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Zool. Nov.1879. Plate III 


J Wolf del West, NewmankCo chr Lith 


THE ZOOLOGIST: 


A MONTHLY JOURNAL 


OF 


NATURAL HISTORY. 


THIRD SERIES—VOL. III. 


EDITED BY 


ee PAREN G, BLS. FLZ.S., 


MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 


DELECTANDO PARITERQUE MONENDO. 


LONDON: 
JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW. 


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PREFACE. 


GrRatiTuDE has been defined as a lively sense of favours to 
come, and this definition not inaptly indicates the feelings of 
the Editor on taking up his pen to indite a few lines by way of 
Preface to the volume for 1879. 

Many articles of interest and value have appeared during the 
past year. Capt. Feilden’s ‘“‘ Notes from an Arctic Journal,” 
commenced in the preceding volume, have been brought to a 
conclusion, and furnish an excellent resumé of the work done 
by the naturalists to the last English Arctic Expedition. 
Mr. Ussher’s ‘“‘ Discovery of an Ossiferous Cavern in Water- 
ford,” and the account which he has given of the animal 
remains brought to light there, will be very acceptable to 
paleontologists. Dr. Murie’s instructive article ‘‘On Nocturnal 
Animals,”’ with illustrations of some of the more singular 
forms, deals with a subject not previously dwelt upon in 
this journal. On the subject of British Martens, Mr. Alston’s 
remarks (p. 441) suggest a new field of enquiry to those who 
may have opportunities of examining the skulls of any British- 
killed specimens; and while many other excellent papers have 
been furnished by field naturalists of the sterner sex, Miss 
Warren has shown by her article ‘‘On the Land and Fresh- 
water Shells of Mayo and Sligo” to what good account 
_ ladies may turn their opportunities, if residing in the country 
and possessing a taste for Natural History. 

In a different field of research, Mr. Cornish has given the 
result of his study of a rare British Crustacean obtained on 
the coast of Cornwall, and now figured (p. 473) for the first time. 
Mr. Wolf’s charming sketch of the Woodcock and young (p. 433) 
for truthful delineation will commend itself alike to naturalists 
and sportsmen. 

Amongst the translations from foreign journals which have 
appeared in the pages of ‘The Zoologist’ during the past year 


iv PREFACE. 


that by Herr Meves, “On the Change of Plumage in Birds,” 
translated by Mr. Dresser (p. 81), is most suggestive, and 
is rendered all the more instructive by the two coloured plates 
of feathers (magnified) which accompany it. ‘The interesting 
account furnished, by the Brothers Sintenis, of the breeding of 
the Pelican in the Danube Delta supplies a blank in the history 
of a species about whose nesting habits very little was known. 
Nor should the remarkable discovery by Dr. Dodel-Port of the 
fertilisation of sea-weeds by Animalcule be overlooked, seeing 
that his illustrated article forms the first record of the par- 
ticipation of animals in the fertilisation of cryptogams, and 
furnishes an interesting parallel to the relations existing between 
insects and phanerogams. 

But while mindful of these and other valuable communi- 
cations received during the year, the Editor has nevertheless to 
observe with regret that ‘The Zoologist’ is not receiving, either 
from contributors or subscribers, that support which, without 
presumption, may be said to be due to a journal of such long 
standing. He has therefore earnestly to request all who feel 
interested in the study which it is the object of this journal to 
promote, to assist its circulation not only by recommending it 
to their acquaintance, but to aid his efforts by contributing 
articles to its pages. This request is made with the greater con- 
fidence because ‘The Zoologist’ is carried on by the proprietor, 
Mr. Newman, not as a source of profit, but in the interest of 
science, and at a loss to himself; and the Editor feels assured 
that he has only to make this appeal in order to receive from the 
many readers of ‘ The Zoologist’ their hearty co-operation in the 
way which he has suggested. 

On his part he promises to do all in his power to make it an 
efficient representative of zoological science, and especially of 
that part of the science which is advanced by out-door work— 
the observation in the field of the habits of animals. In this 
department he trusts that ‘The Zoologist’ may never fall away 
from the position it has taken since its first establishment in 
1848 ; for were such to be the case it would indicate a declining 
interest in the most fascinating branch of Natural History. 

J. EK. Hs 


CONTENTS. 


ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. 


Apamson, C. M. 

Variety of the Sanderling, 460 

Auston, E. R.,, F.L.S.,.F.Z.8. 

On British Martens, 441 

Aprin, O. V. 

Skuas and Cormorant in Oxford- 

shire, 490 
ARMBRUSTER, CARL 

A visit to a breeding-place of the 
Pelican in the Danube-Delta of 
the Dobrudscha (from the Ger- 
man), 243; On the fertilisation 
of red sea-weeds by Animalcule 
(from the German), 393 

Backuousk, J., JuN. 

Uncommon birds at Barmouth, 
458; Supposed nesting of the 
Redwing near York, 460 

Beare, ARrHuR 

Late nesting of the Yellowhammer, 

490 
Becxwity, Wituiam FE. 

Ring Ouzel wintering in England, 

266 
Benson, Rev. Coartes W., L.L.D. 

Notes from Dublin, 131; Spotted 

Crake in County Down, 458 
Bonp, FReDrRIck, F.Z.58. 

Bullfinches eating privet-berries, 

220: An albino Weasel, 455 
Boorg, BH. T. 
Habits of the Kite as observed in 
Scotland, 58 
BRAIKENRIDGE, Rev. G. W. 
Little Owl in Somersetshire, 82 
Briees, T. R. Ancuer, F.1L.S. 
Bullfinch — eating 


nests of House Martins, 182 
BrorHERsTON, ANDREW 
Mortality amongst Shrews, 178 ; 
White’s Thrush in Berwickshire, 
4d 


privet-berries, | 
181; Wrens nesting in vacant) 


BucuHanan, J. H. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker in 

Perthshire, 268 
BurtERFIELD, E. P. P. 

Nesting of the Pied Flycatcher, 
132; Great Grey Shrike in York- 
shire, 136; Hawfinch nesting in 
Yorkshire, 180; Alleged destruc- 
tion of Larks’ eggs by Starlings, 
181; Montagu’s Harrier nesting 
in Yorkshire, Goosander in York- 
shire, 220; Migration of House 
Martins, 340; Nesting habits of 
the Starling, 341 

CAMBRIDGE, Rey. O. Pickarp, M.A. 

Roe-deer in Dorsetshire, 209, 263 ; 
Stoat in ermine dress, 264; Song 
of the Ring Ouzel, 267; Field- 
fares in May, 268; Oystercatcher 
in Portland during the breeding 
season, 304; Coronella levis in 
Dorsetshire, 461 

CARRINGTON, Joun T. 
Occurrence of the Boar-fish, 342 
CuamBerrs, C. E. S. 

Birds on the East Lothian coast in 

February, 175 
Cuask, Ropert W. 

White-tailed Eagle in the Lewes, 
220; Golden Hagle in the Lewes, 
382 

CHOLMONDELEY, R. 
Great Skua near Shrewsbury, 134 


| Cuoristy, R. M. 


Starlings rearing two broods in a 
season, 218 
CLARK-KENNEDY, ALEXANDER,F’.G.S. 
Golden Oriole in County Donegal, 
306; Large Pike in Galloway, 
307 
Cuirton, Lord 
Note on White’s Thrush, 177; 
Probable occurrence of Emberiza 


cesia in England, 180, Fire- 
crest and Great Grey Shrike at 
Brighton, 181 

Coorrr, Lieut.-Col. Epwarp H. 

Attempted introduction of the Nut- 

hatch into Ireland, 424 
Corsin, G. B. 
Roosting habits of the Starling, 215 
CoRDEAUX, JOHN 

On the autumn migration of birds 
in 1878, 41; Further notes on 
migration, 126; Spring call of 
the Knot, 178; Boar-fish at the 
mouth of the Humber, 342; 
Ornithological notes from North 
Lincolnshire, 371 

CornisH, Tomas 

Large Pilchard, 62; Pilot-fish and 
Short Sun-fish in Mount’s Bay, 
Cornwall, 306; Sword-fish on 
the Cornish coast, 307; On some 
little-known Fishes and Crus- 
tacea, 473 

GoxH) iG, SCE. 
The birds of Dublin and Wicklow, 
449, 477 
CuLLINGFORD, J. 
Eagle Owl in Lincolnshire, 806 
Curtis, EDWARD 
Seoter on the Thames, 
Date, C. W. 

Roe-deer and Marten-cat in Dorset- 
shire, 170; Roe-deer in Dorset- 
shire, 301 

DacLeisyH, J.J. 

Hoopoe in Fifeshire, 268 
Dixon, CHARLES 

Starling destroying Larks’ eggs, 31 
Dourn, Professor ANTON 

Zoological Station at Naples, 455 
Dresser, H. E., F.Z.8. 

On the change of colour in birds, 
through and irrespective of 


220) 


aw 


moulting (translated from the 


Swedish of W. Meves), 81 
D’'Urzan, W. S. M. 
2ed Band-fish at Exmouth, 183: 
Bank Vole near Exeter, 264: 
Boar-fish at Exmouth, 269; Red 
Field Vole in Devonshire, 487 ; 
Capture of a Torpedo, or Cramp 
Ray, at Beer, Devon, 491 


CONTENTS. 


Durnrorp, W. ARTHUR 
Black Rats in North Lancashire, 
334; Gulls breeding in West- 
moreland, 339 
Kpwarp, Tuomas, A L.§. 
Waxwing at Banff, 217; Deal fish 
on the Banffshire coast, 220 
Evans, A. H. 
Early nesting of the Water Rail, 
268 
Fritpen, H. W., F.GS., C.M.Z.5. 
The Natural History of Prince 
Albert Land, 1; Notes from an 
Arctic Journal, 16, 50, 89, 162, 
200; The land and fresh-water 
Mollusca of the Maltese group, 
193; Fulmar Petrel breeding in 
the Isle of Foula, 422; Grebes 
occurring in the Feeroe Islands, 
457 
Fisuer, Lioner P. 
Large flight of Swifts, 882 
Fiumyne, Witiiam W. 
Observations on egg-blowing, 178 
GARRIOCK, J. 
Fulmar Petrel breeding in the Isle 
of Foula, 3880 
GATCOMBE, JOHN 
Hybrid Pheasant and Blackcock, 
60; Ornithological notes from 
Devon and Cornwall, 112, 205, 
418; Stoats and the late severe 
weather, 122; Large Rorqual on 
the coast of Cornwall, 124: 
Stoats in ermine dress, 208; 
Fox Shark, or ‘‘ Thresher,” off 
the coast of Devon, 388; Boar- 
fish on the Devonshire coast, 
429; Boar-fish off Plymouth, 
401 
Gouau, THOMAS 
Vital tenacity of Succinea putris, 62 
Greason, C. 8. 
Sabine’s Snipe in Lancashire, 30 


| Gunn; TI. E. 


Boar-fish at Eastbourne, 307; 
Golden Oriole in Suffolk, 841; 
Monster Bream in Norfolk, 342 

Gurnky, J. H., ¥.Z.8. 

Weasel assuming a white winter 
coat, 30; Note on Shrews ob- 
served in Norfolk, 125; Snipe 


CONTENTS. 


catching in Dorsetshire, 181 ; 
Stoats assuming the ermine 
dress, 208; Martens in Norfolk 
and Suffolk, 210; Anecdote of 
the Spotted Flycatcher, 334; 
Sword-fish on the Norfolk coast, 
342; On the presumed mention 
of the Hoopoe, A.D. 1395, 379; 
* Nynmurder” a name for the 
Butcher-bird, 488 
Gurney, J. H., jun., F.Z.S. 

Little Auk near Norwich, 31; 
Sclavonian Grebe near Cromer, 
181; Ornithological notes from 
St. Leonards,376; Green-backed 
Porphyrio at Barton, 458; Shore 
birds on the Norfolk coast, 460; 
Extraordinary assemblage of 
Short-eared Owls, 490 

HapFIELD, Capt. Henry 

Honey Buzzard in the Isle of 
Wight, 39; Rare birds in the 
Isle of Wight, 182; Bullfinch 
eating privet-berries, 319; Win- 
ter visitants and spring migrants 
to the Isle of Wight, 804; Sum- 
mer migrants in the Isle of 
Wight, 334; Habits ofthe House 
Sparrow, 381; Nesting habits of 
the Starling, 382; Wild Geese 
in the Isle of Wightin June, 383 

Hamitron, Epwarp, M.D., F.L.S. 

Birds in Hyde Park,32; Rookeries 
of London, 268; The birds of 
London—past and present, resi- 
dents and casuals, 273 

Hamitron, W. J. 

Curious haunt for a Snipe, 135; 

Hawfinch in Ireland, 1386 
Harpine, Rev. Isaac, M.A. 

Varieties of the Hedgehog, Badger 
and Mole, 172; Rare visitors to 
the Malvern Hills, 174 

Hant, H. Cuicnester, F.L.S. 


Wood Wren in the County of 


Wicklow, 341 
Harring, J. E., F.L.S., F.Z.S. 
Black-throated Wheatear in Lanca- 
shire, 30; The Squirrel in Scot- 
land, 122; White’s Thrush in 
Berwickshire, 133; HEsquimaux 
Curlew in Aberdeenshire, 135 ; 


1 
yi 


Close time for fresh-water fish, 
136; On the Ring Ouzel win- 
tering in England, 203; 1 The 
Fenland ”—Isicii, 222; Animal 
life at the Royal Academy, 238 ; 
Cormorants on the Dorsetshire 
coast, 266; Early mention of the 
Hoopoe as a British bird (a. p. 
1395), 337; The Great Bustard 
formerly in Lincolnshire, 340; 
A Fox chase in London, Early 
mention of the Hoopoe as a 
British bird, 379 ; Night Heron 
in Scotland, 382; Black Tern 
on the Thames, 383; Jate stay 
of Swifts, 423; Discovery of the 
egos of the Curlew Sandpiper, 
425; Tawny Owl nesting in a 
burrow, 427; On some little- 
known habits of the Woodcock, 
433; Origin of the name “ Puss,” 
487; Changing the colours of 
feathers in live birds, 489 

Horn, WILLIAM 

Hawfinches flocking in winter, 181 
HurcuHinson, Procter S. 
Rabbit swimming, 210 

JEVFERY, WILLIAM 

Ornithological notes from West 
Sussex, 109 

Kerry, F. 

Winter visitants at Harwich, 182: 
Late stay of Brent Geese at 
Harwich, Black Redstart in 
Hssex, 306; Immigration of 
Rooks and other birds at Har- 
wich, 459 

Litrorp, Right Hon. Lord, F.L.S. 

Green Shag in Northamptonshire, 
Manx Shearwater in Northamp- 
tonshire, 426; Common Scoter 
in Northamptonshire, 427 

Lucas, Josmpn, F.G.S. 

The naturalist in Nidderdale, 353, 

403 
LuMsDEN, JAMES 

Nesting of the Tufted Duck in 

Scotland, 180 
Mansrt-PLeyDe11, J. C., F.L.S. 

The Roe-deer in Dorsetshire, 120; 
Reeve in Dorsetshire in Decem- 
ber, 134; Marten-cat in Dorset- 


vili 


shire, 171; Ferruginous Duck 
in Dorsetshire, 1985 Coronella 
levis in Dorsetshire, 184; Roe- 
deer in Dorsetshire, 282; Cor- 
morants on the Dorsetshire coast, 
802 

Matuew, Rev. Murray A., M.A. 

Ornithological notes from Somer- 

setshire, 127; Bewick’s Swan in 
Somerseishire, 173; Dotterel in 
North Devou, 490 

Mawson, GroRGE 


Goosander and Little Grebe in 


Cumberland, 182 
Mircuett, F. 8. 

Natural History notes in Holland, 
9; Wagtails observed in Holland, 
132; An erroneous breeding- 
haunt assigned to the Bearded 
Tit, 805 

Mouriz, James, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S. 
On nocturnal animals, 313 
Mourron, James 
Mortality amongst Shrews, 124 
Ne son, ‘I’. H. 

Ornithological notes from Redcar, 
211; Shoveller and Bar-tuiled 
Godwit at Redcar, 488; Fulmar 
Petrel at Redcar, 490; A white 
Puffin, 491 

Noreark, FRANK 
Marten-cat in Norfolk, 172 
Oaiiviz, F. M. 

Glaucous Gull at Aldeburgh, 135 ; 
Ornithological notes from Thorpe, 
265 

Paumer, J. E. 
Rooks eating small eas 134 
Parker, Cuarues A., M.D. 

Wildfowl in West Cumberland, 60; 
Ornithological notes from West 
Cumberland, 116, 488; Marten- 
cat in Cumberland, 171; Mar- 
tens in Cumberland, 264 

PENGELLY, W., F.B.S., F.G.S. 

Boar-fish at Torquay, 269 

Penney, W. 

Boar-fish on the Dorsetshire coast, 

221 
Prize, T. M. 

Wildfowl in the Poole district, 218 ; 

Cormorants on the Dorsetshire 


CONTENTS. 


coast, 802; Surf Scoter in Ork- 
ney, 335 
PinEnY, die H 
Honey Buzzard nesting in Here- 
fordshire, 132 
Prior, C. MarrHEew 
Ornithological notes from Oxford- 
shire, 129; Breeding of the 
Otter, Albino Hedgehog, 172; 
Rare birds in Bedfordshire, 175 ; 
Nesting of the Grey Wagtail in 
Oxfordshire, 179; Little Stint 
and other birds in Sheppey, 216; 
Polecat in Bedfordshire, 264 ; 
Sclavonian Grebe in Bedford- 
shire, 267; Nesting of the Stock 
Dove, 388; Bar Owls and 
Shrew Mice, 341; Hobby and 
Common Scoter in Bedfordshire, 
426; Grey Wagtail gregarious 
at roosting time, 427; Manx 
Shearwater in Oxfordshire and 
Northamptonshire, 457; Grey 
Phalarope in Bedfordshire, 459 ; 
Scoter and Shag in Northamp- 
tonshire, 489 
PurNeELL, W. 
The Great Skua in Shetland, 455 
Reip, Capt. 8. G., R.E., F.Z.8. 
Nesting of Blackgame in Wolmer 
Forest, 425; Adder taking pos- 
session of a nest, 429 
Roxgson, Joun E. 
The mammals of Shakspeare, 124 
Ropp, Epwarp Hare 
Great Plover, or Thick-knee, at the 
Scilly Isles, 61; The past shoot- 
ing season at the Scilly Isles, 
180; Sea birds breeding at 
Scilly, 380; Long-tailed Duck 
in Cornwall, 487; Shore Lark 
in Cornwall, 489; Hen Harrier 
at Scilly, 491 
Rorg, G. T. 
Cole Tit nesting in the ground, 
134; Otters in Suffolk, 801 
RessgE.i, ALEXANDER J. 
Sturgeon in the Thames and Med- 
way, 383 
SmirH, Joun M. 
Merlin and other birds in Mid- 
lothian, 220 


CONTENTS. 


SouTHWELL, THomas 

Young Otter in December, 122; 
White-beaked Dolphin at Yar- 
mouth, 42]; Rare fish on the 
Norfolk and Suffolk coast, 491 

Stamper, WALTER 

Grouse quitting the moors in York- 

shire, 135 
Srertanp, W. J. 

Alpine Swift at Finchley, Middle- 

sex, 489 
Srevenson, Henry, F.L.S. 

Ornithological notes from Norfolk 

for 1878, 153 
Tomuiyson, H. G. 

Disappearance of Sky Larks, 31; 
Kingfisher feeding on Newts, 82 ; 
Wrens roosting, 135 

Tuck, Rev. Junian, M.A. 

Ornithological notes from Alde- 

burgh, 301 
Ussumr, Ricuarp J. 

American Summer Duck in the 
County of Waterford, 217; Sug- 
gestions on egg-blowing, 218; 
On the discovery of an ossiferous 
cavern near Cappagh, Co. Water- 
ford, 381 

Vaucuan, M. 
Distribution of the Carrion Crow, 


1X 


459; Reported nesting of the 
Golden Eagle in Shetland, 461 
Watts, H. M. 

Otters and Badgers in Berkshire, 
263; Former occurrence of the 
Marten in Essex, 264; Ring 
Ouzel nesting in Essex, 267 

Watrers, R. 
Kingfishers in London, 383 
Warren, AMY 

The land and fresh-water Mollusca 

of Mayo and Sligo, 25 
Warren, RoBERT 

Wildfowl in County Mayo, 126; 
The effect of severe frost on 
animal life, as observed in the 

~ County Mayo, 291 

Wuarton, C. Byerave, F.Z.S. 

Blue Tit nesting in the ground, 219 

WHITIAKER, J. 

Rare birds in Nottinghamshire, 
131; Uncommon birds in Not- 
tinghamshire, 459; Bee-eater in 
Derbyshire, 461 

Winn, CHARLES 

Pine Marten in Lincolnshire, 420 
Youne, J. 

Cole Tit nesting on the ground, 32 
Youne, LamMBron 

Rookeries of London, 268 


ALPHABETICAL LIST OF SUBJECTS. 


Accentor modularis, 277 
Accipiter nisus, 275 
Acicula acicula, 199 
Acrocephalus arundinaceus, 12 
uy palustris, zd. 
Adamson, C. M., ‘ Natural History 
Scraps’ (review), 391 
Adder taking possession of a nest, 429 
Alauda alpestris, 5 
» arvensis, 280 
Alcedo ispida, 289 


‘America, South, Wanderings in’ 
(review), 143 

Anas boschas, 290 

Ancylus fluviatilis, 29, 199 

Animalcule, fertilisation of red sea- 
weeds by, 393 

Animal life at the Royal Academy, 
233; effect of severe frost on, in 
County Mayo, 291 

Animals, on nocturnal, 3138 

Anodon cygnea, 28 


‘ Alert,’ voyage of the, to the Straits | Anser albifrons, 8 


of Magellan, 119 
Alexia myosotis, 199 
‘ Amateur Poacher, the’ (review), 493 


», bernicla, 9 
» Hutchins, id. 
»» hyperboreus, id. 


x : CONTENTS. 


Antelope, Saiga, existence of in 
France during the Reindeer age, 
209 

Anthus arborea, 280 

4, pratensis, zd. 

Arion ater, 25 
» hortensis, id. 

Arvicola hudsonius, 4 illest eek 

- trimucronatus, 7d. aby 

Atelecyclus heterodon, 477 “47- 

Auk, Little, near Norwich, 31 

Auks, Little, 158 

Aves, 4 

Azeca follicula, 199 


Badgers in Berkshire, 263 

Balia perversa, vel fragilis, 27 

Band-fish, Red, at Exmouth, 183 

Bat, Collared Fruit, 324 

Bearded Titmouse, erroneous breed- 
ing-haunt assigned to the, 305 

Bee-eater in Derbyshire, 461 

Birds in Hyde Park, 32; autumn 
migration of in 1878, 41; change 
of colour in, through and _ irre- 
spective of moulting, 81; rare, in 
Nottinghamshire, 131; Rooks eat- 
ing small,134; on the Hast Lothian 
coast in February, 175; rare. in 
Bedfordshire, 175; rare, in the Isle 
of Wight, 182; of London, past 
and present, residents and casuals, 
273; sea, breeding at Scilly, 380; 
of Dublin and Wicklow, 449, 477; 
uncommon, at Barmouth, 458; in 
Nottinghamshire, 459; immigra- 
tion of at Harwich, id.: shore, 
on the Norfolk coast, 460; live, 
changing the colours of feathers in, 
489 

‘ Birds of Guernsey and the Neigh- 
bouring Islands’ (review), 387 

‘Birds of the Colorado Valley’ (re- 
view), 190 

Bittern, 153 

Bivalves (Conchifera), 28 

Blackbird, 276, 450; singular habit 
in a, 155 

Blackcap, 279 

Blackcock and Pheasant, hybrid, 60 

Blackgame nesting in Wolmer Forest, 
425 


Boar-fish on the Dorsetshire coast, 
221; at Exmouth, 269; at Tor- 
quay, id.; at Eastbourne, 807; at 
the Mouth of the Humber. 342; on 
the S. and §.E. coasts of England, 
342; on the Devonshire coast, 429 ; 
off Plymouth, 461 

Botaurus stellaris, 12 

Bramblings, 159 

Bream, monster, in Norfolk, 342 

Breeding of the Otter, 172; of sea 
birds at Scilly, 880; of the Fulmar 
Petrel in the Isle of Foula, 380, 
422 

Brown, J. A. Harvie, ‘The Caper- 
caillie in Scotland’ (review), 468 

Bulimus, genus, 199 

Bulimus acutus, 27 

Bullfinch, 284; eating privet-berries, 
181, 219, 220; in Dublin, 453 

Bunting, Black-headed, 158, 453 

P Common, 281, 453 

19 Snow, 453 
Bustard, Great, in Lincolnshire, 840 

- Little, 154 

Butcher-bird, ‘‘ Nynmurder” a name 
for the, 488 

Buteo lagopus, 5 

Buzzard, Common, 449 

s Honey, in the Isle of Wight, 
32; nesting in Herefordshire, 132 
Bythinia tentaculata, 28 


Calidris arenaria, 6 

Cambridge, Rev. O P., ‘ The Spiders 
of Dorset’ (review), 470 

Canis lagopus, 4 

‘Capercaillie in Scotland’ (review), 
468 

Caprimulgus europeus, 289 

Carduelis elegans, 284 

i spinus, id. 

Carychium minimum, 27 

Carystes cassivelaunus, 477 

‘Cattle, Wild White, of Great Britain’ 
(review), 356 

Cavern, ossiferous, near Cappagh, 
Co. Waterford, 331 

Cepola rubescens, 183 

Certhia familiaris, 279, 288 

Cervus tarandus, 4 

Chaffinch, 281, 453 


CONTENTS. xl 


«« Challenger,” Notes by a Naturalist | Dickens, Charles, ‘A Dictionary of 


on the’ (review), 224 the Thames’ (review), 472 
Charadrius semipalmatus, 6 Diver, Black-throated, 484 
virginicus, id. », Great Northern, zd, 
Chiffchaff, 279, 451 »  Red-throated, 483 
Cireus seruginosus, 13 Dolphin, White-headed, at Yarmouth, 
» 2 budsonius, 5 42] 
Clausilia bidens, 198 Doris tuberculata, 477 
t. mamotica, id. Dotterel in North Devon, 490 
$ rugosa, vel nigricans, 27. ~ | Dove, Ring, 289, 477 
3, sealaris, 198 ,, Stock, nesting of, 338 
syracusana, id. Duck, American Summer, in County 
Coecothraustes chloris, 284 Waterford, 217 
vulgaris, id. » Ferruginous, in Dorset, 182 
Cochlicopa lubrica, QT ,, Goldeneye, 154 
Coleoptera, 15 ,» Long-tailed, 158, 487 
Columba palumbus, 289 » Tufted, 157, 482; nesting in 
Colymbus arcticus, 8 Scotland, 180 
35 glacialis, id. » Wild, 290, 482 
»»  septentrionalis, zd. Dunlin, 479 
Coot, 290, 481 Dyer, Rey. F. T. Thiselton, ‘ English 
Cormorant, 484; in Oxfordshire, 490 Folk-Lore’ (review), 150 
Cormorants on the Dorsetshire coast, 
266, 302, 303 Eagle, Golden, in the Lewes, 382; 
Coronella levis in Dorsetshire, 183,| reported nesting of in Shetland, 461 
461 »  White- tailed, in the Lewes, 
Corvus corax, 6, 285 220 
»  cornix, 286 Kgg-blowing, observations on, 178; 
»»  corone, zd. suggestions on, 218 
»  frugilegus, id. Eggs, Larks’, Starlings destroying, 
monedula, 287 31, 181; of the Curlew Sandpiper, 
Crake, Baillon’s, 11 discovery of, 425 
» Spotted, in Co. Down, 458 | Hider, 483 
Creeper, Common, 288 Elk, Irish, remains of in the County 
50 Tree, 279, 454 Waterford, 301 
Crossbill, 159 Emberiza cesia, 180 
Crow, Carrion, 286, 451, 459 Be lapponica, 6 
» Hooded, 286, 452 : , miliaria, 281 
Crustacea and fishes, on some little- » __ Divalis, 5 
known, 473 Entomological Society of London, 
Cuculus canorus, 289 proceedings of, 38, 66, 142, 188, 
Curlew, 477 270, 310, 347, 431, 462 


»  Esquimaux, in Aberdeen-| Erythaca rubecula, 277 
shire, 135 


Cyclostoma melitense, 196 Falco peregrinus, 5, 274, 449 
Cygnus americanus, 9 ,, tinnunculus, 275 
Cynonycteris collaris, 824 ‘Fenland, Past and Present’ (review), 
Cypselus apus, 289 69 

Fenland, the, 222 
Dabchick, 483 | Fieldfare, 276, 450 
Daulias luscinia, 277 | Fieldfares in May, 268 


Deal-fish on the Banffshire coast, 220 | Firecrest at Brighton, 181 


xn 


Fish, freshwater, close-time for, 136: 
rare, on the Norfolk and Suffolk 
coast, 491. 

Fishes and Crustacea, on some little- 
known, 473 

Flycatcher, Pied, nesting of, 132 

Spotted, 275, 334, 451 

3 Folk- Lore, English’ (review), 150 

Fox chase in London, 379 

Fringilla ccelebs, 281 

Frost, severe, effect of on animal life 
in County Mayo, 291 

Fulica atra, 290 


Galathea Andrewsii, 477 
Gallinula chloropus, 290 
Gannet, 485 
Garrod, Professor, death of, 462 
Geese, Brent, late stay of, 306 
,, Wild, in the Isle of Wight in 
June, 383 
Goatsucker, 454 
Godwit, Bar-tailed, 478, 488 
Goldeneye, 483 
Goldfinch, 284, 452 
Goosander in Cumberland, 182 ; 
Yorkshire, 220; in Ireland, 483 
Goose, Brent, 482 
5,  White-fronted, 481 
Grebe, Crested, 483 
» Little; 182; 291 
» . Sclavonian, 181, 267 
Grebes in the Feroe Islands, 457 
Greenfinch, 284, 452 
Greenfinches, 153 
Greenshank, 479 
Grouse, 477; quitting the moors in 
Yorkshire, 135 
Grus canadensis, 6 
Guillemot, 484 
zs Black, id. 
Gull, Black-headed, 486 
», Common, 291, 486 
;, Glaucous, 135, 486 
» Great Black-backed, 486 
» Herring, id. 
» Lesser Black-backed, id. 
Little, id. 
Gulls breeding in Westmoreland, 339. 


in 


Habits of the Kite, as observed in 
Scotland, 58; of the House Sparrow, 


| Hirundo 


CONTENTS. 


381; on some little-known, of the 
Woodeock, 433 
Harelda glacialis, 9 
Harrier, Hen, at Scilly, 491 
3, 0 Marsh, 8,55 
»  Montagu’s, nesting in York- 
shire, 220 
Harting, J. E., and J. de Mosenthal, 
‘Ostriches and Ostrich barming’ 
(review), 496 
Hawfinch in Ireland, 136; nesting in 
Yorkshire, 180 
Hawfinches, 159; flocking in winter, 
181 
Heath, F. G., ‘ Our Woodland ‘Trees’ 
(review), 230 
Hedgehog, albino, 172 
Hedgesparrow, 277 
Helicidie, 26 
Helix aculeata, id. 
», aperta, 196 
»» aspersa, 26, 196 
5 candidissima, ]97 
», caperata, 26 
» cellaria, 198 
», cespitum, 197 
4, conspurcata, id. 
» Erdelii, 198 
» ericetorum, 27 
», hispida, 26 
» Jlenticula, 197 
» meda, zd. 
» melitensis, id. 
5 nemoralis, 26 
»» pisana, 197 
», pulchella, 27 
» pygmea, id. 
> pyramidata, 197 
», rotundata, 27 
s, Yrufescens, 26 
», Yupestris, 27 
5, schembrii, 197 
5, sericea, 26 
», Spratti, 197 
», Striata, zd. 
,, trochoides, var., id. 
vermiculata, id. 
| Heron, Common, 477 
» Night, in Scotland, 382 
Re Purple, 159 : 
bicolor, 5 
i riparia, 289 


CONTENTS. 


Hirundo rustica, 289 
5 urbica, id. 

Hobby in Bedfordshire, 426 
Hoopoe in Fifeshire, 268; early men- 

tion of as a British bird, 337, 379 
‘Hunting Expedition to the Trans- 
' vaal’ (review), 384 
Hybrid Pheasant and Blackcock, 60 
Hydrochelidon nigra, 10, 383 
Hymenoptera, 15 


Insects which injure books, 430 
Jackdaw, 287, 452 


Kestrel, 275, 449 

-Kestrels, curious capture of a pair of, 
154 

Kingfisher, 289, 454; 
Newts, 32 

Kingfishers and the floods, 158 ; 
London, 383 

Kite, 275; habits of the, as observed 
in Scotland, 58 

Kittiwake, 291, 487 

Knot, 479: spring call of the, 178 


feeding on 


in 


Lamellibranchiata, 28 
Landrail, 481 
Lanius excubitor, 275 
Lark, Shore, 153; in Cornwall, 489 
» Sky, 280, 454 
Larks, Sky, disappearance of, 3] ; 
Starlings destroying eggs of, id.; 
extraordinary flight of, 280 
Larus argentatoides, 7 
» argentatus, id. 
»  canus, 291 
»  eburneus, 8 
» glaucus, 7 
», sabinii, 8 
tridactylus, 291 
Lepidogaster cornubiensis, 477 
Leptodora, occurrence of in England, 
429 
Lepus glacialis, 4 
Lestris Buffonii, 8 
»»  pomarinus,-zd. 
Limacide, 25 
Limax, genus, 196 
Limax agrestis, 25 
» ‘arboreum, 26 


Xill 


Limax gagates, 25 

,  Marginatus, td. 

» Maximus, 26 
Limnea palustris, 29 

i peregra, id. 

»  Stagnalis, id. 

»  truncatulus, id. 
Limneus, var.? 199 


| Limneide, 29 


Limpet, river, id. 
Linaria canescens, 5 
» minor, id. 

Linnean Society of London, pro- 
ceedings of, 34, 64, 187, 184, 222, 
807, 343, 492 

Linnet, 284, 452 

Linota cannabina, 284 
5,  linaris, id. 

Locustella luscinoides, 18 

Lupus griseus, 4 


Macrorhamphus griseus, 290 
Magellan, Straits of, voyage of the 
‘ Alert’ to the, 119 
Magpie, 155, 157,.288, 452 
Mammalia, 4 
Mammals of Shakespeare, 124 
Marinula forminii, 199 
Marten, Beech, description of, 443 
» Pine, description of, id.; in 
Lincolnshire, 420 
Marten-cat in Dorsetshire, 170, 171; 
in Cumberland, 171; in Norfolk, 
iby 
Martens in Norfolk and Suffolk, 210; 
in Cumberland, 264; in Hssex, zd.; 
British, Mr. E. R. Alston on, 441 
Martin, 289 
» House, 454 
» Sand, 289, 454 
Martins, House, nesting of, 157; 
Wrens roosting in vacant nests of, 
182; migration of, 340 
Merganser, Red-breasted, 483 
Merlin, 449; in Midlothian, 220 
Mice, Shrew, and Barn Owls, 341 
Migrants, arrival and departure of, 
156, 160; raptorial, 160; spring, 
and winter visitants to the Isle of 
Wight, 804; summer, in the Isle 
. of Wight, 384 
Migration, autumn, of birds in 1878, 


XIV 


41; further notes on, 126; of 
House Martins, 340 

Migratory waders, 157 

Miller, H., and 8. B. J. Skertchly, 
‘The Fenland, Past and Present’ 
(review), 69 i 

Milvus regalis, 275 

Mollusca, 15; land and freshwater, 
of Mayo and Sligo, 25; terrestrial, 
id.; aquatic, 28; land and fresh- 
water, of the Maltese group, 193 

Monster Bream in Norfolk, 342 

* Moore’s Columbarium, or the Pigeon 
House’ (review), 152 

Moorhen, 290, 481; curious death 
of a, 428 

Mortality amongst Shrews, 124, 173 

Moseley, H. N., ‘Notes by a Natu- 
ralist on the ‘“Challenger”’ (re- 
view), 224 

Mosenthal, Julius de, and J. E. 
Harting, ‘ Ostriches and Ostrich 
Farming’ (review), 496 

Motacilla boarula, 280 

»  Rayii, id. 
»  Yarrellii, id. 

Motella quinquecirrata, 476 

» vulgaris, id. 

Moult of birds, single and complete, 
in autumn, 82: double or spring, 
id.; summer, 83; triple, 84 

Muscicapa grisola, 275 

Mussel, Pearl, 28 

» swan, id. 

Mustela erminea, 4 


Naples, Zoological Station at, 455 

Natural History of Prince Albert 
Land, 1; notes in Holland, 9; the 
teaching of, 299 

‘ Natural History of Selborne, and the 
Naturalist’s Calendar’ (review),494 

‘Natural History Scraps’ (review), 391 

Naturalist, the, in Nidderdale, 353, 
403 

Neritide, 28 

Neritina fluviatilis, id. 

Nest, Adder taking possession of a, 
429 

Nesting of Cole Tit on the ground, 82, 
134; of Pied Flycatcher, 132; of 
Honey Buzzard, id.; of Swallows 


_ CONTENTS. 


and House Martins, 157; of the 
Grey Wagtail in Oxfordshire, 179 ; 
of the Hawfinch in Yorkshire, 180; 
of the Tufted Duck in Scotland, zd. ; 
of Blue Tit in the ground, 219; 
of Montagu’s Harrier in Yorkshire, 
220; of Ring Ouzel in Essex, 267 ; 
early, of the Water Rail, 268; of 
the Stock Dove, 338; of the Star- 
ling, 341; of Blackgame in Wolmer 
Forest, 425; of Tawny Owl in a 
burrow, 427; supposed, of Redwing 
near York, 460; reported, of the 
Golden Eagle im Shetland, 461; 
late, of Yellowhammer, 490 

Nests, vacant, of House Martins, 
Wrens nesting in, 182 

Neves, D. Fernandez das, ‘A Hunting 
Expedition to the Transvaal’ (re- 
view), 384 

Newts, Kingfisher feeding on, 32; 
British, 61 

Nidderdale, the naturalist in, 853, 403 

Nightingale, 277 

Nightjar, 289 

‘Norfolk and Norwich 
Society’ (review), 471 

Notes, Natural History, in Holland; 
9; from an Arctic Journal, 16, 50, 
89, 162, 200; on migration, 126; 
from Dublin, 131 

Nuthatch, 279, 289; attempted intro- 
duction of into Ireland, 424 


Naturalists’ 


Oriole, Golden, in Co. Donegal, 806 ; 
in Suffolk, 341 

Orioles, supposed Golden, 154 

Ornithological notes from Aldeburgh, 
301; from Devon and Cornwall, 
112, 205, 418; from Norfolk, 153: 
from North Lincolnshire, 371; 
from Oxfordshire, 129; from Red- 
car, 210; from St. Leonards, 876; 
from Somersetshire, 127; from 
Thorpe, 265; from West Cum- 
berland, 116, 488; from West 
Sussex, 109 

Ospreys, 156 

Ossiferous cavern near Cappagh, Co. 
Waterford, 331 

‘Ostriches and Ostrich Farming 
(review), 496 


CONTENTS. 


Otter, young, in December, 122; 
breeding of the, 172 

Otters, in Berkshire, 263; in Suffolk, 
801 

Ouzel, Ring, wintering in England, 
203, 266; nesting in Hssex, 267 ; 
song of, id.; in Regent’s Park, 277; 
in Ireland, 450 

Ouzel, Water, id. 

Oyibus moschatus, 4 

Owl, Barn, 275, 449 
» Hagle, in Lincolnshire, 306 
» Little, in Somersetshire, 32 
,», Long-eared, 449 
» Short-eared, id. 
,» ‘Lawny, nesting in a burrow, 427 

Owls, Barn, and Shrew Mice, 341 
» Short-eared, extraordinary as- 
semblage of, 490 

Oyster-catcher in Portland during the 
breeding season, 304; in Iveland, 
480 


Pagrus vulgaris, 476 
Paludina?(Amnicola?) melitensis, 196 
Paludinide, 28 
Parrot, night, New Zealand, 3820 
Partridge, 477 
Parus ater, 280 
»,  cxeruleus, id. 
»  caudatus, id. 
5» major, zd. 
» palustris, zd. 
Passer domesticus, 282 
Pectinibranchiata, 28 
Peewit, 480 
Pelican, visit to a breeding-place of 
the, 213 
Perodicticus potto, 327 
Petrel, Fulmar, breeding in the Isle 
of Foula, 380, 422 ; at Redcar, 490 
Phalarope, Grey, 290; in Bedford- 
shire, 459; in Ireland, 480 
Phalaropus hyperboreus, 7 
Pheasant, 477 
Pheasant and Blackcock, hybrid, 60 
Physa fontinalis, 29 
», hypnorum, id. 
», melitensis, 199 
Pica caudata, 288 
Picus major, id. 
minor, 7d. 


” 


XV 


‘Pigeon House, or Moore’s Colum- 
barium ' (review), 152 
Pigeons, Wood, destruction of in 
Scotland, 428 
Pike, Large, in Galloway, 307 
Pilchard, Large, 62 
Pilot-fish in Mount’s Bay, Cornwall, 
306 
Pintail, 482 
Pipit, Meadow, 454 
» Rock, id. 
» ree, 280 
Pisidium fontinale, 28, 196 
»  nitidum, 28 
»  pusillum, id. 
»  Yroseum, id. 
Planorbis albus, 29 
A, contortus, 7d. 
Ws glaber, id. 
* nautileus, zd. 
¥ spirorbis, id. 
Plover, Golden, 480 
» Great, at the Scilly Isles, 61 
» Green, 480 
» _ Grey, id. 
» Ringed, id. 
‘ Poacher, the Amateur ’ (review) 493 
Pochard, 482 
»  White-eyed, 159 
Podiceps minor, 291 
Polecat in Bedfordshire, 264 
Porphyrio, Green-backed, at Barton, 
458 
Porzana Bailloni, 11 
Potto, Van Bosman’s, 327 
Procellaria glacialis, 8 
Puffin, 484; white, 491 
Puffins, 159 
Pulmonobranchiata, 29 
Pupa granum, 199 
» Marginata, 27 
» ringens, 7d. 
5, umbilicata, id. 
Puss,” origin of the name, 487 
Pyrrhula vulgaris, 284 


Quail, 477 


Rabbit swimming, 210 

Rail, Water, 480; early nesting of, 268 
Raptorial migrants, 160 

Rats, black, in North Lancashire, 334 


XV1 


Raven, 285, 451 

Razorbill, 484 

Redbreast, 277 

Redpoll, Lesser, 154, 284, 452 

Redpolls, 159 

Redshank, 479 

Redstart, 279 

» Black, in Essex, 306 

Redwing, 276, 450; supposed nest- 
ing of near York, 460 

Reeve in Dorsetshire in December, 
134 

Regulus cristatus, 279 

Robin, 450 

Roe-deer in Dorsetshire, 120, 170, 
209, 262, 263, 301 

Rook, 286, 452 

Rookeries of London, 268 

Rooks eating small birds, 134 ; immi- 
gration of at Harwich, 459 

Roosting habits of the Starling, 215 

Rorqual, large, on the coast of Corn- 
wall, 124 

Rowley, George Dawson, death of, 33 

Ruticilla phoenicurus, 279 


St. John, Charles, ‘ Wild Sports and 
Natural History of the Highlands’ 
(review), 146 

Salicaria arundinacea, 279 

»  phragmitis, id. 

Salmo arcturus, 22 

Sanderling, 155, 480; variety of, 460 

Sandpiper, common, 479 

oe Curlew, discovery of the 
eggs of, 425; in Ireland, 479 
an Purple, 479 

Saxicola cenanthe, 279 

Scaup, 482 

Scilly Isles, the past shooting season 
at the, 130 

Scolopax gallinago, 290 

» Yrusticola, id. 

Scoter, 220, 426, 427, 489 

SS UnLeln Orkney, 335 

Scyllarus arctus, 473 

Scyllium catulus, 476 

Sea-weeds, red, fertilisation of 
animalcule, 393 

Shag, 485, 489 
» Green, in N orthamptonshire, 
426 


by 


_CONTENTS,. 


Sheldrake, 482 
Shell, Banded Twist, 27 

», Common Valve, 29 

», Crested Valve, id. 

», Common Varnished, 27 

» Dark Close, id. 

3, Dwarf Whorl, id. 

»» Fragile Moss, id. 

» Glossy Pea, 28 

» Little Pea, id. 

» Little Sedge, 27 

», Margined Chrysalis, id. 

» Marsh Mud, 29 

»» Marsh Whorl, 27 

», Narrower Whorl, id. 

» Nautilus Coil, 29 

» Pond Mud, id. 

»» Rosy Pea, 28 

5, Round-spired Coil, 29 

»» Slender Bubble, id. 

» Slightly striate Whorl, 27 

» Smooth Coil, 29 

5, Stream Bubble, id. 

», Stream Pea, 28 

», Toothless Whorl, 27 

» Transparent Glass, 26 

» Truncate Mud, 29 

» Twisted Coil, id. 

» Umbilicated Chrysalis, 27 

» Wandering Mud, 29 
» White Coil, zd. 
Shark, Fox, off the coastof Devon, 383 
Shearwater Manx, 15, 426, 457, 487 
‘ Shooting Adventures, Canine Lore 

and Sea-fishing Trip ’ (review), 147 
Shoveller, 482; at Redcar, 488 
Shrews observed in Norfolk, 123; 

mortality amongst, 124, 173 
Shrike, Great Grey, 136, 181, 275 
Siskin, 284 
Siskins, 159, 4538 
Sitta casia, 279 

», europea, 289 
Skua, 487 

» Great, 134, 455 
Skuas in Oxfordshire, 490 
Slug, Black, 25 

» Brown, id. 

» Field, id. 

», Garden, id. 

» Great, 26 

»» Sowerby’s, 25 


CONTENTS. 


Slug, Tree, 26 
Smith, Cecil, ‘ The Birds of Guernsey 
and the Neighbouring Islands’ 
(review), 387 
Snail, Bristly, 26 
» Cellar, id. 
», Clear-shelled, id. 
», Common Garden, id. 
», Crystalline, 2d. 
», Glossy, id. 
» Heath, 27 
,. Little Wall, zd. 
» Prickly, 26 
» Pygmy, 27 
» Rounded, id. 
» lLrufescent, 26 
», Shining, zd. 
» silky, ad. 
»  Lawny, id. 
», White, 27 
», Wood, 26 
» Wrinkled, zd. 
Snipe-catching in Dorsetshire, 181 
Snipe, Brown, 290 
» Common, 290, 478 
» sack, 478 
»  Sabine’s, in Lancashire, 30 ; 
curious haunt for a, 135 
Somateria mollissima, 9 
»  Spectabilis. zd. 
Song of Ring Ouzel, 267 
Sparrow, House, 282 ; habits of, 381 ; 
migration of, 453 
Sparrowhawk, 275, 449 
Spheriide, 28 
Spherium corneum, 28 
‘Spiders of Dorset’ (review), 470 
Spoonbills, 156 
Spotted Flycatcher, anecdote of the, 
334 
Spring call of the Knot, 178 
Squirrel in Scotland, 122 
Starling, 284, 452 
Starling, roosting habits of, 215; 
nesting habits of, 341, 382 
Starlings destroying Larks’ eggs, 31, 
181; rearing two broods in a 
season, 218 
Stercorarius cepphus, 8 
Sterna arctica, 7 
» hirundo, 291 
»» macrura, 18 


Xvil 


Stint, Little, and other birds in 
Sheppy, 216 

Stoats and the late severe weather, 
122; assuming the ermine dress, 
208, 264 

Stonechat, 451 

Stonechats in winter, 159 

Storrer, John, M.A. (the late) ‘ The 
Wild White Cattle of Great 
Britain’ (review), 350 

Straits of Magellan, the ‘ Alert’ in 
the, 260 

Strepsilas interpres, 6 

Stringops habroptilus, 320 

Strix flammea, 275 
», nyctea, 5 

Sturgeon in the Thames and Medway, 
383 

Sturnus vulgaris, 284 

Succineea elegans, 26 

i putris, vital tenacity of, 62 

Sun-fish, Short, in Mount’s Bay, 306 

Swallow, 289, 454 

Swallows and House Martins, nesting 
of, 157 

Swan, 481 
,, Bewick’s, in Somersetshire,173 

Swift, 289, 454 
» Alpine, at Finchley, 489 

Swifts, large flight of, 382; late 
stay of, 423 

Sword-fish on the Cornish coast, 3807 ; 
on the Norfolk coast, 342 

Sylvia atricapilla, 279 

Syngnathus brevicaudatus, 476 


Teal, 482 
Tern, Arctic, 18, 485 
Black, 10, 383, 485 
» Common, 291, 485 
» Lesser, 485 
» Noddy, id. 
»  Roseate, 486 
Terns at Redcar, 490 
Tetrao rupestris, 6 
», _ saliceti, id. 
Thick-knee at the Scilly Isles, 61 
Thresher off the coast of Devon, 383 
Thrush, Missel, 275, 450 
» song, 276, 450 
»  White’s, in Berwickshire, 
138, 177; note on, 177 


XVlil 


CONTENTS. 


‘Tit, Blue, nesting in the ground, 219| Vertigo substriata, 27 
», Cole, nesting on the ground, 82, | Visitants, winter, at Harwich, 182; 


134 
Titmouse, Bearded, 804 
& Blue, 280, 451 
a Cole, 280, 451 
= Great, 280, 45] 
Long-tailed, 280 
‘ Marsh, id. 
Torpedo or Cramp Ray, capture of at 
Beer, Devon, 491 
‘Transvaal, Hunting Expedition to 
the ' (review), 384 
‘Trees, Our Woodland’ (review), 230 
Tringa canutus, 7, 163 
douglasii, 7 
5»  Maritima, 7d. 
»»  pectoralis, zd. 
pusilla, id. 
rufescens, id. 
»  schinzii, 6 
i Sper 
Troglodytes vulgaris, 288 
Turdus iliacus, 276 
»  merula, id. 
musicus, id. 
pilaris, id. 
» torquatus, 277 
»  Viscivorus, 275 
Turnstone, 480 
Tweeddale, Marquis of, death of, 63 
Twite, 452 


Unio margaritifer, 28 
Unionide, id. 

Univalves (Gasteropoda), 25 
Ursus maritimus, 4 


Valvata cristata, 29 
»  piscinalis, id. 
Valvatide, id. 
Vanellus melanogaster, 6 
Varieties of the Hedgehog, Badger, 
and Mole, 172 
Variety of Black-headed Bunting, 
158; of the Hedgehog, 172; of 
Robin, 450; of Sanderling, 460 ; 
of Puffin, 491 
Vertigo angustior, 27 
»  antivertigo, id. 
»  edentula, id. 
»  pygmeea, id. 


and spring migrants to the Isle of 
Wight, 304 

Visitors, rare, to the Malvern Hills, 
174 

Vitrina pellucida, 26 

Vole, Bank, near Exeter, 264 
» Red Field, in Devonshire, 487 


Waders killed in the ‘ Close-time,” 
155; migratory, 157 
Wagtail, Grey, nesting in Oxford- 
shire, 179 ; in Regent's Park, 280 ; 
gregarious at roosting time, 427; 
in Jreland, 451 
5 Pied; 280, 45] 
» Ray's, 280 
Wagtails observed in Holland, 132 
‘Wanderings in South America’ 
(review), 143 
Warbler, Garden, 279 
a Marsh, 12 
a Reed, 12, 279 
s5 Savi’s, 18, 154 
> Sedge, 279, 451 
Waterhen, 481 
Waterton, Charles, ‘Wanderings in 
South America ’ (review), 148 
Waxwing at Banff, 217 
Waxwings, 158 
Weasel assuming a white winter coat, 
30; an albino, 455 
Whale, Pilot, on the Norfolk coast, 125 
Wheatear, 279, 450 
" Black-throated, 30 
Whimbrel, 478 
Whinchat, 450 
Whitethroat, 451 
bs Greater, 279 
is Lesser, id. 
Widgeon, 482 
Wildfowl in West Cumberland, 60; 
in County Mayo, 126; in the 
Poole district, 213 
‘Wild Life in a Southern County’ 
(review), 191 
‘Wild Sports and Natural History of 
the Highlands’ (review), 146 
Windhover, 275 
Woodcock, 290, 478; on some little- 
known habits of the, 483 


CONTENTS. X1X 


Woodpecker, Great Spotted, 268, 288 Yunx torquilla, 288 
Lesser Spotted, 1 55,288 


” 


, Little, 156 Zonites cellarius, 26 
Wren, 288 ,  erystallinus, id. 
»  Golden-crested, 279, 451 »  fulvus, id. 
» Willow, 279, 451 »  nitidulus, id. 
» Wood, 279; in Wicklow, 341 »  nitidus, id. 
Wrens roosting, 135; roosting in 5» purus, td. 
vacant nests of House Martins, 182 | Zoological Society of London, pro- 
Wryneck, 288 ceedings, 36, 65, 140, 186, 223, 


269, 809, 345 
Yellowhammer, 453; late nesting, 490 Zoolegical Station at Naples, 455 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Puare I. ( The change of colour in Birds through 
eran ie | and irrespective of Moulting. 


To face page 81 
», III. Woodcock carrying its young (see p. 433). To face Title. 
New Zealand Night Parrot, Stringops habroptilus, Gray. - Page 820 


Collared Fruit Bat, Cynonycteris collaris, female, showing ) 


mode of carrying young. - - - - - 2) ae ome 


Van Bosman’s Potto, Perodicticus potto, Gmelin. - : 327 


Fertilisation of Red Sea-weeds by Animalcule :— 


Higsds - = - - : - - : - >», 396 
ee. ee - - - - - - - » Ber 
ee - : - - - - - », 398 
aa: Se - : : - : - - » 400 


Lobster-like Crustacean, Scyllarus arctus, Linn. - - 473 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. III.] JANUARY, 1879. [No. 25. 


THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PRINCE ALBERT LAND.« 
By H. W. Ferupen, F.G.S., C.M.Z.S. 


I am indebted to the courtesy of Sir Alexander Armstrong, 
the Medical Director of the Navy—formerly Surgeon and 
Naturalist on board the ‘Investigator’ during her ever 
memorable voyage under M‘Clure to the Arctic Regions—for 
- permission to gather, from the archives of the department under 
his control, the data on which the information now offered is 
based; unfortunately the records at my disposal are of a 
somewhat meagre description, consisting of a list of mammals 
and birds found by Mr. Anderson in Prince Albert Land between 
the years 1851—53: this list, however, is supplemented by a very 
careful inventory of the specimens collected, and brought back 
to England. I have been unable to trace the disposal of 
Mr. Anderson’s entire collection, which he states was sent 
to the Secretary of the Admiralty, but there is no doubt in 
my mind that some of the specimens are included in the Barrow 
Collection, now in the University Museum at Oxford, and in all 
probability the specimens of Colymbus Adamsi, and Larus Sabinii, 
included in that collection are identical with those recorded in 
Mr. Anderson’s list. + 

The study of Natural History in the Arctic Regions is 
surrounded by so many difficulties that it becomes a pleasing duty 
to place on record the services of those men, of a former 

* A Contribution to the Natural History of Prince Albert Land. Derived from 
the Medical Returns of the late Surgeon Robert Anderson, of H.M.S. ‘Enterprise.’ 


+ See Harting, Catalogue of the Barrow Collection, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1871, p. 110. 
B 


2 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


generation, who, impelled only by a love for science, devoted 
themselves to its pursuit, under no ordinary circumstances. 

Mr. R. Anderson entered the naval service in June, 1838, 
having received his diploma for surgery from the College of 
Surgeons of Edinburgh. He served from 1839 to 1842 on the 
Mediterranean station, and from 1843 to 1847 on the East Indian 
station. He was promoted surgeon, November, 1846, and served 
in the ‘Investigator,’ Captain Bird, during the Arctic Expedition 
of 1848—49 under Sir James Ross, and in the ‘Enterprise,’ 
Captain Collinson, from December, 1849, to May, 1855, during 
which commission he passed three successive winters in the 
Arctic Regions. He died at Edinburgh on June 24th, 1856.* 
The sole object of the voyage of H.M.S. ‘Enterprise,’ was to 
search for traces of the lost Franklin Expedition. How nobly 
that duty was performed is known to comparatively few, and only 
to those who have read the official journals of the Expedition, for 
the history of that voyage has yet to be written for the public. 

The ‘Enterprise,’ under the command of Captain, now 
Admiral Sir Richard Collinson, having sailed through Behring 
Straits, rounded Point Barrow, the most northern promontory of 
Alaska, and pushing through the pack-ice gained the land-water 
on July 81st, 1851. Forcing his way to the eastward, by keeping 
close to the shores of the American continent, Collinson passed 
Cape Bathurst, August 25th, on which date the south shore of 
Banks Land was seen to the northward. The ‘Enterprise,’ now 
headed in that direction, and on August 27th, Prince of Wales 
Strait, the channel lying between Banks and Prince Albert Land, 
was entered, and by midnight of August 29th their farthest point 
in that direction was reached, viz., lat. 73° 80’ N., and long. 
114° 85’ W., a frozen sea of a little less than sixty miles in extent 
separating them from the most western position gained by Parry, 
sailing from the eastward in 1819, and the accomplishment of the 
North-west Passage. 

Returning southwards, a convenient harbour was found on the 
western shore of Prince Albert Land, in lat. 71° 35’ N., and long. 
117° 35’ W.: this place was given the name of Winter Cove, and 
there the ‘Enterprise’ remained, shut in by the ice, till the 
following year, On August 5th, 1852, the ‘Enterprise’ left 
Winter Cove and proceeded eastward along the south shore of 

* For Obituary notice see Journ. R. G. S. xxvii, p. exiii. 


NATURAL HISTORY OF PRINCE ALBERT LAND. 3 


Prince Albert Land, and through the Dolphin and Union Strait, 
reaching Cambridge Bay on August 27th; there the ship took the 
ground, and remained until the ice set sufficiently firm to allow 
of the removal of everything out of the vessel to the shore; the 
‘ship floated on October 15th. The winter of 1852—53 was 
passed at Cambridge Bay on the south shore of Victoria Land, a 
position some two hundred and fifty miles farther east than that 
of Winter Cove. 
_ In the spring of 1853 the sledge-parties from the ‘Enterprise’ 
searched the eastern shores of Victoria Land, for traces of the 
lost Franklin Expedition, singularly enough passing up the very 
channel in which the ill-fated ‘Erebus’ and ‘Terror’ were 
abandoned in 1848, and examining the opposite shore to that 
where in 1859, M‘Clintock found the relics of the missing 
Expedition on King William Land. The sledge-parties returned 
to the ship on May 21st. On August 10th, 1853, the ‘Enterprise’ 
left Cambridge Bay, and sailing to the westward, after a perilous 
voyage, was detained for the winter of 1853—54, at Camden Bay, 
on the northern shore of the American continent, in lat. 70° 8’ N., 
long. 145° 29’ W. The ‘Enterprise’ was not able to leave 
Camden Bay until July 20th, 1854. Point Barrow was passed 
on the return voyage, August 8th; on September 16th the 
‘Enterprise’ sailed from Port Clarence, Behring Straits, for 
Hong Kong. 

The large island, to which the names of Prince Albert, 
Wollaston, and Victoria Land, have been given by successive 
explorers, occupies the very centre of the Parry Archipelago; 
it lies between the parallels of 68° 80’ and 73° 20’ N., and 
longitudes 100° and 120° W.; it is separated from the American 
continent by a comparatively narrow and shallow channel, 
varying in depth from a hundred to thirteen fathoms. If the 
rate of elevation continues, in these northern lands, as we are 
led to believe it does by the observation of recent explorers, 
it will only be a short time, in geological history, before Prince 
Albert Land and the continent of America are joined together. 
Roughly speaking, Prince Albert Land extends over an area of some 
four hundred miles east and west, and some three hundred miles 
north and south; the interior of this large island has not been 
explored. 

We are well acquainted with the zoology of Melville Island 


4 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


lying directly north of Prince Albert Land, through the labours of 
Sabine; Armstrong has given us a good insight into that of Banks 
and Baring Land, lying to the westward; Franklin, Richardson, 
and Rae have made us conversant with the faunas of the northern 
shores of the American continent; whilst James Ross, M‘Clintock, 
and Walker have done the same for the land lying directly east of 
the area under consideration; consequently the observations of 
Mr. Anderson must possess especial interest for students of 
Arctic Zoology, as they connect the work already recorded from 
the north, east, and west of the Parry Archipelago. 


MaAmMALIA. 


Mr. Anderson’s notice of the mammalia is confined to a list of 
quadrupeds ascertained by him to inhabit Prince Albert Land. 
This is supplemented, however, by a few references in his 
catalogue of specimens sent to the Admiralty. I have not in any 
instance altered the nomenclature as given by him, and it may be 
remarked that he has used the synonyms of the ‘Fauna Boreali- 
Americana,’ of Richardson and Swainson, 1829. The species 
are as follows:—Lwpus griseus, Canis lagopus, Mustela erminea, 
Ursus maritimus, Cervus tarandus, and Ovibos moschatus. 

Arvicola hudsonius—A male specimen, entered in the 
catalogue of Mr. Anderson, was captured at Cambridge Bay, 
February 14th, 1853, another on March 8th, and three others 
during August of the same year. 

Arvicola trimucronatus.—Three specimens of this Vole, all 
males, were captured at Cambridge Bay during the month of 
August, 1853, This species was observed by Sir James Ross in 
considerable numbers on the coast of Boothia Felix; but I am 
not aware that its presence has been detected on the islands” 
to the north of the American continent by any other observer 
but Mr. Anderson. 

Lepus glacialis.— At Cambridge Bay in January, 1853, a male 
Hare was killed;. two young ones on June 29th and July 10th, of 
the same year. 


AVEs. 
In no instance have I altered the synonymy adopted by 
Mr. Anderson, and it will be observed that he has used that of 
Richardson and Swainson in their ‘Fauna Boreali-Americana,’ 


NATURAL HISTORY OF PRINCE ALBERT LAND. 4) 


Aves, 1831. By keeping this in view there will be little difficulty 
in identifying the species designated. The memoranda at my 
disposal are a list of species, and a very careful catalogue of the 
specimens preserved and brought to England; in every instance 


the sex, with locality and date of capture are duly recorded by 


Mr. Anderson. 

Falco peregrinus.—A male and female obtained at Winter 
Cove, June Ist, 1852. 

Buteo lagopus.—Ascertained to visit Prince Albert Land. This 
is the most northern locality from which, so far as I am aware, 
Archibuteo sancti-johannis has been recorded, and is an addition 
to the avifauna of the islands north of the American continent. 

Circus sp. ? Doubtless C. hudsonius.—N oted in a similar manner 
as the preceding; this is likewise the most northern range 
recorded of the species. 

Strix nyctea.—It would have been somewhat extraordinary if 
the Snowy Owl, so generally distributed throughout the Arctic 
Regions, had not been recorded from Prince Albert Land. Dall 
and Bannister consider it rather a rare species in the valley of the 
Lower Yukon. 

Hirundo bicolor.—A female of this species was obtained 
at Cambridge Bay, May 20th, 1853. Dall and Bannister 
mention that it is less common in Alaska than any of the other 
species, though occurring from Fort Yukon to the sea. 

Alauda alpestris—Two Shore Larks were obtained at Winter 
Cove, June 8rd, 1852. Iam not aware of this species having been 
previously met with in the Parry Archipelago. 

Linaria minor and Linaria canescens.—Two species of Linnet 
are recorded under the above names; a female bird procured at 
Winter Cove, April 27th, 1852, is noted as L. canescens. In all 
probability his LZ. minor is A%giothus linaria, which is found in 
vast numbers as a permanent resident in the fur-countries. 
LL. canescens was probably a Mealy Redpoll, and may have been 
Aligiothus exilipes, Coues. In the absence of the specimens to 
refer to, it is of course impossible to decide, but the recognition 
of two species by Mr. Anderson shows that he was a careful 
observer. 

Emberiza nivalis—A female Snow Bunting was obtained 
May 10th, and two males, June 5th, 1852, at Winter Cove, where 
the species was found breeding. 


6 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Emberiza lapponica.—Is included as another of the species 
visiting Winter Cove in 1852, and its nest with four eggs was 
procured there. 

Corvus corax.—The Raven is merely recorded as one of the 
species ascertained to visit Prince Albert Land. 

Tetrao rupestris—The Rock Ptarmigan was observed at 
Winter Cove, where male and female were obtained, May 15th, 
1852. On May 5th and June 10th, 1853, a male and female were 
shot at Cambridge Bay. 

T. salicetit.—Ascertained to visit Prince Albert Land: a male 
bird was obtained at Cambridge Bay, May 6th; a second, 
May 16th; a third, May 18th; and a female, July 19th, 1853. 

Grus canadensis.—A male and female of this species 
were killed, June 6th, 1852, at Winter Cove, where it was found 
breeding by Mr. Anderson, who obtained four eggs. This is the 
most northern breeding locality yet observed for,this Crane, and 
I am not aware that it has been heretofore noted as nesting on 
the islands north of the American continent. Sir James Ross 
remarks that several individuals of a species of Crane were seen 
by him in the neighbourhood of Fury Beach, which were probably 
of the above-named species, but as no specimens were obtained 
they could not be identified with certainty. 

Calidris arenaria.—At Winter Cove on June 9th, 1852, two 
male Sanderlings were procured, 

Charadrius semipalmatus.—Two males and a female of this 
Ringed Plover were shot on June 9th, 1852, at Winter Cove, 
where the species was found breeding and the eggs procured. 

C. virginicus.—The American Golden Plover was found at 
Winter Cove, where four male birds were obtained, June 10th, 
1852; this species was found nesting at Cambridge Bay in 1853, 
and its eggs procured. 

Vanellus melanogaster.—A male Gray Plover was procured at 
Winter Cove, June 11th, 1852, and a male and female at 
Cambridge Bay, July 14th, 1853. 

Strepsilas interpres.—Is recorded as breeding in the vicinity of 
Cambridge Bay; four specimens, two males and two females were 
obtained there in June, 1858. 

Tringa Schinzit.—The tiomenclature adopted by Mr. Anderson 
shows decidedly that he followed Swainson and Richardson; 
doubtless their work was in the library of the ‘Enterprise,’ 


NATURAL HISTORY OF PRINCE ALBERT LAND. 7 


T. Schinzit of Sw. and Rich., F. B. A. ii. 1831, 384, is Bonaparte’s 
Sandpiper, 7’. fuscicollis, Vieillot; and a reference to Mr. Dresser’s 
‘Birds of Europe’ and Dr. Elliott Coues’ ‘Birds of the North- 
West’ show that little or nothing is known about its breeding 
_ haunts. It is therefore interesting to find that Mr. Anderson 
obtained two males at Winter Cove, June 9th, 1852; a female, 
June 10th of the same year, and further that he found this species 
breeding in the same locality, from whence he brought two eggs 
to England. 

T. pusillan—Two specimens of the Least Sandpiper were 
procured at Winter Cove, June 28th and July 6th, 1852, both 
being males. The eggs were found at Cambridge Bay in 1853. 

T. pectoralis?—Under this name Mr. Anderson records the 
capture of two Sandpipers, males, on June 10th, 1852, at Winter 
Cove. In the absence of the specimens, however, it is not 
possible to say whether the species was correctly identified or not. 
Mr. Anderson mentions that the eggs of his 7’. pectoralis were 
found at Winter Cove in 1852. 

Tringa sp.?—An unidentified Sandpiper was obtained at Winter 
Cove in June, 1852. 

T. rufescens.—The Buff-Breasted Sandpiper was observed at 
Winter Cove, where two males and a female were procured, 
June 11th, 1852. 

T. canutus—A Knot, ascertained to be a female bird, 
was shot at Cambridge Bay, July 9th, 1853. 

T. maritima.—A male Purple Sandpiper was obtained at 
Cambridge Bay, June 10th, 1853. 

T. douglasii.—Two male Stilt Sandpipers were procured at 
Cambridge Bay, June 10th, 1853. 

Phalaropus hyperboreus.—Two males and a female Red-necked 
Phalarope were procured at Winter Cove, June 15th, 1852. It was 
found breeding at Cambridge Bay, and the eggs were taken. 

Sterna arctica.—Observed in Prince Albert Land in 1851-52, 
and three males and a female obtained at Cambridge Bay in 
July, 1853. 

Larus glaucus.—This Gull was found breeding at Cambridge 
Bay in June, 1858, and a specimen was preserved. 

L. argentatus and L. argentatoides are recorded by Mr. Ander- 
son as two distinct species visiting Prince Albert Land. A female 
specimen of L. argentatoides was obtained June 11th, 1852, at 


8 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Winter Cove, where a female of L. argentatus was also procured 
the same month. Two males of the latter species were shot in 
July, 1853, at Cambridge Bay, where the eggs were also found. 
There is a further entry of three eggs of L. leucopterus having 
been procured at Cambridge Bay in 1853, but that species is not 
included in Mr. Anderson's list of birds. I am therefore inclined 
to think that the names of L. argentatus and L. argentatoides of 
the list should be considered synonyms for the form of Herring 
Gull which visits Prince Albert Land, and that L. leucopterus may 
very fairly be included as a visitor to that region. . 

L. Sabinti.—A male and female of Sabine’s Gull were killed 
at Winter Cove in June, 1852, and a second pair, male and female, 
at Cambridge Bay in June, 1853. An egg of this species was 
taken at Cambridge Bay in 1858. 

L. eburneus.—-The Ivory Gull is simply recorded as one of the 
species ascertained to visit Prince Albert Land. 

Lestris pomarimus.—Mr. Anderson includes in the catalogue of 
his collection a male of the Pomatorhine Skua. A pair were 
obtained at Cambridge Bay in June and July, 1853. 

Stercorarius cepphus.— Nos. 90 and 91 of Mr. Anderson’s 
Catalogue are thus named, and refer to a male and female Skua 
obtained at Cambridge Bay, July 15th, 1858. I have no doubt that 
Mr. Anderson was guided in his synonymy by Swainson and 
Richardson (Faun. Bor. Amer., ii., 1831, p. 482), and S. cepphus of 
those authors is certainly S. crepidatus (Gm.), Richardson's Skua. 

Lestris Buffonii.—A male and female of Buffon’s Skua were 
shot at Cambridge Bay in July, 1853. 

Procellaria glacialis.—Ascertained to visit Prince Albert Land, 
but no specimen is included in the catalogue of the collection. 
It might possibly be the Pacific form Fulmarus Rodgersi, Cas. 

Colymbus glacialis——In all probability the form of Great 
Northern Diver ascertained to visit Prince Albert Land is 
C. Adamsii, Gray. A male was killed at Winter Cove, June, 1852. 

C. arcticus.—Included in the list of birds of Prince Albert 
Land, and a male and female are recorded as procured at Winter 
Cove, June, 1852. 

C. septentrionalis—This bird was found breeding at 
Cambridge Bay, 1853. 

Anser albifrons.—A male White-fronted Goose was killed at 
Winter Cove, June, 1852. 


NATURAL HISTORY NOTES IN HOLLAND. 9 


A. hyperboreus.—This Snow Goose was ascertained to be a 
visitor to Prince Albert Land. No specimen, however, is included 
in the catalogue of the collection. 

A. Hutchinsw.—Myr. Anderson has entered this species in his 
“list, as well as the fact of its breeding at Cambridge Bay, where 
he procured its eggs in 1858. 

A. bernicla.—The Brent Goose is recorded as visiting Prince 
Albert Land. The eggs were found at Cambridge Bay in 1853. 

Cygnus americanus.—Noted as visiting Prince Albert Land. 
Two eggs were found at Cambridge Bay in 1853. 

/ Harelda glacialis— Three males of the Long-tailed Duck were 
shot at Winter Cove in June, 1852, in which neighbourhood the 
eggs were also taken. 

* J Somateria mollissima.— Although included in the list as 
S. mollissima, yet in his catalogue of specimens, Mr. Anderson 
adds “var.,” so that there can be little doubt that the Eider Duck 
frequenting the shores of Prince Albert Land is somateria, v. 
nigra. ‘Two males and two females were killed at Winter Cove 
in June, 1852, and two young ones were obtained at Cambridge 
Bay, August 6, 1853. 

: S. spectabilis—Two males and one female of the King 
Duck were shot at Winter Cove in June, 1852, and a female at 
Cambridge Bay in July, 1853. The eggs were also found at 
Winter Cove. 


Vv 


NATURAL HISTORY NOTES IN HOLLAND. 
By F. 8. Mircuett. 


Durine the summer of 1877 and of the present year, in 
company with my friend Altham, I spent some five weeks in 
various parts of Holland. Most of the time was passed at 
Valkenswaard, that ornithological paradise, but the avi-fauna 
of this part of Brabant has been so well investigated that little 
occurred worth chronicling, and I do not propose to give any 
detailed list of the species I met with. We arrived there, last 
year, on the 17th May, leaving on the 4th June, and travelled 
back through S’Bosch by steamer down the Maas to Gorkum 
and Dordt, finally leaving for home on the 11th June. This 
year we arrived at Dordt on the 9th June, where we remained 
until the L5th of that month. 


10 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


To the field ornithologist who prefers labelling his specimens 
ipse, there is much to disappoint in Valkenswaard, and the boys, 
who, at the end of one of the numerous saints-days and holidays, 
bring their hatfuls of eggs of Orioles, Water Rails, Spotted Crakes, 
and Black Terns, afford but little satisfaction in reply to enquiries 
concerning unidentified possible rarities. 

One ought really, at a place like this, to set one’s face against 
any payment for eggs, unless they can be shewn in situ. The 
pleasure to be derived from taking with one’s own hands a single 
clutch is far greater than that which emanates from the 
possessing of some score of eggs of whose history nothing is 
known. At the end of a fortnight, within a reasonable distance 
of the village, we found only empty nests and reed-beds trampled 
through, and our only chance of success was to take a long walk 
straight away from our quarters, or travel a few stations farther 
on the line and work back again. 

The Black Tern, Hydrochelidon nigra, was one of the most 
interesting species we met with, and its graceful evolutions en- 
livened many an evening’s walk over the marshy moor, as we 
returned tired and fagged after a long day. At this time, when 
their mates were sitting, it was very amusing to watch them take 
the Field Crickets, Acheta campestris, as they came to the mouths 
of their holes for a little fresh air. These were exceedingly 
numerous, their chirrupings forming a continuous refrain, and 
were evidently a favorite food supply for the Terns. Great 
quickness is necessary to catch them, as they never move far 
from their holes, and pop in on the slightest alarm, but very few 
evaded the swift stoop of the bird. The first fresh eggs of this — 
species were taken on May 21st, and numbers had begun to sit by 
June 3rd. Nearly all the nests had three eggs, but a few were 
found with only two. We were lucky in discovering several large 
breeding-places which the boys could not reach, and thus had ample 
scope for observation. These places were large pools of standing 
water on the open heath, with boggy bits of island here and there, 
and heaps of wrack kept steady by the water-grasses; a few bits 
of grass were collected together, and the eggs laid on them. In 
such situations they were high and dry, but one nest in a running 
stream (the only one found so) was wet through, floating partly on 
the surface; it was composed of a considerable quantity of water- 
plants, and was kept steady by some rushes bent down. Our 


NATURAL HISTORY NOTES IN HOLLAND. 11 


visits generally had to be paid early in the morning, and I cannot 
recommend 6 A.M. as a pleasant time for swimming about cold 
bogs and wandering, in puris naturalibus, over a floor of sharp 
reeds searching for eggs. We were fortunate enough once to find 
an old boat, half-sunk in the mud, and managed to launch it, but 
our appearance, with nothing on but hats and bathing-drawers, 
must have been an unwonted spectacle for any passers by. 

It is curious to note how some nearly-allied species (only 
- differentiated by slight variations of plumage) resemble, and in 
fact are identical with, each other in habits, mode of nidification, 
colour of eggs and song. I cannot, for instance, recognize the 
slightest difference in these respects between Motacilla lugubris 
and M. alba, Acredula rosea and A. caudata, Cyanecula Wolfi and 
C. suecica, though of the last I ought to say that I cannot speak 
positively as regards the song, my recollection of swecica in 
Norway not being good enough. The notes of the British and 
White-headed Long-tailed Tits are identical, as are also those of 
the Pied and White Wagtails, and of Motacilla flava, M. viridis 
and M. Raw.* : 

A nest of six eggs of Baillon’s Crake, Porzana Bailloni, was 
brought to us, but these had been taken the previous year, and 
out of a lot of Willow Wrens I picked out the most abnormally 
small egg I have seen; it only measured ‘383 by °328 inches. 

What a pity it is that such a pretty bird as the Hoopoe 
should have such repulsive habits, and that, in cleanliness, it 
should be inferior to a Jackdaw. It is the belief of the country 
people, a belief shared in by many of the better classes, that it 
builds its nest of human ordure, and any one who has ever 
closely approached a Hoopde’s nesting-hole, or a batch of young 
ones, would certainly from the stench respect the popular 
impression. A nest of five young, about a fortnight old, was seen 


* By these last three names we presume our contributor intends to designate 
the Grey, the Grey-headed, and Ray’s Wagtails; but as the nomenclature now 
stands (Yarrell’s Hist. Brit. Birds, 4th ed., vol. i., pp. 552, 558, 564) they should be 
called Motacilla sulphurea, Bechstein, M. flava, Linneus, and M. Raii (Bonaparte), 
in the order named. WM. viridis, if we are not mistaken, is the Indian form of the 
European WM. cinereicapilla, not to be distinguished, in our opinion, from M. flava. 
We have never experienced any difficulty in distinguishing the note of the Grey 
Wagtail from that of Ray’s Wagtail; indeed, we have frequently been made aware 
of the arrival of the former bird in winter by hearing its note from the bed of a 
stream in which for a few moments it has been hidden from view.—ED. 


12 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


22nd May, and fresh eggs were obtained up to the end of the 
month, so that their time of laying varies considerably. 

On the 4th June, near Gorkum, we first made the acquaintance 
of the Great Reed Warbler. Acrocephalus arundinaceus, and its 
numbers here are extraordinary; in a twelve mile walk from 
Sliedrecht to Gorkum, along the banks of the Merwede, after 
eight o’clock at night, its curious craking notes never ceased, except 
as we passed through the villages. There must have been 
hundreds of these birds along the river. We found one nest on 
the 8th, containing two young, just hatched, and two eggs chipped 
by their occupants, but this was an exceptionally early one ; 
and out of a dozen or more nests found in various stages, we only 
saw three eggs in all. In the present year, however, round about 
Dordt, we took numbers from the 10th to the 13th June, five 
eggs being the full complement. ‘These birds appear to prefer 
the vicinity of the open water, and the nests are seldom placed 
but on borders of the reed-beds just raised sufficiently to escape 
the highest tides, though often so little above the surface that 
the bottom is in the water at each flood. They are often placed 
in willow forks, as well as interwoven with the reeds, and are 
built of water-plants, small reeds and grass, sometimes mostly of 
grass mixed with a little moss, the lining being of finer bits of 
reed and grass. The birds are very anxious and noisy if 
disturbed after beginning to sit, and look quite fierce as they dash 
about within a yard of your head, opening wide their red throats, 
and chiding loudly. é 

There are some vast reed-beds—I might almost say “reed 
forests” —around Dordt, tenanted by not a few Bitterns, Botaurus 
stellaris, and it was not at all uncommon, even in the middle of the 
day, to hear their unearthly “boom” echoing through the air; but 
they take up their abode in such inaccessible places that undivided 
attention must be given to them, if nests are to be taken. We got 
. within a few yards of a bird one day, but it managed to escape our 
view, and its nest also, for we had to retire before the rising tide. 
It is no joke being overtaken by the tide in a square mile of 
reeds eight feet high. Some of these reeds grow to an enormous 
height, one we measured being twelve feet nine inches in length! 

The Marsh Warbler, Acrocephalus palustris, was in con- 
siderable numbers, but it had not begun to lay, and the only 
satisfaction we had was in finding several nests, just ready for 


NATURAL HISTORY NOTES IN HOLLAND. 13 


eggs, fixed on the reeds like those of A. streperus, and beautifully 
lined with horse-hair. Sometimes they were right in the middle 
of the beds, and sometimes in more open places. 

We came across two pairs of Savi’s Warbler, Locustella 
luscinoides, but only found the nest of one of these, and it 
contained five young, almost fledged, this being on the 12th June. 
It was beautifully constructed of the broad, flat tops of the reeds, 
very deep and symmetrical, and we brought it away with us, 
removing the young into that of a Sedge Warbler procured for 
the purpose. It was most carefully concealed in a thick bunch of 
grass, close to ths ground, and in a very boggy place, though not 
one affected by the tide, it being on the landward side of the dyke 
bounding the Hollandsch Diep. The old birds were never seen 
near the nest, and then only for a moment, as they flew for a few 
yards over the reed tops, and then popped down again. Their 
“trill” is very distinguishable from that of the Grasshopper 
Warbler, not being (as Mr. Dresser remarks) so continuous, and 
having more tone. I thought of attempting to rear some of the 
young, but on going for them found them gone. The parents, 
no doubt, had removed them, such being the habit of the 
Warblers, if their nest be disturbed, and the young fit. They 
were not able to fly. 

On the 11th June, we watched for a long time a pair of large 
birds with hawk-light flight, which were quartering the marshes 
very assiduously, and whose identity puzzled us a good deal at 
first, but which turned out to be Marsh Harriers, Circus 
eruginosus. We put up one of them from the nest, which was 
only about fifty yards distant from that of the Savi’s Warbler just 
described, and in the same marsh, about ten yards from firm 
ground. The nest was a large heap of reeds and sedges forming 
a flat mass three feet long, and two feet across, and appeared to 
have been used many years, one nest being built on the top of 
another. There were three young, the eldest a week, and the 
youngest a day or two old. They were covered with brownish 
yellow down; cere and legs, yellow; bill and claws, black; iris, 
very dark brown. We brought two of them home, leaving the 
youngest, and on June 20th, the elder of these attacked the other, 
injuring it so much that it died next day. On June 22nd the 
sprouting quills and tail were black, tipped with brown; scapu- 
laries, black; wings from tip to tip, 2 feet 84 inches. June 29th, 


14 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


wings, 3 feet 43 inches. July 18th, 4 feet 24 inches. On 
the 24th September, the expanse of wings was 4 feet 53 inches, 
and the down had disappeared altogether, except a few sprays 
on the head, the crown of which, with the chin, was of a rich 
chesnut. The irides light hazel-brown; the rest of the body, 
wings, and tail, dusky black; most of the feathers tipped with 
light chesnut-brown, and some on the shoulders and nape 
margined with this colour. The upper tail-coverts are lighter 
and the tips more reddish. The pellets ejected by the young 
birds before they had been fed artificially consisted mostly of 
mouse and rat-hairs, mixed with small bones, bits of beetle wing- 
cases, and seeds of plants; the last probably from the intestines 
of the rats. 

We had rather an unpleasant rencontre on one oceasion with 
some fishermen who tenant one of the islands of the Hollandsch 
Diep, on which we had landed. It was raining in torrents, and 
after fighting our way for some time through reed-beds soaking 
wet, and losing ourselves in a willow-swamp, we hailed with joy a 
well-made footpath, at the end of which we suddenly came upon 
an elaborate decoy for wild ducks. Never having seen any of our 
English ones, I am unable to say whether they are constructed on 
a similar principle, but this one consisted of perhaps an acre of - 
open water fringed with trees and bushes, and with a “pipe” at 
each of the four corners. These “pipes” were arranged, so to 
say, in two pairs, each pair leading in a curve along the north and 
south sides of the pond, until their apices nearly met. I had 
walked round and examined the ‘pipes,’ and was watching a 
small flock of ducks which were on the water, when I heard a 
shout from my companion, and going to him, found him being 
most menacingly accosted by two Dutchmen, whose excited 
words, though unintelligible to us, evidently expressed some 
very forcible ideas. We were trespassers, there was no doubt, 
and looked upon with great suspicion, which was not much 
allayed by our endeavours to indicate our pursuits by displaying 
the entomological collecting-boxes. Unable to muster sufficient 
Dutch to explain our peaceable intentions, we parted from our 
sulky companions, who professed to point out the way to our boat; 
but to make a long story short, we followed their directions until 
we were regularly fast in swamp and tangled willow, and with a 
rapidly rising tide. They then came to us in a boat, and gave us 


NATURAL HISTORY NOTES IN HOLLAND. 15 


to understand that for the small sum of “twee gulden” they 
would take us to our own boat, otherwise, if we remained where 
we were, the tide would rise up to our breasts. We paid our 
money, and they kept their bargain. Of course we did not 
venture there again. 

The following insects were procured at Valkenswaard, in the 
identification of which my friend Mr. Naylor has kindly helped 
me :— 

CoLEopTEeRA :— Cicindela campestris, hybrida, and Germanica; 
Silpha thoracica, nigrita, and reticulata; Pterostichus dimidiatus ; 
Carabus granulatus and auratus; Lina populi; a species of 
Galerucide, and also one of Hlateride, not determined yet; 
Coccinella 14-punctata. 

OrTHOPTERA:—Acheta campestris. 

HyMENopTEeRA:—Vespa crabro. 

The caterpillar of the Goat Moth, Cossus ligniperda, was 
taken on some willows on the banks of a pond, and that of the 
Poplar Hawk Moth, Sphinx populi, was also obtained. Four 
dead specimens of the Emperor Moth, Saturnia pavonia-minor, 
were picked up on one of the heaths, and the Buff-tip, Pygera 
bucephala, was very common. Near Dordt we found some hedge- 
rows and gardens completely devastated by the Forty-spot Moth, 
Hyponomeuta padellus. Without exaggeration, in several hundred 
yards of hawthorn hedge, there was not a single leaf; it was com- 
pletely covered by their webs and caterpillars. Hundreds of 
apple-trees, too, were in the same state. On the hawthorn there 
were also mixed with them a considerable number of caterpillars 
of the Gold-tail, Porthesia auriflua, but we did not see them on 
the apple. We also took the Drinker Moth, Odonestis potatoria, 
on the buckram grass near the Savi’s Warbler nest, and of 
other Lepidoptera :—Cataclysta limnata, Lomospilis marginatus, 
Camptogramma bilineatus, Tortriz viridana, from Willemsdorp: 
Clisiocampa neustria, from Dordt. 

Amongst the Neuroptera we procured specimens of Panorpa 
communis. 

We collected a few Mollusca, amongst which were identified 
Planorbis corneus and carinatus, Limneus stagnalis, Helix 
nemoralis and hortensis, and Paludina vivipara. 


16 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 
By H. W. Ferpen, F.G.S., C.M.Z.S. 
- (Continued from Zool. 1878, p. 451.) 


On the 24th of August, a lead opening to the westward, our 
ships left Bessels Bay, and, crossing Hall Basin, we entered, 
early on the following morning, a large and well-protected har- 
bour on the coast of Grinnell Land. The aspect of the western 
side of the Sound differs entirely from the Greenland or eastern 
shore which we had just left. Instead of the mural cliffs of 
limestone capped by a mer-de-glace, with glaciers descending into 
the sea, Grinnell Land appeared as a series of peaked mountains 
rising to an altitude of 2000 to 3000 feet, with deep valleys inter- 
vening between them. Though covered with snow at that season, 
yet we could see that no glaciers occupied the valleys, and that 
in all probability they would prove accessible. As we neared the 
inner shore of the bay a herd of Musk-oxen were seen about a 
quarter of a mile from the shore: a party from our ship landed, 
and, after a smart chase, killed the entire herd numbering nine— 
an old bull, four old cows, two young bulls, and two young cows. 
This provided us with a supply of over 2000 tbs. of fresh meat. 
Unless shot through the heart, the Musk-ox is very tenacious of 
life; their shaggy coat is a great protection, and when wounded or 
brought to bay their habit of facing the enemy, sinking their 
muzzle, and only exposing the crown of the head with its armature 
of horn and heavy horn cores, renders the animal almost bullet- 
proof. The old bull, though shot through the body and with a 
hind leg broken, still kept facing us and endeavouring to charge. 
One of us stepped up to within five paces and fired a Snider rifle 
bullet point-blank between its eyes. This had no appreciable 
effect, and an examination of the skull afterwards showed merely 
a dent where the bullet had struck. Not until the animal was 
taken in flank and a bullet put into the region of the heart did it 
succumb. This animal was as large as any we afterwards procured. 
Its head and horns weighed 54 tbs., rest of the hide 50 tbs., and 
the carcase, when cleaned and brought on board ship, 385 tbs. 
The measurements of the head were as follows:—From apex of 
skull to point of nose, 24 inches; breadth between the eyes, 
13 inches; horns, measured inside the curve, 26 inches: greatest 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. Lyi 


breadth of horn, 1linches. The stomach of these animals is very 
capacious. This old bull had as much in it as would have filled 
four ordinary stable buckets. It consisted entirely of the leaves 
and shoots of Salix arctica and grasses. In none of those 
I examined were any lichens, which is the food usually ascribed 
to these animals. 

During the winter season the Musk-ox is covered with a long 
stapled fine wool in addition to its coat of hair. This wool is of 
a light yellow colour, and of a beautiful silky texture, but at the 
season when we shot the animals very easily detached from the 
hide; indeed, it would not adhere to the skins of any of the 
animals we killed, but came away from it during the process of 
curing. Owing to the great length and softness of this wool* 
the fleece of the Musk-ox, if obtainable in sufficient quantities, 
would be of considerable value, and, if it were possible to re- 
introduce this animal into Great Britain, or to the continent of 
Europe, it would be a most valuable accession to our fauna. No 
doubt from the nature of the lands inhabited by the Musk-ox at 
_the present day it would be a matter of considerable difficulty to 
capture and convey the animals to Europe, but I imagine the 
difficulties in the way are not insuperable. To equip an Arctic 
Expedition simply with a view to capture some young Musk- 
oxen would hardly be a practical suggestion, but these animals 
still wander in considerable numbers amid the barren lands of the 
North American Continent and along the shores of its Frozen 
Ocean. The influence of the Hudson Bay Company extends 
even to those desolate regions, and the acclimatisation of the 
Musk-ox is a matter worthy of the consideration of the gentlemen 
who direct the affairs of that Company in America. In any case 
a living example of the animal would command a great price from 
the zoological societies of Europe. From what I have seen of the 
Musk-ox in a state of nature, it does not appear that there would 
be any great difficulty in domesticating it. Its habit of flocking 
when alarmed by a dog, and facing its foe, would render it 
amenable to guidance, and I am quite sure that the Musk-oxen 
we met with in Grinnell Land might all have been headed and 
brought to bay by one of our Scotch sheep-dogs. 


