King-Fish, near l^uckie,

Banffshire. Prunella vulgaris with \\ bite Flowers 257

The Querist 259

Proceedings of Societifs — Scarborough Philosophical and Archa30-

logical Society 260

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications bave been received, up to October 19tli., from J. Longmuie,
Esq., Jun.;— J. J. Fox, Esq.;— Mr. G. King.

Contributions have been received, up to October 19th., from J. Garland, Esq.
— J. L. Wight, Esq.; — T. Southwell, Esq.; — G. Donaldson, Esq.; — Mk. T
Edw^ard;— Mk. E. Paefitt;— W. Kidd, Esq.; — E. K. B.;— G. Stockley, Esq.
— L. Shields, Esq.; — J. P.; — D. Ferguson, Esq.; — J. E. Daniel, Esq.; — T
Fuller, Esq.; — J. Dixon, Esq.; — Henry Daniel, Esq.; — H. Smuethwaite
Esq.;— S. Stone, Esq.;— H. H. S.

i;.;iiATA.— Pago 227, line 18 from buttoiii, for 'Stoekby' road 'Stockley.'— Page 226, line 22, for 'Arctic
T'.iii,' [Stcrtia Arctica,j read 'Common Tern,' [Sterna Ilinaxln.J

Vommiinications, Drawings^ Advertihenwnia, etc., to be addressed to BEVERLEY H. MOIililS,
Esq., M.D., Driffield; — Books for lieoiew, and Parcels, to the care of Messrs. GltOOMBIUDGE
und SONS, 5, Paternoster Bow. London.

239

THE BIRDS OF STRATIIBEG AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD,
WITH A FP]W REMARKS UPON THEIR HABITS, ETC.

BY MR. THOMAS EDWARD.

Thk Loch of Strathbeg, though by no means remarkable for its sublime
or romantic scenery, having none of that, nor yet for the great extent of its
waters, is nevertheless a most interesting spot to the naturalist, particularly
the ornithologist, as being the resort of myriads of wild-fowl during one portion
of the year, and the breeding-place of gi-eat numbers during another. Lying
as it does in the midst of a comparatively flat, open, cultivated district, and
bordering on the coast, the birds flock to it from all quarters during winter,
particularly if a storm prevails in the sea; its natural advantages afibrding
them both food and shelter. In form it is what might be called pear-shaped.
It is said to be betwixt three and four miles in length, and about half a
mile in breadth where it is broadest. To walk round it, it is considered to
be about seven miles; I should say more; at least 1 have made the tour
several times, and I never yet accomplished it in less than a day, and that,
too, a long summer one. But, of course, this is no great criterion to go by;
for to tell the truth, even on myself, which, by the by, must not always
be done, I have been known to take the greater part of two days and a
ni"-ht, on more occasions than one, to accomplish that which any clever little
fellow would have gone over in less than, or, at least, in about half a day. It
must be borne in mind however that the localities alluded to were rich ones,
that is in specimens; and I can assure the reader that Strathbeg is not a
poor one. But be this as it may, I must say that whoever makes the tour
of the Loch, he has had a very good morning's walk.

From Peterhead it is distant about ten miles, and from Fraserbrough about
seven and a half. A stage-coach, from the former to the latter place, once
a day, passes at one part, near the parish church of Crimand, at perhaps a
a little over a mile from the Loch. It can also be approached from either
of these towns along the beach, which is sandy. There are a few small
fishing villages between Fraserbrough and the Loch, but I am not aware if
any of them could afford anything like comfortable accommodation to travellers,
but I should think not. The Loch, and grounds adjoining, except a small
portion, belong to the estate of Cairness, but are at present held by Mr.
Baunerman, of Crimmonraogate, so that no one carrying a gun can visit the
place without permission from that gentleman, or some one for him.

With these brief remarks I would now at once take the Loch, beginning
with its winter appearance, and then go on to its aspect in summer.

There are certain places of it which always remain open for several days,
sometimes weeks, after all the other pieces of water in the neighbourhood
are entirely frozen over. To these places all the water-fowl, from far and
near, are seen in frosty weather to congregate in prodigious numbers; so great
indeed, that the common people who live thereabout, believe, and say it

VOL. IV. 2 I

240 THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEO.

too, that all the birds in the world come there in winter; and, to use the
words of the murderous gunner, "afford most excellent sport."

Should the neighbouring ocean rise frowningly, by angry tempests tossed, then
do the feathered tribes, that love to sport on or near its surface in calmer days,
betake themselves in great numbers to the more peaceful waters of the Loch,
and mingling with the numbers already spoken of, form vast hordes, and, as
may be easily conceived, constitute a very motley group. In such amazing
crowds are they at times, that when they rise en masse, as they not un fre-
quently do, especially when disturbed, they literally darken the air; and the
noise they make on such occasions is perfectly deafening. But it is not these
countless hosts, however interesting and beneficial they may be to others, that
we have so much to do with as it is the various species of which they are
composed; and to enumerate these as far as is known to me; I will now
proceed; but first, and before I go any farther, I would beg leave to state
here that it is to my much lamented friend, the late Rev. James Smith, of
Manquhitter, and to whom I have already alluded in the pages of "The
Naturalist," that I am most indebted for my information concerning the
"Birds of Strathbeg" — an authority, alas! alas! for his early, too early
departure, which I am truly proud to acknowledge. I am likewise under
the greatest obligations to his highly -esteemed and worthy brother in-law, Mr.
Henry Ewerdine, W. S., Cairness, who lives near by the Loch, and to several
members of his kind and intelligent family for their very valuable assistance
in these matters — assistance which I trust will ever be remembered by me
with the deepest gratitude and love; being, as it was, as cheerfully given as
it was thankfully received.

To others, and to all who have in the least way aided me in that quarter,
and in this undertaking, I would also beg here to offer my sincere and
heartfelt acknowledgments. This done, I would now proceed with my catalogue,
commencing with the Cijgnidce, as beinir the largest genus which visits the
Loch.

Although small parties of these birds annually arrive, only two species have
as yet been distinguished, namely, the beautiful White Hooper, (Ci/gnus ferus,)
and the no less fair and elegant Polish Swan, (C immutahilis;) the latter,
however, may be said to be of rare occurrence. I am only aware of two
specimens which have been obtained, the one in J814-, and the other in 1826.

Of Geese there are pretty large numbers. —

The Bean Goose, (^Anser seyetum,) is yearly met with, and at times very
plentiful. A somewhat small species of this genus, with a rose-coloured bill
and dark Vermillion feet and legs, was shot in the spring of 1848, and was
supposed to be a specimen of A. hrachyrhynchus, or Pink-footed Goose. What
else could it have been? It was alone when discovered, and extremely shy,
so that it was with considerable difficulty that it was obtained. It was sent
south for preservation; but what became of it afterwards I am not aware.

The White- fronted, (^A. erythropus,) and the Bernicle, (^A. leucopsis,) have

THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEQ. 241

both occurred; as also the Brent Goose, (A. Brenta.) This last is, I believe,
the most abundant of all this genus which visit the Loch, and is in some
seasons extremely numerous. They are also frequently to be met with in
summer, individually, or in small parties. In the month of June last year,
I pursued a (lock, composed of about thirty birds, about the Loch for the
greater part of a day in the hopes of getting a shot, but in this I was
most miserably disappointed from their extraordinary shyness; a trait
in their character which I have never as yet observed in them during
winter.

The Canadian Goose, {A. Canadensis.) — A bird resembling this species, but
which was at first supposed to be a young Swan, was obtained on that part
of the Loch which lies nearest to Rattery, during the winter of 1819. When
first observed, it was literally surrounded and beset by a host of other birds,
chiefly Gulls, which were teasing and tormenting it, by pecking and screaming
at him in a most fearful manner; the poor Canadian all the time exhibiting
the most comical gestures.

The Rev. A. Boyd, of Crimand, a gentleman well known to several naturalists,
and one whose hospitable manse is always open to me as a home when I
go a rambling after Nature in that direction, and to whom I intend hereafter
to refer, wrote me last winter that a strange sort of Wild Goose had taken
up its abode in his pond. From the minute and pointed description which
he gave of the bird, I was enabled at once to return him word that it could
be nothing else but a specimen of that rare species, the Egyptian Goose
(/I. Eyyptiacus,) which afterwards proved to be the case, as will be seen. The
pond, or dam lying in an exposed situation, and it being Mr. Boyd's wish
that the stranger should not be destroyed, but rather preserved alive, if possible,
he requested the people all round not to shoot, or molest it in any way.
This was of course complied with, from the fact that the Reverend gentleman
is, from his amiable qualities, a universal favourite in the district, and indeed
beloved by all who have the pleasure and honour of his acquaintance. The bird
continued to frequent the pond for about two months, where Mr. B. caused
food to be laid down for it every day, and it became a little more tame.
It only abode on the dam, however, during the day-time. As regularly as
evening came it took its departure, but as invariably as morning dawned it
re-appeared. Where it went to during these nightly peregrinations, was never
rightly ascertained, but it is conjectured that the Loch had been the place
of resort, which doubtless it had. On the day however preceding the great
snow-storm, which commenced in January last, and which was so severely
felt by man and beast, Goosy was observed to take his departure considerably
earlier than usual; and in doing so, bade a lasting farewell to the kind folks
of Crimand, for, like the little Frenchman, he has never been seen or heard
of more. Mr. Boyd being in Liverpool some time after, and having visited a
poulterer's yard, observed what he supposed at first to be his old friend, the
Goose, or at least he was sure if it was not that, it was one of the same

242 THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEO.

sort, from the fiimily likeness; and on inquiring its name, was informed that
it was an Egyptian Goose.

We now come to, perhaps, the most extensive tribe which visits the Loch,
namely, the Ducks. Of these the Mallard, (Anas boschas,) or, as it is here
termed the *Moss Duck,' is perhaps the most numerous; the Widgeon, (Mareca
Penelope,) being the next. I have seen some most excellent specimens from
that quarter. The beautiful little Teal, (Anas crecca,) is also in pretty fair
numbers. The Garganey, {Anas querquedula.) — Although I have placed this
pretty bird here, I am not aware whether it is a winter visitor to the Loch
or not, but this I know, that whilst on a boating excursion in the summer
of 1850, with Mr. John Ewerdine, we met with a party of three, which
we pursued, but unluckily the same success attended me as did with the
Brent Geese; always taking to wing as they observed us pulling towards them,
and not allowing us to approach near within gun-shot.

The Scaup, [Fuligula marila,) the Tufted, {F. cndata,) and the Red-headed
Pochard, or Dun-bird, {F. ferina,) as also the Golden-Eyed Garrot, {^Clangula
Garrotta^ are all to be met with. The Scaups and the Golden Eyes are
more plentiful than the others. I have likewise on several occasions met with
the Dun-bird on the Loch during summer. The Pintail, (Anas acuta,) the
FervvLginoviS Duck, (A. ferruffinea,) the' Harlequin Garrot, {A. histrionica,) and
the gaudy Shoveler, (A. clypcata,) have all occurred. It is only a few
winters since a most beautiful specimen of the Harlequin was shot there by
a rabbit-catcher, who, I believe, for the sake of a very paltry sum more than
he was offered on the spot, sent it, like the other rarity already spoken of,
away south. The Shieldrake, {A. tadorna,) and the Eider Duck,*^' (A.
malUssima,) are also occasional visitors. Although there are some excellent
localities, that is to appearance, for the Shieldrake breeding in the neighbourhood
of Strathbeg, I have never met with them, nor have I ever heard of their
doing so. Other visitors, however, may yet make the discovery.

A specimen, either of the Smew, or White headed Duck, [Mergus alhtllus,)
or Hooded Merganser, (if. cucullatus,) was killed in the winter of 1821, but
unfortunately it was destroyed by a dog. From the description given, I have
no doubt but it was a Smew. The attractive and pretty piebald Goosander,
(M. merganser,) and the wary Red-breasted Merganser, {M. serrator;) the
former frequent, not so the latter.

Thus ends the Ducks and the Duck species, and brings us to quite a
diflFerent class, namely, that of the Podiceps or Grebes, which is, I must say,
very limited. Three species are however recorded, which are the Tippet,
{Podiceps cristatus,) the Red-necked or Dusky Grebe, (f. ruhricollis,) and the
Little or Black-chinned Grebe, (P. minor.) This last, I am told, has been
known to breed there.

* I have just learned from a gentleman in Peterhead that the Eider Duck now breeds near
that town. This being the case, we may yet hear of its doing so also on some of the islands
of Strathbeg.

i

THE BIRDS OP STRATHBEO. 243

We now arrive at the Ardeadae or Waders, and shall commence with the
Common Heron, (Ardea cinerea.) A few of these birds may be seen at all
seasons of the year about the margins of the Loch, but ever watchful and
suspicious. It is the next thing to an impossibility to get within shot, owing
to the flat nature of the place. A White Heron, supposed to be an Egret,
was observed on the west side of the Loch in the spring of 181G, It was
seen for several days to frequent the same spot, but on being fired at once
or twice, it left and did not return. A very nice specimen of the Bittern,
or Mire-drum, (A. stellaris,) was shot in the autumn of 1824, by one of
Mr. Gordon's, of Cairness, gamekeepers. (3thers have I believe been seen.
The Spoonbill, (Platalea leucorodia,) has twice or thrice been observed; and
the Glossy Ibis, {Ihis falcinellus,) once.

Of the Scolopacidce two species are numerous, namely, the Common Snipe,
{Scolopax gallinago,) and the Jack, {S. gallinula;) the former most abundant.
Early in the mornings, and in the dusk of the evenings, Woodcocks, [S.
rusticola,) are to be found. About fourteen or fifteen years ago, my honoured
friend, the late Rev. Mr. Smith, at the time residing in Banff, and Rector
of the Academy, had a very large Snipe along with some other birds sent
him from that quarter. Arriving in the morning he could do little more than
merely look at them, but he at once saw that the Snipe was a strange one,
and on leaving for his duties, he consigned it, along with the other birds
which were to be cooked, to the care of the servant, with particular orders
to lay it aside until the afternoon, when he should again require it. Unfor-
tunately, however, most unfortunately, his orders either had not been dis-
tinctly given, or else had been misunderstood, for on asking for the bird at
the time specified, he was informed by the girl that he had had it already
to his dinner. "What!" exclaimed ray friend in amazement, "did you serve
the one up that I gave you to lay aside for me?" "They were all served
up Sir," was the damsel's reply. "Well," added my friend, "I would have
given you any money — anything rather than you should have done what you
have. It was a very rare bird; besides I have sent for Mr. E. to come and
aid me in its identity, and what can I say to him when he comes? That I
have eaten the bird? Most ridiculous! What will, or what can he think?"
I entered at the moment, and just in time to hear the concluding part of
the last sentence. The servant appeared much cast down at her mistake; and
as for ray friend, he was really in a sad case at the loss of the bird. I
was extremely vexed rayself when I learnt the circumstance, but of course
there was no help. The servant girl left on my entry, no doubt glad to
get away.

The bird thus so voraciously destroyed, was considered by Mr. Smith to be
the Great Snipe, (Scolopax major;) and from his description of it, I have
little or no doubt but that it was, which rendered its annihilation the greater
pity, and the more to be deplored, owing to the comparative scarcity of the
species in this country.

244: THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEG.

The Green Sandpiper, (Tringa ochropus,) the Ruff,- (T. pugnax,) and the
Avocet, {Recurvirostra avocetta,) have all been obtained; but of course must
rank as very rare visitors. The same also may be said of the Dotterel,
{Charadrius morinellus,) and the Gray Phalarope, (Phalaropiis lahatus;) four
of the former, that is the Dotterel, were shot in the spring of 1852, out of
a small party met with on the links near to the Looh; two of which are
in my own collection, one in that of a gentleman in Fraserbrough, and the
other in the possession of Crawford Noble, Esq., Jun., Savock, by whom
three of the birds were killed. They were all arrayed in their breeding or
summer dress.

The foregoing are what may be termed, properly speaking, the Birds of the
Loch in tointer. Of course there are several not mentioned, but which will
be so when we arrive at the proper time. Those I have omitted being, in
a great measure, permanent and breeding there, it is intended to rank them
along with the summer birds. There are large flocks of Gulls also, as already
hinted, besides other sea- fowl, which are frequently, and under various cir-
cumstances, to be met with; but as these belong, more properly, to the
shore birds, they will be classed under that head, with this simple reraar!?,
that they are to be looked upon as occasional visitors to the Loch, especially
the Gulls, many of which are to be seen winter and summer.

We will now take a glance at the Loch as it is in summer, and then
scan the shore. As winter passes away, and spring begins, the Loch wears
another aspect. Those vast hordes which have been alluded to, now become
more restless. They break up, and flocks disappear daily, until all have
gone, except it be a few stragglers. Several pairs of the Mallard remain
and breed by the Loch and round that quarter, and appearing on the water
again in the end of July with their young, are a source of great amusement
to gunners. The Teal also breeds, but very sparingly.

It is summer now, and you tread the marshy margins of the Loch, where
tall grasses, waterpipes, reeds, and a host of other luxuriant aquatics grow;
and the shrill whistle of the Redshank, {Totanus calidris,) the wire-like call
of the Dunlin, {Tringa variahilis^) the boom of the Snipe, (Scolopax galli-
nago,) and the pleasant peewit of the Lapwing, {Vanellus cristatus,) will never
fail to salute your willing ears; and the birds themselves to become your
company as you pass along. The Redshank, the Dunlin, and the Lapwing,
are very numerous. The Black-headed Bunting, [Emberiza schoeniclus,) the
Meadow Pipit, {Anthus pratensis,) and the Reed Warbler, {Sylvia salicaria,)
also breed in suitable localities round the Loch; the latter but few and only
occasionally, the others plentiful in every season. Coots, {Fulica atra,) are
abundant, and build amongst the water-pipes and reeds, which in certain
places, are of some extent: Water-hens,' {Gallinula chloropus,) rather scarce.

* Three specimens of the Ruff have come under my notice, as being killed in these northern
parts, — the one above referred to, one at Manquhittcr, which is now in the Banff Museum, and
the other near Cornhill, Banffshire, by the gamekeeper of Col. Thomas Gordon.

THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEQ. 245

The Whimbrel, i^Numenius pliccopus,) pays occasional visits during summer;
I have seen them several times, but do not think they breed there. In the
month of June, last year, I had the pleasure of meeting, for the first time,
■with that rare Totanns in this part of the country, the Greenshank, (T.
glottis.) There''was only one; and after frequenting the same place, namely,
that part of the margin of the Loch beneath the farm of Rattery, for two
days, it disappeared. The Water Rail, (Ballus aquaticus,) may be ranked as
an occasional straggler, but may in some instances beeed by some of the
burns v?hich feed the Loch; as also does the Water Ouzel, or Crow, (Cinclus
aquaticm,) and the Pied Wagtail, [MutaciUa YarreUii.)

Swallows are abundant about the Loch, and cannot fail to attract the
notice of every one. The Swift, {Ilirundo opus,) the Barn Swallow, (11.
rustica,) the Window Swallow, (H. urlica,) and the Bank Swallow, (//. riparia,)
all breed in the neighbourhood, the Loch affording them a rich supply of
food; a sand bank near by the Loch on its south side, is yearly chosen by
the latter species as a nesting-place, and was this summer completely perfo-
rated by them, they were so numerous.

An individual, till recently, and for a long time, in the service of the
Rev. Mr. Boyd, but at present acting as coast guardsman at the Rattery
Station, was one day, about twenty-two years ago, whilst fishing on the Loch
in a boat, a good deal surprised at the plunging of a great Eagle,, as he
said, near him: the bird rising again exhibited a good- sized trout in his bill.
This was a large and splendid Osprey, (Pandion haliaettis,) and so regardless
of ray informant's presence, that he says he could have struck him several
times with his rod.

The Eoseate Tern, (Sterna Dongalii.) Well do I remember my first visit
to the Loch, how delighted and charmed I was with its appearance. As
well do I also recollect my second, from the circumstances connected with
it. It was a year afterwards, namely, in May, 1849^ Mr. Bojd had received
word that I was to be down on a given day, and had got all things ready
for an excursion on the Loch. Circumstances, however, prevented my arrival
on the day appointed, and on reaching my friend Mr. Ewerdir.e's, I found
a letter from Mr. B., stating his disappointment at my non-appearance.
Next morning, however, I reached the manse, and for the first time beheld
the smiling and benevolent countenance of the minister of Crimand, and
received a most hearty welcome from him. Such was the reception given,
that I was entirely overpowered by the kindness of the Reverend gentle-
man, we being then entire strangers to each other. I learned with regret
however, that the individual who had been engaged to work the boat for
me the previous day, was not now to be had; but, as no other one could
be got that day, I had at the same time the pleasure of being told by
Mr. B,, that he would go himself and assist me as far as he could. This
was glorious news.

I have already hinted that there are islands on the Loch. Of these there

24fi THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEO.

are four, if I recollect rightly, but none of them of any extent, the largest
containing only, perhaps, about two acres. To visit these islands was now
iny object. Accordingly, and after a short walk, we soon reached the boat
which we entered, that is, Mr. B., a boy, and myself, and pushed off on
our mission. Being no rower however, I was very soon knocked up, as also
was the little fellow. Seeing which the Rev. gentleman took the oars himself,
and with a little aid from the boy, acted the part of the working man, at
least that day, by rowing the humble souter naturalist all over the Loch,
whilst that personage sat gentleman-like at his own ease with gun in hand
ready for any emergency which might cast up in the shape of a rara avis.
I shall never forget Mr. B.'s condescension on that occasion. It was one day
whilst opposite Cairney's boat-house, and Mr. B. pulling away at the oars,
that I shot a most beautiful specimen of the above-named Tern. There
was only one. The rosy tint of the breast was very conspicuous when newly
killed.

We landed on the islands where we found only a few nests of the Coot,
Eedshank, and Dunlin. The Black-headed Gull, (Larus ridibundus,) and
the Arctic Tern, (Sterna ardica,) both breed on the larger island, but we
found none of their nests on this occasion, but have done so since. I have
been credibly informed by parties who have themselves been eye-witnesses
of the fact that at one time, say about twenty years ago, the birds were
so numerous on these islands during the breeding- season, that it was hardly
possible to set a foot down without treading on their nests. How different
now. This was during the late Mr. Gordon's time, of Cairney. The birds
were then protected, and as the Loch was his, no one durst go to the islands
without his permission, except at their own peril. All can go now however,
who have, or can get the means, if a gun is not openly in the play.
A number of the farmers are now possessed of boats. With these their servants
from the herd even up to the grieve, have easy access to the islands on any
part of the Loch, and the lamentable fact is that as soon as the eggs are
laid, they are as sure to be pilfered by these individuals, and others, who I
believe in many instances convey their booty to Peterhead, where they some-
times obtain eighteen pence per dozen for the larger species. The consequence
is that perhaps there is not one bird now where there used to be fifty. Driven
and forced away by such wholesale destruction of the eggs, and cruel persecution,
they are gone to seek a summer home somewhere else, where they may rear
their little ones in greater security. It is a great pity that such a low, mean
practice is thus allowed to be carried on year after year. Surely if any one
possessed of the least influence in the neighbourhood would but plead the
cause of the poor persecuted birds in the proper quarter, a stop, or some-
thing like a check would be put to it. That such a one will yet, and that
too very soon, spring up, and that he may be successful, I do sincerely hope.

The eggs of the Great Black-backed Gull have been found on the larger
island, as also the eggs of other birds which are not now to be met with

TIIK RING OUZKL. 247

there. On one of my visits I remember once seeing a nest of the Black -
headed Gull placed amongst the tall reeds like that of the Coot's, and which
could not be approached but with a boat; and had it not been for the eggs,
it might very easily have been mistaken for the nest of the latter bird.

(To be continued.)

THE EING OUZEL.— INLAND MIGRATION.

BY 0. S. ROUND, KSQ.

Tjie fact of ordinary migration, by which is understood the movements
of our Summer Birds of Passage, is so notorious that it is not necessary to
be a naturalist to be not only aware of the circumstance, but to point out
which are our Summer Birds, and to have a tolerably accurate idea when
they arrive, and when they depart. But the case is very different with
winter migration, or inland migration, the knowledge of these depends upon
an intimate acquaintance with the habits of our feathered inhabitants, the result
of careful observations. Those whose occupation is in the fields, however
ignorant, scientifically speaking, they may be, have still a knowledge, necessarily
of many things, as yet perhaps unknown to professors; for natural science must
be learnt from nature, and nature cannot be studied in the Library, nor her
wonders discovered by consuming the "midnight oil;" it is only by breathing
the pure air of Heaven in the solitary places of the earth — by being one
rational amid multitudes of irrational and inanimate productions of the Great
Creator, that we can become aware of the habits or conformation of each.

Thus I remember very well when I was a boy, talking with a very aged
man in our village, about the various birds which were visitants at various
periods, and he particularly mentioned the regular periodical visits of the
Ring Ouzel, (Mcrula torquata,) at Lady-Day and Michaelmas, attracted as
he considered by a kind of food to be met with only at those times in this
locality, and not probably to be found in the locality from which they came;
and he particularly mentioned that he thought that mountain ash berries in
the autumn, and ivy berries in the spring, were their chief attraction. This
man was a stone-cutter, and had been a notorious poacher, and many a tale
of hairbreadth es^^apes from His Majesty's keepers in Windsor Park, could
he relate. He was, as I was then, ignorant of all works on Natural History,
but, as in the year 1820, he was upwards of eighty years of age (he lived till
the year 1827,) and spoke of the circumstance as one which he remembered
ever since he was a boy; and Gilbert White, who first observed it, did not
do £0 until 1768, it follows that it was known to this inhabitant of the wilds
much earlier, and he gave exactly the same reason as White gives for this
periodical journey. Thus we have a strong confirmation of the Selbourne
Historian's correctness. It is needless to say that their migration is now
well known, and I have myself seen and shot specimens at these periods.

VOL. IV. 2 K

248 TIIF, FINPUOUN HEROXRY.

White says that the Hing Ouzel is bigger than the Blackbird; for bigger, I
would have it read, plumper; and it has one peculiarity, namely, that it runs,
and docs not hop, as most of its genus do. Its note more resembles a
chatter, than the chirp of a Llaclcbird, and its flight is nearly continuous, nofc
swift, nor desultory, and generally high; indeed it is probable that it is more
used to long flights than any of its congeners, and hence arises this peculiarity.
Many people have considered that it is but a variety of the Common
Blackbird, but, although strikingly similar in general appearance, when examined
in the hand, the distinction is very obvious; there is a vast deal of gray in
the plumage, every feather almost having an edging of that hue, and this is a
good deal mingled with brown in the hen birds, whilst some of the cocks,
from the pure white of the crescent on the breast, and the blackness of the
rest of the plumage, are very pretty birds. There is no doubt that if the
Ring Ouzel is common in any country, that is not Great Britain; for, although
it has been said to breed in Korth Devon, I have never been able to meet
with direct evidence. All the Thrush kind flock in autumn, and hence they
are with us for a longer period at that season because food is more plentiful;
indeed, as I have elsewhere observed, it is the food which operates more
than anything on the habits, and appearance, and temper of birds; and by
that standard^ in my opinion, they can only safely be classed.

hondon.

THE FINDHORN HEROXRY.

BY J. LOXGMUIR, ESQ., JUN.

A ITrronry is a most interesting sight to an ornithologist, and one of
the best in Scotland — rather, in Britain — is the Findhorn ITeronry. Living
for a short time in Forres, which is between four and five miles distant
from it, the writer determined to see it; and, accompanied by a young friend,
Mr. II. Macrae, who volunteered to act as guide, started on Monday, August
21st., at the hour agreed upon. Passing through the west end of Forres,
and crossing the bridge which spans ''the burn," we turned up the Granton
road, the sides of which were bordered, not by unseemly stone dikes, but by
fresh-looking hawthorn. Occasionally a Wild Rose peeped through the leafy-
hedge, the foot of which was intertwined with the Yellow Bed Straw, {Galium
verum,) and here and there besprinkled with the bright-looking Vetch, (LatJiyrus
pratensis,) and its well-known cousin Vicia cracca. The strong- scented Yarrow,
or Nosebleed, {Achillea millefolium^ the leaf of which, loosely rolled together,
and put up the nostrils, ''causes, by an external blow of the finger, a bleeding
at the nose," contrasted well, in its stifi" erectness, with the humble tremulous
Bluebell of Scotland, {Campanula rotundifolia.)

But the Hawthorn hedging and the green fields speedily gave place to the
Granton woods, which passed on both sides of the road. As they occasionally

TUE FINDHORK HERONRY. 249

opened up, we had glimpses of the ripened corn, the pleasant country-seats,
the forest of Darnaway, and the Moray Frith. Between the wood and the
road, there rose a heather-fringed bank, on the green slope and purple top
of which, the eye, tired with the dull monotony of a muddy road, rested
with pleasure. This bank was thickly studded with Fungi of all sizes, shapes,
and colours, from the large dark brown Fungus, that sat close by the road,
to the delicately white one, that had sheltered itself in some slight hollow.
The fir wood, usually sombre, seemed really to have a more cheerful look
when the bright blooming Heather, {Erica cinerea, and tetralix,) predominated;
but assumed a still grayer look when that national favourite gave place to
the equally common Ling, (Calluna vulgaris^ Again the Heather came in
as the Ling went out, carpetting the woods with its thick-clustered bells;
patches of bright yellow moss giving a pleasing variation to the whole. As
the trees began to separate and to thin, a miniature loch, dimly at first,
but soon quite distinctly, came in sight. It looked very pleasantly with its
calm, glassy surface, dotted in every direction by well-wooded islets, and
encircled by healthy trees. Leaving it behind, we passed to thinner woods,
and more irregular ground, on which Whins, {Ulex EuropoeuSj) and Brambles,
(Ilubus fruticosus,) seemed to luxuriate.

Every now and then there fell a short, pattering shower; every now and
then the birds commenced a twitter, or attempted a warble; and every now
and then the Jackdaws chattered; — with these exceptions, Nature was very
unmusical this morning. By and by, the road and our feet brought us to
Altyre, the seat of Sir William Gumming, the father of the Nimrod of South
Africa. Glancing at the neat porter's lodge, and the flower garden attached
thereto, we entered the woods of Altyre. Instead of — or rather, besides — the
fir trees that had hitherto predominated, there were oak, beech, birch, elm,
and larch trees in abundance, and in full foliage. At the branching of the
roads, we took the one that led towards the P'indhorn, which resembled
more the well-kept avenue to a nobleman's residence, than a common high-
way; so smooth was the road, so neat the side paths, and so fine-looking
the stately trees.

At last an old gate, spotted with lichens, yellow, white, and gray, made
its appearance; crossing it, we found ourselves traversing a grass-grown cart-
road, with a canopy of oak boughs overhead, and heath and ferns on each side.
The path soon took a sudden ^turn — so did we; and began to descend the
sloping way. A few windings and turnings past, we came to the Findhorn,
which, in serpentine contortions, flowed at the foot of the high bank oa
which we were. A little way down on the opposite side of the river, and
on a level plain, stood a company of trees, stretching up and down along
the river bank, la the midst of this group rose several gray, old trees,
conspicuous from their height; their bare, whitened boughs marked them out
still more distinctly from their neighbours; and it only required the croak of
the wary Heron, which issued from the midst of them, to settle the position

250 THE FINDIIOUN HERONUy.

of the Heronry. The view of the Heronry from this point not being very good,
we strolled up the river, reserving a minute examination till, passing down
the river side, we arrived at the best position for a good view. The left
bank, by which we wandered, is very steep, thickly covered with heath and
moss, and wooded to the river's margin; farther down, the bare cliffs, with
an occasional red-berried mountain ash clinging to the rock, stand out boldly;
but as the river flows on, the banks become more level, and more thickly
wooded.

Passing along the pathway, some delicate-looking Orchis plants and the
pretty variegated flowers of the Common St. John's Wort, {Hypericum perfo-
ratum,) attracted attention. Soon after, entering a gate which brought us
into the grounds of Sluie, of which we were duly apprized by an immense
board, covered by an equally large notice, to caution travellers, and especially
such as carried guns or were accompanied by dogs, against trespassing, we
continued our walk and our conversation. The opposite banks now became
very precipitous, while every bend of the river brought some fine view — some
strange appearance of the shelving rock, or some bend of the stream in sight.
Altogether, the brown river edged by snow-white pebbles, the pale red sand-
stone rocks, the noble spreading larches, an occasional slow-flying Heron, that
old favourite —the ^dark creeping Ivy,' the stately Foxglove with its pyramid
of bells, the spreading Fern, the white flo'.\ering Bramble, the bright-looking
heather, and the deep blue sky, made up quite a picture. In a short time,
the path descending rapidly, led past a saw-mill, and speedily brought us to
the bank again. How gloomy did the river appear where the dark cliff was
reflected on the dark waters; how pleasant was the sparkle of the waters
where cliffs gave place to trees, and shadow to sunshine. But here ended
the stroll in this direction. So down by the old path we wandered, picking
up a Forget-me-not here, and lingering to look at the bright yellow flowers
o^ the Potentilla, (PotentiUa reptans,) there, as they crept along the forest
path, which was bestrewed with the dead leaves, which every puff of wind
rained from the trees; and as each leaf fell, it "bade man think on his
end."

But here — where a white- branched birch stretches up, in form of a Y — is
the best point from which to view the Heronry. A more extraordinary sight
it wpuld be difficult to imagine. High up, the spectator looks down upon a
number of ancient, moss-grown trees, principally oak, that stand amidst a
number of fresh-looking companions, bounded by the river on the one side,
and by a meadow, which separates them from the woods of Darnaway, on the
other. On these aged trees, the Herons have for years resided: one tree
especially stands boldly out from among its fellows. Many a sun has shone
on it; many a winter's snow bedecked its leafless arms. It is forked and
branched in every direction; and the branches are weighed down by the nests
that have been constructed on every possible part of it. At every fork, on
the top ^of each bough, and at the summit of the tree itself, there is a nest.

THE FINDHOUN HERONRY. 251

The nosts, too, are curiosities in their way; at this time they resembled huge
straw doormats, (basses Scolice,) stretched over the branches, or curved up
where the boughs spring from the parent trunk; their general appearance in
spring resembles, according to Mr. Miller, "the wigs of the Court of Session."
They are renewed and slightly repaired by their occupants as they return to
breed here annually, without molestation. There were about thirty nests in
all, some of which were unoccupied, while various individuals sat or perched
on the others. A parent bird sat in one — an 'old inhabitant' stood on the
side of another — four young ones stood silent on a distant nest, while, as we
gazed, a very unsettled-looking character arrived — dropped on his nest — looked
about him — rose — croaked — spread his wings — made a tour through the colony
— attempted with great gravity — much flapping — and very little success to
balance himself on the top shoots of a neighbouring larch — and at length with
a flap and a croak, started down the river. The scene was one of restlessness
and bustle; and though very many of the Herons had left, those that remained
seemed to do their best in the way of keeping up a stirring appearance about
their settlement. . The best time for seeing them however was long past, when
the tricks of the Jackdaws, and the clamour of the Herons, with the cooings
of the Wood Pigeons, and the sweet warblings of the birds, give the whole
scene a very lively aspect. On the opposite side from the Heronry, a small
company of Peregrines and other Hawks reside, but, except a slight alarm as
they pass over the Heronry, do no mischief to their long-legged neighbours.