* According to Richardson (Fauna Bor. Amer.), stockings made from the wool 
were more beautiful than silk ones. 
D 


18 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


The harbour that we had reached appeared so admirably 
suited for a ship's winter-quarters that Captain Nares decided to 
leave the ‘Discovery’ there, and, in consequence, this large inlet 
was named Discovery Bay. The ‘Alert’ quitted her consort on 
the 26th August; but owing to the mouth of the harbour being 
blockaded by heavy pack-ice it was a couple of days before we lost 
sight of the masts of the ‘ Discovery,’ and were again fairly in the 
channel. By that date the short summer of the Polar zone had 
come to an end, the temperature of the air throughout the day 
sunk below freezing-point, the few species of birds that make 
those regions their breeding-haunts were hurrying south, whilst 
the streams, rivulets, and marshes were frozen over. A few small 
bands of Knots and Turnstones were seen winging their way 
southward, following the coast-line, and associated with them 
were parties of Snow Buntings. 

Somewhat to my surprise, on a small islet just at the entrance 
of Discovery Bay, we found some eight pairs of the Arctic Tern, 
Sterna macrura, breeding, and a newly-hatched young one in a 
nest surrounded by snow; but Admiral Richards, when sledging 
in Belcher Channel, in 77° 8’ N., on August 29th, 1852, likewise 
found a colony of these birds nesting, and three young ones 
unfledged in their nests. 

On the 28th August the rudder of the ‘ Alert’ was so injured 
by contact with the ice that the ship was run alongside of the 
shore-ice in the most sheltered position obtainable and the spare 
rudder fitted. Whilst we were thus employed a small party 
of five Musk-oxen were seen on shore, and several of us started 
in pursuit, eventually securing three of the animals. I there 
met with an accident which might have had serious consequences, 
but, fortunately, was only productive of a laugh against me. 
One of the Musk-oxen, a young animal about three years old, 
being badly wounded, separated from the herd. Following it 
alone I came up with it in a valley where the deep snow hampered 
its progress. Another shot fired brought it to a standstill. 
When I got alongside of it the animal put its head to the ground 
and came towards me, but stopped when I struck his muzzle 
with my gun. Reflecting that we were some three miles from the 
ship, and the intervening ground very rough, and deep in places 
with snow, it struck me it would be an excellent thing if I could 
induce the wounded animal to transport its own carcase to the 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 19 


beach, and, consequently, by backing in the direction of the sea 
I got the Musk-ox to follow me. At last the animal stopped, 
and, losing all patience, I laid hold of it by the horns and 
endeavoured to drag it the way I wanted. This was too great 
an insult; the animal drew back, gave an angry snort, and, 
striking me in the stomach, knocked me nearly senseless into the 
snow, my rifle flying in another direction. Fortunately for me 
the beast did not follow up its advantage. I rolled away as soon 
as possible from under its nose, and, getting hold of my rifle 
again, shot it dead. 

After re-fitting the ‘ Alert’ with a new rudder, the passage of 
Robeson Channel was again attempted; but on the 30th August 
we were caught in the pack off Lincoln Bay, and our ship was in 
very great danger of being crushed. The ice which surrounded 
us when in the pack was of amazing thickness, the floe-pieces 
floating eight and ten feet above the water, or, in other words, 
representing fifty to a hundred feet of thickness. As these 
masses closed against one another their edges crumpled up, 
and ridges of hummocks reared themselves to a height of 
twenty feet above the level of the floes, overtopping the bulwarks 
of the ship. Fortunately we were protected to some extent by 
a quantity of rubble-ice, which was packed between the heavier 
floes, and, acting as a buffer, fended off the greater part. of the 
pressure, but the ship groaned and creaked, and the dismal sound 
of the ice crunching against her sides added to our discomfort, 
knowing that we were drifting helplessly with the wind and tide. 
Fortunately, however, we managed to clear out of the ice, and 
gained the shelter of Lincoln Bay just as a strong southerly gale 
came tearing up the channel. 

Whilst fastened to the land-ice of Lincoln Bay some of our 
party went on shore and brought back two Hares. One weighed 
nine pounds, the other only five and a half. Both had the 
ears tipped with black. The smaller of the two had a mal- 
formation of the skull, the nasal bones being twisted to the right 
and the incisors of the upper jaw deflected in that direction. In 
the lower jaw only the left incisor was developed, and that 
protruded in nearly a horizontal direction to the front. A dead 
Knot was picked up, and two Ivory Gulls were seen flying about 
the ship. Aldrich, when fixing ice-anchors, observed what he 
described as a yellowish-coloured worm-like creature wriggling in 


20 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the water, which measured about nine inches to a foot in length. 
This was, doubtless, a free-swimming Annelid. 

By the morning of the Ist September the strong gale from 
the south-west had pushed the pack so much off the shore that a 
water-way was visible as far as Cape Union. This we ran through 
under sail, and in the highest state of excitement ; but our joy 
was short-lived, for, after rounding Cape Union, the land, instead 
of stretching north, trended to the N.N.W. ‘The lane of water 
came to an end, and in front of us was the illimitable Polar pack. 
Under the lee of the stranded masses from the Polar floes we 
took shelter, and this spot afterwards, given the name of Floeberg 
Beach, became the winter-quarters of the ‘ Alert’ during 1875 
and 1876. 

It is hardly within my province to detail the various 
endeavours made to gain a more northern position. This has 
already been told by Captain Nares in his account of the voyage. 
I may merely state that it was some days before we could realize 
that our progress northward in the ship was at an end. We had 
to wait for clear weather, and many an ascent of the hills in the 
vicinity, then deep in snow, before we could force ourselves to 
believe that President Land, reported by the American ‘ Polaris’ 
Expedition, and laid down in their charts, was a myth. However, 
we were all, even the most sanguine, forced at length to admit that 
such was the case. 

As soon as Floeberg Beach had been finally designated as the 
place for wintering, the greatest activity prevailed amongst our 
small crew; provisions had to be landed, spars lowered, anchors 
and cables taken on shore, and, besides, preparations had to 
be made for the serious work of the Expedition, namely, 
advancing by sledge-parties, the depots of provisions to be used 
in the explorations of the following year. 

The country in the vicinity of our winter-quarters at that 
time presented a very dismal appearance; the new fallen snow lay 
thick and soft, the young ice was forming rapidly over the pools 
between the grounded pack and the shore. We were also sub- 
jected to fog and snowstorms, with a daily falling temperature. 
Animal life was very scarce ; a few Eider Ducks, a family-party of 
Long-tailed Ducks, a few Turnstones, a single Snow Bunting, a 
Dovekie, and a Hare were all that we saw in the neighbourhood. 
On the 5th September Markham and Aldrich, whilst sledging in 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 21 


the direction of Cape Joseph Henry, came across eleven Hider 
Ducks in a small patch of water near the entrance of Dumbell 
Bay. ‘Three were old birds, the others about three-parts grown. 
They shot five of them with their rifles, but finding that the ice 
around the pool was too thin to support them they had to leave 
the dead birds. A Turnstone kept flying around, and when the 
firing ceased alighted on one of the dead ducks which had been 
shot through the head, and greedily devoured the brains and 
exposed flesh. This shows to what straits the birds visiting the 
Polar zone are sometimes reduced to at times, for I have already 
noticed the finding of a Turnstone with its stomach filled with 
the seeds of Draba alpina. 

During the whole of the month of September and up to the 
middle of October, when the sun disappeared, sledge-parties were 
absent from the ship. All engaged in these operations suffered 
more or less from the dangers and discomforts inseparable from 
autumn-sledging. Three men on returning to the ship had to 
submit to amputation of part of their feet on account of frost-bite, 
and several others were laid up and disabled foralong time. They 
had the satisfaction, however, of knowing that the work they had 
been engaged on was admirably performed, and that a large depot of 
provisions had been placed in advance on the northern coast-line, 
in readiness for next year’s sledging.. 

The result of our zoological observations during these 
journeys was very meagre. Aldrich, and Frederic our Green- 
lander, saw a seal, Phoca hispida, in a pool of water not far from 
Cape Joseph Henry, in lat. 82° 47’ N.; another was killed at 
Dumbell Harbour, lat. 82° 30’ N., by Dr. Moss; a few Hares 
were seen and secured; the tracks of Foxes, Lemmings, and 
Ermine were seen, but not the animals themselves; and I found 
the skeleton of a Musk-ox in lat. 82° 33’ N. Only a few birds 
were met with; a pair of Long-tailed Ducks were shot on 
September 16th; a Snow Bunting was seen on the 14th of the 
same month, in lat. 82° 35’ N. Markham came across four 
Ptarmigan, Lagopus rupestris, in lat 82° 40’ N., on September 29th; 
and the last bird seen in the autumn of 1875 was a Snowy Owl, 
on October 2nd. When returning on that date to the ship 
I noticed a large white bird perched on the top of a hummock. 
On going to the cabin for a gun I found my companions seated 
at dinner, so, being unwilling to disturb them, foolishly went in 


22 THE ZOOLOGISY. 


pursuit of the bird by myself; it was snowing at the time, and the 
spaces between the hummocks being filled up with drift, hid the 
cracks and were very treacherous. When I got within about 
seventy yards of the bird the snow and slush gave way beneath 
me, and I sunk through the snow above my middle into water 
over my knees, without feeling bottom, but by good luck I 
managed to scramble out on to a firm piece of ice. After firing a 
parting salute at the owl, which made it flap off lazily to the 
southward, I ran back to the ship at my best pace, but before I 
reached it that portion of my clothing which had been immersed 
was frozen as hard as any board. With my present experience 
I should think twice before chasing a bird over unsolidified pack 
in the winter, and certainly would not dream of doing so again 
without a companion and a piece of rope. 

The finding a species of Charr, (Salmo arcturus, Giinther), 
in a small lake in lat. 82° 84’ N., was of importance, as it 
convinced us that these pieces of fresh water cannot freeze to 
the bottom during winter. Dr. Giinther states that this 
salmonoid comes nearest to the Charr of Killin, Inverness- 
shire, but cannot be considered identical. In the stomach of 
one I examined, captured in October, I found a perfect and 
beautiful Hydrachna, and the remains of some dipterous 
insects. It is an interesting and unsolved problem with me, 
how these fresh-water fish got to the lakes they now occupy. 
The pieces of fresh water in which we found them are at no great 
altitude above the present sea-level, and in every instance 
communicate with the sea, whilst the area in which they are 
situated is undoubtedly one of rapid upheaval. These lakes are 
fed by the melting of the surrounding snow, and have no 
communication with lakes at a higher altitude, which, if ever 
they existed, are now hidden by the perpetual snow. Still I think 
it more likely that these Charr are the descendants of an ancient 
race that retreated to the shore-line as the land rose, and their old 
habitats became buried in snow, than immigrants from the sea in 
modern times; for all the species of Charr with which we are 
acquainted are essentially fresh-water fish. In the Feroe Islands, 
which apparently have been separated from the continent of 
Europe since Miocene times, a species of Charr is found; and 
it would be very desirable to compare Froese specimens with 
those from Grinnell Land. 


— 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 23 


Our allies the Eskimo dogs did us good service during the 
autumn-sledging. At one time we had thirty of them on board 
the ‘Alert,’ but disease and weeding-out the worthless ones 
reduced the pack to about one-half that number by the com- 
mencement of winter. ‘The origin of the peculiar disease to 
which these animals are subject has not yet been explained. In 
one form the disease commenced with staggering, accompanied 
by foaming at the mouth. Between the paroxysms the 
unfortunate animals wandered about in a half-conscious state, 
snapping at everything that came in their way, their countenances 
exhibiting a peculiarly distressed and anxious appearance. In 
most cases the disease was accompanied by great constipation, 
which, with some, yielded to a drastic purge of croton oil, whilst 
the later stage of collapse was alleviated, and in one or two 
instances overcome, by giving warm soup and stimulants. Another 
form of attack was very common on the sledge-journeys. When 
running, the dog would give a yelp and roll over on its back, the 
legs jerking spasmodically, and foam in many cases pouring from 
the mouth. The animal generally recovered from these attacks in 
a few minutes, and would renew its pulling with the team, but for 
the rest of the day would have a foolish, dazed expression. That 
in some cases the animals were semi-conscious during these 
attacks was shown by their anxiety to get away from the 
neighbourhood of water, of which they stand in considerable 
dread, experience having taught them that, when sledging, the 
presence of water and treacherous ice may be coupled together. 
That the disease is not true rabies is certain, for there is no 
evidence that it is transmissible by a bite; neither has a case of 
hydrophobia ever been recorded from the settlements in 
Greenland, where the disease has been rife. The recovery also 
of many of the animals attacked is still further proof, if necessary. 
It is very evident that darkness is not the producing cause of the 
disease, for our pack suffered as much, if not more, in the period 
of perpetual daylight as during the winter. The disease attacked 
dogs of the pure Eskimo breed and those showing a cross with 
rigid impartiality, and we could detect no difference in the 
symptoms occurring in either strain. Still more singular is the 
fact that during the summer of the following year, a beautiful 
black retriever bitch, brought from England by Captain Markham, 
which lived in the wardroom and enjoyed excellent health during 


24 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the winter, was attacked when out walking with me in a 
precisely similar manner to the Eskimo dogs. From that date 
until her arrival in England she sickened and pined away, but 
immediately after landing recovered, and is now as healthy 
an animal as one would wish to see. A cat now iu my possession, 
and in perfect health, used to be seized with fits, of precisely the 
same description as those which attacked the dogs, when taken 
on the upper deck, to which she had the greatest aversion, even 
in summer. The Eskimo dogs, though voracious and filthy 
feeders,* could not be induced to eat bread-biscuit or even meat- 
biscuits which had been brought from England especially on their 
account. On October 13th, Egerton, who had been driving a dog- — 
team, told me that two of his dogs had been taken with fits, on his 
return journey, and that a third, when close to the ship, gave a 
yelp and rolled over dead. This animal he had brought alongside 
for me on the sledge. When I got hold of the dog it had not 
been dead more than ten minutes, and, though exposed to a 
temperature of minus 10° F., was quite limp, so I conveyed it 
below and placed it in a cabin with a temperature varying from 
+33° to +38 F°. There it remained seventeen hours, and at the 
expiration of that time I went to dissect it. Much to my surprise 
I found its abdominal regions in a state of putrefaction, and the 
smell in the cabin so overpowering that it had to be washed out 
with carbolic acid and hot water to render it habitable. I opened 
the heads of several of these animals, and, in accordance with a 
suggestion of Professor Huxley, searched but without success for 
Pentastomum, a large-sized vermiform parasite which occurs in 
the frontal sinuses of the dog. The period of gestation with the 
female of the Eskimo dog is precisely the same as that of other 
domesticated dogs. 


*Stercore humano precipué gaudent. Per longam hiemem apud Floeberg 
Beach hoe pabulo, pre ceteris omnibus, vesci solebant ita ut canes stercorarios 
accuratius eos vocares. Quin etiam, quum itinera facerent, ipse auriga ne ventrem 
quidem laxare ausus est, nisi fusti aut flagello armatus, quo avidos canum greges 
arceret. 


(To be continued.) 


25 


THE LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF 
MAYO AND SLIGO. 


By Amy WARREN. 


So Far as I am aware, no catalogue of the Mollusca of these 
counties has been published, and, as local lists from remote 
districts are always interesting to naturalists, I have ventured to 
send you the following catalogue of the shells I have collected in 
this part of Ireland. The area that I have hitherto worked has 
been very limited, extending only a few miles into either county 
from Ballina. I am the more induced to forward it, short as it 
is, in the hope that other conchologists who may have collected 
beyond this area may help to complete the catalogue by sending 
to ‘The Zoologist’ the result of their researches. 

The nomenclature and arrangement which I have adopted is 
that of Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys, who has very kindly named some of 
the specimens for me. J must also express my acknowledgments 
to Mr. A. G. More for having obligingly assisted me in deter- 
mining some of the rarer forms. 


I. TERRESTRIAL MOLLUSCA. 
UNIVALVES (GASTEROPODA). 


Fam. Limacip2. 


Arion ater. The Black Slug.—Common everywhere. 

A. hortensis. The Garden Slug.—Very common in gardens. 

Limaz gagates. The Brown Slug.—Common in the garden 
here at Moyview. During the rainy weather of the past autumn 
I got several on the cabbages. Mr. Norman has given a very 
good description of this slug in ‘The Zoologist’ for 1853, and has 
remarked that when at rest it assumes a more rounded form than 
any other member of the genus, contracting and squeezing itself 
into so small a compass that its height is but little exceeded by 
its length. Its slime is thick and glutinous, resembling varnish. 

L. marginatus. Sowerby’s Slug.—I have found three examples 
of this slug in the woods at Moyview. 

L. agrestis. The Field Slug—Is only too abundant. It 
caused great destruction in the oat-fields this year, cutting down 


the young plants in vast quantities. 
E 


26 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


L. arborum. The Tree Slug —Common in the woods. It 
prefers old trees, feeding on the decayed wood and not touching 
the leaves. 

L. maximus. The Great Slug.—This is not so common as 
the two last-named species. 


Fam. HELIcID=. 


Succinea elegans. The Slender Amber Snail. — Abundant 
beside every stream. I have not yet found any other species of 
Succinea here. 
 Vitrina pellucida. The Transparent Glass Shell.—Everywhere 
distributed under wet leaves in hedgerows and in woods. 

Zonites cellarius. The Cellar Snail.—Common, in cellars and 
drains, and under loose bricks and large stones. 

Z. nitidulus. The Shining Snail.—Moyview woods, Sligo. 

Z. purus. The Clear-shelled Snail.—Sparingly under moss. 

Z. nitidus. The Glossy Snail.—I met with a few specimens 
in a marsh on the glebe lands of Killanley, Sligo. 

Z. crystallinus. The Crystalline Snail. Common. 

Z. fulvus. The Tawny Snail. In marshy land at Moyview 
and Killanley. 

Helix aculeata. The Prickly Snail. Rare in this district. 
I have only found it in one spot, namely, in one of the Moyview 
woods amongst mossy stones. 

H. aspersa. The Common Garden Snail.—Abundant. I have 
found a pale yellow and white variety on the ruined walls of Moyne 
Abbey, near Killala, Mayo. 

H. nemoralis. 'The Wood Snail.—Generally distributed, and 
exceedingly numerous on the sand-hills of Bartragh Island, 
Killala Bay, where the var. hortensis is also common, and their 
colours are more bright and varied than I haye seen in any other 
locality. 

H. rufescens. The Rufescent Snail.—Most abundant. 

H. hispida. The Bristly Snail.— Common. 

H. sericea. The Silky Snail.—I have obtained this species in 
one locality only. It is abundant in a small field of moist meadow 
land on Killanley Glebe. I think it must be rare in Ireland, for 
Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys has not mentioned an Irish locality for it in 
his valuable work on British Conchology. 

H. caperata. ‘The Wrinkled Snail.— Rather common. 


LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF MAYO AND SLIGO. 27 


H. ericetorwm. The Heath Snail.—So numerous that on a 
moist day in summer it is difficult to avoid crushing them at 
every step as they crowd on the grassy pathways. 

H. rotundata. 'The Rounded Snail—Common everywhere. 

H. rupestris. The Little Wall Snail. Numerous on old walls. 

H. pygmea. The Pygmy Snail.— Generally distributed, 
although not numerous. 

H. pulchella. The White Snail.—Common. 

Bulimus acutus. The Banded Twist Shell.—Abundant on the 
sand-hills of Bartragh Island, and also on those of Enniscrone on ~ 
the Sligo side of the bay. 

Pupa ringens, Jeffreys.—Sparingly at Moyview and Killanley ; 
abundant in the old woods of Belleek Manor, the seat of Sir 
Charles Knox Gore, near Ballina. 

P. umbilicata. The Umbilicated Chrysalis Shell.—Common. 

P. marginata. The Margined Chrysalis Shell.—Hitherto 
I have only found the dead shells of this species once on the 
sandy shore of Bartragh, and on another occasion at Enniscrone, 
where I procured several, in company with Vertigo angustior, 
washed up on the sands by the little river flowing past the village. 

Vertigo antivertigo. The Marsh Whorl Shell.— Generally 
distributed. — 

V. pygmea. The Dwarf Whorl Shell.—Common. 

V. substriata. The Slightly-striate Whorl Shell.—A few speci- 
mens at Killanley only. 

V. angustior. The Narrower Whorl Shell.—I have found this 
rare shell in the marshy meadow at Killanley Glebe, and a 
few weathered shells on the margin of the river at Enniscrone. 
Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys only mentions two Irish localities for it, one 
in the Co. Clare and the other at Connemara in the Co. Galway. 

V. edentula. The Toothless Whorl Shell.—Under wet leaves 
in one of the woods at Moyview it is rather abundant. I have also 
found a few at Killanley. 

Balia perversa, vel fragilis. The Fragile Moss Shell.— 
Generally distributed. 

Clausilia rugosa, vel nigricans. The Dark Close Shell.— 
Abundant everywhere. 

Cochlicopa lubrica. The Common Varnished Shell.—Plentiful. 

Carychium minimum. The Little Sedge Shell—Numerous 
everywhere under moss, 


28 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


II. AQUATIC MOLLUSCA. 
BIVALVES (CONCHIFERA). 


Order LAMELLIBRANCHIATA. 
Fam. SpH®= RUDE. 


Spherium corneum. The Horn-coloured Spherium.—Common 
in several small lakes in the district; and in Lough Conn, Mayo, 
T have found also the var. flavescens. 

Pisidium fontinale. The Stream Pea Shell.—Common. 

P. pusillum. The Little Pea Shell.—Still more common and 
numerous than the last-named. 

P. nitidum. The Glossy Pea Shell.—Cloonagh Lough is the 
only locality where I have obtained this bright little shell. 

P. roseum. The Rosy Pea Shell.—Rather rare. 


Fam. UNIONID2. 


Unio margaritifer. The Pearl Mussel.—Mr. Little, of the 
Moy Salmon Fishery, has given me several very fine specimens of 
this shell, taken by the fishermen from the Moy above the weirs 
at Ballina. I have also got some from Mr. Symes, of the 
Geological Survey, procured by him, I believe, in the river at 
Newport, Mayo. 

Anodon cygnea. The Swan Mussel.—Numerous in Cloonagh 
Lough, and Mr. Little has given me two young shells from the 
Moy. 

Order PECTINIBRANCHIATA. 
Fam. NERITIDE. 


Neritina fluviatilis. The River Neritina.—This peculiar and 
pretty little shell I have found in Cloonagh Lough, a little moor- 
land lake about a mile and a half from Ballina, on the Mayo side, 
and in Lough Talt, situated in the Ox Mountains, Sligo. Dead 
shells have also been taken from the mill-race of Bunru Mills, 
near Ballina. 


Fam. PALuDINIDz. 


Bythinia tentaculata. The Tentacled Bythinia. — Common 
everywhere. 


LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF MAYO AND SLIGO. 29 


Fam. VALVATIDS. 


Valvata piscinalis. The Common Valve Shell.— Generally 
distributed. 

V. cristata. The Crested Valve Shell.—I have obtained this 
species in two places only, viz., in a pond at Dooneen, Sligo, 
where it is plentiful; and in a slow stream near Enniscrone, 
Sligo, where I have found a few specimens. 


Order PULMONOBRANCHIATA. 
Fam. Limn2z1pDz&. 


Planorbis nautileus. The Nautilus Coil Shell. — Somewhat 
rare. I have taken a few shells in Raroneen Lake, Mayo, and 
the var. cristata in a slow stream in Castletown demesne, Sligo. 

P. albus. The White Coil Shell.—Cloonagh Lough only. 

P. glaber. The Smooth Coil Shell.—Very rare. I have only 
procured it on one occasion, when I found two or three in a slow 
stream near Enniscrone, Sligo. 

P. spirorbis. The Round-spired Coil Shell.—Very common 
in old bog-drains. 

P. contortus. The Twisted Coil Shell—Common and gene- 
rally distributed. 

Physa hypnorum. The Slender Bubble Shell. — Extremely 
abundant in an old bog-drain near Castletown, Sligo. The 
specimens met with, however, are all of small size. The largest 
I have seen here were given me by Capt. W. K. Dover, taken by 
him from a deserted quarry-hole at Knockroe, Sligo. 

P. fontinalis. The Stream Bubble Shell. — Generally dis- 
tributed. 

Limnea peregra. The Wandering Mud Shell.— Common 
everywhere. 

L. stagnalis. The Pond Mud Shell.—Generally distributed. 

L. palustris. The Marsh Mud Shell.—Common. 

L. truncatula. The Truncate Mud Shell.—General, though 
not plentiful. 

Ancylus fluviatilis. The River Limpet.—In several localities 
on and under stones in shallow water as well as on submerged 
leaves. 


30 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


WoaseEL assuuine A Wuire Winter Coat.—On November 25th, 1878, 
a female Weasel was killed at Northrepps, Norfolk, which was evidently 
assuming a white winter coat, a circumstance which is very rare in the 
Weasel, though not uncommon in the Stoat. In this specimen the front 
and sides of the head are already quite white, and white hairs are appearing 
amongst the brown ones, in all those parts of the animal which are 
normally brown, and especially on the flanks and tail.—J. H. Gurney 
(Northrepps Hall, Norwich). 


OccURRENCE OF THE BLACK-THROATED WHEATEAR IN LANCGASHIRE.— 
At a meeting of the Zoological Society held on the 9th November last, 
Mr. Sclater exhibited a specimen of the Black-throated Wheatear, Saaicola 
stapazina, which had been shot at Bury, in Lancashire, on or about the 
8th May, 1875, and read an extract concerning it from a notice communicated 
by Mr. R. Davenport, of Bury, to ‘ Science Gossip’ of October Ist, 1878. 
From this communication, and from subsequent correspondence with 
Mr. Davenport (Proc. Zool. Soe., 3rd Dec., 1878), it appears that the bird 
in question was shot by Mr. David Page, of Bury, on the margin of the 
Bury and Radcliffe Reservoir, and was taken in the flesh to Mr. Wright 
Johnson, of Prestwick, to be mounted. Mr. Johnson ascertained the sex by 
dissection to bea male. This is believed to be the first time this bird has 
been met with in the British Islands. It is figured by Mr. Dresser (‘ Birds 
of Europe,’ part xxv.), under the name Saaicola rufa.—J. KE. Harrine. 


Sapine’s Snipe in Lancasnrre.—I have just set up an adult female 
Sabine’s Snipe, which was killed near Rufford, twelve miles from Liverpool, 
during the second week of December, and was brought to me along with a 
Spotted Crake. I have preserved the ovary for my own collection, and, 
without breaking the egg-bag, counted 268 eggs; whence it appears to me 
that it is one of the most abundantly supplied wild birds I know. The 
form of the ovary in Sabine’s Snipe is peculiar; it is broadest at the top, 
narrowing down to two eggs in width, like a long narrow bunch of grapes, 
three-sixteenths of an inch wide at the top, and fully three-eighths of an inch 
long. I have taken care also of the sternum. The severe weather of the 
second week of December brought myriads of birds to our flat coast. My 
warren man supplied to our market six hundred dozens of Sky Larks, all of 
which passed under my eye, yet there was not the variation of a feather 
amongst them. Fieldfares and Redwings are abundant, while Song 
Thrushes are in hundreds—aye, thousands—C, S Gregson (Rose Bank, 
Fletcher Grove, Liverpool). 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 31 


DISAPPEARANCE oF Sxy Larxs.—Mr. Robert Service, of Maxwelltown, 
N. B., attributes the diminution in the number of Sky Larks in that district 
to Starlings destroying their eggs. Without wishing or being able to 
disprove the fact, I think (speaking from experience in the Midland 
Counties of England) that the excessive rains and floods of the last few 
years, at the nesting time of these birds, have more to do with their decrease 
than the Starlings. In the Dove and Trent meadows especially, num- 
bers of nests of Sky Larks, Meadow Pipits, Yellow Wagtails, Reed 
Buntings, and Landrails have been destroyed during the last few years, the 
result being that in such districts these birds are not nearly so numerous 
as they formerly were——H. G. Tomutnson (Burton-on-Trent). 


STARLINGS DESTROYING Larxs’ Eaes.—With your permission I should 
like to pass a few remarks on the notes which have appeared in the 
‘Zoologist,’ respecting Starlings and Larks (Zool. 1878, pp. 427, 451). 
It is certainly new to me this asserted egg-destroying propensity on the 
part of the Starling, and from my own experience with these birds, no 
small one by the way, I am loth to believe it. Here, near Sheffield, 
Starlings breed in numbers, and throughout the year frequent the pastures 
in search of food; the Sky Lark, too, abounds, yet, so far as I can learn, 
both species live in peace together. The Starling, as is well known, is a 
gregarious bird, and seeks its food, as a rule, in flocks. Now these flocks, if 
closely observed, will seldom if ever be found on the breeding-grounds of the 
Sky Lark (which by the way is usually amongst the mowing grass, or in the 
corn-fields), but seek their sustenance on the pasture lands, so that a Lark’s 
nest would rarely be met with. Sky Larks, though gregarious in the 
autumn and winter months, at the approach of spring separate into pairs 
and spread over the entire district, seldom more than one or two pairs 
inhabiting the same field, so that the chance of their nests being 
plundered by the Starlings would be reduced to a minimum. Again, 
admitting that Starlings are partial to their eggs, which I deny, are 
not the parent birds well able to protect their charge? The disappearance 
of the Sky Larks may probably be explained by a migratory movement in 
search of food, and when spring time once more arrives they will 
doubtless reappear in their usual numbers. Again, are not the eggs of all 
other ground birds exposed to the same danger,—the Pipits, the Wagtails, 
and the Chats,—and may not the Weasel, the Foumart, or even Field Mice 
be answerable for these robberies, if it can well be proved that such robberies 
take place? Do not, I pray, cast blame upon the poor Starling, for not a 
more harmless bird exists. —Cuartes Dixon (Heeley, near Sheffield). 


Lirrte Aux near Norwica.—A Little Auk was picked up yesterday 
(December 17th), in this parish, and brought to me alive.—J. H. Gurney, 
Jun. (Northrepps, Norwich). 


32 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Lirtte Own In SoMERSETSHIRE.—A Little Owl was killed here in 
March, 1878, by a young man whose attention was directed to it by a 
number of small birds fluttering round the tree in which it was perched. 
The skin is now in my possession. It is a bad specimen, as the bird 
was, unfortunately, allowed to remain unskinned for a week after death.— 
G. W. BratKxEenripGE (Clevedon, Somerset). 


Honey BuzzarD IN THE [sLE oF WicuHtT.—Mr. F. Smith, taxidermist, 
of Newport, informs me that a handsome bird of this species, in perfect 
plumage, was shot on the 7th October by Mr. H. Jacobs, of Sandown, while 
in the act of robbing a wasps’ nest. It had torn out the comb, and was 
preying on the larvee, some of which were found in the gullet on dissection. 
This is, so far as I know, the first instance of its capture in the island, nor 
have I heard of its being even seen, though the Rey. C. Bury, who some 
years since published a list of the birds of the island, says that a Buzzard 
seen by some one (no ornithologist) ‘‘ was probably the Honey Buzzard.”— 
Henry Haprirexp (High Cliff, Ventnor). 

[Mr. A. G. More, in his “ List of Birds” appended to Venables’ ‘ Guide 
to the Isle of Wight,’ observes (p. 428), ‘the Honey and Rough-legged 
Buzzards have each been once killed in the island.”—Ep.] 


Cote Ti? NESTING ON THE GRouND.— Mr. Butterfield refers (Zool. 
1878, p. 351) to a Cole Tit’s nest in a hole in a bank as being in an 
“abnormal situation.” I am inclined to think it is not an uncommon 
occurrence for this species to build in the ground, for I once found no less 
than three nests in an exactly similar situation in Scotland, viz. in a steep 
slope covered with pine trees; a wall of loose stones on the top of the slope 
containing a fourth nest. Several authors, among others Selby, Yarrell, Bech- 
stein, Sharpe and Dresser, mention holes in the ground as being oceasionally 
selected by the Cole Tit for nesting purposes. In the spring of the past 
year I found a nest of the Marsh Tit in the ground at the root of a tree in 
the New Forest. In this case trees full of holes abounded on every side.— 
J. Youna (5, Denbigh Road, W.). 


Birds 1x Hype Parx.—On March 26th last I noticed a Pied Wagtail, 
Motacilla Yarrellii, very busy after insects on the banks at the eastern end 
of the Serpentine. On April 5th, a female Wheatear was on the parade- 
ground opposite the Barracks; it appeared fatigued, having perhaps only 
just arrived. On June 16th I put up a Sky Lark near the Deputy Ranger’s 
Lodge. On July 4th I saw the Cuckoo three times in the trees opposite 
Grosvenor Gate.—Epwarp Hamurron (Portugal Street, Grosvenor Square). 


KINGFISHER FEEDING oN Newrs.—At a small pond near here, a few 
weeks since, a gentleman killed one of these birds with a newt in its mouth. 
There are no fish in the pond or within three-quarters of a mile of it. Two 
other birds, he tells me, frequent the same pond, or large puddle, for whose 
lives I have interceded.—H. G. Tomiinson (Burton-on-Trent). 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 33 


DeatH oF Mr. Grorce Dawson Rowiry.—An estimable gentleman 
and an accomplished scholar and naturalist has passed away, in the person 
of the late Mr. George Dawson Rowley, whose death took place at Brighton 
on the 21st November. For some months past he had been in failing 
health, consequent upon a serious attack of pulmonary hemorrhage, and his 
condition, while necessitating the greatest care of himself, had long been a 
source of much anxiety to his friends. Unable to take that active outdoor 
exercise, an indulgence in which is induced by an ardent taste for natural 
history, he had perforce to content himself at home with those resources 
which a well-stored mind has ever at command; and with a study of the 
many valuable objects of zoological and antiquarian interest which were’ 
to be found in his museum. From time to time the result of his 
researches found their way into print in the pages of ‘ The Zoologist,’ the 
‘Field,’ the ‘ Ibis,’ and the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society,’ as well as 
in occasional pamphlets. His most important undertaking, however, was 
his ‘ Ornithological Miscellany,’ a quarto periodical, printed at his own 
expense, and beautifully illustrated with coloured plates. In this work, 
which will form a lasting monument to his memory, many species of 
exceeding rarity and beauty are figured and described, either by himself 
or others of the many able naturalists who contributed to his pages. In 
addition, Mr. Rowley, at the time of his death, had made considerable 
progress with an important work upon the Garefowl or Great Auk, Alca 
impennis, of which bird, now believed to be extinct, he was the fortunate 
possessor of two skins and half a dozen eggs. Amongst the other 
manuscripts which he has left are “ Bits and Fragments round a Saxon 
Saint,” “Chronicles of the Rowleys,” and notes for “A History of 
Huntingdonshire” (in which county, as well as in Rutlandshire, he 
possessed family property), besides several other unpublished essays of an 
historical and antiquarian character. Mr. Rowley was the eldest son of the 
late Mr. George William Rowley, of Priory Hill, Huntingdonshire, and was 
born on May 8rd, 1822. He married in 1849, Caroline Frances, only 
daughter of Archdeacon Lindsay, by whom he leaves an only son, George 
Fydell Rowley. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, 
where he graduated M.A., and was a Fellow of the Linnean and 
Zoological Societies. He was deputy-lieutenant for Rutland, high sheriff 
for that county in 1870, and a justice of the peace for Huntingdonshire, 
Lincolnshire, and Rutland. His death will be regretted by a large circle 
of friends, as well as by his many brother naturalists, to whom he was 
ever ready to impart the results of his study and experience, and who 
are indebted to him, through his published writings, for much valuable 
information, 


34 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Socruty oF Lonpon. 


November 21, 1878.—Dr. Gwyn Jurrreys, F.R.S., Vice-President, in 
the chair. 

Messrs. Thowas Davidson, F.R.S. (Brighton), and Frederick James 
Faraday (Manchester), were elected icllows of the Society. 

Only one zoological paper was read, namely, “A Preliminary Report 
on the Mollusca dredged by the Staff of H.M.S. ‘Challenger,’” by the 
Rev. R. Boog Watson, B.A. The mass of material received by the author 
was ackuowledged to have been enormous. The mere arrangement of the 
labelled shells into groups was no ordinary task, remembering that every 
probable species and its locality had to be kept separate, and allied forms 
placed in contiguity for reference and subsequent comparison. Then 
followed the sifting of the dried dredgings, picking ont and assortiug the 
minute, almost microscopic shells, succeeded by the examination of those 
preserved in spirits; sitnultaveously authorities ard types iu museums 
and private collections had to be consulied—all which matters required a 
considerable expenditure of time and trouble. In this way over 2000 
separate lots, including from 1200 to 1500 distinct species, have been 
already gone over and differentiated. This is irrespective of the Brachiopods, 
which Mr. Davidson has undertaken, and the Cephalopods, Pteropods and 
Nudibranchs, which will be worked out by other specialists. The author 
then proceeded to give a detailed account of the Solenoconchia, comprising 
three genera of Mollusca, viz. (1) Dentaliwm, (2) Siphodentalium, and 
(3) Cadulus. The general plan adopted by him is to give, after the 
name and synonym or other reference, the station, date, geographical 
position, depth taken from, and nature of bottom; then a description 
of the animal when available, description of the shell, differences in 
processes of growth, avd general remarks and comparisons. The species 
of Dentalium are eighteen in all; of these eleven are new forms, as 
follows :—D. ageum, D. amphialum, D ceras, D. diarrhox, D. leptoceles, 
D. circumeinctum, D. acutissimum, D. compressum, D. didymum, D. yoko- 
hamense, and D. tornatum; the remainder already known consist of 
D. capillosum, D. entalis, D. longirostrum, D. subterfussum, D. dentalis, 
D.javanum, and D, ensiculus. The D. capillosum, Jeffreys (vide ‘ Valorous’ 
Exped. Report Roy. Soc.), was obtained by the ‘Challenger’ staff off the 
Azores, in globigerina ooze, at 1000 fathoms depth. A new variety of this 
species (var. paucicostatum, Watson), also obtained, has about forty instead 
of sixty-five longitudinal riblets. Of the D. entalis, Linn., three varieties 
were met with—viz. the var. striolatum, Stimps., agile, Sars, and var. 
orthrum, Watson. ‘The first of these was dredged off Halifax, the second 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 35 


at Gomera, Canaries, and the third at Estubal, Fayal, the Azores, and 
Prince Edward Island. Their geographical distribution is doubly inte- 
resting when taken in connexion with antiquity of the species, Dr. Gwyn 
Jeffreys (following Herr Hornes) carryiug it back to the Miocene age. It 
appears from a study of D. acutissimum that, with reference to the form 
of the apex of the shell, separation of the Dentalia by the absence (in 
Dentalium) or preseuce (in Entalis) of the cleft process cannot be main- 
tained. D. subterfussum, Jeff., was got in globigerina coze at the Azores, 
in volcanic sand at the Canaries, and in mud at Pernambuco. The animal 
is unknown. Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys dredged it, in 1869, off the west coast of 
Ireland. D. dentalis, Linn., now living in the Mediterraneav, South-West 
of France, and the Canaries, the ‘Challenger’ Expedition met with at Fayal, 
Azores, and Simon’s Bay, Cape of Good Hope. ‘Ihe species of Sipho- 
dentalium, seven in number, are all new to Science; these are, S. plata- 
modes, 8. tytthum, S. pusillum, S. tetraschistum, 8. dichelum, 8. prionotum, 
and 8. eboracense. Amovg the species of the genus Cadulus nine are new 
and ove a variety: the list-runs, C. colubridens, C. vulpidens, C. rastridens, 
C. sauridens, C. gracilis, Jeff., C. simillimus, C. curtis, aud the var. congruens, 
C. obesus, CO. tumidosus, Jeff., C. exiguus, and C. ampullaceus. Of the 
entire series of the three genera of Solenoconchia, as above mentioned, 
thirty-six species and four varieties are herewith recorded, whereof twenty 
may be regarded as hitherto unknown. 

Three botanical papers were read:—“ On Branch-tubers and 'Tendrils 
of Vitis'gonyylodes,” by Mr. R. Irwin Lynch; “On the Symplocacee,” by 
Mr. John Miers; and “On Aly@ of Lake Nyassa,” by Prof. G. Dickie. 


December 5, 1878.—Prof. Attman, F'.R.S., President, in the chair. 

The following gentlemen were elected Fellows of the Society:—G. F. 
Dowdeswell, Wimbledon; Arthur Hammond, Sheerness; Thomas Han- 
bury, Addiscombe, Croydon; Joseph Sidebotham, F'.R.A.S., Bowdon, 
Cheshire; William Thomson, South Yarra, Melbourne; and Charles A, 
Wright, C.M.Z.S., Kew. 

The first zoological paper read was “ On some Coleoptera (collected by 
Charles Darwin) of Geographical Interest,” by Frederick H. Waterhouse. 
The insects in question have lain undetermined for a great many years, 
and all prove new to science. Phytosus Darwinii, from ihe Falklands, has 
unusually long slender claws; Choleva Falklandica is elliptical shaped 
and strongly punctated; Elmis brunnea and Anthicus Wollastonit, from 
St. Helena, are noteworthy, for even the late Mr. Wollaston (‘ Coleopt. 
St. Helena’) does not record either genus as existent there: Scaphisome 
elongatum, from Rio Janeiro, is the first species of the genus known to 
inhabit South America ; and the Prosthetops (P. capensis) is a novel genus, 
with two ocelli, from South Africa. 


36 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Dr. Francis Day gave a summary of his third and concluding paper, 
« On the Geographical Distribution of Indian Freshwater Fishes,” in this 
contribution dealing with the families Scombresocide, Cyprinodontide, 
Cyprinida, Notopteride and Symbranchide. Among the eighty-seven genera 
two only are African, thirty-two extend to the Malay Archipelago, and 
twelve are common to Africa and Malaya. Of three hundred and sixty-nine 
species two are African, twenty-seven Malayan, and two common to both 
regions. In short, the Indian freshwater fish affinities preponderate to 
those of the Indo-Chinese and Malayan subregions; thus supporting 
Mr. Alfred Wallace’s opinions, and in opposition to the views held by 
Mr. Blanford, who gives greater weight to African relationships, at least so 
far as mammals are concerned. Dr. Day, moreover, believes that the Indian 
freshwater fishes owe their derivation to three subordinate separate faunas :— 
(1) That belonging to the Ghauts, Ceylon, the Himalayas, and the Malay 
Archipelago, wherein may be distinguished two fish races, a Palearctic and 
a Malayan. (2) A fish fauna of the plains west of the Indus, with an 
African element in it. (3) That spread over the plains east of the Indus, 
and by far the largest, which appears to have a Burmese connection. 

The abstract was read of a second contribution, ‘On the Mollusca of 
the ‘ Challenger’ Expedition,” by the Rev. R. Boog Watson. Of the four 
genera of Trochide, that of Sequinzia has two new species, and other 
information is given; Basillissa is a new genus, whose labial and basal 
sinus connect it with Sequinzia, while both genera present Pleurotomaria 
features; Gaza, also a new genus, is utterly distinct from anything known 
in the family, in which a reverted thickened lip is an entire anomaly; and 
the third new genus, Bembia, presents the novel feature of an epidermis.— 
J. Murie. 


ZooLoaicaL Society or Lonpon. 


November 19, 1878.—A. Grote, Esq., Vice-President, in the chair. 

Mr. Sclater exhibited and made remarks on an adult specimen, in full 
plumage, of the Black-throated Stonechat, Sawicola stapazina, which had 
been obtained in Lancashire, and had been sent for exhibition by Mr. R. 
Davenport. The species had not been previously recorded as occurring in 
the British Isles, and was an interesting addition to the list of “ Accidental 
Visitors.” 

The Secretary read two letters he had received from Dr. A. B. Meyer 
and Mr. A. D. Bartlett in reference to the communication read at the last 
meeting from Mr. Everett respecting the supposed existence of the Anoa 
(Anoa depressicornis) in the Philippines. 

Professor Owen read a memoir on the relative positions to their 
constrictors of the chambered shells of Cephalopods. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 37 


Sir Victor Brooke, Bart., read a paper on the classification of the 
Cervide, and gave a synoptical list of the existing species of this family. 
A second paper by Sir V. Brooke contained the description of a new species 
of Gazelle from Eastern Africa, which the author proposed to name 
Gazella Walleri, after its discoverer, Mr. Gerald Waller. 

Professor A. H. Garrod read a paper on the anatomy of Indicator major, 
and showed that, as regards its soft parts, as in its Osteology, Indicator is 
not related to the Cuckoos, but to the Barbets and Toucans. 

A communication was read from the Marquis of Tweeddale, containing 
the eleventh of his contributions to the Ornithology of the Philippines. 
The present paper gave an account of the collection made by Mr. A. H. 
Everett at Zamboanga, in the Island of Mindanao. Ninety-eight species 
were obtained in this locality by Mr. Everett, of which eleven were new to 
the Philippine Fauna, and six were new to Science. 

Mr. E. R. Alston read some notes supplementary to his paper on the 
Squirrels of the Neotropical Region. 


December 3, 1878.—RoBert Hupson, Esq., F.R.S., Vice-President, in 
the chair. 

The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the 
Society’s Menagerie during the month of November, 1878, and called 
special attention to two examples of Horsfield’s Tortoise, T'estudo Horsfieldi, 
from Turkestan, presented by Dr. A. Strauch, C.M.Z.S., of the Imperial 
Museum of St. Petersburg, and a small Blue Maccaw, apparently 
referable to Spix’s Maccaw, dra Spiai, and new to the Society’s Collection. 

Mr. H. Seebohm exhibited a series of specimens of the Hooded and 
Carrion Crows, and made remarks on their intermediate forms and 
geographical distribution. 

Colonel L. H. Loyd Irby exhibited and made remarks on the nests, 
eggs, and young of Cypselus pallidus, taken at Gibraltar. 

Mr. Howard Saunders exhibited and made remarks on some eggs of 
Indian Laride, Sterna bergit and Larus hemprichi, which had been taken 
by Captain Butler, of H.M.’s 83rd Regiment, on the Mekran coast. 

Dr. F. Day exhibited and made some remarks on some jaws of Indian 
Sharks belonging to the genera Galeocerdo and Carcarias. 

The Secretary called attention to an error which had been made in 
reference to the collection of butterflies from Billiton, reported on by 
Messrs. Godman, Salvin, and Druce, in the last part of the Society’s 
‘Proceedings.’ The collection had been made and forwarded to England 
by Hr. J. G. F. Riedel, of Koepang. 

Mr. Sclater communicated some further particulars respecting the 
occurrence in Lancashire of the specimen of the Black-throated W heatear, 
Sawicola stapazina, exhibited at the last meeting of the Society. 


38 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Professor A. H. Garrod read a paper on the conformation of the 
thoracic extremity of the trachea, in the birds of the order Galline. 

A communication was read from Dr. A. Giinther, F.R.S., containing 
the description of some reptiles from Midian, collected by Major Burton. 
Amongst these were two new Snakes proposed to be called Echis decorata 
and Zamenis elegantissima. 

Mr. H. Seebohm pointed ont the character of a new Sylvia from 
Abyssinia, proposed to be called Sylvia Blanfordi, after Mr. Blanford, 
by whom it was obtained during the Abyssinian Expedition. Mr. Seebohm 
also read notes on the identity of the birds which had been named 
Horornis fortipes, Neornis assimilis, Horeites robustipes, H. brunneus, and 
H. pallidus, and proposed to reduce them to one species under the name 
Cettia fortipes. y 

Mr. Martin Jacoby read descriptions of some new species of Phytophagous 
Coleoptera, from Central and South America.—P. L. Scuarer, Secretary. 


EntomonLogicaL Soorety or Lonpon. 


November 6, 1878.—H. W. Bares, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., President, in 
the chair. 

Mr. F. Smith called attention to a passage in Mr. M‘Lachlan’s “ Report 
on the Linnean Collection,” read at the last meeting (vide Ent. Mo. Mag. 
for November, p. 140), wherein the author states, as the result of his 
examination of the collection, that “ there were no traces of mites, Psoci, 
or Anthreni.” Mr. Smith was of opipion that this statement might lead to 
the belief that he had affirmed that the collection was actually attacked by 
mites, Psoci, and Anthreni, and as this was not the case he mentioned the 
subject in order to remove any erroneous impression. 

Mr. C. O. Waterhouse exhibited a specimen of Chauliognathus excellens, 
a new beetle from the United States of Columbia. 

Mr. H. T. Stainton exhibited a new horn-feeding Tinea reared from 
horns from Singapore, 7’. orientalis, allied to the well-known large species 
from South Africa, of which the larve fed in the horns of living buffaloes 
and antelopes, and which had been described by Zeller under the name of 
Vastella, and subsequently by himself under the name Gigantella, both 
names referring to the extraordinary size of the insect in the genus Tinea. 
The specimens now exhibited were reared by Mr. Simmons, of Poplar, who 
found them in his greenhouse, and was quite at a loss to account for their 
appearance till Mr. Stainton suggested they were horn-feeders, when he 
remembered a piece of horn placed on a shelf and forgotten, but which 
when examined showed evident traces of having been eaten, and from 
which pupa-skins had been obtained. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 39 


The Rev. H. 8. Gorham exhibited the following rare beetles, taken 
in the neighbourhood of Horsham, Sussex :—Platypus cylindrus, Fab., 
Lathrobium pallidum, Nordmann, Achenium humile, Nicolai, and Cryphalus 
abietis, Ratzeburg. [Coloured figures of the three first named will be found 
in Janson’s ‘ British Beetles,’ figs. 99, 112, 113.] 

Mr. H. Goss exhibited male and female specimens of a rare dragon-fly, 
Cordulia Curtisi, taken at Popesdown, Christchurch, Hampshire. Mr. 
M‘Lachlan made some remarks on the geographical distribution of this 
species. (See also Ent. Mo. Mag. for Sept. 1878, p. 92.) 

Mr. Meldola exhibited a male specimen of a moth from Jamaica, 
belonging to the genus Hrebus, and which was remarkable on account of 
its possessing large scent-fans or tufts on the hind legs. Although the 
function of these tufts had only recently been made known through the 
researches of Fritz Miiller, this species had been named LE. odorus (Phalena- 
Bombyx odora) by Linnzus. (See also Sloan's ‘Jamaica,’ vol. ii., p. 216). 

Mr. J. Wood-Mason exhibited specimens in alcohol of Gongylus trachelo- 
phyllus, Burm. (male and female), and of G. gongylodes, Linn. Saussure 
was of opinion that the former species was a variety of the latter, but 
Mr. Wood-Mason, after examining numerous specimens of both, had found 
good characteristic differences, and concluded that they were specifically 
distinct—a view which was corroborated by the difference in the colour of 
the under side of the prothoracic expansion, a distinction which he had 
long suspected, but of which he had ouly recently obtained good evidence. 
Knowing that Sir Walter Elliot, during his long residence in India, had 
superintended the execution, by native artists, of a multitude of coloured 
drawings of animals belonging to all groups, and thinking it probable that 
there might be amongst these some coloured sketches of Gonyylus, he 
applied to him for the loan of any drawings of Orthoptera he might still 
have in his possession, a request to which Sir Walter Elliot, with his usual 
generosity, at once acceded. Amongst these Mr. Wood-Mason had found 
a coloured drawing of the under surface of Gongylus gongylodes, which 
conclusively proved that the insect is coloured so as to resemble a flower 
with a white corolla, thus differing remarkably from the other species, in 
which the prothoracie shield is of a pale bluish violet inclining to mauve, 
and acquiring a reddish tinge towards the margins. Both species have the 
same black-brown transverse prosternal blotch. G. gongylodes was restricted 
in its distribution to the neighbourhood of Bangalore in Mysore and Ceylon ; 
one specimen, however, is in the National Collection from the Dharwar 
district South Mahratta country, obtained many years ago by Sir Walter 
Elliot himself. G. trachelophyllus, on the other hand, was only known to 
Mr. Wood-Mason from Midnapur, from the base of the Karakpur Hills 
near Monghyr. In 1871 he had received a specimen from Pegu, which 
was obtained by the late Mr. S. Kurz during a botanical tour in that 


40 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


province. This specimen differed but slightly from the typical form, the 
colour of the prothoracic shield being a bright blue-violet, and its resem- 
blance to a flower deceived for the moment the practised eyes of Mr. Kurz. 
Mr. Wood-Mason hoped before long to be able to give coloured figures of 
these anthomimetic Mantide. 

Mr. W. L. Distant stated that Waterton recorded in his ‘Essays on 
Natural History,’ the resemblance of the rattle of the rattlesnake to an 
orthopterous insect, and suggested that this, by deceiving and attracting 
birds, might be of service to the reptile in the same manner that the floral 
resemblance of Gongylus serves to secure for these insects a supply of food. 

Mrs. Randolph Clay (who was present as a visitor) exhibited a living 
specimen of Zopherus Brémei, from Yucatan, Mexico, which had been 
worn by her for many months as an ornament, during which time the 
insect was stated to have taken no food. (See also ‘The Queen,’ 24th 
August, 1878.) 

Sir Sidney Saunders exhibited specimens of Blastophaga Psenes, Linn., 
male and female, employed in the process of caprification, received from 
M. Jules Lichtenstein, of Montpellier. Also specimens of Sycophaga 
cassipes, Westw., from the Sycamore figs of Egypt, together with certain 
apterous associates corresponding with Apocrypta of Coquerel (but speci- 
fically distinct) recently found in the same figs. 

The Secretary read a Report from Her Majesty’s Consul at Taganrog, 
which had been sent to the Foreign Office and transmitted to the Socicty 
through the Board of Trade. The Report related to the destruction of 
the corn crops by Anisoplia austriaca in the neighbourhood of Myriapol, 
and in various districts in Berdiansk, Kharoff, Poltana, Ekaterinoslaff, 
Kherson and Bessarabia. Cleonus punctiventris and Anisoplia crucifera 
were also reported to be spreading in the provinces of Kiero and Podolia. 
The total damage done by these destructive Coleoptera is estimated at 
two million roubles. A Sub-committee was appointed to draw up some 
observations on these beetles for the use of Her Majesty’s Consul. 

Miss E. A. Ormerod communicated a paper “ On tl Prevention of 
Insect-injury by the use of Phenol Preparations,” and exhibited drawings 
and specimens showing the destruction of carrot crops by Psila rose. 

Sir Sidney Saunders communicated a paper ‘‘ On the Habits and Affinities 
of Sycophaga and Apocrypta from the Sycamore Figs of Egypt.” 

Mr. C. O. Waterhouse communicated “ Descriptions of new Telephoride 
from Central and South America.” 

Mr. W. L. Distant communicated “ Descriptions of new Species of 
Hemiptera-Homoptera.” 

Part III. of the ‘ Transactions’ for 1878 was on the table-—R. Mrtpona, 
Hon. Secretary. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. III.) FEBRUARY, 1879. [No. 26. 


ON THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN 1878. 


By Joun CoRDEAUX. 


Tuer autumn migration of 1878 has in some respects been 
remarkable, and a striking contrast to that of the preceding year. 
In 1877-78 a very mild autumn and winter over the North of 
Europe, with but few intervals, and these of short duration, 
of severe weather, gave a prolonged and desultory character to 
the great southern movement. Birds came in great rushes and at 
long intervals, corresponding with short and very marked changes 
of temperature. Thus migration was prolonged throughout the 
winter, and indeed, from Mr. Gitke’s observations in Heligoland, 
did not absolutely cease till the end of February, just before the 
return journey commenced. 

The migration of the past autumn, when once began, pro- 
ceeded with great rapidity and without interruption. All the 
returns I have obtained, both from our coast and from the eastern 
side of the North Sea, show that this was the case, day by day 
wave after wave of immigrants sweeping southward, and in such 
immense numbers that we may fairly suppose long ere Christmas, 
1878, the dreary winter-bound north was fairly denuded of birds. 

I will not go so far as to say that the character of the coming 
season may be always accurately predicted by the movement of 
our autumn migrants. The passage of birds from the north to 
the south is an annual and normal phenomenon ; no matter what 
the weather is, in September, October and November the birds 
come; whether we see them or not depends on circumstances of 


wind and weather, into which it is not necessary at present to 
G 


42 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


enter. I will, however, go so far as to say that, from the character 
of the migration each year, when the data are sufficiently numerous 
and reliable, a tolerably correct forecast may be made as to the 
probable character of the coming winter, whether it is to be open 
or severe. This autumn the indications were all in favour of a 
winter of unusual severity. 

Independently of my own notes, observations have been received 
from Spurn Point, Flamborough Head, the Whitby-lights, the 
Tees-mouth, as well as other localities on the north-east coast ; 
also some very interesting notes from Mr. Giitke from his outpost 
on that old red crag in the North Sea. I will take this opportunity 
of thanking my correspondents in the various lighthouses and 
lightships for the kind assistance they have given me in these 
enquiries, and for the careful manner in which the papers sent 
them in the early autumn have been filled up. I am also 
greatly indebted to Mr. C. Donald Thompson, of Seaton Carew, 
who has spared no pains to obtain information on the Durham 
coast. 

In the papers sent out in the autumn information was requested 
under the following heads:—(1) Date; (2) Number of birds and 
species; (3) Time when seen, or hour of striking the lantern; 
(4) Wind, direction and force; (5) Weather, fine or rain, clear 
or fog; (6) Other remarks, how many killed against glass. 

Commencing with the larger Raptores, few, compared with 
what is often the case, have been noted. A pair of Kites seen by 
myself beating across the Humber marshes late in August. Two 
or three Buzzards in October, an immature Osprey, shot at 
Tathwell, near Louth, on October 11th, and a Honey Buzzard 
shot near Market Weighton, in Yorkshire, exhaust the list. 

Short-eared Owls have likewise been very scarce. One at 
Spurn lighthouse, October 17th. Another seen near the Whitby 
light on the 20th. One passed the Tees buoy-light on the 14th, 
and two at Seaton on the following day, with some few others on 
the Lincolnshire coast. They appear to have arrived generally 
during the third week in October. Wind S.W. and calm. 

A male Great Grey Shrike was shot at Beswick, near Beverley, 
on November 4th, and this is the only example I have heard of 
as procured anywhere on the east coast. 

The immigration of the Twrdide has been incessant during 
October, November, and the first ten days of December; immense 


ON THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN 1878. 43 


numbers of Thrushes, Blackbirds, Redwings, Fieldfares* reaching 
our east coast; and a few Ring Ouzels, as usual, coming with 
the Blackbirds. October 15th, Thrushes and Blackbirds from 
1.40 to 3.30 a.M., flying past light at Flamborough. On the 16th, 
Thrushes and Chaffinches from 1.20 till 8 a.m. On the 17th, a 
great many Blackbirds, Thrushes and Chaffinches from 1.25 to 
5.40 a.m.; wind S. to S.E., stiff, overcast. I saw the first flock of 
Fieldfares in North-East Lincolnshire on the 23rd. Mr. W. E. 
Clarke, of Leeds, who was at Spurn at the time, informs me that 
a considerable immigration of Fieldfares took place on the 27th 
and 28th, and he also observed two Ring Ouzels come in from 
the sea. On November 4th, 2.40 a.m., wind N.W., overcast and 
misty, blowing half-a-gale, six Fieldfares struck the glass of the 
Flamborough lantern, two suffering self-immolation. On the 8th, 
9th, 10th and 11th December a great many Thrushes, Blackbirds, 
Fieldfares, Snow Buntings and Linnets, flying from S.E. to N.W., 
passed the Tees floating buoy-lghtship; wind N. to E., with 
snow. This was the final rush from the north with the com- 
mencement of the frost and snow. From every station last 
autumn I find, compared with the other Turdide, a comparative 
scarcity of Fieldfares; the only exception appears to be North- 
East Lincolnshire, where we have had much above an average, 
the greater part, as ten to one, being young birds of the year. 
Redbreasts were not nearly so numerous as during the previous 
autumn. Gold-crested Wrens were first seen at Spurn on October 
16th, “S.E., gloomy, several through day.” There was a large 
arrival about this date on the Holdernesst and North Lincolnshire 
coast. On the 18th, S.E., showers, many brown Wrens were seen 
near the Spurn Lighthouse by Mr. Watson, the Principal. 
During the last fortnight in October I was much struck by 
the unusual number of Great Tits, Parus major, in our gardens 
and hedgerows, also by a most extraordinary mustering of the 
common Blue Tit, Parus ceruleus—these latter in flocks in every 
hedgerow. My attention was also drawn to their unusual number 
by a friend living in an adjoining parish. I could only account 
for this most unprecedented gathering by supposing they were 


* The species are placed in order in proportion to their relative numbers, and 
also some Pigeons, Columba palumbus. 

+ Mr. P. Lawton, of Easington, near Spurn Point, says, “I think never more 
Gold-crested Wrens”; also, “a very large quantity of Common Wrens.” 


44 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


migrants either from the North of England or from Europe. 
They were particularly numerous after the heavy gale on the 
night of October 30th, along with Common Wrens, Coal-Tits and 
Goldcrests. Subsequently having received Mr. Giitke’s notes, 
showing the astounding numbers of both species which passed 
over Heligoland this autumn, there is now no reason to doubt 
those seen in North-East Lincolnshire in October were immi- 
grants, and not the mere shifting of local birds from one home 
district to another. 

There is no genus better qualified to brave the winters of 
high northern latitudes than the Tits. Under the cover of dense 
pine forests they find not only warmth.and shelter, but an 
unfailing supply of insect-food. How intense, then, must have 
been the outburst of winter in the north to drive all these forest- 
haunting birds southward in such extraordinary numbers. 

A flock of Waxwings were seen in the Denes, near Castle 
Eden in October, and several, I am informed, were shot. 

From the first week in October to the middle of December 
Larks kept coming in. Always numerous,* they were last 
autumn especially so. At Spurn, on the 5th October, they were 
passing all day and night; cloudy, wind S.; twelve struck the 
light. At Spurn also, on the night of the 7th, large flocks of 
Linnets and Chaffinches, eighteen striking the lantern; and on 
the 12th, Starlings, fifteen striking the lantern. Also from the 
Tees-mouth, October 7th, “‘ great many Larks coming from the 
N., flying S.” 

Snow Buntings were first seen at Spurn on November 7th; 
wind N.N.W., half-a-gale, showery. At Flamborough, on the 
18th October, ‘some mixed with Larks.” Tees-mouth, on the 
5th November, “flock of twenty;” also on the 10th, “ flocks 
flying S.W., dead to windward;” as my correspondent notes, 
“wind §.W., the fore part of the day a gale; middle part 
moderate.” In the Cotes marshes I saw the first Snow Bunting ° 
on the lst November; large flocks on the 9th and 10th. ‘There 
were large flocks at Easington in the middle of November; and, 
on the 6th of that month, these birds crossed Heligoland in 
“astounding numbers.” It will thus be seen that the migration 
of the Snow Bunting was very generally carried on in the first 
fortnight in November. 


* Larks and Starlings invariably figure largely in the lighthouse returns. 


ON THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN 1878. 45 


I noticed gatherings, numbering sometimes hundreds, of Tree 
Sparrows during the last half of October. On the outbreak of 
the severe weather in December many came into the farm and 
stack-yards, concerting with Passer domesticus, with whom they 
appear to live on the best of terms. 

As usual, immense numbers of Starlings have come in during 
the autumn; on the 17th, 18th and 19th of October, at Whitby 
(High Lights), wind 8.E., all day passing the Lighthouse. 

The Corvide appear to increase every year; they belong to a 
race that is evidently able to increase and prosper, at the expense, 
too, of the least-favoured and protected races. Mr. Giitke, in a 
recent letter, speaking of Corvus cornia, says, ‘“‘ Of the legions that 
pass over in October and November, you can form not a shade of 
an idea of their numbers, and considering that all these ugly 
brutes have been feeding on the plunder of all the poor little birds’ 
nests, it is not to be wondered at that these latter decrease, but 
rather a miracle that any survived. * * * With all my heart 
I wish that your gamekeepers might succeed in strichnining nine- 
tenths of them.” * 

On November 7th I noted Daws in small parties, and Rooks— 
eight to ten and twenty—coming in, flying from N.E. to S.W. 
This continued from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.M.; on the morning of the 
9th, also, Rooks still coming in from the sea. At Flamborough, 
on October 20th, ‘ Rooks, Jackdaws, and some Dun Crows flying 
towards south all day; 8S.S.E., overcast and misty.” Corvus 
cornix, during the last half of October and in November, is noted 
at various stations. The Starling, Hooded Crow, Rook and Daw 
are each year steadily increasing as immigrants from the north. 

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was shot near Withernsea about 
October 29th. Kingfishers have been very common in our marshes 
after August. A Fern Owl, a female, was shot near Easington 
on October 23rd; the stomach was filled with small Coleoptera. 
Immense flocks of Wood Pigeons appeared in November in North 
Lincolnshire, visiting by thousands the turnip-fields and the young 
clover plants. Wood Pigeons, I have observed, invariably fly very 
high when migrating. ; 

Before the outbreak of the severe weather, commencing with 
December 8th, enormous flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing 

* I quite agree with Mr. Gitke’s remarks, but would extend the remedy to the 
whole race of egg-sucking Corvide. 


46 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


frequented the semi-flooded marshes; within a few days after the 
breaking out of the frost and snow all had departed, and not a 
solitary bird of either species was to be seen. ‘The Wood Sand- 
piper was shot at Spurn in August, and a Grey Phalarope, a male, 
at Filey on November 9th. 

The first Woodcock was seen at Spurn on October 1st; wind 
N.N.W., drizzly. Several arrived on the 17th, and again on the 
30th. On November 2nd a Woodcock struck the low light at 
Spurn at 8 a.mM.; wind N.N.W., rain. On the 5th two Wood- 
cocks passed the Tees floating-light,—wind N.E. by E., strong 
breeze, —and again on the 8th and 20th. Great numbers appear 
to have crossed Heligoland during the last week in November. 

Large flocks of waders, as Curlews, Dunlins, Grey Plovers, 
and Redshanks appeared on our coast as early as the middle of 
August. Snipe during the autumn have been abundant. Jack 
Snipe scarce ; in proportion to the former as one to ten or twelve. 
Amongst the immigrants which arrived in our east-coast marshes 
early in November were several Water Rails. 

The return from the Tees buoy-lightship throughout the whole 
of October and November shows a large arrival of the Anatide 
on the coast, comprising. Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Golden-eye, 
Sheldrake (twenty-five to twenty-seven in a flock), Shovellers, 
Scoters, and Wild Geese; also some Divers. The same has been 
the case in the Humber, where we have had in the later autumn 
an extraordinary arrival of various ducks, geese, and some swans. 
After the heavy gale from the N.W. on the night of October 30th, 
several Little Auks were driven on the coast and inland. At this 
time one was picked up alive in the town of Grimsby. 

Mr. Gitke has supplied me with the following autumn notes 
from his outpost in Heligoland—that storm-swept crag in the 
North Sea. ‘hey are so remarkable that I give them in full :— 

“October Ist. S.and$.H. During night great numbers of migrants 
passing Lighthouse. Turdus torquatus and musicus, and of iliacus a great 
many (too early); Anthus Richardi, pratensis and rupestris; Sylvia pheni- 
curus, trochilus, rufa, and one locustella; Falco pereyrinus, @salon and nisus. 

2nd. N.W. and N.N.W., windy, showers. Phylloscopus superciliosus, 
one in my garden; Corvus cornia, great multitudes; also of Sturnus 
vulgaris (old birds). 

3rd. S.W.—W. Sturnus, great many ; Fringilla celebs, montifringilla, 
cannabina and linaria; Parus major and ceruleus; Reguli; Emberiza 
lapponicus. 


ON THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN 1878. 47 


October 4th. S.W., windy. Nothing. 

5th. §.E., clear. During night lots of Larks, Thrushes, Plovers and 
Peewits. Anthus Richardi, one shot; Alauda alpestris; Parus ceruleus, 
a great many; P. major, less. 

6th. S.E., strong. Parus ceruleus, a great many; Sylvia rufa and 
trochilus; Alauda alpestris. 

7th. S.—S.W.—W., warm and still. Corvus cornix, a great many— 
tens of thousands: Parus c@ruleus, astounding numbers; P. major, many ; 
Sturnus vulgaris, a great many old birds; all the Fringillide; Accentor 
modularis ; Turdus musicus, pretty numerous; TJ’. iliacus and merula, less ; 
Sylvia rubecula, many; S. rufa, less; Anthus pratensis and rupestris, pretty 
many; Woodcocks, some. 

8th. 8.S.E.—S., clear, windy. The same as the day before; Starlings, 
many thousands; Parus caudatus, fifteen to twenty; Hirundo rustica, a 
great many young birds during the afternoon. 

9th. W. Phylloscopus superciliosus, one seen during the last four days, 
probably the same. E’mberiza pusilla in my garden. 

10th, 11th, 12th. S.W.—W.—N.W. Sterna Dougallii, a young bird ; 
scarcely anything besides. 

13th. W.—S.W., clear, fine. Muscicapa parva, shot one in my garden; 
Hooded Crows and Starlings by tens of thousands; Turdus merula, musicus 
and iliacus, not many; Fringillide and Anthide. 

14th. Calm, later 8.H.—H. and E. by N., clear and warm. Corvus 
cornix, by thousands, high; Starlings, hundreds of thousands from 8 to 
11 a.m., from 50 to 250 feet high, flying in circles, like Swallows catching 
insects on wing. I have never before seen this done by Starlings. Alauda 
alpestris, many ; Fringillide, many; F’. coccothraustes, one. 

15th. E.S.E., strong. Corvus cornia and Sturnus, a great many; 
Corvus monedula, many; Alauda arborea; Parus major and c@ruleus. 

16th till 20th. E. by S. The lower shattered clouds S.E., higher clouds 
(more solid) S., the highest W. by N. Corvus cornix, in great numbers, 
coming from N.E., and some northerly. 

20th. Westerly wind. Corvus cornia and Sturnus, tens of thousands ; 
nearly nothing else. 

Qist. E., fresh. Anthus Richardi, four; Turdus merula, musicus and 
iliacus, few; Woodcock, daily some. 

22nd to 23rd. S.W., rain. Nothing whatever. 

24th till 30th, stormy. Phylloscopus superciliosus, one seen in trees at 
steps; Parus ater, one. 

30th. W. and N.W., stormy. Hmberiza pusilla, one; Corvus cornia 
and Sturnus, many; Alauda alpestris, pretty many; Fringilla montium, 
chloris and montifringilla, great numbers; Regulus flavicapillus, pretty 
large numbers. 


48 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


31st. In the morning E., changing all round, but very quiet. Falco 
gyrfalco, one; Corvus cornix and Sturnus, many thousands; Alauda 
alpestris, a great many; Sylvia rubecula and atricapilla, many ; Parus 
major and c@ruleus, many ; Scolopax and Turdus, not many. 

November Ist, 2nd and 3rd. N.W., high wind. Corvus cornia# and 
Sturnus, still thousands; Scolopax and Turdus, a few ; Regulus flavicapillus, 
Parus major and ca@ruleus, many ; Falco peregrinus, some ; £’. gyrfaleo, one 
on the 3rd; Emberiza nivalis and alpestris, great numbers. 

4th. N.E., cloudy. Falco albicilla, several; Corvus cornix and Sturnus, 
again thousands ; all the Fringillide, and Parus major and ce@ruleus ; 
Emberiza nivalis, many. 

5th. N.N.E., rain, wind and hail. Nothing. 

6th. S.E., rain, up to 12th. Turdus varius, stated to have been seen ; 
Turdus pilaris, many ; Emberiza nivalis, astounding numbers. 

Storm from Nov. 8—10. 

12th. S.—S.W.—W. Parus caudatus, four; Regulus flavicapillus, 
some after the wind, having blown from 9 to 10 during night. 

15th. S.E., cloudy and windy. Corvus cornia and Sturnus, a few ; 
Parus ceruleus and caudatus and Regulus flavicapillus, some. 

16th and 17th. Storm from the 8.E. and 8. 

17th, wind quiet, East, dark. Charadrius squatarola, at 9 A.M. thousands 
on thousands overhead, passing over; Scolopaa gallinago, many. 

18th, 19th. E., quiet. Alauda alpestris, flights of twenty; Hmberiza 
nivalis, many; Corvus cornia and Sturnus, in flights of from twenty to 
fifty. 

20th, Qist. S.S.E., quiet. Alauda alpestris, Emberiza nivalis, Parus 
caruleus and major, some; Frringillide, every day, more or less; Sylvia 
rubecula, daily. 

Q1st and 22nd, during night S. Turdus, Vanellus, Charadrius auratus, 
Scolopaa rusticola and gallinago, passing overhead in numbers. 

25th. S., fog, quiet. A few of the above. 

26th. SS.W., windy and raining. During night, passing overhead :— 
Alauda arvensis, Emberiza nivalis, Turdus merula, pilaris and iliacus, 
Numenius (great many), Charadrius auratus, Tringa alpina, Scolopax 
gallinago, Herons and lots of various unknown, all in great numbers. 
Several Woodcocks caught during night near Lighthouse. 

27th. Quiet, foggy; evening N.E. Woodcocks, shot about a score. 
During night again all the above overhead, passing over. 

28th. N.E. Alauda alpestris and Fringilla montium. During night 
again a great host of all waders, &c., passing overhead. 

29th, 30th. N.E. Pyrrhula vulgaris, three, some caught; have not 
been seen here for a great many years. J ringilla carduelis, some; Wood- 
cocks, some. During night again great numbers overhead.” 


ON THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN 1878. 49 


The following notes have been sent by correspondents. I give 
them as nearly as possible in their own words :— 


Tees 5th Buoy-lightship, June 9th, 1878.“ Two Sheldrakes with 
sixteen young ones with them came close to the light; they appeared to 
have been hatched that morning, as they were very small.” 

The same, July 31st, 1878.—“ Light breeze from the N.E. and cloudy. 
Observed a great many Sea Swallows [Sterna minuta] in the Tees this day ; 
some of them havé black heads—some are as small as Larks. There was 
a ‘Chaser’ [probably Lestris parasiticus] with them; it is a dark brown 
bird. When the ‘Swallows’ caught a sprat the Chaser would fly after 
them and take it from them; they never fish themselves. Seamen call 
them ‘ Boatswains.’” 

January, 1877.—‘ About the middle of this month a very fine Cor- 
morant, with top-knot, came to the Light, which I caught and kept all 
night. Next morning I let it out, and it flew away; but at 4 P.M. it 
returned, and J threw it some small fish, which it seemed to enjoy; it 
roosted on the Light. After that its visits became regular, and it got very 
tame. I did not take particular notice how many weeks, but for some 
considerable time it kept this practice up, when all at once it disappeared.” 

March 30th, 1878.-— Strong wind from the W.N.W. to N.E., with 
snow storms and a heavy sea running. I observed a large flock of Cor- 
morants come into the Tees at 4 p.m.; one came to the Light and roosted 
all night, and at 7 a.m. left; however, at 4 p.m. it returned, and as it 
roosts on the same place and appears very tame and quite at home, I con- 
cluded it was the same bird which came in 1877. I feed it with small fish ; 
it does not like strangers, and when they come to the Light it leaves. The 
end of this poor bird I heard in July; it was shot on Seaton Snook by a 
puddler or some other gunner.” 


It is worth remarking t st I got a young Chiffchaff on 
the 10th December. It flew into a friend’s room on the 7th, and 
killed itself against the glass. This is a very late occurrence for 
this bird in North Lincolnshire. 

An interesting occurrence at Spurn was a small flock of 
Siskins, seen by Mr. William E. Clarke, of Leeds. They were 
feeding by the roadside between Easington and Spurn, on the 
seed-bearing plants, and were so tame as to allow him to approach 
within a few feet. 


50 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 
By H. W. Feirpen, F.G-.S., C.M.Z.S. 
(Continued from p. 24.) 


After the sun left us at mid-day, which occurred on the 
11th October, the twilight sensibly decreased day by day. On 
the 25th I noticed in my journal that at mid-day only a glow of 
pale amber showed in the south-east, against which the contour 
of the Greenland coast was just visible; the ice and hummocks 
in shade looked a dark purple, the flat floes white. Whilst 
walking, we came across the fresh tracks of a Lemming, which I 
followed; they crossed the ice-foot, out on to the pack, and the 
little animal had burrowed down through snow to a tidal-crack; 
its return footsteps could be traced to the land. Subsequently I 
daily observed traces of similar movements on the part of this 
rodent to the water, until it became too dark even to notice 
their tracks, which look like a pattern for linen embroidery, in 
the white snow. 

On the 29th October Quartermaster Bury, when on watch, 
heard what he considered to be a pack of Wolves howling in the 
distance, and I have little doubt of the correctness of his report. 
Our indefatigable hunter, Dr. Moss, borrowed my snow-shoes and 
went some distance inland, but found no tracks of Wolves, though 
those of Hares were not uncommon It must be remembered 
that one or two Hares when on the move will make an enormous 
number of tracks in snow in a few hours. Moss remarked 
that even if he had come across a Hare, it would have been too 
dark to shoot it. 

From the end of October till the return of the sun in the 
following year, the notices in my journal which have any bearing 
on Natural History are so few and scattered that it is out of the 
question endeavouring to bring together a sequence of observa- 
tions; but as the sole value of any such intermittent notices 
consists in the exactness of the record, I do not scruple to 
transfer, word for word, from my journal the few items which 
may be considered to bear on the subject :— 


“October 31st.—Hauled up the net, containing a dog, which 
had been let down to the bottom of the fire-hole, a depth of 
ten fathoms; though it had only been in the water six days, the 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 51 


flesh was nearly cleaned off the bones by the shrimps. Some 
hundreds of these crustaceans, chiefly Anonyx nugax and 
Gammarus locusta, came to the surface with the skeleton: exposed 
to a temperature of —15° F., they all died in two minutes, the 
temperature of the sea-water being +28° F. 

November 1st.—Dr. Colan has been good enough to show me 
his monthly medical inspection report. Out of seventy souls on 
board, fifteen are under treatment for frost-bites and colds, the 
rest in excellent health. 

2nd.—Considerable movement in the pack outside; the 
grinding together of the ice sounded like the roar of a great 
waterfall. In water taken from the fire-hole I detected a few 
minute copepoda. Noticed the fresh track of a Hare leading 
across the ice-foot and out on the pack. What can induce these 
animals and the Lemmings to leave the land, go to the edge of 
the tidal-cracks, and return to the shore, unless it be to obtain 
water ? 

4th.—A fresh breeze from S.S.E., the temperature has risen 
to zero; this sudden rise is most oppressive: I can honestly affirm 
that after a short walk, Egerton, Rawson and I were glad to 
throw ourselves down on the floe to rest and cool. Whilst 
working at the fire-hole this morning I noticed Bruin, a big 
Eskimo-dog, stagger whilst digging with his companions in the 
dirt-heap; he uttered a piercing yell, and started off in my 
direction with a half-paralyzed gait; his companions then set 
upon him, and worried and bit at him; I drove the savage brutes 
off with an ice-chisel; Bruin then fell into convulsions which 
lasted over five minutes; his four legs were contracted inwards, 
and jerked together outwards with great rapidity; foam exuded 
from his mouth, and a loud gurgling came from the throat; his 
eyes were open and fixed; gradually his legs stopped jerking: 
the beast remained quiet for about a minute, then rose to his feet, 
and ran round in circles head down; back somewhat arched; tail, 
which was only a stump, tucked between the legs; gait very 
unsteady. I had a lantern in my hand with which I had been 
examining the contents of the net from the fire-hole. The dog 
now ran round me in a circle; I changed my position five times 
and the dog always followed and circled round the light; in a few 
minutes the poor brute seemed to recover his faculties, gave a 
yell, and made off to a hummock, where he coiled himself up.” 


52 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


I have reproduced this circumstantial account from my journal 
because it was written down within a few minutes of the occurrence 
of the event, and because I was requested to make careful obser- 
vations on this disease if we were so unfortunate as to meet with 
it. Otherwise under similar circumstances— namely, a pitch- 
dark day on a Polar floe, with an apparently rabid dog careering 
round—one might be tempted to kill the animal, which would 
have been a great mistake, for Bruin recovered, and next year 
took his place in the dog-team. 


“Nov. 12th.— Only three of the Homing Pigeons brought from 
England are now alive, and these have been placed on the upper- 
deck, which is housed over with a felt awning; day and night 
lighted lamps are suspended in this part of the ship, so that, 
except for the extreme cold, it is the most cheerful spot we can 
find for these birds. A temperature of fifty to sixty degrees 
below the freezing-point does not appear to incommode them, 
for two of them are mating and seem quite happy, billing and 
cooing. 

16th.—When I drew up the baited net from the fire-hole, it 
contained, along with other crustaceans, a dozen specimens of 
Arcturus bafini; the largest of these had the antenn covered 
with young ones; there was also an annelid: all of these creatures 
died instantaneously when exposed to the air, the temperature of 
which at the time was —30° F. The difficulty of working with 
ungloved fingers in such a temperature is insuperable; frost-bite 
can only be kept off by thrusting the hands continually into the 
sea-water. 

24th.—The two mated pigeons disappeared to-day, and the 
third was killed and hung up in the rigging to prevent its loss. 

30th.—A small phosphorescent pleurobranch came up in the 
water from the fire-hole, the temperature of which was 28°2° F. 

December 3rd.—There has been an extraordinary rise in the 
temperature to-day, coincident with a strong S.E. wind blowing 
up Robeson Channel: the maximum registered was + 385° F. At 
5.30 p.mM., on a hummock elevated eighteen feet above the floe, 
the temperature registered + 28°2° F., but during lulls of the 
wind it fell a degree; a foot from the surface of the hummock it 
registered + 26° F., on the hummock itself + 19° F.; a thermo- 
meter buried in a hole made with an augur two inches in the 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 53 


ice + 11° F., at four inches + 8° F., and at eight inches + 3° F. 
. The water in the fire-hole at a depth of eight feet was + 282° F. 
(the normal winter temperature). At 6 P.m., two thermometers 
taken simultaneously at the maintop, and four feet above the floe, 
gave + 24°F’. for the higher, and + 21°F. for the lower level. 

6th.—When out walking I heard a peculiar cry sounding from 
the hills; it might have been from one of our dogs chasing a 
Hare, but it differed from any note I have yet heard from them. 
It was a weird melancholy cry, and in all probability was that of 
a Wolf. 

11th.—The moon very bright; at noon the heavens were 
unobscured by a single cloud. I could read a book (Darwin’s 
‘Voyage of a Naturalist’) with ease whilst walking on the floe. 
Cape Joseph Henry, distant twenty-five miles, was distinctly 
discernible. Aldrich, when travelling on the 25th September 
last, cut loose a bitch from his team which was constantly 
having fits, at a distance of some thirty miles from the ship. 
When Captain Markham was returning along the same route 
during the second week in October, this animal hung about his 
party, and though never approaching in the daytime, came to 
their tents at night, and picked up the scraps that were left out 
for her. She was observed on the 13th October, the night prior 
to Markham’s sledge-parties arriving at the ship. To-night she 
came back and allowed Petersen to catch her. She was a mere 
skeleton. She did not seem shy with men, but would not 
consort with the other dogs. It seems probable that this animal, 
for the last two months, must have been stealthily visiting the 
neighbourhood of the ship at nights, and picking up offal; it is 
impossible that the products of the chase could have kept it alive. 
This appears to be an instance of the Eskimo-dog reverting to its 
wolfish origin. 

22nd.—The moon disappeared below our horizon on the 19th, 
not to reappear till next year. It is a very joyous thought that 
the sun is on its way back to us. Captain Nares discovered the 
track of a small animal to-day on the floe, which can be nothing 
else but an Ermine. The temperature is — 40° F. ~ 

25th.—Very dark to-day at noon, I could not make out the 
letters on the title-page of ‘Darwin’s Voyage;’ I could distinguish 
black and white, namely, a difierence of colour between the print 
and the paper, but nothing more. 


54 THE ZOOLOGIS'I. 


26th.—This has been a very dark day. At noon the title-page 
of my text book, ‘Darwin’s Voyage,’ quite indistinguishable. 

29th.—Distinctly lighter at noon to-day. People could be 
detected when moving, up to a distance of fifty paces. 

30th.._We let Buchanan’s water apparatus down the fire-hole 
to a depth of thirty-six feet; the temperature of the water was 
+ 282° F. For about a foot in depth from the surface of the 
fire-hole, even immediately after the ice has been removed, which is 
done every few hours, the water is found to be in a pasty semi- 
congealed state, and a person dipping a vessel by hand into this 
will dish up nothing but ice. We have, therefore, adopted the 
following simple arrangement to procure water:—To the bottom 
of a staff six or seven feet long a bottle, well corked, neck 
uppermost, is lashed; a string being attached to the cork, the 
staff and bottle being pushed perpendicularly down the fire-hole, 
the cork is withdrawn and the bottle fills. No time has to be lost 
in hurrying below deck with the bottle, for if allowed to freeze, 
which it does almost immediately, there is a liability of the bottle 
bursting. It will hardly be believed, what a difficult and painful 
task this daily procuring of sufficient water from the fire-hole for 
microscopic investigation has been for Dr. Moss and myself.” 


The new-year of 1876 was entered on under most favourable 
auspices; the health of the crew was in all respects satisfactory, 
and our frost-bitten comrades had nearly recovered. We certainly 
had every reason to be thankful and contented; our winter 
quarters, though completely exposed, and adopted more from 
necessity than selection, had so far proved safe and convenient. 
The ice that had formed inshore had now attained sufficient 
thickness to lead us to hope that, in the event of a gale moving 
our protecting wall of floe-bergs nearer the shore, the ship might 
rise on the newly-formed ice, and thus save herself from being 
cast on the land. This chance of being stranded was the evil we 
had most to dread. 

A period of two months had to elapse before the reappearance 
of the sun, and up to that date I had very little hope of being 
able to effect anything in my special branch. It must not be 
supposed, however, that time ever hung heavily; meteorological, 
tidal, and other physical observations had to be constantly 
attended to; a certain number of hours outdoor exercise was 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 55 


insisted on; school, theatricals, and lectures occupied the evenings; 
whilst the undeviating routine and discipline of a man-of-war 
insured order and comfort. 

During the periods that the moon was above the horizon, 
owing to the usually extreme dryness of the atmosphere, she 
shone with greater brilliancy than we are accustomed to, in our 
humid climate; we were at those times able to extend our walks 
and see for miles around us, and though the prospect was 
marvellously weird and dreary, and the scene of solitude at times 
almost oppressive, yet there was a grandeur in the snow-clad hills 
and in the great frozen sea which I cannot hope to describe. 

The following extracts from my journal are inserted to show 
that, as far as our observations go, we have no reason to suppose 
that any of the animals that winter in Grinnell Land hybernate. 
Until the autumnal darkness rendered it impossible to observe 
any more tracks in the snow, I noticed that Hares and Lemmings 
were on the move; and again in the commencement of the year, 
just so soon as the increasing twilight enabled us to extend our 
wanderings, and during the coldest periods of the Arctic year, we 
likewise found these animals roaming about. 


“February 8th.—A beautiful calm day, the moon nearly at her 
full, temperature — 50°; walked to the top of the flag-staff hill; 
Cape Joseph Henry, a distance of twenty-five miles, showed very 
distinctly ; continued my walk to Cape Sheridan. The planet 
Venus was shining brightly in the arc of twilight that showed in 
the south, in which same direction the other stars were invisible. 
Egerton came across a Hare’s track to-day, the first seen 
this year. 

10th.—Leaving the ship at meridian, with Egerton, we 
walked to the southward, and then ascended to the plateau, by its 
eastern face, as the snow appeared to be heavily drifted in the 
ravine. Parts of the upland were bared or only lightly drifted 
over with snow, but without much alteration of our intended 
course we were able to travel over hard snow at a very brisk pace. 
We reached in two hours a point overlooking Robeson Channel, 
mid-way between Cape Rawson and the next headland to the 
south. We estimated that we were four and a half miles from 
the ship. From this point we could see the Greenland coast 
distinctly: there was not a pool of water visible in Robeson 


56 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Channel; alight mist hung over portions of it, but not sufficiently 
dense to hide the floes and hummocks from our view. We found 
no trace of life on the uplands, but nearer the ship crossed a 
Hare’s track, and also observed some small circular holes in the 
suow about the size of a penny-piece, at the edges of which the 
snow from inside had been thrown up in small particles; no 
foot-prints were to be seen on the surface, but the Lemmings 
were thus early on the move beneath the snow, no doubt peering 
out of their siphuncles, to see how the sun was getting along. 
Thus we see that with the first glimmer of dawn these little 
animals are awake, even supposing that they hybernate, but if 
they do, it cannot be ascribed to cold, for to-day the thermometer 
registered — 54° or eighty-six degrees below the freezing-point. 
We ran home very briskly, reaching the ship before 4 P.M.; our 
under-clothing was soaking with perspiration, but Egerton’s nose 
and my left cheek were slightly frost-bitten. 

February 11th.—Came across the tracks of a Hare which had 
been feeding on the buds of Saxi/raga oppositifolia. his plant 
I often find in spots bared of snow by the wind, and consequently 
exposed to the low temperature of fifty and sixty degrees below 
zero; yet at the extremity of each stalk, inside of the russet-brown 
hair-fringed leaves, a green bud is to be found, which even the 
intensity of cold prevailing here fails to wither. Without this 
plant the Hares and Lemmings could not exist. 

14th.— Whilst out walking put up a Hare, which escaped. 
The temperature being ~ 50°, I had my gun slung on my 
shoulder, as even through thick gloves the heat of the hands is 
quickly abstracted by contact with metal. This animal had been 
occupying a burrow in a snow-bank. 

16th.—The view from Lookout Hill was very pleasing; towards 
the south there was a warm glow of salmon-colour at mid-day, 
Around the cairn were many tracks of an Ermine. I exposed my 
bare hands for two or three minutes, whilst grubbing up plants, and 
in that time they became so stiff from cold that I could not close 
my fingers: the temperature was ninety degrees below freezing. 

20th.—The armourer shot a Hare, and Mr. Goode, the boat- 
swain brought me in a Lemming in its winter-suit of white.” 