Leaving the Heronry, we turned down the river, passing several Butterflies
in the height of enjoyment. They were diflicult to catch, as they were so
quick, or, perhaps, their pursuers so slow. The pleasantly- shaded path led us
into the wood, but speedily returned to the Findhorn. Turning down by
another way, the eye was attracted to one of the most pleasant of our British
plants, the Eyebright, {Euphrasia qfficinaUs,) whose delicately-streaked flowers
and modest appearance never fail to delight us. We were much struck with
it in one locality in particular — when wandering near Dunnottar Castle we
came upon a considerable patch, where many years before, the Rev. Mr.
Longmuir discovered it in great abundance. Many is the 'sunny memory'
of the past which it brings up in the solitude of the granite city. "A thing
of beauty is a joy for ever."

But here, a considerable way farther on,

"The hazel hangs
With auburn branches, dipping in the stream
That sweeps along, and threatens to o'erflow
The leaf- strewn banks;"

And here also, stands an old wooden house, the walls covered, inside with
inscriptions, outside with lichens, puff'-balls, and spiders. The river has been
gradually widening, and the plain spreading out on both sides; a fine level
ground at no great distance, entitled the 'Mead of St. John,' having been
at one time famous for its tilts and tournaments; but ripe grain [now waves

252 LOCAL JOTTINGS.

wliere, in the ancient time, cavaliers displayed their persons and their prowess.
A gradual ascent has brought us to the limekilns of Copt Hall, from which
a very fine upland view may be obtained. Here there appeared struggling
for an existence among the sand, the delicately-tinted Rest-harrow, (Ononis
arvensis,) whose tenacity to the soil has given it its common English name,
as well as Scotch designation of 'sidfast/ (that is, sitfast.)

After a few more turns and windings the public road was gained, and in
a short time the day's ramble was over. Thus came, continued, and closed
a most pleasant stroll^ the bright remembrance of which will not soon fade
from the memory.

Aberdeen, 1854.

LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 14.
DOECHESTER— DOHSETSHIRE.

BY JOHN GARLAND, ESQ., MEMBt ENT: SOC:, MEMB: WERN: CLUB.

TIte Tree Wasp, (Vespa Britannica.) — This rare little denizen of the southern
parts of our island, is seldom met with near Dorchester; indeed, I have never
myself had the good fortune to find any of them, but a short time since an
instance of their building here has fallen under my observation, which I
hasten to remark upon. A gentleman, Herbert Williams, Esq., of Stinsford
House, near this town, discovered a nest of these little animals built at the
extremity of a branch of a fir tree, over a pond in his garden. The gardener
took the nest, after stifling the Wasps, and unfortunately burning, in the
operation, about one-fourth of the nest, which, but for this, would have been
very perfect. Even as it was it caused quite a sensation in a shop window
in our High-Street, where it was exhibited; many persons having gone to see
it. He has kindly made me a present of it. Many of the interesting little
creatures have since issued from the cells, having survived the burning which
killed their fellows. The larva3 were all dead. The formation and structure
of this nest are nearly like that of the Common Wasp, (Vespa vulgaris,) it
beino- formed of similar paper-like materials; and it is really wonderful to observe
how well adapted was the branch for the protection of its fragile burden;
the leaves depending so as to shoot off the rain as much as practicable:
instinct in this respect being more certain in its results, than the most studied
calculations could possibly have foreseen and guarded against. The habits of
all the Vespidce are well worth watching, and there is a remarkably interesting
account of some of these animals, written by Mr. Gosse, the author of "The
Aquarium," and other works, in the "Zoologist," of the year 1844. More
observations and notes of the genus Vesjja, would, in my humble opinion, be
a desideratum. in Natural History.

Common Wasp, (Yespa vulgaris.) — The nests of this Wasp are commonly
found under banks of rivers, and in fields, etc.; but amongst the unusual

i

ROLLESBY GUU-ERV; 253

places I remember to have seen them in, were, once in the interior of a Lam,
under a rafter in the roof; and another time in a hole in the ground in which
a pile or stake had been driven for hurdles, and afterwards taken away.

TAe Water Eat, (Arvicola amphibia.) — I know an authentic instance of one
of those harmless little animals having been seen to catch and kill a large
frog by the side of a stream at Winterborne Zelstone, in this county, on
August 1st., 18 >4:. It is said not to be at all carnivorous, but I believe
the above to be correct.

Dorchester J Septemher 12</j., 1854.

ROLLESBY GULLERY.

BY T. SOUTHWELL, ESQ.

The Rev. Richard Lubbock, in his "Fauna of Norfolk," speaking of tho
Black-headed Gull, (^Larus ridibund as,) says, '^A small colony took possession
formerly of the margin of Rollesby Broad, but I do not know whether they
were suffered to remain unmolested." Early in June last, I made a bird-
nesting excursion to the "Broads," as the fine sheets of inland water laying
in the North-eastern part of Norfolk are provincially called; and there, for
the first time, had the exquisite pleasure of seeing a Gullery.

INIy first inquiry, upon arriving at Rollesby, a village about eight miles
from Yarmouth, was, if the Gullery mentioned by Mr. Lubbock was still in
existence, and I was delighted to learn that it not only still existed, but
was rapidly on the increase; indeed, I need hardly have asked the question,
the number of these elegant birds which were gracefully skimming over the
Broad, or resting upon its surface, clearly indicating that their nesting-place
could not be far distant. Early next morning, I started on my visit to the
Gullery, and as I walked through fir plantations, skirting along the margin
of the waters, I learned the following particulars from the keeper.

The Broad of which Rollesby forms part, consists of about four hundred
acres of water, bounded by low swampy land, and in some parts skirted with
fir plantations. Many years ago, they bred in one of the inlets of this
Broad in considerable numbers, bat were so disturbed, that they gradually
deserted the place. About five years ago, five or six pairs re-appeared at
the old breeding-place, and these, having been protected, and allowed undis-
turbed possession of the spot have rapidly increased in number, and now
form a very flourishing colony. The keeper had discontinued taking their eggs
for this season, and many of the birds had begun to sit. Arrived at the
margin of the Broad, I entered a flat-bottomed boat, and made my way
with difficulty amongst the patches of bulrushes and sedge.

The scene was now most exciting; hundreds of these beautiful birds, at
other times so difficult of approach, were flying over our heads, and at times
dashing boldly past, within two feet of our faces, venting their anxiety in loud

254: LIST OF ALG.E,

and incessant cries. The nests contained two or three eggs, (I did not see
one with four,) and were built of fiags and sedge upon the dead leaves of
the bulrushes, where thej were broken down and lay upon the surface of
the water. Some of the nests were very carefully built, and raised high
above the water j others were very slight, and in one instance, there was so
little nest, that the egg actually touched the water.

The eggs varied exceedingly; in some the ground colour was brown, the
spots being of a darker shade of the same colour; others inclined to green,
■with spots and blotches of reddish brown; one beautiful variety had the
ground colour a very light greenish white, blotched with two shades of rich
brown. Eggs entirely white are sometimes found. During our stay the whole
colony seemed on the wing, dashing around our heads, uttering anxious and
unceasing cries; many of them followed us, ^mobbing' most furiously to a
considerable distance from their nesting-place.

There is a much larger Gallery at Scoulton Mere, near East Dereham.
There, as many as thirty thousand eggs are taken annually; one year produced
forty-four thousand. In this neighbourhood the Black-headed Gull is found
during the whole summer; parties from Scoulton wandering thus far in search
of food. The common name here is ^Scoulton Bird;' at Kollesby, they are
called ^Cobbs.' An authentic list of the breeding-places of this bird would be
interesting, and might easily be formed, if your subscribers would record such
as have come under their observation.

Will you allow me to add that I shall be happy to obtain for any of
your subscribers who may require them, specimens of the eggs of this bird.

Fahenham, Norfolk, Septemier IGth., 1854.

LIST OF ALGM
GATHERED IN THE NORTH OF IRELAND.

BY WILLIAM SAWEKS, ESQ.

As a list of the Algae gathered in the Loughs Foyle and Swilly, north
of Ireland, might be interesting to some of your subscribers, I now hand you
a list of those gathered these few years past, a few only of which were procured
in other neichbouring localities in the north.

Melanosperme^e: —
Halidrys siliquosa.
Cystoseira fibrosa, (Portrush.)
Fncus vesiculosus.

" serratus.

" canaliculatus.

" cerauoides.

" nodosus.

Himanthalia lorea,
Desmarcstia ligulata.

" aculeata.

'^ viridis.

'' pinnatinervia.

Arthrocladia villosa.
Sporochnus pedunculatus.
Alaria esculenta.

LIST OF AL0J2.

255

Larainaria dlgitata.

'' bulbosa.

*^ saccharina.

" Phillitis.

" fascia.
Chorda Filura.

^' lomentaria.
Haliseris polypodioides.
Taonia atoraaria, (only one large and
beautiful specimen, in good con-
dition, floating, summer of 18;")3.)
Dictjota dichotoma, and var.
Stilophora rhizodes.
Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus.
Asperococcus echinatus, and var.
Litosiphon pusillus.

" Laminariaa.
Chordaria flagelliformis.
Mesogloia verraicularis.

'^ Griffithsiana.

'^ virescens.
Leathesia tuberiformis.
Elachistea fucicola.
Myrionema strangulans.

" punctiforme.

Cladostephus verticillatus.

" spongiosus.

Sphacelaria scoparia.

'^ plumosa,

'' cirrhosa.

Ectocarpus siliculosus.

" Hincksia3,

" tomentosus,

^^ pusillus.

^^ littoralis.

^^ longifructus.

'^ granulosus.

^' sphferophorus.

'^ brachiatus.

Myriotricbia clavseformis.
" filiformis.

IvHODOSPERMBiE :

Odonthalia dentata.
Rhodomela lycopodioides.

VOL. IV.

llhodomela subfusca.
Rytiphlaea thuyoides.
Polysiphonia urceolata.
'^ formosa.

'' stricta.

'^ fibrata.

^^ elongella.

'^ elongata.

'' violacea.

'' fibrillosa.

" Brodiaei.

" nigrescens.

" atro-rubescens.

" fastigiata.

'^ parasitica.

" byssoides.

])asya coccinea.
Bonnemaisonia asparagoides.
Laurencia pinnatifida.
" caespitosa.

'^ dasyphylla.

Chrysimenia clavellosa^ and var.
Chylocladia ovalis.
^' kaliformis.

^' articulata.

" reflexa. (Of G. reflexa,

doubtful specimens, were submitted
to some eminent Algologists, who
did not decide pro or con; since
then two very characteristic speci-
mens have turned up which had
been overlooked.)
Corallina officinalis.
Jania rubens.

Melobcsia ?

Hildenbrandtia rubra.
Delesseria sanguinea.
" sinuosa.
" alata.
" Hypoglossum.
'' ruscifolia.
Nitophyllum punctatum.

" laceratum, (with some

undecided yet.)

2 L

256

LIST OF ALGiE.

Plocamium coccineum.
Rhodyaienia bifida.

" liciniata.

" ciliata.

" palmata.

Gracilaria confervoides.
Hypnea purpurascens.
Gelidium corneum, (var.)
Gigartina acicularis.

" mamillosa.
Chondrus crispus.
Phjllophora rubens.

" membranifolia.

Gymnogongrus plicatus.
Polyides rotundus.
Furcellaria fastigiata.
Dumontia filiformis.
Halymenia ligulata.

" var. latifolia.

Ginnania furcellata.
Kalymenia reniformis.
Iridaea edulis.
Catenella Opuntia.
Gloiosiphonia capillaris.
Neraaleon multifidum.
Ptilota plurnosa.

" sericea.
Ceramium rubrura.

" Deslongchampsii.

'^ diaphanum.

" flabelligerum.

" echionotum.

" acanthonotum.

" ciliatum.

GriflSithsia equisetifolia.

" corallina.

" setacea.

Callithamnion plumula.

" Turneri.

" pluma.

" tetragonum.

" Hookeri.

In addition to the above
water ones gathered in this

Callithamnion roseura,

" byssoideum.

" polyspermum.

" Borreri.

" corymbosum.

" spongiosum.

" Rothii.

" florid ulum.

" Daviesii. •.

Chlorospeume/e : —
Codium tomentosum.
Bryopsis plumosa.
Vaucheria velutina.
Cladophora pellucida.
" maccallana.

" Hutchinsiae.

'' diffusa.

" rupestris.

" laetevirens.

" gracilis.

'' albida.

" lanosa,

" arcta.

Conferva — several species, some un-
decided.
Enteromorpha intestinalis.
" compressa.

" Linkiana.

" erecta.

" ramulosa.

Ulva latissima.
" Lactuca.
" Linza.
Porphyra laciniata.
" vulgaris.

Bangia fusco-purpurca.
Rivularia atra.
Calothrix confervicola.
Lyngbya majuscula.
" ferruginea.
Several species of Diatomaceae.

list of Marine Algae, I may note a few Fresh-
locality; but may add that my attention has not

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

257

been particularly directed to this department, otherwise, I have no doubt, the
list would be considerably extended. Nomenclature according to Dr. Hassall.

Vaucheria dichotoma.
Lcniania fluviatilis.
Chaotophora elegans.
Draparnaldia glomerata.
Batrachospermum moniliforme.

" atrum.

Zygnema rivalare.
" pellucid um.
With some other species.
Chara vulgaris.
Mesocarpus.
Staarocarpus.
Vesiculifera, several.

Of Desmids I may note
Glaeoprium dissiliens.
Desmidium Borrerii.

Londonderry, May Wtli., 1854.

Closterium Dianas.
Cosmarium margaritiferum.

" Botrytis.
Trogonocystis mucronata.
'^ orbicularis.

Staarastrum tetraceum.
Closterium Grenbergii.

'^ moniliferura.

^^ striolatum.

" setaceum.

Mlcrasterius rotata.
Euastrum didelta. *

^^ affine.

Also a considerable number of species
of Diatomaccae.

BliHnllnuBnns Jintiai

Hybrid between Anscr Leucopsis and Anscr Canaflensis. — I have to bring before the readera
of "The Naturalist," should you think this worth insertion, the occurrence of a hybrid between
Anser Leucopsis, (Yarrell,) and A. Canadensis. I had the pleasure of seeing the bird several
times myself, whilst on a visit at a gentleman's estate in Sussex. In this instance, as in
that so pleasantly told by Waterton, the worthy pair are "Mopsus and Nisa," while their
offspring, now full-grown, is half-way between the two, having considerablj' outstripped its
sire, but not attained to the maternal stature and portliness. The bird in question so
completely resembles the one described by that "entertaining naturalist," that it would be
presumption in me to attempt to add anything. I would only observe that the principal
differences observable between the three birds, are, firstlj', the amount of white on the head;
secondlj', the prevailing colour of the plumage— in the Bernacle, bluish gray and white, in
the Canada, a more sepia-ooloured ash, and in the hybrid, a mixture of the two; and thirdly,
the colour of the breast, the black of which, in the hybrid, instead of being continued towards
the lower part of the body, as in the Bernacle, or terminating in a ring round the neck, as
in the Canada, is gradually shaded off to a dusky white. The bird is not so handsome as its
mother, nor so smart as its father, and is therefore, in my opinion, less ornamental than either.
— Alexander D. Mather, Northampton House, Camberwell, August 24th., IS'Si.

Red-necked Fhalarope, (Phalaropus hyperboreus.) — A fine specimen of this very rare bird was
shot at "Wilberfoss, near York, on the 2nd. of June, in full summer dress. It was swimming
in a pond near a house, along with some tame Ducks. It came into my possession. — David
Graham, York, June 21st., 1854.

Tufted Buck, (Fuligula cristata,) breeding in England.— 1 received the eggs of this Duck
from F. J. Foljambe, Esq., of Osberton Hall, for the purpose of blowing them: he found the
nest near that place. The nest was arched over, so that there was only room for the bird to
pass in and out. The eggs were seven in number, of a dark olive-colour, and very thick at
the broad end. This is the first instance of this bird breeding in England.— Idem.

258 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

On the Xote of the Cuckoo, (Cueulus canorus.)— 8. 30, p.m., May 22n(l., 1854.— I have just
been listening to three Cuckoos singing. Two sang in the nsual manner — 'cuc-koo, cuc-koo,' but
the third repeated the first syllable twice, thus 'cuc-cuc-koo,' and this many times in succession;
occasionally varying it by the ordinary two-syllabled note. This bird was very near to where
I was standing, so that it was impossible for any mistake to have been made. May 29th. —
Since the above was written, I have had frequent opportunities of hearing the same bird sing
its peculiar song. It usually begins by one or two of the ordinary two-syllabled notes, and
then follow from eight to a dozen of the three-syllabled notes. The Cuckoo seems to be
unusually abundant here, as three or four are commonly to be heard singing at the same
time. I heard the Cuckoo for the first time this year on the 4th. of May, at "Walton,
near Driffield; and I am informed by my friend, D. Ferguson, Esq., of Redcar, that he
first heard it on the same day at that place. June 20th.— I have continued to hear the
Cuckoo with the anomalous voice up to this day. — B. R. M., Stoncfall, Harrogate, June 20th.,
1854.