By the end of February, Lemmings were often observed by us 
running on the surface of the snow. When disturbed they buried 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 57 


themselves with great rapidity. At this season the colour of the 
fur is greyish white, nearly pure white at the tips, but darkening 
to mouse-brown nearer the skin. 

On the 2nd March, after an absence of one hundred and 
forty-two days, the upper dise of the sun was visible from the 
mizen-rigging of the ship, and at mid-day, on ascending Lookout 
Hill, our eyes were gladdened with a full view of the resplendent 
orb of day. The sun only remained for a few seconds above our 
horizon, but that short appearance made us feel as if we had all 
taken a new lease of life. During the first two weeks of March 
we experienced most intensely cold weather. On the 4th, our 
corrected thermometers registered — 73°, or 105° below the 
freezing-point. The weather at that time being calm I had a 
couple of hours’ walk, and ascended Lookout Hill, from whence a 
good view of the sun was obtainable at mid-day. Its entire 
sphere, a glorious golden shield, now rose above the southern 
highlands, and to our benighted eyes shone with a lustre that 
could only be appreciated by those who, like ourselves, had passed 
a long five months wearying for its return. During this intense 
cold, we did not whilst taking exercise feel any bad effects: 
certainly we left the ship warm and well clad, and were not 
exposed sufficiently long to lower the vital energy, but in 
ascending a hill, some six hundred feet high, I experienced no 
difficulty in breathing or any other annoyance, though perhaps 
my respiration was a trifle quicker than usual. Dr. Moss was at 
he same time out with his gun, rambling over the hills for four 
hours, and found fresh tracks of a Hare. Immediately on his 
return to the ship I obtained his sub-lingual temperature, which 
registered 993°. Though of necessity we were all obliged daily to 
expose large surfaces of our body unprotected for a few minutes, 
yet in no instance were any frost-bites incurred or any incon- 
veniences suffered. Inside of the ship, or in nautical parlance 
“between decks,” we had to endure great discomfort from damp. 
The moisture in the air, from our breath, from our food and raiment, 
condensed on the beams, bulkheads, and sides of the ship, in fact 
everywhere not immediately adjacent to the stoves. Our sleeping 
cabins which were arranged along the sides of the ship formed 
condensers, the heated air of the ward-room passed into them, 
and the moisture deposited itself either in the form of ice, on the 
side exposed to the cold outside air, or in water which dripped 

I 


58 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


continually from the ceiling. Bedding, clothes, and books 
became saturated, and it was impossible to keep iron from 
rusting. To obviate this inconvenience in my cabin, I removed 
the dead-light in the ceiling and replaced it with a wooden 
shutter, through which was passed a piece of half-inch india- 
rubber tubing, which was then carried under the snow on deck 
to a convenient aperture. This pipe became a “downtake” for 
the outside air, and in a few minutes reduced the temperature of 
the cabin below the freezing-point. The moisture in the air 
either precipitated itself in the form of lovely snow crystals or 
formed solid ice, which was removed from the bulkheads. By 
tying a knot on the flexible tubing the down-draught of air could 
be stopped and the temperature raised. Until this plan was 
adopted it was found almost impossible to work with a microscope 
owing to the annoyance occasioned by the persistent drip. 
(To be continued.) 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


Hastirs oF THE KITE AS OBSERVED IN ScoTLanD.—-On the 3rd October 
I clearly observed a Kite flying over a wood within a few miles of Brighton. 
A farmer, on whose land I was shooting at the time, told me that when he 
was a young man, Kites used to breed in numbers in a large wood near 
Canterbury. He stated that whenever he mounted to a nest he always, if 
possible, climbed first above it, in order to examine the contents, having 
once incautiously placed his hand among some half-killed snakes and 
vipers, which had been brought for food, and still retained sufficient life 
to hiss and strike at him. I should not have mentioned this circumstance 
had I not seen “ reptiles and carrion” recorded in several works as forming 
part of the food of these birds; and, as but few of these writers appeared 
to have had much chance of personally observing the habits of the birds, 
I conclude that their partiality for such repulsive delicacies must have been 
given on the authority of continental naturalists. The British Kite of the 
present day, however, appears to be far more refined in its taste. In nests 
I have myself examined, I have found a few Squirrels and Rabbits, numbers 
of Grouse and Peewits, and on several occasions the young of Curlews, 
Ducks, and Pigeons. Grouse seem to be their favourite food. ‘The last 
nest I had the chance of observing I passed several times, and on every 
occasion the young birds had a fresh-killed Grouse in the nest. The old 
b rds usally have some particular spot to which they carry their prey, to 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 59 


partially pluck and break up before taking to the young; sometimes it is a 
stump of a tree, a large moss-covered stone, or a bare mound of earth; at 
other times, if the immediate neighbourhood of the nest is covered with 
long or coarse undergrowth, they prepare the food on the branches of a 
tree. A few years ago, in the South of Scotland, I had a good view of 
a female Kite tearing a Peewit within fifteen yards of where I was concealed. 
She was evidently aware that something was wrong. Settling first on one 
branch, then on another, she kept constantly turning her head, with all the 
feathers erect like an owl, in every direction, now and then spitefully 
snatching a few feathers or a portion of flesh from the unfortunate bird. 
At last, before approaching the nest, she appeared to have discovered my 
presence; and, dropping the prey, she mounted into the air, and continued 
flying in circles for over three hours, uttering the whole time the most 
melancholy and monotonous cries. Occasionally she would swoop down to 
within twenty yards of my covering of branches, and hover over the spot, 
evidently attempting to make out what was concealed. As there appeared 
no chance of the old lady settling again—my object was to study the 
actions of the bird—I left my hiding-place, when she immediately rose in 
the air to a great height, and sailed out of sight. I have noticed that a 
Kite seldom approaches within 150 or 200 yards when anyone is in the 
immediate neighbourhood of their nest. From having frequently watched 
the young birds in the nest, I have noticed that while they believe them- 
selves unobserved, and the old birds are absent, they appear of an inquiring 
and lively disposition ; stretching their necks to the fullest extent, they peep 
and pry in all directions, shuffle round the nest, snapping at the flies and 
midges, and frequently spreading and flapping their wings. Before, how- 
ever, the first cry of the approaching old bird is heard, they drop flat on 
their breasts; then, lowering their heads and throwing up the feathers 
on their backs, they patiently await the arrival of their food. The incessant 
calls of the old bird are occasionally answered by a low plaintive whistle. 
I have observed the same habits with young birds of this species that I have 
reared in captivity—lively when they imagined themselves alone, and sulky 
and shy when anyone was present; they, however, become more sociable 
as they grow older. Their disposition appears to be totally different to 
that of young Peregrines and Ospreys. In addition to the place where 
they prepare the food for their young (and which I have heard keepers 
style “the Kite’s dressing-table”), I believe that these birds, like Grey 
Crows, occasionally have some spot to which they carry their prey to 
consume at their leisure. I once counted the remains of over thirty 
Grouse under the branches of a large fir; some were only bleached and 
weather-beaten skeletons, and probably had lain for many months. This 
stock could hardly have been brought together for the benefit of the young, 
as the nest of the pair of birds frequenting the tree was within the distance 


60 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


of a hundred yards, and contained only eggs at the time I discovered the 
remains of the Grouse. Mr. Cordeaux has described the persecution of 
the game-preservers, which has driven this species from his district, as 
“ senseless.” For my own part I should hardly consider a Kite a desirable 
resident in a game preserve. I can find no accurate description of the 
habits of our British Kite in any book to which I have access. The 
authors in nearly every instance copy one from the other. I know of no 
bird—not even the Roseate Tern or Goosander—that fades and loses its 
beauty to a greater extent than the Kite. The young, when it first breaks 
the shell has a long tuft of white hair on the head; this soon gives place to 
down. ‘The eyes when first opened are dark hazel. By the time the bird 
is full feathered the iris becomes a pale neutral tint or dirty lavender. 
I mention this fact as a ponderous work in my possession gives the im- 
mature bird the same coloured eyes as the adult. —E. T. Boorn (Brighton). 


Hysrip Purasant anpD Biackoock.—On the 29th October I detected, 
among other game in the Plymouth Market, a hybrid between the common 
Pheasant and Blackecock, which had been killed a few days previously, I 
believe on the borders of Dartmoor. It was a young male bird, but inferior 
in size to an ordinary cock Pheasant, and in full moult, especially about 
the head and neck. Had it been allowed to live a month longer it would 
have been in magnificent plumage. As it is, the head and greater part of 
the neck resemble those of a young Pheasant, rather light in colour, but the 
breast and lower parts of a beautiful glossy black, with violet reflections. 
The wings and upper part of the back are darker than those of an ordinary 
Pheasant, and the general markings more freckled; the lower back and 
rump clouded with violet-black, similar to that on the breast; tail in shape 
very like that of a hen Pheasant, but not so long, altogether darker and not 
so distinctly barred; under tail-coverts, rusty red. In form the bird 
resembles the Pheasant more than the Grouse, and is very like the 
Shropshire specimen figured by Eyton and Yarrell, but shows the usual 
white spot at the insertion of the wing so observable in the Black Grouse. 
There is some vaked skin about the eyes; the tarsi and toes are bare, with 
the exception of some down-like feathers just appearing in front, extending 
a little below the knee; thighs fully feathered. The contents of the 
stomach were seeds of the blackberry and wild rose, mixed with the husks 
of oats, a few insects, and a large quantity of gravel. I had the skin 
preserved and the body cooked, which proved excellent—Joun GarcomBK 
(Durnford Street, Stonehouse). 


WILDFoWL IN Wurst CuMBERLAND.—On the 14th December last I saw 
on Wastwater three small ducks, which were evidently strangers, but was 
unable to identify them by moonlight. In the course of a week they were 
all shot, and one of them was sent to me, and proved to be a Tufted Duck; 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 61 


the tuft on the head was very small. They were shy, and could only be 
approached while they dived. The gunner told me they remained under 
water for fully a minute. On the 25rd a female Goldeneye was sent to me. 
It was shot by one of Lord Muncaster’s keepers on the River Irt, in Drizy 
parish. It was alone, and had been feeding upon sandhoppers. In October 
last I saw a Great Northern Diver on Wastwater, and have been told to-day 
(January 6th) it is still about the lake, though it has been frequently 
fired at—Cuar.us A. Parxer (Gosforth, Carnforth). 


GREAT PLOVER oR THICK-KNEE AT THE SCILLY Istxs.—During the last 
heavy frost in West Cornwall and the Scilly Isles we had the usual immi- 
gration of large flocks of land birds, comprising the Thrush tribe, Larks, 
Finches, and other of our small birds. I have not been able to ascertain 
that any rare species of note occurred, and the only bird of interest that has 
come under my uotice from the Scilly Isles is a good-plumaged specimen of 
the Great Plover or Thick-knee. This bird, as I have before remarked, 
seems to hold a line in its autumnal migration which just takes in the 
South of Cornwall and the Scilly Isles. I never knew the occurrence of this 
bird in Cornwall except in the winter months, its spring migration taking 
it just as much north above the latitude of Cornwall. Thus the species, 
although well known in Hampshire and Wiltshire, and spoken of by White 
in his ‘ Selborne,’ is never seen or heard in the summer mouths in Corn- 
wall.— Epwarp Hiarze Ropp (Penzance). 


BrittsH Newts.—From an article by M. Ferrand Lataste, in the last 
volume of the ‘Journal of the Societe Zoologique de France.’ it appears that 
the supposed fourth species of British Newt, Gray’s Banded Newt, 
Ommatotriton vittatus of Cooke’s ‘ Reptiles,’ may be altogether removed from 
the British Catalogue. It was first introduced into the British List by 
Jenyns, 1835, on the faith of some specimens found in a bottle in the 
British Museum by the late Dr. Gray, which, being associated with some 
British Newts, were supposed to have been obtained in the neighbourhood 
of London. Through a somewhat similar error, some specimens in the 
collection of the Jardin des Plantes at Paris were believed by Valenciennes 
to have been obtained in France, near Toul, and other examples were 
supposed to have been found living at Antwerp. It has thus come to pass 
that naturalists, copying one from another, have assigned England, France, 
and Belgium as the locality of this Newt. It now turns out from 
M. Lataste’s researches that all these localities are erroneous, and that the 
so-called Triton vittatus is no other than the Triton ophryticus of Berthold, 
an Hastern species of Newt which is found in Syria and Asia Minor. The 
British Newts are now therefore reduced to three in number:—the ~ 


62 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Crested Newt, Triton cristatus, the Smooth Newt, Triton teniatus (both of 
ordinary occurrence), and the rarer Palmated Newt, Triton palmatus.— 
‘Nature, 28th Nov. 1878. 


Larer Pincnarp.—On December 28th I measured the largest Pilchard 
I ever saw. It was in a salted condition, and it may therefore when fresh 
have been a little longer and not quite so deep as I found it. It measured 
eleven inches and six-eighths over all in length, and two inches and three- 
eighths in depth. These measurements will be found to be those of a large 
Herring. I did not, of course, weigh the specimen. It was one of a mixed 
lot of English and Irish fish, so that I cannot determine the place of its 
occurrence.—THomas CornisH (Penzance). 


Virau Tenacity or Succinea purris.—I forward a few specimens of a 
small form of the Amber Snail, Succinea putris. The chief interest lies in a 
peculiar habit which I have observed in the species. During the warmer 
months the usual habitat of this little mollusk is a sluggish watercourse, which 
conveys water from the reclaimed meadows above. At the outlet there is a 
flood-gate to prevent the ingress of sea-water. The colony of Succinea resides 
at the water's edge, a few yards below the flood-gate. The only molluscous 
companion is a finely striated small var. of Ancylus fluviatilis. During the 
neap-tides, both species live undisturbed in fresh water; but in the spring- 
tides they are subjected for a few hours, night and day, to a brisk influx of 
salt-water. Ancylus is a permanent resident,—attached to submerged 
stones; but Succinea is migratory. I revisited the locality on the 4th of 
November. Not a single specimen of Succinea was to be found at the 
water-side. Within a few yards of the ditch runs a mortar-built wall of 
limestone, about five feet high, and coped with stones set edgewise, at 
short intervals. On searching the wall for small species of land-shells 
I was surprised to find the colony of Succinea, alive and active, in small 
groups at the bases of the copings; some were concealed beneath moss, 
others under pieces of mortar. The locality was again visited on the 
29th November, but there was not a Succinea on the wall; and its 
hybernaculum is a mystery. The specimens now sent were taken from 
the wall on the 4th of November, and subjected to a rigid experiment. 
They were enclosed without water, in the dry glass tube, wherein they 
were kept on a warm mantelpiece till this morning (December 9th). They 
were then transferred to a jar of fresh water. In half-an-hour the liberated 
prisoners were crawling up the sides ot the jar, some attempting to 
escape.—T Hos. Gove (Armbarrow, Milnthorpe). 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 63 


DeatH or tHE Marquis oF TwrrsppaLe.—By the death of the 
Marquis of Tweeddale, which occurred at Chiselhurst on December 29th, 
zoological science has sustained a sad loss. Having only succeeded to the 
peerage on the death of his father so recently as October, 1876, his lord- 
ship was perhaps better known to naturalists as Viscount Walden, under 
which name he published numerous valuable contributions to Ornithology 
in the ‘ Transactions’ and ‘ Proceedings’ of the Zoological Society, in the 
‘This,’ the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural Society,’ and other journals 
devoted to Natural History.- Amongst his later publications may be 
specially mentioned his contributions to the Ornithology of the Philippines, 
which have appeared at intervals in the ‘ Transactions’ above mentioned. 
Having passed some time in India, where he acquired his taste for 
Ornithology, and possessing a considerable knowledge of the Asiatic avi- 
fauna, his lordship had been occupied for some time before his death in 
investigating the Ornithology of the Philippines, until then comparatively 
little known. Friends and agents in this group of islands furnished him 
at intervals with large collections of bird-skins, and these he described in a 
series of \aluable papers, illustrated with coloured plates of the new and 
rare species. It was no secret amongst ornithologists, we believe, that for 
some years past Lord Tweeddale had been engaged in collecting materials 
for a history of the birds of India, for which undertaking Jerdon’s valuable 
work had paved the way, and furnished, as it were, the skeleton or ground- 
work; and, unless we are mistaken, considerable progress had been made 
with the MS. at the time of his lordship’s lamented decease. As another 
instance of his devotion to the cause of his favourite science, we may mention 
the warm interest which he took in the publication of Mr. Dresser’s ‘ Birds 
of Europe,’ and the important aid which he furnished to that work in 
preparing a considerable portion of the synonymy. His valuable zoological 
library and large collections of birds at Chiselhurst were always available 
for inspection by his naturalist friends, to whom he was ever ready to impart 
information when required. Working thus energetically himself, and 
assisting and encouraging others to work also, Lord T'weeddale, as President 
of the Zoological Society, was emphatically “the right man in the right 
place.” He was a Fellow of the Royal and Linnean Societies, and a dis- 
tinguished member of the British Ornithologists’ Union, to whose quarterly 
journal, ‘ The Ibis,’ he contributed many valuable articles. His loss will 
be much felt by a large circle of naturalists and men of science, to say 
nothing of the numerous private friends by whom he was surrounded. 
His death, at the age of fifty-five, was occasioned, we are informed, by a 
combined attack of bronchitis and congestion of the lungs. 


64 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Society or Lonpon. 

December 19, 1878.—Prof. Attman, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 

Messrs. F. M. Campbell (Hoddesdon, Herts), J. Laurence Hamilton 
(Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park), and J. J. MacAndrew (Ivybridge, South 
Devon), were elected Fellows of the Society. 

A short paper consisting of a description of some rare shells by 
Mr. Sylvanus Hanley was read. Melania Limborgi, from British India, 
and Leptomya gravida, of uncertain habitat, were specially referred to as 
being unusual in several respects. 

The President made a verbal communication “On the Relations of 
Rhabdopleura,” expressing the opinion that the very anomalous characters 
of this curious Polyzoal genus admit of being derived from the typical 
conformation of a polyzoon by certain easily understood modifications. One 
of the most puzzling of those characters is the apparent absence of an 
endocyst, which necessarily brings with it the absence of a tentacular sheath. 
He pointed out that the endocyst is really represented by the contractile 
cord, which seems to take the place of the funiculus in the freshwater 
Polyzoa, but with which it has nothing to do. In Rhabdoplewra the 
endocyst has receded from the ectocyst, and in its posterior part by the 
approximation of its walls, and the consequent nearly complete obliteration 
of its cavity has become changed into the contractile cord. Anteriorly it 
spreads over the alimentary canal of the polypide to which it becomes 
closely adherent, and here represents the tentacular sheath. Still more 
posteriorly the endocyst undergoes even greater modification, for the con- 
tractile cord becomes chitinized and converted into the firm rod which runs 
through the stem and branches over all the older parts of the colony, and 
which still presents in its narrow lumen a trace of the original cavity of the 
endocyst. The shield-like appendage which is attached to the lophophore 
is one of the most remarkable features in the genus. G. O. Sars regards 
it as representing the epistome of the Phylactolcematous Polyzoa; but this 
view is entirely opposed by the history of its development. Prof. Allman, 
by tracing its development in connexion with that of the polypide, has 
arrived at the conclusion that it is formed as a primary bud, from the 
modified endocyst, aud that in its turn it gives origin to a bud of the 
second order, which becomes directly developed into the definitive polypide. 
The primary or scutiform bud continues for some time to increase in size 
with the developing polypide, which it considerably exceeds, but is at last 
surpassed by the latter. It never disappears, however, but ultimately 
remains in the condition of a subordinate appendage of the polypide to 
which it had given origin. We have thus in the life-history of Rhabdo- 
pleura an alternation of heteromorphic zooids. The first term, however, in 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 65 


the genetic series, the direct product of the sexual system, is as yet wanting, 
no trace of this system having hitherto been discovered in Rhabdopleura. 


January 16, 1879.—W. Carrutuers, F'.R.S., Vice-President, in the 
chair. 

Messrs. George Brooke (Huddersfield), Arthur Pearce Luff (Maryle- 
bone), John Edward Griffiths (Bangor), Charles Sharpe (Liverpool), and 
John Woodland (Kilburn Park), were balloted for and duly elected Fellows 
of the Society. 

No zoological communications were made at this meeting, but the 
following botanical memoir was read, viz.:—‘ A Synopsis of Colchicacee 
and the aberrant Tribes of Liliacea,” by J. G. Baker.—J. Murtr. 


ZooLoGicaAL Society oF Lonpon. 


January 14, 1879.—Professor Newton, M.A., F.R.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

Before proceeding to the usual business the Chairman called attention 
to the great loss which the Society and Zoological Science had sustained 
by the recent death of their late President, the Marquis of Tweeddale, 
F.R.S. 

The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the 
Society's Menagerie during the month of December, 1878, and called special 
attention to a collection of Lemurs brought to England by Mr. George A. 
Shaw from the province of Betsileo, in Central Madagascar, and acquired 
by the Society partly by purchase and partly by presentation ; and to a 
female Punjaub Wild Sheep, Ovis eycloceros, presented by Colonel W. R. 
Alexander, having been obtained in the hills between Upper Sind and 
Beloochistan. 

Dr. Traquair exhibited a specimen of the Hackled Pigeon, Alectenas 
nitidissima, recognised last September in the Museum of Science and Art 
in Edinburgh, by Professor Newton, who made some remarks on the 
species, showing that it was peculiar to Mauritius; that it is now wholly 
extinct; and that only three specimeus of it are known to have been 
preserved. 

The Secretary read an extract from a letter received from Commander 
Hoskins, R.N., of H.M.S. ‘ Wolverine,’ on the subject of the range of the 
Mooruk, stating that no traces of the existence of this bird could be found 
in New Ireland. An extract was also read from a letter, addressed to the 
Secretary by the Rev. George Brown, giving additional particulars on the 
same subject 

The Secretary read an extract from a letter addressed to him by 
Mr. R. Trimen, of Cape Town, on the subject of the true locality of the 

K 


66 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Black Spurwinged Goose, Plectropterus niger, which he had ascertained 
had been brought to Cape Town from Zanzibar. 

A communication was read from Dr. Morrison Watson and Dr. Alfred 
H. Young on the anatomy of the Spotted Hyena, Hyena crocuta. 

A communication was read from Mr. A. D. Bartlett, giving an account 
of the habits and changes of plumage of Humboldt’s Penguin, as observed 
in a specimen which had been recently living in the Society’s Gardens. 

A communication was read from Dr. O. Finsch, containing an account 
of a collection of birds, made by Mr. Huebner on Duke of York Island and 
New Britain. 

A communication was read from Mr. Edward J. Miers, deseribing a 
collection of Crustacea, made by Capt. H. C. St. John, R.N., in the Corean 
and Japanese Seas. The present paper related to the Podophthalmia of 
the collection, of which groups twenty-six species were described as 
apparently new to science. 

A communication was read from Count T. Salvadori, containing critical 
remarks on Mr. Elliot’s paper on the Fruit Pigeons of the genus Ptilopus, 
lately published iu the Society’s ‘ Proceedings.’ 

A communication was read from the late Marquis of Tweeddale, con- 
taining the twelfth of a series of contributions on the Ornithology of the 
Philippines. The present paper gave an account of the collections made by 
Mr. A. H. Everett in the Island of Basilan. 

Dr. A. Giinther gave an account of the Mammals, Reptiles and 
Batrachians recently collected by Mr. Everett in the Philippine Islands, 
and called special attention to a new form of Snake of the family Cala- 
mariid@, of which one example had been obtained. This Snake, which was 
remarkable as possessing no external rudiments of eyes, was proposed to 
be called Typhlogeophis brevis. —P. L. Sotaten, Secretary. 


Enromotoaicat Socizty or Lonpon. 

December 4, 1878.— H. W. Bates, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., President, 
in the chair. é 

Mr. T. P. Newman, of 7, York Grove, Peckham, was ballotted for and 
elected a Member. Mr. J. Walker, R.N., of Blue Town, Sheerness, was 
ballotted for and elected a Subscriber. 

Mr. H. T. Stainton exhibited a series of fine specimens of Glyphipteryx 
Schenicolella taken by Mr. Threlfall near Witherslack last summer. ‘They 
were flying over cotton-grass in little swarms just before sunset—literally 
by hundreds—and were mistaken at the time for G. Fischeriella. ‘I'he 
species was first recorded by Mr. Thomas Boyd in the ‘ Entomologists’ 
Weekly Intelligencer,’ vol. iv., p. 144. 

Mr. Wood-Mason exhibited and made remarks upon a stridulating beetle 
belonging to the Liutelide. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 67 


Prof. Westwood exhibited a male specimen of Epinephele Tithonus 
having the right hind-wing much paler than the general ground colour of 
the other wings ; likewise a variety (gynandromorphic) of E. Jurtina, viz., a 
male specimen, having the under side of the left hind-wing partly male and 
partly female in character, the two portions being separated by an orange 
streak, and presenting the appearance of a male wing with a portion of a 
female wing let in. An enlarged coloured diagram of the last insect was 
exhibited, and also similar diagrams of the following specimens :—(1). A 
male Perrhybris Pyrrha (from Mr. Hewitson’s collection) having the under 
side of the right hind-wing coloured like the female, which mimics a species 
of Heliconia. (2). A specimen of Nymphalis Populi with larval head. 
(3). A specimen of Dytiscus marginalis (original in British Museum) with 
larval head, and one of Helophilus pendulus similarly deformed, two 
specimens of this last example of imperfect development being in the Hope 
Collection at Oxford. 

Prof. Westwood remarked with regard to monstrosities that although in 
such cases among the higher animals the head parts often appeared 
duplicated, this very rarely appeared among the Arthropoda. He was 
inclined to regard gynandromorphism as the result of the coalescence of 
two ova in the female insect, and the subsequent suppression of all the 
characters of the one sex but those retained in the imago. 

Mr. H. T. Stainton raised the question whether many cases of gynan- 
dromorphism might not be explained by atavism, 7.e., by partial reversion 
to ancestral characters. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan exhibited a series of cases of the larvee of Trichopterous 
insects forwarded to him by Dr. Fritz Miiller, of Blumenau, Santa 
Catharina, Brazil. Several of the forms, of minute size, were evidently 
those of Hydroptilide. 

Dr. Fritz Miiller also sent enlarged outlines of the neuration of various 
Lepidoptera, in order to point out the homologies that appeared to exist with 
that of the Trichoptera, of which an outline of the wing of Glyphidotaulius, 
copied from Kolenati’s ‘Genera et Species Trichopterorum,’ was placed 
side by side with those of the Lepidoptera. Mr. M‘Lachlan called 
especial attention to the neuration of Castnia Ardalus as delineated by 
Dr. Miller, and compared it with that of Hydropsyche as figured in his 
‘Revision and Synopsis of European Trichoptera.’ He stated that it had 
long been his opinion that in a linear arrangement the orders Lepidoptera 
and Trichoptera should not be widely separated. 

The Rev. A. Eaton exhibited a piece of “ Kungu cake” from Lake 
Nyassa. According to Livingstone and others this substance is used 
extensively as food in the region referred to, and is made by the natives of 
large quantities of a minute insect, whose habit is to fly in dense cloud-like 
flights often similar in appearance to columns of smoke. These subsiding 


68 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


upon the herbage along the borders of the lake, accumulate to a considerable 
depth, and are then collected en masse, pressed into cakes, and dried for 
consumption. Until now the “ Kungu fly” has been conjectured to be a 
species of the Ephemeride@; but on actual inspection it proves to be a 
minute representative of the Culicide, and (so far as can be ascertained 
from the material at hand) of the genus Corethra. The condition of the 
compressed examples precludes an exact determination of the species being 
made from them. It is possible that ‘ Kungu cake” in other localities may 
be composed of other materials. 

Mr. W. L. Distant remarked that he had learnt from Mr. Chennell that 
Erthesina fullo, a very common Eastern Hemipterous insect, was largely 
eaten by the Naga Hill tribes of N E. India. 

Mr. Meldola stated that while on the subject of insect-food he would 
mention that Mr. 8. Stevens had forwarded to him a query by Mr. J. 
Watson respecting the chemical composition of the bodies of insects, 
which, since they furnish all the materials necessary for the food of those birds 
which, like swallows, feed on the wing, must contain, in addition to carbon, 
hydrogen, and oxygen, the requisite nitrogen and phosphates. Mr. Meldola 
remarked that chitine, the substance composing the horny external portions 
of the bodies of insects, had been shown by analysis to contain about 
6 per cent. of nitrogen. With regard to phosphates he stated that, 
although he was sure the ash of the bodies of insects did contain these 
salts, he was unable to find any direct statement to this effect, and at his 
request, therefore, Mr. William Cole had been good enough to burn some 
insects, and to test the ash for phosphoric acid, which he had succeeded 
in finding. 

Mr. ©. O. Waterhouse forwarded for exhibition a living Curculio 
found by Mr. J. C. Bowring in his orchid-house at Windsor. The insect 
was identified by Mr. Pascoe and Professor Westwood as one of the 
Calandride. 

The Secretary read the “ Report of the Sub-Committee appointed to 
consider the communication from the Board of Trade, dated 2nd November, 
1878, regarding the ravages of Anisoplia austriaca at Taganrog.” 

Mr. A. G. Butler communicated a paper “ On a collection of Lepidoptera 
rom Cachar, N.E. India.” 


Annual Meeting, January 15, 1879.—H. W. Bares, F.L.S., President, 
in the chair. 

Mr. J. W. Dunning, one of the Auditors, read an abstract of the 
Treasurer's Accounts for 1878, showing a balance of £30 14s. 7d. in favour 
of the Society. 

The Secretary read the Report of the Council for 1878. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan proposed and Mr. Wood-Mason seconded the adoption 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 69 


of the Council's Report. The motion was put to the Meeting and carried 
unanimously. 

An address was delivered by the President. 

Sir Sidney Saunders and Mr. E. Boscher were appointed scrutineers. 

The following Members of Council were elected for 1879 :--Henry 
Walter Bates, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; William L. Distant; Rev. A. E. Eaton, M.A.; 
Edward A. Fitch; Ferdinand Grut, F.LS8.; Raphael Meldola, F.C.S.; 
Edward Saunders, F’.L.S.; Frederick Smith; J. Jenner Weir, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; 
Joseph W. Dunning, M.A., F.L.S.; Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., 
V.-P.R.S.; Samuel Stevens; James Wood-Mason, F'.G.S. 

The following officers were then elected :—President, Sir John Lubbock, 
Bart., M.P.; Treasurer, J. Jenner Weir; Librarian, F Grut; Secretaries, 
R. Meldola and W. L. Distant. 

Mr. H. T. Stainton proposed a vote of thanks to the President for his 
services during the past year, and moved that his address should be printed. 
The motion was seconded by Mr. M‘Lachlan, and carried unanimously. 

A vote of thanks to the other officers for their services was proposed 
by Mr. J. W. May, seconded by Mr. Pascoe, and carried unanimously. 
Messrs. Jenner Weir, Grut, Meldola, and Distant replied. 

The President returned thanks to the Auditors, on whose behalf 
Mr. Dunning replied, and the Meeting then adjourned to February 5th.— 
R. Mexpora, Hon. Secretary. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 


The Fenland Past and Present. By Samurn H. Miter, F.R.A.S., 
F.M.S., Medallist and Foreign Member of the Society of Arts 
and Sciences of Utrecht; and Sypnny B. J. Sxerrcuty, 
F.G.S., Her Majesty’s Geological Survey. Illustrated with 
Engravings, Maps and Diagrams. Wisbech: Leach & Son. 
London: Longmans. 1878. Royal 8vo. 


Now that in these days when “men run to and fro upon the 
earth, and knowledge is increased,” the aspect of few parts of 
England is not more or less known to our readers. A gloomier 
prospect is hardly to be viewed by a traveller than that which 
presents itself to the eyes of the ordinary passengers on certain 
portions of the Great Northern or Great Kastern Railways, where 
the line runs over the Fen Country. The ground is a dead level; 
the soil black; hedgerows, and still more the graceful elms which 
in so many parts of the kingdom embellish them, are wholly 


70 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


wanting. Field is separated from field hy ditches half-choked 
with weeds. The horizon is broken only by straggling plantations 
of alders and black poplars. A few willows here and there cluster 
in a corner which seems to have escaped the attention of the agri- 
culturist. As we come to a halt at one of those lonely stations— 


‘‘ Where none but a Great Eastern train would stop, 
Where there’s no one to pick up and no one to drop” — 


we marvel how people can be found to dwell in the midst of 
such a melancholy district. In spring or early summer, indeed, 
our ears may catch the chattering notes of the Sedge-bird or the 
feeble song of the Reed Sparrow, but at all other seasons of the year 
silence reigns; and the traveller, if he be passing through the 
country for the first time, wonders whether he may have inhaled 
the germs of an ague, and whether the stories he may have heard 
as to the opium-consuming habits indulged in by the Fen men to 
prevent that dire malady are true or not. Such are probably the 
thoughts presented to ninety-nine out of every hundred even 
intelligent passengers through a considerable portion of Hunting- 
donshire, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. But the 
one man out of the hundred will know that the landscape he 
views was not always as he sees it, and that its present condition 
has been brought about at an expense of money and life and 
labour which no one can compute, and that it may be regarded 
as one of the greatest triumphs of the human intellect over the 
concurrent forces of nature—for has he not read Mr. Smiles’s 
‘Lives of the Engineers’ ? 

It is impossible to doubt the fact that this wide expanse, so 
unlovely, so repulsive—we may almost say—in its present state, 
was once an absolute paradise, abounding in animal life and 
diversified by vegetation, the nature of which we can hardly ¢on- 
ceive. Yet if we turn to what is recorded of its earlier condition 
we find but little to satisfy our longings for information, and we 
must say that that little has not been made the most of by the 
authors of the book which has prompted these remarks. They 
have, it is true, and we are much obliged to them for it, given on 
the whole a fairly accurate, and in some respects a happy, para- 
phrase of that curious passage in the ‘ Liber Eliensis,’ wherein a 
monk of the twelfth century depicted some of the principal features 
of the fen country of his time, and we may add that this is the 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 71 


more to their credit, since the passage is in some parts extremely 
hard to translate. They quote it entire (pp. 356—358), with only 
two or three trifling misprints, but it deserves to be better known 
than it is, and we will here attempt an English version of it. We 
may state that it is an enconium passed upon the Isle of Ely, and 
supposed to have been delivered to William the Conqueror when 
he was laying siege to that “Camp of Refuge” ;—the last portion of 
England which held out against his victorious arms :— 


“Tn our isle men are not troubling themselves about the leaguer, but 
think they may safely be defended by their tiros; the ploughman has not 
taken his hand from the plough, nor has the hunter cast aside his arrow, 
nor does the fowler desist from beguiling birds. Aud yet something more. 
If you wish to hear what I have known and have seen, I will reveal all to 
you. The isle is within itself plentifully endowed, it is supplied with various 
kinds of herbage, and for its richer soil surpasses the rest of England. 
Most delightful for its charming fields and pastures, it is also remarkable 
for its beasts of chase, and is in no ordinary way fertile in flocks and herds. 
Its woods and vineyards are not worthy of equal praise, but it is beset by 
great meres and fens as though by a strong wall. In this isle there is an 
abundance of domestic cattle and a multitude of wild animals; Stags, Roes, 
Goats and Hares are found in its groves and by these fens. Moreover, there 
is a fair plenty of Otters, Weasels and Polecats, which in a hard winter are 
caught by traps, snares, or by any other device. But what am I to say of the 
kind of fishes, and of fowls, both those that fly and those that swim? Jn the 
eddy at the sluices of these meres are netted innumerable Eels, large Water- 
wolves—even Pickerels, Perches, Roaches, Burbots and Lampreys, which 
we call Water-snakes. It is indeed said by many men that sometimes [stcit,* 


* It seems impossible at present to say what fish is here meant, though our 
authors translate it “Shad.” The resemblance of the word to isiciwm (a pudding or 
sausage) points to some kind which was commonly made into a pudding or cooked 
with stuffing, and Du Cange has Isiz = Hsox—i.e., according to the ordinary inter- 
pretation, a Pike. Now, though to this day a Pike is generally baked with “a 
pudding in his belly,” following the laudable example of Izaak Walton, Pike can 
hardly be intended in the text, for it has been already named among the commonest 
fishes, whereas the Isicii were comparatively rare. Du Cange translates Hsox by 
Alose—the French for Shad, and our authors seem to have followed him; but we 
submit that their interpretation cannot be allowed. In the first place, the old 
name of the Shad is Lachia, whence comes Alachia, Alausa, Alose, and Allice, &e. 
(Yarrell, ‘ British Fishes,’ ed. 3, vol. i., p. 128); and, secondly, no British species of 
Shad is possessed of such qualities as would justify its being mentioned in the 
exceptional way that the Isicii are. We may add that there can be no question of a 
wrong reading, as we are assured by Mr. J. W. Clark, who has kindly consulted on 
this point the original MS. in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. The 


72 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


together with the royal fish, the Sturgeon,* are taken. As to fowls, 
let us, if it be not troublesome to you, recount those which abide there and 
thereabout, as we have done with the rest. There are numberless Geese, 
Fiscedule, + Coots, Didappers, Water-crows, Herons and Ducks, of which 
the number is very great. At midwinter or when the birds moult their quills, 
T have seen them caught by the hundred, and even by three hundreds more or 


less, sometimes they are taken in nets and snares as well as by bird-lime.”} 


Want of space forbids our attempting to fill up the outlines 
thus boldly sketched, and thus we must look in vain for another 
glimpse of fen zoology till we find one, of all places in the world, in 
the ‘ Ephemerides’ of Casaubon, a foreigner anda scholar! This 
distinguished man, in 1611, accompanied Andrews, then Bishop 
of Ely, on a visit to part of his diocese, and the journal kept, as 
was his wont, shows what a remarkably acute observer he must 
have been. As Mr. Pattison, the editor of an excellent memoir of 
him (‘Isaac Casaubon, 1559—1614’), says, ‘‘In this summer retreat 
[Downham Market], Casaubon enjoyed forty-eight days of peace 
and leisure. . . . The flat fen of Donnington is not a favourable 
specimen of our rural scenery, but Casaubon thought it beautiful, 
coming from 8. Mary Axe. Though he had lived at Montpellier, 
he thought the apricots of the Isle of Ely rivalled those of France 
in flavour. He was struck with the wealthy appearance of the 
country. He saw something of provincial life, accompanying the 
Bishop on a progress or visitation, which he made to Wisbech and 
the neighbourhood.” We will hazard another translation, of an 
entry made at Wisbech, on the 20th September of that year :— 


historian, however, in copying from some older record (a practice not confined to 
monkish annalists) may have written the word wrongly, and we cannot help 
suggesting that there has been a corruption of some such word as leaxas, which 
would signify Salmon, possibly through this very Lachia. 

* The word in the original is Rwmbus, which, in its usual form of Rhombus, 
undoubtedly signifies Turbot, as our authors have translated it. But what could a 
Turbot be doing in the fresh waters of the Isle of Ely? The expletive of “the royal 
fish” points to the Sturgeon, and in the ‘ Promptorium Parvulorum’ (the work, be it 
remembered, of an East Anglian) we find (Ed. Way, p. 481) “Sturione, or Sturiowne, 
fysche (sturgyn, K. sturiowne or storyon, 8.) Rumbus.” We therefore do not hesitate 
to accept this rendering here, and may remark that there are many cases of the name 
of an animal being diverted from its common meaning by medizyal authors. 

+ In the translation of this word there is again a difficulty. The most obvious 
suggestions are that it is a corruption of Piscedule or Ficedule ; but no such name 
as the former is known, and the latter, ‘‘ Fig-eaters,” seems strangely out of place in 
such company. Could we read it Querquedule, Teals, all would be easy. 

+ Lib. ii. cap. 105 (Ed. D. J. Stewart, 1848). 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 73 


“We also saw certain choice birds which are fattened for sale. Amongst 
the rest one called Godwit, that is to say, Dei ingenium, which is wonder- 
fully commended, so that at Wisbech, where provisions are very cheap, the 
bird-feeder said he sold these birds for five or six English halfpence (solidis) 
—equal to fifty or sixty French—apiece, but when he took them to London 
he brought back twenty English pence for each. The bird is the size of a 
small Partridge, or even less. Its colour is grey, and it has a bill longer than 
my middle finger stretched out. The flesh when cooked is dark as is that of 
marsh-birds. I ate it at the Lord Bishop’s table, and did not think highly 
of it: I do not see the reason why it is so greatly preferred to the Otus.” * 


What this Otus was may be discovered from another passage 
in the same journal :— 


“ Bliterre aves. Ott vel Otides. 

“Tn the Ely country there is a bird about as big as a hen, in colour a 
mixture of yellow and grey, &e., having very long legs, and called Bliterra. 
It is said to be in the habit of introducing its bill into one of the nearest 
reeds, and of thundering forth a voice so horrible that those unused to the 
thing say it is that of an evil spirit, and so loud that two gentlemen assured 
me it could be heard for three or four miles. It is not agreeable meat. 

“The Otus or Otis, indeed, is a bird less than a Partridge, and a mimic, 
wont to be beguiled and caught by silly imitation. Great men and kings 
are keen in the chase of this bird. It furnishes very delicate meat, if my 
palate is sufficiently instructed. I have also seen them alive. They say 
that if the fowler lifts one of his feet the bird does the same, if he extends 
an arm the bird extends a wing, and imitates all his actions.” + 


The Blterra is, of course, the Bittern, and the fable of its 
booming, “with bill engulpht,” is a very old one, perpetuated even 
by Thomson in the last century, though Drayton, in the extract 
from his ‘ Polyolbion’ (written about this time), which our authors 
most properly quote (pp. 867, 368), seems to have been superior 
toit. But the Otus or Otis of Casaubon, as every ornithologist 
will perceive, cannot be anything else than the Dotterel,{ and his 
statement as to its capture by kings is curiously corroborated 
by what we know from another source to have been one of the 
“sports” of James I. in the preceding year, for which we must 

* «Ephemerides Isaaci Casauboni,’ &c, (Ed. Jon. Russell, ii., pp. 867, 868). 

+ Op. cit., p. 873. 

t Mr. Pattison, not being an ornithologist, naturally falls into the mistake ot 
thinking it was a Bustard (op. cit. p. 391). We may also remark that for the same 


reason Mr. Russell in the penultimate passage prints “ Godwie” for “‘ Godwit,” thereby 
failing to explain Casaubon’s ingenious Latin translation of its name. 


ih 


74 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


refer our readers to Mr. Stevenson’s ‘ Birds of Norfolk’ (vol. ii., 
pp. 82—84), as we have not room to quote it here. 

We have just mentioned Drayton’s ‘ Polyolbion,’ which gives 
as aimated a picture as well can be of Fen life*—but then again 
we come to another lamentable blank. The observant Ray, who 
lived so long on the borders of the district, and, as his ‘Itineraries’ 
show, more than once traversed it, has left us no connected 
account of its peculiarities, and what can be gathered from his 
and Willughby’s writings leads us to suppose they had never 
made any special study of them. There is perhaps one reason for 
the neglect ‘with which the Fens in their best time were treated, 
though we are not aware of its having been alleged before, and as 
it is strictly a zoological matter we may mention it now. They 
were doubtless most abominably infested by clouds of gnats, from 
which visitors would suffer torments. This is no mere supposi- 
tion. We have the evidence of the younger Thomas Browne to 
this effect. In his tour from Norwich to Derbyshire and further, 
in 1662, he had occasion to cross the Wash from Lynn to Boston, 
and he mentions two routes. Of that which he took he writes 
that it was ‘‘not troubled with flies with which all those fenne 
countrey’s are extreamly pestered.” + 

What would we not give to have had from that prince. of 
faunists, Gilbert White, an account of the Fenland during his 
stay in it? We have long known his opinion :—“I have often 
thought that those vast extent of fens have never been sufficiently 
explored. If half-a-dozen gentlemen, furnished with a good 
strength of water-spaniels, were to beat them over for a week, 
they would certainly find more species.” { And he had good right 
to give an opinion, since we learn from that interesting corre- 
spondence of his with Marsham which has only of late years been 
published, § that in 1746 he “lived for six months at Thorney, in 


* One especially remarkable feature is prominently brought forward in the line :— 
“There stalks the stately Crane, as though he march’d in warre,” 
reminding us of old Turner's earlier statement (in 1544) :—“ Apud Anglos etiam 
nidulantur grues in locis palustribus, & earum pipiones sepissime vidi, quod quidam 
extra Angliam nati, falsam esse contendunt.” Had this writer lived till the year 
1875 he might have found an Englishman taking the same mistaken view (Atheneum, 

No. 2625, p. 222). 
+ Sir Thomas Browne’s Works, &c., edited by Simon Wilkin, vol. i., p. 23. 
+ Letter xxii. to Pennant. , 
§ Trans. Norf. and Norw. Nat. Society, ii. p. 152. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 5 fE5) 


the Isle of Ely,”* and we know besides that in the month of June 
in that year he “was visiting for a week together at Spalding ;” + 
but, alas! the only information he gives us on the fauna of the 
Fens is the bare statement that “there are supposed to be two 
sorts of eels in the island of Ely.” { 

By far the best picture of the Fens known to us is that drawn 
by White’s correspondent, Pennant, whose labours it is now-a-days 
rather the fashion to depreciate. He visited Lincolnshire at least 
three times :—first in May, 1768, when he met Mr. (afterwards Sir 
Joseph) Banks at Revesby Abbey, the latter’s seat in that county, 
and “made many observations on the zoology of the country ;”§ 
secondly, from the 27th to the 29th of June, 1769, when he rode 
from Chesterfield by Dunham Ferry and the Foss Dyke to Lincoln, 
whence he visited Spalding, and, passing near Swinesland Abbey, 
returned to Lincoln, proceeding northward by Glanford Bridge 
to the Humber ;|| and thirdly, in July, 1776, when he went from 
Lincoln by Horncastle, Tattershall, Boston, Crowland and Castor 
to Peterborough.{/ In his account of the second of these visits 
occurs a description, which, being unknown probably to most of 
our readers, and not mentioned by the authors of ‘ The Fenland,’ 
we take the liberty of reproducing. It probably includes the 
experience of both his earlier visits :— 


“The fen called the West Fen, is the place where the Ruffs and Reeves 
resort to in the greatest numbers; and many other sorts of water-fowl, 
which do not require the shelter of reeds or rushes, migrate here to breed ; 
for this fen is very bare, having been imperfectly drained by narrow canals, 
which intersect it for great numbers of miles. These the inhabitants 
navigate in most diminutive shallow boats; they are, in fact, the roads of 
the country. 

“The Hast Fen is quite in a state of nature, and gives a specimen of 
the country before the introduction of drainage: it is a vast tract of morass, 
intermixed with numbers of lakes*** from half a mile to two or three miles 


* The circumstance which induced this statement is also mentioned in his 
* Antiquities,’ Letter v. 

+ Letter xxiii. to Pennant. + Letter xl. to Pennant. 

§ ‘Literary Life, p. 8. Among these observations must have been those on the 
heronry at Cressi, which so excited” White’s curiosity, and on the supposed new 
Locustella, as it was called in those days, the Sedge Warbler of modern times, the 
recognition of which is due to White and Pennant jointly. 

|| ‘ Tour in Scotland,’ Ed. 5, i. pp. 7—15. q ‘Literary Life,’ p. 24. 

** Our authors give (p. 150) a list of these lakes and their names from Dugdale. 


76 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


in circuit, communicating with each other by narrow reedy straits; they are 
very shallow, none are above four or five feet in depth; but abound with 
fish, such as Pike, Perch, Ruff, Bream, Tench, Rud, Dace, Roach, Burbot, 
Sticklebacks, and Eels. 

“Tt is observable that, once in seven or eight years, immense shoals of 
Sticklebacks appear in the Welland below Spalding, and attempt coming up 
the river in form of a vast column. They are supposed to be the collected 
multitudes washed out of the fens by the floods of several years, and carried 
into some deep hole; when, over-charged with numbers, they are obliged to 
attempt a change of place. They move up the river in such quantities as to 
enable a man, who was employed in taking them, to earn, for a considerable 
time four shillings a day, by selling them at a halfpenny per bushel. They 
were used to manure land, and attempts have been made to get oil from 
them. The fen is covered with reeds, the harvest of the neighboring 
inhabitants, who mow them annually; for they prove a much better thatch 
than straw, and not only cottages, but many very good houses are covered 
with them. Stares, which during winter resort in myriads to roost in the 
reeds, are very destructive, by breaking them down by the vast numbers 
that perch on them. ‘The people are therefore very diligent in their 
attempts to drive them away, and are at great expense in powder to free 
themselves of these troublesome guests. I have seen a stack of reeds 
harvested and stacked worth two or three hundred pounds, which was the 
property of a single farmer. 

“ The birds which inhabit the different fens are very numerous: I never 
met with a finer field for the zoologist to range in. Besides the common 
Wild-duck, of which an account is given in another place,* wild Geese, 
Garganies, Pochards, Shovelers, and Teals, breed here. I have seen in the 
East Fen a small flock of the tufted Ducks; but they seemed to make it 
only a baiting place. The Pewit Gulls and black Terns abound; the last, 
in vast flocks, almost deafen one with their clamors: a few of the great 
Terns, or Tickets, are seen among them. I saw several of the great 
crested Grebes on the Hast Fen, called there Gaunts, and met with one of 
their floating nests with eggs in it. The lesser crested Grebe, the black 
and dusky Grebe, and the little Grebe, are also inhabitants of the fens ; 
together with Coots, Waterhens, spotted Waterhens, Water-rails, Ruffs, 
Redshanks, Lapwings or Wipes, Red-breasted Godwits and Whimbrels. 
The Godwits breed near Washenbrough ; the Whimbrels only appear for 
about a fortnight in May near Spalding, and then quit the country. 
Opposite to Fossdyke Wash, during the summer, are great numbers of 
Avosettas, called there Yelpers, from their cry. They hover over the sports- 
man’s head like the Lapwing, and fly with their necks and legs extended. 


* «British Zoology,’ ii., No. 279. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. wih 


“Knots are taken in nets along the shores near Fossdyke in great 
numbers during winter ; but they disappear in the spring.”* 


More follows onthe Short-eared Owl and the Cressi heronry, 
but nothing that is novel, and we need not quote further. 

Early in the present century Montagu made a tour through 
Lincolnshire, with the special object of studying the natural 
history of the Ruff, and though he says little or nothing of the 
Fens generally, the account of that species given in his ‘ Supple- 
ment’ will always remain a classic passage to the ornithologist, 
and must be well known to our readers. It is indeed greatly to be 
regretted that he and Pennant had not more imitators. Numerous 
collectors no doubt visited one part or another of the Fen country, 
and some of them were able observers; but, alas! whether orni- 
thologists or entomologists, they have left very scant records of 
what they saw. ‘These records, however, are well worth hunting 
up, and since our authors have not been at this trouble, there is 
an opening for some Fenland faunist here to do good work. 

The desire to lay before our readers these overlooked passages, 
which Messrs. Miller and Skertchly might well have introduced 
into their work, has led us to such a length that we find ourselves 
compelled to be very brief in our criticisms of it; but in what we 
have said, and in what remains for us to say, we strictly limit 
ourselves to the scope of this present journal, and so we at once 
dismiss the archeology, the history and antiquities, the geology, 
the meteorology, and the botany of this bulky volume. All these 
subjects may be admirably treated for anything we know to the 
contrary, though the geological teaching laid down has been 
declared by a contemporary (‘ Nature,’ Xviil., p. 514) to be some- 
what questionable, if not actually heretical. We cannot even 
review the entomological portion, and we must confine ourselves 
to that part which has to do with Vertebrates—the most inte- 
resting probably to the readers of ‘The Zoologist.’ This then 

* Gough, in his edition of Camden’s ‘ Britannia,’ inserts a condensed version of 
this interesting description, and the few writers who have ever alluded to it at all 
have generally credited him with it as the result of his own observation, if they have 
not laid it to Camden. There can be no doubt that the authorship is due to Pennant, 
who indeed tells us (Lit. Life, p. 37) that to Gough he communicated several of his 
manuscript journals, and moreover mentions that returning from his third visit to 
Lincolnshire he passed a day with Gough at Enfield (ibid. p. 24). Gough was a 


respectable topographer and antiquarian, but no naturalist. He, however, showed 
his good sense by incorporating into his work these remarkable passages. 


78 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


leaves us only chapters eleven and twelve—the former by Mr. 
Skertchly, and the latter apparently by Mr. Miller. 

Mr. Skertchly’s account of the prehistoric fauna of the district 
seems to us unnecessarily diffuse. Though he says, ‘‘it would 
be going beyond our limits to enlarge upon the fossils preserved 
to us in the ancient strata which underlie the true fen beds,” this 
is exactly what he has done, or why do we have disquisitions on 
the fauna of various “gravels” containing remains of Elephant,* 
Hippopotamus, Rhinoceros and other forms which most assuredly 
passed away long before the Fens, in the ordinary acceptation of 
the term, existed? The fauna of the Fenland really begins with 
what we find in the peat—or the “ moor,” to use the local name 
for it. Here he names seventeen mammals, including Man, and 
a “variety” of Bos longifrons! This last is, of course only a 
domesticated breed of Ox, and we cannot doubt that the Horse 
also was in like condition, while possibly the same may be said of 
the Goat and of the normal Long-fronted Ox. This would leave 
only a dozen species undisputed; but we venture to question the 
existence when the peat began to form of the Rein-Deer, and 
think that its remains must be referred to a preceding epoch. 
The Wolf, the Marten, the Bear, the Beaver, the Boar, all the 
Cervide and the Urus are now extinct in the district, if not in 
Britain—and thus the fauna of the early peat days and that of our 
own would seem to have only two wild mammals in common, the 
Fox and the Otter—but of course a greater number of the smaller 
British quadrupeds must then have lived, and we know that 
remains of the Polecat, omitted by Mr. Skertchly, have been 
found. ‘The authors have done well to introduce a figure of the 
grand and nearly perfect skeleton of the Urus dug up a few years 
since in Burwell Fen, and now one of the glories of the Cambridge 
Museum, for it has not been figured before, and is the only speci- 
men approaching to completeness in the kingdom. The same 
Museum also possesses a nearly perfect skeleton, perhaps unique, 
of the British Beaver. Mr. Skertchly enumerates but seven 
species of birds:—the Coot, Bittern, Pelican, Wild and Tame 
Swan, Teal and Crested Grebe. We can assure him, however, 
that the traces of several other species, as the Heron and Wild 

* At page 335 he goes out of his way to say that three years ago it was reported 


that a herd of Mammoths had been seen in Siberia, though he does add, ‘the 
rumour, however, has never been verified” 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 79 


Duck, have also been recognized. However, none of these possess 
much interest except the Pelican, the discovery of which was 
altogether unexpected. Only two bones of it have been recog- 
nized,* and, curiously enough, each of them is a humerus from 
the same side of the bird! M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards has 
shown that one of them, though of large size, was that of a young 
bird; hence it may not be unfairly inferred that the species bred 
in the district. Mr. Skertchly includes the Water Tortoise, but 
the only remains known to have been found in England were not 
discovered actually within the limits of the Fens, though in truth 
not many miles away. 

In his account of the modern fauna, the writer, whom we take 
to be Mr. Miller, hardly rises to his interesting subject. Con- 
cerning its earlier condition we have already said enough in 
quoting and remarking on the extracts above given. In the list 
of existing mammals (pp. 858—362) we find a few statements that 
seem to be strange; for instance, Mr. Jenyns’s Plecotus brevimanus 
was not “supposed by the author to be a variety of” P. auritus, 
but was described by him as a distinct species, though it is now 
generally recognized as the young of the Long-eared Bat. In his 
views as to Shrews, Mr. Miller is strangely at variance with Prof. 
Bell, for in his last edition we find there but three species given 
as British, whereas Mr. Miller will have four for the Fens. Nor 
is the latter happy in his nomenclature, for he calls one of them 
Sorex hibernicus! Had he taken the trouble to refer to Mr. 
Jenyns’s published paper, he would have found this last name to 
have been given to a supposed variety, from Ireland, of Mr. 
Jenyns’s S. rusticus, which is a Fen animal, no doubt, but has 
been identified in Mr. Bell’s last edition (p. 148 a) with S. pygmeus. 
In the same work Mr. Bell united S. remifer with S. fodiens, and 
there can be little doubt that he was right in so doing; thus 
Mr. Miller’s fourth species of Fen Shrew comes to nothing.t 


* Proc. Zool. Soc., 1868, p. 2; 1871, p. 702. 

+ In mentioning the British Shrews we cannot refrain from expressing our 
regret that Prof. Bell, or, as we suppose, Mr. Tomes, who assisted him in the 
Insectivora, has given up the old name of Sorex araneus for the common Shrew, in 
favour of S. vulgaris. The latter was bestowed by Linnzus in 1754, and he, in 1766,— 
the date from which all binomial nomenclature in Zoology starts,—replaced it by the 
far better known araneus. No doubt some foreign naturalists have applied this 
specific designation to a perfectly distinct species, but their misuse does not invalidate 
the proper use of it by Linnzus. 


80 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


We also hesitate to believe that the Marten, the Seal, and 
the Black Rat have any right to be included in the list of 
existing mammals, to swell which Mr. Miller liberally adds four 
species of Arvicola, one of which is A. arvalis, altogether un- 
known to Britain, while he counts A. rubidus and A. riparia 
as distinct. 

So far as the Birds are concerned the less said the better. 
It is true that Mr. Miller has been assisted by some notes by 
Mr. Cordeaux, which, as would be expected of him, are much to 
the point; but that gentleman, so far as we are aware, has never 
made an especial study of the Fen district (in which he does not 
reside), and naturally would not be supposed to have much to say 
of its avian peculiarities. Anything more meagre than the rest 
of the information which Mr. Miller furnishes cannot well be 
imagined. A three-legged Rook shot in the district and preserved 
in the Wisbech Museum is honoured by one of his notes. In 
another the Turtle Dove is pronounced to be only a very occa- 
sional visitant—but it is needless to dwell upon remarks of this 
kind. To the ornithologist they are of no use, to the general 
reader they are misleading. We had looked in such a work 
as this for a full and detailed account of the remarkable 
history of Savi’s Warbler,—a bird which was only discovered 
to be a British denizen just as its last retreat was being 
destroyed,—but all we find given is its name and a note 
(furnished by Mr. Cordeaux) containing a quotation that we 
certainly cannot complain of, but one that never professed 
to give a history of the species. Of the Fishes the list seems 
better by far, but here Mr. Miller has had the assistance of 
Dr. John Lowe, who has before shown himself to be a competent 
ichthyologist. 

It remains for us to say that the present work weighs four 
pounds six ounces, that it contains, besides the preface, con- 
tents, and so forth, 649 pages of excellent paper, and is sump- 
tuously bound. It has a very fair map, several very respectable 
illustrations—the frontispiece excepted—but a wretched index 
and more misprints than it has been our bad luck to encounter 
for a long time. 


Plate Il, 


arch 


wr 
LVL 


J.H Harting del* 


Plate I. 


March, 1879. 


ool 


Lr 6 
410 


hrom. Lith 


West Newman & C° 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. III.) MARCH, 1879. [No. 27. 


ON TH CHANGE--OF: COLOUR, .IN. BIHDS, 
THROUGH AND IRRESPECTIVE OF MOULTING. 
From the Swedish of W. Meves.* 


TRANSLATED BY.H. EK. Dresser, F.Z.S. 


In a communication to the naturalists assembled at Altenburg 
on the 6th July, 1862,+ Professor H. Schlegel originated a lively 
discussion on this subject amongst the ornithologists of Germany, 
during which many different opinions were expressed, and the 
essays thereon which have since appeared} have already attained 
considerable magnitude. It is, however, really on the theories 
started by Schlegel respecting “‘ Das Entstchen des voll kommenen 
Kleides der Vogel durch Verfarben und Wachsen der Federn 
-unabhiingig von der Mauser,” that opinions are divided. I may 
therefore be permitted to show the result of some researches 
with which I have been employed for several years, but which 
must only be looked on as a commencement ina rich field of 
labour, and which I should scarcely have dared to make known 
had not another Swede, M. T. Hammargren, lately contributed a 
paper to the ‘ Kongl. Acadamien’ in which the results arrived at 
do not agree with my own. 

Before proceeding to the subject in question, it may be well 
to give a short review of the chief circumstances attending the 
moulting of some of our birds. 


* Ofy. K. Vet. Ak. Forh., 1854, No. 8. 
+ ‘Naumannia,’ i., Heft ii., pp. 19—40. 
t In the ‘Journal fiir Ornithologie.’ 
M 


82 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


I. Single and complete Moult in Autumn.—This takes place 
in all birds towards the autumn, when both the large wing- and 
tail-quills, as also the small feathers, are cast and replaced by 
new ones. Here belong :— 


Loxia Parus 
Fringilla Regulus 
Emberiza Sitta 
Alauda Certhia 
Sturnus Picus 
Turdus Junx 
Oriolus Cuculus 
Saxicola cenanthe Alcedo 
Sylvia philomela Coracias 
», luscinia Upupa 
Ruticilla phoenicurus Columba 
»  tithys Caprimulgus 
Erythacus rubecula Cypselus 
Sylvia atricapilla Strix 
»  hortensis Falco 
Phylloscopus trochilus Tetrao urogallus 
ae abietina Coturnix (?) 
5 sibilatrix Otis 
a hypolais Grus 
Acrocephalus arundinaceus Fulica 
Cinclus Gallinula 
Troglodytes Rallus 
Accentor Scolopax 
Hirundo Numenius 
Muscicapa grisola Recurvirostra 
Lanius Ciconia 
Ampelis garrulus Ardea 
Corvus Cygnus 
Pica Anser 
Caryocatactes Anas tadorna 
Garrulus Dysporus sula, and others. 


As exceptions here are the larger birds of prey, which do not 
change their feathers with any degree of regularity, but generally 
cast them at longer or shorter intervals. 


II. Double or Spring Moult takes place towards the spring, 
and extends when— 


ON THE CHANGE OF COLOUR IN BIRDS. 83 


A. Entire, to all or most of the small feathers, and in some 
cases also to the two middle tail- and three inner wing- 
quills, as, for instance with— 


Anthus Hematopus 
Motacilla Charadrius 
Saxicola rubetra Anas glacialis 
Sylvia cinerea Sterna 
Muscicapa collaris Larus 

_ atricapilla Lestris 
Tringa Procellaria 
Phalaropus Colymbus 
Totanus Uria 
Limosa Mormon 
Strepsilas Alca 


s. Partial, affecting only some of the feathers of the head and 
neck, as with Sylvia suecica, Emberiza nivalis and 
lapponica, Vanellus cristatus, and also with a large 
number of the younger males. (particularly of Linné’s 
Passeres), the first spring after the year of their birth. 


III. Summer Moult.—Takes place after the pairing season, 
and is— 

a. Entire: in which case all the small feathers are changed, 
and in some cases (e.g. Anas boschas) the four middle 
tail- and five or six inner wing-quills. The males then 
adopt a plumage which more or less resembles that of 
the female; as in the Ducks (excepting tadorna and 
glacialis) ; thus Anas boschas, acuta, penelope, clypeata, 
querquedula, crecca, Fuligula cristata, ferina, clangula, 
mollissima,* Mergus, and others. 

n. Partial; in which case the head and neck feathers are 
exchanged for short, narrow and soft feathers, which 
almost resemble the immature plumage of the bird; and 


* The Eider-drake undergoes, from the middle of June till the commencement 
of October, an almost uninterrupted change of plumage, at least on the breast; for 
the reddish breast-feathers are at first succeeded by almost pure brown ones; then 
similar ones with more or less white in the centre; then reddish ones with a black 
border; and, lastly, the reddish winter feathers again. Drakes shot in September 
often show three sorts of these feathers, of which two certainly have blood-quills. 
_ No bird therefore affords better opportunities than this for a study of the change of 
colour by a real moult, 


84 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


this occurs in Perdix cinerea,* Tetrao bonasia (in which 
the summer feathers are generally like down on the 
points of the new growing autumn feathers), tetrix and 
urogalloides. t 


IV. Triple Moult, or a conjunction of the spring, summer 
and autumn moults. 


A. Entire; including almost all the small feathers, as in 
Lagopus alpina and subalpina; although during the 
summer an almost continuous moult takes place with 
these birds, three distinct plumages may still be plainly 
observed, viz. the darker spring, the lighter summer (or, 
more properly, the autumn dress, as it is not donned 
until September), and the white winter dress. 

B. Partial, embraces the small feathers of the head, neck and 
under parts. The nuptial dress begins to show itself 
towards the spring, and is complete about the end of 
April, and is cast again about the beginning of July. 
This occurs with Podiceps auritus, Linn. (Podiceps cor- 
nutus, auct.), which becomes, in its summer plumage, 
Podiceps arcticus, auct., and also with Graculus carbo and 
cristatus. The former of the two last-named has, in 
November, on its head quite short blackish-blue feathers, 
and on its neck grey-brown feathers with a slight blue 
tinge. From this dress it passes, by change of feathers 
during the winter, by degrees to the nuptial dress. 


Whether the other Grebes assume a particular summer 
plumage I have not myself had an opportunity of observing, but 
the subject is worthy of careful investigation. 

Besides these changes of plumage caused by the old feathers 
being entirely cast and fresh ones growing, many birds, especially 
such as have only a single moult (but also some that moult 
several times), undergo a very visible change of colour towards 
the spring; namely, by losing certain portions of their feathers, 
which operation is here commonly termed “ brimfillning,” or 


* W. von Wright, ‘Gétheb. K. V. S. Handl. 1850,’ p. 78. 

+ Tetrao wrogalloides, therefore, inherits this from its father, the Blackcock, 
as this summer plumage does not seem to occur so far as the Capercaillie is 
concerned, 


ON THE CHANGE OF COLOUR IN BIRDS. 85 


“border-casting.”* This has been observed and explained in 
various ways. 

With the assistance of some sketches I have made, I will now 
endeavour to answer the chief question—Whether the colouring 
matter in certain feathers is found there ab initio, or is evolved 
there during the spring or pairing season ? 

According to the phraseology employed by Nitzsch, a feather 
consists of the stem (scapus), the branches (rami), and the 
plumules (radi). From the stem, branches proceed on either 
side, and from these again plumules; but these last named are 
not always on the sides, but sometimes on the top of the branches. 
The small ciliz and hamuli which are fastened on the radii, and 
whose province it is to hold these together, are here passed over, 
as they have nothing to do with the change of colour. t 

If we examine the feathers of different birds with the “ winter 
border” under the microscope, we find that behind the white, 
dark, or colourless outermost points, the colouring matter in 
some is found in the radii, in others in the rami. Thus there 
are two forms which may be called, according to their subsequent 
changes, “ plain point casting” and “ point and radii casting.” 


1. Point casting takes place in those birds which have the 
colouring matter usually in the radii. The colourless or coloured 
points commence, after the autumn moult, to fall off by degrees ; 
but this casting off is not completed until towards the spring, or 
much later, and then the hitherto concealed colour shows itself 
in its full beauty. . 


PuateE I., fig. 1 shows the upper portion of a black throat- 
feather, in autumn, with its white points,-of a male Redstart, 
Ruticilla phenicurus: fig. 2, a similar feather in the spring. The 
points are cast even with the coloured portion. To this group 
belong Fringilla montifringilla, domestica, montana, celebs, chloris, 
spinus, Emberize, Alaude, Sturnus, Turdus (T’. torquatus), Parus, 
Sazxicola enanthe, Sylvia tithys, suecica (the reddish brown and 
black feathers on the breast), many birds that have a partial 


* That other causes than this may effect a change in colour in some few Swedish 
birds, as Coracias garrula, Lanius collurio, and others might be a subject for 
enquiry on some future occasion. 

+ See Prof. Sundevall’s work on the wings of birds (Vet, Ak, Hand]. 1843). 


86 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


moult, and particularly young birds, belonging to this group, 
after their first winter. 

2. Point with radii casting takes place with such species as 
have the colouring matter in the rami of their feathers. Here 
not only the points are cast, but also the colourless radii, with 
whose points the rami are to some extent covered, and thus their 
colour appears faint. Naturally the points disappear first, and if 
we examine such a feather towards the spring we observe at first 
the plain point casting, and although the colours by that time 
have become much clearer, we see upon them nevertheless a sort 
of hoar (pruina), which disappears, however, in proportion as the 
radii-casting extends downwards. The colour does not show 
itself in its full lustre until the coloured portion of the rami is 
entirely free from radii. 

The feather is now not only much shorter, but also nar- 
rower, inasmuch as the radii do not now hinder the rami from 
approaching each other. Fig. 3 shows a breast-feather in the 
autumn of the Common Redpoll, Linota linaria, male; fig. 4 
a centre-piece of a branch from the same feather, much magnified 
in order to show that the points of the radii overlap the nearest 
rami; and fig. 5 a breast-feather of the same species in July, 
when the bird is in full summer plumage. 

In some feathers the radii are of very short duration—e. g. 
the.red under tail-feathers of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 
Picus major. While growing these are covered closely with fine 
thin radii, so that they look as if strewn] with powder; but the 
feather has scarcely attained its full length when the radii- 
casting commences. Fig. 6 represents a portion of such a feather 
in October. The outer points, which were already free from 
radii, are not drawn. Similarly the red or yellow feathers on the 
heads of the Woodpeckers are ab initio without these covering 
radii, and therefore directly on appearing they have their intense 
colour. Fig. 7 shows such a new feather of the Great Dit 
Woodpecker, Picus martius. 

To this group belong, further, F'ringilla cannabina, erythrina 
and flavirostris ; Loxia pityopsittacus, curvirostra and bifasciata ; 
Corythus enucleator; Sylvia suecica (the blue feathers); all 
Woodpeckers with the above-mentioned feathers; Anas boschas, 
clypeata and tadorna ; Podiceps auritus (the brown and reddish- 
brown feathers of the under parts), and some others, 


ON THE CHANGE OF COLOUR IN BIRDS. 87 


In order to illustrate the very different forms of the radii in 
various birds, and more especially the very different structure 
of the feathers in the winter and summer plumage of some birds 
which undergo a double moult, I give here, in addition, some 
drawings of the feathers of foreign birds, which I think will 
sufficiently refute the views of Schlegel and others on the change 
of feathers without moulting, or the possibility of one form 
growing out of another. 


Prats II., fig. 8, represents two branches of a breast-feather 
of the beautiful Nectarinia senegalensis, a male, in nuptial plumage. 
The red tips have ab initio no radii, nor are the blue radii lower 
down cast. These latter differ materially from, for instance, the 
radii of Linota linaria (fig. 4), inasmuch as they are fastened, 
not on the sides, but on the top of the branches. This may be 
clearly observed in fig. 9, a branch seen from the under side. 
The form of the winter plumage probably agrees with fig. 10, 
which is a portion of a breast-feather of Nectarinia formosa, a 
male, in winter plumage. Fig. 11 is a portion of a similar feather 
in nuptial plumage, taken from the same specimen in a state of 
transition to this plumage. 

Fig. 12 is a portion of a breast-feather from the middle of 
the breast of a male Ploceus rubritorquis in winter plumage. 
Fig. 13 is an orange-red branch from the nuptial plumage of 
the same species, and from the same locality. This bird, as 
also Ploceus longicauda, axillaris, albonotatus, capensis, and 
others, in addition to all the small feathers, changes the tail- 
quills twice a year. 

Fig.-14 is a portion of a green head-feather from Anas 
boschas, in the spring. After the autumn moult the square- 
pointed radii are furnished with small colourless points, which, 
however, soon fall off. The structure of the head-feathers of 
Anas clypeata bear much resemblance to this species, but the 
colour of the branches is not brownish, but white. Fig. 15 is a 
branch of a feather from the summer plumage of the same species, 
and from the same locality. 

The radii of the species represented in figs. 8 to 15 undergo 
naturally, also, a natural abrasion or wearing away; but this 
does not occasion a brighter tint of colour, being in reality a 
decay. 


88 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


In such specimens as are in a state of transition from one 
stage of plumage to another, we may, if other signs are wanting, 
easily discover, with the aid of the microscope, which feathers are 
new, for the old ones always show signs of wear. 

Fig. 16 is a green feather-branch from the breast of a male 
Trochilus rubineus. The outer colourless radii, which form the 
winter plumage, have all nearly fallen off; the point of the branch 
probably remains until the next moult. 


Amongst those birds in which plain point-casting takes place 
should be included Cuculus cupreus. Fig. 17 shows a feather 
branch from the breast of a male of this species. The radii 
points turned upon the left side have much to do with the unusual 
golden lustre of the feather. 

Fig. 18 is a branch of: the lance-shaped copper-red neck- 
feathers of the male Lophophorus impeyanus. The radii on one 
side only of the branches are metallic, for those on the other 
side lie concealed under them. A similar formation is found in 
the green throat-feathers of Paradisea apoda and in Epimachus 
regius and magnificus in their blue-green neck- and head-feathers. 
On the other hand, the velvety breast-feathers of EH. regius show 
on the coloured side a very different formation of the radii. 
Here the radii may be compared to a row of arrow-heads stuck 
into each other, and having the barbs standing upwards. 


Resemblance in the form of the radii does not show that 
Species possessing similarly formed radii are closely akin, but 
has probably an important bearing on the feather’s lustre, 
changes, &c. 

Fig. 19 is a piece of a blue feather-branch from the breast of 
Pawo cristatus. 

Fig. 20 is a piece of a brown feather-branch from the breast 
of Anas boschas in the spring. The radii are cast from the point 
of the branch, which is not drawn. In the autumn the breast- 
feathers have besides small white borders. The remaining radii 
are twisted one turn. This peculiarity I have noticed in many 
ducks. On the left side are two radii with hooks (hamuli), in 
order to fasten the radii to each other. Such are found to be 
especially numerous in the water-fowl. 

Fig. 21 represents a portion of a reddish-brown breast-feather 
of Podiceps auritus. Here the radii are twisted two turns; 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 89 


perhaps this assists in some way to keep the water from the 
body. 

In conclusion, it is perhaps scarcely necessary to add that 
all that has been here stated respecting the details of moult is 
best shown in old male birds, and very often cannot be relied on 
so far as the females are concerned. 


EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 


Puate I. 
Fig.1. Ruticilla phenicurus, autumn. | Fig.5. The same, in July; full sum- 
», 2. The same, in spring. mer plumage. 
3, 3. Linota linaria, autumn. », 6. Picus major, in October. 
» 4. The same, much magnified. 5 7 Picus martes. 
Puate II. 
Fig. 8. Nectarinia senegalensis, male, | Fig. 15. The same, in summer. 
in summer. », 16. Trochilus rubineus, male. 
», 9. The same, under side. », 17. Cuculus cupreus, male. 
» 10. Nectarinia formosa, winter. », 18. Lophophorus impeyanus, 
» 11. The same, nuptial plumage. male. 
», 12. Ploceus rubritorquis, winter. 5, 19. Pawo cristatus, male. 
», 18. The same, nuptial plumage. », 20. Anas boschas, spring. 
», 14. Anas boschas, male, in spring.| ,, 21. Podiceps awritus. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 
By H. W. Feixpen, F.G.S8., C.M.Z.8. 
(Continued from p. 58.) 


In spite of the extremely low temperature which we expe- 
rienced during the month of March, the rapidly lengthening 
daylight gave us opportunities of increasing the extent of our 
walks, and exploring the neighbourhood of our winter-quarters. 
Every cliff, ravine, water-course, or locality where the snow did 
not lie was carefully examined. For miles around us the strata 
were composed of hard limestones, slates, grits and schists, 
evidently belonging to a remote geological period. The strata 
were generally vertical, or else dipping at very high angles. To 

N 


— 


90 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


this series of ancient rocks has been given the name of “Cape- 
Rawson Beds,”* although they appear to represent in time the 
Huronian epoch of North America. Though it was somewhat 
disappointing to find the vicinity of Floeberg Beach composed of 
metamorphic rocks showing no traces of organic remains, as it 
deprived us of the possibility of forming an extensive collection 
of fossils, yet there was much of interest to be observed in the 
neighbourhood. Recent beds composed of thick deposits of mud, 
silt, and water-worn gravels were discovered in various localities, 
and traced to an elevation of nearly a thousand feet. The organic 
remains found in these beds proved to be identical in every 
respect with the fauna now existing in Grinnell Land. We 
discovered in them the bones of the Lemming, Ringed Seal, 
Reindeer, and Musk-ox, and the shells of the marine Mollusca 
which are most abundant in the adjacent sea.+ This is conclusive 
evidence that during the lapse of time, indicating an upheaval of 
Grinnell Land to a height of a thousand feet, there has been 
little or no change in the existing climate. Not the least inte- 
resting discovery was finding drift-wood lying on the surface of 
the ground, at different elevations up to three hundred or four 
hundred feet, still retaining its buoyancy, and differing little 
in appearance from that now being stranded on the shores of 
the Polar Sea. Whilst granting full effect to the preservative 
qualities of extreme cold, yet it seemed almost incredible that a 
substance like wood could remain intact whilst lying on the 
surface during a period of time requisite to elevate a continent a 
height of several hundred feet.. It was satisfactory, therefore, 
to observe that, when found inland, this drift-wood was always 
discovered in situations where it had undoubtedly been un- 
covered from the glacio-marine beds of the district, by sub-aérial 


* «Quarterly Journal Geological Society,’ August, 1878. 


+ The followlng species of marine Mollusca have been identified from the Post- 
tertiary beds of Grinnell Land :— 


Pecten greenlandicus Nera subtorta Buccinum tenue 
Leda pernula Saxicava rugosa hydrophanum 
,, frigida Mya truncata Trichotropis borealis 
» arctica Cardium islandicum Trophon clathratus 
Arca glacialis Tellina calcaria Pleurotoma tenuicostata 
Axinus flexuosus Thracia obliqua ys exarata 
Astarte borealis Siphodentalium vitreum ii Trevelyana 


»  fabula Trochus umbilicalis Cylichna alba 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 91 


denudation. The mud-beds in which the drift-wood had been 
originally imbedded preserved the Mollusca so effectually that, 
at an elevation of two hundred feet, I found the hinge-ligaments 
and syphons of Mya truncata attached to the shells, pieces of 
Laminaria which emitted the peculiar odour of sea-weed when 
dug out, and feathers of birds very little decayed. 

A series of thirteen samples of this drift-wood was submitted 
to Dr. R. M‘Nab for examination. Eleven proved to be coni- 
ferous, and two dicotyledons, both belonging to the same genus 
Populus and to the same species. The eleven coniferous woods 
represented species of Abies, Larix or Picea, and Taxus, the 
commonest form being some species of Picea. Dr. M‘Nab was 
not able to identify the species, but from a careful comparison of 
specimens is inclined to think them North American, and, as the 
annual rings are usually very well developed, the trees must have 
grown in the more temperate northern latitudes. Drift-wood 
was found by our Arctic explorers of the Franklin Search 
Expeditions in Melville Island and other parts of the Parry 
Archipelago, under precisely the same circumstances as we found 
it in Grinnell Land. Those observers, not being well acquainted 
with geological effects, came too hastily to the conclusion that 
the wood had grown in situ. This error has been accepted in 
later days by more than one eminent geologist, and has been 
adduced as a proof of a mild climate having prevailed within 
comparatively recent times in the Polar Regions. 

Among other interesting observations was the action of the 
heavy pack-ice when driven on shore by gales, or by the pressure 
of the ice from seaward. Some of the enormous masses, forty to 
fifty feet in thickness, were pushed on to the land, driving 
the gravel and earth before them in the shape of long mounds. 
On some of these ridges I discovered rounded pebbles, as 
unmistakably ice-scratched as those which we find in our Scotch 
and English boulder-clays. From the position in which I found 
them—namely, on the surface of the sides or slope on which the 
grounded hummocks had rested—I could not doubt that they 
had fallen from the bottom of the stranded floebergs when they 
dissolved in summer. Some of these floebergs had likewise been 
turned completely over during the turmoil of the elements, and 
their exposed surfaces were grooved and fluted in an analogous 
manner to that which we observe with rocks in glaciated districts, 


92 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Partially imbedded in these floebergs were fragments of rock or 
pebbles, with mud undoubtedly derived from contact with the sea- 
bottom; not unfrequently these pebbles were ice-scratched. It 
would be difficult to imagine how these scratchings could be pro- 
duced, crossing one another over the surface of the same pebble, if 
we had to rely on only one form of movement of the floeberg 
when in contact with the bottom—namely, a direct on-shore pres- 
sure. A phenomenon which I frequently observed may, however, 
easily account for these ice-scratchings. At the periods of high- 
tides, as the tidal wave flowed in with extra force, the whole body 
of the young or season’s ice, approaching six feet in thickness, 
was affected; it rose and fell under one’s feet with peculiar throbs 
or pulsations. This sheet of young ice, by which the large 
hummocks were surrounded, unquestionably acted as a raft, 
raising the huge masses from the ground, and then as the tidal 
flow receded, permitting them again to grind against the bottom. 
A convincing proof of this up and down movement of the ice-raft 
was given in the case of the largest floebergs, which being too 
deeply imbedded in the bottom refused to move. Around them 
the season’s ice could not resist the pressure of the tidal 
in-flow, but split with a loud report, the water rising from below 
through these cracks, and flooding the ice which adhered to these 
immovable masses. 

On the 11th March the quartermaster on watch observed 
three white birds fly past the ship in a northerly direction, and 
two or three days afterwards the tracks of Ptarmigan were 
observed in the snow, near to spots where the snow covering had 
been removed by the force of the wind. On the 16th I found a 
Ptarmigan’s feather close to a plant of Potentilla, which the bird 
had been scratching at. This early appearance of these birds 
in Grinnell Land during the coldest month of the Arctic year 
seems remarkable, and raises the question in my mind whether 
some of them do not winter by choice in those inhospitable 
regions, within four hundred and fifty miles of the North Pole. 
I do not think that it can be doubted that Lagopus hemileucurus 
is a permanent resident in Spitsbergen, and the same may 
hold good with L. rupestris in Grinnell Land. If so, the genus 
Lagopus contains the only species of birds that can exist 
throughout the year in the Polar zone. 

The entries in my journal for the month of March consist 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 93 


almost entirely of accounts of walks taken in the neighbourhood 
of Floeberg Beach, and references to the geological structure of 
the district. On the 23rd, in company with Captain Nares and 
Lieutenant May, I ascended a hill some five miles inland, 
which rises to a height of 1400 feet above the sea. Where 
uncovered, the sides of this hill showed slopes of broken 
slates, looking like the débris thrown out from a slate quarry. 
Mixed with the fragments of slate were numerous pieces of 
yellow quartz, prettily crystallized, which had originally run 
in veins through the slate-rock. From an elevation of 800 feet 
lichen-growth became more plentiful, and luxuriant; several 
of the larger species, which were not to be found at the sea- 
level, covered all the exposed stones and rocks. This obser- 
vation on the increase of lichen-growth at considerable altitudes 
in Grinnell Land was corrroborated by me in the future ; and it 
is deserving of notice, that an elevation of 1200 to 1400 feet in 
Grinnell Land seems to be most conducive to the growth of 
these plants. The lower ranges of hills and headlands, which 
were chiefly accessible to us in Grinnell Land, rose as a rule to 
the altitudes above mentioned, and were of course greatly exposed 
to the violent winds. In consequence, those areas are more 
frequently bared of snow throughout the year, even in winter, 
than the lower levels, where the snow drifts and only disappears 
for a short time in summer under the influence of the sun’s rays. 
Again, on the higher mountains of 5000 feet altitude (none of 
which I ascended) the region of perpetual snow appeared to 
have been reached, and probably there would be a less area 
available for the dispersion of lichens. In other words, we 
found the maximum of lichen-growth at the altitudes where the 
snow lay with least persistency. 

On the extreme summit of the hill which we ascended on the 
28rd, and which was named “ The Dean,” I found the charac- 
teristic erratic boulders of the lower land, in the shape of 
-rounded blocks of gneiss and dark chocolate coloured con- 
glomerates—indeed, these proofs of submergence were found by 
me at the highest altitudes I reached in Grinnell Land. 

On the 29th March a Snowy Owl was seen by Lieut. Parr 
lazily flapping over the lowlands near the sea shore, a lapse of 
five months having intervened between the latest appearance of 
this species in autumn and its return in the ensuing year. 


94 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


On the 1st April the fresh tracks of a small party of Musk- 
oxen were discovered in the vicinity of winter-quarters. Though 
our most eager sportsmen went in pursuit, no one was successful 
in meeting with them. The tracks of the animals showed that 
they had been moving from the north-west, probably from some 
of the sheltered valleys about Cape Joseph Henry. A pack of 
Wolves had followed these Musk-oxen, and from traces that I 
examined it was evident that they had been able to secure at 
least one of them, the droppings of the Wolves being largely 
composed of the wool and hair of the Musk-ox. The most 
extraordinary circumstance in connection with the life-history of 
the Musk-ox is its capability of finding subsistence in Grinnell 
Land during the long Arctic night. We may dismiss from our 
consideration the question of a southern migration, for there is 
no land within the possibility of reach of these animals where 
the winter conditions would be appreciably modified, whilst we 
know for certain that the Musk-oxen living in the extreme north 
of Greenland never pass to the south of the great Humboldt 
Glacier. The extraordinary powers that these animals must 
possess of resisting cold does not excite my astonishment so 
much as their capability of procuring food during the long 
night. Even in those months during which the sun remains 
above the horizon for the whole twenty-four hours, it is a matter 
of wonder how such large animals can obtain not only subsistence, 
but accumulate large quantities of fat; but during the five 
months that the sun remains below the horizon, and every scrap 
of food must be searched for beneath a deep snow covering, the 
difficulty of existence must be greatly increased. No animal 
represents more fully than the Musk-ox the truth of the doctrine 
of the “survival of the fittest.” The oldest, perhaps, of existing 
mammals, it has found for itself in the Arctic and Polar Regions 
an almost impregnable retreat from the assaults of man, so 
destructive to the large Mammalia in all other portions of the 
globe. Unaffected by the rigours of the Arctic winter, and finding 
subsistence on the sparse vegetation of those utterly dreary 
regions, the species will doubtless survive long after the Elephant, 
Bison, and many other large quadrupeds of tropical and temperate 
regions have passed away. 

On the 3rd April our main sledging parties left the ship for 
their long, toilsome, and perilous journeys. It was an affecting 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 95 


parting, for all knew the dangers and risks that must be en- 
countered by the travellers, and felt how unlikely it was that we 
all should meet again. After the departure of the sledge parties, 
we remained thirteen souls on board the ship, including the sick. 
On the 17th April I first noticed drops of watér trickling 
down the face of a dark rock exposed to the full force of the 
sun’s rays. On the 24th, I left the ship in company with Lieut. 
May, taking the dog-sledge and seven dogs. Our instructions 
were to proceed to the southwards as far as Lincoln Bay, and 
endeavour to find a practicable land route in rear of the various 
headlands which descend abruptly to the sea between that point 
and winter-quarters. This survey was very necessary, as in the 
event of the ice in Robeson Channel breaking up and entirely 
detaching from the shore, a land line of communication with 
the ‘Discovery’ was imperative. The temperature at starting 
was — 20°, sufficiently low to give us an adequate idea of the 
misery inseparable from Arctic-sledging. Whilst labouring at 
the sledge, exerting oneself to the extreme limit of human 
endurance, no matter how low the temperature, the perspiration 
pours from one’s body, and all underclothing becomes soaked. 
Whenever a halt occurs this condition of affairs becomes reversed, 
and the wet under-garments become frozen. Such sudden 
changes are very painful to bear. Our little party returned to 
the ship on the last day of the month, having satisfactorily 
carried out the object of its despatch by finding a practicable 
land path to Lincoln Bay. Though this short trip enabled me to 
add very considerably to our acquaintance with the geological 
features of the country, so far as notice of animal-life was con- 
cerned it proved nearly blank. A single Hare, which we shot 
and brought back to the ship for the sick, with a few Lemmings, 
were the only living things that we encountered. 

On the 11th May I again left the ship with the dog-sledge 
and a party under the command of Lieut. Egerton, for the 
purpose of surveying the United States Range of mountains 
lying to the north-west of our winter-quarters. 

I know of no record of travel so monotonous as an Arctic 
sledging journal; and though I have endeavoured to compress 
Ty experiences as far as possible, yet I feel that I owe an 
apology to the readers of ‘The Zoologist’ for the length to which 
these notes have already extended. Day after day the same 


96 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


difficulties are encountered and overcome by an enormous ex- 
penditure of energy. Rugged ice is met with that will only 
yield a passage to the sledge by the use of the pickaxe; soft 
snow, into which the sledge sinks and requires the utmost 
exertion of men and dogs to extricate it; places are come across 
where dogs and sledge have to be lowered by ropes and hauled 
up again; add to these difficulties, low temperature, frost-bitten 
fingers, snow-blindness, and generally great thirst, with no 
possibility of relieving it. When the camping place is reached 
men and dogs are thoroughly fatigued, and it requires all the 
remaining energy of the party to pitch the tent, feed the dogs, 
and prepare some food before crawling into the sleeping bags. 
During the march it is almost impossible to leave the party, 
as, if the travelling is bad, an undue share of labour is thrown 
upon one’s comrades ; whilst, on the other hand, if the travelling 
be exceptionally good, the man who stays behind to collect 
specimens or wanders from the track, runs the chance of being 
lost, and, in any case, has a large amount of “leeway” to make 
up. I refer to these facts for the consideration of others who 
may be tempted, in the future, to undertake a similar journey 
to this region in the interests of Natural History. Let such a 
one remember that the difficulties attending research in the far 
north are equal to, if they do not exceed, those which the traveller 
in any other part of the globe can encounter, and consequently 
his expectation of results must not be too sanguine. 

On the 13th we reached Depot Point; the temperature, 
at +15° when commencing the march, felt very warm. The dogs 
seemed to feel the heat greatly ; whenever we halted they threw 
themselves on their backs, and rolled in the snow. A wind 
springing up, the temperature fell to —5°. We camped under 
the cliffs of Depot Point. A Snow Bunting, flying from rock 
to rock, cheered us with his sweet song. It was the first of 
the species we had met with that spring. The edges of the 
hummocks exposed to the sun’s rays were dripping, and icicles 
six feet in length were hanging from their sides. We had 
observed during the march the tracks of a Wolf, and those of 
Lemmings on the floe, several miles from land. The 14th was 
spent in ascending a hill some 1500 feet in altitude, about four 
miles to the westward of camp. From the summit we had a fine 
view, and fixed on a promising-looking valley to the north- 


es 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 97 


wards, which debouched upon the coast in about lat. 82° 40’ N., 
as most likely to give us access to the United States Mountains. 
We saw that day a pair of Ptarmigan, Lagopus rupestris; they were 
very tame. I shot the male first, and the female did not move 
from the side of the dead bird. 

On the 15th, after a very arduous day’s work across a broad 
inlet, where the ice consisted of rugged blue-coloured floes of 
ancient ice, we gained the broad valley leading to the westward, 
which we had observed from our look-out station of the day 
before. About half a mile from the shore we disturbed a Snowy 
Owl from the ground; it flew across our path and alighted on a 
hill-side. I and Frederic, the Greenlander, left the sledge and 
went in pursuit, but, after several weary miles’ walk, had to give 
up the chase. The wary bird always rose when we got within a 
distance of eighty or a hundred yards. 

The 16th turned out very foggy, and as we advanced inland the 
snow became so soft and deep that the united exertions of men 
and dogs only enabled us to advance the sledge a few hundred 
yards in an hour. Finding further progress to the westward 
with our laden sledge impossible, owing to the softness and 
depth of the snow, we determined to go into camp; and the 
next day Egerton, Frederic and I started with the empty dog- 
sledge and one hundred feet of line, with a view of ascending a 
noble mountain, which we christened on the spot “The Great 
Pyramid,” but which afterwards received the name of Mount 
Grant. We were in hopes of ascending this fine peak, which 
rose from the northern slope of the valley, at a distance of some 
ten miles from camp, by taking advantage of the rising terraces 
on the northern face of the valley, and attaining a point on 
which the magnificent snow slope of “The Great Pyramid” 
seemed to abut. After five hours hard travelling we reached 
this point at an elevation of some nine hundred feet above the 
sea, meeting on our way with many tracks of Musk-oxen, a good 
deal of withered grass in spots, two Ptarmigan, and a single 
Snow Bunting; also the tracks of Fox, Hare, and Lemming. 
The rocks, where exposed, consisted of coarse quartzose-grit. 
Leaving Frederic and the dogs at this spot, Egerton and I 
climbed the shoulder of the hill and ascended to its summit, 
an elevation of 1825 feet by aneroid. From there we had a good 
view, as we looked to the northward across James Ross Bay 

0 


98 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


over the frozen Polar Ocean, whilst directly below us was a 
tremendous ravine, which, cutting through the ridge on which 
we were standing, effectually cut us off from the slope of ‘‘ The 
Great Pyramid,” the height of which we estimated at 5000 feet. 
Failing in the main object of our day’s enterprise,-we then 
attempted to travel to the westward, but the softness of the snow 
prevented our proceeding over four or five miles; the dogs sank 
up to their .backs, and advanced by aseries of bounds; we could 
only get along by hanging on to the back of the sledge. We 
returned to camp after thirteen hours’ continuous hard work, 
completely worn out. 

We remained in this valley during the 18th, 19th, and 20th, 
making excursions in various directions. We procured a few 
Hares and two or three couples of Ptarmigan, and saw a few 
Snow Buntings, which were mating by this date. Having fixed 
the position, and taken the altitude of several heights in the 
neighbourhood of the valley where we had encamped, we shifted 
our quarters and moved to the southwards. On leaving the ship 
we were provisioned for fourteen days, the full extent to which 
our sledge could transport food for ourselves and dogs. Con- 
sequently, on the 24th May our party returned to the ‘ Alert.’ 

On arriving there we found Captain Nares and Lieut. May 
prepared to start on the following day, with a dog-sledge, for Cape 
Joseph Henry and the northward, it being the Captain’s intention 
to investigate personally the condition of the ice on the northern 
shores of Grinnell Land. An invitation to join this party was 
gladly accepted by me, and after a good meal, a change of 
clothes, and a refreshing sleep in a warm bed, I started again 
from the ship on the 25th. On the 26th we left our camp at 
7p.m.; the weather misty, and blowing strong from the north, 
our leader walking in advance, found considerable difficulty in 
steering a course over the floe,—however, we struck the shore- 
ice about a mile south of Depét Point, the position we were 
aiming for. A Wolf followed us all through that march, so 
Mr. May and I dropped behind the sledge and hid ourselves 
under a hummock in hopes of outwitting this animal, but he 
suspected us and did not give a fair shot. I noticed that the 
gait of this Wolf was more slinking than that of our Eskimo 
dogs; it carried its tail in a drooping manner. This beast 
appeared to be about half as big again as our largest dog. The 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 99 


27th and 28th may be dismissed with the remark that they were 
two days of uncommon hard work for both the men and dogs of 
our party. 

The 29th saw us encamped near Cape Joseph Henry. This 
was a beautiful day, and Captain Nares determined to take 
advantage of the clearness of the atmosphere, by ascending 
Mount Julia, a hill in the neighbourhood. Accompanied by 
one of the men, and carrying a theodolite between us, we left 
camp at five o’clock in the evening. After a stiff climb of six 
hours’ duration we reached the top of the hill, an altitude of 
2000 feet. From that point we obtained a magnificent view. 
Though mist and cloud hung over the valleys immediately 
- beneath us, yet in every other direction our range of vision 
was unobstructed. To the northwards over the Polar Ocean we 
could see at least fifty miles; and a careful examination through 
the telescope showed that within that range, not a pool of water 
—not even a water cloud—was discernible to break the dreary 
monotony of piled-up ice. No land, or any trace of land, was 
perceptible. Our hearts sunk within us when we gazed upon 
this scene of appalling desolation, for we felt at once how futile 
must have been the attempts of Markham and his brave com- 
panions to make a long journey in the direction of the Pole 
over such an area as there lay beneath us. After taking a 
series of angles, which was bitterly cold work, and building a 
cairn, we commenced our descent of the hill. Mount Julia is 
composed of a hard blue-coloured carboniferous limestone, 
containing a considerable assemblage of fossil remains. After 
returning to camp and getting a meal—time being too precious 
to expend in sleep—I started with one of our men along the 
shore to the northward. We saw a pair of Ptarmigan, the female 
of which we shot. This bird was in full summer plumage, and 
may be recorded as the most northern ornithological specimen 
ever secured, having been killed in lat. 82° 46’ N. We returned 
to the tent on the afternoon of the 30th, the wind having com- 
menced to blow from the northward very cold, with sleet and 
snow. Throughout the whole of that night Captain Nares and I, 
and two of the men, laboured in the ravines collecting fossils, 
and by the morning of the 3lst a goodly pile was stacked in 
front of the tent. From a spell of work of over thirty-six hours’ 
duration, we were glad to turn into our bags. After four hours’ 


100 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


rest, Captain Nares and [ again visited the fossiliferous strata, 
and added to our collection. It would be merely recapitulation 
to recite the incidents of each day separately; suffice it to say 
that we gave ourselves barely sufficient time for meals, and 
hardly any to sleep. 

On the lst June we moved camp a little further northwards, 
but found our travelling much impeded by the weight on the 
sledge. The 2nd June turned out a wretched day, with snow 
and mist, and we failed in an attempt to reach the actual 
promontory of Cape Joseph Henry. By the evening of the 3rd 
we had to start on our return journey to the ship. Shortly 
after leaving this our most northern camp, we came upon an 
almost entire skeleton of a Musk-ox. Heavily laden as our 
sledge was with fossils, I could not help transferring the skull* 
of this animal to it. As it was, we were very often obliged to 
unpack the sledge and proceed with half loads, going back for the 
residue. From the large collection of carboniferous fossils that 
we made near Cape Joseph Henry, we were only able to take away 
a selection ; and a very large collection, ready for transportation, 
is now lying on the coast of Grinnell Land, in lat. 82° 45’ N. 

Up to the date of the 5th June, I had only observed the 
following species of birds since the return of daylight, namely, 
Snowy Owl, Snow Bunting, and Ptarmigan. We had just got 
into our bags on that day, when the cook called ont that there 
was a Ptarmigan close to the tent, so I crawled outside and 
shot it. Whilst returning to the tent I heard the cry of some 
waders, and, looking in the direction it came from, saw a flock 
of fourteen Knots, J'ringa canutus, circling over a small bare 
patch near the summit of a hill, where they alighted and com- 
menced picking. To get near them was very difficult, the sun’s 
heat had turned the hill slope into ice. Over and over again 
I fell down, sometimes sliding back several paces, at another 
time breaking through the ice-crust and sinking above the 
knees in the sodden snow. As often happens under analogous 
circumstances, just as I was getting within range the Knots gave 
a merry whistle and made off. By this time I was dripping, with 
tumbling about in the wet snow, but seeing three Hares feeding 
further up the valley, went in pursuit of them; my efforts, 
however, were not successful. Before reaching camp a pair of 


* This specimen is now in the collection of Mr. E. R. Alston. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 101 


Knots rose in front of me, both of which I killed. They were 
male and female, in rich breeding plumage; their stomachs were 
full of the buds of Saxifraga oppositijolia, the plant around 
which I had seen them circling. Later on in the day I observed 
other parties of Knots, and with them a few Turnstones and 
Sanderlings. 

On the 6th, as we journeyed along, a Buffon’s Skua, 
evidently hunting for Lemmings, passed near enough to the 
sledge to be recognizable. That day a single open blossom of 
Saxifraga oppositifolia was found; it is needless to remark how 
much it gladdened our eyes. ‘The transient summer of the 
Polar zone was near at hand. As we passed along through the 
softening snow, Knots and Turnstones were to be heard calling 
around us, and insect life, in the shape of flies and midges, was 
once again awakened. A Seal, Phoca hispida, was seen lying on 
the ice of Dumbell Bay as we passed by. On the evening of the 
7th June, the party with which I had been travelling returned to 
the ship. 

On the following day Lieut. Parr arrived with the news of 
the utter prostration of Markham’s party from scurvy. They 
had been fortunate enough to reach the land and get some 
supplies at the depot near Cape Joseph Henry, and were then 
toiling slowly and sadly homeward. In less than three hours 
after Parr’s arrival, the dog-sledge with Dr. Moss and Mr. May 
had started to the succour of Markham’s party: an hour later 
a couple of sledges, with Captain Nares and every available 
officer and man in the drag ropes, proceeded on the same 
service. Early in the morning of the 14th Markham and his 
party were safe on board the vessel. On the 9th four Brent Geese 
were shot, and on the 12th several pairs were flying along the 
coast-line, apparently in search of bare places to alight on where 
a sprinkling of vegetation was to be found. Such spots were 
still few and far between.* On the 16th I observed three Arctic 
Terns, Sterna macrura, in the neighbourhood of winter- quarters. 

The insurmountable obstacles encountered by Markham 
during his journey over the Polar ice, having fully demonstrated 


* No flocks of Brent Geese, or indeed a single individual of this species, or any of 
the Anatide, were seen winging their way due north over the Frozen Sea, which 
would have been the case did migration extend in that direction. In every instance 
they clung to the coast-line. 


102 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the futility of a renewal of the enterprise in the following year, 
Captain Nares announced his intention to abandon all further 
exploration in a northerly direction, and to proceed southwards, 
if possible, during the navigable season of 1876. Permission 
haying been granted us to make use of what remained in the 
depéts of supplies that had been laid out for the exploring 
parties, Parr and I left the ship on the 19th June, dragging with 
us a small satellite sledge, which transported our guns and 
ammunition, and a change of clothing. The floe, though covered 
with pools of water, still afforded tolerable travelling, though 
every hour the thaw was advancing with astonishing rapidity. 
During our first march from the ship we saw three Arctic Terns, 
and flushed a Dovekie from a pool, which however got away. 
At Mushroom Point a pair of Buffon’s Skuas were seated on a 
bare ridge of gravel; one of these we shot whilst it was busily 
employed feeding on a Lemming. We arrived at Dumbell Bay 
early on the 20th, where we shot one of a pair of Brent Geese, 
and a single Ptarmigan and Sanderling; we searched diligently 
for the nests of these birds, which we believed to be breeding 
in the vicinity, but without success. This was the total amount 
of bird-life that we met with in that locality. The morning of 
the 21st found us at Knot Harbour, the spot where we first met 
with T'ringa canutus on the 5th June. A tent having been left 
there for the convenience of the travelling parties, we determined 
to make this spot our head-quarters, as the country around was 
tolerably bare of snow, and several valleys leading from the sea- 
coast offered shelter and a chance of subsistence to birds and 
animals. 

The number of each species of bird that visits the northern 
shore of Grinnell Land is extremely limited; we only found some 
five pairs of Brent Geese nesting within a radius of several miles 
of Knot Harbour. Knots were rather more abundant; their 
cry reminded me somewhat of the Curlew, Numenius arquata. 
The nearest approach that I can make to describing the note, 
are the words “ 'Tullawee Tullawee whee whee,” repeated over 
and over again: the last two notes are much prolonged, and 
sound very mournfully. When these birds were mating I frequently 
saw a female pursued in the air by a couple of males at the same 
time. The Knot has not the power of drumming like the 
Common Snipe, but, after soaring in mid-air with outspread 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 1038 


pinions, they frequently descended to the ground. During this 
descent the wings were beaten over the back with such rapid 
motion that a loud whirring noise was produced, which might 
be heard at some distance. According to my observations, this 
action was confined to the males and to the period of courtship. 

Two magnificent Snowy Owls, evidently breeding, haunted a 
valley some two miles from the tent; they were very wary birds, 
never alighting where it was possible to approach them under 
cover. On one occasion, after disturbing these Owls, they flew 
over a spot where a Brent Goose was sitting. The goose 
rose from her nest and made directly at the Owl, following it, 
and driving it off for some distance. This action on the part of 
the Goose disclosed her nest, which we found to be a comfortable 
structure of down, placed on a base of Saxifrage stems, grass, 
and moss, and containing four eggs. The gander was close by, 
and ran hissing at me when I interfered with the nest. I felt 
very sorry to kill these poor birds, but I had scurvy-stricken 
men on board ship, whose recovery depended upon a supply of 
fresh meat. On the 22nd I noticed a pair of Turnstones feeding ; 
from their actions I felt confident that they had a nest not far off, 
but, after watching them for more than an hour, the cold wind 
forced me to move on. I was greatly interested by seeing these 
birds actually turn over and reverse pieces of slate, three inches 
in diameter, and pick up the spiders and Acaridea that were to 
be found underneath them. The bird put its bill fairly under 
the centre of the slate, and then pitched it over with a good toss 
of the head. I saw it perform this action within twenty paces of 
where I was lying, and ran forward and picked up the piece of 
slate, the damp under-surface being exposed as it lay on the dry 
shingle. This relic I brought home with me, and still retain. 

On the 23rd we found a nest of Buffon’s Skua, Stercorarius 
parasiticus ; the two eggs were laid ina depression on a gravel 
flat; they were of a delicate green ground colour, and, except in 
being somewhat smaller, hardly differ from those of Richardson’s 
Skua, S. crepidatus. The old birds were very bold, and tried to 
drive us from the vicinity of the nest by darting at our heads. 

All through the 24th it blew a strong warm gale from the 
8.8.W., which worked a rapid change both on the floe and on 
the shore ; the former was now covered with pools of water, and 
down the land-slopes rivulets were pouring in every direction. 


104 THE ZOOLOGIS'Y. 


The condition of affairs warned us to be off, but another day’s 
search after the nest of T'ringa canutus was decided on. 

On leaving the tent, Parr and I separated. The strong 
breeze seemed to have driven the birds to seek shelter; for 
several hours I wandered without seeing a living creature. 
Towards evening I observed a Glaucous Gull hovering over a 
fresh-water pool some distance inland, and passed a Buffon’s Skua 
feeding on a Lemming; it allowed me to walk within twenty 
paces of it, and then backed away from me, at the same time 
making violent attempts to swallow the Lemming, in which it at 
last succeeded. Whilst walking along some old gravel beaches, 
at a height of some 800 feet above the sea, I saw a Sanderling 
running like a mouse amongst the stones. Throwing myself flat 
on the ground, I watched the bird circling round and round, 
until at last it returned to near the very spot where I had first 
observed it moving. ‘The nesting place was a depression in the 
centre of a plant of Salix arctica, and was lined with a few dried 
leaves and catkins of the plant; the eggs, two in number, may be 
compared to miniature Curlew’s, but the ground colour is not so 
green.* ‘The sitting bird proved on dissection to be the male. 

Late in the evening, whilst returning to camp, I met Parr 
carrying three Brent Geese, who informed me that he had found 
the nest of the Snowy Owls in Hare Ravine; but knowing that I 
should like to see the eggs in situ, he had refrained from touching 
them. It was about 9 p.m. when we retraced our steps to the 
Owl’s nest, which was placed on the summit of a small hill in the 
bottom of the valley; the eggs, seven in number, lay on the 
bare ground in a small depression which had evidently been 
scraped out by the birds. Hiding behind a rock, I waited the 
return of the birds; in about half an hour the larger of the pair 
came hovering over the eggs, and fell to my gun. I drew back 
on the chance of the cock bird coming within range. In a short 
time he came hovering over, crying ‘Whew, whew.” Imagine 
my mortification when the bird I thought dead rose to its feet, 
got the wind under its wings, and sailed away across the 
valley, accompanied by its mate. I started in pursuit, but a 
“stern-chase ” through heavy snow is a long one; and though I 
followed the bird for miles, and often got within a hundred yards, 


* These eggs are figured in the Appendix to Sir George Nares’ ‘ Voyage to the 
Polar Sea,’ vol. ii., p. 210. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 105 


yet in the end it escaped; it was three o’clock in the morning of 
the same day before we got back to camp.* 

Whilst waiting at the Snowy Owl’s nest we found a Snow 
Bunting’s, containing three eggs; it was a well-made structure of 
grass, lined with the feathers of Nyctea scandiaca. Blowing 
eggs, skinning birds, and packing up our sledge, occupied us 
till mid-day, when we started for the ship, as every hour the 
rapidity of the thaw was increasing the risk of travelling over 
the floes. It may have been observed in this short account of 
my sledging experiences, that not unfrequently we were obliged to 
carry on without lying down to rest through twenty-four, thirty- 
six, and in some cases over forty hours of work. This, I think, 
would be hardly possible in regions where there is night and day 
in the twenty-four hours, but during the long continuous day of 
the Polar summer the human system seems capable of bearing 
up against the want of sleep in a truly remarkable manner. 

Leaving our camp we dragged our sledge on to the shore-ice, 
which extended for about a mile to seaward; and though it was 
covered at this season of the year with a layer of icy-cold water, 
which reached to our knees, yet beyond the discomfort of wading 
through water at 32° F. the travelling was tolerable and the sledge 
pulled easily ; but when we reached the old floe, and from there 
to Simmond’s Island, the travelling was truly execrable. In the 
sodden snow which lay between the ice-hillocks and ridges of the 
ancient floes we often sunk up to our bips, and slush and ice-cold 
water reached above our knees. Over and over again, as we 
tugged at the deeply-imbedded sledge, it moved suddenly forward, 
throwing us on our faces, and we found no little difficulty in 
regaining an upright position. However, we reached Simmond’s 
Island by 6 p.m., took our guns and walked round it. We saw 
four pairs of Brent Geese on it, and found three nests; one 
contained five eggs, the others four. The nests, as usual, were 
solid structures of grass and moss, the eggs being buried in a 
mass of down from the breast of the parent bird. We shot five 
out of the eight geese breeding on this island. By 8 p.m. we 
were back to the sledge, lashed on the dead geese, and were 
again in the drag-ropes. The journey from the island to the 
mainland was equally arduous as that we had encountered in the 

* The eggs from this nest of Nyctea scandiaca—seven in number—passed 
safely through the ordeal of the sledge journey, and are now in the British Museum. 

P 


106 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


first part of our march, and our sufferings were aggravated by its 
blowing half a gale of wind in our faces. We reached the 
camping-place on the mainland at 12 p.m. nearly exhausted, and 
so benumbed by cold that it was as much as we could do to 
prepare our supper. 

After a good sleep in the tent at Dumbell Bay, we started 
at mid-day of the 26th. The travelling to Mushroom Point was 
particularly bad; often times we sank to our waists, through a 
foot of water and then sludge. ‘The satellite sledge got buried, 
and we had to face about and extricate it by ‘‘ standing-hauls.” 
We reached Mushroom Point in the evening: from there to the 
ship we saw a single Glaucous Gull, several Buffon’s Skuas, several 
pairs of Arctic Terns, a flock of fifteen King Eiders, one of 
which we obtained; and a single Fulmar Petrel passed us at 
about seventy yards distance. During this march we encountered 
real rain, for the first time that year. The ship was reached 
early in the morning of the 27th June. 

During July, and particularly in the first half of the month, 
the explorer of Polar lands has to contend against an enemy 
more potent even than the cold in contracting his walks— 
I refer to the thaw. Every valley and ravine was occupied by 
a stream; many of these became rapid foaming torrents that it 
was extremely difficult to cross without the aid of bridge or boat; 
the flats were converted into lakes, snow-drifts into treacherous 
sloughs impossible to wade through. To seaward the pack was 
equally difficult to cross, and even dangerous to venture on. 
Thus it will be seen that our area for walking over was 
practically very restricted. A few Phalaropes, P. fulicarius, were 
observed, and one or two examples secured, though I did not 
discover the nest. The bill of this species when in full breeding- 
plumage is bright orange, tipped with dark hair-brown. The 
female is larger and brighter coloured than the male. 

I noted on the Ist July that the Knots were still courting ; 
the males were chasing the females, and uttering their shrill 
melancholy note. The melting of the snow placed the Lemmings 
at great disadvantage with their enemies, the Skuas. No longer 
were they able to dive with rapidity into a snow-drift or take 
refuge in their numerous galleries; the sole place of retreat 
was under stones. When overtaken in the open the little 
creatures showed fight; they are extremely tender, the slightest 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 107 


tap killing them at once. Buffon’s Skua hovers over its prey 
very much like the Kestrel, F’. tinnunculus, with rapidly beating 
wings and expanded tail. 

On July 5th Mr. Parr fell in with three Musk-oxen about 
two miles and a half from the ship; he managed to secure all 
three of them—a young bull and two cows. These animals 
were thin and in poor condition. On the morning of the 6th 
a fair-sized bull was seen on the shore, not far from the ship. 
Several of us ran out to shoot it, but Dr. Moss was the fortunate 
one who secured it. This animal having been killed in close 
proximity to the ship, Captain Nares gave me permission to take 
the hide and skeleton, provided that I saved the meat for the use 
of the ship’s company.* The weight of the meat that I sent on 
board from the carcase amounted to 211 1bs.; the heart, liver, 
and kidneys to 12 lbs. more. 

Night after night I passed out on the hills trying to find the 
nest of the Knot. Not a day passed without my seeing them 
feeding in small flocks; but they were very wild, rising with 
shrill cries when one approached within a quarter of a mile of 
the mud-flats on which they were feeding. It is very extra- 
ordinary, considering the hundreds of miles traversed by myself 
and my companions,—all of us on the look-out for this bird’s eggs, 
and several of us experienced bird’s-nesters,—that we found no 
trace of its breeding until the young in down were discovered. 

I found two or three species of Collembola very common 
in the neighbourhood of Floeberg Beach; one especially, pro- 
bably Podura hyperborea, was to be seen in myriads on the 
surface of the snow, and also floating on the surface of the 
little rills that were fed by the dribbling from the snow. I 
made several attempts to dredge through cracks in the outside 
pack, but all proved nearly or quite unsuccessful. There was 
not sufficient length of fissure in any place I could reach to give 
the dredge a fair sweep, or to allow the lip to scrape the bottom. 
We had, therefore, to content ourselves with the specimens 
captured in baited traps let down the fire-hole. 

On the 11th July, the water in the ravines and torrent-courses 
having considerably decreased, I again left the ship in company 
with my indefatigable messmate, Mr. Parr. Our idea was to 
proceed to the tent at Dumbell Bay, make use of the residue of 


* This animal is now in the British Museum. 


108 THE ZOOLOGIS‘. 


the provisions left there, and thoroughly explore the neigh- 
bourhood of that locality, Captain Nares having granted us 
permission to be absent from the ship for one week. On this 
occasion we took no sledge, as travelling over the floes was 
not to be depended on, but carried our ammunition—a change of 
under clothing and collecting gear—on our backs, the equipment 
amounting to 28 lbs. in weight for each of us. 

The stream in the first ravine north of winter-quarters was 
still running strong; we selected the widest and shallowest place 
for crossing, but though only half way up our thighs it was quite 
as much as we could do to retain our foothold. The water was 
bitterly cold, and we were nearly benumbed on reaching the 
opposite bank; after wringing out our wet garments, we pro- 
ceeded. In the bottom of the next ravine we descried two Brent 
Geese and a flock of twenty-eight Knots feeding, but they were 
very wild, and rose long before we got within shot. The 
temperature was tolerable and the travelling excellent, as we 
kept along the gravel ridges parallel to the shore, which marked 
the lines of upheaval of old sea-beaches. The next broad 
stream reached we flanked by going out on the floe; and, as it 
was low-tide, the water nowhere lay deeper than a foot. Near 
Mushroom Point we came upon a pair of Buffon’s Skuas 
breeding, and took their two eggs. ‘The audacity of this bird is 
surprising ; when near the nest they attacked us with the greatest 
vigour, darting at our heads; and not until I had struck 
the hen bird a rap with my gun-barrel did she cease from her 
assaults. 

The scanty flora, at that time bursting into bloom, excited 
our interest and attention. Accustomed as we are in England 
never to be without the sight of vegetation throughout the year, 
it is difficult to realize, until it becomes a fact, the enormous 
deprivation involved in the entire absence of leaf, flower or shrub, 
for ten months out of the twelve. I can hardly describe the 
pleasure we felt in seeing the delicate green leaves of the willow, 
the yellow blossoms of the poppy, the diminutive flowers of the 
Drabas, and, above all, those of the most wide-spread and abundant 
of Arctic plants, the purple saxifrage. That lovely flower, then 
at the very height of its bloom, coloured purple some of the 
brows and banks which we traversed. 


(To be continued.) 


109 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM WEST SUSSEX. 
By WiLuiAmM JEFFERY. 


I wap intended recording the occurrence of two Night Herons 
in full plumage, shot at Harnley, near Chichester—a male on 
April 28th, and a female on May 1st, 1876. I saw both speci- 
mens in the birdstuffer’s hands. Since then I have seen 
(December 17th, 1877) a specimen of the Little Owl, said to have 
been shot at Earnley; and a second was reported, captured 
alive at the same place—all four birds by the same gentleman. 
This second Little Owl I obtained possession of on 21st May last, 
and kept it alive until November 24th, when it died. I now 
record these four occurrences with much reserve, having lately 
heard that the Little Owls were obtained in the London market ;* 
rendering also the facts relating to the Night Herons doubtful, 
though the birdstuffer maintains that all are genuine. 

On November Ist, 1876, Mr. Willet, of Brighton, informed me 
that a Glossy Ibis had been shot near Arundel about a month 
previously, and had come into his possession. About this time a 
Grey Shrike was shot at Nutbourne, near Emsworth, and a 
Rough-legged Buzzard at Wittermg. 1 saw both specimens, and 
know the gentlemen who shot them. About the 20th December 
a Temminck’s Stint was obtained on the coast. On November 
19th I saw a Marsh Harrier at the birdstuffer’s, shot at Sidlesham 
a few days before. It was purchased by the Rev. A. Fuller, of 
Chichester. On December 17th a Little Gull was shot at 
Itchenor ; and on the 27th an adult female Peregrine, killed at 
Bosham, was purchased by Mr. F. J. Freeland. 

During the autumn migration of 1878 about a dozen Green- 
shanks had returned to Bosham Harbour as early as the 10th 
July, and a Common Sandpiper was seen at Selsey on the 15th. 
About the middle of August the insectivorous birds commenced 
their southward movement. On the morning of the 28rd, after 
a night of heavy rain with south-east wind, our hedgerows 
around Ratham were full of Common Whitethroats ; and up to 
the 29th they were still numerous. It has always been a question 
with me whether such birds as these continually pass on by 
flitting from hedge to hedge, or whether they rest and await a 

* See ‘Zoologist,’ 1877, p. 296. 


110 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


more favourable time for their passage across the sea. Ray’s 
Wagtail seems to pass by in short flights, sometimes dropping 
down in small parties amongst the cattle and sheep, and, if 
disturbed, continuing their southward course. This occurs from 
about the middle of August until the end of September. The 
Whinchat is moving during the same interval, and is seen in 
small parties of ten to twenty perching on the low hedges, or on 
plant-stems in our meadows—here to-day and gone to-morrow. 
The Turtle Dove was last seen September 24th. 

By September 27th the Lesser Redpoll had arrived, and 
throughout the early part of October was plentiful, feeding on 
the seed of the Willow Herb (Zpilobium) growing by our ditches, 
their usual winter food being the seed of the alder. 

For the last two summers (1877-8) a pair of Pied Wagtails 
built their nest and reared their young on the framework under- 
neath a third-class carriage running daily four times to and fro 
between Cosham and Havant, a loop line on the South Western 
Railway—the distance traversed during the day being about forty 
miles. While the train was on its journey to Havant and back 
the male bird might be seen anxiously awaiting its return either 
on the telegraph-wires or the turn-table at Cosham Station. 
Last summer these Wagtails narrowly escaped a calamity, the 
carriages composing the train having been ordered away for 
renovation; but the station-master at Cosham, by making ‘‘their” 
carriage the last to go, just managed to avert it. 

Last summer a pair of Robins reared two broods of young 
in the same nest in my garden at Ratham, nothing having been 
done to the nest after the first brood had flown. Robins, as well 
as other birds nesting in my garden, are much annoyed by 
Sparrows destroying their nests or thrusting their bills into the 
eggs and carrying them off; and Robins stand a poor chance if 
they do not conceal their nest well. This may, perhaps, account 
for the same nest being twice used. On the other side of the 
garden, a pair of Robins quickly took possession of an old pitcher 
purposely lodged in a tree for them ; but no sooner was the nest 
finished than the Sparrows destroyed it. Blackbirds, Thrushes, 
Wagtails, and Flycatchers have all in their turn been disturbed 
by these pugnacious birds. 

Two pairs of Robins occupy my garden this winter, each 
keeping their respective sides, neither pair venturing far over a 


NOTES FROM WEST SUSSEX. 111 


middle path without a chase from the other, ending either in an 
engagement or retreat. One Robin out of the four is much 
tamer than the rest, coming close to me, often settling on the 
handle of a spade or prong when stuck in the ground unused, 
and keeping a sharp look out for worms or insects turned up, 
not refusing worms when thrown to him, nor appearing frightened 
by the action of the hand in throwing. If, however, my work 
lies on the opposite side of the garden, my friendly Robin keeps 
aloof, cheering me only by his song. Bird as well as man has his 
frontier line to protect. Occasionally a Gray Wagtail, which is 
otherwise allowed occupation, is sharply served with notice to 
quit the land of Robins. The Grey Phalarope last autumn was 
conspicuous by its absence, not a single specimen having, to my 
knowledge, been seen here. 

Referrmg to my note in ‘The Zoologist’ for October last 
(p. 392), I have to report that four other Hoopoes, in addition to 
the two there recorded, were shot at the same place. The first 
two, sold to the Rey. A. Fuller, of Chichester, were killed by a 
fisherman named Grant, on August 22nd, at a place between 
Sidlesham and Selsey, called Woolhouse, or, in the vernacular, 
“Ooollas.” On the 24th two others were shot there by Mr. 
Woodman ; the remaining two on the 31st of August and the 
Ist of September—one of these also by Mr. Woodman. I saw 
them at the birdstuffer’s, and, with one exception, I believe they 
are all old birds, and this one may have been a bird of the year, 
but Iam not sure. The late Mr. Yarrell, in his work on ‘ British 
Birds,’ writes, ‘It seldom makes its appearance in this country 
till after the breeding season is over ; and the period of the year 
in which this bird most commonly occurs is in autumn.” My 
own experience hitherto has been just the reverse. The only 
autumn-killed specimen that I have recorded was procured 
towards the end of September, 1866. Mr. A. E. Knox, in his 
* Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,’ mentions three instances of 
the occurrence of the Hoopoe in September. The usual time of 
their appearance in the spring is from about the middle to the 
end of April, just the time when the greater part of our summer 
visitors are arriving. Two instances are recorded of the Hoopoe 
having nested in Sussex: one is mentioned by Yarrell as having 
occurred near Chichester ; the other by Mr. Knox as having been 
observed at Southwick, near Shoreham. There is little doubt 


112 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


that they would oftener remain to breed here if unmolested, and 
it is much to be regretted that they are not allowed the oppor- 
tunity of domg so. ‘The stomach of one which I examined 
(killed April 18th, 1865) contained the remains of twenty to 
thirty larve of beetles, apparently those of the cockchaffer, 
Melolontha vulgaris; many of them almost perfect, and nearly 
one inch and a half long. 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 


By Joun GaTcoMBE. 


On October 7th, on which day it was blowing very hard, 
I observed Swallows for the last time in the neighbourhood of 
Plymouth. The following day many Cormorants, Shags and Terns 
appeared in our bays and estuaries; but I saw no Phalaropes, 
except one said to have been obtained on Dartmoor. Many Terns, 
both Common and Arctic, arrived, and several were brought to our 
birdstuffers. The bill of one of the young Arctic Terns I examined 
was the shortest I ever saw, in comparison with the size of the 
bird, measuring only three-quarters of an inch from the tip to 
the commencement of the feathers on the brow, and an inch and 
a quarter to the corner of the gape. 

On October 12th two Northern Divers were seen in the 
Sound—one, from the description given, an adult, the other a 
young one. My informant said that the old bird had a black and 
white ring round the neck, and when approached continually rose 
and flew a short distance, at the same time calling as if to entice 
the young one away, but the latter would not rise. However, 
they both managed to keep out of shot by diving and swimming. 
When chased by a boat, I find Northern Divers rarely attempt to 
escape by flying, but I have known them do so in a few instances. 
It is not uncommon to see them circling high overhead, apparently 
on the look out for a good place to alight, or bound for a long 
journey. Ona very calm day, about the commencement of spring, 
many years ago, I remember having seen between twenty and 
thirty Northern Divers in Plymouth Sound, apparently in pairs. 
They continually called to each other on the eve of going below, 
and again on rising to the surface. These birds appeared to have 
collected previous to their departure for the north. We chased 


EO 


NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 118 


many for about two hours, but without any satisfactory result. 
Their cry is very melancholy, especially when wounded or hard 
pressed. Many writers assert that the action of this bird in going 
under water cannot be easily explained in words. The numbers 
that I have closely watched seem to me, when quietly fishing in 
bays, to first sink the body and then to give a simple plunge 
forwards, with the neck a little arched and the bill pointing 
downwards; but if unexpectedly disturbed or closely pursued, 
there is, of course, more of a sudden start and splash. Mr. Saxby, 
in his excellent work on the ‘ Birds of Shetland,’ says that ‘the 
Northern Diver can, in smooth water, see a boat and its moving 
shadow from beneath the surface for a considerable distance, and 
hence the bird is more frequently dodged and shot during a 
breeze.” But I have met with several instances in which the 
bird when pursued—and in very calm water, too—has come up 
close to the boat, and, on one memorable occasion, right under 
the angle formed by the oar from the gunwhale to the water, and 
this being the first and only adult in full summer plumage I had 
ever pursued, quite took away my breath. We lost it after all. 
A fine Common Buzzard and several Herons were received by 
the birdstuffers during the second week in October. The latter 
were plentiful in our estuaries and rivers, and I have always 
remarked that severe cold weather has a great effect on Herons, 
and on Kingfishers as well. Shortly afterwards there were many 
Widgeon and two young Red-breasted Mergansers in our market, 
and three Grosbeaks from different localities near Plymouth, 
and one from Milton Abbot. This species is certainly not at all 
common in the county. I observed some Oystercatchers flying 
up the harbour, uttering their peculiar cry, which Mr. Saxby says 
the Shetlanders liken to the words “my feet.” On the 22nd 
I observed the last Wheatears—not very late. I may here 
mention that a correspondent in the October number of ‘Science 
Gossip’ sends a note on the occurrence of the Russet Wheatear, 
Saxicola stapazina, in Lancashire—a species the occurrence of 
which I have for years anticipated, and longed to hear of on our 
side of the channel, wondering why a straggler, at least, should 
not occasionally appear at the same time with its near relation, 
S. enanthe. Many Short-eared Owls, and one Long-eared, were 
killed about this date near Plymouth, and a Reeve on Dartmoor. 
A Brent Goose, some Redshanks, Herons and Curlews were 
Q 


114 {THE ZOOLOGIST. 


exposed for sale in the market, and a Snow Bunting was killed 
on the 26th. Snipes, both “full” and Jacks, were plentiful, one 
of the former weighing six ounces. 

November lst was very cold, with the wind N.E. True to 
their time, Black Redstarts made their appearance, and several 
were caught, and doubtless starved to death by the birdcatchers, 
who, I am vexed to say, have become a nuisance in the neigh- 
bourhood of Plymouth. One Redstart was killed by a coast- 
guard man with a single ball from his rifle. This man is a 
gunnery instructor, and the best shot I ever met with. Divers 
and Cormorants, swimming within any reasonable distance, stand 
not the least chance of their lives with him. I have seen him 
disable a Shag with the first ball, and knock it almost out of the 
water with the second. He sometimes shoots at a Kingfisher 
sitting on a rock, and aims so that the ball may not directly 
strike the bird, but so nearly that the splinters of the rock kill 
it without much injury to the plumage. The Redstart’s head, in 
the case above referred to, was cut completely off. I once saw 
another man, a gunnery instructor also, kill a Speckled Diver 
with a ball between three and four hundred yards off at least. 
Indeed few people have an idea of the perfection these men have 
arrived at in the use of the rifle. 

During the first week of November a pair of Scaups, a Scoter, 
and an old male Cornish Chough were killed and brought to 
Plymouth for preservation, and there were some Grey Plovers and 
Knots in the market. A warrener from Dartmoor told me that a 
Peregrine Falcon had for a long time frequented the place, and 
that he had often seen it knock down Curlews and Wood Pigeons 
on the moor, but that he could never manage to get a shot at it. 
A Dartford Warbler was killed and sent up from Cornwall by 
Mr. D. Stephens; also a very pretty variety of the Water Rail, 
with a pure white patch covering the back of its head. About 
the same time I examined a beautifully marked brown and white 
variety of the common Thrush. Several Northern Divers were 
killed in the neighbourhood during November, and I heard 
Whimbrels flying up the harbour by night—rather late in the 
season for these birds. Kingfishers were very numerous, and 
almost daily killed, I am sorry to say, by gunners. A fine Merlin, 
two Northern Divers, a Crested Grebe, and three Herons were 
brought in to a Stonehouse birdstuffer. Some Turtle Doves also 


NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 115 


were obtained in this neighbourhood. An ornithological friend, 
the Rev. G. Robinson, writes me from Ireland that his son had 
killed some Curlew Sandpipers on Lough Neagh, a new Irish 
locality for this species. 

Early in December the weather was exceedingly severe, and 
the birds suffered greatly. The following species were brought 
in to the bird-preservers :—Two Merlins, a Grey Plover, several 
Razorbills, a Cormorant, and two Northern Divers, making 
altogether eight of these last-named birds brought in since the 
commencement of November; also a Sclavonian Grebe, a species 
which has become scarce of late years, but was formerly often 
seen in our bays and estuaries during severe weather. It varies 
much in size, some specimens being half as large again as others, 
and the upper plumage of the larger birds is generally much 
darker. During the early part of the month our markets were 
filled with wildfowl, among which were Woodcocks and Snipes in 
great profusion, Redshanks, Curlews, Mallards, Widgeon, Teal, 
Shovellers, Pochards, Scaup and Tufted Ducks, both young and 
adult, but I did not see a single Sheldrake or a Grey Goose of 
any kind. On the 18th, however, a female Egyptian Goose was 
shot and sent up from Cornwall to be preserved, and the next 
day another, I believe a male; both were fine birds, neither of them 
showing the slightest trace of having been in confinement. On 
the 18th there was a Corn Crake, in very poor condition, in the 
market. Water Rails were exceedingly plentiful, but Moorhens 
and Coots scarce. Four Oystercatchers were killed on the coast, 
and I found the stomach of everyone full of limpets. The severe 
weather had great effect on the Curlews, numbers of these usually 
wild birds having been shot. Some which were taken alive 
I bought and restored to liberty. Kingfishers also suffered greatly. 
Numbers of Herons and a Bittern were killed, the last-named 
I believe in Cornwall; its stomach, which I examined, contained 
nothing but the fur of water rats and mice, rolled up in small, 
hard, oblong pellets. 

During December the gardens, even in the middle of the town, 
were crowded with Blackbirds, Thrushes, Redwings, Starlings, and 
even Fieldfares, which were regularly fed by many kind-hearted 
people. Hundreds of Blackheaded Gulls were to be seen daily 
swimming and dipping in the water close under our quays and 
wharves, some of them actually settling on the sheds, apparently 


116 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


in a most pitiable plight from starvation; and, strange to say, 
T noticed one among them with a head as black as it usually is in 
summer, with the exception of a few very small white feathers 
appearing here and there, and these only to be made out through 
a powerful telescope. This happened on December 22nd. 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM WEST CUMBERLAND. 
By C. A. Parker, M.D. 


Tue district in which these notes have been made may be 
roughly described as bounded, on the north by St. Bees Head, 
on the south by the Muncaster Fells and Black Coombe, on the 
east by Scafell and its adjacent hills, and on the west by the Irish 
Sea. It is watered chiefly by the rivers Eden, Calder, Irt, Mite, 
and Esk, the three last uniting in a common estuary at 
Ravenglass, while at the foot of the hills lies Wastwater, the 
deepest lake in Britain. So varied a district affords good 
hunting grounds to a naturalist. 

To begin at the mountains with the birds of prey. The Eagle . 
we have no longer: I saw the last of the race some years ago at 
Ambleside, very badly preserved. The Peregrine is still occa- 
sionally seen on the hills: a fine hen bird was brought to me on 
the 22nd November last. It had forsaken the fell for a richly 
stocked preserve, where it no doubt had lived “‘in clover” till it 
came within range of the keeper’s gun. Another keeper told me 
he shot one in the spring on Birker Fell, and I saw one myself 
near Wastwater last May. The Buzzard is common here, and 
almost invariably nests on the precipices, the solitary instance 
I have been able to discover of a nest in a tree being thought 
quite a curiosity by the country people. These birds do good by 
destroying a great number of vipers, but I do not think they 
have pluck enough to touch grouse, though I have known one 
carry a hare in its claws, which must have been a heavy burden 
for a bird of its size. A Buzzard, which was taken when young 
from the nest, is kept in solitary confinement at Newton Manor. 
Last spring it laid two eggs, very oval instead of the usual round 
shape, and only very faintly marked with reddish brown. These 
were taken, and three hen’s eggs substituted, which were duly 
hatched, two of the chickens being quickly devoured by their fierce 


NOTES FROM WEST CUMBERLAND. lie 


foster-mother ; the third was reared. The Merlin is common on 
the fells, where it breeds. I have known of two or three nests 
lately. The other small hawks are very abundant. 

In December, 1876, a specimen of Tengmalm’s Owl was shot 
in one of the Newton Manor coverts, in Gosforth parish, by the 
keeper. It was an adult bird, in full plumage, and is now in the 
collection of the Rev. C. F. Smith, of York. The keeper told me 
he thought it had a mate, but he never saw it after the first was 
killed. The White, Tawny, and Long-eared Owls are common, 
especially the latter. I have known nests of all three this year. 
The Short-eared Owl does not occur nearer than Barrow, where 
it is not infrequent on Walney Island. 

The Raven is perhaps more abundant in Cumberland than in 
any other English county, especially about Scafell. I knew of 
two nests last spring, one of which was perfectly inaccessible, and 
though my friends and I made several toilsome journeys to the 
other, and succeeded in reaching it by aid of a rope, we got 
nothing for our pains but a sight of the old birds. 

The Great Grey Shrike I have seen once only. The Red- 
backed Shrike is common, also the Nightjar, and a pair of 
Crossbills were seen in Wastdale some years ago. The Kingfisher 
is usually rare, but I have heard of four or five this year, two of 
which I am sorry to say were shot, and, after having gone the 
round of the village, found their way to my collection. The 
Snipe breeds here often: I found a nest by the side of the river 
Irt last season with four eggs, and am sure there were two or 
three more nests near. A Woodcock’s nest with four eggs was 
found in one of the Irton Hall covers in May, 1877. 

The Dotterel is sometimes seen on the grassy tops of the 
Screes mountains which border Wastwater, but I have never been 
fortunate enough to see one myself. 

In June, 1877, a Waterhen was brought to me of a light fawn- 
colour all over except the usual white markings: the tail is lighter 
than the rest of the body, the legs light-coloured, the bill natural. 
It was shot on Hallsenna Moor, in Gosforth, by a gamekeeper. 
On the 5th December I saw a Rook with a large white patch on 
the left wing. I have also in my collection a Song Thrush, killed 
in the neighbourhood, with a white blotch on the back of the 
neck and shoulders, and Dr. I’Anson, of Whitehaven, informs me 
that he lately saw in an adjoining parish a perfectly white Sparrow. 


118 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Albino specimens of other birds seem to be frequent. During 
the last two years I have seen six pied Blackbirds :—(1) spotted 
all over; (2) white on both sides of the head—both in Irton 
parish; (3) white wing, cheek and spot on the back; (4) white 
head and greater part of body, now in my collection; (5) broad 
white ring round neck and shoulders; (6) white feather on 
shoulder and another on the side—all four in Gosforth parish. 

Coming nearer the shore, we have in the winter large flocks of 
Golden Plover and Turnstones. I fired into a flock of birds last 
winter, and on picking up the seven slain found they were all 
immature Turnstones. I was sorry to have killed so many, but 
“made the best of it by having five preserved in a group by Hope 
of Edinburgh. 

Of Herons we have plenty; they breed at Muncaster Castle, 
and may be seen on the shore in flocks of as many as twenty. 
A Bittern was shot four years ago at Nethertown, and the Water 
Rail is occasionally seen. 

In November, 1877, six Swans appeared on Braystones Tarn, 
which were supposed to be wild. They remained about the place 
for about three weeks, and last month turned up again on 
Bassenthwaite Lake. 

Of Ducks we have a varied list. Several years ago a couple 
of Ferruginous Ducks were killed on Braystones Tarn; the Eider 
Duck and Scaup have been shot on Wastwater, while the estuary 
at Ravenglass attracts many species in the winter. Between the 
river Irt, which forms part of the estuary, and the sea, is a lonely 
strip of land, about a mile and a half long and a third of a mile 
broad, consisting entirely of sand-hills. Here the Sheldrake 
breeds in the rabbit-holes, also the Oyster-catcher, Common 
Tern, Lesser Tern, Ringed Plover, and numbers of Black-headed 
Gulls. Wild Duck, Teal, and Widgeon abound, and the Goosander 
occurs sometimes. A good number of Cormorants are to be seen 
there through the day: towards evening they fly back to St. Bees 
Head, where they are said to breed, and the Green Cormorant 
as well. 

A Bernicle Goose was shot on the Irt on the lst November 
last. It was alone and very tame. One leg had been broken at 
some former time, but was quite healed. It is now in my 
collection. A great number of wild geese have been in the 
neighbourhood for the last three weeks: three times flocks of 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 119 


more than twenty have been seen together. When only four or 
five were together they were not wild, having in two instances 
been within a stone’s throw of the observer. Some, but not all, 
were evidently Bernicle Geese, from the descriptions I heard of 
them. The Kittiwake, Herring, Greater and Lesser Black-backed 
and Common Gulls are all to be seen in varying numbers, and 
when shooting on the shore on November 23rd, 1877, the 
Rey. C. F. Smith was lucky enough to secure a specimen of the 
immature Glaucous Gull. 

I have never seen the Guillemot or Puffin alive about here, 
but I have found both birds dead on the shore in a sufficiently 
fresh state for stuffing. 

Among the smaller birds of the district the Mountain Finch 
and more rarely the Snow Bunting may be mentioned. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


VoyacE oF THE ‘ALERT’ TO THE Straits oF MacEtian.—The 
following extracts from a letter addressed to Captain Feilden by Dr. R. W. 
Coppinger, Surgeon and Naturalist of H.M.S. ‘ Alert,’ dated Monte Video, 
30th November, 1878, will be read with interest. The ‘ Alert,’ under the 
command of Captain Sir George Nares, K.C.B., is now engaged in com- 
pleting the surveys of the Straits of Magellan :—“ As our voyage so far has 
been a rather hurried one, I have had, as you may imagine, but few 
opportunities of doing Natural History work, either ashore or afloat. The 
only places as yet touched at have been Madeira, St. Vincent (Cape de 
Verde), and our present anchorage. During the few days of our stay at 
Madeira, we dredged several times in the 5—35-fathoms belt, at various 
stations along the coast for about seven miles to the eastward and westward 
of the town of Funchal. It did not prove a very productive region in the 
molluscan way, as I only got representatives of about seven genera of shells, 
besides a few Annelids, Crustaceans and Echinoderms. Serpule were very 
abundant. At Porto Santo (St. Vincent) I spent one day dredging over 
the 8—12-fathom belt, and there I obtained some fine specimens of 
Strombus, and great numbers of a large blunt-spined Cidaris. Of littoral 
shells, living and dead, many were picked up. On our way down the South 
Atlantic we took a few deep-sea soundings in 2000 fathoms and thereabouts, 
far from the track of the ‘Challenger,’ and these have furnished me with 
little sackfulls of globigerina ooze. On reaching the position of the Hotspur 
Bank, in lat. 17° 32’ S., long. 35° 46’ W., we put the dredge overboard in 


120 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


35 fathoms, thereby bringing to light a mass of dead coral honeycombed 
by Pholades, and containing within its recesses a variety of Crustaceans, 
Annelids, Echinoderms, Alge, &c. Our next dredging operations were 
over the Victoria Bank, in lat. 20° 42’ S., long. 37° 27’ W., when the 
principal feature was the acquisition of numerous examples of a pretty little 
glassy-spiculed sponge. On the 14th October, when in lat. 30° 41’ §., and 
one hundred miles from the Brazilian coast, we met with one of those 
extraordinary flights of moths so characteristic of the region. Conspicuous 
by their numbers and by the pertinacity with which they clung to the sails, 
and, in fact, to every available dry substance, was a species of large Sphinx. 
Of moths I captured altogether about fifteen species, and of butterflies two 
or three. ‘The ship presented quite a gay appearance amid these swarms of 
insect-life. Owing to the rapid passages which we have hitherto made, I have 
had comparatively few opportunities of satisfactorily plying the tow-net. A 
speed of three or four knots soon wears out the net, and is, moreover, 
destructive of the fragile organisms sought after. I have, however, obtained 
a fair collection of pelagic Mollusca, minute crustaceans, and protozoa, all 
of which have been carefully preserved and labelled. I do not expect to 
meet with many birds worth preserving until we reach the inner waters of 
the west coast of Patagonia; but from these, as well as from the Pacific 
Islands, I hope to send specimens. ‘There is a certain pair of lonely un- 
inhabited islands in the South Pacific known as St. Felix and St. Ambrose, 
and which, as they lie far away from the main groups and four hundred and 
eighty miles from the American coast, might be expected to possess a fauna 
and flora exhibiting peculiarities similar to those of the Galapagos group. 
I am in hopes of being able to explore these islands during the southern 
winter of 1879—i. e., when the rigour of the weather compels us to suspend 
our Magellan operations and proceed northward to Coquimbo. Sir J. Hooker 
has already pointed out to me that the flora of St. Felix is quite unknown, 
and that its investigation would probably prove of great interest. Any 
information, therefore, concerning the Natural History of those islands 
would, during the next year, prove most useful and interesting to me. 
Sir George Nares is doing his best to make everyone comfortable, and gives 
me every assistance in his power. I do not expect any great things in 
Magellan, as it is such an unproductive region, and has already been so 
thoroughly worked up, but in the Pacific [ trust we shall have scope for 
much useful work.” 


Tae Roz-DEER IN Dorsetsurre.—In your review of ‘ The History of 
Glanville’s Wootton,’ by Mr. Dale (Zool. 1878, p. 461), you notice a state- 
ment of the author's that the Roe-deer is rare. This may possibly be the 
case, if he refers merely to the neighbourhood of Glanville’s Wootton, but 
not to the county of Dorset. I venture to say there are uo less than one 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 121 


hundred and twenty head in the Milton, Whatcombe and Houghton Woods, 
which fringe the southern side of the Vale of Blackmore from Stoke-Wake 
to Melcombe Park and the Grange Woods westward—the number being 
merely a question of preservation or non-preservation. The late Lord 
Dorchester, in 1800, turned out a few pairs in his woods at Milton, from 
whence their descendants dispersed in a marvellously short space of 
time, especially in a south-westerly direction—their shy, secluded habits, as 
might be expected, causing them to avoid the open country and move only 
from one neighbouring covert to another. I doubt if they have ever 
voluntarily crossed the broad expanse of down and arable which intervenes 
between these woodlands and those beyond the valley of the Piddle. About 
the year 1829, when Mr. Pleydell gave up his pack, after hunting Roe-deer 
exclusively for sixteen years, he permitted Mr. Drax to capture several deer 
and turn them out in the Charborough Woods. From this second centre 
they have increased in numbers and have wandered far and wide, from 
Moreton to Warmwell in the Valley of the Frome, and from Hyde to 
Houghton in that of the Piddle. Their extreme eastern extension at 
present is Lychett, and they have been met with as far west as Hook Park. 
Their rapid distribution over these two parallel tracts is attributable to the 
fecundity of the doe, which produces two and sometimes three fawns at a 
time ; and in proportion as the area of their native home becomes insufficient 
to maintain the increasing numbers, they are compelled to seek fresh 
feeding grounds. Professor Newton writes :—‘ There were plenty a few 
years ago in Bere Wood, and though I think that of late they have 
been a good deal killed down just there, there are still some in that 
wood and in the Bloxworth woods that adjoin it and form an almost 
continuous wooded tract to Morden Park in the east. There are also a 
good many Roes in the Moreton Woods, lying to the south of the Piddle. 
Although the large farmers generally do not find the Roes injurious, the 
small holders complain of them, and I suspect destroy a good many. To ~ 
this cause I attribute their comparative scarcity within the last three or 
four years about Bere Wood. The Roes are said to nibble the potatoe 
plants as they are sprouting above the ground, and so check their 
growth, if they do not wholly spoil the crop.” Generally, however, they 
content themselves with browsing upon the underwood and the scanty 
herbage beneath. At fawning time the doe separates herself from the rest 
of her family, which usually consists of four or five in number, and remains 
secluded until her young are able to take care of themselves, which is not 
long, for in a fortnight they are as active and agile as the parent. Soon 
after her return, her offspring of the previous year usually disperse and 
form the nucleus of a fresh family. The bucks shed their horns in October 
and November; they are speedily replaced, and in February the “velvet,” 
or rough skin which protects them in their soft state, disappears. In 
R 


122 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


December last, my son picked up two pairs of horns, which were lying 
together in one of the rides of a wood, and appeared to have been removed 
from the heads of their owners by violence, as the hair remained attached to 
their bases. It is probable that an encounter between two bucks occurred 
at this spot, and the weakened hold of the horns upon the skull yielding to 
the force of the charges, left the two combatants hornless. As the beams 
of the four horns were exceedingly bossed and deeply pitted, and the 
summits well antlered, they must have belonged to full-grown deer. We 
oceasionally find a single horn in the rides, which I have attributed to the 
work of a Fox, as it is usually placed on an ant-hill or slight eminence, with 
indications of the recent presence of Reynard. It is well known the Fox 
avd Stoat will drag their prey from the covert to an open spot and there 
devour it. A recently shed horn may possibly partake of the sweet 
scent of the deer, which, attracting the Fox, he carries it out, but on 
discovering his mistake leayes it to seek more palatable food. With 
regard to Mr. Dale’s statement that the Roe-deer are coursed by greyhounds, 
this does occur, I know, sometimes, but only exceptionally ; and indeed it 
cannot be otherwise, for they usually confine themselves to the large woods. 
When a deer has been observed to enter a small detached covert which is 
either unpreserved or under the control of a person who keeps a greyhound 
or a lurcher, the owner will have it drawn, after posting his dog at some 
avourable point to catch the deer as it endeavours to escape to the main 
covert, which, unless very close at hand, is fatal, for the greyhound is by far 
the fleeter of the two, and the roe is unable to double like a hare, and so 
elude the fatal gripe.—J. C. Manse.-PLurprit (Whatcombe, Dorsetshire). 


Youne Orrer 1x DecemMBER.—On the 28th December last, Mr. T.. E. 
Gunn, of this city, showed me a young Otter which was taken alive out of 
a hollow tree at Cossey, on the morning of that day. It weighed, when alive, 
nine ounces and a half, and measured eleven inches and a half from its 
nose to the tip of its tail. Its closed eyes and toothless gums showed that 
it was not many days, probably not many hours, old.—T. Sournwetn 
(Norwich). 


SToaTs AND THE LATE SevERE WEATHER.—The severe winter seems 
to have bad great effect on the colour of the common Stoat, Mustela 
erminea. Three specimens perfectly white, with the exception of a little 
brown on the upper part of the head, were brought to our birdstuffers in one 
week. Such specimens are occasionally met with in this neighbourhood 
during comparatively mild winters, but so seldom that, strange to say, 
neither of the persons who received those referred to remembered to have 
had one before.—J. Garcomps (Durnford Street, Stonehouse). 


THe Squirren in Scorranp.—Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown, of Dunipace 
House, Larbert, N.B., writing to the ‘Journal of Forestry,’ states that he is 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 123 


at present engaged in tracing the past and present history of the Squirrel 
in Scotland ; its former distribution there before it became extinct or nearly 
so; and its increase and spread, and the lines of its advance from the 
different centres of restoration. Localities where it has been introduced, 
known to him at present, are four in number—Dalkeith, Minto, Dunkeld, 
and) Beaufort Castle, Inverness. The third he considers requires authen- 
tication, and the date of the first seems not laid down with sufficient 
exactitude. On any of the above points he would be glad of information, 
as well as of statistics of the amount of damage done in one season. 
Returns of the numbers of Squirrels killed on any one (or more) large 
estate in each county of Scotland would be desirable, and information 
regarding the destruction done to eggs of game or other birds, from personal 
and actual observation, with exact dates of first appearance at any localities 
in any part of Scotland, would also be interesting. The Gaelic name of the 
Squirrel is “ fheoraig.” —Ep. 


Norse on SHREWS OBSERVED In NorForx.—In J uly, 1878, a specimen 
of the Lesser Shrew was captured in a tool-house at Northrepps, which is 
only the second Norfolk specimen of this Shrew, which, so far as I know, 
has been satisfactorily identified, the first having been killed at dusk, 
June 14th, 1874, on Sparham Heath, by Mr. Frank Norgate, and recorded 
by him at p. 465 of the second volume of the ‘ Transactions of the Norfolk 
and Norwich Naturalists’ Society.’ On December 20th, 1878, a specimen 
of the Common Shrew, not quite full-grown, was caught in a mouse-trap, 
baited with cheese and placed under the boards of the floor in a room on 
the second storey of Northrepps Hall—the severe cold which then prevailed 
having probably caused the Shrew to seek the shelter of so unusual a 
situation. This specimen was also remarkable for the almost black colour 
of its fur, both on the back and still more on the under parts, being the 
nearest approach that I have seen to a melanism of this species. 
Mr. F. Norgate kindly allows me to add to the above note two recent 
observations ‘of his own. On April 80th, 1878, he saw at Coltes- 
hall, in Norfolk, nine Common Shrews, all full-sized with the exception of 
‘one rather small one, which had been killed by a boy, who stated that he 
had found them all in one hole at the bottom of an old gate-post, together 
with the skins of two others, which may perhaps have been killed and 
partially devoured by their companions. On the 18th November, 1878, 
Mr. Norgate saw at Sparham a black and white Shrew diving. This was 
probably a specimen of the typical Sorea fodiens, which is a much rarer 
animal in Norfolk, and I expect also more exclusively aquatic, than the 
closely allied Oared Shrew, though both races are referred to the same 
species in the last edition of Bell’s ‘ British Quadrupeds.—J. H. Gurney 
(Northrepps, Norfolk). 


i[ojet THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Morrarity AMONGST SHREws.—I think it has not yet been determined 
why so many Common Shrews, Sorea araneus, are constantly found dead 
on roads and foot-paths. For many years I have observed them here at all 
seasons; and it is a remarkable fact that so many are seen dead on foot- 
paths and roads. If they are as numerous in woods and tall herbage, there 
must indeed be an immense number of them. Perhaps some of your 
correspondents may be able to throw a little light upon the subject —JamgEs 
Mourvon (Highfield, Silverdale, Carnforth). 

[In the second edition of his ‘ British Quadrupeds,’ p. 147, Mr. Bell 
observes :—‘‘ So many may be found at that season (early autumn) lying 
dead in footways, or on other bare ground near their haunts, as to have led 
to the belief among country people that the Shrew could not cross a 
public way without incurring instant death. We confess ourselyes wholly 
unable to furnish any explanation, having failed to discover any cause of 
death.”—Ep.j 


Toe MammMats or SHAKESPEARE.—Mr. Reeks has included the Sable 
amongst the mammals noticed by Shakespeare (Zool. 1878, p. 245), but 
I think the reference is a mistake. I remember reading many years ago, 
in a magazine article on new readings of Shakespeare that ‘ Sabelle,” in 
Shakespeare's time, was a colour,—‘ flame-coloured” or bright red,—and 
that the word had been derived from a certain Queen Isabelle of France 
who had red hair. This meaning certainly makes Hamlet's remark much 
more striking. To propose to wear dark fur in preference to black does not 
seem much ofa contrast; but, if the above be correct, then his speech is 


strong and bitter enough:—‘“ So long? Nay, then, let the devil wear 
black, for I'll have a suite of sabelle”—i.e., bright red—Joun E. Rosson 
(Hartlepool). 


[The colour which the French call “Isabelle” is a brownish yellow, 
the hue of unwashed linen, and is said to owe its name to the Infanta of 
Spain, daughter of Philip the Second, who in 1601 made a vow not to 
change her linen until her husband had captured Ostend. The town was 
not taken until 1604, by which time it is not surprising that the linen had 
assumed the above-named hue. An account of the incident apropos of the 
isabelline colour of certain birds, and a portrait of the lady, will be found 
in the late Mr. Dawson Rowley’s ‘ Ornithological Miscellany,’ part iv., 
p. 264.— Ep. ] 


Larce RorquaL oN THE Coast or CornwaLy.—On January 28th a 
large Rorqual, Balenoptera musculus,—reported to have been floating in the 
channel many days previously, surrounded by a multitude of sea-birds,—was 
towed in by a fleet of boats belonging to the fishermen of Looe, on the coast 
of Cornwall, where it has since been “ flinched,” and its blubber boiled down 
for oil. Some of its dimensions were as follows :—Extreme length 64 feet 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 125 


7 inches, and the circumference of the body (as well as it could be taken), 
immediately behind the pectoral fins, 38 feet; pectoral fins, 6 feet; and 
expanse of tail, 14 feet. Its belly was much inflated, and the edges of the 
plaits or folds thereon so eaten in holes—or, as it were, so completely honey- 
combed by the birds’ bills—as to be in some places almost altogether 
obliterated. The sharp ridge on the body near the tail was also mutilated 
in the same manner. The longest plates of “ baleen” were fully three feet ; 
including the fringe, and of a dark slate-colour on the outer edges, striped 
and gradually shaded off to yellowish white on the inner edges. The back 
was almost black, smooth, and somewhat polished, shaded to lead-colour on 
the sides where meeting the cream-colour of the belly, which part was 
probably white before it became changed by decomposition. Arriving at 
Looe on the morning of the 31st, I found that the belly had unfortunately 
been cut open and emptied of its contents, thereby causing such a complete 
collapse that the proper form of the whole front part of the huge animal 
was entirely destroyed. My friend Mr. Clogg, of Looe, in an interesting 
note on the occurrence of this whale, states that the upper jaw, was from 
angle of mouth to tip of nose, 11 feet 6 inches in length; under jaw, 14 feet, 
and that the roof of the mouth was of a beautiful rose-colour, the under part 
being of a dull cream, marked with longitudinal lead-coloured lines about 
half an inch in breadth.—_Joun GatcomBeE (Lower Durnford Street, Stone- 
house, Devon). 


Prnor Waate on THE Norrotk Coast.—On the 30th January last 
a specimen of the Pilot Whale was found dead on the beach between 
Trimingham and Mundesley, on the Norfolk coast. It was a female, and 
appeared not to have been dead many days. It was not a large specimen, 
as will be seen by the following measurements, for which I am indebted to 
the kindness of my friend, Mr. Thomas Southwell, of Norwich :— 


Total length in straight line - - - 13 feet 6 inches. 
From the upper lip along the curve to the ee 4 8 
of the dorsal fin - - - - 3 be 
From the anterior portion of the dorsal fin to a 7 4 
notch of the tail - - - - sa aa 
Height of dorsal fin - - - OM Flas, 
Length of flipper along the anterior edge ou. Blks, 
Greatest breadth of flipper : - - Ons 18s: 
Breadth of tail - - - - - Sree Miss 
From the blow-hole to the upper lip along the curve 2 ,, 0 ,, 
<5 tothe eye - - - gy ee er 
4 to the angle of the mouth - Oe ey ss 


This specimen agreed with the figure in Bell’s ‘ British Quadrupeds,’ 
except that the upper edge of the dorsal fin appeared to be somewhat more 
prolonged and the posterior edge more curved. I believe that this species, 


126 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Globiocephalus melas (Trail) bas not been previously recorded from the coast 
of Norfolk.—J. H. Gurney (Northrepps, Norwich). - 


Witprowt 1x County Mayo.—In apparent anticipation of the severe 
winter, some of our migrants appeared earlier than usual this season, 
Wigeon being seen near Bartragh on the 22nd September, fully a fortnight 
earlier than last season. A Spotted Redshank visited this locality last 
autumn, and as I was walking along the shore, on the 22nd September, 
LT heard it calling loudly for some time from the favourite haunt amongst 
the islands near Roserk Abbey. It must have left the neighbourhood 
shortly afterwards, for although I kept a sharp look-out I did not see or 
hear it again. Unless it was killed by one of the shore-shooters I do not 
think it would have disappeared so soon after its arrival, for those I have 
previously seen here generally remained for some weeks about the islands. 
When out in my punt near Bartragh, on the 25th October, I observed a 
small grebe swimming in the channel close to Baunros. [I at first took it 
for the rare Eared Grebe, but on shooting it found it to be an immature 
specimen of the Sclavonian Grebe, the first example of the species I ever 
met with here. On the 29th October I was fortunate in obtaining from a 
game-dealer in Ballina three fine specimens of the Gadwall, a duck so rare 
in this district that it has only come under my notice twice previously. 
The three in question were shot the evening before near Roserk Abbey. 
Two of them were male and female, in the beautiful adult plumage, and 
the third was a young male of the year, just beginning to assume the 
grey wavy feathers. These birds were probably part of a flock of ten or 
twelve that I saw near Baunros a few days before, and which I at first took 
to be Pintails as they flew rapidly past and alighted on the sands. A heavy 
northerly gale having been blowing for some days, I went down to Ennis- 
crone on December 30th to look out for any water-logged birds that might 
have been driven ashore by the storm. I found several, as I expected, 
namely, an old and young Gannet (the latter alive), some young Razorbills 
and Guillemots, and six young Puflins, some of which were alive, but 
so utterly exhausted that they died shortly after I picked them up. As 
I returned along the Moyview shore I found an adult Puffin and two 
Fulmars in fine plumage. The plumage of one of these was so dry, and 
the eyes appeared so fresh and full, that it could not have been dead more 
than a few hours when I found it, and had most probably drifted while still 
alive, though in an exhausted state, into the river with the flowing tide.— 
RoBert WARREN (Moyview, Ballina). 


Furtaer Norrs on Micration.—On December 17th a single wild 
Swan passed the Tees-mouth Buoy-lightship. On the 18th, six—namely, 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 127 


three mature and three immature. On the 19th, fourteen Swans, one 
Canada Goose, and two great Northern Divers, a large flock passed over 
Flamborough also on the 19th. Swans appeared in the Humber during 
the same week. On the 16th December a well-known punt-shooter near 
the Tees-mouth killed at one shot from his punt-gun, fifty Dunlins, twelve 
Stints (?), nine Curlews, and seven Godwits. On the following day the 
same man, also at one shot, killed ninety-seven Stints. On the 7th January 
a large flock of Brent Geese passed the Tees-mouth. From the 17th to 
the 20th November immense numbers of the Limicole passed Heligoland. 
Mr. Gatke writes :—‘‘ November up to 17th, storm from the south, evening 
almost calm, slight current of air from the east. At 9 p.m. Charadrius 
squatarola vel helvetica passing in countless numbers, not only overhead, 
but in a broad front extending as far as the ear could perceive the faintest 
sound of their call-notes, to both sides of Heligoland; direction of flight 
from E. to W. 29th to 30th, N.E., Pyrrhula vulgaris, about half a score; 
none seen here for many long years. Night from 19th to 20th, Numenius 
arquatus, from 8 to 6.20 a.m. The whole atmosphere one mass of these 
birds, the noise of their call-notes quite unearthly and bewildering ; countless 
smaller waders mixed with them.” ‘The loss amongst the birds in this 
district during the severe weather in December was enormous. The fatality 
was especially large amongst the Thrushes and the Redwings. Great 
numbers of birds were frozen on the night of Christmas Eve, when the 
thermometer near the ground stood very few degrees below zero, with a 
cutting wind. As a most extraordinary illustration of the intense cold, 
I had the same night two sheep frozen to death. Mr. Bailey, writing from 


Flamborough, says :—“ During the severe weather from December 8th to 


the 27th enormous numbers of birds perished—Thrushes, Blackbirds, Red- 
wings, Starlings, &c. ‘The heavy snow having driven them from the land, 
they daily resorted to the shore at low water, searching amongst the 
sea-weed for food, and amongst the refuse of fish. When the tide rose they 
sought any shelter they could find near the foot of the cliffs, and scores 
perished. Rock Doves, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, and Golden Plovers 
have all suffered greatly. Some fishermen who had been down the cliff 
with ropes reported great numbers of Rock Doves dead at the foot.”—Joun 
Corpraux (Great Cotes, Ulceby). 


OrniraoLocican Notes From SoMERSETSHIRE.— Finding myself 
recently in the neighbourhood of the Somersetshire Purple Gallinule 
(Zool. 1877, p. 178), and being anxious to ascertain its species, I called 
to see it, and found it to be an example of Porphyrio veterum, in very 
perfect condition. It had been very well set up by a Bristol birdstuffer. 
Its owner, Mr. James Burrows, of Badgworth, told me that a sheep-dog 
of his was extremely clever in capturing birds, especially Moorhens, and 


128 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


one day brought him this Purple Gallinule perfectly uninjured. It was 
kept alive for several days, but would not touch any food that was given 
to it, and was very fierce when any one approached it; it was, therefore, 
killed and sent to be stuffed. In a case adjoining the one which contained 
the Purple Gallinule was an Egyptian Goose, which had also been secured 
by the sheep-dog in one of Mr. Burrow’s fields; but this was a wounded 
bird. I noticed that the country about Badgworth, and indeed the whole 
of the extensive flat between the Mendip and Brent Knoll, is intersected 
by numerous dykes, most of which are arched over by a tangled growth of 
bushes, and thus would form a safe retreat for Coots, Moorhens, &c., so 
that the Purple Gallinule may have been for some time inhabiting the 
district before it was captured by the sheep-dog on August 25th, 1875. 
Having heard a report that a farmer living on the flat had, not long 
since, shot a Crane, I called on him to gather what information he 
could give on the matter. The Great Western Railway runs through the 
great Mid Somerset level, and where it is crossed by lanes these approach 
it by artificially constructed mounds supporting the bridges over the line, 
locally termed “tips.” All the bridges, lanes, and tips are precisely alike, 
and it was with some difficulty, and not until after one or two blunders, 
that I at last obtained the “ correct tip,” which brought me to Wick Farm, 
in the parish of South Brent, the abode of Mr. William Harris, who was 
reported to have shot the Crane. Finding him at home, I received from 
him the following information :—One evening in May, 1875, just as it was 
getting dusk, he saw a large bird alight in a field near his house. He 
went home for his gun, and returning found the bird in the same place, 
and succeeded in getting near enough to shoot it. It was very different 
to what we call the Common Crane, he said (meaning the Common 
Heron), and was altogether a strange-looking bird. The top of its head 
was red, and the feathers of its tail were like those of a cock; and he 
proceeded to give me a very good description of an adult Grus communis. 
Asked what he had done with the bird, he replied that not knowing it was 
of any value he had given it to his labourers, and that since then some of 
his neighbours had very much blamed him for not having had the bird 
preserved. That the cold weather which set in at the beginning of 
December would be of some continuance was announced in West Somerset 
not so much by the arrival beforehand, in greater numbers, of migratory 
birds from the north, as by the departure of nearly all the small birds 
that were with us at the time. Most of the Fieldfares, Redwings, Starlings, 
Finches, Blackbirds and Thrushes left us, and it was quite strange to 
wander over the fields and through the woods and to find them almost 
entirely deserted by birds. In a long day’s shooting in a well-wooded 
district | only noticed three Blackbirds and one or two Robins, and did not 
see a single other small bird. The great majority had doubtless sought 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 129 


the coasts to hunt for food on the salt marshes, and many had taken a 
longer flight to more southern countries. The few that remained behind 
suffered severely. One incident of the weather was the revelation that the 
Water Rail, locally termed “ Skitty,” was a common bird with us. In all 
the game-shops in Taunton these birds were hanging up in bunches, and 
one dealer told me that he was obliged to refuse to purchase any more, 
not finding any sale for them. ‘lhe shy and retiring Water Rail is so 
seldom brought to bag, and is so little known in consequence by the non- 
ornithological public, that I actually found one once hanging up in the bar 
of the Railway Hotel at Yatton, waiting for some one to say what the strange 
bird was. In November two birds were obtained near Taunton, in localities 
very different to their accustomed haunts. The first was a young Gannet, 
which was caught by the gardener at Monty’s Court on a pond; the 
second a young Puffin, shot on some flooded ground on North Curry Moor. 
Hawfinches appeared with us with the cold weather, as they usually do. 
While the snow was on the ground, the turnip-fields were attacked by 
numerous starving Ring Doves, among which were many Stock Doves, 
and I found the latter to be plump and in good condition, while the former 
were little more than bone and feather. In North Devon, Great Northern 
Divers were abundant at the commencement of the frost on the Taw, as 
were also many other species of wildfowl. Among those obtained, I saw 
some very perfect examples of the mallard Goldeneye. In the very cold 
weather during the middle of January there were many wild swans and wild 
geese on North Curry Moor. Mr. Foster, of North Curry, purchased a swan 
shot by one of the gunners, which I find to be Cygnus Bewickii, and I should 
think an adult bird.— Murray A. Maruew (Bishop's Lydeard). 


OrniTtHoLogicaL Notes FRoM OxFoRDsHIRE.—A Great Snipe was 
obtained near Bampton on tke 2nd September last. I am informed that 
five and twenty years ago, before the commons were drained, several were 
procured. One also was shot at Walkworth some years back. On the 8th 
December, when walking through a large stubble-field, I noticed a Snow 
Bunting in company with two Chaffinches. It is a very rare visitant to 
this county. When Snipe-shooting on the 14th December I procured a 
fine specimen of the Green Sandpiper. It was feeding on the banks of the 
Swere, a rapid stream in the northern part of Oxfordshire. It is more 
usual to meet with this species in August or early in September. The 
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is still of frequent occurrence with us. Within 
a week I noticed no less than three, probably all different examples, as the 
localities were some distance apart. This bird generally searches for food 
on the outer branches of trees, not on the trunk. A Water Rail was shot 
on December 14th, and two others were seen. A Widgeon was killed on 
the Cherwell on the 17th. Several large “strings” of Geese have been 

s 


130 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


observed. Wild Ducks have been very numerous. It has also been a 
capital season for Snipe; they frequented the water-meadows in large 
“wisps,” but Jacks have been scarce. Lapwing and Plover were plentiful, 
but they all disappeared before the frost set in, and have not yet returned. 
Ihave paid great attention lately to the Grey Wagtail, and I find it resident 
in this county throughout the year. On looking through my notes I find 
I noticed one or more individuals every month. It seems a very local 
species. I know two or three spots where it is invariably to be met 
with. I find Mr. A. G, More includes it in the Sub-Province 9 (Oxon, 
Berks, Bucks), on the authority of the Rey. B. Burgess. Although not 
nearly so numerous as in the breeding season, I have observed Kestrels 
here every day all through November and December. The Siskin and 
Redpoll, especially the latter, have been fairly plentiful. Ornithologists 
will be pleased to hear that the Goldfinch is very common with us, small 
flocks of this elegant bird frequenting the waste lands. In one stubble-field 
I saw a very large flock, containing fully eighty individuals. They are, 
however, scarce in the breeding season. From October to March I do not 
often meet with the Stonechat, but I noticed a fine male perched on the 
topmost spray of a furze-bush on December 4th. On November 28th I saw 
two Kittiwakes flying over; one had recently been killed in the vicinity. 
A Quail was shot here in October. I have daily noticed very large flocks of 
Stock Doves feeding in the stubbles. A fine male Goldeneye was shot on 
December 12th at Chattercut Reservoir, and a Razorbill was procured on 
the same day and locality. Although getting a scarce species with us, 
examples of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker are occasionally met with. 
I have recently been told of one killed in the early part of the year by a game- 
keeper in Broughton Park.—C. Marrunw Prior (The Avenue, Bedford). 


Tu Past SHoorine Season ar tHE Scrtty [stes.—The late severe 
winter has given a fine season of sport on these islands. The return of the 
number of Woodcocks and Snipes killed by the Lord Proprietor, Mr. Dorrien 
Smith, may interest the readers of ‘ The Zoologist.’ The following is about 
the summary of the bag, but I am led to believe that double the number of 
Snipes might have been obtained by additional and fairly effective guns :— 
Woodcocks, 415; Snipes, full, 545; Jack Snipes, 73; Curlew, 10; Teal, 67; 
Pheasants, 390; Golden Plover, 84; Landrails,8; Rabbits, 2045; various, 
between 100 and 200, including one Purple Heron (immature), one Wood 
Sandpiper, one Green Sandpiper, Rufis, Bar-tailed Godwit, Goldeneye, 
Shoveller, Norfolk Plover, Pochards, Wild Ducks, Widgeon, in more or less 
numbers. The best day’s Snipe-shooting gave 533 couples, and of Woodcocks 
42 birds. J need scarcely refer to the fact of the Islands having been crammed 
with all sorts of the Thrush tribe, as well as our indigenous birds, during the 
hard weather, it being always the case that in severe winters there is always 


OCGASIONAL NOTES. 131 


more or less an immigration southward and westward of birds in search of 
food and shelter—a movement, of course, entirely independent of the great 
autumnal migratorial movement.—Epwarp Hearxe Ropp (Penzance). 


Rare Birvs 1s Norrmncuamsutre.—A female King Duck was shot in 
November, 1877, on the Derwent, by Mr. J. H. Towle, of Draycott Hall. 
Mr. Harting, in his ‘ Handbook of British Birds,’ only mentions its occur- 
rence on fifteen previous occasions. The Spotted Crake has been very 
plentiful about the Nottingham meadows, where it nested last summer. 
One birdstuffer had fourteen and another nine of these birds, some of them 
quite young, sent to them for preservation. In J uly last I saw a Common 
Buzzard flying over my house. This bird is now very seldom seen in this 
district. A pair of Shoveller Ducks frequented the lake here all last 
summer, but no young ones were seen, though the place was kept very 
quiet. We had a dozen or more pairs of ‘Tufted Ducks nesting round here 
last year, and have shot a goodly number during the present winter. Four 
or five pairs of Snipe also nested here. -Two Little Auks were killed at 
Wollaton, near Nottingham, in November last, after several days of stormy 
weather. During the same month a Storm Petrel was killed near Notting- 
ham. A specimen of Leach’s Petrel was shot between Lenton and the 
Trent, towards the end of November last, by Mr. Moult, of Old Radford. 
So far as I am aware, this is the second instance of its occurrence in 
this county, the first being in 1840.—J. WHITAKER (Rainworth Lodge, 
Mansfield). 


Nores rrom Dusrix.—The recent severe frosts have proved fatal to 
immense numbers of birds, but Blackbirds, Thrushes and Starlings seem 
to have suffered most. During the eight weeks from the end of November 
to the middle of January my Sunday duty took me through a considerable 
portion of the Dublin Mountains, and I had opportunities of noticing the 
effects of the very severe weather upon most of our common birds. The 
country in November seemed to be full of Fieldfares, but they nearly all 
disappeared after the first fortnight of frost, seeking, no doubt, warmer 
quarters farther south. Missel Thrushes also vanished. The Redwings 
were found in the immediate outskirts of the city; whilst flocks of Yellow 
Buntings, Greenfinches, and even a few pairs of Bullfinches were to be met 
with in the suburban gardens. Rooks on several occasions were found 
preying on Starlings. I thought at first that these had died from the cold, 
but I am assured that in some cases they were killed before they were eaten 
by their half-famished neighbours. Of the Paride, Blue Tits alone were 
common. A few flocks of wild geese and one flock of wild swans were seen 
and heard passing in the neighbourhood; but the absence of birds in the 
mountains, save round each farmstead, was very remarkable.—CHARLES W. 
Benson (Rathmines School). 


132 THE ZOOLOGIS!. 


WaGTAILS OBSERVED IN Hotianp.—Some remarks of mine on this 
subject in the January number (p. 11) being apparently not quite clear, 
I beg to add the following explanation :—The Yellow Wagtails of Europe, 
although considered by Messrs. Finsch and Hartlaub (Vog. Ost. Afr.) to 
be merely varieties of one species, are divided by Mr. Dresser (‘ Birds of 
Europe,’ pt. 40) into four, as follows, the first three being those referred to 
by me:—(1) Motacilla flava, Linn:, found breeding in Central Europe ; 
(2) M. viridis, Gmel., only found in the high north ; (3) M. Rati, Bonaparte, 
the well-known English summer visitor; (4) M. melanocephala, Licht., 
inhabiting Southern Europe. Whether this last named has a similar song to 
the others I do not know; but, in connection with my remarks, it is curious 
that Mr. Seebohm, in his notes on the Petchora birds, says of the Yellow- 
headed Wagtail (M. citreola, Pall.), “ Both the call and alarm-note of this bird, 
as well as its low chattering song, are very similar to those of M. viridis.” 
No one who has ever heard the Grey Wagtail, M. sulphurea, Bechst., could 
for a moment mistake its notes for those of M. Rati; and both species are 
very familiar to me, as they breed abundantly in this district, the former 
also remaining throughout the winter.—F’. 8. Mirene xu (Clitheroe). 


Nustine or THE Prep Fiycarener.— Mr. William Illingworth, bird- 
stuffer, of this village, but who formerly resided near Bradford, informs me 
that the Pied Flycatcher occasionally breeds in the valley between 
Thornton and Bradford. I have always considered it very remarkable 
since I first became acquainted with this species in Upper Wharfedale, 
where it breeds in great numbers [see ‘Zoologist,’ 1877, pp. 54, 297], 
that it should not be known in this part even as an accidental visitant, 
though the district is well wooded, in some places with fine old timber, 
in the vicinity of water—physical conditions which are identical with 
those which obtain in Upper Wharfedale, and which appear so well 
suited to its habits. Under the operation of the ‘ Wild Birds Protection 
Act,’ which is generally respected in this neighbourhood, the breeding of 
the Pied Flycatcher in Airedale may be looked upon neither as an 
improbable nor remote contingency.—E, P. Burrerriep (Wilsden). 


Honey Bozzarp Nesting IN HerrEFoRDsHIRE.—Recently looking 
over the volume of the ‘Zoologist’ for 1877, I see that I have not 
recorded the nesting of a pair of Honey Buzzards in that year; I do so 
now, extracting a few particulars from the notes I made at the time. The 
nest was built in the fork of a lofty oak in the middle of an extensive 
wood at Whitfield, about seven miles from this city; it was an immense 
structure, from five to six feet in diameter, and was formed of sticks, some 
of considerable size ; it was a matter of surprise how the birds carried 
many of them; the lining appeared to be composed of leaves only ; two 
eggs were laid. At the end of July the young ones were taken from the 


QCCASIONAL NOTES. . 133 


nest, and traps were laid for the parents; in a few days afterwards the 
female was taken and sent to one of our birdstuffers, where I saw it in the 
flesh shortly after its arrival; the upper part of the breast was a light 
yellowish red, the lower whitish with dark pear-shaped spots, more dis- 
tinctly marked than I have previously noticed in specimens in collections ; 
the stomach was full of wasps’ comb. Although I have seen and examined 
numbers of the Common Buzzard during the past ten years, this is the 
first example of the Honey Buzzard which I have known taken here.— 
J. B. Pintey (2, High Town, Hereford). 


Warre’s Turush in BerwicksHtry.—During the last week of Sep- 
tember, 1878, a Thrush, supposed to be of this species, was shot by 
Mr. Forbes Burn at Hardacres, in Berwickshire. Not being aware of 
its rarity, only a portion of the bird was saved—the head and wings 
unskinned, with part of the skin of the breast and back—and forwarded to 
Mr. Brotherston, taxidermist, of Kelso, to be converted into an ornament 
for a lady’s hat. Fortunately Mr. Brotherston took steps to try and 
secure what was left of it for the Kelso Museum, to which institution the 
owner kindly presented it. Mr. Brotherston, communicating the circum- 
stance in a note which was published in ‘ Land and Water ’ on the first 
of the present month of February, remarked that the relative length of the 
primaries differ from the measurements given by Yarrell in his description 
of the specimen in Lord Malmsbury's collection. He writes—‘ Length 
of wing from carpal joint, 6% inches ; first feather very short, 1} inch ; 
the second in the left wing is } inch, and in the right about ¢ inch shorter 
than the fourth. The second and fourth in Lord Malmsbury’s specimen 
were equal. The third is the longest in the wing, being about § inch_ 
longer than the fourth Length of bill from gape one inch four lines. 
The marking en the head is also different. Yarrell says ‘ the feathers on 
the upper part of the head and neck, yellow-brown tipped with black.’ In 
this specimen these feathers are black (becoming lighter on the basal half 
as they go backwards), with a yellow-brown spot about one-sixteenth of an 
inch from the tip. In other respects it agrees with his description, so far 
as can be seen.” These variations suggest the idea that the bird in 
question may not be White's Thrush after all, but possibly an allied species 
of the genus. (See Prof. Newton's edition of Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds,’ 
vol. i., p. 255, where the distinguishing characters are pointed out.) It 
would be desirable, therefore, to compare the specimen in question carefully 
with examples of the other allied forms referred to, with a view to place its 
identity beyond doubt. Mr. Brotherston has since written to me to say 
that another bird of the kind was seen on January 19th by Mr. A. Steel, a 
gentleman well acquainted with all our common birds and many of the rarer 
ones. It was feeding on a bare sandy spot under some large willows near 


134 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Kelso Bridge. He had an excellent view of it before it took flight into 
Springwood Park, and, after seeing the remains of the Hardacres specimen, 
he is convinced that it belonged to the same species. Both birds were 
solitary.—J. E. Harrine. 


Rooks EATING Smart Brrps.—An intelligent and trustworthy farm- 
servant of my uncle’s tells me that he has several times lately seen Rooks 
(Crows he calls them) both feeding on and chasing small birds in this 
neighbourhood. One "day he saw a Rook chasing a Blackbird, which 
succeeded in escaping, and he showed me the remains of a Robin which he 
saw a Rook devouring. I have also heard from others of Rooks having 
been seen eating small birds during the hard weather, but have not had any 
opportunity of ascertaining the truth or particulars of any of these reports. 
I think it is only during severe weather, when Rooks cannot get their usual 
kinds of food, that they have recourse to this carnivorous propensity, which 
I do not find alluded to in any of the standard works on British Birds. 
—J. E. Patmmr (Lucan, Co. Dublin). 

[Several communications on the omnivorous habits and carnivorous 
propensities of Rooks appeared in ‘ The Zoologist’ for 1863 and 1864; see 
pages 8762, 8816, 8884, 8951, 9043, and 9110.—Ep.] 


Core Tir nestiInc iN THE Grounp.—Mr. Young’s experience (p. 32) 
as to the frequency of the Cole Tit choosing a hole in the ground as its 
nesting place is precisely in accordance with my own. In June, 1871, my 
dog found a nest containing young birds in the rotten stump of a Scotch 
fir, which had been broken off level with the ground: I found him 
scratching away at the hole, which I at first supposed to be that of a 
mouse. On the 9th June, 1873, I found another nest in exactly a similar 

‘situation near the same spot, and by the same means, viz., by seeing a dog 
scratching at it; this nest contained eight young birds, all of which had 
been drowned by a heavy rain. A third nest was placed in a fig-box nailed 
to the wall of the house, with a hole cut in it, and intended for the benefit 
of a pair of Tom-tits—G. T. Rope (Blaxhall, Suffolk). 


Great Sxua near SurewsBury.— A few months ago a tenant came to 
me, bringing alive in a sack a strange bird he had picked up, apparently 
quite exhausted, but not hurt, in one of his turnip-fields. It turned out to 
be the Great Brown Skua, which Mr. Henry Shaw tells me he has never 
seen alive in Shropshire in his time, and is very rare in any part of Great 
Britain. It is now quite well in my aviary, and apparently does not in the 
least object to company or confinement.—R. CHoLMonDELEY (Shrewsbury). 