Notice of tJie Night Jar, (Caprimulgus Europoeus,) near Barnsley. — While walking on the
morning of the 18th. of May, in the meadows on the lower side of the Aqueduct, in quest
of a specimen of the Tree Sparrow, to assist some youthful inquirers in discriminating this
from the House Sparrow, the dogs disturbed a large bird among the gorse and thorn bushes in
the angle between the Aqueduct and its furthest buttress ; it was some time after my companion
noticed it in taking wing, and then it clung to the ledges in ascending; when the bushes
were cleared, it swept with a light circling flight into the neighbouring copse, something in
the manner of the Hawk tribe;— though a white patch on its inner wing feathers distinguished
it from that family, or the Cuckoo. "Now," said my companion, "we may secure it, it appears
a young bird from its hesitating manner of taking to flight, but I suppose if a Kestrel I am
not to kill it." 1 replied that "I was unwilling to aid in the extermination of the doomed
race of Hawks, but I could not dictate." Whilst I was examining the thick bushy places
where it had apparently been harbouring, I heard the crack of his gun reverberating from
the bridge wall, and among the arches. I hastened at his call to secure the dogs; and we
picked up a bird, too much shattered from the nearness of the discharge to be fit for preser-
vation, which from its peculiar bill, fringed with small bristles — its serrated middle claw, and
reversible hind one; together with its finely mottled plumage, delicately pencilled with light
gray and yellowish brown tints, was pronounced at once as the Goatsucker, or Fern Owl. I
had formerly observed this bird in Sherwood Forest, but never in this part, and was glad to
record one mire rare bird for this district; yet with compunction that so innocent and beautiful
a creature should be thus profitlessly sacrificed. It was perched along and close to the branch,
as described by Yarrell, Morris, and other writers; the locality among stony whin covers and
ferny copses; and its hesitating manner when startled by daylight, all accorded with their
descriptions. We since learn that it has some years back been heard to utter its jarring note,
from which it obtains two of its names— Night Jar, and Dor Ilawk,* about the fern-clad quarries
of Dark Cliff, in Worsbro' dale. In addition to the instance of the Night Jar, or Goatsucker
observed May 18th., another was brought me to name, shot on the 30th. May, in the woods
near Silkstone; another had been procured in the same neigbourhood, and stuflfed without the
species being made out. One also was shot near Carlton, about the close of April, date not
remembered; this must have been a very early arrival, as the bird is one of our latest summer
visitants. The bird-stufFer who preserved this specimen, shot one fifteen years ago in Shaw
lane, near this town. The late Dr. Farrar had one in his complete collection of British Birds;
my informant cannot tell me where procured— it is supposed to have been shot in the direction
of the moors. Specimens have been pro3ured in Wharncliife. — T. Lister, Barnsley, May 29th.,
1854.

Thrushes feeding on the backs of Sheep. — As we should not disdain to notice the most trivial
facts that may be brought under our eye, I may inform you that on walking in the country
to-day, I observed considerable numbers of the Common Thrush alight on the backs of Sheep,
chiefly Lambs, and immediately commence picking and eating the parasites contained there.
The weather has lately been oppressively warm, and the Lambs appeared to experience relief

• From an old word sijrnifyin^ buzzing, also applied to the Beetle, which this summer visitant preys
upon. This bird is also called Churn Otvl, and JVheel Bird.

THE QUERIST. 295

from the service done them by the birds. It may be a common enough occurrence, but as it
may be new to some of your readers, as well as myself, I think it worth placing; on record
in your valuable and interesting Magazine. — John Rose, M. D. 11. N., Haslar Hospital, August
3rd., 1854.

Little Stint, (Tringa pusilla.) — A specimen of this bird was shot in company with Redshanks,
at Willingham Fen, Cambridgeshire, May 13th., 1853.— S. P. Savill, 13, Regent Street,
Cambridge.

Great Ash-coloured Shrike, (Lanius excubitor.) — A fine old specimen of this bird was killed
at Stretham, Cambridgeshire, November 13th., 1853. — Idem.

Red-breasted Merganser, (Mergus seiTator.) — A pair of these birds in adult plumage was
shot at Pricwillow, Cambridgeshire, April 20th., 1854. — Idem.

Jlohbtj, (Falco subhuteo.) — An old male specimen was shot at Cherry Hinton, Cambridgeshire,
May 16th., 1854.— Idem.

Appearance of the Hirundinidce, etc., at Batvburgh Hill. — "Window Swallow, (Himndo
rmtica,) May 10th. House Martin, {Hirundo dotnestica,) May 24th. — The former of these
birds was thirty-one days, and the latter seventeen later than last season. The Swift, {Cypselus
murarius,) May 31st.; being sixteen days later. Sand Martin, C Hirundo riparia,) April 7th.;
being twelve days earlier. The Nuthatch, (Sitta Europaea,) March 29th.; being two days
earlier. The Cuckoo, ( Cuculus canorus,) April 20th.; being three days earlier. The Gray
"Wagtail, {Motacilla boarula,) April 4th. ; being fifteen days earlier. My first nest in ' 18^53,
was a Hedge Sparrow's, found on March 23rd. This year, I had my first on March 31st.,
and found also a Robin's, and a Blackbird's with eggs in, and a Water Ouzel's with one egg,
which instead of securing, I left till the prize should be worthier, and thus 1 lost my object,
for stranger hands plundered it. These are my last notes entered at Bawburgh Hill — a spot
endeared to me, but to it I have said "a last farewell." — George R. Twinn, The Elms,
Mosely Road, Birmingham, August 11th., 1854.

Note on Sirex Gigas. — In your July number you mention the Sirex Gigas as taken in
Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, and Somerset. I have taken it in Gloucestershire and Devonshire •,.
two in the first and one in the latter county, all females, and engaged in boring wrought
fir timber. — "William T. Lane, Somerset House, Clifton, Bristol, August, 1854.

Occurrence of the Opah, or King-Fish near JBiickie, Banffshire. — A very large and splendidly-
marked Opah, ( Lampris guttatus,) was found among the rocks near the above place, on the-
5th. inst., by some fishermen. It was sent to London. — T. Edward, Banff", August 26th.,
1854.

Prunella vulgaris with White Floivers. — I found a plant of the above this summer, and also-
Tcdicularis sylvatica with white flowers. I am not aware of the latter having been recorded
in "Tlie Naturalist," — both I believe are of rather rare occurrence. — S. Cameron, Beldocney,
Banffshire, August 24th., 1854,

€\i d^ntrist.

I see by "The Naturalist" for this month, that T. J., of Tottenham, asks whether the notion
is correct of the oviparous and viviparous breeding of the Aphis, and also at what rate the
Aphis is supposed to breed. As I am not an entomologist, I cannot speak on this subject from
my own knowledge; but I trust that the following extracts from Dr. Carpenter's admirable-
work on Physiology, "The Principles of Physiology, General and Comparative," will prove
satisfactory to your correspondent. Dr. C, in speaking of this class of Insects, saj"s, "Insects
ai-e endowed with extraordinary powers of multiplication ; but this is accomplished, with only
one exception, by means of the sexual process of generation. The exception referred to is that-
of the Aphis, which is capable of propagation by a process that appears to be analagous to the-
gemmation of the Salpm, (belonging to the class Tunicata;) the new individuals being budded
off', so to speak, from internal stolons, instead of bt'ing developed from ova provided by the
female, and fertilized by the male. This method of propagation may be several times repeated ;
the individuals thus generated being all apparently of the female sex, and generating others-

260 rrtocEEDisGs of socikties.

like themselves. At the end of the season, however, perfect winged males and females are
developed, niid those concur to produce ova, wliicli retain their vitalit}' through the winter, and
give birth to a now generation in the spring, long after the parents have perished. Each
viviparous Aphis is capable of producing a hundred repetitions of itself, and as the process may
be repeated ten times in the season, it has been calculated, that, if no destructive agencies were
at work, the last brood would number 1,000,000,000,000,000,000, (say one trillion,) individuals."
And again, in his chapter on the "Reproduction in Animals," he saj's, "It is very remarkable
that in animals so highly organised as Insects, we should find a very marked example of
gommiparous multiplication, occurring as part of the regular history of the race. Such,
however, is only the case in the genus Aphis, the curious history of whose double method of
reproduction, has been already detailed. Now, when we compare this series of phenomena with
those of a similar kind which have already occupied our attention, it becomes obvious that
this is a case of larval gemmation, and that, notwithstanding the long succession of broods
of 'zooids' which may be thus produced, the generation cannot be said to be completed, until
a perfect pair of male and female Aphides shall have been evolved, capable of continuing their
race by the process of true sexual generation. This evolution may be postponed for a much
longer period than usual, by preventing the animals from being subjected to that depression
of temperature, which at the end of the warm season, ordinarily seems to check the gemmipa-
rous multiplication, and to call into exercise the true sexual operation. (See "Burmeister's
Entomology," translated by Shuckard, page 310.) Thus 'notwithstanding the great increase in
the number of independent beings, not one of the viviparous larvae becomes a complete
organism; for so long as this method of multiplication is continuing, the type of the perfect
insect is never evolved, and no true sexual characters make their appearance. (Note.— The
viviparous larvte are usually spoken of as 'females,' but they have no more real title to this
designation, than is possessed by a Hydra which is budding off new Polypes from its body.")
I trust that tliese extracts will not infringe too much on your space in "The Naturalist." —
JoHX L. Wight, 1, Percy Place, Clapham Koad, London, September 20th., 1854,

l^rnmMngs nf Inrirtips.

Scarborough Philosophical and Arehceological Society, June, 1854. — The following paper was
read by 11. B. Cooke, Esq., (Honorary Secretary) :~

Observations on the Temperature of the Sea, and its Jtelation to the Climate of Scarborough.
--The importance of ascertaining the temperature of the sea at different periods and under
different conditions has been recognised by Humboldt, Sabine, Fitzroy, and others. Observations
with this object have been made by members of Government survej's and other scientific
bodies, and also with the intention of determining the existence and direction of oceanic
currents, and their influence in producing or modifying climatal peculiarities. Mr. Whitley,
of Truro, has paid great attention to this subject, and his observations are embodied in a very
able prize essay, published in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, vol.
xi. I may also allude to the remarks of Professor Dove in his paper on the Distribution of
Heat, read at the last meeting of the British Association.

With reference, however, more particularly to our own county, which has a coast line of
upwards of eighty miles in length, washed by the German Ocean, Professor Phillips, in his
recently-published work on "The Rivers, Mountains, and Sea Coast of Yorkshire," observes
that "the temperature of the sea is another of the desiderata in treating of the climate of
Yorkshire, on which scarcely any data exist." With a view of supplying the desideratum
here mentioned, a series of observations were made during the year 1853, the results of which
were tabulated for convenient reference, and published in the Annual Report of the Scarborough
Philosophical and Archoeological Society, (p. p. 17, 18.) These observations, continued up to
the present time, were made with great accuracy by Mr. Roberts, the Curator of the Scarbo-
rough Museum, and the locality selected for making them was at the extremity of the outer pier
of the harbour. It may here be remarked that the sea at Scarborough is well adapted for
such observations, inasmuch as it is wholly uninfluenced by the ingress of water from inland
sources.

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

261

Tlie 7no(]e followed in taking the temperature of the sea at the place mentioned, was as
follows: — a good thermometer, the bulb of which was inserted into a wide-mouthed glass vessel,
was suspended from a fishing-rod, and sunk into the water to the depth of six feet, and
allowed to remain there for a few minutes; on its removal the degree indicated was accurately
recorded. While alluding to the instrument employed, I may avail myself of this opportunity
of congratulating the Society on having recently obtained a set of trustworthy instruments,
tested and approved by Mr. Glaisher, and compared with standard ones used at the Eoyal
Observatory. The thermometer and hygrometer employed by ;he Scarborough Society were
manufactured by Messrs. Negretti and Zambra, and are similar to those supplied to the Arctic
E.Kpedition sent out under the command of Sir E. Belcher, in 1852. The barometer was
manufactured by Barrow, and is of the same kind as that employed by the Board of Ordnance
and the lion, the East India Compan)', and also by the Meteorological Society.

"Whatever therefore can be done, so far as regards the procuring reliable instruments for
meteorological observations, the Society has done; and it is satisfactory to know that when
carefully used, as in the instance to which I am now about to refer, accurate data may be
obtained upon a subject so intimately affecting not only the different operations of agriculture,
navigation, and engineering, but particularly the health and comfort of ourselves and our
families. It is impossible even to imagine that at the present time any intelligent or well-
educated person can doubt the connection existing between climate and the health or sickness
of a locality. From a very earl)' period — for the writings of Hippocrates abound with references
to the influence of climate, air, etc. — it has been known to exercise a power over disease, either
in modifying or augmenting its character generally, or certain of its more manifest symptoms.
Nor has its influence in more recent times been overlooked: the writings of Sir James Clark,
Sir Henry Holland, Dr. Martin, (Ventnor, Isle of Wight,) and Dr. Davy, with a host of others,
have drawn both public as well as professional attention to the influence of climate on health
and disease. In referring, however, to these authorities, the invaluable Keports of the Registrar
General must not be forgotten, which point out a closer connection between meteorological and
nosological phenomena than is generally apprehended. These reports present a body of valuable
matter, well worthy the studious attention of every skilled and philosophical practitioner in
physic or surgery. The animal and vegetable kingdom suffer together, and in proof of this
statement, I may refer to the existence of certain epidemics at the same period that the potatoe
disease was prevailing.

But to return; The Temperature of the Sea at Scarborough, compared with that of the
atmosphere at the same place, is set forth in the following

TABLE.

1853.

Number of
Observations

Temperature
of Air.

General Mean

of Monthly

Temperature

of Air.

Monthly

Temperature

of Sea.

Difference of

Sea and Mean

Monthly Temp.

of Air.

April ....

May

June ....

July

August ....
September . . .
October . . .
November . . .
December . . .

1854.
January ....
February . . .
March ....

4
14
11

7
8
7
9
6
8

25
25

15

Deg.

43

50

60

63

64

57

53

46

38

37.82
39.17
45.80

Deg.
45.4
51.2
57.4
61.6
59.8
57.2
50.4
45.6
42.2

39.4
40.6
41.2

Deg.

42.25

50.0

53.18

55.85

56.75

55.14

52.0

48.0

43,50

40.52
41.21
42.76

Deg.
3.15—
1.20-
4.22—
5.75-
3.05—
2.06—
1.60t
2.40t
1.30t

1.12t
0.61t
1.56t

Whole Tear . .

139

49.73

49.3

48.43

622

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

The General Mean of the Monthly Temperature of the Atmosphere is deduced from an
average of five years, namely from 1849 to 1853, inclusive: —

MONTHS.

1849.

1850.

1851.

1852.

1853.

AVERAGE.

Beg.

Deg.

Deg.

Deg.

Deg.

Deg.

January . . .

40

36

41

38

42

39.4

February ....

42

42

42

41

30

40.6

March ....

42

43

42

41

38

41.2

April

43

46

48

45

43

45.4

May

51

48

55

52

50

51.2

June

54

59

57

57

60

57.4

July

60

60

60

65

63

61.6

August ....

57

61

62

55

64

59.8

September . . .

57

57

57

58

57

57.2

October ....

48

49

52

50

53

50.4

November . . .

47

46

42

47

46

45.6

December . . .

42

43

41

47

38

42.2

On May 31st., June 16th., August 19th., 1853, the sea attained its maximum temperature,
when it reached 59 deg. Far., and January 2nd. and 3rd. it was at its minimum temperature,
namely, 38 deg. Far., or 6 deg. only above freezing point. The maximum monthly mean, 56
deg. 75 miu., occurred in the month of August; the minimum, 40 deg. 52 min., occurred in
January. The greatest difference between the temperature of the sea, and the general mean
monthly temperature of the atmosphere, occuiTed in July, when that of the sea was 5 deg. 75
min. below that of the atmosphere. In 1853, the difference was probably greater than the
average. The smallest difference occurred in February, when the sea was warmer than the air
by 0 deg. 61 min.

The temperature of the sea during the six months of the year, namely from October to
March inclusive, exceeded that of the atmosphere, the prevailing winds during that period
being westerly. During the months of April and May, when this amount of funded heat has
been entirely given out, and the prevailing winds are easterly, the cooling influence of the sea
breezes is felt very keenly. These winds, blowing over the great northern plain of Germany,
are rendered still colder by the small quantity of warmth they may contain, being abstracted
by the surface of the water. The sea is the warmest, as all bathers are practically aware,
though still colder than the surrounding air, during the months of July, August, and September,
and it is then also, that the refreshing coolness of the sea-side is most eagerly sought. In
October, however, a change takes place, the sea being warmer than the air by more than 2
deg., and an excess of temperature is maintained throughout the winter months. Thus the
warmth absorbed by the sea during the hotter months is slowly given up during the colder
months of the year, rendering the climate of the sea-coast warmer, milder, and more equable
than that of inland localities. A striking illustration of this fact occurred in the month of
January of the present year. On the night of the 2nd. and 3rd., a thermometer in the air
at York sank to 3 J deg. below zero ; at Ilackness to more than 2 deg. below zero ; whilst the
minimum temperature observed at Scarborough was 20 deg. F., which shows a difference of
nearly 24 deg. F. between York and Scarborough, and a difference of 22 deg. of warmth between
Hackness and Scarborough, mainly due to the proximity of the latter to the sea. I may
here draw attention to the temperature of fresh-water springs in the neighbourhood of Scar-
borough, as indicative of its mean annual temperature. Cayton Spring for instance, from
which Scarborough derives its supply of water, has a uniform temperature of 49 deg. F., as it
issues from the rock about seventy-five feet above high- water mark. During the severe weather
of the past winter, a thermometer held in the air showed the temperature below freezing
point, but when plunged into the spring the mercury rose to 49 deg. F.