Reeve ww Dorsrrsutre in Decemper.—A Reeve was caught in a 
snipe-trap in December last, in a water-meadow at Meltown St. Andrew’s. 
I have another in my possession, which was shot within a mile of this spot, 
about ten years ago.—J. C. ManseL-PLeypeLt (Whatcombe, Dorsetshire). 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 135 


Esquimaux CurLEW IN ABERDEENSHIRE —At a meeting of the 
Natural History Society of Glasgow, held on the 26th November last, 
Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown exhibited a specimen of the Esquimaux Curlew, 
Numenius borealis, which had been shot in Aberdeenshire on the 29th of 
the previous month of September. A note to Mr. Robert Mason, the 
Secretary of the Society, procured for me the following particulars from 
Mr. Sim, the taxidermist, of King Street, Aberdeen, to whom the specimen 
was sent for preservation:—‘ The bird was shot by Mr. Ramsay, of 
Staines, and proved to bea male, weighing eight ounces. The total length 
from tip of bill to end of tail was 134 inches; expanse of wings 253 inches ; 
bill 2 inches, wing from carpal joint 7% inches, and tarsus 13 inch. 
The stomach contained crowberries, some flies, and a caterpillar.” This 
rare straggler from America was first noticed as a visitor to the British 
Islands in 1855, when one was killed in Kincardineshire, as recorded by 
Mr. Longmuir (‘ Naturalist,’ 1855, p. 265), and subsequently in Yarrell’s 
‘History of British Birds’ (8rd ed., vol. ii., p. 620). Two were subse- 
quently shot in Suffolk, as noticed by Mr. Hele in his ‘ Notes about 
Aldeburgh’ (p. 177), and a fourth, purchased in Dublin in the flesh, in 
October, 1870, is preserved in the collection of Sir Victor Brooke (see 
‘ Zoologist,’ 1870, p. 2408). The specimen now referred to therefore makes 
the fifth which has been procured in this country.—J. E. Harrine. 


Grouse Quitrine THE Moors 1n YorKsHirp.—A pair of Grouse were 
seen in a turnip-field on our farm early in February. This is the only instance 
of the kind that has occurred for a very long period, and seems to indicate an 
absence of food in their usual haunts. We are ten miles from the nearest 
grouse moor.—Watrer Stamper (Highfield House, Oswaldkirk, York). 


Wrens Roostine.—Noticing one evening several Wrens coming to 
roost in the ivy during the excessive cold of this winter, I went towards 
dusk to the spot, and there in a hole in some honeysuckle and ivy stems 
I found no less than fourteen of these little birds congregated together, no 
doubt for the purpose of keeping each other warm.—Hunry G. Tomutnson 
(The Woodlands, Burton-on-Trent). 


Currous Haunt ror a Snipe.—On the 24th December last a carpenter, 
in the village of Killashandra, on entering an old uninhabited house used 
occasionally by him as a workshop, was surprised to see a Snipe flying 
about. It was found to be rather thin, evidently having taken up its quarters 
there owing to the severity of the weather—W. J. Hammron (Castle 
Hamilton, Co. Cavan). 


Guiaucous Gut at ALDEBURGH.—A fine specimen of the Glaucous 
Gull was brought to me on January 25th. It was shot at Thorpe Mere, 
where it was feeding in company with a flock of Common Gulls.— 
F. M. Oaixvie (Sizewell, Leiston). 


136 THE ZOQLOGISY. 


Hawrincu 1n IrneLanp.—On the 13th November a specimen of the 
Hawfinch (Coecothraustes vulgaris) was brought to me. It was found lying 
dead on one of the garden walks near a lime tree. It was a young male, 
in good condition, and the plumage perfect.—W. J. Hamixron (Castle 
Hamilton, Co. Cavan). 

[The Hawfinch is included by Thompson amongst the birds of [reland 
as an occasional visitant.—ED. | 


Great Grey SHRIKE IN YorKsHIRE.—On the 11th January last, 
whilst standing upon the platform at Shipley Station, my brother and I 
observed what we had little doubt was a Grey Shrike fly over the metals 
to the south of the Station. This is the second occurrence in this part 
within the last few years. The first example was shot in the Goitstock 
Valley, and is now in the possession of Mr. P. Dalton, Bingley. On the 
1st February last I saw a Mealy Redpoll, in company with Lesser Redpolls 
and Siskins, feeding upon the seeds of the alder by the side of the River 
Aire. Of course there might have been more than one specimen, but 
I did not get near enough to identify any more with certainty.—E. P. 
Burrerriecp (Wilsden). 


Crose-Tivk FoR F'ResH-water Fiso.—lIn the month of August, 1878, 
an Act was passed haying for its object the appointment of a close-time for 
such fresh-water fish as were not already protected by previous Statutes. 
This Act, which is entitled ‘The Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1878,’ will 
come into operation for the first time during the present spring, and its 
principal provisions are as follows:—The close-time appointed is between 
the 15th day of March and the 15th day of June, both inclusive. The 
term “ fresh-water fish” includes all kinds of fish (other than Pollan, Trout 
and Char) which live in fresh water, except those kinds which migrate to or 
from the open sea. If any person during this close season fishes for, 
catches, or attempts to catch or kill any fresh-water fish in any river, lake, 
tributary, stream, or other water connected or communicating with such 
river, he shall, on summary conviction before two justices, be liable to a 
fine not exceeding forty shillings. This, however, does not apply (a) to the 
owner of any several or private fishery where Trout, Char or Grayling are 
specially preserved, destroying within such fishery any fresh-water fish 
other than grayling ; (b) to any person angling in any several fishery with 
the leave of the owner of such fishery, or in any public fishery under the 
jurisdiction of a board of conservators with the leave of the said board; 
(c) to any person taking fresh-water fish for scientific purposes; (d) to any 
person taking fresh-water fish for bait. Buying, selling, or exposing for 
sale fresh-water fish during the close season is declared illegal under a 
penalty not exceeding, for a first offence, 40s., and for a second offence, £5; 


‘ 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 137 


the person or persons convicted forfeiting all fish caught, bought, sold or 
exposed for sale, and (at the discretion of the convicting justices) all 
instruments used in the taking of such fish ; the justices having the power 
also, upon information on oath, to authorise the search of any suspected 
premises. Sundry clauses which by the Salmon Acts render certain 
modes of fishing illegal, are introduced, as well as regulations relative to 
licenses, water-bailiffs, &c. The counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, which are 
already protected by a Freshwater Fisheries Act, are exempted from the 
operation of certain clauses in the present one.—En. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Socrery or Lonpon. 


February 6, 1879.—Prof. Atuman, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 

Several interesting exhibitions and remarks, chiefly on vegetable 
products, were made, the only one of zoological interest being that of 
Mr. R. Irwin Lynch, namely, parts of the bull’s-thorn acacia and imbauba 
tree, as also a couple of orchids, all exemplifying the economy of those 
plants in affording protection to and food for ants. 

A short paper, ‘On the position of the Genus Sequenzia among the 
Gasteropoda,” was read by Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys. Herein he expressed an 
opinion differing from that lately promulgated by the Rev. R. Boog Watson, 
believing that this mollusk belongs to the Solarium group rather than to 
the Trochus family, in which the latter naturalist had placed it. 

Sir John Lubbock then -read two papers “On Ants.” The first was 
devoted to an account of their anatomy, the muscular system being more 
particularly described, as elucidated by microscopical sections, &c., these 
being accompanied by an extensive series of drawings. The second paper 
was a continuation of his observations “On the Habits of Ants.” He 
observed that he had at first isolated his nests by means of water. This 
was effectual enough, but, especially in summer, the water required to be 
continually renewed. Kerner, however, had suggested that the hairs of 
plants served to prevent ants from obtaining access to the honey, and it 
accordingly occurred to him that strips of fur arranged with the points of 
the hairs downwards might answer his purpose. He had tried this, and, 
finding it successful, he thought a similar arrangement might perhaps be 
found useful in hot countries. It is generally stated that the queen ants 
alone lay eggs, but Sir John has found that in most of his nests some few 
of the workers are capable of doing so. It appears, however, that these 
eggs always produce males. In the case of bees we know that the queen is 
ed on a special kind of food. In ants it is not feasible to make observations 

z 


1388 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


similar to those by which in bees this has been established. It is, however, 
rendered more than probable by the fact that, while males and workers 
have been bred by hundreds in his nests, no queen has yet been produced. 
M. Lespés has given a short but interesting account of some experiments 
made by him on the relations existing between ants and their domestic 
animals, from which it might be inferred that even within the limits of a 
single species some communities are more advanced than others. He found 
that specimens of the curious blind beetle, Claviger, which always occurs 
with ants, when transferred from a nest of Lasius niger to another which 
kept none of these domestic beetles, were invariably attacked and eaten. 
From this he infers that the intelligence necessary to keep Clavigers is not 
co-extensive with the species, but belongs only to certain communities and 
races, which, so to say, are more advanced in civilization than the rest of 
the species. Sir John Lubbock, however, removed specimens of the curious 
blind Platyarthrus from one nest to another, but they were always amicably 
received. He even transferred specimens from a nest of Lasius flavus to one 
of Formica fusca, with the same result. As regards the longevity of ants, he 
has now two queens of F’. fusca which seem quite in good health, and which 
have lived with him since 1874; they are, therefore, probably five years old. 
He has also workers of L. niger, I’. sanguinea, F’. fusca and F. cinerea, 
which he has had under observation since 1875. In his previous papers he 
has given several instances which seem to show that ants do not exhibit 
such unvarying kindness to their friends as has been usually supposed. 
He wished, however, to guard himself against being supposed to question 
the general good qualities of his favourites. In fact, ants of the same nest 
never quarrel among themselves; he had never seen any evidence of 
ill-temper in any of his nests. All is harmony. He had already in 
previous papers given various instances of tender kindness. Again, in one 
of his nests of Formica fusca was a poor ant which had come into the world 
without antenne. Never having previously met with such a case, he 
watched her with great interest, but she never appeared to leave the nest. 
At length, one day he found her wandering about in an aimless sort of 
manner, and apparently not knowing her way at all. After a while she fell 
in with some specimens of Lasius flavus, who directly attacked her. He 
then set himself to separate them; but she was evidently much wounded, 
and lay helpless on the ground. After some time another /’. fusca from 
her nest came by. She examined the poor sufferer carefully, then picked 
her up tenderly and carried her away into the nest. It would have been 
difficult, Sir John thinks, for any one who witnessed this scene to have 
denied to this ant the possession of human feelings. It is clear, from the 
experiments recorded iu the present and in Sir John’s former papers, that 
the ants recognise all their fellows in the same nest, but it is very difficult 
to understand how this can be effected. The nests vary very much in size, 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 139 


but in some species 100,000 individuals may probably be by no means an 
unusual number, and in some instances even this is largely exceeded. 
Now, it seems almost incredible that in such cases every ant knows overy 
other one by sight; neither does it seem possible that all the ants in each 
nest should be characterized from those of other nests by any peculiarity. 
It has been suggested in the case of bees that each nest might have some 
sign or pass-word. The whole subject is full of difficulty. It occurred to 
Sir John, however, that experiments with pup might throw some light on 
the subject. Although the ants of every nest, say of Formica fusca, are 
deadly enemies to others, still if larvee or pupe from one nest are transferred 
to another they are kindly received, and tended with, apparently, as much 
care as if they really belonged to the nest. In ant warfare, though sex is 
no protection, the young are spared—at least, when they belong to the 
same species. Moreover, though the habits and dispositions of ants are 
greatly changed if they are taken away from their nest and kept in solitary 
confinement or only with a few friends, still in such circumstances they will 
carefully tend any young which may be confided to them Now, if the 
recognition were effected by means of some signal or pass-word, then, as it 
cau ,hardly be supposed that the larve or pup would be sufficiently 
intelligent to appreciate, still less to remember it, the pupe which were 
entrusted to ants from another's nest would have the pass-word, if any, of 
that nest, and not of the one from which they had been taken. Hence, if 
the recognition were effected by some pass-word or sign with the antenne, 
they would be amicably received in the nest from which their nurses had 
been taken, but not in their own. He therefore took a number of pupe 
out of some of his nests of Formica fusca and Lasius niger and put them in 
small glasses, some with ants from their own nest, some with ants from 
another nest of the same species. The results were that thirty-two ants - 
belonging to F’. fusca and L. niger, removed from their nest as pupe, 
attended by friends and restored to their own nest, were all amicably received. - 
What is still more remarkable, of twenty-two ants belonging to F’. fusca, 
removed as pup, attended by strangers, and returned to their own nest, 
twenty were amicably received. As regards one, Sir John was doubtful; 
this last was crippled in coming out of the pupa-case, and to this perhaps 
her unfriendly reception may have been due. Of the same number of 
L. niger, developed in the same manner, from pupz tended by strangers 
belonging to the same species, and then returned into their own nest, 
seventeen were amicably received, three were attacked; about two Sir John 
felt doubtful. On the other hand, fifteen specimens belonging to the same two 
species, removed as pup, tended by strangers belonging to the same species, 
and then put into the strangers’ nest, were all attacked. The results may 
be summarised as follows:—Pupz brought up by friends and replaced in 
their own nest—attacked, 0; received amicably, 33. Pupe brought up by 


140 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


strangers and put in own nest—attacked, 7 (about three of these Sir John 
did not feel sure); received amicably, 37. Pups brought up by strangers 
and put in strangers’ nest—attacked, 15; received amicably, 0. Sir John 
intends to make further experiments in this direction, but the above results 
seem very interesting. They appear to indicate that ants of the same nest 
do not recognise one another by any pass-word. On the other hand, if ants 
are removed from a nest in the pupe state, tended by strangers, and then 
restored, some at least of their own relatives are certainly puzzled, and in 
many cases doubt their claim to consanguinity. Strangers under similar 
circumstances would be immediately attacked. These ants, on the contrary, 
were in every case—sometimes, however, after examination—amicably 
received by the majority of the colony, and it was often several hours before 
they came across one who did not recognise them.—J. Muniz. 


ZooLoGcicaL Society or Lonpon. 


February 4, 1879.—Dr. GiintueEr, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. 

The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the 
Society’s Menagerie during the month of January, 1879, and called special 
attention to a Bar-winged Rail, Rallina peciloptera (Hartlaub), from the 
Fiji Islands, acquired by purchase; and to a young male Giraffe, Camelo- 
pardalis giraffa, received on deposit. 

Mr. Sclater exhibited and made remarks on a specimen of a Curassow, 
belonging to the Royal Museum of Copenhagen, which he had received 
from Prof. J. Reinhardt for examination, and which Prof. Reinhardt had 
proposed to refer to a new species, Mitua Salvini. 

Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe exhibited a series of Bulwer’s Pheasant, Lobio- 
phasis Bulweri, from the Lawas River, N.W. Borneo, collected by Mr. W. H. 
Treacher, Acting Governor of Labuan. The series represented every stage 
of plumage of this Pheasant, and conclusively proved that L. castanei- 
caudatus, Sharpe, was the immature male of L. Bulweri. 

A communication was read from Prof. A. H. Garrod, containing some 
notes on certain points in the anatomy of the Hoatzin, Opisthocomus 
cristatus. 

Mr. Sclater read some notes on the breeding of the Argus Pheasant and 
other Phasianide in the Society’s Gardens. 

A communication was read from the Rey. O. P. Cambridge, containing 
the description of a new genus and species of Spiders, proposed to be called 
Fritzia Muelleri. 

Mr. W. Ottley read the first part of a series of observations on the 
structure of the eye-muscles in the Mammalia. 

A communication was read from Mr. Osbert Salvin on some birds 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 141 


transmitted by the Rev, Thomas Powell from the Samoan Islands, amongst 
which were two new species proposed to be called Pinarolestes Powelli and 
Fregetta mestissima. 

A communication was read from Mr. W. H. Dall, containing remarks 
on the use of the generic name Gouldia in Zoology. 

Mr. George A. Shaw read notes upon the habits of four species of 
Lemurs, specimens of which had been brought alive to England, in 1878, 
from the province of Betsileo, in Central Madagascar. 

A communication was read from Mr. F. Moore, containing descriptions 
of some new Asiatic Diurnal Lepidoptera. 

Dr. A. Giinther pointed out the characters of a new Rodent from 
Medellin, U.S. of Columbia, for which the name Thrinacodus albicauda was 
proposed. 


February 18, 1879.—Prof. W. H. Frowgr, LL.D., F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of the Rey. T. O. Morris, an example 
of Bombyx quercus with malformed antenne. 

Mr. Sclater exhibited a new Humming Bird from Northern Peru, which 
’ he had received for identification from M. L. Taczanowski, and which he 
proposed to name Thaumatius Taczanowskit. 

Mr. Sclater exhibited a living Amphisbenian (Bronia brasiliana), lately 
received by the Society from Monte Video. 

A communication was read from Mr. EK. L. Layard, containing a note 
on Pachycephala icteroides, Peale, with the description of a supposed new 
species of the genus from Ovalau, Fiji group, proposed to be called 
P. neglecta. 

A communication was read from Dr. A. Giinther, containing a description 
of four new species of Chameleons from Madagascar, proposed to be called 
C. malphe, C. brevicornis, C. gularis and C. globifer. 

A communication was read from Mr. Edgar A. Smith, containing a 
description of a large collection of Mollusca from Japan, formed by Captain 
H. C. St. John, R.N., of H.M.S. ‘Sylvia.’ 

Messrs. Godman and Salvin read descriptions of a number of new 
species of butterflies from Central and South America. A second com- 
munication from the same authors gave an account of a collection of 
butterflies, made by the Rey. G. Brown in New Ireland and New Britain; 
and Mr. A. G. Butler gave an account of the Heterocera contained in a 
collection trom tho same locality. 

A communication was read from Mr. W. A. Forbes on the systematic 
position of the genus Lathamus, in which, from a study of its pterylosis, 
osteology, and other points in its external and internal structure, he showed 
that this Parrot must be referred to the neighbourhood of the Platycercide. 


142 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe read a note on Heliodilus Soumagnei, Gradidier, 
of which a specimen had recently been acquired by the British Museum. 
Mr. Sharpe likewise pointed out the characters of a second species of the 
genus Dromeocercus, from Madagascar, proposed to be called D. Seebohmi. 

A communication was read from Mr. A. Boucard, containing descriptions 
of two supposed new species of South American birds. 

Dr. F. Day read some remarks on the occurrence at Southend of the 
Little Gurnard, Trigla peciloptera.—P. L. Scuater, Secretary. 


ENToMOLOGICAL Society or Lonpon. 


February 5, 1879.—Sir Joun Luszocs, Bart., M.P., V.-P.R.S., &c., 
President, in the chair. 

Mr. H. J. Elwes exhibited a collection of Lepidoptera from a small 
island at the mouth of the Amoor River, in Siberia. 

Mr. C. O. Waterhouse exhibited a specimen of Gasteracantha Cam- 
bridgei, a remarkable spider from West Africa, recently described by 
Mr. A. G. Butler. 

Mr. G. C. Champion exhibited a specimen of Harpalus oblongiusculus, 
taken by Mr. J. T. Harris, in May last, at the Chesil Bank, Weymouth. 

The Secretary read a note from Mr. A. H. Swinton, calling attention 
to a passage in a paper by Mr. Wood-Mason, published in the last part of 
the Society’s ‘Transactions’ (part iv., p. 265), wherein the author asks, 
“ How is it that nobody has ever heard the Mantide stridulate?” Mr. 
Swinton referred to Kirby and Spence’s ‘Introduction to Entomology’ 
(7th ed., p. 493), where it is stated, on the authority of M. Goureau, that 
Mantis religiosa, “when alarmed and haying put itself in an attitude of 
defence, rubs the sides of the abdomen against the interior borders of the 
wings and elytra, so as to produce a noise like that of parchment rubbed 
together.” 

The Rev. A. E. Eaton remarked, apropos of the homologies of wing- 
nervures (see Proc. Ent. Soc., 1878, p. lvi.), that in the anterior wings of 
most of the Ephemeride, three primary groups of longitudinal nervures 
could be distinguished, the foremost proceeding directly from the thorax ; 
the hindermost issuing from, or terminating in, a curved or angulated 
prominent fold interjacent between the first group and the hinder part of 
the base of the wing close to the wing-root; and an intermediate group 
which does not attain to the thorax, but either terminates in the wing- 
membrane close to the base of the wing, or is annexed to the hinder veins 
of the first group. The equivalents of the intermediate group in their 
ultimate ramifications constitute the ‘apical forks” of Mr. M‘Lachlan’s 
system. Mr. Eaton exhibited drawings of wings of Trichoptera and 
Tineina, in which the three groups of nervures were distinguished by colour, 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 143 


and the “apical forks” were shaded and numbered, in correspondence with 
their homologies. 

Mr. Meldola communicated the following note on a remarkable case of 
mimicry observed by Dr. Fritz Miller:—‘I have just reared from the 
caterpillar state ten specimens (being five males and five females) of Hweides 
pavana. This is one of our rarest butterflies, and I think I have not yet 
caught more than half-a-dozen, all of which were females. These resemble 
Acrea Thalia so closely that before they are caught they can be distinguished 
only by the club of the antenne being yellow, while it is black in Acrea. 
Now in the male of Eueides pavana the club of the antenne is black also, 
and this has no doubt been the cause of my never catching any male. 
I know of no other case in which the males of a mimicking butterfly 
resemble more closely the mimicked one than the females do, while the 
inverse is well known to be of rather frequent occurrence.” 

Mr. A. G. Butler communicated a paper “On the Lepidoptera of the 
Amazons collected by Dr. James W. H. Trail during the years 1873 to 
1875. Part iii., Noctuites.” 

Mr. C. O. Waterhouse communicated a “ Description of a new Genus 
and Species of Rhyncophorous Coleoptera allied to Sipalus found in an 
Orchid-house.” 

Mr. F. Moore communicated ‘‘ Descriptions of the Species of the Lepi- 
dopterous Genus Kallima.” 

Part iv. of the ‘ Transactions’ for 1878 was on the table; as were also 
copies of the President’s Anniversary Address delivered at the last Meeting, 
for distribution —R. Meipora, Hon. Secretary. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS: 


Wanderings in South America. By Cuartes Waterton. New 
Edition, with Biographical Introduction and Explanatory 
Index, by the Rev. J. G. Woop. With one hundred illus- 
trations. London: Macmillan & Co. 1879. 


So many years have elapsed since the last edition of this very 
entertaining book was published, and second-hand copies have 
become so difficult to procure, that the appearance of the hand- 
some new edition just issued by Messrs. Macmillan is as well- 
timed as it is welcome. If the illustrations which it contains 
are not invariably accurate, we must at least admit that as 
regards type and paper the volume is in every way worthy of the 
subject matter of the work, and of the well-known house from 


144 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


which it emanates. Whether or not a more competent editor 
than the Rev. J.G. Wood might have been found we will not say; 
at all events, it does not appear that Mr. Wood has ever visited 
the countries in which the author of the ‘ Wanderings’ so long 
sojourned, nor can he, as his editorial notes sufficiently testify, 
have made more than a very superficial study of the South 
American fauna and flora. To say that he has exercised a very 
wise discretion in leaving the ‘ Wanderings’ ‘ untouched as 
Waterton wrote them,” keeping his own notes quite distinct in 
an “‘ Explanatory Index,” is perhaps the highest compliment we 
can pay him. We certainly cannot congratulate him in every 
case upon the success of his identification of the species which 
Waterton described by their native names, although, as he tells 
us in his Preface, he has had the assistance, as regards the birds 
mentioned, of the Secretary of the Zoological Society. From 
what we know of Mr. Sclater’s valuable publications on the 
subject of South American Ornithology, we feel sure that had 
Mr. Wood consulted him a little oftener he would have done so 
with advantage, and would have been enabled to avoid many of 
the errors into which he has fallen. A naturalist who has not 
made any special study of South American animals might be 
excused if he failed occasionally to identify with certainty from 
Waterton’s description the species of a genus containing several 
closely-allied forms; but we hardly expected to find Mr. Wood 
committing so great a blunder as to discover in Guiana and 
Demerara Old-World species like Pelecanus onocrotalus (p. 451) 
and Platalea leucorodia (p. 742), which, in the New World are 
quite unknown; while he evinces so little knowledge of the 
geographical distribution of animals as to assert that ‘only 
two species of Tapir survive—one in Tropical America, and the 
other in Malacca and Sumatra” (p. 474). We were under the 
impression that there are at least three distinct species of Tapir 
in South America alone, two of which may be seen at any time 
by visiting the Zoological Society's Gardens in the Regent’s Park. 
And here we may remark that the editor of the ‘ Wanderings’ 
would not have written irrelevantly if he had directed attention 
to the great utility and value of a menagerie like the one 
referred to, in making us acquainted with the external forms and 
relationships of the wild animals of our own and other countries. 
To give another illustration: The first native name employed 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 145 


by Waterton which necessitates a reference to Mr. Wood’s 
“Explanatory Index” is Maroudi (p. 17). On seeking an 
explanation we find, at p. 434, the statement that ‘there are 
several species of Maroudis, those which are best known being 
the Common Maroudi (Penelope cristata) and the Whiteheaded 
Maroudi (Penelope pipile).””. We venture to think that it would 
have been much more to the purpose had Mr. Wood stated that 
the Maroudis are more familiarly kuown under the name “Guan,” 
that they are closely related to the Curassows, and that several 
species of both may be seen any day in the Zoological Society’s 
aviaries. 

We do not know from what source Mr. Wood has borrowed 
his nomenclature, but the scientific names which he employs 
certainly do not represent the views of the best authorities at the 
present day, or we should not find the generic names Brachyurus, 
instead of Pithecia, for the Bisa Monkey (p. 374); Arapunga, 
instead of Chasmarhynchus, for the Bell Bird (p. 380); and 
Uropsophus, instead of Crotalus, for the familiar Rattlesnake 
(p. 465). 

Tt does not seem to have occurred to the editor of the ‘Wan- 
derings’ that in the ‘Proceedings of the Zoological Society,’ 
and in ‘The Ibis,’ he might have found numerous valuable 
papers on South American Ornithology which would have 
materially assisted him in his labours, while Messrs. Sclater and 
Salvin’s “‘Nomenclator Avium Neotropicalium” would have 
furnished him with the correct names of the species identified. 
We will mention one article out of many which, in our opinion, 
ought not to have been overlooked, namely, that by Mr. Osbert 
Salvin “ On the Costa Rican Bell Bird and its Allies” (‘Ibis,’ 1865, 
p- 90), while on the same subject he might have consulted with 
advantage Mr. E. C. Taylor’s remarks (‘ Ibis,’ 1864, p. 88), 
and those of Mr. Sclater in the volume for 1866 of the same 
periodical (p. 406). A reference to these sources of information 
under the head of ‘‘ Campanero,” (p. 180) would have been both 
appropriate and useful. 

It should not be forgotten that the observations recorded by 
Waterton were made by him between the years 1812 and 1824, 
and therefore to attempt, in 1879, to elucidate his remarks 
without any reference to the labours and publications of the 
well-known writers on South American Zoology who have come 

U 


146 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


after him, is to exhibit a carelessness which, in so practised a 
writer as Mr. Wood, is inexcusable. 

We regret to have thus to express our disappointment in the 
result of his labours in the present instance, but, while we are 
grateful to the publishers for having placed in our hands so 
elegant a text of a truly delightful book, candour compels us to 
express the opinion that the natural history portion of Waterton’s 
‘Wanderings’ has yet to receive a more adequate and useful 
treatment than that which it has met with at the hands of 
Mr. Wood. 


Sketches of the Wild Sports and Natural History of the Highlands. 
By Cartes Sr. Jonn. A new Edition. London: John 
Murray. 1878. Crowu 8vo. 


Few of our readers, we imagine, are unacquainted with the 
writings of the late Charles St. John, who, combining the tastes 
of a sportsman with the acquirements of an observant naturalist, 
has bequeathed to posterity some of the most instructive and 
agreeably written essays on Sport and Natural History ever pub- 
lished in the English language. 

Apart from the pleasant unaffected style in qiioh his 
experiences are detailed, one great charm about his books is that 
they contain no statement for the truth of which he was not 
personally able to vouch. ‘I have been particularly careful,” 
he says, ‘‘ to describe and note down nothing, the authenticity of 
which I am not certain of. Ihave carefully avoided the great 
error of taking things on hearsay. In the very few instances 
in which I have been obliged to depend on the eyes of others, 
Ihave been careful to guard against being knowingly or un- 
knowingly deceived. A book of this sort should be a book of 
reference, and as such to be thoroughly depended on; and I 
can assure my readers that they may fully depend on the truth 
and correctness of everything here mentioned.” 

These remarks occur in the preface to the author’s ‘‘ Natural 
History and Sport in Moray,” and show very clearly his views of 
the duty of a naturalist. They apply with equal justice to the 
book before us. 

Those who are familiar with the earlier edition of this work, 
which appeared some twenty years ago in a smaller and less 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 147 


important form, will welcome the appearance of this new edition, 
which, from its size and the beauty of the illustrations and type, 
forms a more fitting memorial of the deceased naturalist than 
has yet been produced. 

As regards the illustrations, great pains seem to have been 
taken to enter into the spirit, and, where possible, to depict the 
actual scene of the events described in the text. We may 
particularly notice ‘“‘ Fishing by Moonlight” (p. 8), ‘‘ Rapids on 
the Findhorn” (p. 74), ‘‘Across Cromarty Bay” (p. 148), 
** Dulsie Bridge” (p. 221), and ‘‘ Swans in the Bay ” (p. 235). 
The portrait of the Wild Cat at page 44 cannot be commended, 
being unfortunately not in the least like one, and we speak 
adyisedly, having before us, as we write, a well preserved 
specimen of this animal which was shot on the north side of 
Loch Ness. The Roebuck on page 21 would look much more 
natural if it were not so white; for although an albino Roe 
is not absolutely unknown, it is sufficiently rare to preclude 
its being figured as an ordinary variety of this graceful animal. 
If we are not mistaken a white Roe, shot near Luss, on Loch 
Lomond, is preserved in the collection of Sir James Colquhoun. 

The Long-eared Owl (p. 75) and the Kestrels (p. 112) strike 
us as being very delicately and naturally drawn. although we mnst 
demur to the dark cheek-patch on the Kestrel, which causes it to 
look too much like a Peregrine. But we are not disposed to criticise 
too closely a production upon which such evident pains have 
been bestowed both by artist and engraver. Of the letterpress 
we cannot speak too highly. Sportsmen and naturalists have 
alike tested its merits by the light of their own experience, and 
although few perhaps have enjoyed such opportunities for 
studying Nature amid some of the wildest scenery as Charles 
St. John, those who may peruse his writings cannot fail to 
perceive the extreme accuracy of his observations, and the charm 
of a style which always instructs while it never wearies. 


Shooting Adventures, Canine Lore and Sea-fishing Trip. By 
“ Witprowier.” London: Chapman & Hall. 1879. 
2 vols. 8vo. : 


Tuosr of our readers who have perused the two former 
volumes by ‘‘ Wildfowler” will have discovered that he is no stay- 


148 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


at-home sportsman who draws upon his imagination for a theme 
to dwell upon. He is never happy unless wandering in search of 
sport, be it with gun, rod, or deep-sea line, not only in this our 
“ sea-cirt isle,” but in any part of the European continent which 
may seem to promise occupation to an enthusiastic gunner and 
fisherman. The two volumes before us may be described as 
‘a third series” of his former works,* for although the title has 
been slightly, and, as we think, unnecessarily, altered in each 
series, the scope and plan of the book are much the same, and 
the ‘ Adventures’ here narrated do not differ in kind from the 
‘Trips’ with which he has on former occasions made us 
acquainted. 

To say that there is much novelty in the subjects dealt with 
would be misleading, for those of our readers who delight in 
shooting and fishing will find in many of the chapters merely an 
echo of their own experience, and little is related which might 
not happen, and no doubt has happened frequently, to most 
sportsmen. We must admit, however, that in some of the 
chapters we find exceptions to this; such for instance as 
“Peculiar Duck Shooting on the River Saone” and “ Netting 
Black Ducks at Cape Grisnez.” In the former of these two 
chapters the author describes a mode of shooting wild ducks at 
night, which he saw practised in France, where the birds were 
approached in a bachot, or large flat-bottomed punt, painted 
black, and with sides which ‘‘rose about a yard above the 
stream” to conceal the guns. A pot of congealed grease, with 
a handful of tow stuck in it for a wick, is placed in a copper-pan 
and rigged to the end of a bowsprit about ten feet long; a 
reflector being placed between the light and the boat, by which 
means the light is projected forward, and the gunners behind 
remain in comparative darkness. The light appears to exercise 
an extraordinary fascination over the fowl, which, instead of 
taking to their wings in alarm, swim towards the boat with 
every sign of curiosity, and pay the penalty as soon as they are 
within range. This ¢an scarcely be called a sportsman-like 
practice ; and, beyond the novelty which it presents to those who 
witness it for the first time, has nothing to recommend it to any 
save those who, being dependent on their guns for a living, are 


* A notice of the “ Second Series” appeared in ‘ The Zoologist,’ 1878, p. 145. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 149 


not particular how they proceed so long as the fowl are secured 
for the market. Hardly less objectionable is the mode of netting 
black ducks (Scoters and Scaups) which is said to be employed 
by the fishermen at Cape Grisnez; although, as in the former 
case, it has a certain amount of attraction for those who see it 
practised for the first time. It consists in driving into the sands 
at low-water a number of stakes enclosing a pretty large 
parallelogram of ground covered as much as_ possible with 
mussels and other shell-fish. To the tops of these stakes a net 
is fixed in such a manner as to have its flat surface parallel with 
and about two feet from the bottom. At high-tide this net is 
covered, and the black ducks, which come shoreward for the 
shallower water where they can reach food, on diving down for 
it, became entangled in the meshes of the net and are drowned. 
A longer and narrower net set up edgewise, as for fish, and 
forming a sort of semicircle beyond the flat net, prevents any 
dead birds that may be washed off the flat net by the action of 
the tide from floating out to sea. In this manner a score of 
ducks have been taken at a time. The device, however, is not 
anewone. The late Mr. Lloyd, in his ‘ Game-birds- and Wild- 
fowl of Sweden and Norway’ (pp. 867, 368), describes a some- 
what similar mode of netting wildfowl; and Mr. J. H. Gurney, 
Jun., in his ‘Rambles of a Naturalist,’ has a chapter entitled 
‘* Netting Sea-birds on the Wash.” Many of our readers will no 
doubt recollect also Mr: Stevenson’s remarks on this subject in 
the second volume of his ‘ Birds of Norfolk’ (pp. 376, 377). 
Perhaps the most extraordinary capture of wild ducks in a 
net is that related by Daniel in the Supplement to his ‘ Rural 
Sports’ (p. 627). A fisherman near Drumburgh placed a flounder- 


' net in the river Eden, which is subject to the flux and reflux of 


the tide, and on his returning to take up his net, instead of 
finding fish, he found it loaded with wild ducks. During his 
absence a “fleet” of these birds had alighted below the net, and, 
on the flowing of the tide, were carried, from the contraction of 
the channel, with great impetuosity into the net and drowned. 
He caught one hundred and seventy Golden-eyes ! 

Amongst other chapters in the present volumes, which we 
doubt not will possess an interest for many readers, may be 
mentioned—‘‘ Twirling for Larks on the Continent,” and ‘ Boar 
and Wolf-hunting in France.’ It would not be easy, however, to 


150 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


find a better account of Wolf-hunting in France than that which 
is given by Col. Thornton in his ‘ Sporting Tour in France,’ 
a work with which “ Wildfowler” ought to make himself 
acquainted.* Of his own book we have probably said enough to 
convince those of similar tastes that they will find a good deal 
to amuse them in these reminiscences of our enthusiastic 
sportsman. 


English Folk-Lore. By the Rev. T. F. Tutsexrron Dyer, M.A.,, 
London: Hardwicke & Bogue. 1878. Post 8vo. 


AcruaTED apparently by the impulse which, a year ago, 
prompted the formation of an English Folk-Lore Society, 
Mr. Dyer has sent forth the pleasantly-written little volume 
before us. We are candidly told in the Preface that it is not 
intended to be exhaustive, but has been written with a view of 
giving the reader information in a popular form about some of 
those superstitions that still linger on here and there throughout 
the country. There is no doubt that considerably more might 
be written on the subject, and has been written in scattered 
volumes, than is contained in the present work, but we are 
none the less grateful for the instalment here presented to us. 

The chapters with which we are chiefly concerned are those 
on Birds (chap. iii.), Animals (chap. iv.), and Insects and 
Reptiles (chap. v.). Birds are in most countries the subject of a 
very varied folk-lore, and the superstitious and credulous have 
generally discovered in their movements omens and prognosti- 
cations of coming events. It is often extremely difficult to trace 
superstition of any kind to their source; but those connected 
with birds, like all others, no doubt have frequently originated 
in isolated occurrences. Thus, in ancient times, if a certain bird 
was seen to fly over a city just before a calamity of any kind, it was 
ever after regarded as a bird of ill-omen and shunned as such. 

Amongst the birds noticed by Mr. Dyer the Cuckoo receives 
the most attention, and many popular legends concerning it are 
given. Most of these are well known, and need not be quoted 
here. We may remark, however, that Mr. Dyer does not always 

* © A Sporting Tour through various parts of France in the year 1802: including 


a Concise Description of the Sporting Establishments, Mode of Hunting and other 
field-amusements as practised in that country.’ 2 vols. 4to. 1806. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. Lb 


give the best version of the rhymes quoted by him: a single 
instance will suffice. We give Mr. Dyer’s lines first, and append 
the better known version :— 


In April In April 

The Cuckoo shows his bill ; Come he will; 

In May In May 

He is singing all day ; He sings all day ; 

In June In June 

He changes his tune ; He changes his tune; 
In July In July 

He prepares to fly ; He prepares to fly ; 
In August In August 

Fly he must Go he must. 


The lines to the Nightingale (p. 72) beginning 


“ Every thing did banish moan 
Save the Nightingale alone,” 


and referring to the popular notion that the mournful notes of 
this bird are produced by its leaning against a thorn while it 
sings, although attributed by Mr. Dyer, like others before him, 
to Shakespeare, and included in most editions of his poems, were 
written, it is believed, by Richard Barnefield, in 1598, and pub- 
lished by him in a work entitled ‘ Poems in divers Humours. ’* 
When quoting Andrew Boord to the effect that “in the 
Forest of St. Leonards in Southsex there doth never singe 
nightingale ;” that “they wyl singe round about the Foreste and 
never within the precincte of the Forest,’ Mr. Dyer might have 
referred also to “that lake whose gloomy shore Skylark never 
warbles o’er,” 7.¢e., Glendalough in the County Wicklow. There 
are many such legends in which the absence of certain animals 
from particular localities or districts is insisted on, but the 
experience of naturalists has shown that such statements, however 
time-honoured they may be, are not always to be relied on. 
Mr. Dyer has collected some curious superstitions and odd 
notions concerning animals, chiefly in connection with weather- 
prophecy, death-omens, and the ill-luck said to attend the 
killing them, but he has by no means exhausted all that might 
be said on what may be termed “the Folk-lore of Zoology.” 
Under this title some years ago, Mr. E. R. Alston contributed a 
* See Hllis’s ‘ Specimens of the Early English Poets,’ vol. ii., p. 356. 


152 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


series of articles to this Journal,* to which Mr. Dyer would have 
done well to refer, since they contain much that, in a collection 
like the present, might have been appropriately quoted. 


Moore’s Columbarium, or the Pigeon House ; being an Introduction 
to a Natural History of Tame Pigeons. London, 1735. 8vo. 
Reprinted by W. B. Trecrrmerer. ‘The Field’ Office, 
346, Strand. 1879. 8vo. 


Tue ‘Columbarium’ of John Moore, the first English work 
on the varieties of domestic Pigeon, is so exceedingly scarce 
that it is doubtful whether more than one copy exists besides 
those in the Library of the British Museum. The work is of 
considerable interest to naturalists, as showing the exact. con- 
dition of the varieties at the time of its publication, and the 
amountof alteration effected by careful selection for one hundred 
and fifty generations since. 

Mr. Tegetmeier has just published a verbatim et literatigr 
reprint, which he has prefaced with an introduction containing 
an interesting notice of Moore’s other works, allusions made 
to him by Pope and other contemporary writers; and he shows 
the importance attached to the work by tracing three out of the 
four copies in the British Museum to the libraries of George IIL, 
Sir Joseph Banks, and Sir Hans Sloane. 

It will be recollected that a few years ago Mr. Tegetmeier 
published a reprint of Boddaert’s scarce ‘Table des Planches 
Enluminées d'Histoire Naturelle,’ only two copies of which were 
known to exist in this country; and we understand it is his 
intention to reproduce in the same way, from time to time, such 
other works as from their rarity and utility are of interest and 
value to naturalists, and yet at present are beyond their reach. 
Such a “‘series,” we feel sure, cannot fail to prove acceptable to 
* those who, while prosecuting their own researches in Zoology, 
set a proper value on the labours of worthy predecessors. 


+ See ‘ Zoologist,’ 1867, pp. 881, 921, 976, 1005 ; and 1868, pp. 1171, 1109. 


CoRRECTION OF ERror.—In the review of ‘The Fenland, Past and 
Present,’ given in our last number, at p. 75, line 14, for “‘ Swinesland” read 
‘“* Swineshead.” 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. IIT.) AB RA a PBF 9: [No. 28. 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORFOLK FOR 1878. 
By Henry Stevenson, F.L.S. 


Tue weather at the commencement of the year was by no 
means favourable for either the sportsman or collector, the frosts 
in January, though severe at times, lasting but a day or two; the 
heavy snow storms, also, on the 24th and 25th were extremely 
local, and the ground was soon cleared, under the influence 
of a rapid change to a milder temperature with a considerable 
rainfall. 

JANUARY. 


Bittern.—Two Bitterns killed in the county between the 10th 
and 23rd were brought for sale to one of our Norwich bird- 
stuffers. 

Shore Lark.—Three specimens, but all in indifferent plumage, 
were shot at Blakeney about the 28th. 

Greenfinches, éc.— During the sharp frosts at the com- 
mencement of the month very large flocks of Greenfinches and 
Chaffinches, in both cases, apparently, all cock birds, frequented 
the fields in close vicinity to the city, and I have rarely seen more 
small birds exhibited in bunches for sale than appeared a few days 
later in some of our game-dealers’ shops. There I remarked a 
large preponderance of hen Greenfinches, and I particularly 
noticed one large bunch of common House Sparrows, all cock 
birds, about two dozen of them. All these had been netted, and 


werein good condition. 
x 


154 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


FEBRUARY. 


Lesser Redpoll.— During the mild damp weather at the 
beginning of the month very large numbers of this Redpoll 
frequented the fields near the city, feeding in flocks upon the 
ploughed lands and “ layers.” 

Goldeneye Duck.— Four fine males of this really “hard- 
weather” fowl were shown me on the 4th, all shot at Yarmouth 
in the sharp frost which prevailed during the last week in 
January. 

Little Bustard.—A female bird of this species, now in the 
possession of Mr. H. M. Upcher, was shot at Potter Heigham on 
the 14th. 

APRIL. 


Curious Capture of a pair of Kestrels.—The Rev. Dr. Goodacre, 
of Wilby Rectory, in this county, informed Mr. Southwell that a 
pair of Kestrels which usually frequented the tower of the church 
were captured on the morning of the lst of April (an ominous 
date for them), under the following singular circumstances :— 
When picked up in the churchyard both birds were found to have 
their wings frozen to their body-feathers, occasioned, I presume, 
by the drifting snow of the night before having penetrated into 
their roosting-place in the belfry, and so wetted their plumage 
that the sharp frost in the early morning fairly pinioned them, 
and on attempting to fly they fell to the foot of the tower, where 
they were secured and placed in a cage. 

Supposed Golden Orioles.—The Rev. H. T. Frere, writing in 
June, informed me that a basket-maker at Diss had seen two 
birds in an osier carr at Palgrave (an adjacent village) which, 
from his description, were probably Golden Orioles. They flew 
up into an ash-tree as he entered the carr, were not at all wild, 
and their whistling notes resembled, he said, the tri-syllabic note 
with which Mr. Frere tried to imitate the whistle of an Oriole. 
He described them as “like a Mavis, only yellow.” They were 
still in the same place when he went back to the carr, about half 
an hour later, but were not seen after that date. This appears 
to have been about the end of April. 

Savi's Warbler.—Mr. Frere also states that about the 27th of 
April, when walking with his wife near a small osier-bed in his 
neighbourhood, they recognized the note of this species, with 


NOTES FROM NORFOLK FOR 1878. 155 


which they are both familiar, and after watching a few minutes 
they saw a bird flit along a ditch overgrown with thick herbage 
and settle within ten yards of them, where its Nightingale-like 
plumage, size, and form, confirmed their first impression. Though 
looked for several times after it was not seen again. 

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.—An adult male of this species 
was shot on the 5th, at Heydon, where a Great Spotted Wood- 
pecker was also killed on the 23rd of March. 

Sanderling.— An adult bird shot at Yarmouth on the 11th 
was still in full winter plumage, not a feather indicating the 
spring change of colour. 

Singular Habit in a Blackbird.—A cock Blackbird which had 
a nest this month in my neighbour’s garden, used constantly, 
whilst his mate was sitting, to perch on a projecting part of the 
stone parapet of the house, fronting the public road, and from 
thence pour forth his song, apparently as much at home in that 
novel situation as a Starling would be. 


May. 


Magpie.—About the first week in May a single Magpie 
was seen on a fence in the Earlham fields, within a mile of 
the city. 

Waders killed in the ‘“ Close-time.’—About the first week in 
this month two Avocets and a White Stork were sent up to 
Norwich from Yarmouth. An Avocet was seen about the same 
time (probably one of those killed), feeding by the margin of a 
brackish pool near the fishing-pier at Lowestoft, and on the 8th 
of June another was shot on Breydon. 

Marsh Harrier.—This species, the very genius loci, in former 
days, as Richard Lubbock termed it, is not quite extinct in 
our “Broad district” as a resident. On the 9th of May, at 
Ranworth, one was seen by my informant to seize a duckling, 
about five weeks old, within a comparatively short distance of 
where he was standing, and no doubt, from the boldness of 
the swoop, the bird had a nest close by. The same bird, or its 
mate, was seen shortly before to carry off a Lapwing from a field 
in the same locality, where a labouring man was at work. Four 
eggs of this species were taken from a nest in that neighbourhood 
earlier in the season, 


156 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Ospreys. —An Osprey was shot at Gimingham, in this county, 
on the 2nd of May, and on the 13th an adult female, at the 
Hempstead ponds, near Holt. On the 19th another was seen 
in the same locality, and again on the 25th and 26th. 

Little Woodpecker—One shot near Diss about the last week 
in this month. 


ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF MIGRANTS AS OBSERVED CHIEFLY IN THE 
Vicinity oF CRoMER AND NorwicH. 


April 3. Willow Warbler heard at Northrepps. 

», 6. Chiffchaff at Didlington. 

», 12. A large number of Hooded Crows departing from the coast about 
Northrepps. Wryneck at Keswick. 

., 18. Nightingale first heard at Thorpe, near Norwich, and generally in 
that neighbourhood on the 14th and 15th. One is said, on 
good authority, to have appeared in a favourite haunt near the 
city, on the 9th. 

,, 14. Swallow seen near Norwich. 

», 16. One seen at Keswick. A Woodcock at Northrepps. 

», 17. Cuckoo at Sherringham. Said to have been heard near Norwich 
on the 12th. 

,». 18. Blackcap at Northrepps. 

, 19. Two Red-backed Shrikes in Earlham fields, Norwich. I believe 
I saw these birds some few days before. 

», 20. Sand and House Martins at Keswick. Redstart first seen at 
Norwich; at Keswick on the 21st. 

», 23. Turtle Dove at Northrepps. 

», 30. Great Whitethroat at Northrepps. 

May 9. Spotted Flycatcher at Northrepps; at Norwich a day or two earlier. 
Swift seen at Northrepps. 

» ll. Two Swifts seen at Norwich; and at Cromer Church on the 
12th. 

» 15. A Nightjar flew past me about 8 p.m. on a public road within 
half a mile of the city; first seen at Northrepps on the 26th. 


JUNE. 


Osprey.—About the first week in this month an Osprey was 
shot from the moat surrounding the Hall at Hunstanton, near 
Lynn, not only an unusual locality for this wild species, butan 
unusual date for its appearance, 


NOTES FROM NORFOLK FOR 1878. 157 


Spoonbills.—Three Spoonbills, all male birds, with fair crests 
and slight buffy tints on the neck, were killed at Yarmouth 
between the lst and 11th of June. 


August. 


Migratory Waders.—A 'Turnstone, in full breeding plumage, 
was seen on the 5th by Mr. T. W. Cremer, at his pond at Beeston, 
and on the 9th he observed at the same spot a flock consisting of 
one Wood Sandpiper (Totanus glareola), five Green Sandpipers 
(T’. ochropus), and from forty to fifty Common Sandpipers (J. hypo- 
leucus). A female Greenshank, a bird of the year, was also shot 
at a pond at Rackheath, near Norwich, on the 10th. 

Manx Shearwater.—On the 15th an adult male, very fat and 
exhausted, was picked up alive at Shottesham, quite an inland 
locality. 

Tufted Duck.—A young female of this species, evidently a 
bird of the year, was shot on the river at Keswick, near Norwich, 
on the 17th August, and most probably, judging by the date, had 
been bred in this county. 

Magpie.—A single bird seen at Northrepps on the 20th. 

Nesting of Swallows and House Martins.—The cause of the 
diminished numbers of both these species, of late years, in 
many localities, has been a theme for speculation with various 
naturalists; but so far as our cities and small country towns are 
concerned,—and even villages of any extent and importance as 
to residents’ houses,—one chief cause of disturbance, and even 
banishment, may undoubtedly be traced to the marked alteration 
in street architecture. I have been led to this conclusion by 
noticing in this quaint old city the great difference in the numbers 
of Swallows and Martins, during the breeding season, observed 
in its best thoroughfares and its less fashionable localities. 
Wherever the time-honoured wooden gables give place to the 
square roof and the iron gutter, the House Martin retires to less 
pretentious dwellings; and where—so generally the case now— 
chimney-pots take the place of the large open chimney-shaft, the 
Swaliow deserts its long-accustomed haunts, or, as I remarked in 
several instances this year, builds under the eaves of the houses 
like the House Martin, fixing its nest close up to the brickwork, 
as it would to a cross-beam in a barn-roof or the rafters of a 
boat-house. I should scarcely have noticed that these were 


158 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Swallows’ and not Martins’ nests had I not seen the old birds 
hovering up under the eaves, and feeding their young as they 
appeared at the tiny aperture. 


NOVEMBER. 

Tittle Auks.—Several of these birds were picked up in inland 
localities during the first week in the month, the wind, at times, 
being strong from the N. and N.E. Between the 5th and 7th a 
birdstuffer at Holt had six from neighbouring localities, picked 
up dead or exhausted close to the coast; and far inland, about 
the same time, one was picked up at Hevingham, and another at 
Syderstone on the 2nd. There is also a record in ‘ The Field’ of 
November 28rd of a Little Auk picked up alive near Norwich on 
the 9th, but which died soon after. 

Waxwings.—A flock of five or six Waxwings are said to have 
been seen at Southwold, near Lowestoft, on the 9th of this month, 
and though appearing in the sister county of Suffolk, I record the 
fact here, as I learn from Mr. Anthony Hamond, of Westacre, that 
he has reason to believe some Waxwings occurred in his neigh- 
bourhood, in West Norfolk; but I have seen no specimens in 
our birdstuffers’ hands. 

Long-tailed Duck.—Mr. Cremer, of Beeston, had a young bird 
of this species killed on that part of the coast, about the 26th, 
and heard of others seen. A female was sent to Norwich Market 
about the 5th of November. 

Black-headed Bunting, variety.—A curiously pied specimen of 
this bird was shot somewhere in the county this month—a species 
not much given to variation in plumage. 

Kingfishers and the Floods.—Amongst the minor incidents of 
the floods which in November, 1878, caused so much destruction 
to property in and around Norwich, was the novel appearance of 
many Kingfishers within the bounds of the city, driven by the 
rising waters from their usual quiet haunts on the Yare and 
Wensum. For some days prior to the great inundation of the 
20th of November they, no doubt, suffered privation from the 
difficulty of procuring food, every stream being more or less 
turbid and swollen, and the powerful current in the main rivers 
carrying everything seawards. When the final catastrophe there- 
fore happened, on the 20th, and the waters above the New Mills, 
meeting with serious obstructions, diverted their course and 


NOTES FROM NORFOLK FOR 1878. 159 


deluged a large portion of the low-lying parts of the city, these 
birds, driven from one foothold to another, as the waters rose 
higher and higher, found at last a temporary resting-place on the 
roofs and upper window-sills of the houses abutting on the river. 
Most of these, it is to be feared, died from want of nourishment, 
or, falling into the water from exhaustion, were drowned, as was 
actually witnessed in one instance at Carrow. In this case, the 
bird was seen to alight, again and again, upon any projecting 
branch or rail above the rushing waters, and as one after another 
of these became submerged he still pursued his course down 
stream till, at last, scared and exhausted, he fell backwards with a 
sharp cry, and was swept away by the torrent. One birdstuffer, 
alone, in Norwich had about twenty brought to him during the 
month of November, and chiefly in the week of the floods. 


DECEMBER. 


Little Auks.— One was brought into Norwich to be stuffed on 
the 8rd, and on the 16th another was picked up at Salthouse, and 
a third at Northrepps on the 18th. 

Pufins.—Two birds of this species were sent up to Norwich 
on the 4th of December. 

Stonechats in Winter.—On the 7th of December a birdcatcher 
brought me a young male Stonechat alive, but which lived only a 
day or two in my aviary, and I saw two in exactly similar plumage 
in a birdstuffer’s shop on the 19th of the same month. 

Crossbill.—I saw a single red male Crossbill, killed about 
the 18th. 

Hawyfinches.—During the month I have seen some nine or ten 
specimens killed in different parts of the county. 

Bramblings, Siskins and Redpolls.— The severe weather 
towards the end of the month did not bring us the usual flocks 
of Bramblings, and it was not till the 21st that I could get a cock 
bird for my aviary, though they were plentiful enough after 
Christmas. Siskins were numerous, but I have heard of no Mealy 
Redpolls this winter. 

White-eyed Pochard.—A bird of this species, shot at Yarmouth 
towards the end of December, is the only duck worth special 
notice that I have heard of on our coast this winter. 

Purple Heron.—An immature bird of this species was, I am 
informed, shot in the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, and brought 


160 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


to a game-dealer in that town between the 14th and 2lst of 
December. 

Raptorial Migrants—On the 11th of May a female Hobby, 
assuming adult plumage, probably a bird of 1877, was shot at 
Northrepps; and another was seen in the same locality on the 
15th. A Short-eared Owl was shot in Feltwell Fen on the 2nd 
of September, as recorded in ‘The Field’ by Mr. F. Doggett. 
A Honey Buzzard was seen on the 25th of September in 
the “‘ Cottage Wood” at Northrepps. An immature Peregrine 
was killed at Shottesham on the 9th of November, and a fine 
adult male in the same locality on the 30th, on which date a Hen 
Harrier, female, was also brought into Norwich. A Merlin was 
shot at Knapton, near Cromer, about the 24th. On the 10th of 
December a Buzzard was seen at Northrepps (mobbed by Rooks), 
but not near enough to ascertain the species. One of the many 
so-called “Golden Eagles,” but only A. albicilla in immature 
plumage, was shot at Fritton, near Lowestoft, about the end of 
December, and being but slightly wounded was captured and 
placed in the Yarmouth Aquarium, where I believe it still 
remains. Another was said to have been seen at the time on the 
same water, attracted as usual by the fowl frequenting the Fritton 
Decoy. This bird, as a “‘ Scotch” Eagle and a “ Golden” Eagle, 
was recorded in various London journals. During the severe 
weather towards the close of December, two Hen Harriers are 
said to have been shot off a tree near Yarmouth, and a Marsh 
Harrier and a Merlin were killed in the same neighbourhood. 


ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF Mierants, AS OBSERVED CHIEFLY IN THE 
Vicrnivy oF Cromer and Norwion. 


July 12 ‘Two young Red-backed Shrikes observed at Northrepps being 

mobbed by a hen Chaffinch and a Wren. 
», 25. A great quantity of Swifts observed at Northrepps going inland. 

Aug. 7. The early congregation of House Martins with an evident 
view to migration, which I recorded (Zool. 1878, p. 45) as 
occurring on August 16th, 1877, was witnessed in exactly a 
similar manner in 1878, on the 7th. At 7 a.m. the lofty 
slated roof of the chapel opposite my house was covered with 
these birds, and difficult as it was to estimate their numbers, 
from their restlessness, I satisfactorily counted over two hundred, 


Oct. 


NOTES FROM NORFOLK FOR 1878. 161 


sitting in rows of thirty or forty together, on the roof, the 
stone copings, the eaves, and level ridge of the roof itself; all 
exclusively swarming on the sunny side of the building, and 
occasionally flying off in large flocks and settling again. I was 
obliged to leave home at 10 a.m., but even by that time the 
main body had disappeared, and only a few, comparatively 
speaking, were seen in the neighbourhood after that date. 
These I presume are the parents and offspring, whose nests, 
built early in the season, have met with no disasters, and who 
thus, freed from the anxieties of a second hatch, annually pass 
southward by short stages, influenced only by the weather. 

Large numbers of Curlew on Breydon. 

Two or three Rock Pipits on the Pakefield Cliffs, near Lowestoft, 
but not seen again. Several Snipes seen near Northrepps. 


. A Turtle Dove at Northrepps. A young Cuckoo seen at Lowestoft. 


3. Swifts last seen near Lowestoft. 


a: 


. Wheatears, seen daily on the Lowestoft Denes from August 31st, 


not seen after the 6th. 


. Yellow Wagtail at Lowestoft. 
26. 


A female or young male Redstart flushed in a turnip-field at 
Northrepps. Just prior to this date a very considerable arrival 
of Snipes was observed in several parts of Norfolk ; upwards of 
a hundred couples are said to have been flushed in the day in 
one locality. A few Pigmy Curlews at Lynn about this date. 


_ At 4 p.m. a flock of small birds was seen at Cromer flying low 


over the sea and making for land near the jetty. One bird was 
observed to lag behind, much exhausted, and when the main 
body reached the beach, and, rising at the sea-wall, mounted 
up and passed inland over the house-tops, this unfortunate, 
thoroughly worn-out, struck the wall and fluttered down into 
the sand. When picked up it proved to be a hen Chaffinch. 

Neither Swallows nor Martins seen in Norwich after this date. 
A large number of Snipes on Beeston Bog, near Cromer; all 
gone next day. 


. First Hooded Crows (a small flock seen at Northrepps); others 


seen coming in from the sea on the 14th. 


. A Woodcock seen at Trimingham. 

. A Wheatear seen at Northrepps. 

. A House Martin seen at Cromer. 

. A Woodcock flushed from my neighbour’s garden on Unthank’s 


Road, within five minutes’ walk of Norwich Market-place. In 
June, 1877, one was caught alive in a greenhouse on the 


Newmarket Road, within a mile of the city. 
Y 


162 THE ZOOLUGISY. 


Nov. 11. Fully twenty House Martins observed near the old boat-house at 
Keswick, and on the same day several at Cringleford, near 
Norwich. 

» 19. A Stone Curlew sent to Norwich from near Sherringham. 

» 24. A flock of about three hundred Jackdaws, with two or three 
Rooks amongst them, seen at Northrepps flying towards the 
sea in a N.W. direction. 

», 26. A Magpie, probably a migrant, seen at Northrepps. 

Dec. 10 & 11. A very unusual number of Redwings observed at Overstrand 
and Northrepps, and a good many Fieldfares. 

Between the 18th and 20th, through the severity of the weather, 
both Redwings and Fieldfares, but particularly the latter, 
appeared in considerable numbers in and around Norwich,— 
indeed in most parts of the county,—devouring every berry 
they could find, and eating their way southwards when such food 
failed them here. The main body had passed on by the 2st, 
leaving only, like an army in retreat, the wounded and sick 
behind, most of which were either stoned by the boys or died 
from exhaustion in a shocking state of emaciation. 


{I much regret that many other and far less agreeable occupations, 
during the past year, have prevented my publishing these notes at a much 
earlier date—H. S.} 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 
By H. W. Fetpen, F.G.S., C.M.Z.S. 
(Continued from p. 108.) 


By the morning of July 12th we had settled down in the tent 
at Dumbell Bay. A few Long-tailed Ducks were found in the 
neighbourhood, and several pairs of Buffon’s Skuas sitting on eggs. 
During one of our walks we observed a Snowy Owl leave a hillock, 
where we found the nest—a simple depression scooped out of the 
ground. It contained three blind owlets, covered with white down, 
and four eggs in various stages of incubation. 

During this excursion we found the retreats of two pairs of 
Foxes, and convinced ourselves of the interesting fact that these 
animals lay up stores of food for future consumption. We were 
disappointed, however, in not obtaining the principal object of 
our search, the nest and eggs of T'ringa canutus. Three entire 
days were spent in the pursuit, and though we frequently saw 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 163 


flocks of a dozen or more of these birds feeding together, and 
sprung them singly and in pairs from marshy spots, yet they gave 
no indication of having nests anywhere in the neighbourhood. 

On the expiration of our week’s leave Mr. Parr and I returned 
to the ship. Captain Markham and a party of four officers, who 
had also gone on a shooting expedition, were far more successful 
than my companion and I. They obtained two or three Musk- 
oxen and a considerable number of Brent Geese. They did not 
return to the ship until the 24th. During the last two weeks 
of July every hour that could be spared from the preparations 
incident to our expected departure was spent in wandering over 
the country and endeavouring to add to our knowledge of its 
resources. A few species of Spiders, some Acaridea, and a few 
Diptera, were the only additions made to my collection. 

The 80th July proved cloudy, with snow. Three of our men 
taking exercise on shore, not far from a small lake, were attracted 
by the actions of a Knot which appeared very tame. Harley,* one 
of them, threw a stone at it, but the bird only flew a short distance. 
He threw another stone, and that time knocked it over, when it 
began calling. Its note brought out three little ones from amongst 
the vegetation by the water’s edge. The pleasure of obtaining 
proof of the breeding of Tinga canutus in those latitudes was 
increased by the good feeling displayed by the men. They evinced 
quite as much delight as I did with the capture. This, however, 
was only on a par with my experiences throughout the whole of 
the voyage. The old bird proved, on dissection, to be a male; its 
stomach contained Spiders and Diptera, and it was extremely fat. 
The young ones had the iris black; tip of mandibles dark brown ; 
bill dark olive; toes black; soles of feet greenish yellow; back 
of the legs the same; under part of throat satin-white; back 
beautifully mottled tortoiseshell. 

On the 31st July the pack outside moved off shore, leaving a 
narrow space of water visible as far as Cape Rawson. A few heavy 
charges of powder removed the last of the ice-cradle, and the ship 
was once more afloat. The passage of Robeson Channel was 
extremely perilous; it was only by a combination of consummate 
skill, audacity, and good luck that it was effected. On August 3rd 
we were hemmed in by the ice, and nearly pushed on to the land, 


* This worthy petty-officer was lost in the ‘EHurydice’ off the Isle of Wiglit, 
March, 1878, 


164 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


at the same place where, on the 29th August of the preceding 
year, we changed our damaged rudder. From Floeberg Beach 
to that point I had only observed one Ivory Gull, one Snow 
Bunting, and a dozen Black Guillemots; but from thence south- 
wards bird-life was far more abundant than along the shores of 
the Polar Ocean. 

At Shift-rudder Bay, where we were detained for eight days 
by the ice, we had numerous excursions on shore. One day we 
bagged fifty-seven Brent Geese, and another day seventy. At 
that date the old birds were moulting and the goslings unable to 
fly. Turnstones and Sanderlings, with their young, were not 
uncommon, and Buffon’s Skuas and Arctic Terns were tolerably 
numerous. The Skuas were generally accompanied by a pair of 
young ones, which were then in the mottled nestling plumage, 
without any development of the centre tail-feathers, and hardly 
able to fly. The old birds endeavoured to mislead us by several 
devices, feigning lameness, falling to the ground, and pushing 
themselves along the ground on their bellies as if wounded; then, 
when they thought they had sufficiently attracted us from the 
young, they rose in the air, uttering their peevish cry of “ quirk, 
quirk.” 

On the 10th August the young of the Knots were following 
their parents on the wing. I observed that the old birds showed 
very little red on their breasts by the 3rd; on the 8th only a few 
red feathers were left, and on the 10th only a tinge of earth-red 
was left on the outer edge of a few of the breast-feathers. 

A favourable change having taken place in the ice, on the 
evening of the 11th August we gained Discovery Bay, and, after 
nearly a year’s separation, were again anchored close to our 
consort. The pleasure of meeting was somewhat marred by the 
knowledge that Lieut. Beaumont and his party had not yet returned 
to the ‘ Discovery,’ but were still encamped on the opposite or 
Greenland side of the channel. The ice in the straits having 
broken up rendered it questionable whether this party would be 
able to cross unaided. Capt. Nares therefore decided to force the 
‘ Alert” across the channel to the relief of these men. The sick 
and all hands that could be dispensed with, as well as our journals 
and collections, were transferred from the ‘ Alert’ to our consort, 
and once again we were outside of our friendly haven, battling 
with the ice in Robeson Channel. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 165 


At mid-day of the 14th, to our great joy, Beaumont’s party 
was descried on the moving pack. Not a minute was lost in 
despatching a relief party from the ‘Alert, and early on the 
following morning every surviving member of the Expedition 
met together. The two vessels were detained a week longer in 
Discovery Bay before the ice in the channel gave us an oppor- 
tunity of moving southwards. This was a very enjoyable period 
of the voyage, as the weather proved remarkably fine, and though 
we were never able to be absent for any length of time from the 
ships, yet we had many opportunities of landing. 

Earlier in the year, Mr. Hart, the naturalist on board the 
‘Discovery,’ had found a seam of coal of great thickness exposed 
in a valley a couple of miles north of their winter-quarters. On 
my first visit, in company with Mr. Hart, to this interesting spot 
we discovered a few leaf-impressions, which seemed undoubtedly 
referable to plants that had already occurred in the Miocene 
deposits of Greenland and Spitsbergen. We therefore concluded 
that this coal-bed was a lignite of Miocene age, and not true 
carboniferous coal. On a second visit to this locality, I formed 
a very considerable collection of these leaf-impressions.* ° 

On our return to Europe this collection was submitted 
to Professor Heer, of Zurich, with the following results :—- 
He found the collection to contain twenty-six species of plants. 
Of these eighteen are known from the Miocene deposits of the 
Arctic zone. It shows seventeen species with Spitsbergen (lati- 
tude 76°—79° N.) and eight species with Greenland (latitude 
70°—71° N.). The Grinnell Land flora consequently more 
closely approaches the Miocene of Northern Spitsbergen, which 
lies from three to four degrees of latitude farther south than that 
of Greenland, situated almost eleven degrees farther south. With 
the Miocene flora of Europe it has six species in common, with 
that of America (Alaska and Canada) four, and with that of Asia 
(Saghalien) four also. Representatives of plants now living ex- 
clusively in the Arctic zone are wanting among the fossil species 
of Grinnell Land; but, on the other hand, most of the genera 
still extend into the Arctic zone, viz., Hquisetum, Pinus, Phrag- 
mites, Carex, Populus, Betula, Corylus, Ulmus, and Nymphea. 
Of these, however, only Equisetum, Carex, and Populus extend 


* This collection, now in the British Museum, has been figured and described by 
Prof. Heer, ‘Flora Fossilis Arctica,’ vol. v. 


166 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


beyond latitude 70° N.; the remaining genera do not extend 
so far. 

Professor Heer records as a very interesting fact that in 
Grinnell Land two twigs of the spruce (Pinus abies, Linn.), still 
covered with leaves, were found. He had already received single 
detached leaves from Spitsbergen; with them there were seeds of 
this species, and, further, there was also found a scale of the cone, 
so that the species could be determined with-perfect certainty. 
We therefore see that our spruce was.living during the Miocene 
period in Grinnell Land as well as in Spitsbergen, and at that 
time doubtless extended as far as the Pole—at least, if any dry 
land then existed there. In Europe the tree did not then exist; 
hence, in all probability, it had its original home in the extreme 
north, and has thence extended southwards. Its extreme northern 
limit is now in Scandinavia, latitude 693° N.; and it is now 
spread over about twenty-five degrees of latitude, whilst during 
the Miocene period it was limited to the Arctic zone.* 

It appears to me that these conclusions of Professor Heer 
must be of very great importance to every zoologist who-makes 
the origin of species a study. If our common spruce, as he 
demonstrates, originated at the Pole itself in Miocene times, 
and has gradually extended southwards in consequence of the 
cooling of our glohe, it is surely not unreasonable to suppose 
that various species of plants and animals have accompanied the 
spruce in its movements southward until checked by the increase 
of temperature. Unless some such theory as this be admitted, 
it is difficult to account for the distribution of certain animals in 
the northern hemisphere. 

As an example, let us refer to certain species of birds which 
may be denominated Arctic species, such as the Ivory Gull and 
Ross's Gull. Mr. Howard Saunders has recently publishedt a 
valuable essay on the geographical distribution of the Gulls 
and Terns; and the conclusion he arrives at is that the bulk of 
the evidence adduced indicates the North Pacific as the centre 
of dispersal of the Laride. Mr. Saunders, however, expressly 
excludes the two isolated and specialized genera of Gulls, Pago- 
phila and Rhodostethia, from his generalizations, as they are not 
known in the North Pacific. Pagophila and Rhodostethia can only 


* Heer, ‘Quarterly Journal Geol. Soe.,’ February, 1878. 
+ ‘Journal Linnean Society,’ Zoology, vol. xiy, 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 167 


be admitted as stragglers to the North Temperate area of the 
globe; but if we consider these species to have originated within 
that area, their present distribution is not easily explained. I, 
on the other hand, we admit Professor Heer’s conclusion, that 
one of the commonest of our northern forest trees originated at 
the Pole, and extended southwards, the same may apply to various 
species of animals whose range is now confined to Arctic and 
high northern latitudes. 

Bellot Island, which forms the protection of Discovery Harbour, 
was frequently visited, as our ships lay moored for several days 
close to its shore, awaiting the opening of a water-way in the 
outside pack. On the low spit which stretches from the northern 
end of that island we found several remains of Eskimo encamp- 
ments. Near to one lay a single horn of the Reindeer, and a few 
pieces of drift-wood. Hares were numerous on the island, but 
before our departure we had nearly extirpated the race. Two 
Ermines were also secured. On several occasions we managed 
to have hauls of the dredge inside Discovery Harbour, es at no 
greater depth than twenty or thirty fathoms. 

Early on the morning of the 20th August, under the influence 
of a strong southerly wind, the open water which had been 
observed for several days off Cape Baird seemed inclined to open 
up a lead in the direction of Discovery Harbour. Advantage was 
at once taken of this favourable opportunity, and after a severe 
battle with the heavy floes that had accumulated in Hall Basin and 
imprisoned us in Discovery Harbour, we reached clear water off 
Cape Baird, and ran gaily down Kennedy Channel to the south- 
ward. Just off Cape Baird a flock of twenty Brent Geese passed 
close over the ship, hurrying to the southward—a plain warning 
that the navigable season in Smith Sound was fast drawing to 
a close. 

As we passed close along the coast, and as little snow lay 
on the-line of shore-hills, we had a favourable opportunity of 
observing the general structure of the coast. At Cape Lieber, 
an abrupt and imposing headland, the strata are wonderfully 
contorted and crumpled up: in this respect they agree with the 
coast-line of Grinnell Land as far north as Cape Rawson, and 
Ihave no doubt belong to the same series of azoic slates and 
limestones. To the southward of Cape Lieber a different forma- 
tion evidently occurs. Instead of the dull grey which is the 


168 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


prevailing tint of the Cape Rawson beds, the rocks we were then 
passing presented a highly coloured strata, which appeared for 
miles in mountains and valleys. The colours of these strata 
were so remarkable and so intense that we had no difficulty in 
tracing their outcrop for miles. A black, a carmine, and an 
orange series especially attracted our attention. 

On the morning of the 20th we found the ice closely packed 
off Cape M‘Clintock and closing in on the land. We therefore 
retraced our course some eight miles and took refuge in a fine 
fiord, to which was given the name of Rawlings Bay. We moored 
to the land-ice, and I shortly afterwards went on shore with 
Mr. Parr. Along the shores of this fiord, and close to the water's 
edge, we discovered many remains of Eskimo “igloos.” In one 
sheltered nook we counted the sites of twenty dwellings. They 
were evidently very ancient, the stone walls having fallen in and 
become buried under a layer of peaty earth; indeed these ancient 
abodes were only recognizable by the extra green of the moss that 
covered them. We opened one of these mounds, and after rolling 
away the stones that had once formed the roof, found several 
pieces of carved ivory-work buried in the earth that filled up what 
had been the dwelling-room. Continuing our walk along the shore 
we came across the skeleton of a Reindeer; it was evidently of 
recent origin, as pieces of skin and dried flesh adhered to the skull. 

After leaving Rawlings Bay on the 22nd the weather rapidly 
changed for the worse. Snow commenced to fall, and in a few 
hours the line of shore-hills became covered with their winter 
mantle. A single Glaucous Gull and numerous “ dovekies’”’ were 
seen, and one or two Ringed Seals. As we approached Cape 
Frazer, the meeting place of the Polar and Baffin Bay tides, the 
difficulties of navigation greatly increased. Off that Cape we 
were hemmed in by the ice, and had to take refuge in a small bay. 
On the 24th our ships rounded Cape Frazer. Progress was only 
effected by taking advantage of every movement in the heavy 
ice-barriers which offered a lead, and by clinging to the shore. 
Three more days of unceasing exertion on the part of officers and 
men, guided by our skilful leader, brought us safely along some 
ten or fifteen miles to Dobbin Bay, where we obtained comparative 
safety. 

The coast-line from Cape Frazer to Dobbin Bay consists of 
abrupt mural precipices, fringed with a broad and solid ice-foot. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 169 


No bay or indentation throughout this stretch of shorc-line offers 
a chance of shelter to a vessel. The solid pack which filled 
Smith Sound, without a break or trace of water,—as far as we 
could judge from the mast-head or our observations from shore,— 
was ever moving slowly southward, grinding against the coast. 
At capes or headlands, or wherever the progress of the pack was 
interfered with, the great power of moving ice was exemplified. 
At those points of pressure the floes pushing against the ice-foot 
seemed to be imbued with life and instinct. An enormous floe 
impinging against a headland is brought momentarily to a stop- 
page, the check is transmitted to the floes in rear, and a scene of 
commotion is visible for a great distance in the pack around. 
Like an angry crowd jostling against one another, the edges of 
the various floes grind, uprise and crumble upon themselves. 
The weight from behind at length overcomes the obstruction of 
the grounded edge of the floe, which is crumpled up and pushed 
upon the ice-foot a chaos of hummocks. If this scene of conflict 
between the moving ice and the headlands was incessant it would 
be impossible to carry a ship around these points, but fortunately 
the pack is ever changing position. Wind and tides exert tremen-: 
dous influence upon it. A change in either of these agencies often 
converts an area of raging ice into a breadth of smooth water in 
the course of a few minutes. 

On the 29th August we landed on the north side of Dobbin 
Bay, and coming across a brood of Ptarmigan, nine in number, 
secured them all They were young birds changing into winter 
plumage, and proved quite unsuspecting, allowing me to shoot 
them as they ran amongst the stones. The weight of these young 
birds averaged sixteen ounces. Four or five Hares were also 
obtained; one of the largest weighed ten pounds two ounces. 
Dr. Moss shot a female Raven, and a few Snow Buntings were 
still lingering along the shore. 

Four more days were we beset in Dobbin Bay, without getting 
a chance of moving into the Sound. The time, however, was 
not passed unprofitably, as we had several good hauls with the 
dredge. Dovekies were numerous, and appeared still to have 
young, as I noticed them flying up to the cliffs with fish in their 
bills. Many broods of Eider Ducks, Somateria mollissima, were 
swimining in the pools, and we shot a considerable number. It 
is worthy of remark that south of Cape Frazer the Eider seems 

Zz 


170 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


to be far more numerous than the King Duck, S. spectabilis, 
whilst north of that cape the reverse is the rule. Beyond Cape 
Union, in the Polar Basin, I did not see or obtain a single 
Hider Duck. 


(To be continued.) 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


RoE-DEER AND Makvren-cat 1N Dorsersnirne.—In the review of my 
‘History of Glanville’s Wootton,’* the reviewer remarks that it is to be 
regretted I did not give more information about the Roe-deer in the county 
of Dorset. I will now do so. Some were turned out at Milton Abbey, 
about the year 1800, by the first Lord Dorchester, who brought a buck and 
two does over from Ireland. One of the latter died. They were entrusted 
to the care of Mr. William Flower (whose nephew is still alive), who kept 
them until the large woods at Milton Abbey were finished planting, when 
they were turned loose. Another couple were afterwards brought from 
North America. After a few years they increased so much that Mr. Pleydell, 
of Whatcombe, kept a pack of hounds for hunting them. In Melborne 
St. Andrew’s churchyard is a stone to the memory of W. Price, a faithful 
servant of the Pleydell family, who had the care of the hounds, and was the 
first man in the county who hunted a pack for Roe-deer. In more recent — 
times, the late Rev. H. F. Yeatman hunted them occasionally with his 
harriers, the meets for which were advertised in the Dorset county papers. 
Several gentlemen, amongst others my grandfather, used to hunt them with 
greyhounds. ‘The Marten-cat, besides having been killed at Halnest, has 
also been killed at Stock, and the Pine Marten at Blandford. In his 
‘Anecdotes of Cranbourne Chase’ (1818), the Rey. W. Chafin says :— 
“Packs of hounds have even been kept in the neighbourhood of the Chase, 
and hunted there in the proper seasons. There were three sorts of animals 
besides Deer, viz., Hares, Foxes, and Marten-cats. The last-named are 
nearly extinct, owing to their skins being so valuable.” There were several 
wild Deer in Dorset, probably Red Deer, and on the first page of my 
‘ History’ is the account of a white one being killed in the reign of Henry 
the Third.—C. W. Daz (Glanville’s Wootton, Sherborne). 

[The Roe-deer is not indigenous either to Ireland or to North America, 
and we never heard of its being introduced in either country. We venture 
to think, therefore, that our correspondent has been misinformed as to the 
origin of the animals turned out by Lord Dorchester.— Eb. | 


* Zool. 1878, p. 461. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 171 


MartTEN-cAT IN CUMBERLAND. — The Marten-cat, or Sweetmart, is 
distributed in greater or less numbers over the mountainous parts of 
Cumberland. It is most abundant in Borrowdale, Scathwaite, and Wast- 
dale, where it is hunted with fox-hounds. When chased it invariably 
makes for the rocks, and takes refuge in the crevices among them. It 
has been known to run to and through woods, but will never run to trees 
if there is a rock “handy.” It is soon overtaken by dogs on ordinary 
ground, but over rocks and stones it goes at a great pace, and is 
exceedingly difficult to come up with at first; but as it cannot go 
much over a mile without resting in some crevice, it is tracked to its 
hiding-place, and if possible drawn by a terrier. It fights fiercely for a 
time, but is soon overpowered by the superior strength of the dog. When 
fighting it uses its claws more than its teeth. It very frequently escapes 
after being run to earth, owing to its being able to creep into such a 
very small hole. I have never heard of one being seen in the bottom 
of the valley, though the trail is sometimes struck there by the hounds. 
Some of those killed had breasts nearly white, and some of nearly a golden 
colour. They feed upon young lambs, birds, moles, frogs, and even old 
sheep, which latter they kill by getting upon the back of the animal and 
biting it ‘‘ under the ear” (probably the jugular vein). One has been known 
to so terrify a sheep by chasing it as to cause it to jump over a precipice, 
and so kill itself by the fall, while the wily little animal ran round by some 
easy descent to feast upon the mangled remains. This occurred, I believe, 
in Borrowdale. They are especially destructive to young lambs. The 
young have frequently been found in the district. They are born about 
the end of April or beginning of May, and are two or three (never 
more) in number, and of a much lighter colour than the old ones. They 
breed on the fell-sides, at a higher or lower elevation, according as they 
have been much disturbed or not. The breeding place is generally some 
well-chosen hole amongst the rocks, near to which is a small piece of grassy 
ground with brackens or other cover. It is never in what the dalesmen call 
a “strong” place—that is, rough and precipitous—where the young might 
get hurt if they fell over. Owing to the difficulty in drawing them when 
run to ground, not more than four to six are killed by the hounds each year, 
though often chased. They have decreased in numbers of late years. I may 
add that I have gathered most of this information from the huntsman of 
the Wastdale-Head Hounds, and it may be accepted as the reliable testimony 
of an eye-witness ; in fact, as the evidence of a man who has probably seen 
more Marten-cats than any one in England.—Cuaruus A. Parxer (Gos- 
forth, Carnforth). 


Manrren-car 1x DorsrersutRE.—I believe the last Marten-cat was killed 
in the Chase Woods by the late Mr. Chafin’s hounds, about the year 1804, 


172 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


under the following circumstances :—To escape the death which awaited it 
after running a considerable time before the hounds, it climbed a high tree, 
and thus baffled its pursuers, but, alas! only temporarily; for next time 
the covert was drawn Mr. Chafin ordered his keeper to attend with a gun 
charged only with powder, and in case the Marten-cat “ took to tree” again, 
to fire at it. It was soon found again, and once more when hard pressed 
sought the friendly shelter of a tree. The keeper, however, was at hand, 
and, according to previous orders, fired. The little animal immediately 
dropped to the ground, and allowed itself to be caught without venturing a 
third time an arboreal refuge.—J. C. ManseL-PLeyprLi (Whatcombe, 
Dorsetshire). 


Marren-cat 1n Norro_x.—About the end of June or the beginning of 
July, 1878, a Marten was caught in a trap set fora rat, in a fir plantation in 
the parish of Hevingham, Norfolk. I learn from several persons who saw it 
alive in the trap, and immediately after it was killed, that it was not injured, 
and that the fur was in perfect order; also that the man who caught it led 
it home in the trap, holding the chain in his hand whilst the poor beast 
trotted tamely along by him. The Hevingham people were undecided as to 
whether the beast was a Fox-cub or a Polecat! I sent a notice of it to 
‘The Field’ and to our local newspapers, with the object of learning if such 
an animal had escaped from confinement, but I have not heard anything to 
that effect—FRranx Noreoare (Sparham, Norfolk). 


BreEpDineG oF THE OrTER.—On December 28th three young Otters, 
apparently less than a fortnight old, were found in a large nest formed of 
rushes and sedge among the reed-beds near Castle Mills. They consisted 
of one male and two females, and were unfortunately destroyed. This is in 
accordance with Mr. Southwell’s opinion as to the time and number of the 
litter. I have one of the luckless little creatures ; it is a male, and measures 
twelve inches and a half from nose to tip of tail. Otters are not yet extinct 
in the Ouse, though of rare occurrence. Mr. Covington has only had one 
to preserve for years; but I received an authentic notice of an old Otter 
shot higher up the river, near Buckingham, about the same date.— 
C. Matruew Prior (The Avenue, Bedford). 


ALBINo Hepgnnoe.—Mr. Wright received an albino female Hedgehog 
to stuff. It was caught by the gamcekeeper at Wrest Park about the middle 
of December.—Ib. 


VaRIETIES OF THE HupdorHoc, BapGerR and Motr.—A white Hedge- 
hog, about half-grown, was killed in the neighbourhood of Malvern during 
the month of October last, and brought to Mr. Edwards, naturalist, for 
preservation. Strange to say, it did not possess pink eyes like an albino, 
but purely white ones. The same naturalist has in his possession a yellow 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 178 


Badger and a yellow Mole, both recently taken in the same county.—Isaac 
Haropine (Malvern). 


Mortarity amonest SHrews.— Probably the greater part of the Shrews 
so often seen lying dead on footpaths [see p. 124] are killed by Owls in 
mistaking them for mice. Although the remains of Shrews have been 
found in the stomachs of Owls, I believe that unless they are very hungry 
they are generally rejected by these birds. They do the same, but to a 
greater extent, with Moles. When a boy I hada Long-eared Owl. Being 
in the country, where there was no butcher, I had sometimes great difficulty 
in procuring food suitable for it, and occasionally, when in one of these 
straits, 1 have gone in search of mole-traps, and taken the contents for the 
Owl, and even when very hungry it would eat no part of the Mole except 
the entrails —ANDREW Brotuerston (Shedden Park Road, Kelso, N. B.). 

[Remains of Shrews have been detected in the pellets ejected by the 
Barn Owl, and Mr. Bell has shown that the notion that these birds will kill 
but not eat Shrews is erroneous. See ‘ British Quadrupeds,’ second 
edition, p. 144.—Ep.] 


Bewicr’s Swan 1n SomeRsETSHIRE.— My friend the Rey. R. C. L. 
Browne, Vicar of North Currey, who was greatly interested by the visit 
of a flock of Bewick’s Swans to the moors in his parish, has given me 
the following particulars:—The flock numbered about sixty birds, and 
frequented the neighbourhood of North Currey for a month. The birds 
were remarkably wary, and although many gunners were on the watch for 
them only one succeeded in obtaining a shot. This was a labourer who 
with a single-barrelled duck-gun knocked over four; two were obtained, 
two were only slightly wounded, and escaped. One of the two was sold 
to Mr. Foster, of North Currey ; the other my friend the Vicar was anxious 
to secure, but arrived at the labourer’s cottage just as he and his family 
were sitting down to a dinner off roast swan. A slice off the breast, 
although tasting both juicy and tender, seemed but a poor equivalent for 
the loss of what would have been valued as an interesting local specimen. 
During the day the swans flew about from one “ washet” to another. 
‘““Washet” is the local name for open places in the ice on the moor. ‘lhe 
birds flew in a wedge formation, uttering musical cries, and as they alighted 
hovered for an instant with uplifted wings above the ground, “looking then 
like a descending flight of angels.” A smaller flock, numbering sixteen, 
appeared on the southern edge of the moor in the neighbourhood of 
Glastonbury. Of these four were procured, as mentioned by Mr. Porch in 
‘The Field’ of February 22nd. Two of the four have been presented by 
that gentleman to the Taunton Museum, and are a very interesting addition 
to the collection of birds of the county. One isa remarkably fine adult ; the 
other, almost an adult, has a little rust-colour on the forehead and breast. 


reel THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Mr. Bidgood, the Curator of the Museum, informed me that both examples 
were females. My own parish received a visit from these beautiful little 
swans. Mr. Esdaile told me that four were seen for several days on the 
lake in his park at Cothelstone, and that before the birds left him their 
numbers were increased to seven. One was either a wounded bird or had 
received a severe handling from one of the tame swans on the lake, for it 
fell a prey to a prowling fox, and was found half-eaten on the bank. The 
head, that of an adult, was presented to Mr. Cecil Smith. I am informed 
that one of the four birds obtained near Glastonbury was ouly slightly 
wounded, and is still alive. Placed with other birds it became tame at 
once; thus bearing out what has been frequently stated by writers 
concerning the domesticity of this species. A friend when snipe-shooting 
on the moors to the east of Taunton came across a small flock of Bewick’s 
Swans, and had an ineffectual shot into them. He was struck by their 
small size, and said that they seemed more like wild geese than swans. 
Some Brent Geese appeared on the same ground where the swans were 
noticed, and two were shot at a spot considerably inland for a bird which 
usually confines itself to the coast.— Murray A. Margew (Bishop’s 
Lydeard). 


Rare Visirors to THe Marvern Hirxis.—A pair of Ring Ouzels 
nested on these hills last summer, and remained here with their young all 
the winter. A pair of Woodcocks bred in the picturesque woods of Wastnor 
last spring, at which time the firs lining the southern slopes of the 
Herefordshire Beacon held a pair of Buzzards, which nested in them, but 
of course soon fell a prey to the gamekeeper’s gun. I am glad to believe 
that our Natural-History journals have aroused public opinion in favour of 
that beautiful bird, the Kingfisher. As far as my observation goes, it 
increases in this county. One has frequented an ornamental pond in the 
grounds of a lady in the very centre of the town, and although the premises 
are occupied by a large school for young. ladies, it sees no cause for alarm, 
but continues to feed on the small fish in the water referred to. I must 
not forget to mention the occurrence of the Great Northern Diver in the 
Severn, about fifteen miles from its mouth, on the estate of Sir Edmund 
Lechmere, and which was shot by his keeper. The bird is an adult male 
and in splendid plumage. The Eared Grebe has found its way up the 
canal into the very heart of Worcester, and has of course forfeited its life, 
and may now be seen at Mr. Edwards’ office. A Royston Crow kept 
company with a flock of Rooks on the hills for some weeks, but was at last 
killed.—Isaac Harprne (Malvern). 

[The fact of Ring Ouzels remaining here in winter is noteworthy, since 
the majority quit this country in October, not to reappear until the following 
April—Ep.] 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 175 


Birps on tHE East Lorsian Coast 1n Fesruary.—Since the late 
frosts have subsided, shore-birds have somewhat decreased on this coast; 
a sufficient number of species still remain, however, to allow of many 
interesting observations. The Merlin, Falco @salon, is at present compara- 
tively common in the neighbourhood of the Tyne-mouth and Scoughal rocks, 
between the Seacliff estate and Dunbar. On the 15th I observed several of 
them hunting in the vicinity of the rocks at low tide. The Peregrines. 
I am glad to say, are still frequenting the Bass Rock, and I had lately an 
opportunity of observing one of the birds, as it flew past me within easy 
gunshot and continued its flight seaward in the direction of the island. 
Ishould think it probable that they make a prey of the Pigeons which 
frequent Tantallon in some numbers, and breed among the ruins. There 
is also a breeding place of the Kestrel on this part of the coast, and the 
birds are generally to be seen in the neighbourhood. Of sea-birds nothing 
of any importance has occurred this winter. The Glaucous Gull, Larus 
glaucus, has often been shot near Seacliff. One part of the coast to the 
west of Dunbar is very rocky, and this is a favourite resort of the Purple 
Sandpiper, Tringa maritima. It is to be met with every now and then in 
small flocks at the water’s edge, either when the tide is flowing or receding. 
Dunlins, Sanderlings, and other waders are also common, and met with in 
large flocks. Large numbers of ducks and geese have been shot on the 
coast during its hard weather. The Bean Goose, dAnser segetum, is rather 
common. [I lately observed a flock of nine resting on the rocks at low tide. 
The birds appeared to be comparatively tame, allowing me to make a near 
approach. This bird is mentioned by Mr. Gray, in his ‘ Birds of the West 
of Scotland,’ as frequenting the sands in the neighbourhood of the Tyne 
Estuary at nightfall, and at daybreak retiring to the Lammermuirs.— 
C. E. S. Cuampurs (339, High Street, Edinburgh). 