These remarks are offered as a very humble begiiming of inquiries which in time it is hoped
■will be extended, and upon which I trust at a future period to present to the Society's notice
some conclusions which at present are but faintly indicated, and require a further series of
observations to be deemed deserving of favourable consideration.

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brief Hketch of the aiiti-slavery movement in America, by F. W. Cheeson, and concluded by a "cbr.ptcr
of additional evidence," conimimicated by Wilson Arniistend, Esq., added to all which is a singrular but
well-cn if raved copy of a very striking' statue of Toufsaint L'Ovcrture, the rovolutionarj' black Emperor
of St. Domingo. Dedicated appropi lately to Jlrs. Stowc, the book, then, is a collection of extraordinary
Nei^o biographies, in -which their large capabilities, tractability, with other valuable evidonci's of their
aggregate humanities', as an oppressed, despised, and outcast race, are cxempliflcd without the slifjlit-
est patade or ostentation. As a testimony to their worth and virtues, it is a most efficient book, and
we wwh it every success." — WccVlij Dhpu'tch.

LONDON:
PAETEIDGE AND OAKEY, 3J, PATEENOSTEE EOW.

AND 70, EDGWARE liOAD.

No. 46. DECEMBER, 1854.

Price 6d.

1§

A POPULAR MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE

ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, AND MINERAL
KINGDOMS.

WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.

COXDUCTED BY

BEVERLEY R. MORRIS, ESQ., A.B., M.D., T.C.D.,

memb: wern: cltjb.

LONDON:

GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATERNOSTER ROW.
EDINBURGH: JAMES HOGG, 4, KICOLSON STREET.

AND MAY BB HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

The Birds of Strathbeg and its Neighbourhood, with a few Remarks

upon their Habits, etc. By Mr. T. Edward 263

A Trip to Selborne, in 1854. By 0. S. Round, Esq 271

Farewell Facts and Fancies from Norfolk. By G. R, Twinn, Esq 275

A List and Notes on the Fungi found in the Neighbourhood of

Exeter. By Mr. E. Parfitt 277

Miscellaneous Notices. — Nesting of the Chaffinch. A memory from

Moseley Pool. Late stay of the Cuckoo. Departure of Swallows.

Spring Arrivals in Guernsey. Occurrence of the Yellow Wren, or

Warbler, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Communications have been received 'up to November 20th., from J. Dalton,
Esq.; — G. Donaldson, Esq.; — Mr. G. Eishee.

Contributions have been received, up to November 20th., from J. E. Smith, Esq. ;
—J.Rose, Esq., M.D.;— S. Stone, Esq.;— L. Shields, Esq.;— G-. Stockley,
Esq.;— ;j. M'Intosh, Esq.;— J. 'H. Davies, Esq.;— O. S. Round, Esq.
J. F. Whiteaees, Esq.;— T. P. F.;— J. E. Daniel, Esq.;— H. Buckley, Esq.
F. B. Cuming, Esq.; — T. G. Bonney, Esq.; — J. Brown, Esq.: — J. J. Eox, Esq.;
R. Mc'L.; — Me. E. Pareitt; — C. H. Dashwood, Esq.; — Me. M. Westcott;
Me. T, Edward;- G. R. Twinn, Esq.;— J. Gray-, Esq.

Communications, Drawings, Advertisements, etc., to be addressed to BEVERLEY R. 3I0RRIS,
Esq., M.D. , Driffield;— Books for Review, and Pareels, to the eare of Messrs. GROOMBRIDGE
and SONS, 5, Paternoster Row, Zondofi.

263

THE BIRDS OF STRATPIBEG AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD,
WITH A FEW REMARKS UPON THEIR HABITS, ETC.

BY MR, THOMAS EDWARD.
( Continued from page 2i7.J

Such being, ia a great measure, the Birds of the Loch during Summer^
■with the exceptions already stated, as regards large flocks of Gulls being
frequently to be met with, we will now proceed coastwise; but in doing so,
we will first note those birds that breed betwixt the Loch and the sea. On
the side of the Loch next to the beach, there are ridges composed of rough
sand and shingle, beat hard by time, with short grass springing up here and
there, and an occasional tuft of bent, called by the people there, "dykes."
On these the Ring Dotterel, (Charadrius hiaticula,) breeds; as also the
Wheatear, (Saxicola cenanthe.) Intervening, are long low patches of marshy
ground, covered with grass; there the Lapwing, the Redshank, the Dunlin,
the Snipe, and the Lark, (Alauda arvetisis,) all bring forth. On my first
visit the nests here were very numerous, but it is not so now; the place
having of late years been converted into sheep pasturage, most of the birds
have forsaken the spot.

Passing on, we encounter large sandy hillocks, clothed with a rich crop of
bent. Along the sides of these amongst the bent, nestles the Rock Pipit,
(Anthus aqnaticus,) the Meadow Pipit, the Yellow Wagtail, {Motacilla flava,)
the Rose Linnet, (Linaria cannahina,) and the Twite, (L. monfana;) on
the top, a solitary pair of Redshanks may be occasionally found incubating;
I have met with them several times. Young broods of Partridges, [Perdix
cinerea,) accompanied by their parents, may also be now and then stumbled
upon: I am told too, that the Mallard brings out here, amongst the bent;
but I have never yet met with their nests.

We now arrive at a sandy beach, beyond which and stretching far away
in the distance, roll the briny waters of the Moray Frith, or perhaps I should
rather say here, the broad waves of the German Ocean; there, amongst the
bare sand, the fair and lightsome Little Tern, (Sterna minuta,) and the
Common Tern,'' (S. hinmdo,) both lay their eggs and hatch. Although these
birds do not incubate during the day, still they ever keep a strict and
faithful watch over the spot; and if an enemy, real or supposed, in the
shape of man. Gull, or Crow appears, he is instantly assailed; it may be

* It ■will be remembered by the readers of "The Naturalist," that there appeared a query
from me some time ago, concerning the breeding of the Terns in this quarter. To that query
I have received several valuable communications from gentlemen in various parts of the country,
consisting chiefly, however, of suggestive hints about the species, etc., none stating exactly
anything definite. I am now, however, enabled myself, from further information received on
the spot, from the careful examination of specimens, in which I was assisted by a friend, from
both places; and from further observation on my own part, during the present summer, to say
that the birds are the same; that is, that the Tern that builds the nest on the island, and
the one that only makes the slight hollow in the sand wherein to deposit her eggs, is the same
VOL. IV. . 2 M

264 THE BIRDS OF STRATH BEO.

at first by two or three, but these soon increase, and they keep screaming
and darting at, and as long as the, intruder is near. It is curious to see
them hovering over you when they have young, with perhaps a sand eel, or
it may be some other small fish, dangling in their mouth. It is well worth one's
time and trouble, at such a season, to conceal himself at a distance and be
an eyewitness to the dexterity and the amazing rapidity with which they
•will drop down, feed their young, and again re-ascend. It is done so quick
at times, that you can hardly tell whether the bird has been down or not,
when it is again soaring away aloft, I allude chiefly to the Common Tern:
this bird is known by the term of 'Pit-tarrack,' and the Little Tern by
that of 'Cleat,' or 'Clet.'

A few pairs of Eing Dotterels also breed here. I would here narrate an
anecdote concerning one of these birds, which recently occurred on these sands;
hoping that it will not be out of, but just in its proper place, being, as it
is, associated with the present article. — Strolling about on the sands in July
last with my friend, John Gatherer, Esq., not just exactly, if I remember
rightly, with any real or defined object in view, but merely to take what I
might call an ornithological survey, and, at least on my part, to pick up or
examine any ichthyological or conchological specimen, or such like object which
the sea might have cast on shore. We parted, and shortly after I heard the
report of my friend's piece, but at what he had fired, I could not then tell
from the distance betwixt us. Having rambled up and down, here and there,
for some time, I at last found myself approaching the spot where Mr. G. had
fired, and was surprised at hearing a low squeaking behind me; but, like
the street musician, having my eyes always round me, I soon discovered the
chirper lying on the sand in the form of a Ring Dotterel, and apparently
very sorely wounded. Ho! ho! thinks I, on seeing it, there is what my friend
has fired at, but has lost it. However it is all right yet; I will just pick
it up, and give it to him. So saying, or rather thinking, I would put my
hand upon it for that purpose; but the poor little thing managed, unexpectedly,
to elude me by scrambling away, though with great difficulty, and dragging
its broken wing, which furrowed the sand in its course.

I stopped short; it did the same. One of its legs appeared hurt too.
Wishing to obtain the bird for my friend, I again made the attempt, but
with as little success as before. Again I came to a stand-still, as also did
the bird; seeing which, I again started and pounced right upon it, and held

bird — the Common Tern. Of the singularitj' of the circumstance onlj', that the same bird should
at one time rear a structure whereon to lay her eggs, and at another be content with a mere
hollow for the pui-pose, I of course will saj' nothing, leaving it to some abler head and mind
to deal with the matter, should they think fit; I would say, however, that I have not men-
tioned this affair as anything new to ornithology, but merelj' as being so to me. I would also
state that I have been informed that a gentleman of the name of Hepburn, who visited the
Loch some years since, expressed a similar opinion as I have now done, namely, that the Terns
that breed on the Loch, are the same as those that do on the sands, that is, the larger
species, not the Little Tern.

THE BIRDS OF STUATHBEG. 265

it fast in my hand. Yes, I grasped it firmly, but not the bird. 0 no! it
was only a handful of sand; my mouth and eyes too were full; for to make
sure work, 1 had spread myself on all-fours. On rising again, and having
cleaned myself of the sand as well as I could, I observed the bird at only about
six or seven yards distance, hobbling and tottering about, still inviting me to
pursue. I stood a few seconds considering whether 1 would or not; then off
I started, once more determined to have it. Away went the bird, twiddling,
and twiddling, and away I followed in hot pursuit; round and round the sand
hillocks we scrambled, until I was perfectly wearied, and nothing now but the
novelty of the affair, to think that I could not take the little creature, and
it so much maimed, could have kept me at it. Sometimes I would have
been close up to it, and then again it would have been several yards in
advance.

In this way we continued until I saw that I could make nothing of it by
fair means, so I doubled round, meeting it fair in front, was about to take
hold of it, when, to my amazement, it rose and flew. Its flight, however,
was of short duration, as it again suddenly dropped down, and lay on the
sand as if dead. "You are mine now at last," said I, as I observed it fall,
and was proceeding accordingly to put it into my pocket. But lo and behold!
it rose again on my approach and flew, but this time a little farther, when
it once more suddenly dropped as before, but behind one of the larger hillocks.
It was a beautifully -marked specimen, and fearing that I should loose it now
altogether, I determined to put a stop to the Wild Goose-like chase at once.
Accordingly, and having put my gun in readiness, I proceeded in the direction
where the bird fell, with the intent that if it should rise again it should
not go far. Rise it did not. Reached the spot, but there was no bird there.
Searched all round, but no — still no bird. The idea now for the first time
struck me that all was not right, or at least so far wrong as I had been
made to believe. However there was no help now; the bird was off, fairly
gone; so I turned to retrace my steps, but not however without first casting
another anxious glance all round, but with as little effect.

IMet my friend, inquired if he had fired at a Ring Dotterel. "No, he had
only shot at a Tern. But, by-the-by," he added, "I found a nest and young
of that bird there as I came along." In a few minutes we stood beside the
young ones. The spot I found to be only about three yards in advance of
whore my attention was first drawn by the wounded bird. Having collected
the little downy things, being then scattered, and having placed them in a
hollow amongst the sand, which Mr. G. had scooped for that purpose, we again
took our departure, and in doing so what should we meet with but my old
friend, the wounded Dotterel, which again commenced its former pranks, but
it was now too late — the truth was out. Drawing my friend's attention to
the bird, and having told him how it had already so completly deceived me,
he laughed heartily at the affair.

Such was the extraordinary cunning exhibited by the little creature in this

266 THE BIRDS OF STRATIIBEG.

instance, in leading me away from its young, that I must say if I had not
seen it myself, it would have been rather a hard matter for any one to
have made me believe that such was possible in a bird. The circumstance
having been related that same day in the manse of Crimand, by Mr. Gatherer,
to a party of gentlemen after dinner, Mr. Boyd remarked, "If it had been
one like me, who does not know much about the workings of the lower
animals, that had been so fairly deceived, I would not have thought so much
of the matter; but to think of an old nester like you, Mr. E., being so
completely done, makes the case certainly a very striking and remarkable one."

That I was deceived, I freely confess; not that it detracts anything from
me, but only adds another to the already innumerable proofs of the wisdom of
the adorable Creator, as displayed in the wondrous works of creation. Nature!
Nature! oh, how delightful is thy fascinating embrace. There would I ever
hold sweet communion with thee. Oh! how lovely, and yet how terrible;
how pleasant, yet how sublime is thy fair countenance to look upon. Would
that I could but woo thee more on the waters of the mighty deep,
in their hidden and fruitful channels; by the ocean's shore, the meadows
green, the shady woods, the marshy hollow, the river's side, by the margin
of, and on the reedy lake, on the heathy hill, and snow-capped mountain; — •
there, either in sunshine or in gloom, in storm or in calm, to behold the
mighty wonders of thine hand, the matchless beauty of all thy works, and
the perfect harmony and concord which pervades the whole. But, alas! fate
has deemed it otherwise, and I must be content, as I am. Brief is the hour,
now and then, and from labour stolen; it is all I can give. But we must
return.

Numerous Gulls are to be met with here at all seasons, but particularly
towards the end of autumn. During winter the flocks are prodigious, con-
sisting of various species, and composed of birds of every grade, from the
young of the year up to the adult of many years. As being the most con-
spicuous and largest, we will first note the Great Black-backed Gull, {Lams
marinus;) the Lesser Black-backed Gull, (L. fuscus;) the Herring Gull, (L.
argentatus,) numerous; the Common Gull, (L. canus,) not rare; the Black-
headed Gull, (L. ridihundus ;) the Kittiwake, {L. tridactylus;) the Iceland
Gull, (L. Icelandicus,) a winter straggler; and last, as being of very rare
occurrence, the Ivory Gull, (Z. eburneus.)

The Common Skua, (Lestris SJcua,) rare here; the Arctic Skua, {L. para-
siticus^) and the Richardson's Skua, {L. Pachardsonii,) are to be met with,
the latter being the most frequent. Stragglers of this species will occasionally
appear during summer. I have a splendid male specimen of Richardson's Skua
in my collection, which was killed there on the 15th. of June, 1850. It was
a rare occurrence, and is worthy of special notice.

Leaving BanflF on- the afternoon of the 14th., for the purpose of obtaining
a few Little Tern's eggs, if possible. Had to be at home by next afternoon.
The distance was thirty miles. Ari'ived at Cairness about eleven o'clock, and

Tllli BIRDS OF STRATHBEG. - 2G7

not wishing to disturb my friends there at that unseasonable hour, I at once
betook myself to the links, that I might be the readier and the nearer the
field of operations in the morning, my time being so limited. Crossed the
'cut,' or canal, which runs from the I^och, and having reached the sand
hillocks, Nature's couch became my bed, my gun my pillow, and the bare
canopy of heaven my covering. The wind, which on my leaving blew pretty
strongly, had now increased into a perfect hurricane; but despite the roaring
of the storm, and the pelting of the rain, which fell in copious showers,
exhausted nature giving way, I closed my eyes in sleep. A little more than
an hour, however, had only elapsed, when I was again awoke by the mournful
screaming as of some one in distress. Starting like one awaking from some
terrible dream, I sprung at once to my feet, but though I strained every
eye, could not discover the cause of alarm, or from whence it came. Was
it the echo of some shipwrecked or hapless wretch, or cast-away mariner,
calling to the lonely shore and the tempestuous and unfeeling billows for
succour and for aid? I looked towards the foaming waters, fearing the worst,
for it was truly an awful night at sea, and sure enough a stranded vessel
lay in sight. I flew in haste to render any little assistance which might be
in my power to give. On reaching the wreck, however, I found I had been
deceived by the gloom, for instead of a ship, as I thought, it only proved
to be a boat, newly, or, but recently cast on shore. Finding it empty, I now
turned my attention towai-ds the surge, but could discover no human form,
dead or dying. The sound by this time had ceased; I listened in the hope
of again hearing it repeated, but, save the hollowing of the northern blast,
and the loud moaning of the angry waves, as they lashed and spent their
fury on the unoifending shore, all was still; as nothing yet appeared to require
my aid, I again sought my lowly couch, where, in my haste, I had left my
gun. Proceeding hither, the wail of woe again burst on my ear in spite of
the midnight din of the warring elements, and louder than before. I listened
again, eager to catch the direction, that I might know where it was. Again
it died away. A few paces farther on, and again came the mournful cry,
and now 1 thought I could discern in it the piteous voice of some little infant
in agony, and proceeding, not from the beach, but from amongst the bents.
Yet a young child out on such a night, in such a place, and tortured by
some cold-blooded wretch, perhaps, of a mother. My heart almost died within
me, between hope and fear, as I now bent my steps in search of the innocent
little sufferer. Wending my way cautiously amongst the benty hillocks, I at
last came upon the unfortunate object of my solicitude, being guided to the
spot by its agonizing screams; but which, and most happily, I found not to
be a child, but a large Hare, securely bound posteriorly by a piece of cord
and brass wire, fastened to a stake in the ground. I involuntarily cursed
the cruel and heartless wretch whose hand had set the snare, as I cut the
poor animal free.

The first gray streak of morn having by this time tinged the eastern horizon,

268 TtTK BIRDS OF STRATH BKa.

instead of again courting slumber, being wet with the rain, I now hied me
to the sands, and where I now found that the sea had risen far above its
usual mark, and had swept away all the nests that I was in search of.
Wandering about bemoaning my sad misluck, my eye rested on a dark-looking
object coming sailing steadily along toward me, but diving into the surf now
and then. I saw it was a stranger, and prepared accordingly. I staggered,
being stiff with cold, to meet him. We neared, and down fell the splendid
Skua I have already mentioned. I have seen it stated that these birds do not
fish for themselves. If I can believe my own eyes I can affirm that they do.
The one alluded to vomited, when newly brought down, a goodly-sized Sand
Eel, (Ammodi/tes Tohianus,) which was alive. Besides, the stomach, on
dissection, contained two entire small Herrings, (Clupea harengus,) which I
am sure the bird picked from the water that morning himself.

The Sandwich Tern, {Sterna Boysii.) I should say rare — observed a pair
this summer. The same may be said of the Cinereous Shearwater, [Pvffinus
Cinereus;) not so of the Fulmar, [Procellaria gJacialis,) and the little Stormy
Petrel, {Thalassidroma pelagica,) as they are occasional passers; the Solan
Goose, {Sula hassana,) also, but more frequent. I remember seeing a large
White Gull there in May, 1852, but could not get within shot. What
species could it have been? I considered myself at the time that it was either
a white variety of the Great Black-backed, or else a pure specimen of the
Iceland Gull. Whilst there this season, Mr. G. and I observed a similar bird,
but neither of us could get near it. My friend considered it to be Larus
Leucopterus. The Brindled, (?) {Uria lacrymans?) the Common, {U. troille,)
and the Black Guillemots, ( U. grylle,) the Razor-bill, {Alca torda,) the Little
Auk, {Mergulus alle,) and the Puffin, {Fratercula arctica,) are all met with
seawards; the first rarely. Likewise the Long-tailed Duck, {Hardda glacialis,)
the Black and Velvet Scoters, {Oidemia nigra, and O. fusca,) as also many
other Dacks, etc., already mentioned, as being visitors to the Loch.

The Cormorant, (Phalocrocorax carbo,) the Black-throated, (Oolynihus arcticus,)
the Ked-throated, (C. septentrionalis,) and the Great Northern Diver,* (C.
glacialis,) are yearly visitors. These birds are likewise occasionally met with on
the Loch during winter. Besides the Grallaiores already mentioned, the
Sanderling, (Arenaria calidris,) the Knot, (Tringa canidus,) the Gray Plover,
(Squatarola cinerea,) the Turnstone, (Strepsilas interpres,) the Scapiet, {Ilce-
matopus ostralegm,) and the Curlew, {Numeniua arquata,) are all winter
birds, and, with the exception of the Gray Plover, have all, at rare intervals,
been met with during summer; large numbers of Curlews are often seen during
that season. The Red Godwit, {Limosa riifa,) is frequently found in autumn;
the Black-tailed, (Z.. melanura^ on two occasions. The Curlew Sandpiper,

* A most splendid specimen of this bird, in full breeding dress, was found on the sands of
Rattcry, this summer. It was skinned by one of the preventive men there, but who could do no
more. It has now, however, passed into the hands of Lord Sultoun, who is to have it
preserved and mounted.

THE niRDS OP STRATMBM. 2G9

{Tringa suharquata,) once^ and the Little Stint, (T. minuta,) twice.

These constituting the sea, shore, and Loch birds, we will now take a
brief survey of the landward part of the neighbourhood, of course omitting
those already noted. There we have the Pheasant, [Phasianus Colchicus,) the
Quail, (Coturnix dactyUsonans ,) rare; the Ring Dove, [Columba palumhtes,)
the Turtle Dove, (Turtur migratoriixs,) once iTiet with; the Meadow Crake,
(Crex pratensis,) the Spotted Crake, (O. porzmia,') twice found; the Cuckoo,
(Citculus canorus,) the Nightjar, {Caprimulgus Europoeus,) rare; as also the
Waxwing, {Bomhycilla garrula,) the Great Spotted Woodpecker, (Picus
major,) and the Crossbill, [Loxia curvirostra.) The Roller, {Coracias garruJa,)
the Bee-eater, (Merops apiaster,) and the Hoopoe, (Upupa epops,) have all
on one or two occasions been obtained. The Goldfinch, (Carduelis elegans,)
formerly, but I believe not now; the Siskin, [Fringilla spinns,) the Bullfinch,
{Pyrrhula vulgaris,) and the Gray Wagtail, (Motacilla cinerea,) rarely. The
Chaffinch, (Fringilla ccelebs,) the Greenfinch, (F. clitoris,) and every farm-yard
mostly has its Sparrows, {P. domesticus.) The Corn Bunting, {Ernheriza miliaria,)
the Yellow Bunting, {E. flava,) and the Snow Bunting, [E. nivalis;) large
flocks of these are often seen during severe winters, and at such times are not
unfrequently accompanied by a few Mountain Finches, {Fringilla montifringilla.)
The Blackbird {Merula vulgaris,) the Thrush, {Turdus miisicus,) the Missel
Thrush, [T. viscivorus,) rare; and in winter the Fieldfare, (T. pilaris,) and
the Redwing, {T. iliacus,) the Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris.)

Alas! here kind reader would I pause a little, and I trust you will bear
with me as the tear of sorrow falls, and whilst I relate a sad — sad event,
which has just reached ray ears, concerning a gentleman whose name is
often referred to in the present article, who, though himself not a naturalist,
was ever willing and ready to assist any one in that pursuit to the utmost
of his power. It was but yesterday, at noon, (August 22nd.,) that my
friend the Rev. Mr. Boyd, of Crimand, whilst full of life and strength, and
with every prospect of enjoying many, many long days yet to come, being
only about forty years of age, left his young and courteous partner and two
blooming little ones, to enjoy a short walk with a neighbouring gentleman,
intending soon to return. Alas! short was the walk indeed, and, woe is
me, never to return. A few paces and he dropped down and almost
instantly expired. Alas! another of my best friends gone. Cruel death, if
thy hand continue to strip me thus, thou wilt soon, very soon leave me
desolate; and then who will take notice of the poor naturalist? Well may
the parish of Crimand say, "We have lost that which we may never again
find." Well might Mercy weep, and Religion mourn his premature departure,
for in him they have both lost a friend on earth; and I, alas! a friend too,
and a benefactor.

In the spring of ISHO, a pair of Starlings took up their abode near the
manse of Crimand, and eventually built amongst the thatch of a low house
close by; and at the request of my dear departed friend, alas! the Rev. Mr. B.!

270 THE mUDS OF STRATHBEQ.

they were left unmolested, and succeeded in rearing two broods that season;
next summer, several pairs came, and protection being given them, a still
larger number appeared the year following. Many now breed in several places
near there, a few pairs annually selecting my late friend's Dove- cote for that
purpose. The Rook, (Corvus frugilegus,) the Hooded Crow, (0. comix,) the
Magpie, {G. pica,) and the Jackdaw, {C monedula;) are anything but nu-
merous. The Great Tit, {Paras major,) the Blue Tit, (P. cceruUus,) the
Goldcrest, {Regulus cristatus,) and the Stone and Whin Chats, (Sylvia rtihi-
cola and ^S'. rubetra,) sparingly. The Robin, (S. ruhecula,) the Nun, or
Hedge Sparrow, (.S'. modularis,) and the Wren, (S. troglodytes,) are more
numerous. The Whitethroat, (S. cinerea,) the Willow Wren, (S. trochilus,)
and the Spotted Flycatcher, [Muscicapa grisola,) occur during summer, the
latter however, not annually: a single specimen of the Pied Flycatcher, (If.
luduosa,) was shot in a small plantation near the manse of Crimand, during
the summer of J 849. About a dozen years ago, a single specimen of the
Blackcap, {Sylvia atricapilla,) a female, was observed to frequent a garden at
Crimmonmogate for the greater pai't of a season.

We now come to the birds of prey, of which great numbers have been
from time to time both shot and trapped. Of these the Peregrine Falcon,
(Falco peregrinus,) stands foremost, then the Goshawk, {F. palmnharius,) the
Merlin, {F. cesalon,) the Sparrow- Hawk, {Accipiter Fringillarius,) the Kestrel,
{A. Alaudarius,) the Buzzard, {Buteo vulgaris,) the Rough-legged Buzzard,
{B. lagopus,) the Kite, {Milvus regalis,) and the Hen Harrier, {Falco cyaneus.)
Of Owls, we have the Tawny, {Strix stridala,) the Long-eared, {S. otus,) the
Short-eared, {S. hracliyotus,) a winter visitant, and the Barn Owl, {S. flammea,)
rare: a pretty specimen of the Snowy Owl, {S. m/dea,) was found drowned
in the Loch, about thirty years ago. Others might be added, but as they
are of a dubious character, it is considered better that they should be omitted.
But as the last I would mention that a very large bird of prey was trapped
at Cairness about twenty-five years since; it was of a tawny colour, feathered
to the toes, and was supposed to be an immature specimen of the Golden
Eagle, {Aquila chri/saefos.) The bird, I believe, was preserved and placed in
the house of Cairness; as also were many of the rarer species mentioned here;
but on the death of the late Mr, Gordon, they were either removed or left
to decay. Numbers likewise finding their way to Banff", when after being
stuffed, they were placed in the Museum there, where a few still remain.

But before I finally conclude, however, I would beg leave to state that
the foregoing list is not given as a complete one, for there can be little
doubt but that there are many which have occurred, but which, from the
want of being known to me, are not included here. But if anything like
encouragement were given to individuals residing there, as well as in other
localities, who may not themselves be lovers of nature, but who might be
induced by certain means to look after these things, I have little doubt
but that many of the rarer species would be added, not only here, but in

A TRIP TO SELBOUNE. 271

other places also. Naturalists and voluntary collectors cannot be everywhere,
and in that case they should have aids. We have associations and institu-
tions for the promoting and encouraging of almost everything of a legitimate
nature; but where, I would ask, where have we a single society or body
for the encouragement or the rewarding of individual, (or otherwise,) enter-
prise, as regards Natural History? I know of none, and I am sure much
good would accrue from such. Why there is nothing of the sort, I of course
cannot pretend to say; but surely our naturalists have never thought of the
matter, else their willing hearts, liberal minds, and ready hands would have
formed such an institution long ago. Let them think of it now, and act
accordingly. But perhaps I am speaking foolishly; if so, I beg to be excused;
and that the mistakes contained in the foregoing, being errors of judgment
and not of will, be forgiven, is the sincere wish of the humble author of
the "Birds of Strathbeg."

Banff, August 2ith., 1854.

A TRIP TO SELBORNE, IN 1854.

BY O. S, ROUND, ESQ,

There are few who have not heard of Selborne, and fewer, who, as lovers
of Nature, are not familiar with Gilbert White's history of that, his native
place; and many are the tourists, who, in their way through the beautiful
valleys of Surrey and Hants, have gone out of their path to visit a spot
invested with so much interest. I possess two editions of its history, one by
Sir William Jardine, the other by the late Mr. Edward Turner Bennett,
who, in the decline of his health, and, as it turned out, of his life, visited
and spent some delightful hours in this charming spot; and thus rendered lighter
the pressure of cares and sickness upon an exhausted frame and wearied spirit.
I had often read his brother's preface to this edition; and when I too have been
suffering from ill health, and exhausted spirits, from overtaxed energies in the
din of a great city, and the turmoil of business, I have looked with yearning
at those pages, and wished for some good genius to plant me suddenly in
the midst of those scenes, of which my fancy had raised up such a brilliant
image.

During the summer of this year, an old and kind friend proposed a trip
to this locality; and when the latter end of August saw me at leisure to
take advantage of the proposition, which I need not say I had from the first
eagerly embraced, away we went, by open carriage to Rooking station, on the
South-western Railway, and by railway to Guildford and Alton, and found
ourselves upon the 30th. of that month, Avithin a few miles of the goal of,
to me at least, so many anxious aspirations. The day was so hot that we well
nigh lost the train; our steed literally could not get on, and Alton lay
as still in the sunshine as if its long down-hill street were untenanted. How-

VOL. IV. 2 N

272 A TRIP TO SELBORNE.

ever, mine host of the Swan soon brought out a one-horse open carriage, and
after a delightful drive of some five miles, we came at once upon Selborne.

One is apt to portray in one's mind's eye a vivid picture of what we take
a great interest in ; and I confess as I approached, most of these visions were
dissipated; for I had pictured to myself a wide sweep of undulating pastures,
■with a ridge of chalk Down surrounding them, and the residence of the
historian somewhere near the centre, in the midst of fields and gardens. I
■will not, however, do his memory the injustice to suppose that his descriptions
led to any such conclusion j the only thing that can be said is, that his
letters referred to general features chiefly, and when checked on the spot are
certainly uncommonly coi-rect, and show an intimate knowledge and long study
of the difierent branches of natural science involved in such a topography as
bis. Our way lay through stubble fields, and a deep lane, turning to the
left from the high road, led us by a short cut to the north end of, rather
the side of a steep acclivity of great altitude, and most picturesquely clothed
with beech trees; this was Selborne Hanger, and forms the foot, northwards,
of a series of hills of very much the same character, extending from Selborne
to Petersficld, and so on to the Downs towards Portsmouth. It reminded me
of Marlow Woods on the Thames, beyond Maidenhead and Cookham, more
than anything I had seen. The village lies in a little nook of a very broken
character, although the clothing of trees and hedges somewhat obscures these
inequalities; the houses are chiefly of the poorer class, with generally an up-
stair story, and built of the stone of the county, with a few brick dwellings,
forming an irregular kind of street, winding in a most picturesque manner,
and running south-east along the base of the Hanger; the soil being a mixture
of chalk and stone, of what Gilbert White very properly designates as of a
"rubbly character;" in fact little removed above the chalk in hardness, and
in appearance not unlike that now used much in England, and brought from
Caen, in Normandy, being a free-stone, and very good, it is gaid, for hearth-
stones.

To describe the refts and slips of earth which appear to have taken place
at various very distant periods in every direction, would be impossible, but,
as might be expected, every turn produces new charms for the artist, and,
although I do not profess the art, I understand enough to enjoy the ocular banquet
with full zest, and to bring away some slight sketching memorials. We found,
for a village inn, excellent accommodation at Mr, Hole's of the Queen's Arms,
and after a mutton cutlet dinner, aided by Alton ale and pancakes, we
mounted the Hanger, almost as steep as a wall, but having paths executed
upon its face, of marvellous ingenuity and convenience; and more particularly
one at the southern extremity, aptly called the ^^Zigzag;" and as from this
point, a most magnificent view can be obtained of the country towards
Portsmouth, the summit bore marks of many a pic-nic, for which tents are
furnished by Mr, Hole.

After a charming ramble, in spite of the heat, we returned and took our

A TRIP TO SELBORME. 273

tea, and retired early. I waked with the gray morning, and as it was the
height of harvest, every one in the village was astir even then; and the tramp
of horses and the grating of waggon wheels soon ushered in the day. I arose
shortly after and sauntered into the church-yard and church, which being in
a course of repair, was luckily open, and there read with a melancholy interest
the mural slab by the altar to the memory of the Rev. Gilbert White, most
erroneously stated in a late number of the "Leisure Hour," not to have been
a clergyman, where, not only is there this evidence to the contrary, but an
entry in the Register to a marriage and christening, bearing his name, very
shortly before his death, (three weeks, I think, only.) The church stands
on the verge of a chasm, at least thirty feet iu depth, I should think^ but
unseen from within, by reason of a hedge.

After breakfast, we devoted the forenoon to a walk to '^Nore Hill," the
next stage of Down and Hanger, where, near the summit, we found sheep
browsing on the short grass, or lying in picturesque groups beneath the beeches,
through whose stems we obtained delightful glances at the far prospect stretching
away for many a mile beneath us. We then turned the hill and I think,
although I have seen many views, I never, in the whole course of my
experience, beheld such a beautiful prospect as met our eyes; my friend sat
down under an umbrella, it being severely hot, and was quite entranced
in silent admiration; the variety, the extent, the magnificent sweeps of hill
and dale, hanger and chalk down, defy description; and embellished as the
landscape was, by the harvest, cut, uncut, and in course of being borne off the
fields, a more lovely and at once sublime scene-^ — sublime in the grander
features of rural beauty, could not well be imagined.

These Hangers, which form such a charming feature in this sweet scenery,
are, as it were, a succession of steps in the country, and bear away to the
right in graceful gradations, until they are lost in the gray mist of distance,
and so softly does that distance define their swells and outlines, that it seems
as though you could put your hand upon them as upon a beautiful model;
the eye, when a little closed, takes in so much. Laying here for a long time,
we retraced our steps till we came upon the open Down, towards the back
of the Hanger, forming in fact part of the old forest, which runs along the
top and further side of the hill, forming the Hanger, and has all the attri-
butes of a wild chase, interspersed with brakes, furze, heath, and scattered
trees, none apparently of very old growth, those probably having been cut
from time to time.