Rare Brirps 1n BeprorpsHire.—I herewith send you notes of the 
rarer species of birds shot in the neighbourhood of Bedford during the last 
few months. As this county seems never to have been worked at all, I have 
made mention of some birds which are of frequent occurrence, but yet, 
owing to a strange lack of ornithologists in a very rich district, have never 
been recorded. There cannot be a greater proof of the paucity of observers, 
than the fact that Mr. A. G. More, at the time he was employed in tracing 
the distribution of birds in the nesting season, had no correspondent in 
this county. Mr. A. Covington, taxidermist, Bedford, has kindly furnished 
me with many particulars of rare birds which were brought to him for 
preservation. In September last a Greenshank was put up out of a ditch 
in Goldington, and shot. The Ringed Plover was exceptionally abundant 
last autumn; no less than seven were sent to be stuffed in one week. A 
Black-headed Gull was shot near Castle Mills in August last. This county 


176 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


is still a stronghold for the Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Ornithologists 
will hear with regret that at least five examples have been Jately shot. 
I had the pleasure of seeing one in Bromham Park on the 7th February. 
As usual several Short-eared Owls, exhibiting a great variety of plumage, 
were killed in the autumn. On November 5th a Long-eared Owl was 
obtained at Sharnbrook. Since Christmas a great many Bramblings have 
been brought into Bedford, but no Snow Buntings. In the last week of 
December a pair of Leach’s Petrel visited Bedford. They were heard flying 
round the town, uttering their note for some time. In the morning, how- 
ever, one was picked up, having apparently dashed itself against one of the 
lamps. Mr. Covington kindly showed the bird to me; it seems to be an 
adult male. ‘Two or three specimens of the Great Crested Grebe have been 
observed on the river this winter; one was picked up by a plate-layer under 
the telegraph-wire at Milton, and a second was shot at Kempton. A speci-. 
men of the Little Auk was picked up dead at Husborne Crawley, on the 
8th December. Three old male Tufted Ducks have been shot. This species 
is to be met with here every winter. One Pochard, a male, has been 
obtained. Iam told four Goldeneyes were shot at Willington; none were 
preserved. An extraordinary number of Herons have been killed, and 
many also have been eaten. This seems like a return to olden days, when 
our omnivorous ancestors thought no feast complete without a Heron. 
We usually find Water Rails here in the winter, and this one has been no 
exception. Fewer Hawfinches than generally is the case have been killed. 
‘wo males were shot, one at Turvey, the other at Pavenham, and a single 
female down the New Cut, near Bedford. ‘Three were seen together in 
Bromham Park. A “ flock”—I suppose, technically, it should be termed 
a small “ gaggle”—of nine Canada Geese were observed on the river in 
several districts. One was shot on the 28th January; I saw it soon after 
it was skinned, and was assured that it “scaled” over twenty pounds. 
I should be glad to learn whether a Canada Goose ever has been known to 
reach that weight. It seems free from any “cross,” and exhibits no mark 
of captivity. The length was about forty-three inches; from the carpal 
joint to the end of the wing fully twenty inches. ‘The bird was killed at 
Sharnbrook. Three Kittiwakes, all immature, and several Common Terns 
were Obtained during the autumy. More Coots than usual have been met 
with on the river during the winter. A few Widgeon, all birds of the year, 
were procured. A friend tells me he saw three Dunlins in a ploughed field 
near the town. Dunlins have been remarkably scarce here this winter. Last 
year I only noticed sixteen, and did not hear of others; but in former years 
large flocks have visited us. I should think quite two hundred were shot 
in the winter of 1875-76. The same day the Dunlins were seen, about the 
middle of December, nine Curlews were noticed in the same field. Snipe 
were yery abundant, as also were Golden Plovers aud Lapwings before the 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 177 


frost set in. Both Siskins and Redpolls have been numerous. Mr. J. 8. 
Wright, the taxidermist, at Clifton, in this county, kindly informs me that 
a male example of the Peregrine Falcon was sent to him for preservation. 
It was obtained at Ickwell Bury, by J. Law, gamekeeper, on February 4th. 
A fine male Bittern was shot near Shefford on January 27th. One has not 
been procured here, I believe, for some years. Several Grey Crows have 
been obtained near Bedford this year. This is the more remarkable as a little 
further north they are not met with (of. Yarrell, 4th edit , p. 285, note). 
The Black Crow is very scarce here-—C. Marrnew Prior (Bedford). 


Wuitre’s Turusa in BerwicksHire.—There is no doubt whatever 
that the Thrush shot at Hardacres (p. 183), in the last week of December, 
1878—not September, as misprinted—is the true Turdus varius, Pallas 
(I. Whitei, Eyton). After reading my notice of its occurrence which 
appeared in ‘ Land and Water,’ Professor Newton, through the same paper, 
expressed his desire to see it, which he has now done. He writes:— 
“On comparison with a specimen that has been long mounted, the fresh 
beauty of the colour in yours is very decidedly marked; yet I fear that 
nothing can be done to preserve its tints, and that when as many years 
have elapsed their richness will have disappeared. I have wholly failed to 
find any indication that would enable me to determine the sex or age of 
your bird. . . . There is no question abont its being the true Turdus 
varius of Pallas, though the tail is wanting, an unfortunate thing, as 
therein lies one of the most curious characters of this species—one that is 
possessed, so far as I know, by omy one other species of Thrush—the 
presence of fourteen instead of twelve rectrices.” In the description of the 
wings taken from ‘ Land and Water’ the words “right” and “left” should 
be transposed.—AnpRew Broruerston (Kelso, N. B.). 


Nore on Wutrn’s Tarusu.—As I believe that collectors are occa- 
sionally deceived by Thrushes nearly allied to White’s Thrush being sold 
as that species, it may be interesting to know the whereabouts of some of 
these specimens. There is one at Mr. Swaysland’s, the well-known bird- 
stuffer, at Brighton, and two in the Thurso Museum. One of these latter 
is labelled “‘ Variety of the Redwing from Shetland ;” but there is no good 
reason to believe it was killed there, foreign birds being mixed indis- 
criminately with British in the collection. I fancy that all three birds are 
either Turdus dauma from India or 7’. lunulatus from Australia. They are 
darker in colour than the true T. varius, if my eyes dia not deceive me ; 
but are at once distinguishable as belonging to that section of the genus 
Turdus by their large curved beaks and crescentic markings on back and 
breast. I rather wonder the alleged or mis-labelled Shetland specimen has 
not been recorded as a British-killed White's Thrush, but I suppose the 
Thurso Museum has not often been visited by ornithologists.—-CLirron. 

2A 


178 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Spring Cay or tHe Kyor.—In reading Captain H. W. Feilden’s 
interesting “ Notes from an Arctic Journal,” I was much struck with his 
description (p. 102) of the summer call of the Knot heard on the shores of 
the Polar Sea, and which he compares to the words “ Tullawee, tullawee, 
whee, whee.” How strikingly does this resemble the spring call of the 
Golden Plover, which indeed I can only imitate by using the same word, 
“Tue, tullawee, tullawee, tullawee,” uttered in a descending scale. In 
these marshes we always hear the note of the Golden Plover during the 
first fine days from the middle of February to the end of the month. The 
weather this year in February was so severe, and the temperature so abnor- 
mally low, that our spring songsters have kept silent. The Ist of March was 
really the first fine spring-like day of the season, and I heard Blackbirds, 
Thrushes, Mistletoe Thrush, Larks, and Yellowhammers and Black-headed 
Buntings, singing together, and far off, from invisible positions, in the clear 
blue heavens, came floating down in mellow cadence the sweet but mournful 
spring call of the Golden Plover. After all the extraordinary severity and 
discomfort of the past winter, we trust our spring songsters have not 
made a mistake, and may have occasion to relapse into their ordinary winter 
notes. I wish to correct an error in my last communication’ to ‘The 
Zoologist,’ p. 127, twenty-third line, for “ below zero” read “ above zero.”— 
Joun Corpisaux (Great Cotes, Ulceby). 


OssERvations on Eac-Biowinc.—Under this title, in ‘The Zoologist’ 
for 1877, p. 164, are to be found some excellent observations on blowing 
eggs, and the description and figure of a bellows invented for the purpose 
by Mr. EK. Bidwell. The only object I have in writing is to suggest to 
oologists, instead of using the cylindrical leather bellows described by 
Mr. Bidwell, to substitute a perhaps more satisfactory iustrument—viz. a 
Clarke’s spray-producer. This instrument is worked by merely squeezing 
the end ball, and, according to the rapidity of pressure ou it, a current of air, 
strong or weak, is expelled from the tube attached to the second ball. This 
tube is attached to the blow-pipe by slipping it over the blow-hole, and the 
apparatus is complete. I used this contrivance last season, and found it 
answer very well. I had no breakage (as far as blowing was concerned), 
although I blew several dozen eggs ranging in size from a Heron’s to a 
Golden-crested Wren’s. The spray-producer (the bellows being the only 
pact required) may be procured of any chemist or surgical instrument maker, 
and costs about five shillings. I also found it an advantage to tie a small 
piece of wadding or tow near the end of the blow-pipe. By this means the 
contents of eggs, which are liable when blown out to run along the blow- 
pipe and soil the stand and table on which it rests, are diverted, and 
following the course of the tow, reach the saucer or receptacle placed beneath 
to receive them. A syringe for washing the inside of eggs after blowing is 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 179 


easily made in the following way :—Place the centre of a small piece of 
glass-tubing, about three inches long, in the flame of a blow-pipe. When 
thoroughly red, draw it out gradually with both hands and allow it to cool. 
When the tube is afterwards broken at the narrowest part and both ends 
separately placed in the blow-pipe flame it will be easy to smooth the sharp 
glass at the points where broken. Now insert the other end of either piece 
in the hole of a boy’s common india-rubber ball previously filled with water, 
and you will have a capital syringe. Two or three pieces of tubing, with 
different sized nozzles to suit the eggs to be blown, will be found necessary. 
In this way any one can make, with very little trouble, a syringe for very 
small eggs, probably with a finer point than any to be purchased.— WiL1AM 
W. Fremyne (18, Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin). 


NesTING oF THE GREY WaGTAIL IN OxFORDsSHTRE.—Prof. Newton, 
in the fourth edition of Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds,’ p. 554, speaking of the 
nesting-haunts of this species, says :—“ A line drawn across England from 
the Start Point, slightly curving to round the Derbyshire hills, and ending 
at the mouth of the Tees, will, it is believed, mark off the habitual breeding- 
range of this species in the United Kingdom: for southward and eastward 
of such a line it never or only occasionally breeds.” It may be as well, 
therefore, to record the fact that in the summer of 1875 I repeatedly saw a 
pair of Grey Wagtails in an osier-bed in the parish of South Newington, in 
the above county. They frequently carried food in their beaks, but I was 
unable to hit upon the exact spot where the nest was. The parent birds 
were much agitated when I came closer to them, and, owing to the extreme 
seclusion of the place, they had probably never been disturbed. This osier- 
bed is situated by the side of a small river, the Swere, locally celebrated for 
its trout. I think I may say I have seen this species in Oxfordshire, 
nearly, if not quite, in every month in the year. It is well known to breed 
in the neighbouring county of Bucks.* It is fond of feeding in the 
vicinity of mills, in one favourite spot. I consider it an excessively local 
bird. I saw a pair in the first three months, June, July, and the last 
three months in last year. Along the sides of the Ouse in Bedfordshire, 
in August, they were wonderfully numerous; small parties of five or six 
were constantly met with, often feeding in company with the Common 
Sandpiper. The last I saw in Oxfordshire was on December 17th, when 
I found a fine male in a drain which usually held Snipe. I knocked it over, 
and have it stuffed. I never look at that bird without a smile, as a friend 
who was with me missed it three times in succession; its peculiar flight, 
with its deep regular undulations, fairly puzzled him.—C. Marruzew Prior 
(Bedford). 


* See ‘ Birds of Bucks and Berks,’ p. 26; also Gould, ‘ Contr. Orn.,’ 1849, p. 137, 
quoted by Prof. Newton in the passage above referred to. 


180 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


HawriNcH NESTING IN YORKSHIRE.—On visiting one of our local bird- 
stuffers lately he showed me an immature Hawfinch, which he received in 
the flesh in June or July, 1878, and which had been captured at Myrtle 
Grove, Bingley. The old birds had been seen flying about in the neigh- 
bourhood all the previous spring, but the nest was never actually discovered. 
A second young one was caught, but being laid on one side was unfortunately 
destroyed by his cats. It was said the brood committed serious havoc 
amongst the fruit crops and peas in the allotments. This is the first 
instance I have known of the Hawfinch breeding in this district.—E. P. P. 
BurrerrFie_p (Wilsden). 


ProBaBLe OccuURRENCE OF EMBERIZA C&SIA IN Enaianp.—-In 1875 
a Bunting was caught at Brighton which I have hardly any doubt was an 
immature Emberiza ca@sia. It is true that some ornithologist pronounced 
it to be a ‘ melanism of the Yellowhammer ;” but this was quite contrary to 
evidence, for, in the first place, there was no blackness about the bird at all, 
and, in the second place, it had not the strong beak of a Yellowhammer. 
The upper plumage generally was dark reddish brown, varied with blackish ; 
rump rufous; breast tawny. The only bird that would come near the 
description would be Hmberiza cia, but the white wing bars were wanting. 
I afterwards found an adult Hmberiza ce@sia at Swayslind’s, which he had 
taken to be a variety of the Ortolan. He believes that this was caught in 
the neighbourhood, but is not sure. I may observe that as E. ca@sia has 
occurred in Heligoland, it is quite as likely to be met with at Brighton as 
any of the other eastern species that have occurred there, such as Emberiza 
rustica and pusilla, Turdus atrigularis, &.—CuiFrton. 


Nesting or THE Turrep Duck 1n Scottanp.—At a recent meeting 
of the Glasgow Natural History Society, Mr. J. Long exhibited the eggs of 
the Tufted Duck, Fuligula cristata, along with the male bird, taken last 
summer in Perthshire. Mr. Long read a note from his friend who had taken 
the nest, stating it had been found on a small island under a swan’s nest. 
The duck’s nest was placed about eighteen inches down among the straw 
forming the larger nest. Both the male and female birds were at the nest 
when first observed; the drake was shot, but the duck got away wounded. 
Mr. Small, of Edinburgh, states that two years ago a nest was taken by 
Mr. Herbert in Fifeshire. He put the eggs under a hen which brought 
them out. Another doubtful instance of this species has been reported, 
but as yet there is no authentic information respecting it. — Jamzs 
LumspeEw (Arden House, Dumbartonshire). 

[Although the nesting of the Tufted Duck in Perthshire is no doubt an 
occurrence of much interest to naturalists, and one well worth recording, it 
is to be regretted that so little respect was paid to the provisions of the Act 
for the protection of Wildfowl. As the species was identified, the finder of 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 181 


the nest might have been content to take the eggs only, and give the parent 
birds a chance of rearing a second brood.—Ep.] 


SNIPE-CATCHING IN DorseTsHtry.—In the last number of ‘The 
Zoologist’ (p. 134) mention is made of a Reeve caught in Dorsetshire in 
a “snipe-trap.” Would your correspondent oblige your readers with a 
description of the “snipe-trap”? I have never heard of such a trap being 
in use at the present day, although I have heard of a drag-net being used 
by night to catch Snipes in Somersetshire in the marshes near Glastonbury, 
and once saw a Little Bittern that had been so caught in that locality.— 
J. H. Guryezy (Northrepps Hall, Norwich). 


BULLFINCH EATING PRIVET-BERRIES.—1n Withering’s ‘ British Plants’ 
(ed. 7, vol.ii., p. 18) we read, under his account of the privet, ‘‘ The berries 
afford an acceptable winter food for birds, especially Bullfinches.” I cannot 
find this statement as to the partiality of Bullfinches for these berries 
confirmed by any more modern writer, nor have I ever seen them feeding 
on them; consequently I think it worth while to ask in ‘The Zoologist’ if 
any of its numerous correspondents have any information to give on the 
matter.—T. R. Archer Brices (Richmond Villa, Plymouth). 


Firmcrest anD GreaT GRAY SHRIKE AT BrieHton.—A single Fire- 
crest was found, killed by the telegraph-wire, in this neighbourhood last 
autumn. It is the only uncommon bird I can hear of, except a Great Grey 
Shrike. I may observe that the only specimens of these two species that 
I ever saw were also procured in the same season as each other; the Great 
Grey Shrike at Inveran, Sutherland, February 11th, 1876, and the Fire- 
crest at Cobham, Kent, November 16th, 1876.—Cuirron. 


HAwFINOHES FLOCKING IN WinTER.—During the great snow-storm of 
January last a considerable flock of Hawfinches took refuge in the stack- 
yard at Costerton, near Blackshiels, and the farm-servants managed to 
snare four males and two females, which are now in the aviary at Costerton 
House, belonging to Mr. D. Ainslie——Wwm. Horn (7, Randolph Crescent, 
Edinburgh). 


SctavonIAN GREBE NEAR CromER.—On February.17th a Sclavonian 
Grebe was killed with a stone at Siderstrand, near Cromer, as it was 
swimming about in a horse-pond.—J. H. Gurney, Jun. (Northrepps, 
Norwich). 


ALLEGED DEsTRUCTION oF Larks’ Eaes By STARLIncs.—With regard 
to the remarks of Mr. Service (Zool. 1878, p. 427) as to Starlings destroying 
Larks’ eggs, I may remark that no such propensity on the part of the 
Starling has ever come under my observation. ‘That these birds have 
multiplied excessively during the last few years, notwithstanding their 


182 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


rearing but one brood in a year, is a fact apparent even to casual observers, 
yet there is no diminution of Larks. I find numerous Larks’ nests every 
year in the pastures where I see Starlings busily employed all day long 
searching for food for their young, yet I very seldom find these nests 
plundered. Rooks, with which Starlings frequently associate in their 
foraging excursions, I verily believe are not altogether guiltless in this 
matter. I suspect they destroy both nests and young birds.—E. P. P. 
BurreRFIELD (Wilsden). 


GoosaNDER AND LittLE GREBE IN CUMBERLAND.—On December 21st 
I received two Goosanders, male and female, in splendid condition, which 
had been shot on the River Derwent on the 20th by one of Sir Wilfrid 
Lawson’s keepers. A pair was seen upon the River Cocker the same day ; 
the female was shot by Mr. Robert Mitchell, station-master at Cockermouth. 
I had a Little Grebe, shot out of four or five upon Bassenthwaite Lake. 
I hear of very few rare birds having been shot near here. — GEORGE 
Mawson (Moorside, Cockermouth). 


Ferrvucinous Duck 1n DorsEtsuirE.—A specimen of this duck, 
Nyroca ferruginea (Gmelin), was shot on the Wareham River in January 
last. So far as am aware, this is the first instance in which it has been met 
with in Dorsetshire—J. C. Mansex-PLeyvpeLt (Whatcombe, Blandford). 


WRENS ROOSTING IN vacaNT Nests or Hovusk Martins.—In con- 
nection with Mr. Tomlinson’s observations on a roosting habit of the Wren 
(p. 185), it may be worth while to mention that during a period of excessive 
cold I have noticed Wrens coming in numbers, night after night, to roost 
together in the vacant nests of the House Martin.—T. R. Arcuer Briecs 
(Richmond Villa, Plymouth). 


Winter Visirants at Harwicu.—During the months of October and 
November last large flocks of Snow Buntings frequented the Dovercourt 
and Walton shores, and many of them were shot. On the 3rd December 
a Little Auk was picked up alive on the deck of one of the Great Eastern 
Railway Company's steamers whilst lying alongside the pier. An immature 
specimen of the Little Gull was shot on the Dovercourt beach on January 
10th, and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Ramsey on the 2nd February. 
The Woodpecker is very rare here.—F’, Kerry (Harwich.) 


Rare Brrpds in THE IstE or Wicut.—In the January number of 
‘The Zoologist’ (p. 32), the Editor quotes Mr. A. G. More’s statement in 
Venables’s ‘Guide to the Isle of Wight,’ to show that the Honey Buzzard 
has been procured in the Island. It would have been more satisfactory 
had Mr. More stated when, where, and by whom it was shot. The Honey 
Buzzard is set down in his list as an occasional visitant! and the White- 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 183 


winged Crossbill is included, though only “ supposed to have once occurred.” 
As to that mysterious bird the Great Black Woodpecker, shot at Shanklin, 
I should hke to know what became of it. Latham, if I mistake not, 
was the first to note its appearance in Britain, having heard of its being 
“occasionally seen.” But Yarrell cites no less thau twelve instances of its 
being killed—pour encowrager les autres? A Hoopoe, shot by my father 
(the first recorded instance of its occurrence in the Isle of Wight) at 
Bonchurch sixty-five years ago, and which I saw in the flesh, can be traced 
and seen, too, having been—on the sale of Mr. Bullock's fine collection— 
transferred to the British Museum.—Hernry Hapriexp (High Cliff, 
Ventnor, Isle of Wight). 

CoRONELLA L&vIs IN DorsEetsHIRE.—I do not think this snake is likely 
to be found in any part of the Vale of Blackmore (Zool. 1878, p. 462), where 
the cold clayey soil is unsuitable to its habits. It has hitherto only been 
observed on the sandy heaths of our coast, and there only rarely, although 
its resemblance to the Viper may have led to its being unnoticed as a 
distinct species. It is distinguished from that reptile, not only by the 
absence of poisonous fangs, but by a different ornamentation on the neck, 
having two longitudinal rows of dark spots instead of the costal lozenge- 
shaped streak.—J. C. Manset-PLEYDELL (Whatcombe, Dorsetshire). 


OccURRENCE OF THE Rep Banp-Fisn, Cepola rubescens (Linn.), at 
ExmoutH.—On February 22nd a fisherman brought me a nice specimen 
of this rare and curious fish, which he had captured the previous day close 
to the shore at Exmouth, near the bathing-machines. He says it was in 
pursuit of sprats. Its gape is very wide for the size of the head, but the 
slender curved teeth do not seem fitted for the capture of such prey as 
fishes, and the abdominal cavity does not occupy more than three inches in 
length of the body, which is only an inch wide at its deepest part. The 
large swimming-bladder is quite visible through the sides when the fish is 
held between the eye and the light. The general colour of the fish is 
orange-red, deepest on the head and back, very pale on the sides, and almost 
white on the belly. There is a red spot on the dorsal fin at its widest 
part, an inch behind the head. The pectoral fins are quite colourless and 
trausparent. ‘here is an irregular black spot concealed between the inter- 
maxillary and the maxillary on each side. The total length of the specimen 
is nineteen inches and a half. The caudal fin terminates in a delicate 
filament. Colonel Montagu made this fish known as a British species, he 
having obtained two specimens in Salcombe Bay, Devon; one in February 
and the other in March, 1808. The late Mr. F. W. L. Ross mentions an 
individual having been taken at Powderham, on the Exe, on March 6th, 


184 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


1838, which was twenty-two inches in length. Many specimens were washed 
up on the coast of South Devon about that time, and many on the 14th 
February, 1839. Two dried specimens that formed part of the Ross 
Collection, now in this Museum, were probably obtained at that time. It 
has also occurred a few times since at Kingsbridge, Teignmouth, &e. 
Couch says it is not uncommon on the coast of Cornwall; but it is certainly 
very rare on the coast of Devon, for this is the first I have obtained. Nearly 
all the specimens recorded appear to have occurred in February and March.— 
W. S. M. D’Urpan (Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter). 


Correction or Error.—In my remarks on the Roedeer in Dorset- 
shire, at p. 121, seventeenth line from the top, for “ Houghton” read 
“ Tlsington.”"—J. C. Manset-PLeypDEL (Whatcombe, Blandford). 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Society or Lonpon. 


February 20, 1879.—Prof. Artman, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 

The following gentlemen were balloted for and elected Fellows of the 
Society: — Mr. Edward A. Fitch (Maldon, Essex); Mr. Laurence Scott 
(Harewood Square, N.W.); and Mr. William Stone (St. Peter’s College, 
Cambridge). 

A series of rare birds were exhibited and commented on by Mr. R. 
Bowdler Sharpe. Among the more interesting forms from New Guinea 
were beautiful skins of Paradisea Raggiana, both male and female, collected 
by the Rev. Mr. Lawes. Of other birds from the Fijis, and obtained by 
Baron A. von Hiigel, were species of the genus Pinarolestes, which also are 
found on Tutuela, one of the group of the Samoan Islands. 

The papers read and other exhibitions at this meeting bore chiefly on 
botanical subjects. 


March 6, 1879.—Wi.1am CarrutHers, Ksq., F.R.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

Prof. Joseph Reay Greene, Dr. Paul Henry Stokoe, Mr. Robert Johnston 
(Tasmania), Mr. B. 8. Williams, and Prof. J. Wood-Mason were elected 
Fellows of the Society. 

Mr. Thomas Christie exhibited the os sepia of a small rare species of 
Cuttle-fish from Australia, collected by Dr. Bancroft. Mr. Arthur W. 
Waters also showed, under the microscope, and explained the peculiarities 
of a slide containing a section of Bryzoa penetrated by Alge. This in part 
practically illustrated a paper entitled ‘ Observations on Entozoic Floridee 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 185 


growing in living Bryzoa and Sponges,” by Dr. P. H. Renisch. The latter, 
however, dealt with the subject more from a botanical than zoological point 
of view. Mr. Waters remarked that Dr. Renisch rather referred to examples 
of Hydroida than true Polyzoa. Prof. Duncan, in a brief reswmé of the 
points at issue and of what was known generally on the subject of the 
parasitism in question, referred to a number of corals so affected, and-stated 
that many of the fossil forms bore evidence of filaments penetrating their 
calcareous structures. 

The Secretary read, in the absence of the author, a paper “On the 
Classification of the Maioid Crustacea, or Oxyrhyncha,” by Mr. Edward J. 
Miers. The Maioid Crabs have been placed by nearly all carcinologists at 
the head of the Brachyura, from the high degree evinced in their sensory 
organs and nervous system, and the group, moreover, is interesting on 
account of the variety of their types. Exteriorly they are distinguished by 
their more or less elongated carapace, an anteriorly narrow large epistoma, 
longitudinal antennules and situation of basal antennule joint. Their buccal 
cavity is quadrate; the branchie are nine on each side, the afferent canal 
opening in front of the anterior legs, and the efferent at the sides of the 
buccal cavity ; while the male genital appendages arise from the bases of the 
fifth pair of ambulatory legs. Though closely related to the Oxystomata, the 
Oxyrhyncha differ from them in their triangulate buccal cavity and position 
of afferent branchial channel; but Mesorhea approximates on the part of 
the Parthenopide to the Oxystomatous type. From the Cancroid Crabs 
(Cyclometopa) typical Maiid@ are distinguished by longitudinal antennules 
and position of basal antennule joint; the Parthenopide, however, occupying 
an intermediate place between the rest of the Oxyrhyncha and certain 
Cancroidea. The author summarized and reviewed the various classifications 
of Milne-Edwards (1834), De Haan (1839), Dana (1851-2), Alphonse Milne- 
Edwards (1860), Stimpson (1870), and Claus (1876), partly adopting the 
first and second primary groups of Dana, but with considerable modifications. 
His synoptical arrangement comprises (with short diagnostic characters) 
4 families, 12 subfamilies, 106 genera, and 14 subgenera, the characters of 
the families being thus defined :— 

Fam. I. Inacnipz. Hayes non-retractile or retractile against the sides 
of the carapace. No defined orbits exist, but there is often a well-developed 
preocular and postocular spine. Basal joint of antenne usually slender, 
sometimes moderately enlarged. 

Fam. II. Maups. Eyes retractile within the orbits, which are dis- 
tinctly defined, but often more or less incomplete below or marked with 
open fissures in their upper and lower margins. Basal antennal joint always 
more or less enlarged. 

Fam. III. Prricerips. Eyes retractile within the small circular and 
well-defined orbits, which are never incomplete as in the Maiide. Basal 

2B 


186 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


antennal joint well developed and constituting the greater portion of the 
inferior wall of orbit; this joint is usually very considerably enlarged. 

Fam. IV. Parraenopips. Eyes usually retractile within the small 
circular and well-defined orbits. The inferior wall of the orbit is continued 
to within a very short distance of the front. The antenne are very slender, 
the basal joint does not, as in the Pericerida, constitute a great part of the 
inferior orbital margin, but is very small and usually does not reach to 
the front, and with the next joint occupies the narrow hiatus intervening 
between the front and inner orbital angle. 


March 20, 1879:—Win11aM Carruraerrs, Esq., F.R.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

The Rev. G. E. Commerford Casey was elected a Fellow of the Society. 

A paper by Mr. Frederick Smith, ‘On new Aculeate Hymenoptera from 
the Sandwich Islands, collected by the Rev. T. Blackburn,” was read by the 
Secretary. The author considered the general aspect of the series to be 
North American, with admixture of a few South-American-like forms. The 
ants are most diverse in character, some being cosmopolitan in range. The 
house ant of Madeira is common, and the little European ant (Ponera 
contracta) unexpectedly turns up here. 

Mr. R Bowdler Sharpe read the fifth of his series of contributions to 
the Ornithology of New Guinea, namely, “ On recent Collections from the 
Neighbourhood of Port Moresby.” This interesting collection was obtained 
by Mr. Kendal Broadbent, and usefully compares with those previously got 
by Signor Albertis from the neighbourhood of the Fly River. A Parrot of 
the genus Aprosmictus closely resembles one from the Fly River, but 
nevertheless is specifically distinct, offering thus a parallel case to the 
Crowned Pigeons, Goura Albertisi, inhabiting Port Moresby, and, on the 
other hand, G. Selateri, found on the Fly River. So far as is at present 
known, it appears that the affinities of the South Eastern New Guinea 
species seem to be with those of Australia, a few only veering to those of the 
Aru Islands.—J Mounrig. 


ZootoaicaL Society or Lonpon. 

March 4, 1879.—Professor W. H. Frower, LL.D., F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the 
Society's Menagerie during the preceding month, and called special attention 
to a Purple-crested Touracou, Corythaix porphyreolopha, presented by the 
Rev. J. A. Gould; and toa very beautiful Lizard, Crotophytus Wislizeni, 
from New Mexico, presented by Lieut.-Colonel R. Vivian. 

Mr. Sclater exhibited and made remarks on examples of two rare Fruit 
Pigeons, of the genus Carpophaga. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 187 


Mr. L. M. D’Albertis exhibited some new and rare birds, obtained 
during his recent expedition up the Fly River, New Guinea. 

Prof. Newton exhibited, on behalf of Mr. J. Robinson, of Trinity Hall, 
Cambridge, a specimen of Sylvia nisoria, believed to have been killed at 
Cambridge many years ago. 

A communication was read from Mr. L. Taczanowski, containing a list 
of the birds collected by Messrs. Stolzmann and Jelski in Northern Peru 
in 1878. Fifty-six species were enumerated, several of which were new to 
science. 

Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe read some notes on birds obtained on Kina-Balu 
Mountain, in North-Western Borneo, by the collectors of Mr. Treacher, 
amongst which were several species new to science. 

Mr. F. Jeffrey Bell read the first portion of some observations on the 
characters of the Echinoidea. The present paper contained remarks on the 
species of the genus Brissus and on the allied forms Meoma and Metalia. 

A communication was read from the late Mr. Frederick Smith, F.Z.S., 
containing the descriptions of new species of Hymenoptera from Central 
America. 

A communication was read from Mr. W. A. Forbes, containing a 
synopsis of the Meliphagine genus Myzomela, to which were also added the 
- descriptions of two new species. 

A communication was read from the Rey. O. P. Cambridge, containing 
descriptions of new and little-known species of Araneidea, principally 
belonging to the genus Gasterocantha. 


March 18, 1879.—Prof. St. GkoreE Mivarrt, F.R.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

-The Secretary called the attention of the meeting to the herd of 
Japanese Deer, Cervus sika, in the park of Viscount Powerscourt, at 
Powerscourt, in Ireland, now about eighty in number, and gave an account 
of their introduction and history, from particulars supplied to him by Lord 
Powerscourt. 

A communication was read from Dr. G. Hartlaub, containing the 
descriptiou of a new species of Barn Owl from the island of Viti-levu, which 
he proposed to call Stria oustaleti. 

Mr. E. R. Alston read a paper “ On Female Deer with Antlers,” showing 
that these weapons are not unfrequenutly abnormally developed in fertile 
females of sertain species of Capreolus and Cariacus, and giving reasons 
for believing that, in the ancestral forms of deer, they were probably 
common to both sexes. 

Mr. Sclater made remarks on some of the rarer Parrots living in the 
Society’s Gardens. The whole series of this group in the Society’s 
Collection was stated to consist of 170 individuals belonging to 98 species. 


188 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


A communication was read from Professor Garrod, containing notes on 
the visceral anatomy of the Tupaia of Burmah, Tupaia Belangeri. The 
cxcum coli in this animal was stated to be small, whilst in a specimen of 
T. tana it was ascertained to be wholly wanting. 

A second communication from Prof. Garrod contained notes on the 
anatomy of Helictis subaurantiaca, in the course of which he showed that 
the hippocampal gyrus of the brain is partly superficial in this animal, 
which is not the case in any other carnivorous animal yet recorded.— 
P. L. Sctater, Secretary. 


EntromoiocicaL Society or Lonpon. 


March 5, 1879.—J. W. Dunnine, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

Before proceeding to the business of the evening, Mr. Dunning said 
that it was his melancholy duty to announce the death of Mr. Frederick 
Smith, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society, who had only at the 
preceding meeting been re-appointed to that office. He died on the 16th 
of February, at the ripe age of seventy-three. Appointed Curator in 1843, 
elected a Member in 1850, President in 1862 and 1863, Mr. Smith had 
throughout been one of our most useful associates. A constant attendant 
at our meetings, his readiness to communicate his knowledge to others was 
unfailing, and what he did communicate was not second-hand information, 
but was almost invariably the result of his own personal observation. His 
entomological work in connection with the British Museum was known to 
all, and to his colleagues in that institution his loss would be irreparable. 
For a whole generation he has occupied the position of the British 
Hymenopterist, and in his knowledge of our indigenous species, and 
acquaintance with their habits, he stood without a rival. Retiring and 
unassuming in manner, he possessed a quiet sense of humour, and amidst 
the warmth and unrestraint of a social gathering exhibited a capacity for 
entertaining others which was probably unsuspected by many who knew 
him only in this room. Blameless in private life, a conscientious public 
servant, earnest and laboriously painstaking in his work, Frederick Smith 
had gained the esteem of all, and the Chairman felt that he was truly 
interpreting the feelings of others when he said that the Society had lost a 
valuable Member and his colleagues a faithful friend. : 

Donations to the Library were then announced, and thanks voted to 
the donors. 

M. Ch. Brogniart, of the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, 57, Rue Cuvier, 
Paris, was ballotted for and elected a Foriegn Member. 

Mr. John T. Harris, of Newton Road, Burton-on-Trent, was ballotted for - 
and elected a Subscriber. 

Sir Sidney Saunders exhibited a series of bees belonging to the genus 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 189 


Halictus from Greece. Among them were some remarkable new forms of 
the males. 

Mr. Wood-Mason made some observations on the supposed stridulation 
of Mantis religiosa, referred to at the last meeting. 

Mr. W. Cole called attention to a statement in Dr. Kerner’s essay “ On 
Flowers and their unbidden Guests,” respecting the cause of blossoms being 
as a general rule untouched by caterpillars. Dr. Kerner presumes that 
flowers contain certain principles distasteful to larvee, and are so protected 
from their attacks. Mr. Cole suggested that the majority of caterpillars 
neglect flowers as food rather with a view to their own safety than because 
the blossoms repel them by exhibiting unwelcome taste or odours. Most 
larve find concealment among leaves and twigs which they resemble in 
colour and markings, and it would be to their disadvantage to wander on 
to brilliant flowers, where their natural protective clothing would lose its 
special value. Flowers can hardly be essentially distasteful to these 
creatures, because many species of caterpillars, and even entire genera, 
feed commonly on parts of the inflorescence; but in the habits and 
colouring of these other modes of deceiving their enemies or escaping from 
them can in most cases be detected. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan said he had pointed out long ago the fact that many 
larvee varied in colour in accordance with that of the flowers on which they 
fed, and he was disposed to think there was something in the idea that 
they found protection thereby. 

Mr. Meldola saw no objection to Dr. Kerner’s statement, from the point 
of view of vegetable physiology, since it is quite possible for flowers to secrete 
special chemical compounds quite distinct from anything found in other 
parts of the plant. With regard to larvee which feed upon flowers to which 
they are adapted in colour, it is not improbable that such adaptation may 
result from the actual presence of the colouring matter of the flower in the 
tissues of the larve, the digestive organs of which may have become 
modified by natural selection, so as to permit of such permeation of 
unaltered colouring matters. In the case of green caterpillars unaltered 
chlorophyl had been detected spectroscopically in the tissues. 

Mr. H. J. Elwes mentioned a case of injury done to a species of 
Sternbergia by some larva feeding in the bulb. Mr. M‘Lachlan suggested it 
was probably that of the dipterous genus Merodon, which is known to 
attack bulbs of various plants. 

Dr. Sharp communicated a paper “On some Coleoptera from the 
Hawaiian Islands.” 

Mr. Peter Cameron communicated a paper “On some new or little- 
known British Hymenoptera.” 

Part V. of the ‘ Transactions’ for 1878, containing index, title-page, &c., 
was on the table-—R. Mextpoxa, Hon. Sec. 


190 THE ZOOLOGIS!. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 


The Birds of the Colorado Valley; a Repository of Scientific and 
Popular Information concerning North American Ornithology. 
By Euuiorr Covsgs. Part I. Passeres to Laniide. 
Washington: Government Printing Office. 


No other portion of the United States of equal area presents 
such varied surface conditions and such climatic extremes as the 
Valley of the Colorado. Bounded by mountain ranges of 
immense extent and elevation (the main chain of the Rocky 
Mountains on the east, the Sierra Nevadas on the west), the 
greater part of the country is low, hot, and arid. The 
temperature, rainfall, and course of the seasons in this region are 
alike remarkable, and so sensibly affect the animal and vegetable 
life that, as Dr. Hayden has expressed it, ‘‘ contiguous areas of 
insignificant extent may differ as much in their natural productions 
as if they stretched over many degrees of latitude.” 

This great valley takes in Arizona, much of New Mexico, 
Utah, and Nevada, a part of the state of Colorado, and some of 
Southern California. Although we have not been altogether 
without information as regards the zoology of portions of this 
territory, thanks to the labours of Mr. Cassin, Dr. Woodhouse, 
Dr. Heerman, Messrs. Kennerly, T. C. Henry, J. G. Cooper, and 
other explorers, such information has been but fragmentary, and 
published in scattered volumes which are not always readily 
accessible. It has devolved on Dr. Elliott Coues to bring 
together in a most convenient form a resumé of the investigations 
of these different naturalists, which he has supplemented with 
valuable additions of his own, derived from personal observations 
made by him in different parts of the territory referred to. 

To say that the work is thorough and exact in its nature, is 
to say no more than is applicable to all that emanates from the 
pen of Dr. Coues, who, combining the important qualifications of 
an observant field naturalist with an extensive acquaintance with 
the bibliography of his subject, is pre-eminently fitted to 
undertake the preparation of such a comprehensive treatise as 
that under consideration. 

In dealing with each species in succession, the plan which he 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 191 


has adopted is to give first the English name of the bird, 
followed by its correct scientific appellation; then a list of the 
various synonyms which have been bestowed by different writers. 
The precise habitat of the bird is next defined, and a short 
diagnosis of the species given in Latin. This is followed by a 
more detailed description in English of the plumage of both 
sexes, and of the young, and is succeeded by a very well-written 
account of the birds’ haunts, habits, and general life-history, 
which naturally forms the most readable and interesting portion 
of each chapter. 

Some idea of the magnitude of the work may be formed from 
the fact that only seventeen families of passerine birds are dealt 
with in the volume before us, and to these 565 pages are devoted ; 
the remainder of the volume being occupied with a very useful 
“ Bibliographical Appendix.” 

If the remaining families are to be worked out on the same 
scale, it is likely that four more volumes will be required to 
complete the entire work. It promises to be a very valuable 
contribution to the Ornithology of North America, and forms an 
excellent sequel to ‘The Birds of the North-West,’ published in 
1874, by the same author, a work which, as our readers will be 
aware, deals with the Ornithology of the region drained by the 
Missouri river and its tributaries. 


Wild Life in a Southern Country. By the author of ‘The 
; Gamekeeper at Home.’ 8vo, pp. 887. London: Smith, 
Elder & Co. 1879. 


In the course of last year we took occasion to notice a 
very pleasantly written book entitled ‘The Gamekeeper at 
Home,’* which we are not surprised to see has found such favour 
with the public as to have reached a third edition. 

We have now before us another volume by the same author, 
who for reasons best known to himself prefers to be nameless. 
His chapters are arranged so as to correspond in some degree 
with the contour of the country described by him. Commencing 
at the highest spot, an ancient entrenchment on the Downs has 
been chosen as the starting place from whence to explore the 
uplands. Beneath the hill a spring breaks forth, and tracing its 


* «The Zoologist,’ 1878, p. 358, 


192 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


course downwards, there come the village and the hamlet. Still 
further the streamlet becomes a broad brook, flowing through 
meadows in the midst of which stands a solitary farmhouse. 
The house itself, the gardens and orchard are visited by various 
birds and animals. In the fields immediately around—in the 
great hedges and the copse—are numerous others, and an 
expedition is made to the forest. Returning to the farm again 
as a centre, the rookery remains to be examined, and the ways 
and habits of the inhabitants of the hedges. Finally come the fish 
and wildfowl of the brook and lake ;—finishing in the vale. 

If we have one fault to find with the author it is that there is 
too much description in his pages and not enough incident; but 
here and there we find observations of scientific value which 
deserve to be placed on record under an authentic signature. 
We will select one example. Speaking of the Redwing (p. 301), 
the author says :— 


“One spring—it was rapidly verging on summer—I was struck day 
after day by hearing a loud, sweet, but unfamiliar note in a certain field. 
Fancying that most bird-notes were known to me, this new song naturally 
arrested my attention. In a little while I succeeded in traeing it to an oak 
tree. I got under the oak tree, and there on a bough was a Redwing 
singing with all its might. It should be remarked that neither Redwing 
nor Fieldfare sings during the winter; they, of course, have their ‘ call’ and 
ery of alarm, but by no stretch of courtesy could it be called a song. But 
this Redwing was singing—sweet and very loud, far louder than the old 
familiar notes of the Thrush. The note rang out clear and high, and 
somehow sounded strangely unfamiliar amongst English meadows and 
English oaks. Then, looking further and watching about the hedges there, 
I soon found that the bird was not alone—there were three or four pairs of 
Redwings in close neighbourhood, all evidently bent upon remaining to breed. 
To make quite sure, I shot one. Afterwards J found a nest, and had the 
pleasure of seeing the young birds come to maturity and fly. Nothing 
could be more thoroughly opposed to the usual habits of the bird. There may 
be other instances recorded, but what one sees oneself leaves so much deeper 
an impression. The summer that followed was a very fine one.” 


It is instances like this that make one hesitate to dogmatise 
too much as to the why and wherefore of bird-ways. Yet it is 
just the speculation as to that why and wherefore which increases 
the pleasure of observing them. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vor. III.) MAY, 1879. [No. 29. 


THE LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLI.USCA OF THE 
MALTESE GROUP. 


By H. W. Fernpen, F.G.S., C.M.Z.8. 


Wurst resident in Malta, during 1873 and 1874, I paid 
considerable attention to the land and fresh-water shells of that 
island and Gozo. The number of species included in this list is 
comparatively small; but two species of Helix—H. melitensis, 
Férrusac, and H. Spratti, Pfeiffer—are supposed to be peculiar to 
the group. Two species of Clausilia, the one confined to an area 
of a few acres in the island of Malta, the other almost equally 
local in Gozo, are extremely interesting on this account. The 
species of Paludina and Physa found in Malta and Gozo have 
been accorded specific rank by Professor Benoit. 

Several species of land-shells not included in this list have 
been recorded as natives of Malta, but on insufficient authority. 
In the autumn of 1874, after a long continuation of rainy weather 
and north-west winds, I found great numbers of land-shells, 
certainly not indigenous to Malta, stranded in sheltered coves 
along the coast facing the island of Sicily. On examination they 
proved to be all dead shells, plugged at the mouth with a tenacious 
blue clay, which converted them into floats. These had doubtless 
been washed down by the flooded rivers of Sicily, and discharged 
in vast numbers into the Mediterranean Sea. The prevalent 
north-west winds had wafted them, along with fragments of 
pumice-stone and broken reeds, to the coast of Malta. As in 


some spots I picked up hundreds of these shells in the course of 
2 


194 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


an hour, it is evident that countless numbers must annually be 
discharged into the sea. Whilst floating on the surface of the 
waves, the continuous motion of the water must in many cases 
remove the plug of clay, causing the shell to lose its buoyancy 
and sink to the bottom. In consequence the bed of the Mediter- 
ranean, for many miles to the southward of Sicily, is in all 
probability scattered over with the land-shells of that island, and 
a mixture of land and marine forms is being deposited at great 
depths. I forwarded a series of these drifted shells to Professor 
Luigi Benoit, who most courteously examined them, and informed 
me that they were common Sicilian species. Among the more 
abundant forms were Helix elata (var. turrita), Phil., Pupa doliwm, . 
Drap., Helix acuta, Miller, H. gregaria, Ziegler, H. sequenziana, 
Benoit, and Clausilia adelina, Benoit. 

Dead specimens of Helix lactea are sometimes found along 
the shores of the Quarantine Harbour of Valetta. 'This species is 
not indigenous, but is thrown overboard from the small craft that 
trade between Africa and Malta. The crews of these vessels use 
this snail as an article of food. I am indebted to Mr. Charles A. 
Wright, so well known in connection with the Ornithology of the 
Maltese group, for this observation. 

In the year 1867 Dr. A. A. Caruana, Secretary to the University 
of Malta, read before the Society of Archeology, History, and 
Natural Sciences of that island a report* on the Maltese Mollusea, 
prepared from the MSS. and collections of the late Mr. Giuseppe 
Mamo, who for nearly half a century was a sedulous cultivator of 
the science of Conchology, and a careful collector of the Mollusca 
of his native islands. The catalogue prepared by Dr. Caruana 
from the MSS. of Mr. Mamo is extremely useful to the student of 
Maltese Mollusca; but several of the names given are merely 
synonyms, and some species, such as Helix turrita, Phil., and Pupa 
polyodon, Drap., have been admitted to the list on insufficient 
grounds. A great assistance to the Maltese student is the local 
collection deposited in the Public Library of Valetta by Mr. Mamo 
in 1854, at the instigation of Sir William Reid, then Governor of 
the island. 

A very interesting pamphlet, entitled ‘ Dei Molluschi terestri 
e d’acqua dolce raccolti nello Arcipelago di Malta,’ was published 


* Enumeratio ordinata Molluscorum Gaulo-Melitensium cf the late Mr. Giuseppe 
Mamo. By A. A. Caruana. Malta, 1867. 


LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSCA. 195 


by Signor A. Issel in 1868. Forty-four. species are enumerated, 
of which thirty are considered by him as common to Malta and 
Sicily, three are found on other parts of the Mediterranean coast, 
seven peculiar to Malta, and four uncertain. The species in this 
list, and not in the following, are Zonites lucidus, Drap., Z. crys- 
tallinus, Miller, Helix profuga, Schmidt, H. variabilis, Drap., 
Bythinia similis, Drap., Hydrobia musaensis, Frauenfeld, Melania 
tuberculata, Miiller, Limnea peregra, Miiller, and Planorbis sub- 
angulatus, Philippi. 

Professor Benoit and Dr. Gulia published in ‘I] Barth’* for 
1872 the first portion of a more critical list of the Maltese 
Mollusca. It is to be hoped that these gentlemen may continue 
the publication. The land and fresh-water species included in 
this contribution to the Maltese fauna consists of fifteen species 
of Helix — H. aperta, Born., H. aspersa, Miller, H. calcarata, 
Benoit, H. candidissima, Drap., H. cellaria, Miiller, H. cespitum, 
Miler, H. pyramidata, Drap., H. conoidea, Drap., H. conspurcata, 
Drap., H. lenticula, Fér., H. melitensis, Fer.,. H. pisana, Miiller, 
H. striata, Drap., H. Schembri, Sch., H. vermiculata, Linn.; four 
species of Bulimus— B. acutus, Brugh., B. decollatus, Brugh., 
- B. folliculus, Caleara, B. pupa, Brugh.; two of Clausilia — 
C. syracusana, Phil., C. bidens, Linn.; Physa melitensis, Benoit ; 
Auricula myosotis, Drap.; and Cyclostoma melitense, Sowb. 

The collection of terrestrial and fresh-water Mollusca from 
the Maltese group, on which the accompanying list was based, 
having been deposited by me in the British Museum, was 
examined by Mr. Edgar A. Smith, of the Zoological Department 
of that institution. I am much indebted to that gentleman for 
having looked over the manuscript and revised the synonymy, and 
for having brought to my notice Signor Issel’s above-mentioned 
pamphlet, which contains the names of several species not included 
amongst those I met with in the Maltese group, after a searching 
examination extending over eighteen months. Signor Issel’s list 
having been compiled in part from the collection now exhibited 
in the Public Library, Valetta, and from previous publications, 
and not altogether from personal investigation, is my reason 
for publishing what I believe to be a complete and exhaustive 
catalogue of the group. Types of all the species found by me 


* «Fauna Maltese, Indice Molluschi Terrestri ed Acquatici, Benoit e Gulia,” 
‘Tl Barth,’ pp. 198—200, Malta, 1872. 


196 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


living in Malta and Gozo, and here enumerated, are deposited 
in the British Museum, and no confusion therefore need arise 
should additional species, which I may have overlooked, come to 
hand at some future time. 


Genus Pisip1um. 

P. fontinale? (Cyclas), Drap.—Included on the authority of 
Dr. Caruana's and Issel’s lists as found in stagnant water at 
the Marsa and in fountains. Though I have found the species 
referred to during my residence in Malta, I am sorry to say that 
no specimens are now in my collection. 


Genus CycLosToMA. 
Cyclostoma melitense, Sowb.—Very common both in Malta 
and Gozo. A variety with a deep lilac-coloured shell, banded 
with white, is frequently met with. 


Genus Patuprna ? 
Paludina? (Amnicola?) melitensis, Benoit.—This small species 
of Paludina is met with in most of the streams, wells, and old 
aqueducts of the islands. 


Genus Limax. 

Three species of Limaxz are included in Dr. Caruana’s list, 
viz., L. variegatus, Drap., L. nigricans? Schultz, and L. gagates, 
Drap. The species of slugs collected by me in Malta, from not 
having been properly preserved in spirits at the time, are not 
now to be identified. 


Genus HELIx. 


H. aperta, Born.—Very common both in Malta and Gozo. 

H. aspersa, Miiller.—Abundant, more especially in gardens; 
it is largely consumed by the natives as an article of food. 
Lhave partaken of this species cooked in various ways, but do 
not consider it palatable. 

H. Schembrii, Scacchi (H. calearata, Benoit).—Very common, 
especially by the borders of the sea. This species is liable to be 
confounded with H. pyramidata, Drap., by a casual observer; 
the difference in the size of the umbilicus will, however, at once 
separate the two species. 


LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSCA. 197 


H. pyramidata, Drap.—Very common. A variety found by 
me on Filfla, an islet on the south side of Malta, has much larger 
shells than the ordinary Maltese type. 

H. Spratti, Pfeiffer (H. gaulitana, Marno; H. solaroides, Gulia). 
—This species of Helix was first found by Admiral Spratt at 
Marsa-el-Farn, in Gozo, in 1848. It is not uncommon along the 
borders of the sea, at the spot where it was first discovered in 
Gozo. 

H. meda, Porro.—This snail is very common on shrubs in 
the Floriana Gardens, near Valetta. As it is not found anywhere 
else in the island, the species has doubtless been imported along 
with foreign plants. 

H. trochoides, var., Poiret = conica, Drap.—Included by Benoit 
and Gulia in their Catalogue of Maltese Mollusca, as found at 
Melleha and Puales, and noted as rare. The term “local” should 
be applied to this species, for though I have only found it on the 
sea-board at the head of Melleha Bay, it is there extremely 
abundant. During the heat of summer the animal attaches itself 
by adhesion of the epiphragm to plants and stones, and is to be 
found clustering in hundreds on the stems of Ononis ramosissima, 
Desf., and to the stalks of Festuea elatior, Linn. The specimens 
are not of the typical form of the species, and possibly may 
constitute a distinct variety. 

H. striata, Drap.— A very common species in uncultivated 
spots. 

H. candidissima, Drap.—This is a very common species along 
the sea-board from St. George’s Bay to Marfra, in the island of 
Malta; it is equally so on the islands of Comino and Filfla. 

H. melitensis, Férrusac.— This handsome species is spread 
over the island of Malta. I have very often found it on the 
branches of the carob-tree (Ceratonia siliqua), where it seeks 
refuge from the intense heat of summer. 

H. vermiculata, Linn.—One of the most abundant land-shells. 
Extremely variable in colour. 

H. pisana, Miiller.—Most abundant. 

H. cespitum, Miller. — Common in gardens and cultivated 
fields. 

H. conspurcata, Drap.—Common. 

H. lenticula, Fér. — Not uncommon in shady and damp 
places. 


198 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


H. cellaria, Miiller.—One of the more uncommon land-shells 
of Malta; found under stones in damp and shady spots. 
H. Erdelii, Roth.—Not common. 


Genus CLAUSILIA. 

C. syracusana, Philippi = C. macrostoma, Cantraine.— Very 
common, with many varieties differing from one another in the 
character of the striation of their shells. This is also abundant 
in Gozo, Comino, and Filfla. ; 

C. bidens, Linn. = C. papillaris, Miiller—Very common, both 
in Malta and Gozo. 

C.scalaris, Pfeiffer = C. delicate, Gulia; C.scalaris, Caruana.— 
This beautiful Clausilia, peculiar to the island of Malta, appears 
to have been first discovered by Admiral Spratt, near St. Paul’s 
Bay, and was first described by Pfeiffer and again by Dr. Gulia.* 
The habitat of this Clausilia is very restricted. I found it on the 
Upper Limestone, along the western shore of St. Paul’s Bay, from 
nearly opposite Selmun Island, to the little cove of Cala Mistra, 
extending inland to the borders of a line of fault, which, extending 
N.N.E. and 8.8.W., exposes the marl and underlying caleareous 
sandstone. I was unable to trace this Clausilia beyond the line 
of fault, and it would appear that the exposure of the lower beds 
has acted as a barrier to the extension of the species inland. In 
the limited area occupied by C. scalaris I did not obtain specimens 
of C. syracusana, Cantraine, so widely diffused over Malta and 
Gozo. 

C. mamotica, Gulia.— This species, described by Dr. Guliat 
in 1861, and subsequently, under the same name, by Dr. Caruana 
in 1867, is confined to a limited area in the island of Gozo— 
namely, on the left side of the gorge of Sclendi. 


Genus PLANORBIS. 


P, species ?—This small species is found in the reser- 
voir in the Floriana Gardens, in the aqueduct leading to Valetta, 
in a stream near Selmun Palace, in the watercourse of the gorge 
of Sclendi in Gozo, and in most places throughout the islands 
where there is a perennial supply of water. 


* «Tentamen Ichtyologie Melitensis,’ Malta, 1861, p. 7, 
+ Op. cit., p. 8, 


LAND AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSGA. 199 


Genus ANcyLUus. 

Ancylus fluviatilis, Drap.—Found in streams, aqueducts and 
fountains. 

Genus LIMNeEus. 

L. (perhaps a variety of L. truncatula).— Found in streams and 
aqueducts. 

Genus Puysa. 

P. melitensis, Benoit.—Abundant in a reservoir in Floriana 
Gardens. 

Genus ACICULA. 

A. acicula, Miiller.—Not a common species in Malta; it is 
found in small numbers on the old lne of fortification near 
Corradino, Valetta. 

Genus AZECA. 


A. follicula, Gmel.— Common in damp or shady places. 


Genus Buuimus. 


B. decollatus, Linn.—Abundant throughout the islands. 
B. acutus, Linn.— Abundant. 
B. pupa, Linn.— Very common. 


Genus Pupa. 


P. granum, Drap.—Common in Malta and Gozo. 


Genus ALEXIA. 


A. myosotis, Drap.—Common in damp and uncultivated spots 
near the sea. 


Genus MariInu.a. 


M. forminii, Pay—It is with some hesitation that I include 
this species amongst the land and fresh-water species. I have 
found the shell with the animal on the sea-shore, but under 
circumstances that led me to believe that it had been thrown 
up from the sea by the waves. 


200 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 
By H. W. Feirpen, F.G.S., C.M.Z.S. 
(Concluded from p. 170.) 


We managed, after several futile attempts, to escape from 
Dobbin Bay on the 3rd September; by the 4th we had rounded 
Cape Hawks, and were moored to the ice in Allman Bay. Our 
prospects at this date were somewhat critical; at least fifty 
miles of ice separated us from Cape Sabine, which was the most 
northern position where we could hope to meet with the “ North 
water” of Baffin Bay; the stock of steaming coal was reduced to 
three tons on board the ‘ Alert,’ and to two on board our consort ; 
after that we should, if we continued our attempt to force the ice, 
have to encroach on our cooking and warming supply. The 
question, therefore, became a very serious one for our leader, 
whether we should at once go into winter-quarters or run the 
risk of drawing upon the winter fuel for steaming purposes. He 
decided, however, to push on for a few days longer. 

On the 6th September our ships were embayed in the ice off 
Cape D’Urville, which marks the southern entrance to Allman 
Bay. Landing with Captain Nares and Markham, we walked 
along the ice-foot for three or four miles to the southward. The 
recently fallen snow, which lay to the depth of four or five inches, 
crackled under our feet. The sun shone out, but light clouds 
travelling rapidly from the westward gave a decided warning of 
approaching wind, and a prospect of a disruption in the ice, 
which then closely hemmed us in. 

The cliffs under which we then travelled are composed of a 
massive red-coloured conglomerate; the constituent pebbles were 
falling in a continuous shower from the face of the cliff. Some 
of them were as large as a man’s head, but dwindled down to the 
size of hazel-nuts. In some of these pebbles I detected the 
remains of corals, showing that this enormous thickness of 
water-worn conglomerates had been derived from older fossili- 
ferous strata. During our walk we captured two Lemmings, and 
saw three Eider Ducks with their broods in a tidal-crack ; also 
two Seals, Phoca hispida. 

In the evening, the wind rising, the ice slackened, and under 
a full head of steam we pushed into Franklin Pierce Bay. A fine 


NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL. 201 


Walrus, lying on a piece of ice, was seen. This bay appears to 
be a favourite resort for these animals, for it was here that we 
procured a couple, and saw Several, during our visit of the 
preceding year. The Walrus does hot appear to move farther 
north than Cape Frazer, the meeting place of the polar and 
southern tides; at that point we saw a single example. 

Early in the morning of the 7th the ice slackened around us, 
and we steamed into a large pool of water that extended some 
distance along the eastern shore of Norman Lockyer Island. 
After tying up to an iceberg we landed on that island. The 
snow lay sufficiently deep to conceal the greater part of the 
Eskimo traces, which we knew to be abundant there. Here and 
there the stone walls of an unroofed dwelling were to be seen, and 
numerous skulls of Walrus, all of which had been broken for 
the purpose of extracting the tusks and brains. During our walk 
on Norman Lockyer Island I saw two Ptarmigan and a pair of 
Ravens, and Mr. Giffard shot eight Eider Ducks. 

The whole of the 8th was spent in a wearisome conflict with 
the ice, that stretched asa close pack between Franklin Pierce 
Bay and Victoria Head to the southward. Though every exertion 
was made, and the vessels constantly rammed at full speed against 
any portions of the barrier that showed signs of weakness or offered 
a lead, still our progress was lamentably slow, and by midnight 
we were fast in the pack about two miles from Victoria Head, 
with every prospect of the ships being nipped. During the middle 
watch a Fox which came alongside was shot by Mr. Parr > it was 
a female, with the fur just changing into its winter colour. 

Early in the morning of the 9th, by one of those extraordinary 
impulses which are so conspicuous a feature in ice-navigation, 
the floes slackened their pressure, and we escaped from the 
embraces of the pack. After getting to the southward of Victoria 
Head, we met with large spaces, covered by young ice of a 
few hours’ previous growth, not more than two inches thick, 
through which the ships forced a way without difficulty. Great 
quantities of yellow diatomaceous matter was frozen in with this 
youngice. After passing Brevoort Island, which we were abreast 
of by six in the evening, we entered on comparatively open water. 
Our long struggles with the ice had ceased. 

During our entire voyage I saw no stretch of scenery that 


impressed itself more forcibly on my mind than the line of coast 
2D 


202 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


between Capes Sabine and Isabella. That rugged land, formed of 
syenitic, gneissoid and granitic rocks, was a complete contrast to the 
monotonous mural cliffs of gray Silurian limestone, under which 
we had for some time past been moving. Precipices so upright 
and smooth that not a wreath of snow could rest on their fronts 
rose black and forbidding from the water, whilst glaciers poured 
down on either side of them. The contrast between the black cliffs 
rising from the sea and the polished pinnacles of rock towering 
above their setting of everlasting ice, was magificent as long as 
the sun shone upon them, but as evening fell shadow and mist 
descended on the mountains, and hid from view the shores of the 
channel that we had fondly hoped would have led us to the Pole. 

Late in the evening of the 9th September we stopped off 
Cape Isabella. Captain Markham, whom I accompanied, landed 
and found at the cairn, erected the year before, a budget of home 
news, which we owed to the enterprise and gallantry of Sir Allen 
Young. After passing to the southward of Cape Isabella we were 
fairly afloat on the “ North-water” of Baffin Bay. 

In order to economise fuel our vessels were at once placed 
under sail, and in the teeth of most persistent head-winds we 
worked slowly to the southward. At that late season of the year 
the navigation of the head waters of Baffin Bay is a hazardous 
and disagreeable task. The nights get dark, and amidst driving 
storms of snow and sleet it requires great skill to avoid the ice- 
bergs and fields of broken-up pack. Fulmars and Kittiwakes were 
then very numerous in the “ North-water.” On the 17th, in lat. 73° 
40’ N., numbers of Little Auks were met with. On the following 
day flocks of Snow Buntings were seen migrating to the south. 

On the 25th September. we entered the harbour of Godhavyn, 
Disco Island, and received a warm weleome from Mr. Kriérup 
Smith, the Inspector of North Greenland. Though the little settle- 
ment of Godhavn is situated several degrees within the Arctic 
circle, and for more than half the year is cut off from all communi- 
cation with Europe,—though its winters are intensely cold, and 
the sun remains below the horizon for nearly two months,—yet 
delicately nurtured ladies stay there, lightening their husbands’ 
labours and banishment by their presence. And now that our 
good ships, by “skilful guidance led,” have brought us once again 
to civilized homes, though buried in Arctic wilds, it seems befitting 
to bring to a close this brief narrative of a Polar voyage. 


2038 


ON THE RING OUZEL WINTERING IN ENGLAND. 


By tHe Epiror. 


THE observation of the Rey. Isaac Harding, in the last 
number of ‘The Zoologist’ (p. 174), to the effect that a pair of 
Ring Ouzels nested in the Malvern Hills last summer, and 
remained there with their young all the winter, is noteworthy, 
inasmuch as this bird is generally regarded as a summer visitor 
to the British Islands, arriving in April and departing in 
September or October. Professor Newton, in his edition of 
Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds’ (vol. i., p. 287), thus characterising it, 
adds: —‘‘ White, of Selborne, who took an especial interest in 
the appearance of this bird, mentions (Letter xxxviil. to Pennant) 
that some were seen in the Forest of Bere, on the borders of 
Hampshire, at Christmas, 1770, a season which had been marked 
by almost incessant rain from the middle of October; but the 
occurrence of the Ring Ouzel in winter seems otherwise un- 
known in Great Britain, for the information received by Pennant 
as to its residing in Scotland all the year round is plainly 
erroneous.” 

As I happen to have made a few notes on the occurrence of 
the Ring Ouzel in England during winter, the present seems a 
fitting opportunity for reviewing them. ‘To begin with the oldest 
observation in point of date. Since the appearance of the part 
of the new edition of Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds’ which contains the 
passage above quoted (July, 1872) the correspondence between 
Gilbert White and Robert Marsham, of Stratton Strawless (1790 
—1793), has been published in the ‘ Transactions of the Norfolk 
and Norwich Naturalists’ Society’ (1876, vol. 11., pp. 183—195). 
In this correspondence is a letter from Marsham, dated the 31st 
August, 1790, in which the following passage occurs :—‘“‘I find 
by a memorandum of mine of so old a date as Sept. 14, 1722, 
I shot a Ring Ouzel. This was the first my father had seen. 
This shows they are strangers in Norfolk. But I have seen 
them twice since in severe frosts.” 

Ten years ago I made the following entry in an interleaved 
copy of my ‘ Birds of Middlesex’:—‘‘ Davy, the bird-catcher, in 
the Hampstead Road, tells me that his men bring in Ring 
Ouzels to him every year up to Christmas and quite early in the 


204 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


spring, and he concludes that many at least must spend the 
winter here.” 

In December, 1874, Mr. W. E. Beckwith, of Eaton Constantine, 
Salop, observed a Ring Ouzel in his neighbourhood, as he subse- 
quently informed me, his attention being attracted to it by the 
alarm-note, and the bird’s white gorget being distinctly seen by a 
companion who was with him. 

Mr. H. G. Okeden, of T'urnworth, near Blandford, Dorset- 
shire, writing in February last, informed the Editor of ‘The 
Field’ that for the last two years he had remarked that a few 
Ring Ouzels spend the winter in his neighbourhood. 

We have now the Rev. I. Harding’s statement that this bird at 
least occasionally winters in the Malvern Hills. 

It was in consequence of reports, unfortunately not always 
noted, of the occasional wintering of the Ring Ouzel in England, 
that I was induced to characterise this bird in my ‘ Handbook of 
British Birds’ (p. 12) as “ Resident; nesting regularly in the 
hilly parts of the west and north of England and throughout 
Scotland. In the eastern and south-eastern counties of England, 
a spring and autumn migrant.” In other words, I was inclined 
to place it in the same category as the Pied Wagtail, the Meadow 
Pipit, and, I may add, the common Song Thrush, all of which, as 
we know, are to a certain extent migratory, for numbers move 
southward and quit the country in autumn, and yet some may 
always be found here during the winter. ‘The instances of the 
appearance of the Ring Ouzel in winter which have since been 
reported rather tend to confirm this view, and since the bird has 
been detected here in winter in six different counties—Norfolk, 
Salop, Worcester, Middlesex, Hants, and Dorset—it is not un- 
reasonable to suppose that it may have wintered unobserved in 
other counties also. Perhaps those individuals of the species which 
have gone farthest north on the spring migration do not in winter 
cross the English Channel or pass farther south than those counties 
which lie immediately to the north of it. Mr. Rodd has remarked 
that the Stone Curlew or Thick-knee (Gidicnemus crepitans), 
which is generally met with as a summer visitor in other parts of 
England, is never seen in the Lizard and Land’s End districts 
except in winter; and the only way, he thinks, to account for 
this deviation, is to presume that a portion of the migratory 
party, in their southern flight in the autumn, hold a northern 


NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 205 


limit just reaching the Land’s End and the Lizard lands (the 
most southern in the British Isles), the corresponding northern 
migration in the spring just taking the whole number above the 
southern latitudes of the extreme western counties. 

Possibly we may have something analogous to this in the 
case of the Ring Ouzel. Some such idea seems to have crossed 
the mind of Gilbert White when penning his twentieth letter to 
Pennant, and his remarks in that letter on the migration of the 
Ring Ouzel may be here appropriately quoted. Referring to the 
birds of this species observed by him in spring and autumn, he 
remarks :—‘‘ Now perhaps these Ouzels are not the Ouzels of the 
North of England, but belong to the northern parts of Europe; 
and may retire before the excessive rigour of the frosts in those 
parts; and return to breed in the spring, when the cold abates. 
-If this be the case, here is discovered a new bird of winter 
passage, concerning whose migrations the writers are silent; but 
if these birds should prove the Ouzels of the north of England, 
then here is a migration disclosed within our own kingdom never 
before remarked. It does not yet appear whether they retire 
beyond the bounds of our island to the south; but it is most 
probable that they usually do, or else one cannot suppose that 

they would have continued so long unnoticed in the southern 
counties.” 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 
By JoHn GatTcoMBL. 


On the 11th January, the ground being covered with snow, 
flocks of Sky Larks were continually coming across Plymouth 
Sound from the east, and going west, for which quarter they all 
seemed to be bound, but not nearly in such numbers as I have 
seen them on previous occasions during severe weather. A 
Sclavonian Grebe, which was fishing off the sea-wall near the 
Devil’s Point, remained until dark. Cormorants, Shags, and 
Razorbills were plentiful about this time, the latter in flocks, 
and the Stonehouse birdstuffer had received two more Common 
Bitterns killed in the neighbourhood; the stomachs of these 
I examined, and found them to contain the fur of water rats 
and mice, vegetable fibre, the elytra of beetles, and many small 
crabs. 


206 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


On January 13th I remarked a pair of Sclavonian Grebes in 
Fire-stone Bay, and both heard and saw a Greenshank flying up 
the Tamar—a very uncommon bird with us in winter, although 
a few generally visit our mud-flats during the autumn. Several 
adult Gannets were brought in by the Plymouth fishermen. They 
were captured either with baited hooks or by becoming entangled 
in the herring-nets off the port, where I understand they were 
very plentiful. A short time since an old male Black Redstart 
was killed by a friend of mine on the rocks near the Plymouth 
Citadel, and a Velvet Scoter in the Sound. 

“ Speckled,” or immature, Red-throated Divers became more 
plentiful after the cold weather had set in, and several were shot. 
Two ‘‘ Cravat” or Canada Geese were also killed not far from 
Plymouth—one of them, strange to say, from a flock of ten, which 
number subsequently dwindled down to six; but I cannot help 
thinking that they were probably frozen-out birds from some 
ornamental water, although neither of the two killed showed the 
slightest traces of confinement. Wild Geese of several kinds 
were, I understand, also seen in the same locality. 

The pair of Sclavonian Grebes mentioned above were sub- 
sequently shot and brought to a birdstuffer, who allowed me 
to examine their stomachs, which were like balls, completely 
crammed with the remains of small silvery fish, shrimps, and, 
I believe, sandhoppers, mixed up with an immense quantity of 
down, shafts, barbs, fibres, and many whole feathers from their 
own bodies. I have often been struck with a habit the Grebes— 
particularly the Crested species—have, when on the water, of 
suddenly erecting and shaking the plumage of the back, just in the 
manner of a bird after having charged its plumage with dust. 

Great Black-backed Gulls, about this date, became numerous, 
but, notwithstanding the extremely severe weather, I did not 
observe a single Glaucous or Iceland Gull the whole winter. 
Many authors, when describing the colour of the bill of the 
Great Black-backed Gull, say that the projecting angle of the 
lower mandible is red, or orange, with a black spot in the middle. 
This black spot, however, is not always present, especially in the 
breeding season, nor even does it appear on the bills of perfectly 
adult birds in winter, and is more or less a sign of youth, 
according to its extent. On examining a fine adult Great Black- 
backed Gull in January I found that the spot on the angle of the 


NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 207 


lower mandible was of a pure and vivid orange-red, without a 
trace of the dark spot. 

Two immature Red-throated Divers were brought to a Stone- 
house birdstuffer on February lst, and on the same day I observed 
six Northern Divers swimming and diving very near each other 
in Plymouth Sound. I am glad to add that Red-throated Divers 
are now becoming more numerous than they have been for some 
years past. After severe winters they used formerly to appear 
sometimes in great numbers, and on such occasions many 
remained on our coasts until they had assumed their full 
breeding plumage, although they usually leave us before that 
time. Several Goldeneyes and Scaups were to be seen in the 
markets at this date. 

On February 4th seven Herons, large flocks of Gulls (Larus 
ridibundus), Lapwings, and Curlews were congregated on Chelson 
Meadow, near the banks of the Laira. After the severe weather 
set in, Kingfishers disappeared. Razorbills were then very 
numerous in the Sound, although none, so far as I could observe, 
showed any signs of assuming the breeding dress. ‘Two immature 
Black-throated Divers were killed, one on the St. Germains River, 
and the other, I believe, in the Sound. I have never yet seen or 
heard of an adult bird of this species having been obtained near 
Plymouth, and the only one approaching to that state was killed 
many years ago by my brother near the Devil’s Point, Stonehouse. 
The upper plumage of this bird was nearly of a uniform black 
or dusky, with a few square light spots just appearing on the 
scapulars, and the sides of the breast near the bottom of the 
neck beautifully striped with black and white, but without, as far 
as I can remember, showing any signs of the purple-black patch 
on the throat peculiar to old birds in the breeding season. Some 
Hawfinches and Bramblings, both uncommon species in this 
neighbourhood, were killed about this date. 

The weather on the 10th February was very stormy and wet, 
but not cold, and a large flock of grey geese—of what species 
I could hardly ascertain—flew down our harbour and across the 
Sound towards the south. Many flocks of geese of different kinds 
were seen frequenting the waters and valleys near Ermington, 
not far from Plymouth, and several individuals were killed. On 
the 25th, weather bright and warm, I heard Herring Gulls uttering 
their spring or breeding cries. 


208 : THE ZOOLOGIST. 


By March 7th Chaffinches were in full song around Plymouth, 
and many Black-headed Gulls had already assumed the dark 
head. On that date I remarked some diving ducks on the Laira, 
but they were so far off that I could not quite make sure of the 
species. There were also a large number of Curlews, Dunlins, 
and Ringed Plovers about the mud-banks. On the 8th a Lesser 
Spotted Woodpecker was killed by a gamekeeper in Sheviock 
Wood, not far- from St. Germains, the stomach of which con- 
tained small white grubs or maggots, similar to those found in 
oak-galls. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were plentiful in pairs, 
but Larus marinus was unusually scarce for the time of year. 
Larus canus, too, began to assemble, as it generally does just 
before the nesting season; but I do not know a single locality 
anywhere on the coasts of Devon or Cornwall within many miles. 
of Plymouth where either this gull or the Lesser Black-backed 
Gull breeds, Larus argentatus being the only species which nests 
in our district. Notwithstanding severe easterly winds all the 
Black-headed Gulls left us for their nesting quarters, and will 
not return until the end of August or beginning of September. 
On March 29th I was much pleased to see a Glaucous Gull, 
apparently an adult bird, flying in the Sound, the only one of the 
species I had remarked all the winter. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


Sroats AssuMING THe Ermine Dress.—During the past severe winter 
an unusual number of Stoats in this district appear to have assumed the 
ermine dress, either wholly or in part. I find that the three principal bird- 
stuffers in Norwich have received during last winter six specimens in which 
the ermine dress was entirely assumed, and twenty-one in which the 
change was only partial, though in several of the latter it was very nearly 
complete.—J. H. Gurney-(Northrepps, Norwich). 


Sroats 1v Ermine Dress.—Since my last note (p. 122), three more 
almost perfectly white Stoats, Mustela erminea, have been sent to our 
animal preserver, making six within three months. One of these specimens 
was entirely white, with the exception of an extremely narrow line of brown 
round the eyes—indeed hardly wider than the eyelid itself. — Joun 
GatcoomBE (Durnford Street, Stonehouse), 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 209 


Roe-DEER IN DorsErsHtrE.—Mr. Mansel-Pleydell states (p. 121), 
that Mr. Drax colonized the Charborough Estate (together with the Blox- 
worth Woods, which are surrounded by it) in 1829, with Roe-deer from the 
Whatcombe district. The progeny of these, however, were completely 
exterminated soon after the year 1833, when Mr. Drax gave up hunting 
Roe-deer and took to Fox-hounds. Some years subsequently Mr. Drax 
again turned out, in Bere Wood and the adjoining Bloxworth Woods, some 
more Roe-deer, given to him by the late Baron Hambro’, of Milton Abbey ; 
and it is the produce of these latter, which are now to be seen occasionally 
though in rapidly diminishing numbers, in the woods of this district. 
The cause of their decreasing numbers is, most certainly, the thoughtless 
habit of sportsmen shooting at them out of range, and with too small shot, 
when cover-shooting in the winter months. I have myself, on more than 
one occasion, come across a dead Roe-deer which had evidently been hard 
hit with small shot, and gone away to die. Mr. Mansel-Pleydell speaks of 
the fecundity of the Doe, and gives its produce at a birth as “two and 
sometimes three fawns.” In Bell's ‘ British Quadrupeds’ (2nd ed., p. 365) 
the number is stated to be either “ one or two.”—O. P.-CamBrine@E (Blox- 
worth, Blandford, Dorset). 

[Mr. W. Colquhoun, a well-known authority on such matters, writes, 
‘* Roe-deer almost invariably produce two kids.” —Ep. 


ExIsTENCE OF THE Saga ANTELOPE IN FRANCE DURING THE 
ReinprEr AcE.—It is now several years since the late M. Lartet 
announced the discovery of fragments of horns of the Saiga in the 
quaternary deposits of Perigord, belonging to the Reindeer-period. At the 
same time he expressed the opinion that this Antelope was not living in 
France at the period in question, but that its horns had been obtained from 
foreign sources for use as weapons by palwolithic man. The Saiga is a 
curious sheep-faced Antelope, which at present inhabits the steppes or open 
plains of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, extending from Poland 
through the region of the Don and the Volga, as far eastward as the 
Altai and the Irtish River. It is of much interest to determine whether 
the distribution of this creature did or did not extend into France during 
post-pleiocene times. On this point M. Gaudry has recently communicated 
fresh information to the French Academy of Sciencés, in a note “ De 
l’existence des Saigas en France @ l’age du Renne.” This paleontologist 
has lately found among specimens from the bone-caves of Aquitaine not 
only the horns, but the teeth and many of the bones of the Saiga, some of 
which have been broken, obviously for the purpose of extracting the 
marrow. Itseems, therefore, to be now placed beyond doubt that the Saiga 
lived on the borders of the Tardoire and the Vezére, contemporary with the 
Reindeer, and that it served as food to the prehistoric men who dwelt in the 

2E 


210 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


caves and rock-shelters of the district, and who have left to us the well- 
known works of primitive art sculptured on bone and reindeer-antler. 
M. Gaudry’s observations thus tend to confirm the opinion of the late 
M. Paul Gervais, that an engraving found by M. Piette in the Cave of 
Gourdon, in the Haute Garonne, really represents the head of the Saiga 
Antelope, copied from the living creature.-—‘ The Academy,’ 5th April, 1879. 


Marrens In Norrotk anp Surrotx.—I am desirous of adding a few 
supplementary remarks to Mr. Norgate’s notice (p. 172) of the Marten 
which was trapped at Hevingham, Norfolk, in the summer of 1878. ‘The 
animal passed into the hands of Mr. T. E. Gunn, birdstuffer, Norwich, 
who was good enough to allow me to see it very soon after he had mounted 
it in July last. It was a large male specimen of the Yellow-breasted or 
Pine Marten, and showed no traces of having been kept in confinement ; 
so that, if it had escaped from captivity, it had probably been at large long 
enough to have lost any signs of previous imprisonment. That this speci- 
men was au escaped one is rendered probable by the considerable length of 
time which had elapsed since any previous specimen of the Marten had 
been known to have occurred in Norfolk. An old warrener, named 
Brighton, who died in 1862, at the age of ninety-eight, told me that, when 
he was a boy, Marten-cats inhabited Brooke Wood, in Norfolk, where he 
was then employed, which may probably be accepted as a proof of their 
existence in the county about the end of the last century. Some fifty 
years ago, I recollect seeing a stuffed Marten in the possession of the late 
Mr. Postle, of Colney Hall, Norwich, and, if my memory does not deceive 
me, I was told that it was a Norfolk specimen. Later than this I cannot 
trace any Martens in Norfolk, until the occurrence of the Hevingham 
specimen last year; but a curious record of as many as forty-three Martens 
having been killed by a gamekeeper in Suffolk (together with a long list of 
other so-called vermin) in the year 1811, has been published in the 
‘ Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalist’s Society’ (vol. ii., 
pp- 223-4), to which I would refer for further particulars. Unfortunately 
the exact locality in Suffolk where this occurred is not now known.— 
J. H. Guryey (Northrepps, Norwich). 


RaBBits SwIMMINc.—We saw rather an amusivg thing to-day (18th 
April). We caught a very little rabbit in a hedge, and let it go near the 
moat. It instantly set off towards the moat and jumped in. We rushed 
up, expecting to find it drowning, but found it had got more than half 
way across the moat. As soon as it reached the other side it got on to the 
bank and into a hole-—Procrrer 8. Hurcurnson (Inval, Haslemere). 

[Rabbits when pursued will sometimes take to the water and swim boldly. 
One pursued by a dog leaped into the Cam at one of its greatest widths, and 
Was swimming across, when a boat put off and captured it.—Eb.] 


Ss 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 211 


OrnitHoLoGicaL Norges From Rencar.—The following notes, taken 
during the past autumn and winter, may not be uninteresting to the 
ornithological portion of your readers. The arrival of autumn migrants 
earlier than usual caused me to suppose that we should have a good season 
for birds, both from a naturalist’s and also a sportsman’s point of view. 
Certainly the weather of last winter was sufficiently severe, and fowl 
numerous enough to satisfy the keenest wildfowler, while the naturalist has 
had abundant opportunities for obtaining specimens of several rare northern 
birds and other “strangers.” Turnstones were plentiful in the neigh- 
bourhood of the Tees-mouth early in the season. The first I saw was on 
July 2nd, a mature bird. On the 14th nine were shot by a friend of mine. 
Several large flocks frequented the sands and shingle on the east side of 
the South Gare Breakwater. On July 29th I observed a flock of Lesser 
Terns, ten in number, at the Tees-mouth; and at the same place, on the 
31st, two immature birds. On August 7th I saw two adult specimens, and 
on the 14th a flock of fifteen. On August 6th a Greenshank, an immature 
bird, one of three seen, was shot near the Tees. These birds of late years 
have become extremely rare in this district. The Pigmy Curlew was more 
abundant than has been known for some time. On August 20th I shot a 
pair from a flock of six at the Tees-mouth; on the 31st two were shot on 
Coatham sands. Four were shot from a flock at the Tees Bay on Sept. 10th, 
and six were obtained at the same place during the first fortnight of 
the same month. Two were shot at Coatham Marsh on the 28rd, and one 
at the Tees-mouth on the 30th. Two Reeves, birds of the year. were shot 
on Coatham Marsh, one on September 10th, the other on October Ist. 
During the summer a large number of Gannets frequented the Tees Bay. 
Four adult birds were shot off Redcar in September. Early in October a 
Ferruginous Duck, one of a pair seen, was shot at Coatham Marsh. The 
number of Ducks and other fowl which passed Redcar during the autumn 
migration was much larger than has been known for many years. The first 
flights were observed about September 16th, and continued every morning 
for almost a month, when heavy gales came from the N.E., which lasted for 
more than a fortnight. During the prevalence of this storm immense 
numbers of fowl of various kinds, but chiefly Duck, Widgeon and Teal, 
passed, flying from E. to N.W. Three Goosanders and two Grebes (species 
not ascertained) were obtained during these gales. A large flock of Wild 
Geese passed over the Tees on September 18th, flying S.W. Excepting 
this flock, few were seen before Christmas; but since January set in several 
large flocks (chiefly Brent) have been constantly observed, both in the estuary 
of the Tees and also passing Redcar. A good many Brent Geese were 
obtained by the punt-gunners in the river. Several swans were shot in 
the neighbourhood of the Tees estuary, one being obtained on the 20th 
December, and another on the 5th February. On the 15th January I saw 


212 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


a very fine specimen of Bewick’s Swan, which had been shot in the Tees, 
in the hands of a Middlesborough taxidermist. On February 6th I saw 
four Swans, three white and one grey, on the north side of the estuary ; 
the example which had been obtained on February 5th was shot from this 
herd. Several Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were shot during the winter, 
but chiefly immature birds. I have seen one of the Glaucous and two of 
the Iceland species (old birds) which were obtained near Redcar ; one of the 
latter was shot by a friend of mine east of Redcar on December 19th. On 
November 21st, while off in a boat near Redcar with a friend, we shot a 
Black-throated Diver, a female bird, in the plumage of the second year. 
Several Puffins and a great many Little Auks were washed ashore during 
the heavy gales from the sea, killed by the violence of the waves or by 
starvation. I have seen at least a dozen of the latter species which were 
picked up dead on the beach. On the 14th and 15th November | picked 
up each day a Puffin and Little Auk. On the 16th I found a Puffin on 
Coatham sands, and on the 18th a Little Auk on the sands east of Redcar. 
IT picked up a Little Auk on Coatham sands on the 28th, and on the same 
day a Puffin near Redcar. On the 23rd January a Little Auk found near 
Redcar, and another on the 25th. I shot two while in a boat off Tees 
Bay on the 27th, and saw one flying about the same time. Picked up two 
east of Redcar on February 5th. These little northern visitors seem to 
have been plentiful on the north-east coast, as reports from different places 
testify. Several were found in the fields near Redcar, and one in a yard 
near, Middlesborough. The Razorbills also suffered very much from the 
severe weather, numbers having been found dead on the beach. During 
December immense flocks of Fieldfares, Redwings, and other small birds 
passed, flying towards the Tees. From the 9th to the 12th the flocks 
chiefly consisted of Redwings with a few Fieldfares, but from the 17th to 
the 21st the Fieldfares predominated and Redwings were comparatively 
few. Altogether I should say that several thousands of these two species 
must have passed Redcar during the fortnight they were observed. On the 
12th December the sands and mudflats at the Tees-mouth were covered 
with Golden Plover; the next day they had almost disappeared, only a few 
small flocks remaining. Snipe were fairly plentiful in the water-courses 
and small pools of open water; they were for the most part, however, in 
poor condition. Woodcocks and Short-eared Owls seem to have missed us 
in their migration, probably crossing farther south. An Owl was shot on 
the South Gare Breakwater on August 31st; five more were obtained at 
the same place during November. I shot one on January 14th. About a 
dozen Woodcocks were observed. In a general way both these species visit 
us in considerable numbers during October and November. On the 6th 
February I shot a Great Northern Diver, a second year’s female, near the 
mouth of the River Tees. An old male bird of this species was reported to 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 213 


have been obtained near Redcar in October last, but not having seen the 
example I cannot be certain of the truth of the statement. Amongst other 
birds reported to have been shot, and which I have not mentioned before 
for the same reason, are two Red-throated Divers in summer plumage, 
which I am told were shot off Redcar early in September; also a Manx 
Shearwater on October 12th. Respecting the latter, I am pretty certain 
that several Shearwaters were seen by the fishermen in the offing during 
the summer, but I did not myself see a specimen. As an instance of the 
severity of the winter, I may mention that five Grouse were shot on the 
sand-hills near here. A curious circumstance occurred a few weeks ago. 
The sea rising suddenly during the night surprised a flock of ducks sitting 
on the water near the shore up Coatham sands; a heavy wave falling 
amongst the flock stunned and washed ashore several birds, which were 
found exhausted on the sands. I am informed that about fifteen years ago 
a similar incident happened, but on a much larger scale, about a hundred 
or more ducks being captured. In Mr. Cordeanx’s notes (p. 89), he quotes 
from a correspondent’s letter from the Fifth Buoy-light—at least I presume 
it is so—‘“ A punt-shooter killed at one shot fifty Dunlins, twelve Stints (?),” 
&e. If Mr. Cordeaux will pardon the suggestion, L think the note of inter- 
rogation should come after the word ‘* Dunlins,” the river-shooters geuerally 
giving this name to the Knot, but a “ Stint” is a Stint (Tringa alpina) all 
the year round; thus the punt-shooter’s bag would be ‘‘ fifty Knots, twelve 
Stints,” &c.—J. H. Netson (Coatham, Redcar). 