We then crossed this hill, whose green sides were enlivened by groups of
cattle, and came upon two beautiful seats, commanding, I should imagine, a
magnificent prospect; one the residence of — Snow, Esq., the owner of the
other I do not remember; this is Newton, or Newton Valance, and if the
road be pursued, would lead down the hill from behind, at the Alton or
north-west end of the Selborne Hanger; but we contented ourselves with
going down another easy descent in the bosom of the Hanger itself, whose

274 A TRIP TO SEI-BORNE.'

■welcome shade after our walk in the sun^ the heat of which was intense^
was peculiarly refreshing; and this brings me to the whilom residence of
the Reverend historian of the village, which, from this point, that is, im-
mediately beneath the Hanger, looks lovely; it is the view of it taken by
Mr. Harvey, and engraved in Mr. Bennett's edition. It stands here in a
miniature Park, with some fine trees, and verdant sward, and a small piece
of water in the centre; but the front, properly so called, faces close upon
the village street, and here, I confess, I could have wished that it had not
done so; perhaps this was merely because it did not accord with my pre-
conceived idea of the locality, and so let it pass; it has now become the
property of Mr. Bell, the well known dentist, whose professional avocations
only permit him to taste the pleasures of this rural retreat once in the seven
days, so I did not see more than the exterior, which likewise appears of late
to have received a small addition, apparently in ofiices.

In the course of our ramble, I found a nice specimen of the delicate Fern
known as Gistopteris fragilis, but as I had no instrument with me fitted for
the purpose, I got it up but imperfectly, and it survived my return but a
few days; I was, however, more successful in a fine specimen of the Hart's
Tongue Fern, {ScoJopendriuvi vuJgare^ which is now flourishing in my sister's
collection, at Sunninghill, and apparently did not miss the moving; I also saw
some Club and other Mosses, which we do not ordinarily meet with in any
but heavy clays, however there is a tendency to this formation in particular
parts of this district. Gilbert White only alludes to the Ferns generally, as
FiUces; indeed, at that time, they were not so much a study as at present.
There are two streams which water this sequestered spot, one crossing the
path as you enter the village from the north, and the other at the further
end; and indeed, I do not know, that the first does not form a portion of the
second; but in dry seasons, the water soaks up, so that it becomes exhausted
or absorbed before it reaches the lower ground. Now, indeed, the lower one
was dry, and then, further, a "well-head," as it is called, flowing out of the
hill near the Zigzag, did not run with great volume, though freely.

The soil appeared very productive, and the crops, of wheat chiefly, excellent;
some few hop grounds there were, but this year there has been an almost total
failure of the crop; and we only saw one lot of vines along the whole vale
of Alton with fruit upon them. The village has of late years been enriched
with a new Vicarage of white brick, and a handsome house it is. I wan-
dered in the church-yard, and found a sprig of the Yew tree cut off, which
I secured as a memento, and a portion of the frontal bone of a skull of
some of the inhabitants, whose it would be difficult to say, but it did not
appear very ancient. The Plestor is a three-cornered piece of ground partially
covered with turf, abutting on the high-road or street, and forming a frontage
to the church, which stands just beyond it, and surrounded with houses —
one a neat linen-draper's shop. The inhabitants appear to be quite rustic,
and owing, I suppose, to the very strong reflection from the white surface

FAREWELL FACTS AND FANCIES. 275

of the land, were, when we visited the place, tanned to the hue of the
veritable Red men of the west. From the window of our little sitting-room
at the Queen's Arms, we had a charming park-like prospect adown a wooded
valley extending eastward, but this we had no opportunity of exploring, as
our time ran short, and after an early dinner, and a subscription of our
names in the visitors' book, four o'clock saw us again "steaming away" for
Guildford. The retrospect of my visit is a very pleasing one, and only
furnishes an incentive for one which I trust to take in cooler weather, and
with more time on my hands: for the present, my observations, such as they
arc, have been recorded.

September 21s«., 1854:.
FAREWELL FACTS AND FANCIES FROM NORFOLK.

BY" G. R. TWINN, ESQ.

On Tuesday, June 13th., I walked early in our orchard, and was surprised
at the sight of three Goldfinches, {Cardiielis elegans,) and a Blackcap, {Cur-
ruca atricapilla ,) singing on a cherry tree, and occasionally indulcjing in a
little fruit. In the evening I strolled to Melton ruins, and gathered my
first Scarlet Pimpernel, (Anagallis arvensis,) in the lanes, and also some Wild
Strawberries, (^Fragaria vesca,) quite ripe. A fine cluster of Forget-me-nots,
{^Mijosotis palustris,) became our prize as we returned, and a flower of the
Red Campion, {Lychnis clioica.)

By reference to my calendar, I find May 9th. was my date of collecting
the White Campion, one of our most pleasing wild flowers, and not so
frequently selected as the favourite spot of a very prolific race of Beetles
as the Rose Campion. In regard to the Pimpernel, and many other plants,
it is not fully known what constitutes their deep sensibility, for the presence
of rain or damp very powerfully aflfects them; it appears the possession of
a highly-organized and sensitive tissue, very closely blended with the general
substance of the leaves and petals, and which resembles the nerves in manj
but what peculiar aids are subservient to the plants' organization and structure,
it will require much practical observation and culture to detect; for the
Wood Sorrel, {Oxalis acetosella,) that closed in the open air, did also in
the confinement of a room when rain threatened; but a Pimpernel, with
which I made trial, did not. I am only repeating what is well known — that
diflerent treatment ends in different results. I have seen the Forget-me-not,
by a high degree of heat, produce very dark purple flowers, some almost
black.

To study the peculiar habits or properties of the wild flowers in their
native states is fraught with much pleasure, and well repays every close
observer of that great volume, which tells, (with its beautiful coloured illustra-
tions,) God's great goodness; and leads us to ask, "are not plants indeed endued
with sensation?"

27G FAREWELL FACTS AND FAXCIES,

June 14th. — Took my final ramble round our village^ and received a fine
bunch of the AspTenium adiantum niyrum, A. trichomenes, and the Osmunda,
also a root of the Yellow Pimpernel, {Anctijidlis Jiava.) This was brought
from the vale of Ovoca last autumn; but I would remark that in Cossey
Park, but a few miles from Norwich, it is a very abundant flower, with
the Wood Sorrel.

June 17th. — I quitted Bawburgh Hill, and went to stay a few days in
a sweet rural village — Runhall, where I revelled mid a most prolific variety
of very sweet wild flowers, that everywhere were studding both lanes and
fields, and a fine old wood. I enjoyed this change from my usual engage-
ments; and though I owa I am fond of adding to my specimens, yet, on
this occasion, not having my press with me, I spared the soft things; and
so doing brings me no regret, although I lost several kinds that I really
needed. Of Ferns I saw the Lastrcea filix mas, the L. Gollina, and the
Polypodium phegopteris, with the Scolopendrium vuJgare.

The wild boquet I gathered had among its contents the Marsh Orchis,
{Orchis latifoUa,) the Green- winged Meadow Orchis, (Orchis morio,) the Reed
Grass, {Poa aquatica,) the Borage, {Borago officinalis,) the Lady's Finger,
{Anthyllis vulneraria,) the Grass Vetch, {Lathyrus Nissolia,) this, instead of
being quite crimson, was a pure tohite; it was growing amid numbers of gay
blossoms, and it alone was emblematic of purity; no cause was at all visible,
why it should be white as the virgin snow; and I record this as the first
white specimen I have seen. The flowering Rush, (Butomus tcmhellatusy) the
Feather-foil, {Hottonia palustris,) and the Teasel, (Dipsacus fidlonnm.')

From the 17th. to the 22nd., I devoted my time to travelling through
the rural districts of Norfolk. I paid an evening visit to the pretty church
of Kimberley, where the Lords Woodhouse rest in their tombs; and not
only in the porch, but in the church itself, the Swallows were discovered
with nests; our steps, intruding on the sacred quiet, disturbed them. What
a very beautiful trait is that of domesticity, belonging to the Jlirundinidce.
While the Window Swallow, {IT. ruslica,) remains with us, it certainly leads
us to class it with the

"Household bird,
That wears the scarlet stomacher,"

for it not only selects our doorways, and roof trees, but imitates the Red-
breast, and makes God's house its home. It makes friends with man in all
places — amid city life as well as rural, and I doubt not, were it anti-migratory,
that we could easily tame it. It seems to evince the principle of friendship
by its very localities for nesting. I I'emember in 1849, noting a Swallow's nest
near the altar of the Roman Catholic Chapel, (St. Helen's,) Brentwood, and the
birds, during mass, flew darting over the worshippers' heads; and while the
discourse was given, sat on the rails of the altar, and softly 'twiddled.'
Over one of our windows at Bawburgh, for many years, nearly fifteen, I

A MST OF FUXG(. 277

have kno\vn the Swallow to nest^ though often robbed of its home, on com-
pletion, by the Sparrows, (Passer domestictis.) In 1851, we made such alliance
with them, that often the young ones came and sat on the sill of a lower
■window, where we were busy with our books, and frequently they entered
the room, and taking their rapid evolutions for a few minutes, would depart;
and after half an hour's absence, return again. On May 27th, of this season
the Swallows began their nest in the old place, but lost it by the Sparrows
taking it. They had many eflForts and plans to secure it, for the poor
Swallows, as early as three o'clock in the morning, were at it; and an
ejectment absolutely took place on the part of the Sparrows, ere they
captured the nest.

The little outcasts thus robbed, were homeless all June 4th., but on the
morning of the Gth., we found them in the children's play-house, very
assiduously labouring at a new erection; but alas, the inquisitive youngsters,
and their noisy and merry seasons of recreation, drove them away; but though
thus molested, the birds were not driven to despair, and on the 14th. they
entered the open window of a lumber-room over the play-house, and mefc
"with nothing to retard their work. Here they were safe; and on the morning
of the 22nd., they had a home all secure, and three eggs in it. What a
rebuke we may take for our want of perseverance in our duties, and how
high in the ennobling qualities that man prides himself in possessing, ranks
the poor little Swallow!

Birmingham, S^j)temher^ 1854.

A LIST AND NOTES ON THE FUNGI
FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF EXETER,

BY MR. EDWARD PARFITT.

I PROMISED in my former communications to "The Naturalist," that I would
give a list of the plants found wild in the vicinity of Exeter; I will now
endeavour to fulfil that promise; — I shall begin with that mo.st interesting-
branch of the vegetable kingdom, the Fungi. I have given a great deal of
my leisure time to these interesting plants for the last three years, and have
collected and figured up to this time four hundred and eighty-eight species
and varieties; and I am sure there are numbers more yet remain to be dis-
covered, particularly the minute species, which are in my opinion the far more
interesting of the various forms. Not half the world have the least concep-
tion of the beauties which are hid beyond our natural sight, till aided bj
powerful glasses. Had we eyes so constructed as tO' reveal the myriads of
minute living atoms which swarm in earth and air, our present senses would
be completely overpowered; and tte formidable looking monsters, which sport
about in almost every drop of water, would completely disgust us. I anj
sorry that I have not been able to apply the microscope to the spores

278 LIST OF FUN or,

of the first section of the Fungi — the PUeati, so much as I ought to have
done; but the want of time is my only reason; and a great many of them
are so fugacious, that the least breath of air is almost enough to destroy
them. Having said thus much, I will begin with my list. The names are
those of the English Flora, vol. v., by the Reverend M. J. Berkley.

Agaricus muscarius: this is a rare species about here; I have only been
able to find one specimen, and that is a beautiful brownish variety found in
Mrs. Mitchell's wood, near Topsham.

A. asper: I met with two or three of this species on Haldon, June 7th,
1853, but have not seen any since. This is a very beautiful and distinct
species.

A. procerus: this is of frequent occurrence with us, in fact I may call it
common, as I have found it in several places, and tolerably abundant in each,

A. cxcoriatus: in a field at Matford, and on the lawn at Coaver, but always
near elm trees; T have never met with this in the open pastures.

A. cepcestipes: this is common in the hot-house at Coaver, and also in the
stoves at Messrs. Veitches' nursery. A very beautiful variety of this species
occurred in one of the stoves at Messrs. Veitches, March 28th., 1853. I
subjoin a description of it: — Stipes, hollow, tough, inside lined with fine silky
fibres, outside nearly smooth; ring, perfect, slightly deflexed; lamellae, wavy, their
margins slightly torn, free, forming a ring round the stem, where it is faintly
tinged with reddish brown; gills, pale yellow. Spores, white, tinged with
yellow; very numerous. Pileus, thin, very tough so as to bear folding between
the fingers, plicate — the plaits, reaching rather more than half way from the
margin to the umbo, cream-coloured; the umbo, reddish brown, with a few
scattered scales of the same colour reaching a little beyond the umbo, unto
the pileus. The contrast of the reddish brown umbo, the cream-coloured
pileus, and yellow gills gives this plant a very beautiful appearance. This
plant is evidently very nearly allied to A. chjpeolaris; in fact it appears to be
intermediate between A. cepcestipes and A. clypeolaris, but the ring of the
latter species, (so far as my observation goes,) is always nearer the pileus
than in the former.

A. clypeolaris: two or three specimens of this occurred in the Orchid house,
at Messrs. Veitches, September, 1851.

A. cristatus: only two specimens of this very pretty Agaric have been found
by me; they were growing on the asparagus beds in the garden at Coaver
House, October 1st., 1852.

A. mucidus: one tuft of this species I found on an elm stump near Exeter,
in November, 1852,

A. melleiis: this is common in this neighbourhood in old hedges, particularly
in the barrack lane, and on the Alphington road.

A. multiformis : not common. Two or three, under Scotch firs, amongst
nettles, Coaver, October 28th., 1852.

A. personatus: Coaver, amongst old leaves, etc., January 21st., 1854. A

i

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 279

fine and beautiful species, not common with us.

A. nudus: this is a very beautiful and delicately- coloured species. I have
only met with it in one place, but there in tolerable plenty, amongst dead
beech and Pinus leaves, in a small wood near Exeter, October and November,
1851-52.

A. alutaceus: only two or three of this fine and beautifully-coloured Agaric
have fallen under my notice; these occurred in Stoke wood, September 25th,,
1852. The pileus of a beautiful deep pink, and yellow gills; stipes, pale
flesh-coloured, which gives it a very showy appearance.

A. emeticus: rather common in Stoke wood, October, 1852.

A. adustus /? elephantinus : some monstrous specimens of this occurred at
Coaver, some of them weighing a pound and a half each, Pileus, nine inches
in diameter; growing amongst dead beech and other leaves, December 22nd.,
1831: not common.

A. zonarius: in Stoke wood, September, 1852.

A. Uennius: rather abundant under a large beech at Coaver every year,
for these last three years.

A. deliciosus: in Stoke wood, September 23rd., 1853; not common.

A.vellereus: Coaver; not very common.

A. exsuccus: a few of this species occurred by the side of a large wood-rick
near Exeter, October 26th., 1852.

A. giganteus: a few of this fine and beautiful Agaric I met with in the
belt of wood which surrounds the lawn at Coaver House, October 11th.,
1851.

A. nebularis: under a Pinus Libanus on the lawn, Coaver, October 28th.,
1853; rare with us.

3BiBtulliiEi?ntts Mntitra.

Nesting of the Chaffinch, (Friiigilla coolebs.)— Dr. Rennie terms this bird a felt-making one,
and very highly eulogizes its skill; and I am sure no one who has any regard for beauty,
can look at so ingenious a structure, and not bestow on the bird commendation for its neat
edifice. But it appears to me, that many naturalists, in praising this bird, forget that its
adaptability and use of materials for outside covering is very wisely exemplified, as well as
its skill, in so very artfully weaving the substances into one compact mass. The bird that
selects an apple tree, will stud the exterior of its nest to resemble the bark of that tree ; and
so on with a fir, or any other; hence a great diversity is apparent in the outer appearance or
design. In the summer of 1853, Dr. Holmes, of Linton, (while looking over a small volume
of nests I had drawn from real specimens,) remarked that his servant, in November, 18o2,
found an elder tree blown down in their garden, towards the close of that very stormy
autumn, and that appended to its side, very closely, and of the very resemblance to the
trunk of the tree, was a Chaffinch's nest, which, in the summer, had eluded all notice, though
daily they were in the habit of passing by it, and must immediately have seen it, had it
been of the common order of nests. The secret of escaping observance arose from the simi-
larity of the materials to the bark and general colour of the tree, so as to produce an exact
resemblance, and proves the possession of a wondrous knowledge by the bird, thus to manifest
such tact and skill.— Geouge E. Twinn, The Elms, Moseley Koad, Birmingham, August 11th.,
1854.

VOL. IV. 2 O

280 MISOKLLANEOUS NOTICES.

A memory from Moseley Pool. — The lanes around Moselc}', a village adjoining Binningham,
are not by any means uninteresting; one, known by the name 'Stoney,' I visited a few days
since, to discover the treasures, and several old faces, familiar to me in Norfolk, greeted me.
The Toad-flax, (Linaria vidgaris,) was abundant, and its orange gaping corollas made beauty
around; there were many Thistles, (^Cardiii,) with their well-protected leaves, surmounted by
many blossoms of lilac; the common Knot Grass, {Poli/ffo>ium avicularc,) and the Bctony,
(Betonica officinalis.) Our final destination, however, was to Moseley Pool, a retired piece of
water, amid the fields and trees, where the solitary water-fowl could live in peace, and a
student, book in hand, could recline, and feel himself really shut from the world and its
bustle. The object which drew us thither was the lloyal Fern, {Osmnnda regalis,) informa-
tion that this pool was a habitat took us out ; but alas ! to return unrewarded with that, though
■we obtained several fine plants of the Blechnmn spicant and the Lastvfea collina; the Bracken and

the L. Filix-mas, were very abundant. The beautiful Bell-heath, (Erica f ) was making

a brilliant display along the hedgerows, while the modest Harebell, {Campanula rotundifolia,)
and the Ling, {Calluna vulgaris,) shared honours with it. While rambling round the Pool, we
secured a fine specimen of the Beetle tribe, (Agonum sexpunctatum.) The tall Foxglove,
{Digitalis purpurea,) grew in very great profusion ; and with its spotted bells and capsules
from former blossoms offered spikes of nearly four feet high. We likewise found by the Pool
the Wild Mint, (Mentha,) in blossom, and very luxuriant; and near it the little yellow Rock
Rose, {Jlelianthemum vulgare.) The banks of 'Stoney' lane were very prolific in grasses, and
the Ilawkweeds, (Filosella,) were breaking out in numbers. I was quite satisfied with the
results of my trip to Moseley Pool ; and trust I found something to be thankful for, as reminding
me anew of our Great Father's love.

"Thanks to the human heart by which we live,
Thanks to its tenderness, its joys, and fears ;
To me the meanest flower that blows, can give
Thoughts, that do often lie too deep for tears."

— Idem, September 4th., 1854.

Zate stay of the Cuchoo, (Cuculus canorus.) — I saw to-day in Mr. Graham's shop, in York,
a young male Cuckoo, which had been shot by W. Whytehead, Esq., of York, on the 22nd.
instant.— B. R. M., September 26th., 1854.

Departure of Sivallotvs, (Hirundo rustica.) — The bulk of the Swallows took their departure on
the 5th. and 6th. of this month; though some remained behind until as late as the 24th.
While travelling by railway from York to Hull on the 27th., I saw a large flock of these birds
sporting in the air near Selby, about 9 o'clock, A. M., and at New Holland, in Lincolnshire,
later in the day, I saw a single bird. They have now quite left this district. — B. R, M.,
Driffield, September 30th., 1854.

Spring Arrivals in Guernsey. — The Wryneck, April 2nd.; the Chiff'-chaff', April 9th.; the
Cuckoo, April 14th. ; the Swallow, April 26th. The oak trees were in leaf by the 20th. of
April. We dug new Potatoes from the open ground, no protection, on the 29th. of April;
Strawberries were gathered in the Rectory garden, on the 5th. of May. — H. Wilkinson, St.
Andre, Guerusc}', 1854.

Occurrence of the Yellow Wren, or Warbler, (Sylvia sibilatrix,) near Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
— On entering Huntly from the west on the 7th. of this month, I observed on a hedge which
lines that part of the road, a most beautiful specimen of the bird above named. Being at
the time only armed with a rain-piece— ^n umbrella — I had no means of procuring it. It
is the first I have seen in these northern parts. I had a good view of it, for it was by no
means shy.— Thomas Edwaed, Banfi", August 26th., 1854.

INDEX.

Aberdeenshire, Eare Aniiniils in, 73.

Acherontia atropos, 19.

Ailsa, Cniig of, 119, 125.

Alauda arvensis, 210.

Alca alle, 45, 68, 38, 113.

Algae of North of Ireland, 254.

on two Now British Marino, 40,

Alnwick Botanical Societj', 90.
Anagallis arvensis, 17

Anarrhicus lupus, 236.
Anas boschas, 43.
Anomia patelliformis, 190.
Anser bernicla, 44.

brachyrhynchus, 88,

Ant, Notes on the, 181,
Ardea cineroa, 223.
Asplenium fontanum, 45.
Auk, Little, 45, 68, 88, 113,

Banffshire, Ichthyology of, 230.
Barnsley, Arrival of Summer birds at, 6,

Birds about, 164,

Bee, Note on a Wild, 19,
Blackcap, 189.
Blackstart, 18.
Blennius Yarrellii, 190,
Bombus terrestris, 19.
Brambling 66.
Bunting Snow, 89.
Butoo lagopus, 18.
Butterfly, Small White, 236.
Buzzard, Honey, 18.

Capriraulgus Europoeus, 32, 88, 258.

Cat, 66, 191 215.

Cere and Legs of Birds, Notes on, 3,

Ccrthia familiaris, 112.

Chaffinch, 279.

Chifi'-chaff, 188.

Cinclus aquaticus, 165.

Coleoptera round Exeter, 83.

Colias liyale, 19.

Columba palumbus, 43, 138.

Coney, 1.

Cormorant, 43, 209.

Corvus cornix, 66, 88, 113,

frugilcgus, 18, 234.

Cossus ligniperda, 45,
Cotumix vulgaris, 44,
Crataegus oxyacantha,_237.
Creeper, Tree, 112.

Crcx pratensis, 201.

Crossbill, 42, 189.

CJrow, Hooded, 66, 88, 113.

Cruelty, Wanton, 189.

Cuckoo, 164, 200, 258, 280.

Cuculus canorus, 164, 200, 258, 280.

Curious circumstance, 45.

Curlew, Stone, 68.

Curruca atricapilla, 189,

Cypselus apus, 44,

Dipper, 165,
Dodo, Notes on the, 30.
Dorset County Museum and Library, 142,
Dotterel, 234.
Duck, King, 165.
. Tufted, 257.

Echinodermata, Rayed, of Banffshire, 127.

Edinburgh Boyal Society, 114.

Eggs, 189, 233.

Elm, Stray notes on" the, 61,

Emberiza nivalis, 89,

Entomological Captures, 210, 236.

Entomological Society, 213.

Entomologist's Excursion, An, 34.

Ermine, 42,

Erythaca rubecula, 67, 68, 189.

Eudromias moriuellus, 234,

Euphorbia, 45.

Evergreens, British, 106,

Facts and Fancies, 275.
Falco ajsalon, 18.

subbuteo, 259,

Felis catus-domesticus, 66, 191, 215.

Ferns, 210.

Finch, Mountain, 234,

Flycatcher, Pied, 18,

Fox, 71,

Fraserburgh, Rare Birds and Fishes at, 225.

Fringilla coelebs, 279,

montifringilla, 66, 234,

Frost, The late, 65.
Fuligula cristata, 257.
Fungi round Exeter, 277.

Glasgow, Natural History Society of, 46, 92.
Gleanings by the Way, 170,

from my Note Book, 146,

Goat Moth, 45,
Gobius niger, 190,
Goby, Black, 190,
Goose, Bcrnicle, 44,

rink-footed, 88.

Grebe, Sclavonian, 44.

Greenshank, 88.

Grouse, Black, 88.

Guernsey, Spring Arrivals at, 280.

Gull, Common, 203.

Gallery, Rollesby, 253.

Hare, 18, 66.
Harebell, 238.
Hawks, Do they drink? 138
Hawthorn, 237.
Heron, 223,

Heronry, Findhorn, 248,
HirundinidjB, 259.
Hirundo riparia, 64, 165,
Hirundo rustica, 45, 165, 280.
urbica, 44.

282

Hobby, 259.

Honey-dew, 237.

Hoopoe, 209.

Hyacinthus non-scriptus, 190, 238.

Hyacinth, Wild, 190, 238.

Hybrid Goose, 257.

Hyrax Capensis, 1.

Ibis falcinellus, 66.

Ibis Glossy, 66.

Insects found in Hainault Forest, 227.

Insects, Injurious, 136, 156.

Jottings, Local, 29, 148, 1G9, 252.

King Fish, 259.

Kite, Swallow-tailed, 94.

Lamium amplexicaule, 22.

Lampris guttatus, 259.

Landrail, 201.

Lanius cxcubitor, 88, 259.

Lark, Sky, 201.

Larus canus, 203.

Lepidogaster biniaculatus, 46.

Lepidoptera of Banff, 12.

Lepidoptcra round Exeter, 21, 59.

Lepus timidus, 18, 66.

Lcucophasia Sinapis and Vanessa Hampstedi-

ensis, 138.
Lima minuta, 190.
Limosa mclanura, 236.
Liparis vulgaris, 236.
Loligo vulgaris, 46.
Loxia curvirostra, 42, 189.

Magpie's nest attacked by Crows, 233.

Mallard, 43.

Mallow, Common, 113.

Martin, 44.

Martin, Sand, 64, 165.

Melbourne, Natural History of, 205.

Memory of Mosely Pool, 280

Merganser, Red-breasted, 68, 259.

Mcrgulus alle, 45, 68, 88, 113.

Mergus si-rrator, 68, 259.

Merlin, 18.

Miscellaneous Notices, 18, 42, 66, 88, 112,

138, 164, 188, 209, 233, 259, 279.
Mole, 47, 159.

MoUusca, Land and Fresh-water, 85.
Mollusca near Ackworth, 178.
Mollusca near Cheltenham, 175.
Muscicapa atricapilla, 18.
Mus decumanus, 88.
Mustela erminea, 42.
putorius, 95.

Natrix torquata, 55.

Nature and Harmony, 163.

Nauclerus furcatus, 94.

Nemophila, 237.

Nesting of Birds, Notes on, 50.

Nightingale, 233.

Nightjar, 32, 88, 258.

Notes from my Note Book, 204.

Notes, No. I, 9.

Notes, Occasional, 172.

Notes, Ornithological, 105, 224.

Nucifraga, caryocatactes, 88, 164.

Nutcracker, 88, 164.

October's farewell week, 186.

CEdicnemus crepitans, 68.

Orchidaccoo, 113.

Ornithological and Entomological Notes, 167.

Ornithological Notes, 42.

Ouzel, Eing, 247.

Parus cseruleus, 68.
Passer domesticus, 74.
Pastor, Rose-coloured, 112.
Pastor roscus, 112.
Pelecanus carbo, 209.
Pernis apivorus, 18.
Phalacrocorax graculus, 236.
Phalarope, Gray, 68.

Red-necked, 42, 164, 257.

Phalaropus hyperboreus, 42, 164, 257.

• lobatus, 68.

Philomela luscinea, 233.
Physalia pelagica, 236.
Picus major, 164, 235.

minor, 164.

Pigeon, Wood, 138.
Platessa limandoides, 190.
Plymouth, Rare Birds near, 66.
Podiceps cornutus, 44.
Polecats attacking a Man, 95.
Pontia rapaj, 236.
Preserving birds by ether, 118.
Prionus, A new, 158.

Propagation of hardy trees and shrubs, 14.
Protracted continuance of Insects iu the

Chrysalis state, 10.
Prunella vulgaris, 259.
Purre, 45.

Quail, 44.

Querist, 22, 46, 70, 94, 118, 166, 190, 213,
238, 259.

Rabbit, 162.

Raspberry plants from seed from the sto-
mach of an Ancient Briton, 153.
Rat, 88.

Redbreast, 67, 68, 189.
Redwing, 188.

Retrospect, 20, 69, 93, 118, 142, 165.
Reviews : —

Balfour's Class Book of Botany, 140.

Birds of Ireland, 19.

British Entomological Cabinet, 212.

British Tritons, 141.

Natural History Review, 211.
Richmond, Rare Birds near, 80, 102.
Robin, 67, 68, 189.
Rook, 18, 234.
Rook and Weasel, 164.

Salicaria arundinacea, 235.

Salmon Manufactory on the Tay, 57.

Sandnipcr, Pectoral, 88.

. Wood, 44.

Sandsucker, 190.

Scarborough Philosophical and Archajological

Society, 260.
Scarborough, Rare Birds near, 42.
Scolopax gallinula, 45.

glottis, 88.

■ rusticola, 77.

Seeds, Vitality of, 45.

Selbome, A trip to, in 1854, 271.

Shells, Tiand, at Airy Holme Wood, 228.

Shells, Land and Fresh-water, near Exeter, 150.

Shrew, Common, 94.

Shrike, Ash-coloured, 259.

283

Shrike, Great Gray, 88.
Sirex gigas, 259.
Skeletons, 113.
Snake, Luminosity of, 236.

Ringed, 55.

Snipe, Jack, 45.

Societies, Proceedings of, 46, 89, 90, 92, 114,

142, 213, 260.
Somateria spectabilis, 165.
Sorex araneus, 94.
Sparrow, House, 74.
Sphinx convolvuli, 19.
Spring Birds, 147.
Starfishes near Banff, 231.
Starling, 18, 94, 142, 189.
Stint, Little, 259.
Strathbeg, Birds of, 239, 263.
Sturnus vulgaris, 18, 94, 142, 189.
Sucker, Two-spotted, 46.
Swallow, 45, 165, 280.
Swallows, British, 132.
Swift, 44.
Sylvia hippolais, 188.

sibilatrix, 280.

tithys, 18.

Talpa vulgaris, 47, 159.

Terrick House, Feathered Residents in the

grounds of, 23, 96, 216.
Tetrao tetrix, 88.

Thrushes feeding on the backs of Sheep, 258.
Titmouse, Blue, 68.
Tetanus glareola, 44.
Trees, Second budding of deciduous, 237.

Tringa pectoralia, 88.

pusilla, 259.

■ variabilis, 45.

Troglodytes Europoeus, 67.
Turdus iliacus, 188.
Twaite Shad, 46,

Upupa Epops, 209.

Vanessa Antiopa, 19, 190.
Vulpes vulgaris, 71.

Wagtail, 173.
Wagtails, 69.
Warbler, Reed, 235

Yellow, 280.

Weather for January, 165.
White Flowers, Plants with, 22.
Wolf-fish, 236.

Woodcock, 77.

Woodpecker, Greater Spotted, 164, 235.

Lesser Spotted, 164.

Wood-pigeon, 43.
Wren, 67.
Wryneck, 138, 188.

Xylophaga dorsalis, 236.

Yorkshire, Names of Birds in 104.
Yorkshire Naturalists' Club, 89.
Yunx torquilla, 138, 188.

Zoological Notices, 143.

284

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.

A. H., 138.

Alington, llev. R. P., 89, 113, 118, 209.

Anceps, 16G.

Armstrong:, W., 70, 88.

Ashford, C, 178.

Atkinson, T. K., 236.

Biirnard, G. M., 237.

Bond, W., 44.

Eraim, J., 45.

Buckley. H., 70.

Cameron, Sarah, 259.

Cavafy, J., 94, 234.

Clarke, G. B. 224.

Clogg, S., 69, 234, 235.

C. M. 0., 112.

Cocks, W. P., 236.

Colquhoun, H., M. D. 112.

Cooke, R. B 65.

Cooper, Rev. W. W., 45, 57, 88.

Croome, J., 67, 233.

Dnshwood, C. H., 113, 204.

Davies, J. B., 166.

Davies, J. H., 43, 104.

Dixon, J., 42, 43, 61, 191, 201, 203, 238.

Doig, J., 44.

Donaldson, G., 18, 119, 125.

Drury, H. D., 189, 190.

D'Urban, W. S. M., 18, 21.

Eccles, J. W., 66, 233.

Editorial Remarks, 45, 46, 70, 112, 143, 149,

165, 190, 199, 233, 237.
Edward, T., 12, 18, 42, 46, 127, 189, 190,

225, 239, 259, 263, 280.
Ferguson, D., 19.
Fernie, T. P., 45, 46.
Fothergill, J., 143, 167.
Gardner, J., 66.
Garland, J., 29, 148, 169, 252.
Gatcombc, J., 18, 66, 209.
Gates, W. B., 113.
Gifford, Isabella, 118.'
Graham, D., 257.
Gray, J., 158.
Hannaford. S. Jun., 205.
Harding, II. J, 88 ' •

Harper, J. 0., 164, 165.
Hauynought, C, 66.
Havers, A., 213.
H. H. W., 200.
Hodge, G., 18, 46, 189.
H. S., 44.
Ilyle, S., 190, 236.
Jackson, C, 105.
Jackson, G., 18, 22, 45.
J. J. D., 138.
J. L. J., 113.
Jolnistone, W. G., 50.
J. P., 236, 237.
Julian, llcv. R. A., 77, 95.

Kirkham, T., 189.

Lane, W. T., 2-59.

Lenny, C. G. 213.

Lister, T., 6, 164, 165, 2.33, 258.

Longmuir, J. Jun., 1, 3, 73, 94, 165, 181,

Mather,' A. D., 257.

Mc' Intosh, J., 14, 47, 70, 74, 106, 113, 136,

146, 153, 156, 159.
ifoynell, E. J., 166.
Moffat, A. S., 71, 162.
Morris, B. R., M. D., 40, 258, 280.
Morris, Rev. F. 0., 19, 45, 70, 94, 138, 166,

190, 210, 238.
Moses, H., M. D., 223.
Mus, 30.

Parfitt, E., 59, 83, 150, 277.
R., 70.

Riddell, J., 235.
R. JSlc'L., 237.
Robertson, W. R., 234.
Rose, J., M. D., 17, 170, 237, 258.
Rothcry, C. W., 68, 189.
Round, 0. S., 20, 64, 68, 147, 247, 271.
Rudd, T. S., 44.
Saunders, 11. , 18.
SaviU, S. P., 2,59.
Sawers, W., 254.
Scrymgeour, J., 215.
Sea-side Naturalist, A., 131.
Shields, L., 19, 165.
Simpkin, E., 238.
Smith, C. E., 238.
Smith, J. E., 45.

Smurthwaite, H., 68, 80, 102, 214.
Southwell, T., 22, 88, 253.
Sowden, Rev. G., 166.
Stcars, T. W., 68.
Stocklev, G., 227.

Stone, "S., 10, 23, 69, 93, 96, 118, 142, 216.
Stuart, H. C, 45, 118.
Stubbs, C, 9.
T. F., 210.
Thompson, W., 214.
Thurnall, C, 235.
T. J., 213, 237.
T. S., 238.
Twinn, G. R., 19, 32, 67, 70, 138, 163, 166,

173, 186, 210, 2.59, 275, 279, 280.
W., 210, 230, 231, 236.
Watson, J. W., 85, 225.
W. C, 22.
Webber, W. S., 70.
AVcbster, S., 175.
Westcott, M., 34, 55, 66, 172.
Wight, J. L., 259.
Wilkinson, H., 280.
Wilkinson, J., 68.
Wood, C, 164, 188.

END OF VOLUME IV.

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