WILDFowL In THE Poor Drsrricr.—Although I have not been able 
to do much personally in the way of observation this year, the gunners 
have kept me pretty well informed of what has been going on.- A male 
Ferruginous Duck was killed in Wareham Bay, just after Christmas, by 
Charles Orchard, one of our most successful puntsmen. [See p. 182.] It 
was in company with a lot of Redheads cr Pochards, and was brought up to 
me to be identified, but, being from home, I missed the chance. Mr. Hart, 
of Christchurch, who preserved it, informed me that it was in very fine 
plamage. I have not heard of any great rarities being obtained during the 
severe weather of the late winter. There were not so many wildfowl in the 
early part of the season as one would have expected, but after Christmas a 
good many of the ordinary Duck, Widgeon, and Curres were killed, but no 
Geese. In the early part of February a number of Brent or “ Bran” Geese, 
as we call them, came in during the prevalence of a strong east wind. 
They were very tame; I heard of sixty or seventy being shot by three 
gunners in “Son Deeps” at the mouth of the harbour, Mr. Hart has 
sent me a pretty good list of wildfowl which passed through his hands 
during the winter, including Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, 
Ferruginous Duck, Goldeneye, Merganser, Goosander, Hooper and 


214 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Bewick’s Swan, White-fronted, Brent, Bernicle, and Egyptian Geese. 
I have not enquired into the history of the Egyptian species, but no doubt 
it was some escaped bird. Two winters ago we had a pair at Wareham, 
but their wings showed their origin at once. Last winter we had a visit 
from a party of Canada Geese: about twenty in number made their 
appearance on the low land by the river-side, in front of our window at 
Westport. Two of them were speedily shot, and a third fell wounded in a 
field and was secured after an exciting chase. I examined these birds and 
saw nothing in their appearance to show that they had been domesticated, 
but this species of goose is so often kept in a semi-wild state on private 
ponds and lakes that one can tell nothing from that. In the spring and 
early summer there were a nice lot of Curlews and Sheldrakes about the 
different bays and gravelly points with which our large harbour abounds; 
a good many nests, too, were hatched out in due season: the young 
« Burrow Ducks,” as they are called, are, I am sorry to say, often wantonly 
destroyed, but a good number pull through and soon get wild enough to 
take care of themselves; these, curiously enough, leave us in autumn, and 
we see no more of them until the winter arrivals in November. Ring 
Plovers abound on several beaches, especially on the long low point running 
out from the Arne peninsula, yclept “ Patchins,” “nota qu@ sedes,” for 
the waders, from the Dunlin to the Heron. Many a prize has alighted 
there, and five or six Spoonbills were once obtained there at one shot. 
Herons are almost becoming a nuisance from the number that annually 
come forth from the heronry among the fir trees on Arne Hill, the eel- 
pickers holding them in as bad repute almost as Shags, Gulls seem to 
have increased a good deal since the passing of the Act, 2. e. the Herring 
Gull, which has a large breeding station between Old Harry and Swanage. 
In August, when the young brown ones come into the harbour, large 
numbers frequent the muds, especially Bran Bay at the mouth of the 
harbour. Besides these Herring Gulls we see only a few Black-headed ones. 
I have discovered two nesting haunts of this species in Dorsetshire, but 
only a few pairs bred in each, although large numbers frequent the harbour. 
There must be a large gullery somewhere near, if one knew where to 
look for it. Several Peregrines breed in the coast line between Old Harry 
and Lulworth; and the Red-legged Chough, I am happy to say, may still 
be seen in one or two favoured localities. The Green Cormorant, formerly 
quite a rare bird on our cliff, has now several stations on the same wild 
piece of coast line, and seems likely to become as familiar as his larger 
brother the Shag; a curious thing about this bird is, that it hardly ever is 
seen inside the harbour-—it seems to prefer the open sea. I once got one 
inside, and that was at Stoney Island close to the mouth—a young bird 
in the immature plumage. The nature of our coast renders it a capital 
harbour of refuge to the birds; its strong tides, fierce races, and inaccessible 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 215 


frontage render shooting from open boats a difficult matter.—T. M. Pixe 
(Westport, Wareham). [We reserve a note on the Cormorants of the 
Dorsetshire coast.—Eb. ] 


Roostinc Hasirs or THE Sraruinc.—I have been much inte- 
rested in observing the habits of Starlings at one of their favoured 
roosting-places. The spot chosen is a large bed of very thick laurel and 
rhododendron bushes situated upon a hill, and consequently in an exposed 
situation, yet in close proximity to plantations of larch and fir, and I may 
safely say thousands of birds resorted thither for the purpose of roosting, 
and even up to the present date (28th March) their numbers seem little 
decreased, perhaps on account of the cold and changeable weather. Why 
such a site was chosen in preference to similar equally dense shrubberies 
in much more sheltered situations it is somewhat difficult to say, except 
that the favoured spot is more suitable for a “look out,” having command 
of the views for miles around on every hand. During the daytime not a 
starling is to be seen in the neighbourhood, but as soon as evening 
approaches all is life and activity. First a few scattered individuals make 
their appearance, flying about in a leisurely manner high in the air; these 
are soon joined by others, some of the birds arriving by twos or threes, 
others in greater force, and coming from all points of the compass. 
Sometimes a small detached flock, on their first arrival, separates for 
a time from the main body; following the example of their more 
numerous friends, by soaring high in the air; others, again, arrive and 
settle upon some tall tree, as if waiting for absent members of their com- 
_munity; indeed the entire number seem to have but one object in view, 
viz., the collecting of all stragglers. This eventually is accomplished by 
the amalgamation of each separate group into one immense flock, which is 
celebrated with a great amount of twittering, and apparently very joyous 
behaviour on the part of the whole company. ‘They then fly about in a 
rapid manner, the whole flock actuated as it were by one impulse, turning 
and twisting with great regularity and precision, sometimes separating for a 
few moments into two or three portions, only to join again and soar into 
the air, rising sometimes to a great height, and chasing each other in a 
most amusing manner. ‘Thus the whole flock continue their flight, some- 
times describing a circle of considerable dimensions, but always returning 
to the favoured bushes; in fact it is questionable if they ever lose sight of 
them, all the time uttering their peculiar note, something resembling that of 
the Mallard. As the darkness increases they fly more frequently over or 
near the bushes, when suddenly the whole flock drop like stones into the 
midst of them, the sound of the descent amongst the foliage being audible 
at a considerable distance. After some twittering and confusion, during 
which many apparently have to “ fight for a place,” the community settle 


216 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


down to rest. One evening I hid myself near the spot, but the birds 
seemed quite aware of my presence in the neighbourhood, as that evening 
it was a long time before they made up their minds to settle, though they 
eventually did so. Almost every evening the performance I have attempted 
to describe was gone through, but on one occasion I noticed that each 
separate flock as it arrived went direct to the bushes in question, though 
why it was so on this particular occasion I am unable to say, except that 
the majority of the birds arrived later, and consequently had not sufficient 
light for their customary evolutions. Vast numbers of small birds roosted 
in the large thick rhododendron bushes in the vicinity, but in no instance 
did I see them join the starlings, either before or at roosting-time ; in fact 
the behaviour of these smaller birds was different altogether. One or two 
would arrive and settle upon some tall tree—a poplar and a fir tree standing 
near each other, in a very exposed place, were always choseu; there the 
birds would perch in a quiet manner, waiting for their friends and relations, 
and seldom shifting quarters unless disturbed; in fact 1 have walked 
almost to the foot of the trees without their flying off, so listless did they 
seem to sit. As the shades of night closed in, they one by one flew quietly 
down into the bushes at no great distance; and I have been astonished at 
the immense number of birds which sought and found repose in the limit 
of a few hundred square yards.—G. B. Corsrn ( Ringwood, Hants). 


Lirrte Sriny AND OTHER Birps in SHEPPY.—In September last a 
friend shot a Little Stint on the ‘ muds” near Leysdown, in Sheppy. * It 
was not preserved, but I obtained the wings for identification. In examining 
a number of small birds feeding during the frost in a stack-yard I was 
surprised to detect a Tree Sparrow among them. In order that there should 
be no mistake I shot it. J mention the fact as I think it is a rare species 
in Kent. Grey Crows were abundant, as also were Rooks, but I saw no 
signs ofa Black Crow. Wishing to get some of the grey ones, I procured 
a sheep, and, placing it a convenient distance from the sea-wall, soon saw 
them pulling it about. The terror of the Crows when I appeared over the 
wall about twenty-five yards off may be well imagined. I shot a solitary 
Rook also on the sheep, off which it had made a good meal. The Ringed 
Plovers were all gone, but there were a few Gray Plovers on the flats. 
I noticed four species of Gull, viz., the Great Black-backed, Herring, Black- 
headed and Kittiwake. There were vast flocks of Curlews and Redshanks, 
and clouds of Dunlins; these latter looked very pretty when flying in the 
sun. Snipe were often to be met with; I put up a few from the “ saltings,” 
not a common place, I believe, to find them; they prefer running dykes. 
There were both Moorhens and Dabchicks on the island. I came across 
most of our common birds. Larks were in thousands, and I shot one of a 
pale butt colour.—C. Marruew Prior (Bedford). 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. oy 


OccurRENGE oF THE Waxwine at Banrr.—In the middle of 
February—when we had all the appearance here, if we did not feel it, of 
living within Arctic regions—five of these birds alighted on a garden-wall in 
this town close to a friend of mine, who was scraping away the snow to get 
at some “ green-meat ” (chickweed) for a few home-pets he had. They came 
so close, chattering all the while, that my friend could have counted the 
red specks on their wings. As soon as he left the spot they alighted and 
commenced to peck about amongst the disturbed ground. The Waxwing, 
it appears, does not despise insects and worms when its more usual or 
common food is scanty, or not to be had. I remember, during a severe 
winter many years since, dissecting three birds of this species,—killed 
out of a flock which were feeding on a moss from which peat had been 
carted that day,—and finding in their stomachs numerous flies, beetles, and 
a few grubs. The five individuals above alluded to were seen two days 
afterwards in a small plantation near the town, feeding on the fruit of 
the rowan-tree or mountain ash. These berries, though then somewhat 
withered, were, I presume, a little more palatable to their taste than either 
insects or worms. But what will not man or animal eat when on the verge 
of starvation ?—Tuomas Epwarp (Banff). 

[From the severity of the past winter and the advent in various parts 
of the country of a considerable number of Wild Swans and other northern 
wildfowl, we had expected to hear of numerous captures of Waxwings. 
Strange to say, however, very few of these birds seem to have been observed 
this winter, or at least their occurrence, if they did appear, has not been 
reported. In the severe winter of 1866-7 these birds were so plentiful that 
between the 17th November and the 7th January, in Norfolk alone, one 
hundred and forty-four were procured, and this abundance was noticed in 
many other counties. During the winter of 1872-8, although not quite so 
numerous, a good many were procured. That winter, however, was not a 
severe one, and Mr. Stevenson has remarked (Zool. 1873, p. 3559) that 
the appearance of Waxwings on our eastern coasts during the winter 
months “is not due, as a rule, to the severity of the season.” With regard 
to the food cf these birds, Mr. Southwell, of Norwich, on dissecting several 
specimens procured in the winter of 1872-3, found, in the stomachs of all 
but two, the remains of whitethorn haws; the exceptions had been feeding 
apparently on privet-berries, the whole intestinal canal being stained a rich 
purple.—Eb. | 


American Summer Duck (Anas sponsa) IN THE CoUNTY OF 
WatEerForD.—Two males of this handsome species were shot about 
1848 or 1849, in winter, on Camphire Island, in the Blackwater, by 
my cousin, Mr. Christopher Ussher. Young as I then was, I was 
interested in the occurrence at the time, and remember it. Both birds 

QF 


218 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


passed through the hands of Samuel Moss, a birdstuffer at Youghal, to 
whom one of them was given. The other, mounted by Moss, remained in 
a glass case at Camphire for many years, until moths destroyed it. After 
seeing it there, in 1858, I described it in my notes, and on seeing after- 
wards, in 1859, the plate of the Summer Duck in ‘Game Birds and 
Wild Fowl,’ by B. R. Morris, I fully identified it as the species of duck 
then at Camphire. I may remark that I know of no place, either in 
this or the adjoining counties, where foreign ducks are kept in confinement. 
This adds to the many instances in which American birds have occurred in 
Ireland.—Ricuarp J. Ussoer (Cappagh, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford). 

[The claim of this species to be included in our List of British Birds, 
even as a rare and accidental visitant, has not been recognised by 
ornithologists, the reported instances of its occurrence here having been 
generally founded, it is believed, on the recapture of escaped and semi- 
domesticated birds.—Eb. | 


STARLINGS REARING TWO Broops in A Season.—I observe that, in 
‘The Zoologist’ for last month, a correspondent, writing of the Starling, 
remarks en passant that their great increase must be apparent to all, 
“ notwithstanding their rearing but one brood in a year.” Some years ago 
there was a discussion carried on in these and other pages, as to whether or 
not the Starling bred more than once in a season. I do not know the 
conclusion arrived at, but, after reading it, I took the trouble to watch one 
or two nests, and the conclusion I arrived at was that though the generality 
only had one brood, yet in some instances, even when the first brood was 
successfully raised, the cares of a second were entered into. Amongst 
others was a nest built in the roof of a house, which was watched with 
interest by the inhabitants, who saw one batch leave it, and soon after 
found that it was again occupied. Another nest I found contained, at the 
end of May, 1877, young birds just ready to leave ; and it was in the same 
state at the same time the previous year. These flew all well, and about a 
fortnight after 1 found in the same nest three slightly-sat-upon eggs. 
This, I think, shows what I say, but, of course, there is the bare 
possibility that they may not have been the same birds.—R. M. Curisty 
(19, Buckingham Road, Brighton). 

(This confirms the observations of a correspondent of ‘ The Field,’ who, 
by means of a marked Starling, established the fact that this species does, 


at least occasionally, rear two broods in one season. See ‘ Zoologist,’ 1876, 
p- 5164.—Ep.] 


Succsstions on Ee@c-srowine.—I have long practised the following 
method of extracting the contents of eggs partially incubated, and of 
closing up the orifice again with the piece of shell taken from it. I first 
ascertain, as nearly as possible, the size of the embryo by trying the 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 219 


buoyancy of the egg in water, and by viewing the light through it. A 
circle of suitable size is drawn on the egg, and a series of punctures are 
then made with a sharp needle round this circular line, close together, but 
not close enough to break into one another. With the point of a fine 
needle the included disc of shell is then slightly raised all round, and by 
gradually working in the point of the needle the connecting membrane is 
disengaged. The piece is lifted off with the needle carefully (as it is apt 
to crack across), and laid aside. The embryo may now be drawn out, 
head foremost, by a pin with a crooked point, which is inserted under its 
beak. When the shell has been cleansed, drained and dried, a circular 
piece of tissue-paper is cut, a little larger than the orifice, nicked all round 
like the covering of a jam-pot, and wetted on both sides with gum. It is 
then placed on the outer side of the little disc of shell taken from the egg, 
which is restored to its place in the egg-shell with the paper adhering 
to it, and the overlapping edges of the paper are smoothed down over tke 
incision with the gum-brush. The tissue-paper being nearly transparent 
when gummed on both sides shows but little, and the symmetry of the egg 
is unimpaired.—R. J. Ussuer (Cappagh, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford). 


Buvsz Tir NestiIneé In THE Grounp.—That both Cole and Marsh Tits 
very frequently build in holes in the ground must be the experience of 
most field-naturalists, but for the Blue Tit to do so I believe to be of far 
less frequent occurrence, and I therefore mention the fact that last summer 
I found the nest (containing ten eggs) of this bird in a hole about a foot 
deep, half-way down a high bank at the side of the road close here. The 
only other instance that has come under my notice of this species 
building in the ground was recorded by me in ‘The Zoologist’ for 1874, 
p. 4034; and that produced a note from Mr. G. W. P. Moor (Zool. 1874, 
p- 4076) stating that he had found a nest of the Great Tit ina similar 
situation. It would, therefore, appear that all four species occasionally 
select such sites—C. Bygrave WHARTON (Hounsdown, Hants). 


BuLirincw EATING Priver-BerRiEs.—In reply to Mr. Briggs’s query 
(p. 181), I may remark that I have frequently seen the Bullfinch feeding 
on privet-berries. Hither the Bullfinch must be a rare bird or the privet 
a scarce shrub in the West of England, or Mr. Briggs could hardly have 
failed to satisfy himself of the fact. I can confirm Mr. Withering’s state- 
ment as to the partiality of the Bullfinch for these berries; and I know of 
no prettier sight—except, perhaps, a flock of Cedar Birds feeding on the 
berries of the mountain ash —than a small flock, or family party, when so 
engaged. Formerly it was a common—not to say numerous—species in the 
Undercliff, resorting to the gardens and plantations, of which it was the 
chief ornament. Several other birds feed on privet-berries, as the Blackcap 
does on elder-berries —Henry Haprierp (Ventnor, Isle of Wight). 


220 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


BULLFINCHES EATING PRrivetT-BERRIES.— Your correspondent, Mr. 
Briggs, wishes to know if any ove has seen the Bullfinch feeding upon 
privet-berries. I beg to say that I have repeatedly seen them doing s0, 
both in this neighbourhood and elsewhere.—F’. Bonn (Staines). 


MERLIN AND OTHER Birps tn Mripioratan.—On the 24th December 
last, whilst watching for Wood Pigeons, I shot a hawk which proved to be 
a hen Merlin. This bird is very rare in Midlothian. About the same time 
two Kingfishers were shot by some miners on Brimstone Burn. In the 
same montha friend of mine in Eastlothian, whilst walking through a field 
deep with snow, picked up a Snow Bunting, which was unable to fly; 
he carried it home alive, and it is now doing well in a cage with other birds. 
—Joun M. Smita (11, Wemys’ Place, Edinburgh). 

Montacu’s HarRIER NESTING IN YorKsHIRE. — Mr. Dalton, of 
Bingley, has shown me a pair of Montagu’s Harriers and young, which 
were taken from a nest built on Burden Moor, in Upper Wharfedale. 
Although it is now some time since this nest was taken (I think in 1860), 
the fact seems worth recording, as Iam not aware of another instance of 
its breeding in this Riding, although several individuals have been met 
with here at different times.—E. P. P. Burrerrrip (Wilsden). 

WaiteE-TAILED Eacte tn tHe Lewrs.—On February 22nd I purchased 
in the flesh an adult female specimen of this bird, which was procured near 
Stornoway, Lewes. The weight was sixteen pounds and a half; extent of 
wings, eight feet five inches; the tail white, except a few of the outside 
feathers, which are slightly marked with brown.—R. W. Cuasr (Birchfield, 
near Birmingham). 

Scorer on THE THAmMES.—On March 22nd, I received for preservation 
an adult male Scoter (Oidemia nigra), killed at Clewer Point, near here. 
I have always supposed the Scoter to be a salt-water species, and think the 
fact of its occurring so far inland is rather curious —Epwarp Curtis 
(45, Thames Street, Windsor). . 


GoosaNDER IN Yor«sH1RE.—A pair of Goosanders were shot in 
Upper Wharfedale during the sharp weather in the early part of March. 
This is a somewhat rare species, only making its appearance in these 
valleys in exceptionally severe winters.—K. P, P. Burrerrretp (Wilsden). 


OccuRRENcE OF THE DrAL-FisH oN THE BANnFFSHIRE CoAst.— 
A specimen of the Vaagmiir, or Deal-fish (Tvachypterus arcticus), a fish 
little known and seldom seen on our coasts, was found during the first week 
of April, at a place called Buckie, a fishing village about twenty miles west 
from the town of Banff. It is said to have been taken in a land-locked 
creek, or narrow inlet amongst the rocks. It was quite unknown to the 
fishermen and other inhabitauts of the place. Having heard before I saw 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 221 


it that it had been secured alive, I was in great hopes of being able to draw 
up something like a satisfactory description; judge my disappointment 
and mortification, I will not say anger, when the fish reached me, to find 
that it was so horribly mutilated by being hacked and stabbed with knives 
to deprive it of life, that it utterly baffled all powers of description, save the 
few meagre words which follow. Had it been the veritable sea-serpent 
come to swallow them all up, it could not have been more badly treated. 
When whole its length had been nearly four feet, breadth at centre eight 
inches, greatest thickness about an inch and a quarter, the rest of the body 
being much thinner. The dorsal fin extends the whole length, and where 
uninjured is over four inches in height; the pectorals and caudal are 
wanting. [This is at variance with the description given by Couch, vol. ii., 
p. 248.—Ep.] The head is large, but, like the body, much compressed. 
There are very sharp teeth in both jaws. The colour of the body and head 
is of a bright and delicate silvery hue. This colouring-matter seems to 
have but the very slightest possible hold of the skin, for it comes off with 
the slightest touch, giving the finger as silvery a look as the fish. This is, 
I think, rather a peculiar fact, and one which I do not think I ever observed 
in any other species. The dorsal seems to have been of a bright red or 
pinkish colour, having in many places that tinge still. The lateral line, 
which is almost straight, is armed throughout its whole length with 
numerous sharp-pointed spines. The keel of the belly, too, is beset along 
its length, and on both sides, with small warty-like protuberances. If I 
might be allowed to express an opinion, from the remains I would say that 
it had certainly been a most beautiful specimen in the truest sense of the 
term. Its bright silvery lustre I must say, even in death, was most resplen- 
dent, glossy, and almost dazzling. What must be the appearance and 
reflection of these gems of the ocean when undulating through their watery 
way! Would it not be a sight worth seeing ?—Taomas Epwarp (Banff). 

[* Vaagmar,” it appears, is the Icelandic name for this fish, whose home 
is in the icy portion of the northern ocean. Few instances of its occurrence 
on our coasts have been recorded; the last we remember to have heard of 
was one which was washed ashore at Thurso in July, 1877.—Eb.] 


Boar-FIsH ON THE DorseTsHIRE Coast.—A number of Boar-fish 
(Capros aper) were washed ashore on the sand-banks at Poole during the 
night of the 80th March; and as this fish is considered to be rather rare 
in British waters, the occurrence is worth noticing, As some of those 
captured were found to contain spawn, it is possible that they came to 
deposit their spawn on our warm sandy shore, and were washed ashore 
and stranded by the heavy sea which at that time prevailed in our bay ; 
but this is only conjecture. They live, I have little doubt, amongst the 
rocks, and so are seldom caught in the trawl net. They are lovely little 
fish, measuring from five to six inches in length; their colour is pink 


222 THE ZOOLOGIS'r. 


on the back and sides, gradually shaded off to a pearly white on the under 
parts. They are covered with minute but brilliantly sparkling pearl-like 
scales. I have tried to preserve two of them by covering them with 
glycerine, but their beauty is fast disappearing. I have had some cooked 
like soles, and find them delicious ; the flesh is of a creamy whiteness and 
of a delicate flavour, so delicate that butter or any sauce would spoil them. 
—W. Penney (Poole, Dorset). 

[This fish obtains its name from the shape of its snout, which is turned 
up, and capable of being considerably protruded. Couch, who gives a good 
description and figure of it in his ‘ Fishes of the British Islands’ (vol. ii., 
p. 142), says, “It is not easy to imagine a more skilfully-constructed 
contrivance than this of the Boar-fish’s mouth for sudden motion in the 
capture of the very small but nimble creatures on which it feeds.” —Ev.] 


“Tue Fentanp’—Isicii. Our reviewer suggested (supra, pp. 71, 72) 
that, by this somewhat uncommon word, the Monk of Ely meant “salmon.” 
That such is the case is the more likely since we have found that 
Ranulphus Higden, who died about 1360, when writing (‘ Polychronicon,’ 
Rolls Ed. ii., pp. 12, 13) of the wealth of this country in fresh-water fish, 
says, “Isicio potissime abundat et anguilla”; a passage which was Englished 
by John of Trevisa, between 1357 and 1387, “ Ther is grete plente of small 
fische, of samon, and of elys.” It is true that an unknown writer of the 
fifteenth century (MS. Harl. 2261) translates the passage, “‘ habundante in 
waters fulle of fische, specially of pyke and ele”; but John of Trevisa must 
be held a better interpreter of his contemporary than his successor of a 
hundred years later, who merely adopts the subsequently prevalent view 
that isicius and esoa were cognate words. It must be remarked, however, 
that our reviewer's supposition that isicit in the ‘ Liber Eliensis’ was a 
corruption of leawas, or some such word, is not hereby strengthened.— Ep. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Soctery or Lonpon. 

April 3, 1879.—Witi1am CarrutTuers, Esq., F.R.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

Mr. Ferdinand Coles (Stoke Newington), Mr. W. A. Forbes (West 
Wickham, Kent), and Dr. N. S. Whitney (Westminster), were elected 
Fellows of the Society. 

Three botanical communications were read and discussed :—* Myrrh- 
bearing Plants,” by Dr. H. Trimen; “Account of a Peat Flood in the 
Falklands,” by Mr. A. Bailey (communicated by W. T. Thiselton Dyer); 
and “ Notes on Moquilea,” by Mr. John Miers.—J. Murie. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 223 


ZooLoGicaAL Society oF Lonpon. 


April 1, 1879.—Professor W. H. Fuowrr, LL.D., F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to 
the Society’s Menagerie during the month of March, and called special 
attention to a young male of the Mule Deer of North America (Cariacus 
macrotis), presented by Dr. J. D. Caton, of Ottawa, Illinois, U.S.A.; and to 
a male Sumatran Rhinoceros, acquired by purchase, being the first example 
of this sex of the Sumatran Rhinoceros that the Society had yet acquired. 

An extract was read from a letter addressed to the Secretary by 
Mr. Carl Bock, respecting the habits of the Mountain Antelope of Sumatra 
(Capricornis sumatrensis), of which he had obtained a living specimen, 
destined for the Society’s collection. 

Mr. J. W. Clark exhibited and made remarks on a drawing of a Dolphin, 
belonging to the genus Lagenarhynchus, which had lately been taken off 
Ramsgate. 

Prof. Flower exhibited a coloured drawing of a young female of the 
common Dolphin, Delphinus delphis, lately taken off the coast of Cornwall, 
and made some observations on the published figures and geographical 
distribution of the species. 

The Birds’ eggs collected during the ‘ Challenger’ Expedition were 
exhibited. The series was stated to contain about 250 eggs, belonging to 
fifty different species. Amongst these were eggs of the Sheath-bill, Chionis 
minor, from Kerguelen, and of the Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans, 
from Marion Island. 

Prof. Mivart exhibited a figure of, and made remarks upon, a Kestrel 
with abnormal feet, in the collection of the Marquis de Wavrin, at Brussels. 

Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe read an account of the collection of birds made 
by Mr. F. W. Burbidge in the Sooloo Islands. A new Jungle-fowl was 
described as Gallus stramineicollis, and a new Parrot as Tanygnathus 
Burbidgii. A second communication from Mr. Bowdler Sharpe consisted 
of a list of the birds of the Labuan Island and its dependencies, founded 
principally on the collections formed during the last four years by Governor 
Ussher and Mr. W. H. Treacher, but including also descriptions of a large 
number of eggs carefully collected by Mr. Hugh Low. One new species, 
Cypselus Lowi, was described. 

A communication was read from Mr. R. Collett, containing the descrip- 
tion of a new fish of the genus Lycodes, from the Pacific, which he proposed 
to call Lycodes pacificus. 

A communication was read from Prof. Garrod, containing an account of 
the variations in the trachea and tracheal muscles in the different forms 
of gallinaceous birds.—P. L. Scuarur, Secretary. 


224 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 


Notes by a Naturalist on the ‘Challenger’; being an Account of 
various Observations made during the Voyage of H.M.S. 
‘Challenger’ round the World in the years 1872—1876. By 
H. N. Moseney, M.A., F.R.S.  8vo, pp. 606. London: 
Macmillan & Co. 1879. 


In one respect it is a pity that the publication of this 
volume has been so long delayed; for those who were once curious 
to learn the results of this ‘“‘ Voyage” have, by this time, had so 
many books and articles on the subject laid before them that 
their curiosity may now be deemed to be well nigh satisfied. In 
1876, following the ‘ Reports’ of Capts. Sir G. Nares and F. T. 
Thomson, we had Lord George Campbell's ‘ Log-Letters from 
the Challenger,’ and in the same year Mr. Spry’s ‘Cruise of 
H.M.S. Challenger. In 1877 appeared Sir Wyville ‘Thomson's 
‘Voyage,’ in two volumes, and in 1878 Dr. Wild’s book ‘At 
Anchor ;’ while at least seventy or eighty papers on various 
points of interest in connection with the geology, meteorology, 
zoology, and botany of the voyage have been printed in the 
‘Transactions’ and ‘Proceedings’ of the Royal, Linnean, 
Zoological, and other Societies, and in the pages of various 
scientific journals. 

Mr. Moseley comes thus a little late into the field. Why 
nearly every member of the expedition should publish his 
individual experience and researches separately, instead of com- 
bining to produce one exhaustive and well-illustrated work, we 
cannot understand. A good opportunity, it seems to us, has been 
lost of making a valuable addition to that series of scientific 
voyages already published which has made famous the names of 
the ‘ Beagle,’ the ‘ Herald,’ and the ‘Erebus and Terror.’ As it 
is, readers have now to choose between a multiplicity of volumes 
in which, notwithstanding a difference of plan and style, there is, 
of necessity a good deal of sameness and repetition. 

Without drawing invidious comparisons, we venture to express 
thé opinion that Mr. Moseley’s work will commend itself, more 
than any of the others we have named, to the readers of this 
journal, And this for two reasons. It is written by a professed 
naturalist, and it is not confined to any special branch of the 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 225 


subject, but deals generally with the zoology and botany of the 
voyage, the formation of icebergs, the denudation of exposed 
ranges, the manners and customs of the various races met with, 
their weapons, mode of warfare, and so forth. In several respects 
it reminds us of Mr. Darwin’s ‘ Naturalist’s Voyage round the 
World,’ which Mr. Moseley, very commendably, seems to have 
taken as his model of what such a journal should be. Leaving 
the details of the dredgings and deep-sea soundings, which formed 
the chief object of the undertaking, to be dealt with by specialists 
in this kind of work, Mr. Moseley records the chief incidents of 
the voyage, and his impressions of the places visited, while he 
intersperses these with numerous valuable observations on various 
subjects of Natural History. Among these scientific notes marine 
objects naturally receive a considerable share of attention; but 
the author’s remarks appertain, in a greater degree, to the pro- 
ductions of the earth, and as the vessel, in the course of the three 
years and a half which the voyage occupied, touched at a great 
many out-of-the-way places, Mr. Moseley has been enabled to 
make many valuable additions to our knowledge of the natural 
history of the globe. 

Upon the nesting habits of the various sea-birds which occur 
in such numbers on the almost inaccessible rocky islands scattered 
over both oceans, Mr. Moseley gives some curious information. 
His account of the different species of Penguins met with, notably 
the King Penguin (Aptenodytes longirostris) on Marion Island 
(pp. 176-—179) is especially interesting. On this island was seen 
a flock of about thirty Sheathbills (Chionis minor). On one other 
occasion only did Mr. Moseley observe this bird congregating in 
numbers; but that they should thus assemble in flocks when not 
breeding is what might be expected from their affinity to the 
Plovers and Oystercatchers. The appearance of the Great Alba- 
trosses on Marion Island while sitting on their nests on the 
ground must be very remarkable. From the woodcut on p. 172 
they give one the idea, at a little distance, of a number of sheep 
scattered over a hill-side. 

A curious fact was noted on Inaccessible Island, one of the 
Tristan da Cunha group, which shows how the habits of animals 
become modified, and even completely altered, by force of circum- 
stances. The pigs on this island, although feeding on the roots 
of the tussock and wild celery, live mainly on birds and their 

24 


226 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


eggs, and have nearly exterminated a colony of Penguins on the 
south side of the island, the few birds that remain “ having learnt 
to build in holes under stones, where the pigs cannot reach 
them.” This is curious enough, although not an isolated case. 
The Didunculus, or Little Dodo, of Samoa, was originally a 
ground-nesting species, but to escape its enemies, chiefly domes- 
ticated animals introduced by Europeans, it has learnt to build 
in trees, and so for a time at least has escaped extinction. 

It seems remarkable that there should be only one species of 
Penguin, Hudyptes saltator, at the Tristan da Cunha group, 
since in most localities where these birds are found several species 
occur. One would have expected to find some representative of 
the genus Spheniscus there, since one species, S. magellanicus, 
occurs at the Falkland Islands and Fuegia, and another, 
S. demersus, at the Cape of Good Hope, intermediate between 
which two points lies Tristan da Cunha. The connection between 
these two widely separated Sphenisci is wanting. Mr. Moseley 
suggests ‘‘it perhaps once existed at Tristan, and has perished.” 

The Teal of Kerguelen’s Land is peculiar to that island 
and to the Crozets. Mr. Sharpe not long since described it as 
Querquedula Eatoni. It is somewhat larger than our common 
Teal, of a brown colour, with a metallic-blue streak and some 
little white on the wing. It is extremely abundant about Ker- 
guelen’s Land near the coast. Mr. Moseley killed twenty-seven 
in one day, and similar bags were frequent. Four or five guns 
used to bring back usually over a hundred birds. ‘These Teal 
feed mainly on the fruit of the Kerguelen cabbage, and are 
extremely good eating. Until they have been shot at repeatedly 
they are very tame, and require to be almost kicked up to afford 
a shot. At one valley, near Three Island Harbour in Royal 
Sound, which had probably not been visited by man for thirty or 
forty years, a flock of these Teal rose about a hundred and fifty 
yards from the author, and, instead of going further away, flew 
towards him, and, alighting on the ground within forty yards of 
where he stood, commenced running still nearer to him, impelled 
apparently by curiosity. Of course many of them paid the usual 
penalty, for, as Mr. Moseley says, “only those who have been 
long at sea know what an intense craving for fresh meat is 
developed by a constant diet of preserved and salt food.” 

At p. 154, Mr. Moseley describes an Otter of which we do not 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 227 


remember to have previously seen any account, although it is 
mentioned by name in some lists of Cape animals. Prof. Parker 
says nothing about it in his recently published account of the 
‘Carnivora’ in the second volume of ‘ Cassell’s Natural History.’ 
It is thus referred to by Mr. Moseley :— 


“ Amongst the animals which live on the Cape Peninsula, the Clawless 
Otter, Lutra inunguis, is worthy of mention. It is a very large Otter, 
twice or three times as large when full-grown as the European one. It 
lives about the salt marshes and Jakes, and is tolerably common ; it hunts 
like the South American Marine Otter, in companies, but only of three or 
four. It has no claws on the fore-feet, having lost them by natural 
selection in some way or other, and on the hinder feet the claws are 
wanting on the outer toes, and only rudiments of them remain on the 
middle ones. ‘There are, however, pits marking the places where the claws 
used to exist. The webbing between the toes is also in this Otter rudi- 
mentary; the beast, altogether, is very heavily built, with the head very broad 
and powerful. It appears to be an Otter bent on returning to land habits.” 


Notwithstanding the investigations of previous naturalists 
there, the Cape seems to have proved rather a rich field for 
research to Mr. Moseley, and to have furnished him with some 
valuable material for “Notes.” He was fortunate in finding 
portions of two skulls of Mesoplodon Layardi, a rare ziphioid 
whale which is occasionally procured at the Cape, and which, 
strange to say, seems never to be met with or killed at sea, but 
has only been procured by its running ashore. 

The ziphioids, it may be observed, are a group of the toothed 
whales, and allied to the Sperm Whale. They have the bones of 
the face and upper jaw drawn out and compressed into a long beak- 
like snout, which is composed of solid bone, hard and compact 
like ivory. The upper jaw is devoid of teeth, ‘‘ having lost them,” 
says Mr. Moseley, “‘in the process of evolution,” and the lower 
jaw, which is lengthened and pointed to correspond with the 
upper, retains but a single pair of teeth. 

In the species in question, Mesoplodon Layardi, these two 
teeth in the adult animal become lengthened by continuous 
growth of the fangs into long curved tusks. These arch over the 
upper jaw, or beak, and, crossing one another above it at their 
‘tips, form a ring round it and lock the lower jaw, so that the 
animal can only open its mouth for a very small distance indeed. 
The tusks are seen always to be worn away in front by the 


228 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


grating of the confined upper jaw against them. How the animal 
manages to feed itself, under these conditions, is a mystery. 
Prof. Owen, describing the first specimen which was procured of 
this whale, considered that the tusks had acquired an abnormal 
direction and state of growth in that particular specimen, and 
Prof. Flower, although aware of a second specimen, felt doubtful 
whether such.a remarkable condition could be considered normal. 
Now that more specimens have been procured, however, there 
seems no longer any reason for doubt on the subject. 

It was at the Cape of Good Hope, also, that Mr. Moseley was 
enabled to collect, examine, and dissect specimens of Peripatus 
capensis, a very curious creature, believed to be a nearly related 
representative of the ancestor of all air-breathing Arthropoda— 
a. e., of all insects, spiders, and Myriapods. 

“Tt has the appearance of a black caterpillar, the largest specimens 
being more than three inches in length, but the majority smaller. <A pair 
of simple horn-like antenne project from the head, which is provided with 
a single pair of small simple eyes. Beneath the head is the mouth 
provided with tumid lips, and within with a double pair of horny jaws. 
The animal has seventeen pairs of short conical feet, provided each with a 
pair of hooked claws. The skin is soft and flexible, and not provided with 
any chitinous rings. The animal breathes air by means of tracheal tubes, 
like those of insects. These, instead of opening to the exterior by a small 
number of apertures (stigmata) arranged at the sides of the body in a regular 
manner as in all other animals provided with trachee, are much less highly 
specialised. The openings of the short trachee are scattered irregularly 
over the whole surface of the animal’s skin. It appears probable that we 
have existing in Peripatus almost the earliest stage in the evolution of 
trachee, and that these air-tubes were developed in the first tracheate 
animal out of skin-glands scattered all over the body. In higher tracheate 
animals the tracheal openings. have become restricted to certain definite 
positions by the action of natural selection. The sexes are distinct in 
Peripatus. 'The males are much smaller and fewer in numbers than the 
females: the females are viviparous, and the process of development of the 
young shows that the horny jaws of the animal are the slightly modified 
claws of a pair of limbs turned inward over the mouth as development 
proceeds ; in fact, ‘ foot-jaws,’ as in other Arthropods.” 


Before Mr. Moseley studied Peripatus at the Cape, nothing 
wes known of its mode of development, nor of the fact that it 
breathed air by means of trachee. It was generally placed with 
the Annelids, though its alliance with the Myriapods had been 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 229 


suspected by Quatrefages. That it is a very ancient form is 
proved by its wide and very peculiar distribution. Species of the 
genus occur at the Cape of Good Hope, in Australia, in New 
Zealand, in Chili, in the Isthmus of Panama and its neighbour- 
hood, and in the West Indies. If its horny jaws were only larger, 
Mr. Moseley thinks, they would no doubt be found fossil in strata 
as old as the Old Red Sandstone at least. He makes the 
following observations on its structure and habits :— 


“ The animal is provided with large glands, which secrete a clear viscid 
fluid, which it has the power of ejecting from two papille, placed one on 
either side of the mouth. When the animal is touched or irritated it 
discharges this fluid, with great force and rapidity, in fine thread-like jets. 
These jets form a sort of net-work in front of the animal, which looks like 
a spider’s web with dew upon it, and appears as if by magic, so instan- 
taneously is it emitted. The viscid substance, which is not irritant when 
placed on the tongue, is excessively tenacious, like bird-lime, and when 
I put some on a slip of glass, some flies approaching it were at once caught 
and held fast. It appears from the observations of Captain Hutton on the 
New Zealand species, that the jet of slime is used by the animal not only as 
a means of offence, but to catch insects on which the animal feeds. I found 
only vegetable matter in the stomachs of the Cape species, and concluded 
that the animals were vegetable feeders. The animals live, at the Cape, in 
or under dead wood, and I found nearly all my specimens at Wynberg, 
in Mr. Maynard’s garden, in decayed fallen willow logs, which were in the 
condition of touchwood. I tore the logs to pieces, and found the animals 
curled up inside. ‘lhe animals are very local, and not by any means 
abundant, so that an offer of half-a-crown for a specimen to boys did not 
produce a single example. My colleague, the late Von Willemoes Suhm, 
and I, both searched hard for Peripatus. He was unsuccessful; but I was 
lucky enough to find a fine specimen first under an old cart-wheel at 
Wynberg. Immediately that I opened this one I saw its trachee and the 
fully-formed young within it. Had my colleague lighted on the specimen 
he would no doubt have made the discovery instead. Peripatus capensis is 
nocturnal in its habits. Its gait is exactly like that ofa caterpillar, the 
feet moving in pairs, and the body being entirely supported upon them. 
The animals can move with considerable rapidity. They have a remarkable 
power of extension of the body, and when walking stretch to nearly twice 
the length they have when at rest.” 


We have been tempted to quote these remarks at length, on 
account of their originality, and because they furnish a good 
illustration of the author’s style, and his careful mode of 


230 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


registering the observations made by him. From beginning to 
end his narrative is full of interest for naturalists, no matter 
what their specialité may be, and his concluding chapter, which is 
devoted to a review of the phenomena of animal and vegetable 
life, at the surface of the ocean and the deep sea, as revealed by 
the investigations of the scientific staff of the ‘ Challenger,’ may 
be regarded as furnishing an excellent summary of the present 
state of our knowledge of pelagic and abyssal animals. 

On the whole, we regard Mr. Moseley’s book as one of the 
most important contributions to general and scientific literature 
which has appeared for some time. 


Our Woodland Trees. By Francis Grorce Hearn, Author of 
‘The Fern World, &c. 8vo, pp. 542. With numerous 
wood engravings and eight coloured plates of leaves. 
London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. 


As the author of a book on ferns Mr. Heath’s name must be 
familiar to many. Mr. Heath does not profess to be a scientific 
botanist, but he has a keen appreciation of the charms of English 
woodland scenery, and appears to be never so happy as when 
wandering through some forest glade, admiring the endless 
variations which present themselves to the eye in form and 
colour, light and shade, or collecting the leaves of the forest-trees 
to examine their beauty and variety of outline, and their wonderful 
venation. In thus following his natural taste, it is not surprising 
that he should have spent much of his time in the New Forest, 
than which few spots in England are more attractive to lovers of 
nature, or illustrate more effectively the beauties of woodland 
scenery. But until we come to Part IV. of his work, entitled 
* British Woodland Trees,” it cannot be said that Mr. Heath has 
trodden much new ground. Indeed, with such books on our shelves 
as Evelyn’s ‘Sylva,’ Gilpin’s ‘ Forest Scenery,’ Selby’s ‘ Forest 
Trees,’ Wise’s ‘History of the New Forest,’ and some others 
of less merit, we could almost have dispensed with the first half 
of the present volume, the greater portion of which is occupied 
with an account of the author’s rambles in and around the New 
Forest. Although written with a certain amount of artistic 
feeling, the outcome of an enthusiastic admiration of the beautiful 
in nature, we miss the philosophy of Evelyn and Gilpin, the 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 231 


scientific precision of Selby, and the topographical and historical 
lore of Wise, which lend so much charm to the works of these 
writers. 

Lest, however, we may be thought to do an injustice to 
Mr. Heath’s descriptive powers, we will select an extract which 
will not only afford a good illustration of the author’s style, but 
will furnish the reader with the route of one of the most beautiful 
rides or walks to be found within easy reach of the metropolis :— 


“The ‘green ride’ commences at the southern end of Epping Forest, 
and proceeds, in a direction which may be generally described as northerly, 
to the northern end, within the parish of Epping, winding and turning, 
during its course, in an easterly and a westerly direction. An opening 
to it is provided at Forest Gate, by an avenue of chestnuts. Thence it 
proceeds, taking a westerly course, over the level expanse of Wanstead 
Flats—covered with grass and heather, brake and stunted shrubs—and 
continues into the beautiful lime-tree avenues of Bushwood, having on each 
side, away to the right and to the left, forest glades of oak and beech, birch 
and poplar, over the green turf being scattered clumps of hawthorn and 
blackberry, with shrubs of holly and hornbeam. ‘Taking, within the lime- 
tree avenues, a turn to the left, the ride makes a dip into the forest, 
passing between two beautiful chestnuts,—trees with enormous limbs 
rising from noble trunks, and having on each side, as it enters, forest- 
hollows, with water fringed by blackberry and clustering brake, and 
margined by oak and poplar, with their trembling leaves glinting in the 
sunlight. Beyond the wood, where the railway has cut the forest, the 
ride crosses the railway-bridge, and, in a northerly direction, plunges again 
into woodland, across turf, through scattered oak and birch, and by forest 
pools. Thence, on through the long expanse of Gilbert’s Glade, margined 
by oak and hornbeam, beech aud birch, with underwood of forest growth. 
On still through the Manor of Higham Hills, across an undulating ‘ drift’ 
where oak, elm, and beech contrast their varying foliage, passing by the 
west of Sale Wood, and across the road from Woodford to Chingford Hatch 
into the ‘Lops,’ a sparsely wood-covered piece of forest, with oak and 
beech and scattered holly. 

“The ride, running northerly, now leads through the undulating surface 
of Chingford drift, with its fine trees, and passes by the level margin of 
the Ching—the brook which gave its name to Chingford—continuing on 
by the large reed pond, under the wide-extending arms of goodly oaks, 
and through forest glades; rising, as it proceeds, until Elizabeth’s Lodge 
is reached, on the summit of an upland, from which a beautiful woodland 
view is obtained. Leaving Elizabeth’s Lodge, the ride leads across a tract 
of open forest, to the east of the Great Hawk Wood. Thence on, along 


232 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


an irregular and tortuous course, through undulating forest to Fairmead 
Bottom, and away beyond, first to the north and then to the east, through 
woodland covered by stunted forms of oak, hornbeam, and beech, until the 
eastern limits of Little and of Great Monkwood are reached—woodlands of 
rare beauty, with goodly forms of oak and birch, and thickly spreading 
underwood. And now the ride continues its course along the remainder 
of the forest glades of Loughton, the home of the Epping deer, where oak 
and holly, hornbeam, beech, and birch, picturesque but stunted, form the 
prevailing woods. 

“ Circuitously now the ride leads on by the upland sides in the woods 
of Loughton and Theydon Bois, turning first easterly, then northerly, then 
westerly, and approaching the road to Epping, runs near it by woods of oak 
and beech, wild apple, birch, and holly. On by Ambresbury Banks, the 
site of the camp of the warrior Queen of ancient Britain; through Epping 
town; and on to the Lower or Great Epping Forest, round which it sweeps 
with a bold curve, ending at Thornwood Common, a course of nearly fourteen 
miles, including many a scene of sylvan beauty.” 


But the most attractive feature of Mr. Heath’s book is his 
treatment of the distinguishing characteristics of trees. Avoiding 
strictly scientific descriptions, he points out clearly and simply 
the peculiarities of each species, and illustrates his remarks on 
the form and venation of the leaves with accurately drawn figures. 
There are eight coloured plates of the leaves of sixty so-called 
‘forest trees,’ several of which, however, can only be so styled 
by a courtesy akin to poetic license. ‘These plates are carefully 
copied from photographs which reduced the specimens to half their 
natural size, and appealing as they do directly to the eye, furnish 
the reader with the readiest means of identifying the species of 
any tree with the name of which he may be previously un- 
acquainted. ‘The idea is a good one, and we wonder that it has not 
before been adopted. We do not doubt that these illustrations, 
viewed in connection with the author’s remarks on the growth, 
structure, development and uses of trees, will do more to instruct 
the public than many a more pretentious work on the subject. 
The book will teach people how to use their eyes, and will enable 
many to derive a pleasure and a profit from their country walks, 
which, for want of method in their observations, they have hitherto 
been unable to realize. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Mot. 111.] JUNE, 1879. 


ANIMAL LIFE AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY. 


By tae Eptror. 


“We have the Exhibition to examine.” 
Much Ado About Nothing, iv. 2. 


A cRITIcIsM upon animal-life as depicted in any collection 
of paintings, to be of value, we opine, should be penned 
either by an art-critic who is also a naturalist, or (as these 
qualifications are rarely combined) “in consultation,” as the 
lawyers have it, by a representative of each of these two 
different professions. Certain it is that some of the best artists 
of the day, who from their profession may be supposed to be 
perfectly familiar with the principles of their art, are unable, 
from their want of acquaintance with Zoology, to criticise 
pictures of animal-life from any view of the subject but their 
own. Equally true is it that a naturalist, however observant he 
may be in his own particular sphere, must in a great measure 
fail if he attempt to descant upon an art with the principles of 
which he is more or less ignorant. The writer, finding himself 
in the latter category, experiences considerable diffidence in 
undertaking, single-handed, a critique on animals as depicted 
at the present time on the walls of the Royal Academy. It is 
to be understood that he makes no pretension to be considered 
an art-critic, and the remarks which follow are to be regarded as 
an expression of opinion by one who views pictures of the class 


under consideration solely with the eyes of a naturalist. 
2H 


234 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


The configuration and relations of natural objects may be 
indicated by their circumscribing lines, or by the incidence and 
distribution of their lights and shadows; or, again, the artist 
may work upon a system which attends not to their configuration, 
but to the distribution, qualities and relations of colours upon 
their surface—the system of colour, as it is called. 

Of these three systems, probably, a naturalist, pur et simple, 
is hardly competent to criticise any but the first. His eye, 
accurately trained by the constant observation of natural objects, 
is able to detect a faulty outline or the indication of a position or 
movement which is incompatible either with structure or habit. 
In such cases he can give reasons for his adverse criticism. 
With regard to “light and shade” he is more diffident. He may 
discover a want of reality in the effect produced, but may be 
unable to say why he considers it unreal. Still less is he able to 
criticise the method of ‘‘colour.” His only standard really is 
Nature, and in proportion as a picture is natural its value in his 
eyes is enhanced. Judged by this standard it sometimes happens 
that a picture which more or less fulfils the requirements of art, 
fails to commend itself in consequence of some inaccuracy of 
detail which has escaped the artist’s attention. ‘Thus, where 
“breakers” are depicted upon a smooth sandy shore, without 
any opposing bank or rock whereon the waves may break ; where 
spring flowers bloom in an autumn landscape; where sheep in 
harvest time are yet unshorn; where birds in snow are still 
in summer plumage, and so forth; such infidelity to Nature 
causes one to overlook almost entirely any redeeming merits 
which the picture may possess. 

We have not unfrequently been surprised at the errors which 
are perpetrated, even by Royal Academicians, in depicting 
some incident of sport or natural history with which the artist 
apparently is not personally familiar. Thus, we remember to 
have seen a picture of hawking by a Royal Academician, in 
which the falconer is depicted as carrying his hawk upon the 
wrong hand, and without either hood or jesses. Only a week or 
two since we saw a charming etching on vellum by a modern 
French artist, in which a faleoner was represented as in the 
act of taking away a Hare from four Kestrels! In the eyes of 
a naturalist, and in the eyes of a falconer, the artist could 
scarcely have committed a greater blunder! 


ANIMAL-LIFE AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY. 235 


“When Mr. Hook, R.A., not so very long ago, with that 
wonderful power which he possesses of depicting coast scenery, 
took us to the very verge of a precipitous sea-cliff to witness the 
feat of a daring boy robbing a gull’s nest in which four eggs were 
seen to be lying, he unfortunately selected for his ‘‘ parent bird” 
flying to attack the boy a species of gull which happens never 
to breed in sea-cliffs at all, but makes its nest inland upon the 
ground. Such errors as these, in the eyes of a naturalist, sadly 
depreciate the value of a work otherwise so attractive. 

Again, how often do we see an illustration of the fact that 
some of the best landscape painters are but indifferent pourtrayers 
of animals. A stubble-field in autumn, or a lonely moorside, may 
be charmingly rendered, so far as the landscape is concerned, but 
when for effect the artist attempts to introduce a little life, by 
depicting, say, a flock of Rooks on the one, or a pair of Peewits 
on the other, the result is rarely successful, the birds being 
generally so badly drawn as to make it difficult to divine for what 
species they can be intended. ‘The reason of this shortecoming— 
that is to say, in the case of birds—seems to be that few artists 
appear to have studied attentively the anatomy of a bird’s wing 
and the arrangement of the feathers which clothe it. Nor do 
they seem to have noticed how very different is the shape of the 
wing in species which belong to different genera. We are aware 
that Sir Joshua Reynolds, in one of his discourses, has said ‘‘ Do 
not study Nature too closely ;” but there is a wide difference 
between studying closely and not studying at all, and in animal 
painting, at least, the success of a picture must almost of necessity 
depend upon the accuracy of its outlines. If these are faulty, 
the most careful attention to light and shade, or to colour, will 
hardly compensate. 

But to come to the present Exhibition. Compared with 
former years, there seem to be few animal pictures of real merit, 
if we except the works of Messrs. Ansdell, Cooper, and Davis, 
who are generally well represented. Of these we may speak in 
their turn. Mr. Ansdell, among several cattle-pictures, sends 
only one sporting subject this year (634), Grouse Shooting over 
a brace of dogs. So often has this favourite subject been painted 
that it is refreshing to mark in Mr. Ansdell’s picture an entirely 
new and original treatment of it. The dogs, nearly life-size, are 
in the fore ground, and the sportsman, coming over some rising 


236 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


ground immediately behind them and full face to the spectator, 
is represented as shooting straight out of the picture presumably 
at birds some forty yards in front of him. The fore-shortening 
of the breech-loader is cleverly effected, and the gillie, who brings 
up the rear, carries in his left hand a brace of admirably painted 
Grouse. Apart from the original treatment of the subject, this 
picture, both in outline and colour, strikes us as the best which 
Mr. Ansdell has sent this year. 

Mr. Cooper has contributed “‘A Warm Sunny Evening” (257), 
“ Mid-day Repose” (344), ‘‘Shadow and Sunshine” (373), “A 
Group in the Meadows” (717), ‘“ The Challenge” (1377), ‘‘ The 
Victor’s Shout” (1379), and ‘‘ Receiving the Challenge” (1384) ; 
all good specimens of his peculiar mannerism in the treatment of 
cattle and landscape. Of these we should say the masterpiece 
is ‘Shadow and Sunshine,” wherein a gathering rain-cloud is 
admirably represented, and the incidence and the distribution of 
the lights and shadows upon the cattle most skilfully managed. 

A picture with a very similar title, “Cloud and Sunshine” 
(1399), by Mr. Davis, attracts that attention which is always due 
to the works of this artist, who as a painter of cattle at the 
present day may be regarded as facile princeps. Much, however, 
as we admire his landscape, his clouds, and his cows, we could 
wish that the bird-life which he has introduced had been better 
rendered. His Rooks are poor and incorrectly drawn. The 
picture of his which most takes our fancy this year is “A Mid- 
summer Night” (225), wherein a group of cattle are seen at 
night upon a pasture. Viewed at a proper distance this picture 
grows upon the spectator and strikes him as being a most careful 
study of attitude and repose, while the seeming advances of the 
dun bull to the white cow are as skilfully indicated as they are 
true to nature. 

Very different to the clean-fleeced—we had almost said 
carefully-groomed—sheep of Mr. Ansdell are the weather-beaten 
flocks of Mr. Macwhirter, which give such life to his Highland 
landscapes. In his ‘Last Days of Autumn” (81), wherein a 
shepherd is seen driving a flock of horned sheep down a rocky 
slope fringed on one side with leafless birch trees, we have an 
illustration of the striking effect which is produced in a landscape 
by the introduction of a little animal-life, when that animal-life is 
skilfally and accurately depicted. 


ANIMAL-LIFE AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY. 237 


Mr. J. S. Noble, whose name is well known as a painter of 
dogs, has a good picture (152) entitled ‘“‘ Freedom and Imprison- 
ment,” in which a pack of hounds in kennel are represented as 
suddenly aroused by the passing of the huntsman with another 
pack en route for the cover-side. The eager impatience of the 
prisoners, as they pace the flags, leap against the bars, sniff at 
the closed door, or give vent to their feelings by loud baying, 
is capitally depicted. The colour is good, and the attitudes very 
life-like. In the case of one hound only does the drawing appear 
a little faulty—namely, the hound of which a stern view is 
given, where the hind legs, by being thrown too far under him, 
indicate a want of power in the quarters. Exception must also 
be taken to the coats of the hounds, which are too silky and 
delicate. The coat of a foxhound is more wiry. 

It is curious how many blunders are-made in hunting-pictures. 
One would suppose that an artist, if not a hunting-man himself, 
would have no difficulty in finding amongst his acquaintances some 
_ one with a knowledge of the sport and its details, to whom his 
picture might be submitted for criticism before being sent to Bur- 
lington House. But such a course, apparently, is seldom adopted. 
A very general fault is to depict “a kill” with horses as clean as if 
they had just come out of the yard; hounds ditto; and the dead 
fox smooth, sleek, and scatheless! We look in vain for the 
dilated nostrils, steaming flanks, and mud-bespattered hocks and 
feet of the hunter; for the open-mouth, blood-stained jaws and 
lolling tongue of the hound, with a trickle, too, of blood on his 
lashing stern, betokening close contact with gorse and briar; and 
for the draggled and blood-stained fur of the “ varmint.” 

_A case in point is furnished by No. 413, “The Death: recol- 
lection of a kill with the Pytchley Hounds,” concerning which we 
can well imagine some such conversation as the following taking 
place :-— 

Spectator. ‘ You see, they have just killed their fox, and—” 

Hunting-man. “Not they. They never killed that fox, 
I warrant you. Much too clean. Must have been ‘a bagman’ 
which they meant to have killed, but which died in the sack on 
the way to cover! Of course the horses and hounds are nice 
and clean, because they have been disappointed of a run!” 

A more meritorious picture, because truer to nature, is 
Mr. Hopkins’s ‘“‘ Forrard away” (1393), in which a youthful whip 


238 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


is seen getting the tail-hounds out of cover, while the huntsman, 
with the rest of the pack and some of the field, have just settled 
down on the line of their fox a field away. The attitude of the 
whip as he turns in his saddle is very good, and his horse— 
a grey —and the hounds are well drawn; although perhaps a 
good judge might say that the latter carry a little too much 
tlesh for hunting. But we don’t like the chesnut on the left. 
He appears to be moving two legs on the same side at once, 
which is wrong. 

Amongst the sporting pictures, we suppose, must be classed 
Mr. F. A. Bridgeman’s (441), “A Royal Pastime in Nineveh,” 
wherein a king of the period is represented as having descended 
from his throne in the amphitheatre to slay lions in the arena, 
while the queen and her attendant courtiers look anxiously on 
from above. One lion already lies dead, while the king, with 
bended bow, is in the act of sending an arrow at a second, which 
has just been turned into the arena. From the position in which 
the arrow is directed we are not without anxiety for the result, 
lest perchance the tables should be turned, and the “royal 
pastime” prove to be for the “king of beasts” instead of for 
the ‘‘ king of men.” ‘The expression of the advancing lion is very 
comical; it is impossible to look at him without laughing; he 
seems to treat the whole business as a good joke. A contem- 
porary has likened the expression to “that of a tom cat going 
to sneeze.” We have often heard the sound he refers to, but 
have generally been just too late to catch “the expression.” 
It is only fair, however, to the artist to state that his dead 
lion is really capitally drawn, and that the dresses, arms, and 
sculpture betoken a careful and successful study of antiquities. 

A somewhat remarkable picture is Mr. Herbert Jobnson’s 
“ Crossing the Sarda: an incident of the Prince of Wales’ tour 
in India” (572). The scene here depicted was thus described in 
‘The Times’ of March 20th, 1876 :— 


“The afternoon sport was inaugurated by a display rarely given to any 
one to witness. . . . . . . Such a spectacle was never beheld by 
living man; and indeed it may be doubted if the like was ever seen in past 
ages. This was a procession of seven hundred Elephants. The Prince sat 
in his howdah waiting for three-quarters of an hour, and watching the 
wonderful column cross the arm of the Sarda. There were six hundred 
Elephants belonging to Nepal, and about one hundred which had come 


ANIMAL-LIFE AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY. 239 


over with the Prince. To each Elephant there were at least two persons— 
the mahout and a man on the pad; many carried three or four people. It 
is not too much to say that there were 1800 persons engaged in the beat.” 


The artist has shown much skill and judgment in his treat- 
ment of the subject, and by assuming the spectator to be on the 
river-bank in the fore ground to the right, and causing the 
procession to pass along the opposite bank from left to right for 
a considerable distance before crossing, he has obtained, we 
think, the best possible effect. 

From Indian Elephants to Indian Tigers the transition is 
natural, and we are reminded of Mr. J. T. Nettleship’s imper- 
sonation of “Fear” (187). Here, by the agency of a flood, 
two animals of very different natures find themselves, in close 
proximity, the sole occupants of a floating log. At one corner 
a huge Python, partially submerged, is just enabled to keep his 
head above water; while, crouching flat upon the log, with teeth 
set and ears laid back, lies a Royal Tiger, holding on with every 
appearance of abject terror. As a study of animal life, good 
in colour and nearly correct in outline, this picture strikes us 
as one that commends itself both to the naturalist and the 
art-critic. 

Conspicuous amongst the animal-pictures by its large size 
is Mr. Bouverie Goddard’s “Struggle for Existence” (639)—a 
remarkable picture. 


‘“‘ By wintry famine rous’d, from all the tract 
Ofhonud mountains. 7 48. ste Wal 
Cruel as death, and hungry as the grave! 
Burning for blood! bony, and gaunt, and grim! 

. Assembling Wolves in raging troops descend, 
And, pouring o’er the country, bear along, 
Keen as the north wind sweeps the glossy snow. 
All is their prize.” 

THomson’s ‘* WINTER.” 


This is the scene which the artist has depicted. A pack 
of wolves, nearly life-size, driven to desperation by the severity 
of the winter and their inability to procure food, are engaged 
in fierce conflict in their “struggle for existence.’’ The weaker 
are being gradually overcome, and are being killed and eaten by 
the stronger, a scene which aptly paves the way for a second 


240 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


picture which possibly we may see next year upon the walls of the 
Academy, under the title “‘ The survival of the fittest.” We like 
this picture much, although its size strikes as being incon- 
veniently large. But there is evidence of careful observation 
of the animals delineated. Each separate wolf is a study; the 
attitudes are varied and well chosen, and the fore-shortening in 
some cases is excellent; while an admirable effect of colour 
is produced by the juxtaposition of the thick grey fur of the 
wolves and the glistening white of the snow in which they are 
fighting. A little more blood upon the snow, although not a 
pleasant thing to look upon asa rule, would have added, we think, 
greater force to the picture. If we have one fault to find, it is 
from the naturalist’s point of view. It has been observed of 
wolves that they always make a combined attack upon their victim, 
and one would therefore expect to see the dead wolf in the fore 
ground in the process of being torn to pieces and devoured, 
instead of being allowed to le unmolested as soon as he has 
ceased to struggle. Upon this point, however, the artist has 
perhaps exercised a wise discretion. After all the great aim of 
art, in the first place, is to please, and it cannot be said that 
the contemplation of blood and mangled remains can be pro- 
ductive of pleasure to anyone. The dead wolf, therefore, must 
either be swpposed to have been eaten, in which case he would not 
be seen, or he must lie there in his entirety. The artist bas 
preferred the latter alternative, and in no other way, does it seem, 
can “the survival of the fittest,” in this case, by the death of 
the weakest, be indicated. For one wolf may be as good as 
another, and it does not neccessarily follow that a struggle of the 
kind depicted should always end in death. Thus, we take it, 
in this case the naturalist must give way, and allow that the 
artist is right. 

An equally remarkable picture, though for a different reason, 
is “The Poacher’s Widow” (195) by Briton Riviére. We pre- 
sume it is intended to be pathetic, but it nearly approaches 
the ludicrous. The widow in question, without bonnet or shawl, 
although it is night, is seated on the ground behind a solitary 
furze-bush on the slope of the hill at the edge of a cover. With 
her hair dishevelled and her head buried in her hands, she is 
absorbed apparently in contemplation of the spot where her 
husband, the poacher, met his death. But the solemnity of the 


ANIMAL-LIFE AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY. 241 


idea suggested by the lines of Charles Kingsley, and which the 
artist quotes— 


‘She thought of the dark plantation 
And the hares, and her husband’s blood,” 


is banished at once by the appearance upon the scene of thirty 
odd rabbits, four cock pheasants, two hen ditto, and two hares, 
all of which are represented as feeding and playing within a very 
few feet of the unfortunate widow. Apart from the absurdity of 
introducing this quantity of game, or any game at all for the 
matter of that, in such close proximity to an intruder, the details 
of the picture suggest several points of criticism, none of which 
can be considered favourable to the artist. In the first place 
pheasants have no business there at all, for the scene is “ moon- 
light,” a time at which, as every sportsman knows or should 
know, all good pheasants are at roost. In the next place, 
assuming that pheasants are legitimately introduced, one would 
hardly expect to see the old-fashioned Phasianus colchicus amongst 
them, this species having become well-nigh extinguished by 
constant interbreeding with the Chinese torquatus and Japanese 
versicolor. Except in districts far removed from the great centres 
of game preserving, one rarely meets with a bird of the pure old 
breed. Again, the relative proportions of hare and pheasant 
are not well preserved, the former being depicted as not much 
larger than the latter, and of such insignificant weight as to make 
little or no impression on the laid corn on which they are sitting. 
Possibly the picture is intended to point a moral as well as 
to adorn a tale! And we are perhaps to infer that the poacher 
could not have been so black as he was painted, or he would 
not have left so much game behind him! At all events, from a 
naturalist’s point of view, we should be grateful to him for 
having spared the above-mentioned Phasianus colchicus. 
Amongst the marine paintings in the Exhibition this year 
there are several which we should like to notice, did space 
permit, but we are only able to refer to two or three. “The 
Sea-birds’ Resting-place” (447), and ‘“ Where deep Seas moan” 
(1386), both by Mr. Peter Graham, especially attract the eye of the 
naturalist by the bird-life which is skilfully introduced, and the 
artist’s clever treatment of precipitous sea-cliffs and heaving 
waves. By the way Mr. Graham, in the latter picture, has given 
21 


242 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


his Herring Gulls yellow legs and feet, which, if the cliffs are 
Scotch, as we take them to be, would not be quite correct, the 
yellow legs being indicative of the Mediterranean Herring Gull, 
the same parts in our bird being flesh-coloured. 

In Mr. Hook’s otherwise admirable painting of the ‘“‘ Mush- 
room Gatherers” (275), we have seldom seen anything so badly 
drawn as the uppermost sea-gull, which is supposed to be 
flying, in the top left-hand corner; it is—we regret to say it—a 
positive deformity. Few artists, strange to say, seem to know 
anything about the anatomy of a bird’s wing, and in nine cases 
out of ten, in a bird with extended wings, the drawing is all 
wrong. On what part of the coast mushrooms may be found 
growing on the rocks, as indicated in this picture, the Catalogue 
does not inform us. We have certainly never seen them so near 
high-water mark before, and the specimens collected present a 
Jungoid appearance which reminds us a great deal more of Cooke, 
M.C., than of Hook, R.A. However, there they are, by Hook or 
by Cooke. 

There are numerous other paintings by minor artists which 
profess to deal with Natural-History subjects, but which embody 
some unfortunate blunder which generally spoils the picture. 
Thus we have a Peewit represented as leaving a nest of eggs 
which do not belong to her; a Heron standing in a pool at the 
foot of a fall, where one would naturally expect to find the 
water of such a depth as to make it utterly impossible for the 
bird to stand there; and so forth. Of such pictures as these we 
need only say that the authors should study Nature a little more 
closely. 

One more picture only remains to be noticed ere we bring 
these remarks to a close—namely, Mr. Marks’s diploma work 
(379), deposited on his election as an Academician, and entitled 
“Science is Measurement.” ‘Those who remember “ The 
Ornithologist,’ by the same hand, which was exhibited a few 
years since, will recognise in the present picture the peculiar 
mannerism which distinguishes the works of this artist—a man- 
nerism which always indicatés a keen sense of humour. An 
anatomist of the old school (so we judge by his costume) is 
represented as engaged in carefully measuring the skeleton of a 
huge bird, an Adjutant. His pencil is in his mouth, a book 
under his arm, and a tape-measure in his hand, while in an open 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 243 


portfolio before him lie numerous notes and sketches, to which 
he has evidently been referring in the course of his studies. 
Before him is set up the grim skeleton of the Adjutant, and the 
contrast between the figure of the old man and the anatomical 
outline of the bird is irresistibly ludicrous, while at the same 
time pleasing; for there is a refinement in Mr. Marks’s humour 
which always makes his pictures attractive. 

On reperusing the foregoing pages it occurs to us that we 
might have noticed the pictures that we have referred to in the 
order of their numbers in the Catalogue. We might have com- 
menced in Gallery No. 1, and, book in hand, have gone steadily 
through to the Sculpture Room. But we have preferred to travel 
a little out of the beaten track—to look for pictures of animal-life 
without reference to the Catalogue (to which we have only turned 
to discover the artist’s name); and to criticise those pictures, as 
we have said, not with the eyes of an art-critic, which we do not 
pretend to possess, but with the eyes of a naturalist. With 
Edmund, in ‘King Lear,’ we say:—“ Thou, Nature, art my 
goddess; to thy law my services are bound.” 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN 
IN THE DANUBE-DELTA OF THE DOBRUDSCHA. 
(From the German of Pav and Max Sinrents, of Bolkenhain, Silesia. ) 


By Cart ARMBRUSTER. 


Durine our stay in the Dobrudscha we had commissions 
from various quarters for eggs of Pelecanus onocrotalus (which 
was supposed to breed there), for authenticated specimens were 
rarely or never in the market. We undertook these commissions 
with all the more pleasure because it would give us an oppor- 
tunity of investigating the Danube-Delta, which, zoologically and 
botanically speaking, is quite unknown, and because this immense 
reed-wilderness justified the expectation that a breeding-place of 
the gigantic bird would be found there. 

On June 15, 1874, we started from Cukarova, near Bahadagh, 
our residence at that time, fitted out with all necessaries, and two 
days later, after a highly interesting and profitable journey in a 
waggon, we arrived at Kederless, a large fishing village, situated 


244 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


at the extremity of the St. George estuary, in the south-eastern 
corner of the Delta. All the information which we collected here 
pointed to the north-west, and on June 19th we had already found 
a new home in the Russian colony Kara-Orman (black forest) in 
the Delta-forest of the same name. Here we made the necessary 
enquiries after breeding-places, and personally visited almost 
all the spots named, without, however, attaining our object. 
Unfortunately fish were scarce this year, and we found all the 
supposed breeding-places deserted, and all our trouble seemed 
in vain. By this time the month of July had begun. Good 
fortune at length brought us in communication with two Russian 
fishermen, Fetka and Demian, who were reputed good shots, and 
who gave us their word of honour that they had discovered a 
large breeding colony of the bird we were in search of. Like all 
their predecessors, they demanded a Turkish lira (about nineteen 
shillings) per day each, besides their food. We resolved to make 
a last attempt, and accordingly sent them with our faithful and 
long-tried chasseur, Ferdinand Beyer, into the Balta, on July 6th, 
to bring us some proof of the truth of their assertion. What 
followed we take from our diary, believing that the impressions 
which we noted down on the spot will convey the best idea of the 
situation. We must ask the reader’s kind indulgence, however, 
for these notes were never intended for publication, and were 
made under circumstances which precluded attention to form 
and style. 

July 8, 1874. At last we have attained the object of 
our wishes—a well-stocked breeding-place of Pelecanus onocro- 
talus is found! We reached the spot after considerable trouble ; 
it is a little “liman” (lake), surrounded by a circle of half- 
floating islands. Upon the latter are the nests, each one 
containing from two to four eggs. Many eggs are still un- 
hatched; in many the young are screaming. Naked birds, 
others in the down, half-fledged ones and full-grown birds, all 
mixed up. Ferdinand has shot four old Pelicans; the two Russians 
five, amongst which is a single Pelecanus crispus. Besides these 
the following have been procured :—Cygnus olor (two adult and 
seven nestlings), Ardea purpurea (one), Podiceps cristatus (one), 
P. subcristatus (four),* Anas nyroca (three), Larus ridibundus (three), 
and Sterna hybrida (one). Of the last-named Sea Swallow a 


* Podiceps subcristatus, Jacq. = P. rubricollis, Latham,—Ep. 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 245 


breeding-place, with fresh eggs, has been likewise found; we 
shall fetch them as soon as possible. Ferdinand has also brought 
with him more than two hundred Pelican's eggs. Sterna hirundo 
also breeds there, as well as Larus ridibundus. The nests of 
the latter rest upon the leaves of water-lilies; the young are 
already well-fledged. The larger specimens having been left 
behind at the “skelle” (a landing-place for boats), situated to 
the west, we take a carriage and drive there, and an hour later 
reach the place. The young Swans in down, of the size of a 
Goose, are particularly pretty ; but unfortunately we shall be able 
to skin but very few, for the heat is intense, and the birds begin 
to smell; we shall do our best, however, and shall at all events 
preserve the skeletons. Thus we are again engrossed with work. 
It is most important that we should proceed to the neighbourhood 
of the colony, in order to work there, because, at this distance, 
it is almost impossible to obtain fresh birds. Of course our 
sojourn there will be attended with many difficulties—swarms of 
mosquitos (Culex pipiens), contaminated air, undrinkable water ! 
About half-way in the Balta there is a fishing-hut, where possibly 
we may be able to stay. To-morrow the two Russians will drive 
to Lake Obreteno for a couple of days to shoot wild geese and 
divers. On their return we think of starting. We shall then be 
able to report more exactly from personal observation. At sunset 
we reached the village with our booty; we paid the men liberally, 
and then set to work at once. We worked until far into the 
night. First, a number of eggs were blown; they seemed to us 
larger than P. crispus. A Swan’s egg has also been found; the 
contents, however, were rotten, as we had expected. Two Anas 
nyroca and two Larus ridibundus were skinned. The colony is 
said not to be half so large as it was last year. The old birds 
behaved very shyly, and, after repeated shooting, flew away 
altogether, so that unfortunately many of the abandoned young 
ones died of starvation. Altogether the birds seem to be badly 
off for food. A great many Sea Eagles and Marsh Harriers made 
their appearance at the colony this morning. Bearded Tits are 
everywhere frequently seen, as well as Moorhens and a single 
Bittern (Ardea stellaris), but only four Ardea garzetta. On one 
island were found some last year’s nests of the Little Cormorant 
(Carbo pygmeus), ‘‘Malenka Paklan,” as the Russians call it, 
some old willow shrubs, it is said, being quite studded with them. 


246 THE ZOOLOGIS'. 


Possibly we may find a colony of these birds. An old Cormorant 
(C. cormoranus) and a half-fledged young one in an interesting 
state of plumage were also procured. 

July 9. We were at work at daybreak; heat intense, 
swarms of flies. Unfortunately only one of the Swans in down 
could be prepared; of the others we only took off the skin of the 
breast, as we did also off the old one, which had no quill-feathers 
left. The Cormorant made a good specimen. We hardly spared 
time for eating. It is remarkable that young Pelicans on leaving 
the egg are quite naked; we shall put some of them into spirit. 
Every evening now the Balta cockchaffers (Melolontha fullo) appear 
in immense numbers and fill the air with their humming. 

July 10. Fine weather, but hot. Skinned and prepared the 
Pelicans. Nasty work; everything smells badly, and will not 
keep the feathers. We are very badly off for material for stuffing ; 
we had taken with us a large bag of sea-weed (Zostera nana) from 
Tschukarova, but this was used up long ago. There is no soft 
hay to be had here, nor any straw ; thus we had to look out for 
reed-tops. After many fruitless searches, we at length found 
some in the roof of a newly-built house, which were at once taken 
into requisition. We shall not be able to visit the breeding-places 
to-morrow; nobody will take us there, for everyone is occupied 
with the harvest; nor have we yet found time to prepare the 
skeletons we wished. ‘Two boys brought us three young Falco 
rufipes in down; they were of medium size. The two we got on 
the 6th are getting on very well and afford us much amusement ; 
their food consists of meat only. A thunder-storm in the 
evening. 

July 11. Fine weather. Finished our work; the three little 
Falcons got yesterday are also prepared. We have not made 
any skeletons, however, the specimens being too much damaged 
by the shot. To-day again we looked in vain for guides for 
to-morrow, and have now resolved to row alone in a larger 
boat as far as the fishing-hut, and to try and find somebody 
there who will take us on; perhaps the fishermen will consent 
afterwards to come with us. In the afternoon we had many 
visitors, Turks and Russians, who were anxious to see our 
collections. 

July 12. In the forenoon we visited Fetka and Demian, 
and asked them for their large boat to row to the fishing- 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 247 


hut, which request was readily granted. But they warned us 
not to go alone into the Balta, a warning which we did not 
heed. At noon we started with Ferdinand, our chasseur. As 
we expected to get some Bearded Tits, we took all necessary 
implements with us, including egg-drills. But as we only 
intended to be absent until evening, we neither took any 
provisions nor the very necessary mosquito-net. Heat beyond 
description. The journey to the landing-place across the glowing 
sand was anything but pleasant. But we were soon in the large 
boat, and cheerfully rowing across the narrow channel. At first 
we were hemmed in on both sides by the lesser bulrush (T7’'ypha 
angustifolia) almost exclusively, amongst which Ranunculus lingua 
blossomed beautifully. Here and there we could certainly hear 
a Bearded Tit, but could not see one. We had a pleasant 
surprise in the occurrence of a doubtful little plant, which floated 
everywhere on the water’s surface, sending up little round whitish 
green blossoms. This was Aldrovanda vesiculosa. For about 
an hour we proceeded very smoothly, but at length floating islands 
barred the water-way, which was hitherto free. We had to push 
these islands aside with much trouble, and with our united 
strength we at last succeeded in breaking through, and arrived 
upon one of those little lakes covered with water-lilies (amongst 
them Nuphar), of which there seem to be numbers in the Delta. 
Anas nyroca swam about in little flocks. From here we had 
again to work through floating islands, which so barricaded our 
way that we at last doubted whether we should ever get any 
farther. It cost us much time and trouble. All at once, on 
pushing through the reeds, we looked across the surface of a 
larger lake. We had reached the “‘ Liman Kuibide.” A greater 
number of these floating islands is dispersed over this lake, which 
is adorned by Nymphea and Nuphar, and in places is thickly 
covered with water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum and verticil- 
latum, with glistening green panicles. A few Cormorants, many 
Ducks (all Anas nyroca) and Sea Swallows (Sterna hirundo), 
enlivened the scene. We rowed right across the lake to the reedy 
shore opposite. Quite a remarkable phenomenon to us were the 
floating nests of Sterna hirundo! Ina shallow cavity two eggs 
were always lying in the middle of a real little island of reed-roots 
and portions of other aquatic plants which had drifted together. 
These islands are barely a square foot in size, and never carry 


248 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


more than a single nest; they seem entirely to float on the water, 
which is from twelve to twenty feet in depth. ‘These nests were 
generally at some distance from one another, and generally in 
places covered with the water milfoil (Myriophyllum). The large 
numbers of Terns flying about seemed, however, to be out of all 
proportion to the few nests we saw. The breeding birds were 
rather shy. Sterna nigra and hybrida were also seen several 
times. At the opposite bank we looked in vain for the entrance 
to the ‘‘Girla” which leads to the fishing-hut. Several times 
we penetrated the labyrinth of floating islands, but were always 
compelled to turn back. In this way the time passed, and we 
were obliged to give up our plans. It wanted but two hours of 
dusk, and we could not possibly delay longer our return journey. 
We thought we knew exactly the direction we had to take, and 
had no idea of the extraordinary difficulty of finding one’s way 
in this treacherous wilderness. We rowed back across the lake 
towards the opening we had come out of—but where was it? It 
could not have been anywhere else but here, and with all our 
might we forced our boat into the thicket of reeds. With infinite 
trouble we made our way for about a hundred yards, until it was 
impossible to get any farther. Now back again to the lake! but 
where is the path we have just forced our boat along? The 
yielding reeds have closed over and concealed it. Only he who 
has convinced: himself with his own eyes can form any idea of 
this enormous wilderness. The whole Balta—who knows its 
extent ?— consists of nothing else but floating islands; not a 
single firm spot is to be found, not even one of a square foot in 
size. All turns, moves, unites and separates. The islands vary 
considerably in size; all bear the wildest vegetation — reeds 
(Phragmites) from twelve to twenty feet high, and ferns (Aspidiwm 
thelypteris) from four to six feet in height. The latter represents 
the underwood, as it were. Water-hemlock (Cicuta virosa) and 
Rumex of different species are there most conspicuous. Stachys 
palustris, Scutellaria galericulata, and Polygonum persicaria and 
hydropiper, and sometimes Epipactis palustris, grow now singly, 
now in batches, on the margins. Each separate island is a 
charming group of plants, than which no gardener could compose 
a more beautiful one—the whole is of exquisite beauty. Magical 
sunlight flows through the great solitude. Not a breath of air is 
stirring, but mysteriously the reeds rustle on and on; only the 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 249 


song of the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides) interrupts 
the loud silence for some minutes. These floating reed forests 
are intersected by innumerable broad and narrow channels, which, 
with a depth of from fifteen to twenty feet, form a treacherous 
cover of aquatic plants, and are here and there quite choked 
by them, particularly with hornwort (Ceratophyllum) and water 
soldier (Stratiotes aloides). The latter reaches a foot high above 
the surface with its sharp leaves, and adds to the difficulty of 
navigation. Charming as this labyrinth of islands may be, it 
becomes appalling to him who loses his way in it! We soon 
found ourselves in this predicament, and although we continued 
to try our luck in different places, it was always in vain. Our 
strength began to fail—hunger made itself felt. We could not 
resist a feeling of oppression. The sun sank, and with it our last 
hope; for without it there could be no question of our inability 
to find our way through the dense reeds. We were at some 
hundred yards distance from the lake, and thoroughly wedged in 
between the floating masses. It was impossible to get a footing 
outside the boat; as soon as we tried to step on supposed firm 
ground it sank immediately, and the water threatened to engulph 
us. And then we had to look forward to the most terrible 
torments from that army of flies, the blood-thirsty mosquitos ; 
We could not possibly pass the night among the reeds; we were 
bound to try all we could to regain the lake at least, and with it 
freer air. We forced our way back with the power of despair, 
and breathed more freely when at last we regained the smooth 
surface of the lake. Rowing along the reed-banks, we noticed a 
spot where formerly a fishing-hut seemed to have stood. This 
we selected for our camp. Of course it was but a shaky cover 
composed of dried reeds, yet it seemed firm enough to carry 
us and the boat. With our hunting-knives we quickly cut off 
green reeds and ferns, arranged them for us to lie upon, and 
turned our boat upside-down upon the whole, hoping thus to be 
a little protected from the mosquitos. But our scheme was not 
successful: the ground gave way considerably, and the water rose 
higher and higher. We turned our boat over again, lined it with 
reeds and covered it completely with them; here at least we 
could not get drowned. Now we crept in between the reeds 
through a little gap, and pressed closely against one another, 
hoping thus to be able to sleep for a few hours. But this, too, 
2K 


250 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


was impossible: we were lying as if buried alive—impossible to 
bear it. Again we crept out of the narrow space, and to our 
horror we heard the “hum” of the mosquitos on all sides. 
Night had set in; the stars shone feebly; and we had no 
alternative but again to float our boat, to sit down in it, and to 
row out upon the open lake, where we supposed there would be 
more draught, which we knew did not suit the mosquitos. And 
this plan turned out the best. In the middle of the lake we took 
in the oars, covered our heads with our handkerchiefs as well as 
we could, and gave ourselves up to the waves, and tried to sleep. 
July 13. The biting cold and tormenting hunger, as well 
as anxiety for our immediate future, did not allow us much 
rest. The night, instead of refreshing us, caused us to be all 
the more worn out. The conviction gained ground more and 
more in our minds that it was perfectly impossible to penetrate 
the island-labyrinth. The last hope, that in the course of the 
day a human being might pass the lake, was so very doubtful 
that we could hardly give it a thought; because, in the first 
place, everybody was occupied with the harvest, and in the next, 
the Kara-Orman Russians came this way but rarely and quite 
accidentally; while from the other side probably not a soul 
came all the year round. We waited for daybreak with broken 
spirits. At the first dawn the lake birds became lively. Sterna 
hirundo and nigra hunted about, screaming; Ducks came and 
went, so did Cormorants and little white Herons. But our 
condition hardly disposed us to contemplate the interesting 
doings of these happy birds. When the red glow of sunrise was 
reflected by the waters, we left our station and rowed doubtfully 
along the reed-border, gathering fresh hope that we might find 
the right track after all. It was perhaps the twentieth time that, 
at a seemingly favourable spot, we made the attempt to force our 
way through, with the firm intention not to turn back, however 
great the obstacles we might meet with. We had two guiding. 
points—the sun and the summit of a tree, no doubt belonging 
to the forest of Kara-Orman; the latter, of course, we could only 
see on the lake when standing on the seat of our boat. Our 
spirits revived a little when the sun rose, the warm rays acting 
beneficially; the dew was sparkling upon the leaves. In a 
situation a little more favourable than ours the magnificent 
surroundings would have rendered us the happiest of mortals, 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 251 


because the effect which the ever-changing islands make defies all 
description. Of what avail was our attempting to signal? At the 
next moment the reed-bush we had just bent over stood in the 
exactly opposite direction, and the passage we had only just 
forced with infinite trouble had disappeared without leaving a 
trace. What little strength we had left hardly sufficed to get us 
back to the open lake; and here we rowed to and fro without an 
object. Noon could not be far off; the heat was scorching. In 
due time we looked forward to another night in the boat, and had 
a great mind to shoot Sea Swallows and devour them raw; when 
all at once—we hardly believed our eyes—at the edge of a distant 
reed-bed a boat appeared, similar in shape to a Pelican, guided by 
two men in their shirt-sleeves, as a look through our telescope 
showed us. We quickly fired off our guns and shouted with all 
our might. They soon saw and came towards us. They were 
fishermen from Kara-Orman whom we knew. They listened to 
our tale of sufferings with a significant smile, and merely said that 
many had lost their way on the “‘ Kuibide”—that they themselves 
had frequently missed it, although they were often this way. 
They appeared to us, however, like ministering angels, and we 
indeed thanked heaven, for no other boat probably would cross 
the lake this week, the peasants being all in the fields and absent 
from the village till Saturday. For some reason or other these 
two went to the fishing-hut on the “ Girla,” where we proposed to 
go, and since we expected to find food and drink there sooner 
than elsewhere, and did not care to return home without some 
object, we rowed along with them. Now we entered the reeds in 
quite a different place, and after rowing a few yards we reached 
a narrow canal, which some ten minutes later ended in the 
“Girla Litkow.” Upon this we now proceeded. The Girla is 
very deep and broad, and goes a great distance through the Delta. 
Half-an-hour later we reached the fishing-hut, a little hut situated 
romantically below high willow trees, with a little kitchen-garden, 
which we certainly never expected to find here. A friendly 
old fisherman greeted us and asked us to come in. He was 
soon acquainted with our adventure, and took pains to get us 
some food as quickly as possible. This consisted of fish and 
“mamelika.” It is needless to say we never sat down to dinner 
with keener appetite. After the important business was over, 
and we felt restored to life, we enquired whether it was possible 


Qh2 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


to live here for a few days. The old man, however, was not the 
master, but the servant, and could not give us a decisive answer, 
but he did not doubt that it could be managed, and that some 
small boats might be lent to us. We should have liked very 
much to wait for the return of the proprietor, who was absent, 
but the two Russians wished to return home, and thus we had 
no choice. In the Girla float large masses of Lemna polyrhizea, 
gigantic specimens; we gathered a quantity, and then proceeded 
on our return. This, of course, took us less time than the 
outward journey, yet in several places we had quite work enough 
to get through. Late in the afternoon we again reached the 
‘*skelle” (landing-place) from which we had started, and without 
stoppage we returned to the village, where we were already 
believed to be lost. We heard afterwards that the two Russians 
had come out expressly to look for us. At the village inn we - 
celebrated with them our happy return in a glass “fresh from 
the cask.” 

July 14. Before we started on the 12th some boys brought 
us several young Falco rufipes in down; to-day we skinned three 
of these. The heatis overpowering. The same boys came to-day 
with four Rollers (Coracias garrulus), of which one was also 
skinned. Besides these we obtained a very fine Eagle, Aquila 
nevia, in nestling plumage. We shall therefore have plenty of 
work for to-morrow, and the day after we shall start for the 
fishing-hut, but it will be very difficult to get guides. 

July 15. Fetka and Demian have flatly refused to accompany 
us to the Pelican colony—they must go to the fields, the corn 
is over-ripe. Thus, there is nothing left but to trust to our 
own strength, and again to make the journey with our chasseur, 
however rash it may be todo so. In the morning we finished pre- 
paring two of the Falcons and the young Eagle; in the afternoon 
we boiled some arsenical soap. The heat continues to increase. 
Towards evening we looked out for a conveyance to the “ skelle” 
for to-morrow, as we shall have to take plenty of luggage, but we 
could not find one; there is hardly anyone at home—they are all 
in the fields. 

July 16. This morning, again, we looked in vain for a con- 
veyance. There is nothing for it but to walk over to the “skelle.” 
The luggage, therefore, was reduced as much as possible, not- 
withstanding which a goodly quantity was got together. We 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 2538 


started about noon, and consequently got into the greatest heat, 
from which we suffered considerably. We lost our way into the 
bargain. The two little Red-footed Falcons we carried with us, 
too. At the “skelle” we took the first boat we could get and 
pushed off. On the road we met an old fisherman, who advised 
us to return, for the wind had caused great confusion amongst 
the islands; but we were not to be deterred. The graceful 
Aldrovandra now blossoms in quantities. The passage through 
the floating islands again caused us considerable trouble to-day, 
but we reached the “ Kuibide” without accident, and on the other 
side soon found the right entrance to the “‘ Girla.” We reached 
the fishing-hut by the most beautiful evening light. The ‘‘master” 
received us very kindly, and at once assigned us quarters—i. e., he 
gave us permission to open our mosquito-net by the side of his 
hut, and to do our work under it. After partaking of a good dish 
of fish, we made the necessary arrangements for to-morrow, for 
we were anxious not to lose time, and wanted to start for the 
Pelican colony as quickly as possible. Two little boats were soon 
found, and the old man’s boy was to accompany us. Soon after 
sunset we had to retire under the net, the mosquitos swarming in 
millions. 

July 17. Immediately after breakfast, which we had soon after 
sunrise, we began our journey. We had to row along the Girla 
for two or three hours, and then to turn to the right into the 
reeds. We therefore resolved to row as far as possible in our 
comfortable, larger boat, and took one of the smaller boats in 
tow, the boy getting into the other one. A deep blue sky smiled 
upon our enterprise. Our progress became difficult only too 
soon, for the broad channel was almost entirely overgrown with 
plants,—Stratiotes, Ceratophyllum demersum and submersum, and 
Nymphea,—so that large patches looked more like meadows. 
It cost us a deal of hard work to get through. At every stroke 
of the oars innumerable small butterflies flew up. The rays of 
the sun became scorching, and only rarely a breath of air refreshed 
us. We may have rowed for some three hours, when at last we 
noticed the place in the reeds where we had to enter the thicket. 
Here we anchored our large boat and got into the smaller one, which 
at first we had to drag over some fifty yards of shallow ground. 
The thicket was at first exclusively formed by bulrushes, adorned 
with Ranunculus lingua, Stachys palustris, Polygonum minus, 


254 y THE ZOOLOGIST. 


and Nasturtium. We soon entered the higher reed-beds, and 
progressed very well, the reeds being not quite so dense here, 
and the surface of the water being covered with the frog-bit 
(Hydrocharis morsus-rane). Besides this pretty plant, we noticed 
the magnificent Villarsia nympheoides, the odorous golden-yellow 
flowers of which are the most beautiful ornament of the Balta. 
Here we also remarked Ceratophyllum platyacanthum with fruit. 
Snails, spiders, small butterflies, and beetles inhabit this lonely 
wilderness. We passed several floating islands, but were not 
obstructed by them. On one of these our chasseur informed us 
that we were now only some thirty yards away from the nearest 
eggs. At this announcement we were not a little excited, but 
rowed along silently. The reeds got thinner; a little “liman” 
(lake) appeared, bordered by floating islands. Upon these we 
saw a few eggs, either of Pelecanus onocrotalus or crispus—we 
could not decide which, because no bird was to be seen. We had 
certainly come upon a deserted nesting-place, such as Ferdinand 
had already described to us. We therefore did not lose much 
time here, but tried to find the right breeding-place. This could 
not be found so easily. We had to pass a great many floating 
islands, as well as a few open patches of water. Upon the latter 
we saw numbers of Cormorants. We also found a young Pelican 
(P. crispus), which could not yet fly, and after chasing it for some 
time we caught it alive. Upon these islands we noticed gigantic 
specimens of the water-pepper (Polygonum hydropiper) in blossom, 
as also a very plentiful Nasturtium. Solanum dulcamara and 
Convolvulus sepium climb up to a great height and are covered 
with blossoms. Here and there the surface of the water is 
densely covered by the golden-yellow flowers of the common 
bladderwort (Utricularia). At length we reached the right 
“liman.” This deserted place, as we subsequently learnt, bears 
no name. ‘Through the reeds of the last floating islands we 
could overlook the surface of the little lake, in the middle of 
which was a large patch overgrown with Nymphea and three 
little reedy islands ; its borders being also formed by half-floating 
islands. Opposite to us we saw a large flock of Pelicans, partly 
swimming, partly standing up among or before the reeds. The 
sight was a charming one. A most peculiar music, if we may so 
call it, reached our ears, sounding as if several jew’s-harps were 


being played at the same time. Numbers of Pelicans, too, were. 


tt ee ee 


~ 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 255 


flying about. After having looked at this highly interesting 
scene for some time we resolved to make a raid upon these fine 
birds, in order to ascertain, amongst other things, with which 
species we had to deal. A few powerful strokes of the oars sent 
us out upon the lake. Here the number of eggs lying about 
upon the islands was surprising. On looking through the reeds 
we saw quantities everywhere. Before commencing a detailed 
examination of this breeding-place, we rowed directly to the 
opposite reed-border to secure some good specimens, as men- 
tioned above, but were surprised at not seeing any breeding 
birds—all the eggs were deserted. On approaching the patch of 
water-lilies above referred to, our attention was attracted by a 
flock of little Sea Swallows, which flew screaming over our heads, 
and appeared much frightened. Now and then a pair of these 
little birds came down into the dense cover. The leaves of 
Nymphea here reach about a foot above the surface of the water, 
and form one confused mass with the floating plants. For the 
moment we deferred a close investigation, but at once recognised 
Sterna hybrida, and supposed this to be one of their breeding- 
places; Ferdinand confirmed this. We cautiously approached 
the flock of Pelicans; but, much to our disappointment, the shy 
birds rose before we were within shooting range; they were 
almost exclusively Pelecanus onocrotalus, old birds, which took 
flight at once. Only a small number, forty or fifty, alighted on 
the water again at some hundred yards distance. These were 
young birds which could not yet fly properly, and to our great 
surprise were all P. crispus. Only two greyish-brown birds, in 
downy plumage, had remained behind, and tried to escape by 
paddling along violently. We quickly gave chase, rowing after 
them and trying to seize them with our hands—by no means an 
easy task. Only when we directed both boats on one of the birds 
did we succeed in catching it. With the other one we went to 
work in the same way, but it escaped into the dense reeds, and 
thus we lost it, as we could not possibly follow it. The fledged 
flock of P. crispus swam about in a closely-packed column upon 
the lake, and we did not pursue them, although it would have 
been an easy matter to have annihilated the whole lot in a short 
time. We must not omit to describe the peculiar behaviour of 
the Pelecanus crispus which we caught alive at starting. In vain 
the bird made efforts to use its wings and fly away on becoming 


256 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


aware of our hostile intentions. Now it cruised about cleverly 
on the little “liman,” and several times escaped by turning 
sideways when we were within a yard or so of it; but the 
continued paddling tired it at last, and it seemed to yield to its 
fate. Then suddenly it seemed to wish to hide in the water, 
because it dived down deeply with its beak, inflating its gular 
pouch widely. This process it repeated three times, which 
interested us so much that for some minutes we gave up the 
pursuit. But at the third dive it opened its beak widely, and to 
our surprise forced out a mass of small fish; and soon afterwards 
a second and a third lot, evidently trying to lighten itself, and 
again made attempts to fly, but was again unsuccessful. A few 
minutes later we drew the poor thing into our boat. Here it 
behaved very boisterously, snapped at us and struck out with its 
wings. This caused our “nutshell” to sway to and fro in a 
threatening manner, so that we had to bind the creature to keep 
it quiet. We next turned to the water-lilies, in the hope of 
finding nests of Sterna hybrida, in which hope we were not 
disappointed. But most of the nests were empty; in some four 
or five only were there eggs—three in each—nearly incubated. 
The nests stood upon the large floating leaves, generally hidden by 
other leaves, forming a screen above them. The whole breeding- 
place is only a labyrinth of leaves and stems of Nymphea. After 
searching for awhile we found several young birds in down. These 
eraceful little creatures were already complete adepts on the liquid 
element, and with wonderful agility swam about, chirping. Five 
of them we took with us alive, and we also shot some old birds, 
so as to be quite certain there was no error in our identification 
of the species. Then we began taking the Pelican’s eggs. We 
were surprised, as we have said, at the number of young specimens 
of Pelecanus crispus. Only two young P. onocrotalus, in downy 
plumage, were found. Now of what species are the eggs? Do 
P. crispus and P. onocrotalus breed in company here? This 
is hardly to be supposed, because, according to former observa- 
tions, the two species are said to keep strictly apart. On the 
7th inst. our chasseur found the colony well stocked with P. onoero- 
talus, both breeding-birds and young ones in all stages of 
development (there were also some young of P. crispus, but they 
were already fledged). Now where have the young ones got to ? 
We examined most of the islands with the keenest attention, and 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 257 


with the following results :—Of course the number of eggs upon 
each island depends upon its size. The largest islands might 
have been occupied by twenty or thirty breeding-birds, but quite 
small ones, sufficing only for one bird each, were quite as 
numerous. Now these islands are more or less composed of 
reed-fragments, often without any fresh vegetation, often also 
bordered by green rushes and other high plants. The aspect of 
the large white eggs shining through the green all round is very 
charming when seen from the middle of the lake. But when 
closely inspected the places look very dirty and slovenly. The 
smell was bearable, the process of fermentation and putrefaction 
being generally over—a sign that the birds had not laid since the 
7th instant. Generally there were two eggs in a nest, but there 
were also plenty of single ones. Nearly half as many eggs as 
were lying on the islands were floating on the surrounding water. 
The latter keeps sending up air-bubbles, by which it is kept 
in constant commotion, no doubt produced by the substances 
putrifying at the bottom. The eggs were in all stages of hatching, 
but in most of them the young birds were very fully developed, 
so that we had some trouble to find a number which could yet be 
blown. The eggs which our chassewr had taken on the 7th were, 
on the average, far less advanced, and it does not seem to us at 
all improbable that the heat of the sun may have had some 
influence upon the abandoned eggs; at least to a certain extent. 
Our doubts as to the species of Pelican were gradually set at rest. 
Almost on every island, perhaps with the exception of five or six 
only, there were lying beside the eggs putrefying and putrefied 
young specimens of Pelecanus onocrotalus in down—not a single 
P. crispus. This, in connection with the fact that on the 7th 
inst. our chasseur had shot the four P. onocrotalus upon their 
nests, makes us certain of the genuineness of the eggs. The 
young of P. crispus, which are now moving about here, may 
very possibly have come over on their own account from 
another neighbouring colony. ‘The cause of the desertion of 
this breeding-place must doubtless be looked for in the want 
of sufficient nourishment for these voracious birds; fish are 
anything but plentiful this year. The arrival of Ferdinand 
with the two Russians may also have had some effect, because 
their visit doubtless did not pass off without the expenditure 
of a good deal of powder. ‘The shyness of the older birds 
2L 


258 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


confirms this. Larger flocks were constantly circling over 
the lake but did not dare to come down. We shot one, which 
proved to be an old P. onocrotalus. While thus engaged in 
collecting, evening drew near, and it became high time to look out 
for our camp, if we did not wish to become the victims of the 
“wild army” of mosquitos. Storm clouds rose menacingly from 
the western horizon, concealing the setting sun. We could not 
possibly remain upon this lake on account of the smell, and, 
therefore, rowed through the floating islands to another one. 
Anxiously, however, as we looked for a suitable dry spot, not one 
could be found. As soon as we placed foot upon the supposed 
land, it went under water. A few rain-drops fell; we were wet 
through already as it was, which is unavoidable on excursions like 
these, and we began to feel slightly uncomfortable. We rowed 
rapidly on, looking out for land, for the forerunners of the “ wild 
army” had already begun to appear. At last we found a some- 
what firmer and larger island, thickly clad with Nasturtiwm and 
Polygonum. As quickly as possible we opened our mosquito-nets, 
but before we had finished the blood-thirsty millions appeared, 
enveloping us and everything around us in dark clouds and 
tormenting us to death. The agony cannot be described. Under 
the circumstances we could not think of a layer of rushes to he 
upon, and we were thankful when we could creep under the net, 
which protected us a little at least. We could not be more 
uncomfortable than we were; we could not move if we did not 
wish to sink into the water which closely surrounded us. Fortu- 
nately the thunderstorm passed away, but we were nevertheless 
effectually saturated, for—the island sank! 

July 18. A night in the Pelican colony! ‘To pass a night of 
this description requires all the enthusiasm of the naturalist. 
To be submerged every minute deeper and deeper in stinking 
water, without daring to move—to have frogs, leeches, and other 
vermin under and beside you, beleaguered by innumerable hum- 
ming and buzzing mosquitos, the noise alone is enough to drive 
one to despair; this is really no pleasure. We therefore felt 
like being born afresh when, half an hour after sunrise, we could 
lift up the net and wade to our boats like water-rats. We had 
not slept a wink—it was really most unpleasant; and it was only 
after we had rowed for some distance upon the lake and the 
sun’s rays had warmed us a little, that new life returned. We 


A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 259 


wanted to see the Pelican colony again in the golden light of the 
morning sun, to look for some of the finest eggs, to shoot a 
few young P. crispus, and then to bid farewell for ever to the place 
which had so long kept us in such a state of excitement. We 
set out accordingly. We only took eggs where a number of 
putrefying young birds were lying. The feathers on the foreheads 
of these left no doubt in our minds as to the species. At one 
shot we got three young P. crispus. The young P. onocrotalus 
(in downy plumage), too, was again there. This time we did not 
let him escape; a well-directed shot brought him down. Thus 
we again passed several hours in the colony. It may have been 
about 9 a.m. when we started on our return journey. We did not 
get to the Cormorants’ nests of last year, which are said to stand 
on the willow-shrubs ; our chasseur could not find the place again. 
Of Larus ridibundus, which bred about here, not a trace is to 
be seen. We must mention, however, the innumerable Sea 
Eagles which we saw here yesterday. For these birds, as well 
as for the Marsh Harriers, of which we saw numbers everywhere 
ahout, there seems to be plenty of food here. A few Purple 
Herons also appeared. Most plentiful of all was Anas nyroca ; 
broken or rather hatched eggs of this duck we found on all 
the Pelican islands. Of smaller birds we have only to mention 
Panurus barbatus and Aerocephalus turdoides, together with some 
other species of Acrocephalus. Thus we quitted this promising 
breeding-place, satisfied to have found and seen it at all, but 
less satisfied with our booty, which was hardly adequate. Eggs, 
of course, we might have carried away by thousands, but we were 
satisfied with a couple of hundred of them—how many of these 
we shall be able to blow is a question. We particularly wanted 
young birds in down and old birds, and these wants were not 
supplied. The return journey through the reeds was performed 
quickly, but it was by no means easy. Two hours later we 
reached the Girla Litkow and found the large boat again, 
untouched. With difficulty we forced our way through the dense 
chaos of aquatic plants, rowing with our united strength. The 
July sun burnt us dreadfully. As before, we rowed in the large 
boat and tied on one of the small ones behind. In the afternoon 
we got back to the fishing-hut. This in reality is the only place 
where one can get a firm footing; and although only a small 
island, it is at least firm. The old man received us with an 


260 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


excellent dish of Carp, which was extremely welcome. In spite 
of feeling completely worn out, we sat down to work immediately 
under the mosquito-net. An old cask and a plank formed our 
table, with which we had to be satisfied. The fisherman and 
his servant soon left for Iuisslin; the boy for Kara-Orman. The 
latter we commissioned to bring us back some good ‘“ wotka” 
(brandy) to-morrow; one needs it here in these lagoons. ‘Thus 
we are quite alone at the fishing-hut, far away from all human 
beings. Towards evening Sterna hirundo flies about on the 
Girla, while the Bearded and Penduline Tits, the Great Reed 
Warbler, and the Reed Bunting are heard everywhere around. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


Tue ‘ALERT’ IN THE SrRaivs or Macetian.—The following extracts 
from a letter addressed to Capt. Feilden by Dr. R. W. Coppinger, Surgeon 
of H.M.S. ‘ Alert,’ dated Tom Bay, Trinidad Channel, Straits of Magellan, 
4th March, 1879, will be read with interest :—‘I shall not pack up 
anything for sending home until our arrival at Valparaiso, where we expect 
to be in May. I am not collecting the plants here, as they have already 
been so thoroughly worked out that I should only be losing time, otherwise 
valuable. Excepting the difference in dialect, the natives of these western 
channels, extending from the Straits of Magellan to the Gulf of Penas, 
seem to be in nearly all respects similar to those of the western parts of 
Terra del Fuego, who have been so carefully described by King and Fitzroy 
and Darwin. Their general appearance, boats, wigwams, food and manner 
of living seem to accord closely. They, however, very sparsely populate 
the wide extent of country which they wander over, and to judge from the 
number of deserted huts that we encounter, in proportion to those that are 
tenanted, it would appear that they seldom remain long in the same 
situation. I do not think they are compelled to adopt this wandering life 
through a scarcity of their staple diet in any oue situation, for mussels and 
limpets are so abundant about these coasts that in any of the favourite 
camping grounds—i.e., where a gently sloping beach allows a large extent of 
foreshore to be exposed at low-water-—I should think the supply practically 
inexhaustible. The animals which they hunt are the Seal and the Otter, 
and for this chase they are provided with dogs and bone-pointed spears ; 
but, judging from the few skins which they exhibit, and from the small 
number of bones of the above animals which are to be found in their 
wigwams, as well as from the few individuals of the Seal and Otter tribes 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 261 


which we have come across, it would appear that their captures in this way 
cannot be great. You would be surprised to see how really fat and well 
nourished these savages are. Their proverbially wretched appearance is 
due to nakedness, dirt, and shuffling gait, and to their own seemingly 
innate feeling of human inferiority. Much misconception appears to 
prevail with reference to the number and species of fish which inhabit 
these waters, it being commonly supposed that throughout these western 
channels of the Straits of Magellan region the members of this class are 
remarkable for their paucity. The truth is that fish are abundant enough, 
but are rarely to be caught with hook and line, perhaps owing to the 
abundance of shell-fish which nature provides for their food. However, by 
means of a trammel-net placed nearly opposite the outlets of mountain 
streams we have, in most of the places in which we have anchored, 
succeeded in capturing considerable numbers; so much so as to constitute 
an item of no mean significance in the dietary of the ship. The hook and 
line we have now discarded as almost useless.. Even the fresh-water lakes 
are not altogether barren, for quite recently we obtained from a large fresh- 
water lake, which occupies a mountain basin close to the sea, two species— 
one a fish about eight inches long, which in general outline and arrange- 
ment of fins resembled a Grayling, but was without scales, and the other a 
small fish something like a Minnow. I have as yet failed to discover any 
representatives of the Batrachia on the Magellan Islands; but on the 
opposite shore of the mainland—i. e., on the western slope of the Cordillera— 
I have found two or three kinds of Frogs, which have, I believe, been 
already collected by Dr. Cunningham. However, in the discovery of a Rat 
inhabiting a small islet, distant about fifteen miles from the mainland, 
I have, I think, added to the list of animals living in these desolate cloud- 
collecting regions. I trust that Iam not wearying your patience by this 
wordy epistle, which only too plainly displays the paucity of facts which 
I have as yet collected. Mr. Howard Saunders has asked me to note the 
distribution, breeding haunts, &c., of the Gulls as carefully as possible. So 
far we have met with only three species in these channels, viz., Larus 
dominicanus, L. modestus?, and a very wary Skua of a dusky brown colour, 
and barred with white across the wings. ‘This latter I have not yet 
succeeded in getting within range of. In reading just now, in ‘ The Times’ 
of the 29th November, Dr. Schliemann’s account of his recent excavations 
at Troy, I notice that he expresses his astonishment at finding immense 
numbers of the shells of cockles and mussels among the strata of the 
prehistoric débris. He further says, ‘“ No doubt they have once been 
plentiful in these seas, and most probably the Ilians have been eating 
them; but it remains unexplainable why they left them in the houses 
instead of throwing them away.” It might be interesting to him to 
know that among the Fuegian tribes who inhabit these regions, and who 


262 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


live almost exclusively upon mussels and limpets, the practice exists of 
depositing great numbers of the empty shells on the floor of the huts. 
They do not cast them away as articles of refuse, but deposit a portion in 
the centre of the wigwam, and the remainder in a heap at the entrance. 
In searching the floors of deserted wigwams for relics of native implements 
I have frequently excavated through considerable depths of empty shells. 
In Byron’s narrative of the loss of the ‘ Wager’ (see Burney’s ‘ Voyages’), 
he mentions that, when travelling in a canoe with a party of these natives, 
he once innocently threw the shells of the mussels which he had been 
eating overboard, and was thereupon attacked by the savages, and but for 
the intercession of the women would have suffered the penalty of death 
for his imprudence. He afterwards noticed that his native companions 
carefully preserved their empty shells in the boat until they reached the 
shore, when they placed them in a heap above high-water mark. There is 
no reason whatever to believe that these shells are preserved for any purpose 
of utility; but what the nature of the superstition may be I have not as yet 
been able to ascertain.” 


Ror-DEuR IN DorsursHirE.—I observe from a note in the April 
number of ‘The Zoologist’ (p. 170) that Mr. Dale erroneously considers 
Ireland and America to have been the original homes of the Roe-deer 
introduced into Dorsetshire by the late Earl of Dorchester. There is no 
question about their having been brought to Milton from Scotland. I have 
heard my grandfather, who was Lord Dorchester’s contemporary and next- 
door neighbour, often say so. The mistake in Mr. Dale’s mind as to their 
Irish origin may possibly arise from Lord Dorchester having estates in 
Ireland as well as in Dorsetshire. It is quite certain the Roe has not 
existed in the sister island within historic times, and there is no record of 
it during the quaternary period, although its remains are found associated 
with Cervus megaceros in the British and continental bone-caves of that 
period. With regard to America, although it ranges over temperate and 
southern Europe and Syria, it is not met with in the greater part of 
Russia, being apparently incapable of survival in high latitudes; hence 
it never crossed over from the Old to the New World with the Reindeer 
and the Elk before the submergence of the land at Behring’s Straits. 
These latter are the only two deer common to both continents; but it is 
right to say that naturalists are undecided as to the identity of the American 
Caribou and Moose with the European Reindeer and Elk; the impression 
seems to be gaining ground that they are distinct. In conclusion, I may 
confidently say that no true capreoline type of deer exists in America. 
The Rey. O. P. Cambridge, in his note (p. 209), omits to take into 
consideration that the Roe-deer transferred from this district in 1829 
increased and multiplied far beyond the limits of Charborough; for it is 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 263 


impossible to suppose that the seven and a half brace introduced by 
Mr. Drax in 1853 could have sufficiently increased in numbers as to give 
Mr. Radcliffe’s hounds the opportunity of killing nearly twenty brace in 1856 
and 1857 (after an interval of barely three years)—a death-rate representing 
more than three times that number which escaped. Mr. Radcliffe’s country 
extended far beyond the purlieus of the Charborough estate, and where, 
no doubt, the descendants of the first importation had not been extirpated, 
as had been the case at Charborough. With regard to the number of 
fawns the doe produces at a birth I can speak with some authority, for 
living in the metropolis of these little cervines I have frequent opportunities 
of observation, and I can say without hesitation that the doe “produces two 
and sometimes three fawns at a time” (p. 121). Her withdrawal from the 
rest of the family and her isolation at fawning time renders it certain that 
the fawns seen by her side are her own. Three are not only frequently 
seen following her, but are found by the keepers in the same lair within 
a few moments of their birth, and too feeble to escape. Mr. Cambridge 
corrects my statement by quoting Mr. Bell, who in his first edition (1837) 
follows Pennant’s and Bingley’s opinion that two fawns are produced at a 
time; and the ‘ Gentlemen’s Recreation’ (sixth edition, 1721, p. 72), says, 
‘besides some Roe-deer have been killed with five fawns in utero.”—J. C. 
Mansr-PLEypELL (Whatcombe, Dorsetshire). 


Cause or Decrease or Roz-pEeR: Errarum.— In your next 
number kindly make a slight correction in my communication on Roe-deer, 
p. 209, line 11 from the top of page. ‘‘ The cause” should be “ one cause.” 
My illegible handwriting probably misled the printer. The cause mentioned 
is by no means the only cause of the diminishing numbers of our Roe-deer, 
though it is undoubtedly one cause, and one which a little consideration 
on the part of our sportsmen might easily prevent.—O. P. CaMBRIDGE 
(Bloxworth). ~ 


Orrers AND Bapcers In BrrxsHire.—In a shop in Reading are 
three stuffed Otters, which were killed at Sandford Mill, on the River 
Loddon, within the last nine months. The finest is a dog-otter of great 
length captured during the last long frost, and which I am assured weighed 
in the flesh twenty-nine pounds eight ounces. This fellow broke away with 
a twenty-pound trap and chain, and drowned himself. His fur is a deep hair- 
brown, very handsome. One of my friends saw at Wallingford in April last 
a pair of fresh-killed Otters, in the flesh, taken from the Thames the same 
day, a third having escaped. The Badger is still extant in Berkshire. In 
the woods at Hampstead Norris, near Newbury, a pair of female Badgers 
were recently dug out of an old chalk-pit. A young male, bagged at 
the same hole previously, is now in the possession of one of my friends— 
a somewhat uninteresting pet. He recently slipped his collar, and dug his 


264 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


way out, but returned the next night. He is a fat and stupid beast, and 
paid no attention to a Lop-eared Rabbit which I saw hop into his den. 
More recently a pair of small Badger cubs were dug out in the same 
district, but unfortunately were destroyed. An old male is still about the 
woods, and has lately been digging at the disused earths. —H. M. Wattis 
(Holmesdale, Reading). 


Martens 1x CumBertaAndD.—On April 12th a female Marten was 
killed by the hounds on Middlefell, in Wastdale. Its breeding retreat was 
discovered and two young ones found, still blind, one being considerably 
larger than the other. The smaller of the two was given to a cat which 
had lately become a mother, in hopes that she would suckle it, but by the 
next morning it had disappeared. The next day (April 13th) another fine 
female was trapped near Dalegarth, in Eskdale. This last, which I saw 
myself, had a white breast, very faintly tinged with yellow.—Cuar.us A. 
Parker (Gosforth, Carnforth). 


Former OccuRRENCE oF THE Marren iN Eissex.—I can add one 
more to the list of occurrences of the Marten in East Anglia. About 1822 
one was killed in the Waltham Woods, near Chelmsford, by the late 
Mr. Thomas Gopsill, of Broomfield, near Chelmsford. I learn from my 
father, who had it from the actor, that, seeing something move in a crow’s 
nest, he fired and the Marten rolled out dead. I do not think this can 
have been a Polecat, an animal which was common at that time and 
long afterwards, but is not arboreal in its habits. My father remembers 
seeing five full-grown Polecats killed together in a drain by a terrier near 
Chelmsford—H. M. Wants (Holmesdale, Reading). 


Sroat 1n Ermine Dress.—On the 3rd March last I saw near here 
a very beautiful example of the Stoat assuming the ermine dress. It was 
perfectly white, excepting the black tip of the tail, and an exceedingly 
regular, oblong, red-brown patch on the middle of the back, looking 
exactly like a saddle. Being in hot pursuit of a rabbit this Stoat did 
not notice me. I had therefore, by standing quite still, opportunity of 
observing it, within a few yards distance, for nearly ten minutes, as it 
made several casts to pick up the scent—O, P. CamBriner (Bloxworth, 
Blandford). 


Poxtecat IN BeprorpsHire.—On. March 28th a Polecat was killed at 
Sir George Osborn’s seat at Chicksands Priory, and brought to Mr. Wright, 
of Clifton, to be stuffed. It is reported that another was trapped elsewhere 
in the county; but I have not been able to get the latter occurrence properly 
authenticated.—C. Marruew Prior (Bedford). 


Bank VoLw NEAR Exetrer.—On the 21st March last Mr. A. Dudley, 
of Ide, brought me a living specimen of this little rodent, Arvicola glareolus 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 265 


(Schreber), which had been taken in a mouse-trap in his potato-house. His 
attention was directed to it by its having a white patch on the head. Its 
reddish colour, smaller size, more slender form, and longer ears readily 
distinguish it from the Common Meadow Vole. It is the first specimen 
I have been able to procure, though it has long been recorded as a 
Devonshire species, on the authority of the Rev. W. S. Hoare, in Rowe’s 
‘Perambulation of Dartmoor.’ There are no well-authenticated instances 
of its occurrence in this county. On presenting a small brush dipped in 
prussic acid to this example, I was surprised to see it at once commence to 
lick it, and it, of course, immediately died. An albino rat treated in the 
same way made frantic efforts to push the brush away from it with its paws, 
taking up handfuls of its bedding, and using it as a shield to protect its 
face, and it was only by flicking the poison at it that he succeeded in 
killing it.— W. S. M. D’Ursan (Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter). 


OrnrtrHotocicaL Nores From THorpe.—The following notes contain 
a brief record of birds seen and obtained between November, 1878, and 
April, 1879, on the Thorpe Mere, near Aldeburgh :—At the beginning of 
November a few large Black-backed Gulls came into the mere, but a greater 
number stayed outside in the open sea, with other Gulls and Divers, 
following the herrings. On the 15th November a fine specimen of the 
Red-necked Grebe was shot. This is not a very common member of 
the Grebe family with us. On the 18th December I obtained two Short- 
eared Owls. On the last day of the old year a fair number of Duck, Teal, 
and Widgeon came over with a great number of Gulls and a few Knots. 
On the 2nd January a Sanderling was brought to me. All the birds on 
the mere seemed to be suffering from cold, and to be in a very starved 
condition. I saw a strange sight one morning going down to the ice. All 
the Gulls from the mere had collected in one small garden. One of these 
birds, apparently on an exploring expedition for food, had found in the 
garden belonging to a ruinous uninhabited cottage a heap of offal, and 
some two or three hundred Gulls were soon assembled here. The strongest 
one (a fine old Herring Gull) stood on the top of the heap making a hearty 
breakfast, while the others flew round, screeching with anger, and fighting 
each other to obtain a place near the heap. I watched them for some 
time, coming quite close, but the birds, tamed by hunger, did not appear 
to be the least scared at my presence. On the 20th January a Razorbill 
was washed ashore, just alive, but without any power to help itself, disabled 
by hunger and cold. On January 25th a Glaucous Gull was shot, as 
already recorded by me (p. 135), and on the 26th two Scaup Ducks, both 
males. A large flock of Brent Geese flew over in the following week. 
Ou the 4th February a Razorbill was washed ashore dead; on the 24th 

2.1L 


266 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


a Sclavonian Grebe was brought to me, its only peculiarity being its irides, 
which were yellow; and on the 28th a Goosander. At the beginning of 
March a few Redshanks appeared; and on the 5th of the same month a 
Guillemot was washed ashore, having died of starvation. A large number 
of Brent Geese stayed January and February with us, and towards April a 
few Bean Geese came over.—F. M. Ocitvie (Sizewell, Leiston). 


CorMoRANTS ON THE DorseTsHIRE Coast.—Mr. T. M. Pike, writing 
of the wildfowl in the Poole district (p. 214), says: — “The Green 
Cormorant, formerly quite a rare bird on our cliffs, has now several stations 
on the same piece of wild coast line (7. e. between Old Harry and Lulworth), 
and seems likely to become as familiar as his larger brother, the Shag.” 
Tassume that Mr. Pike has good reason for bestowing the name “ Shag” on 
the larger of the two British species of Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo 
(Linn.), but I have always heard that name applied exclusively to the 
smaller Green or Crested Cormorant, P. cristatus (Faber). My experience 
also conflicts with that of Mr. Pike in regard to the proportion in which 
these two species frequent the Dorsetshire coast. When spending a few 
weeks at Lulworth during the nesting-season of 1865 I made careful 
observations of the birds that were then breeding on that coast, and 
estimated that I saw at least twenty of the smaller green “ Shags” for 
every one of the larger Cormorant. The fishermen at Lulworth called 
them “black shags,” and so common were they along that coast that on 
throwing a stone down from the top of a cliff we frequently saw twenty or 
thirty of them fly out to sea. This was nearly fifteen years ago, and things 
may have altered since then. It is curious, however, if the proportion in 
numbers is now reversed, and the Great Cormorant is now the commoner 
species. Can it be that the larger bird, by usurping the best nesting-places, 
has gradually driven its smaller congener away, in the same way as the 
Jackdaw on some parts of the coast has banished the Chough? Mr. Pike 
will find my notes on the two species, as observed on the Dorsetshire coast, 
in ‘ The Zoologist’ for 1865, pp. 9674, 9675.—J. E. Harrrne. 


Ringe OvZEL WINTERING IN EneLanp.—I am much interested in your 
article on the Ring Ouzel (p. 203). You have certainly proved that a few 
remain sometimes with us through the winter, but I hardly think you have 
proved them entitled to be called “ residents,” a term I conceive that 
ought only to be applied to those species that remain regularly with us 
every year. I think, ‘too, they ought hardly to be classed with the Pied 
Wagtail and Meadow Pipit, numbers of which remain all the year, but 
rather with the Wheatear and Landrail, which have frequently been found at 
uncertain intervals in the winter months. The very fact of several people 
writing to you on the subject proves that they thought the occurrence 
of these birds in winter unusual; but out of the six counties where they 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 267 


are said to have wintered, I venture to remark that two (Norfolk and 
Salop) ought to be struck off; for though, in Norfolk, they were seen 
in severe frost, that frost might have been early in November, before 
they had all migrated; and, in Salop, my bird might have been wounded, 
or may have migrated after 1 saw it. At any rate I never saw it 
again, nor have I seen any others all the winter since, though I have 
kept a sharp look out. In the autumn of 1877 the crop of mountain 
ash and hawthorn berries was very abundant and the weather very mild, 
but the Ring Ouzels only stayed ten days later than their usual time, 
with the exception of two, and those I saw for the last time on the 
2nd December. As far, therefore, as this county is concerned, I think 
they must be considered summer migrants, occasionally, but rarely, 
stopping till late in autumn, perhaps even through the winter.— WILLIAM 
EK. Becxwitu (Eaton Constantine, Salop). 


Ringe OvuzEL NestiInG IN Essex.—My friend Mr. C. E. Bishop, of 
Wickham, Essex, tells me that on the 10th May he found a Ring Ouzel 
sitting upon four eggs in that parish. The nest he describes as placed 
almost upon the ground among rough herbage, about a foot from the edge 
of a ditch, and a few yards from the River Blackwater. The eggs he 
describes as more boldly spotted than is usual with Blackbird’s. Only the 
hen bird has been seen, and she is—or was lately—still sitting. I may add 
that Mr. Bishop has collected eggs and observed birds from childhood, and 
is not likely to be mistaken.—H. M. Wattts (Holmesdale, Southern Hill, 
Reading). 


Sone or THE Rine Ovzen.—If I do not err, the song of the Ring 
Ouzel has not been often, if ever before, noted in the South of England. 
It was therefore an unexpected pleasure to me to hear it lately (April 18th), 
without any possibility of mistake. I was walking along the lane between 
Bloxworth and Winterbourne Tomson, and on the top of a not very high 
solitary tree were two birds, one of which was singing away merrily. 
The shelter of the hedge enabled me to get almost underneath the tree 
unobserved, when, to my surprise, the birds proved to be a pair of Ring 
Ouzels. The male continued to sing until some minutes after, when, 
disturbed by my movements, they both flew to another tree about fifty yards 
off, where the song was immediately resumed. If I had not proved the 
bird singing to be a Ring Ouzel [ should have unhesitatingly concluded it 
to have been a Blackbird; its notes were equally full and mellow, but with 
rather less compass, and not quite so much variety in the strain.—O. P. 
CamsripdGx (Bloxworth, Blandford). 


Scnavontan GREBE IN BeprorpsHire.—A specimen of the Sclayonian 
Grebe was shot near Bedford during the last week in February. It was an 
adult bird in perfect winter dress.—C. Marranw Prior (Bedford). 


268 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Rooxrertes or Loxpon.—The rookery in Kensington Gardens has 
increased from thirty-one nests last year to fifty this year. The little 
colony in the Deputy Ranger's Grounds, Hyde Park, is deserted ; only two 
nests remain, and they are not tenanted. There are sixteen nests in the 
plane trees in Brunswick House Gardens, New Road; and eight nests in 
two plane trees behind Nos. 10 and 8, Upper Wimpole Street. ‘The colony 
in the garden in Gower Street has increased from three to five nests.— 
Epwarp Hamitron (9, Portugal Street, Grosvenor Square). 


Rooxrrtgs or Lonpon.—The Rooks’ nests, which have for years been 
frequented each spring, in the trees near Hereford Square, Old Brompton, 
are this year deserted by the old birds, much to the regret of many 
inhabitants. The noise of the workmen on the numerous buildings that 
are being erected in the vicinity is doubtless the cause of their going away. 
This is much to be lamented, as they are so interesting in their habits, and 
so cheerful in towns.—LamBron Youna. 


Earty Nestinc or THe Warer Ratt.—It may be worth recording 
that on the 8th April a nest of the Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus, containing 
nine eggs, was taken in Hast Norfolk. These eggs, which I received 
unblown, were slightly incubated, and it strikes me as being an unusually 
early date at which to find incubation with this species so far advanced.— 
A. H. Evans (Clare College, Cambridge). 


Hoopor 1n Firesurre.—A male specimen of the Hoopoe was shot by 
the under-keeper to Mr. Baird, of Elie, at Elie House, Fifeshire, on the 
8th May. The specimen, which has been preserved by Mr. Small, of this city, 
is in very fine plumage. The occurrence of the Hoopoe at this season in 
Britain is very unusual.—J. J. Dateruisu (8, Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh). 

[This may be so in North Britain, but not in the South of England, 
where the Hoopoe is an annual spring visitant— Ep. } 


Great SvorreD WoopreckER IN Perrusnire.—I have to record the 
occurrence, in the south-west of Perthshire, of an adult female Great 
Spotted Woodpecker, at Donne Lodge, the seat of the Earl of Moray, on 
the 24th April last.—J. H. Bucuanan (Leny, Callander, N.B.). 

[This bird is a well-known winter visitant throughout Scotland, and 
specimens have been obtained in almost every county. On the east coast 
within the last few years it has become rather common. See Gray’s ‘ Birds 
of the West of Scotland,’ p. 190.—Ep. | 


Fieiprares 1n May.—On May 5th I saw near here a considerable 
flight of Fieldfares. This is the latest date I have recorded, during the last 
twenty-five years, of their being seen in this neighboarhood. The nearest 
to it occurred in 1872, when I observed some, in company with Redwings, 
on the 25th April. On the present occasion, however, there were, so far as 
I could see, no Redwings.—O. P. Campripeu (Bloxworth, Blandford). 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 269 


Boar-risH AT Torquay.—Mr. Penny’s mention of the occurrence of 
the Boar-fish on the Dorsetshire coast (p. 221) leads me to state that two 
living specimens of the same species were taken in the inner harbour, 
Torquay, on the 24th February last. One of the specimens is now in 
the Museum of the Torquay Natural History Society—W. Pruneartiy 
(Torquay). 


Boar-FisH aT Exmoura.—When at Exmouth, on the 24th April last, 
I was shown two specimens of the Boar-fish, Capros aper, about five inches 
in length, which had been taken in a net on the previous day just outside 
the “ bar” —a long reach of sand-banks covered at high-water. I purchased 
them for this Museum. They are the first specimens which have ever 
been taken at Exmouth, so far as I can ascertain. It is remarkable that 
so many examples of this fish should have occurred at the end of last 
March on the Dorsetshire coast, so far from its usual habitat, which, 
according to Couch, is close to the Runnel Stone, near the Land’s End.— 
W. 5S. M. D’Urzan (Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter). 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


ZOoLoGicaAL Society oF Lonpon. 


May 6, 1879.—Professor W. H. Frowrr, LL.D., F.R.S., President, in 
the chair. 

The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the 
Society's Menagerie during the month of April, and called special attention 
to two Lanceolated Jays, Garrulus lanceolatus, from the Himalayas, and two 
Siberian Roe-deer, received in exchange. The Secretary also announced the 
arrival of a Japanese Goat-Antelope, Capricornis crispus, presented by 
Mr. H. Pryer, of Yokohama; and of an Alpine Accentor, Accentor alpinus, 
received in exchange, being, it was believed, the first example of this little 
bird seen in captivity. 

A letter was read from Mr. E. L. Layard, relating to the localities of 
certain species of Fruit Pigeons (Ptilopus) of the South Pacific Islands. 

Prof. Flower exhibited and made remarks on a drawing of a British 
Cetacean, Delphinus tursio, taken from a specimen captured near Holyhead 
-in 1878. 

A communication was read from Mr. Gerard Krefft, giving the description 
of a supposed new form of insectivorous Bat, of which a specimen had boen 
obtained on the Wilson River, Central Queensland. 

The Rev. Canon Tristram read a description of a new species of Wood- 
pecker, from the island of Tyzu Sima. near Japan, which he proposed to 
name, after its discoverer, Dryocopus Richardsi. 


270 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


A communication was read from Mr. F. Moore, containing the de- 
scriptions of new genera and species of Asiatic Lepidoptera Heterocera. 
Eleven new genera were characterized and ninety new species described. 

Mr. G. French Angas read the descriptions of ten new species of shells 
of the genera Axinea and Pectunculus. 

A communication was read from Mr. W. A. Forbes, on the anatomy of 
the African Elephant, based on facts observed during a dissection of a 
young female of that species during the last winter. The structures of the 
thoracic, alimentary and urino-genital viscera of this species were described, 
and compared with the previously published accounts of those of both the 
Indian and African species of Elephant. The most important differences 
observed were those displayed in the liver and female organs; but on the 
whole were not of such a nature as to make it advisable, in the author’s 
opinion, to separate Lowodon as a genus from Klephas proper. 

A paper was read by Mr. F’. Jeffrey Bell, on the question of the number 
of anal plates in the Echinoderms of the genus Echinocidaris—P. L. 
Sciaver, Secretary. 


EnromotoaicaL Society oF London. 

April 2, 1879.—J. W. Dunnine, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan exhibited the cases and sixteen species of Brazilian 
caddis-flies, with the insects bred from the larve that manufactured some 
of them, sent to him by Dr. Fritz Miiller, from Santa Catharina. Included 
were the cases exhibited at the meeting of the 4th December last. 

In connection with the habits of the Mantide—a subject which had 
been recently brought under the notice of the Society by Mr. Wood-Mason 
and others—Mr. Stainton remarked that on March 20th, 1866, he received 
a letter from Mr. Moggridge, jun., stating that he had forwarded a cater- 
pillar ‘and also a curious grasshopper (?).” The latter was enclosed in a 
box, from which, on being opened, there jumped out a little creature which 
he had no difficulty in recognising as a young Mantis. It was of a whitish 
green colour, and may possibly have been the young larval form of Mantis 
religiosa. It was placed back in the box, and the next morning again 
examined, the long anterior segment of the thorax and the peculiar anterior 
legs leaving no room for doubt that the specimen, in spite of its hopping 
movements, was a young Mantis. It was again turned out of the box, and 
again made little jumps, not such springs as would be taken by a grass- 
hopper, but still there was that in its movements which quite justified 
Mr. Moggridge, who, although a first-rate botanist, has not yet turned his 
attention to Entomology, in styling it “a curious grasshopper (?).” De Geer 
observes (vol. iii., p. 401) that “les Mantes approchent beaucoup des Sau- 
terelles, quoiqu’elles ne puissent pas sauter.” Mr. Stainton was of opinion 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 271 


that this peculiar motion of the baby Mantis is one of those cases to which 
Mr. Darwin has called attention, viz., that the relationship and affinities of 
animals are often more expressed in the embryonic than in the adult form. 

Sir Sidney Saunders exhibited a bag, said to be the production of a 
large species of spider, brought from the Fiji Islands by Mr. Henry Selfe, 
engineer on board a steamship trading between those islands and New 
Zealand. A similar specimen is said to be in the Auckland Museum. 
The natives are stated to split bamboos and to place the pieces in the form 
of a bag in the track of the spiders, and when covered by these the slips of 
bamboo are drawn out. It is believed that the natives make cloth of these 
webs. This information was obtained from another Englishman who had 
resided four years in these islands. 

The Chairman pointed out that, supposing subsequent inquiries to 
confirm these statements, this would probably be the first known case of 
an articulate animal being made to manufacture directly a fabric useful 
to man. 

The Secretary read the following note by Mr. J. W. Slater, “ On Insects 
destroyed by Flowers” :— 

“Whilst it is generally admitted that the gay coloration of flowers is 
mainly subservient to the purpose of attracting bees and other winged 
insects, whose visits play so important a part in the process of fertilization, 
it seems to me that one important fact has scarcely received due attention. 
Certain gaily-coloured, or at least conspicuous, flowers are avoided by bees, 
or if visited have an injurious and even fatal effect upon the insects. 
Among these are the dahlia, the piassion-flower, the crown-imperial, and 
especially the oleander. That the flowers of the dahlia have a narcotic 
action both upon humble-bees and hive-bees was first pointed out, I believe, 
by the Rev. L. Jenyns, in his ‘ Observations in Natural History’ (p. 262). 
He mentions that bees which visit these flowers are ‘soon seized with a sort 
of torpor,’ and often die unless speedily removed. He quotes also a writer 
in the ‘ Gardener's Chronicle,’ who pronounces the cultivation of the dahlia 
‘incompatible with the success of the bee-keeper.’ I find it also recorded 
that the passion-flower stupifies humble-bees: that bees of all kinds avoid 
the crown-imperial and the oleander, and that the honey of the latter is fatal 
to flies. I cannot call to mind that I ever saw a butterfly or a moth settled 
upon the flowers of this shrub in Hungary and Dalmatia, where it is very 
abundant. It seems not unimportant to ascertain whether the above- 
mentioned phenomena have been verified by other observers; whether any 
other insects, in such cases, undertake the functions generally exercised by 
bees, and whether other flowers have a similarly noxious or deadly action 
upon insects.” 

The Secretary also read a paper communicated by Miss E. A. Ormerod, 
entitled ‘Observations on the Effects of Low Temperature on Larve,” in 


272 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


which the authoress comes to the conclusion that of all the species belonging 
to different Orders examined during the severe frosts of the past winter, 
none were materially injured by the low temperatures to which they were 
subjected. Specimens in illustration of the paper were exhibited. 

Mr. Stainton remarked that although he fully agreed with Miss Ormerod 
that insects did not suffer directly from cold, yet he knew of two instances 
during the past winter in which a great loss of insect-life had ensued, owing 
to the leaves tenanted by mining larve having been killed by the severe 
frost. It was the habit of the larva of Lithocolletis messaniella to feed up 
during the winter months in the leaves of the evergreen oak (Quercus Ilex), 
and the effect of the extreme cold had been to kill the leaves of many trees 
of Q. Ilex, which were now quite leafless, although others similarly placed 
seemed to have escaped unhurt. Where a leaf containing a mining larva 
had been killed, the latter, unless capable of quitting the leaf to seek fresh 
food,—a power which no larva of the genus Lithocolletis possessed,—had 
necessarily died of starvation. On those trees of Q. Ilea which had escaped 
injury from the cold, Mr. Stainton had found that these larvae were much 
less developed than was usual at this period of the year, and hence he 
anticipated that the moths which should appear at the end of April would 
be delayed beyond their usual time. The other instance he had noticed 
was that of the larva of Tischeria marginea, which fed up during the winter 
months in the leaves of the bramble; in the neighbourhood of Lewisham 
almost every leaf of bramble had been totally killed by the frost, and of 
course the in-dwelling larvae had perished for lack of food. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan stated that it was generally believed that wet winters 
were far more destructive to insect-life than dry cold ones, however severe. 

Mr. W. Cole asked whether the insects observed by Miss Ormerod were 
actually frozen throughout, since it seemed to him improbable that the vital 
fluids in the tissues could be solidified without causing death. It was 
known that when the protoplasm of the leaves of trees was actually frozen 
the leaves were killed. 

Miss Ormerod stated that some of the larvee observed by her enclosed in 
frozen earth were in a state of brittleness when taken out, but nevertheless 
recovered on being thawed. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan was of opinion that animals might be frozen throughout 
into a state of perfect rigidity, and yet recover when thawed. He instanced 
the case of a fish which had been found in this condition imbedded in ice, 
and which had recovered on thawing. 

Mr. W. L. Distant communicated a paper containing ‘‘ Descriptions of 
new Species of Hemiptera collected by Dr. Stoliczka during the Forsyth 
Expedition to Kashgar in 1873-74,” to form portion of the general work on 
the scientific results of the Expedition, now in course of publication at 
Caleutta—R. Mrtpoua, Hon. Secretary. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. IIT.] PUL, LBs 9. [No. 31. 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON: 
PAST AND PRESENT, RESIDENTS AND CASUALS. 
By Epwarp Hamiuton, M.D., F.L.S. 


In the latter part of the reign of George the First, General 
Oglethorpe, who died in 1785, and his friend Carew Mildmay 
shot Woodcocks and Snipe in the open fields around Hanover 
Square. A conduit took its rise at the Lord Mayor’s Banquetting 
House, now Stratford Place (where his lordship formerly pro- 
ceeded to hunt the hare before dinner and the fox after), flowed 
across Oxford Street, by Hanover Square, Conduit Street, 
Berkeley Square, Hertford Street, to the top of what then was 
St. James’s Park (now the Green Park), into a large reservoir 
for supplying St. James’s Palace with water. Maitland, writing 
in 1732, says there was no house above Tyburn Road. Montague 
House and Southampton House, only pulled down at the beginning 
of the present century, had each its ample garden, in which 
the Nightingale and other summer warblers gladdened the ears 
of the passers by with their melody. Thrushes and Blackbirds, 
whose descendants now remain in Russell and Bedford Squares, 
frequented the hedgerows of the pastures where now stands 
Upper Montague Place, then the “Field of Forty Footsteps,” 
where the maiden watched the fatal duel between her two 
brothers. The present St. Giles’s Church was only built in 
1734, and was surrounded with high elm trees, where built Rooks, 
Magpies and Kites; the village pound was only removed in 1768. 


Ely House, Holborn, with its garden so famous for strawberries, 
2N 


274 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


had its maze and wilderness full of small birds. The Fleet-ditch, 
formerly called “‘ Turnmill-brook,” was a clear and rapid stream 
frequented by the Kingfisher and various water-fowl. Boats could 
come up to Holborn Bridge, and fish were caught there, possibly 
Salmon and Trout, for we know the river Thames was full of 
them. Maitland says, “How remarkably good are its Salmon! 
what fine large Flounders! what Smelts, Trout, Grayling, Tench, 
Barbel, Chub, Roach and Dace!” And no doubt the large 
gardens of the mansions of the nobility on the banks of the 
Thames were as full of the different feathered songsters of the 
grove as the river was of fish. The fields where now stand 
Belgrave and Eaton Squares and the surrounding streets were 
but a few years ago frequented by Wild Geese and Ducks, 
Plover and Snipe. Every house in that neighbourhood had its 
duck-gun, and the quiet sequestered gardens of Cadogan Place 
was a well-known resort of the Nightingale and Blackcap. 

Alas! the birds of London are fast diminishing in numbers. 
The great increase of buildings and other causes drive them to 
the outskirts, where they may still be found. We propose to give 
a short account of those left as residents, as well as of those which 
casually visit us on their way to ‘fresh woods and pastures 
new; and few would suppose that we should be able to enumerate 
no less than ninety-three species, and there may be many others. 
Some idea of the number of birds in Hyde Park in 1799 may 
be gained from what occurred during a review held there in that 
year by King George on the occasion of his sixty-second birthday. 
The papers of the day relate that ‘‘ the troops reviewed were 841 
cavalry and 7351 infantry, and that during their evolutions several 
thousands of small birds flew alternately from the noise of the 
troops towards the verge of the circle of spectators, from whence 
they returned terrified to the troops, and vice versd, till they 
became so exhausted that some of them fell motionless to the 
ground.” 


PEREGRINE F'aucon, Falco peregrinus.—A casual visitor. For 
many years a pair of these birds frequented the top of St. Paul’s 
Cathedral. The late Sir John Sebright, my informant, stated that 
they could always be seen there during the month of October, 
attracted, no doubt, by the numerous Pigeons frequenting the 
different porticos and steeples of the churches. 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 275 


Kirr, Milvus regalis.—A rare casual visitor. Formerly one of 
the scavengers of the city; numerous Kites built in the trees 
around and in London. In 1859 a Kite was observed flying over 
Piccadilly, not above one hundred yards high. 

KeEsTREL or WINDHOVER, Falco tinnunculus. —A casual visitor. 
In April, 1871, a pair of Kestrels had a nest in the cable attached 
to the anchor on the summit of Nelson’s Column, Trafalgar 
Square. A few years since a pair frequented Primrose Hill, 
where they might have been seen early in the morning. Mr. E. 
Bartlett (Proc. Zool. Soc., 1863) records its appearance in the 
Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park. 

SPARROWHAWK, Accipiter nisus.— A casual visitor. Occasionally 
seen, and will swoop at the cage-birds as he passes along. 

Barn Own, Strix flammea.—A casual visitor. Mr. EK. Bartlett 
(Proc. Zool. Soc., 1863, p. 159) records the Barn Owl as having 
been observed in the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park. 

GREAT GREY SHRIKE, Lanius excubitor.—A casual visitor. 
Although not having been seen in the London Parks, yet one was 
caught in the immediate precincts :—“ April, 1840. A Great Grey 
Shrike was caught last month on Hampstead Heath in the clap- 
net of a birdeatcher, the Shrike having stooped at the call-bird. 
It was bought by the Zoological Society, and is now in the 
Gardens.” Prof. Newton (Yarrell’s Brit. Birds, 4th edit.) states 
that another caught in the same manner “ was readily parted with 
by its possessor, who found that its note, once heard, stopped 
the song of all his other birds.” 

SrorreD Frycarcuer, Muscicapa grisola.—A summer resident. 
Mr. Bartlett (J. c.) records the nesting of this bird in the Zoological 
Society’s Gardens. They regularly nest and rear their young in 
Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. <A pair had a nest in 
Hamilton Gardens, Park Lane, in 1878; another pair in the 
shrubbery at the head of the Serpentine. ‘The nest was placed 
about twelve feet from the ground on the stump of a branch which 
had been lopped. There were also two nests in Kensington 
Gardens close to the Broad Walk. 

MisseEu Turusu, Turdus viscivorus.— Resident. Two or three 
pairs constantly frequent and breed in Kensington Gardens. In 
1876 a pair had their nest in the plane tree in Hamilton Gardens, 
Park Lane. The Regent’s and Battersea Parks are other localities. 
It is an early songster; often in full song in February, before 


276 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


stormy weather, hence the name of ‘‘ Storm-cock.” Spenser, in 
his ‘Epithalmion,’ line 77 et seq., evidently designates this bird 
as the Thrush :— 


“The merry Lark her mattins sings aloft ; 
The Thrush replies; the Mavis descant plays; 
The Ouzel shrills ; the Ruddock warbles soft.” 


Frevprare, J'urdus pilaris.—Mr. Bartlett has observed Field- 
fares in the Regent’s Park. They may be seen occasionally 
every winter. My notes record :—“ Dec. 27, 1878. Fieldfares 
in Hyde Park; fog and rime frost, very cold.” ‘Jan. 8, 1879. 
A flock of Fieldfares in Hyde Park, on the old Exhibition ground ; 
very cold, frosty weather; birds very tame, appear half-starved.” 
Mr. Bartlett informs me that many Fieldfares and Redwings were 
picked up during the severe weather of the last winter, 1878-9, so 
exhausted from starvation and cold that they were unable to fly ; 
he took many of them into his house, fed them for a day or two, 
and then set them at liberty. 

Repwine, Turdus iliacus—A casual visitor. Notes from 
journal :—* April 4, 1875. Flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares 
passing over Hyde Park; a fine sunny morning; a few Redwings 
remained in the elm trees for a time, some of them singing 
a soft melodious note.” “ Dec. 28, 1878. A flock of Redwings 
feeding in Hyde Park.” “Jan. 9, 1879. A great many Redwings 
in Hyde Park.” 

Sone Turusy, Turdus musicus.—Resident, and plentiful in all 
the parks, gardens and squares, where it both sings and breeds. 
The song may be heard early and late in the spring months, a 
fact not unnoticed by the poets. Thus Drayton, in his ‘ Poly- 
olbion’ :— 

‘The Throstle, with shrill sharps, as purposely he song 
T’ awake the listless sun, or chiding that so long 
He was in coming forth.” 


And Burns :— 


“ The Mavis wild, wi’ many a note, 
Sings drowsy day to rest.” 
Buacxpsirp, T'urdus merula.—Resident, and, like the Thrush, 
to be found in all the parks, gardens and squares, where it nests 
regularly and pours forth its sweet, clear notes. Its yellow bill, 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. Q277 


contrasting so well with its black coat, always makes this bird a 
conspicuous object. Shakespeare calls it— 


“ The Ouzel-cock, so black of hue, 
With orange-tawny bill.” 


And Drayton :— 
“ The Woozel near at hand that hath a golden bill.” 


Rine Ovzex, Turdus torquatus.—A rare casual. Seen occa- 
sionally on migration in the Regent’s Park (Bartlett, Proc. Zool. 
Soc., 1863), and Yarrell has recorded one being caught in a trap 
in a garden at Lambeth. 

HeEpceEsparrow, Accentor modularis.—Resident, and not un- 
common, breeding in our parks and gardens. There was a nest 
last year in Hamilton Gardens, Park Lane. 

ReEDBREAST, Hrythaca rubecula.— Resident. This universal 
favourite, the earliest bird in the morning and latest at night, is 
heard in all our parks and gardens, but, curiously, it is much shyer 
in London than in the country; although it may be found in 
almost every small shrubbery in Kensington Gardens, it keeps at 
a distance, and allows no near approach. Its song enlivens us 
almost all the year; even in winter, when all other birds are mute, 
it still sings on. ‘The Robin has been the theme of many a poet, 
and few lines are more beautiful than Rogers’s ‘Epitaph on a 
Robin Redbreast’ :— 

“ Tread lightly here, for here ’tis said, 
When piping winds are hushed around, 
A small note wakes from under ground, 

Where now his tiny bones are laid ; 
No more in lone and leafless groves, 
With ruffled wings and faded breast, 
His friendless, homeless spirit roves ;— 
Gone to the world where birds are blest, 
Where never cat glides o’er the green, 
Or schoolboy’s giant form is seen, 
But love, and joy, and smiling spring 
Inspire their little souls to sing.” 


NicurinGaLe, Daulias luscinia.—A casual visitor. Some few 
years back this ‘‘ sweetest songster of the grove” would have 
been placed amongst the regular summer visitants to London. 
Not many years since, amongst the favourite resorts of this bird 


278 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


were the shrubberies in Cadogan Gardens, Sloane Street, and in 
Kensington Gardens; and although Mr. Harting, in his ‘ Fere 
Nature of the London Parks,’* states that several naturalists have 
heard this bird within the last two years in the flower walk of 
Kensington Gardens, the writer, although on the watch both 
early and late, has not detected its song or seen it there since 
1872. The shrubberies are now too tidy to attract it. The 
Nightingale delights in thick undergrowth, low coppices and 
hedgerows. Formerly such localities existed in the above-named 
places, and the song of this bird was then constantly heard. 
Within a few years the Nightingale frequented the low bushes 
and thick shrubberies on the banks of the Canal in the Regent's 
Park, and is still occasionally heard there. This year it is pleasant 
to record its advent again. On Sunday, April 29th, one was 
singing close to the Gardens of the Zoological Society. Travers, 
the Keeper of the Western Aviary, drew my attention to it, and we 
listened for some time to its song, “ most musical, most melan- 
choly.” This bird, amongst poets of all ages, is designated as in the 
feminine gender, in allusion, no doubt, to its mythological origin. 
It is always referred to as “she” or “her,” although it is the 
male bird alone which sings. Spenser is one of the few poets 
who places the Nightingale in the masculine gender; thus, in the 
‘Shepherd's Calendar’ :— ; 
«The Nightingale is sovereign of song, 
Before him sits the Titmouse, silent be.” 


Skelton, poet laureate to Henry the Eighth, wrote :— 


“It were an heuenly helthe, 
It were an endlesse welthe, 
A lyfe for God himselfe, 
To here this Nyghtyngale, 
Amonge the byrdes smale, 
Warbelynge in the vale, 
Dug, dug, Lug, Lug, 
Good yere and goode lucke, 
With chuke, chuke, chuke, chuke.” 


Not every poet, however, who has written in praise of 
the Nightingale has proved himself acquainted with its song. 
Cowper, for instance, wrote a poem to the Nightingale, which he 


* «Popular Science Review,’ April, 1879. 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 279 


thought he had heard sing on New Year’s Day, 1792, but there 
can be no doubt that he listened to a Thrush. 

Repstart, Ruticilla phenicurus.—A summer visitant. For- 
merly not uncommon, but now scarce. In 1876 I noticed a pair 
of Redstarts in Kensington Gardens. It has been observed in 
the Regent’s Park. 

Wueatear, Saxicola enanthe.—A casual visitor in spring and 
autumn. ‘ April 5, 1878. A Wheatear, female, in Hyde Park near 
the Barracks.” The same spring a writer in ‘ The Times’ stated 
that he had seen five ‘Golden Orioles” in. the park! These 
proved to be Wheatears. 

REED WarBxeER, Salicaria arundinacea. —A summer visitant. 
Mr. E. Bartlett states that this bird breeds in the Zoological 
Gardens; but it has not been seen there for the last two or three 
years. It also breeds, according to Mr. Henry Smith, in the 
Botanical Gardens, Regent’s Park, where, in the nest of one of 
these birds, he one year discovered a Cuckoo’s egg. 

Sepce Warsier, Salicaria phragmitis.—A casual summer 
visitor. Recorded as seen in the Regent’s Park. 

The GreaTER WuitTeTHROAT, LEsszER WHITETHROAT and 
GaRDEN WaRBLER are all casual summer visitants to the London 
parks and gardens, and are not unfrequently observed in the 
Regent’s Park. 

Buacxcap, Sylvia atricapilla. — Also a summer visitant. It 
breeds in the Zoological Gardens (Bartlett), and one or two pairs 
are to be found every summer in Kensington Gardens. A small 
shrubbery near the round pond was always tenanted by a pair of 
these birds. This shrubbery, alas! having been made “ beautiful 
for ever,” the birds have departed. The flower walk is another 
locality ; also the gardeus behind Prince’s Gate. 

The Woop Wren, Wittow WreEN and CHIFFCHAFF are all 
spring visitors to the London parks and gardens. The last- 
named may be often heard in the gardens in Belgrave Square. 

GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN, Regulus cristatus.—A casual visitor, 
and has been noticed in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 
Regent’s Park, and in Queen Square, Bloomsbury. 

TREE CREEPER, Certhia familiaris.—A casual visitor. For- 
merly a resident in Kensington Gardens. One noticed in these 
gardens in 1877. 

Nuruatren, Sitta cesia.—Now a casual visitor. <A few years 


280 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


since, this bird was a constant summer resident in Kensington 
Gardens, and occasionally it returns to its old habitat. A pair 
were observed in the gardens last year. 
Great Tirmovuse, Parus major.—This familiar bird is a 
regular winter visitor to our parks and gardens. Skelton wrote :— 
“ T have a pretty Tytmouse 
Come pecking on my to.” 


And Drayton notices 


** Mistress Tytmouse, a neat, merry dame.” 


Buvue Tirmouse, Parus ceruleus.—A casual visitor. Some of 
these busy little birds generally visit our parks and gardens in 
spring and autumn. 

Coat ‘lirmousE, Parus ater.—Perhaps to be found more 
frequently than the preceding, and is usually seen during the 
summer months. There were two pairs on the 23rd April last 
in the flower walk, Kensington Gardens. 

Marsu Trrmovussz, Parus palustris.—A casual visitor. Reported 
by Mr. Bartlett as seen in the Zoological Gardens. 

LonG-TAILED TirmovuseE, Parus caudatus.—A casual visitor. 

Prmp Waerait, Motacilla Yarrellii.—This bird visits our 
parks and gardens in spring and autumn, only remaining a few 
days. At the end of March and beginning of April two or three 
may be seen on the banks of the Serpentine, in early morning, 
searching for the larve of aquatic insects. Note :—‘‘ March 25, 
1878. Pied Wagtail by the Serpentine, very busy searching for 
food.” 

Grey Wactain, Motacilla boarula.—A casual visitor. Noticed 
by Mr. Bartlett in the Regent’s Park. 

Ray's Waetart, Motacilla Rayu.—The same remarks apply. 

TREE Prrit, Anthus arboreus.—F ive and twenty years ago the 
Tree Pipit was a regular summer visitant in Hyde Park; now 
this species and the Mrapow Pirir, A. pratensis, are rarely seen. 
Recorded by Mr. Bartlett as occurring in the Regent’s Park. 

Sxy Lark, Alauda arvensis.—-The Sky Lark was once a 
resident both in Hyde Park and the Regent’s Park, and its joyous 
song might be usually beard during a morning walk. In ‘The 
Times’ of February 2nd, 1857, was the following notice :— 

‘‘ EXTRAORDINARY Fiicut or Larxs.—I have just returned from a 
stroll in the Regent’s Park,—1 oclock p.m., Saturday, January 31, 1857,— 


a 


— eae a 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 281 


where I witnessed a very unusual spectacle. When about one hundred yards 
from the railing of the late Mr. Holford’s grounds, I was brought to a stand 
by observing an immense flight of Larks coming over the Zoological Gardens 
and making for the late Marquis of Hertford’s (this is from N.E. to S.W.). 
Their numbers were countless, and they literally darkened the air. They 
were flying very low, and were obliged to divide in order to pass me on 
either side. This flight took two or three minutes to go over, and after a 
brief interval was succeeded by another almost as numerous. Being curious 
to observe whether it would continue, I remained on the spot for upwards 
of an hour, during which time flight after flight passed near me, sometimes 
in detachments of a few hundreds at a time, sometimes in myriads. One 
of the flights settled almost within shot and covered the ground, within a 
few inches of each other, for the space of half an acre. The unusual sight 
attracted the notice of one of the park keepers and of several others. How 
long they may have been passing I cannot say. I only know when I left 
the cry was ‘still they come.’” 


A similar occurrence was observed in Hertfordshire in 1842. 
Thousands of Larks commenced passing over, flying low, in flocks 
of many hundreds at a time, from daybreak to sunset, all following 
the same course, going from N.E. to §.W., and uttering a low 
chirp. On the next day a deep snow set in. 

There is scarcely an English poet, from Chaucer to the present 
time, who has not sung the praises of the Lark. As Professor 
Newton truly says, ‘a volume might be filled with extracts 


describing it or alluding to its habits.” 


Common Buntine, Emberiza miliaria.—A casual visitor. Has 
been observed in the Regent’s Park. 

Cuarrinou, Fringilla celebs—May be regarded as a resident. 
It breeds in Hyde Park. In 1878 there was a nest in a tree over 
the most fashionable lounge, where for two or three hours every 
day crowds of gaily-dressed people are sitting, walking, and 
talking. It also breeds in Kensington Gardens, Battersea Park 
and the Regent’s Park. It has been noticed as a casual visitor in 
Queen Square, Bloomsbury, and in Gray’s Inn Square. 

In the older writers, the Chaffinch is called “Spynke,” no 
doubt from its note. Skelton, in his ‘‘ Death of Philip Sparow,” 
refers to— 

“ The Lark with his long to, 
The Spynke, and the Martynet also.” 


In the ‘Countrie Farme’ (ed. 1600), the “Spinke” is fre- 
quently mentioned, and in the French work by Estienne and 
20 


282 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Liebault, from which it is translated, the corresponding word is 
“ningon.” In Cotgrave’s ‘ Dictionary’ we find “ Pinson, a Spink, 
Chaffinch, or Sheldpate ;” and in More’s ‘ Suffolk Words,’ “Spink, 
the Chaffinch.” R. Nicolls, in a poem called ‘The Cuckowe’ 
(1607), has— 

“The speckled Spinck that lives by gummie sappe.” * 


The common name for the Chaffinch in Middlesex and Hert- 
fordshire is “ Pink” or “ Spink.” 

Hovusr Sparrow, Passer domesticus.—What should we Lon- 
doners do without our Sparrow? His cheerful voice and familiar 
presence enliven our hours, and although a fearless bird, yet he 
is ‘‘ wide awake,” and will not allow too near an approach. He is 
indeed a London bird. Go to what part of London you will, 
you will find ‘Philip Sparrow,” equally familiar with rich and 
poor, building his nest and rearing his progeny in the very depths 
of the purlieus of St. Giles’s as well as in the Corinthian columns 
of the aristocratic houses of Belgrave Square, while Sparrow 
fights are as frequent amongst the dense rows of the squalid 
houses as in the more fashionable precincts. He has ever been a 
favourite, particularly with our older poets. Skelton wrote an 
“Elegy on the Death of a Pet Sparrow” :— 

“To wepe with me, loke that ye come, 
All manner of byrdes, in your kynde, 
Se none be left behynde. 

To mornyng loke that ye fall 
With dolorous songs funeralle ; 
Some to synge and some to say, 
Some to wepe, and some to pray, 
Every byrde in his laye ; 

The Goldfynche, the Wagtayle, 
The janglynge Jay to rayle, 

The fleckyd Pye to chatter 

Of this dolorous matter, 

And Robyn Redbrest, 

He shall be preest 

The requiem mass to synge, 
Softly warbelynge. 

ak + * % *% 

The Hobby and the Muskette 
The sensers and the cross shall get ; 


* See Dyce’s notes to Skelton’s Poems. 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 283 


The Kestrel in all this warke 

Shall be the holy-water clarke. 
Our chanters shall be the Cuckowe, 
The Curlei and the Stockdowe ; 
With Peewyt, the Lapwing 

The versycles shall synge. 

The Swan of Menander, 

The Gose and the Gander, 

The Ducke and the Drake, 

Shall watch at his wake.” 


Gascoyne, too, has a sonnet in praise of “ Philip Sparrow,” 
the familiar name by which this bird is known, from his note, 
commencing thus— ; 


“ Of all the birds that I doo know, 
Philip, my Sparrow, hath no peere ; 
For sit she high or lye she low, 
Be she far off or be she neere, 
There is no bird so faire, so fine, 
Nor yet so fresh as this of mine.” 


Many doubtless are familiar with a beautiful engraving of 
“ Lesbia and her Sparrow,” after a picture by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 
suggested by the poem by William Cartwright :— 


“ Tell me not of joy; there’s none 
Now my little Sparrow’s gone; 
He, just as you, 
Would toy and wove; 
He would chirp and flatter me. 
% * *% 6 ao ** 
Then would hop and then would run, 
And cry Philip when h’ had done. 
a + x 2k * cS 
Now this faithfull bird is gone, 
O let mournful Turtles joyn, 
With loving Redbreasts, and combine, 
To sing dirges o'r his stone.” 


In London the Sparrow is a very early breeder. I have the 
following notes :—“ Feb. 22,1877. Sparrows building nest, nearly 
complete, in a Virginian creeper at No. 6, The Terrace, Ken- 
sington.” “March 2, 1878. Sparrows building in the ivy of the 
gardener’s house, Kensington Gardens,” 


284 THE ZOOLOGIST. m 


Hawrincu, Coccothraustes vulgaris. —In the ‘ Zoological 
Journal’ for 1826, the late Mr. Yarrell recorded the capture of a 
bird of this species at Notting Hill; and I believe I saw a pair 
in Kensington Gardens in 1837. Mr. Bartlett in 1863 recorded 
its occurrence in the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park. Itis a 
very shy bird. I kept one in confinement for a long time. It 
became very tame and familiar, and was wont to roost at the head 
of my bed, and, as soon as daylight appeared, would perch on 
my head to awake me and receive its morning meal. Like most 
favourites it eventually fell a prey to a cat. I watched for many 
days a pair of these birds, with a view to discover their nest. 
They would come every two or three minutes to a cherry tree, 
take a cherry, and fly away, apparently out of sight. This was 
done to deceive, as the nest was situated in the fork of an apple 
tree in the same orchard. They brought off four young ones. 

GREENFINCH, Coccothraustes chloris.—Observed in Battersea 
Park, Kensington Gardens, and the Regent’s Park, and may be 
regarded as a resident. 

GoutprincH, Carduelis elegans.—A casual visitor. Noticed in 
the Botanical Gardens and Zoological Gardens, as well as in 
Gray’s Inn Gardens. 

Siskin, Carduelis spinus.— Like the last named, a casual 
visitor. Mr. Henry Smith has recorded its occurrence in 1876 
in the Botanical Gardens, Regent's Park. 

Lesser Reppouyu, Linota linaris.—Has been observed in the 
Regent’s Park. 

Liynet, Linota cannabina.—Seen in Gray’s Inn Gardens. 

Bouuurincy, Pyrrhula vulgaris.—A casual visitor to London 
gardens. It has been observed by Mr. Smith in the Botanical 
Gardens, and by Mr. Bartlett in the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s 
Park. It has also been occasionally seen in Battersea Park. 

SraRLine, Sturnus vulgaris.—Next to the Rook and Sparrow 
this bird is more generally distributed over our smoky city than 
any other. It is really a beautiful bird if one can only get near 
enough to see the exquisite metallic green and purple colour of 
its feathers, as it runs along in the sunshine, the busiest of the 
busy, searching for worms and insects in the grass. There are 
perhaps ten pairs in Kensington Gardens, and about the same 
number in Hyde Park. They build in holes in the old elm trees,-— 
now unfortunately being levelled by the ruthless hand of Time,— 


a 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 285 


as well as in many a cranny and deserted chimney in the heart of 
the metropolis. A hole under a window in Gray’s Inn Square 
has been tenanted by Starlings for the last forty years; and I can 
say the same, from my own observation, on the side of a parapet 
in Stratford Place, Oxford Street. Nothing can be more delightful 
than to hear a cock Starling whistling his low melodious song 
on an early spring morning, though he can be hoarse and harsh 
enough if his nest be disturbed. Do Starlings have two broods 
a-year? From my observations of our London Starlings, I think 
many of them do. I have seen them all busy nesting early in 
spring, and then again late in May and June—apparently the same 
birds—hard at it again. I can scarcely suppose other starlings 
come and tuke their place, as I know the haunts and nesting-places 
of almost every pair.* 

Raven, Corvus corax.—A casual visitor. Mr. Jesse, in his 
‘Gleanings,’ gives an interesting story of a Raven which was taken 
from a nest on the top of an elm tree in Hyde Park, about the 
time the bridge was built which spans the water between Ken- 
sington Gardens and the park. Early one morning in May, 1850, 
one of the park keepers observed two Ravens fighting in the 
Regent’s Park; one was killed in the fight and picked up by the 
keeper. Mr. Bond also has a Raven in his collection which was 
killed in the Regent’s Park. Amongst the poets generally this 
bird has a bad character :— 


“The greedy Raven that for death doth call, 
Spoiling poor lambs.”—Drayron. 


“ The sad presaging Raven, that tolls 
The sick man’s passport in her hollow beak.”—Martowr. 


“Tt comes o’er my memory, 
As doth the Raven o’er the infectious house, 
Boding to all.” —SuakESPEARE. 


«The Danish Raven, lur’d by annual prey, 
Hung o’er the land incessant.” —THomson. 


In allusion to the famous Danish standard, called the ‘ Reafen,” 
or Raven. The Danes imagined that before a battle the Raven 
wrought on the standard clapped its wings or hung its head in 
token of victory or defeat. 


* See ‘ Zoologist,’ 1876, p. 5164, and 1879, p. 218,—Ep. 


286 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Carrion Crow, Corvus corone.— This bird is occasionally 
seen passing over our parks. A few years ago a pair or two 
frequented Hyde Park and also the Regent’s Park. Spenser, in 
the ‘ Shepherd’s Calendar,’ relates how nets were formerly set for 
Carrion Crows :— 


‘“‘ For once I heard my father say 
How he him caught upon a day, 
Whereof he will be wroken, 
Entangled in a fowling net, 

Which he for Carrion Crows had set 
That in our pear tree haunted.” 


Hoopvep Crow, Corvus cornix.—A casual visitor. Mr. Harting, 
in his ‘ Fere Nature of the London Parks,’ states that he “ has 
frequently seen the Hooded Crow, in winter, in the Regent’s Park, 
generally engaged in robbing the ducks of their food.” He adds, 
“On the 8th and 9th November, 1874, a Hooded Crow was seen 
feeding on the lawn of the Inner Temple Gardens. It flew from 
tree to tree, occasionally dropping on the grass, and was apparently 
not at all scared by the crowds of people assembled on the Thames 
Embankment to see the Lord Mayor on his return from West- 
minster.” 

Roox, Corvus frugilegus.— Another of our familiar resident 
birds. In ‘The Zoologist’ for 1878 (pp. 193—199), I gave some 
account of “The Rooks and Rookeries of London.” I am happy 
to say that the rookery in Kensington Gardens has greatly 
increased this year, and if the Superintendent of the Gardens 
will only spare the trees I hope to see a still further increase. 
An appeal to the highest authority perhaps might avail. If the 
Chief Commissioner were only aware of the great delight these 
birds give to us London naturalists, he would, I feel certain, give 
orders to leave these interesting birds and their nests unmolested. 
Mr. Harting has given an interesting account of the mode in 
which the rookery in the Temple Gardens was formed during 
the reign of Queen Anne (see ‘ Zoologist,’ 1878, p. 196, note). 
A large rookery near St. Albans was formed in the same manner 
a few years since. Four eggs of a Rook were put into a 
Magpie’s nest in these trees and duly hatched. From that 
small beginning the present fine rookery owes its existence. The 
following story, illustrative of Rooks following their young, was 


= ye! 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 287 


told me by an eminent surgeon now practising in London. When 
he was house surgeon to St. George’s Hospital he was in the 
daily habit of taking an early walk through Kensington Gardens 
and Hyde Park. One morning whilst walking in Kensington 
Gardens he noticed a wamnber of Rooks congregated on the 
ground, making a great cawing and noise. On going up to see 
what was the matter, he ducal two unfledged young ones on the 
ground, which had evidently fallen from the nest above. He took 
them up, put one in each pocket, continued his walk home by the 
Serpentine, and deposited them in the garden of the Hospital, in 
which at that time was a large plane tree. He was engaged in 
making a little nest on the ground, in which he intended to feed 
them, when he heard a great bustle in the tree above, and on 
looking up, to his astonishment, he found the plane tree covered 
with Rooks. They set up a great clamour, and on his going 
away to a distance, they all came down to look at the young birds, 
and then all but two went away. These two birds constantly 
came and fed the young Rooks, and their captor had no further 
trouble. He only removed them every night for fear of cats, and 
on bringing them out in the morning there were the old birds 
ready to feed them. The young ones grew up, and to prevent 
their flying away he had their wings cut. They remained in the 
garden for two years and then were allowed to fly. After a time 
they ceased to frequent the garden, which they did for some time 
after they obtained their liberty. 

Jackpaw, Corvus monedula.—There are perhaps six or seven 
pairs frequenting Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, where they 
are resident and breed. These birds may also be found nesting 
in various other localities in this great city. A pair frequent the 
steeple of Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street. Another pair 
have had their nest for years under the wings of a figure of an 
angel on the centre house of Stratford Place. The Jackdaw’s 
partiality for towers and steeples is alluded to by Cowper in the 
well-known lines beginning— 

“ There is a bird who by his coat, 
And by the hoarseness of his note, 
Might be supposed a Crow, 
A great frequenter of the church, 
Where, Bishop-like, he finds a perch, 
And dormitory, too.” 


288 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Macprm, Pica caudata.—Yarrell, in his ‘ British Birds,’ says, 
“In my note-book I have a memorandum that I once counted 
twenty-three Magpies together in Kensington Gardens.” In 1856 
a pair of Magpies frequented and built their nest in Kensington 
Gardens. Formerly this bird was common enough in the trees of 
our parks, and Mr. Harting (1. c.) has given an amusing anecdote of 
the Magpies’ nests in St. James’s Park in the time of Charles I. 

Great Srorrep WoopreckErR, Picus major.—A few years ago 
this was comparatively a common bird in Kensington Gardens. 
Yarrell says, “‘ The Woodpeckers are frequently seen here; and 
the keeper at the Bayswater Gate reared up a family of the young 
of this species.” 

Lesser SporreD Wooprecker, Picus minor.—Like the last- 
named, much commoner a few years ago. I have seen this bird 
frequently in Kensington Gardens up to 1866. It is very rarely 
observed now, but one was seen as late as May, 1878. 

Wryneck, Yunx torquilla.—A casual visitor. Up to 1850 this 
bird might be seen and heard in Kensington Gardens. Its peculiar 
plaintive cry, hardly to be called a song, once heard cannot be 
mistaken. 

Common CREEPER, Certhia familiaris.—A casual visitor. If 
carefully looked after, a year seldom passes without this bird 
being seen in Kensington Gardens. Mr. Bartlett has recorded 
its occurrence in the Regent's Park. 

Wren, T'roglodytes vulgaris.—The loud note of the Wren may 
often be heard in the London parks and gardens, especially in 
Kensington Gardens and the Regent’s Park, in both of which 
localities it breeds every year. I have heard it also in the gardens 
of Portman Square. “The Wren with little quill” has been always 
considered a kind of sacred bird :— 


“The Robin Redbreast and the Wren 
Are God Almighty’s cock and hen.” 


And I can well remember, as a boy, with what horror we regarded 
the idea of killing either of these birds. Drayton has— 


“And near at hand I happily espy’d 
The Hedgesparrow and her compeer the Wren, 
Which simple people call Our Lady’s hen.” 


“Simple people,’ too, still believe that the Robin and the 
Wren are male and female of one species. 


THE BIRDS OF LONDON. 289 


Nuruatcu, Sitta ewropea.—An occasional visitor. Formerly 
common in Kensington Gardens, now rarely met with. I noticed 
a pair there in 1875. 

Cuckoo, Cuculuws canorus.—A summer visitor. Twenty years 
ago the Cuckoo’s note might be heard in Hyde Park and Ken- 
sington Gardens; now this bird is a rare visitor. I noticed it in 
Hyde Park last year, and Mr. Henry Smith has recorded the fact 
that a Cuckoo’s egg was deposited in the nest of the Reed 
Warbler in the Botanical Gardens, Regent’s Park, where a young 
Cuckoo was seen sitting in a growth of Heracleums, and being fed 
with caterpillars by a Reed Warbler. Mr. Harting on different 
occasions has seen the Cuckoo in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Gray’s 
Inn Square. 

KinerisHEerR, Alcedo ispida.—In August, 1863, a Kingfisher 
was seen frequently at the ornamental water in the Regent’s Park, 
and Mr. Henry Smith has recorded its occurrence in the Botanical 
Gardens. 

Swattow, Hirundo rustica.—‘ The swift-winged Swallow, 
feeding as it flies,” used formerly to breed in the metropolis; 
now it only passes a few hours during its migration skimming 
over the Serpentine and other London waters. It is generally 
noticed about the middle of April. In 18638, as recorded by 
Mr. Bartlett, some Swallows nested in the Zoological Gardens. 

Martin, Hirundo urbica.—A pair of Martins have built their 
nest this year in Kensington Gardens Terrace; another pair at 
the Magazine, Hyde Park. 

Sanp Martin, Hirundo riparia.—Every year in April these 
birds may be seen in considerable numbers skimming over the 
Serpentine. Record from my notes: —“ April 28. Hundreds of 
Sand Martins flying over the Serpentine. April 30. Not a Sand 
Martin to be seen.” 

Swrrr, Cypselus apus.— Generally seen on migration in spring 
and autumn, passing overhead. In July, 1873, an immense flock 
of Swifts, estimated at two thousand, were observed passing over 
Hyde Park. 

Nicutsar, Caprimulgus europeus.—Like the last named, has 
occasionally been observed at the periods of migration. 

Ring Dove, Columba palumbus.—Until the greater portion of 
the Scotch firs in Kensington Gardens were cut down, there were 


generally three or four pairs of these birds breeding there, and up 
2P 


290 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


to 1878 a pair nested for the three previous years in an old pollard 
poplar in the Green Park. In April, 1877, they were very busy 
there, and the pleasant “coo, coo” of the bird sounded strange 
amongst the din and turmoil of Piccadilly. The constant work 
which was being carried on under these trees in the spring, in 
digging and planting, caused the bird to forsake that particular 
haunt. 

Woopncock, Scolopax rusticola. — Is occasionally found in 
winter in the London parks. In January last a Woodcock was 
seen flying at dusk down the centre of the Serpentine towards 
Kensington Gardens amongst the skaters and sliders, not above 
twenty yards over their heads. 

Common Snipe, Scolopax gallinago.—Many parts of London 
now covered with houses were fifty years ago the haunts of the 
Snipe and the Wild Duck, and there are those still living who 
have shot Snipe and Duck in the five fields now named Belgrave 
Square. Indeed, until the last twenty years, a duck-gun was a 
common weapon in the houses about Battersea and Chelsea. 
Some years since a Snipe was picked up, alive but quite exhausted, 
in the Strand. 

Brown Syipr, Macrorhamphus griseus.—Mr. Harting, in his 
‘Birds of Middlesex,’ states that one of these birds, now in the 
collection of Mr. Bond, was shot some years ago on the banks of 
the Thames, near Battersea, and a second, in his own collection, 
was obtained on the Brent, near Stone Bridge, a very short 
distance from London, in October, 1862. 

Mooruen, Gallinula chloropus.—May be observed at any time 
in the ornamental water of the Regent’s Park and St. James’s 
Park. It has been noticed also in Kensington Gardens and in 
Battersea Park. 

Coot, Fulica atra.—Has occasionally been seen in winter in 
the Regent’s Park and more rarely in Kensington Gardens. 

Grey Puararorr, Phalaropus fulicarius.—Is occasionally 
found on the Thames during the autumn migration. In November, 
1862, a specimen of this bird in winter plumage, as recorded by 
Mr. Harting, was killed on the Thames at Blackwall. 

Wixp Duck, Anas boschas.—All our ornamental waters now 
teem with tame wildfowl, and during the winter many wild birds 
are attracted by seeing their species on the water, acting as 
decoys, but though they may alight for a time in passing over, 


EFFECT OF SEVERE FROST ON ANIMAL LIFE. 291 


they are soon away again. Mr. Henry Hussey, writing in ‘ ‘lhe 
Zoologist’ for 1860-4, states that he has noticed eight different 
species on the London waters, viz., the Gadwall, Widgeon, Teal, 
Pochard, Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck and Golden- 
eye. As these had all perfect wings, it is probable that most of 
them were really wild birds. 

LirtLe GreBeE, Podiceps minor.— A casual visitor to the 
London waters. In February, 1863, Mr. Hussey observed a 
Little Grebe, in winter plumage, on the Serpentine. I noticed 
this bird there the same year, and in 1871 I saw one in the 
ornamental water in Kensington Gardens. Mr. Harting, in his 
‘Fere Nature of the London Parks,’ says, ‘‘ We have observed a 
Little Grebe on the round pond in Kensington Gardens; and 
were not a little surprised one summer to find the bird nesting 
there, the nest, a floating shallow structure, being moored to some 
aquatic plants at a distance from the shore.” 

Common TERN, Sterna hirwndo.—A casual visitor. During 
the periods of migration this bird is frequently seen at the 
Serpentine and on the Thames. 

Many Gulls also, more particularly the Kirrrwaxe, Larus 
tridactylus, and the Common Guu, Larus canus, pay a flying visit 
to our London waters. 


THE EFFECT OF SEVERE FROST ON ANIMAL LIFE, 
AS OBSERVED IN THE COUNTY MAYO. 


By Rosert WARREN. 


Tue past winter of 1878-79 will be long remembered for its 
severity, and for the lengthened period during which the ground 
was covered by snow; for, although more intense cold was 
experienced during the frost of January, 1867 (the thermometer 
indicating twenty-three degrees of frost on the 16th of that 
month, while sixteen degrees of frost was the lowest registered 
here during the past winter), yet the cold of 1878-79 was 
more severely felt by both birds and beasts, in consequence of 
the low state of the temperature having continued with little 
intermission from the last week of October until March. 

A remarkable fact connected with the coldest part of the 
season in December and January was the frequent alternation of 


292 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


partial thaws, severe frosts, and snowstorms, the thaws not 
lasting longer than a few hours, nor long enough to clear the 
ground of snow. In order to give some idea of the frequent 
changes of weather alluded to, and of the effects of the long- 
continued cold on the birds in this neighbourhood, I venture 
to give a few extracts from my note-book, which I think may 
prove of interest to naturalists and sportsmen. 

The weather throughout October was unusually stormy, and 
exceedingly cold towards the end of the month, there being 
only one day calm enough for punt-shooting between the 2nd and 
24th. On the 26th a northerly wind set in, accompanied by 
hail-showers, and this gale continued with occasional lulls until 
the 1lth November, when it came on with renewed violence, 
bringing with it cutting showers of snow and hail and a heavy 
fall of snow. This, however, melted next day, but the gale held 
on with sleet and hail until the 14th, which was a calm bright 
day. During the stormy weather in October and early in 
November many flocks of Wild Geese were seen flying about 
with loud cries, apparently unacquainted with the country, and 
not knowing where to alight. There must have been an unusually 
large migration of Geese, for I never before remarked so 
many detached flocks passing, nor do I ever remember to have 
seen them wandering about for such a length of time without 
settling down. 

The fine bright weather lasted from the 14th of November 
until the 25th, upon which night a hard frost set in, with snow on 
the two following days; the 27th was so calm and bright that 
I was tempted lo launch my punt, and paddled down the river to 
Bartragh, where I fell in with some very large flocks of Widgeon, 
eight or nine Sheldrakes, and some Great Northern and Red- 
throated Divers, the latter birds more numerous than they have 
been for some years past. The Widgeon were very wild, not 
allowing me to come within shot of the main flock; but, after 
a good deal of manceuvring, I got a shot at a small bunch of them, 
knocking down fourteen birds, two cripples escaping. 

On the 29th the nightly frosts ceased, and from that date 
until the 8th of December, the weather was mild, but on that day 
a sharp north wind set in with hail and hard frosts, whitening the 
ground, and the frost continued with such severity that on 
the morning of the 11th the tidal parts of the river were covered 


ON i al 


EFFECT OF SEVERE FROST ON ANIMAL LIFE. 293 


with immense sheets of ice floating down with the ebb-tide, and 
so thick was the ice that I was unable to get out in my punt 
until low water, by which time the greater part of the ice 
had floated out to the bay. On getting near Bartragh I found 
that great numbers of Wild Ducks had come down from the bogs 
and lakes, their inland feeding-grounds being frozen out, but 
owing to the lowness of the tide I was unable to get at the Ducks 
resting on the sands, and meeting with few stragglers within shot . 
of the punt, I only secured four and a half couples. The Widgeon 
were in large numbers, as if all the inland feeding birds had 
come down to the estuary, but notwithstanding the severity of 
the frost they were wilder than ever, and quite unapproachable. 
I also remarked a great many Godwits and Knots, the former 
appearing in larger numbers than usual. 

The morning of December 12th was ushered in by a thaw, 
accompanied by hail, which afterwards turned to snow, thickly 
covering the ground; the frost setting in again at 3 p.m., and 
with such severity that at 11 o’clock that night the thermometer 
indicated twelve degrees of frost. Next day the hard frost 
still continued with a thick fog freezing on everything, and 
covering the branches of the trees and hedges with beautiful 
crystals. The birds now began to feel the effects of cold and 
hunger, and by the 14th they suffered severely, the ground being 
quite covered with hard-frozen snow, obliging them to take to 
the shore in search of food amongst the seaweed and shingle. 
When the tide was out I observed Fieldfares, Redwings, Thrushes, 
Starlings, Larks, and a few Blackbirds and Chaffinches, out on 
the sands, all looking very miserable with their feathers ruffled 
up. One Starling and a Fieldfare I picked up dead. That 
evening the Starlings were so affected by the cold that numbers 
tried to get in at the windows, and others crept for shelter and 
warmth into holes under the eaves of the farm-buildings and 
cattle-sheds. Some even came down the chimneys, and on the 
morning of December 15th we found seven Starlings behind 
the grate of one of the sitting-rooms, four of which were dead. 
The Rooks, for want of their natural food, became carnivorous in 
their habits, like Ravens and Hooded Crows, and killed and 
ate the weakly and dying birds wherever they could find them. 
We commenced feeding the birds twice a day, but it was 
very difficult to manage this, for the Rooks being the stronger 


294 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


ate up everything. So whenever the small birds were fed the 
Rooks had to be watched and driven off. We found it impossible 
to feed the few Pheasants we have, for the Rooks ate up every 
erain before the shy Pheasants came to the sheaves of oats 
which were put out for them. Fortunately, however, the latter 
discovered a plot of Brussels sprouts in the garden which the 
Rooks did not care for, and which kept them alive. The only 
plan of feeding the small birds which succeeded was to put 
out a quantity of potatoes on the lawn for the Rooks, and while 
the latter were engaged, to put out some more potatoes, soaked 
bread, and oats near the door for the Blackbirds, Thrushes, and 
Finches, which were then able to feed undisturbed. 

On the morning of December 17th the tidal part of the 
river between Moyfort and Belleek was quite frozen over, except 
a few lanes of open water leading to the Quay (the thermometer 
the previous night indicating sixteen degrees of frost), but about 
two o’clock a thaw set in, the sky became clouded, and a little 
rain fell at 10 o'clock, the temperature rising rapidly to one 
degree above freezing. On the 19th the thaw continued, but did 
not clear away the snow, while the wind set in from the north in 
wild squalls, accompanied with hail, which turned to snow again 
that evening, covering the ground to a depth of three inches. 
Frost again set in with a dense fog on the evening of the 20th, 
by which date the snow had increased in depth to twelve inches, 
so that the birds could find nothing to eat except what they could 
pick up on the shore at low tide. It was pitiful to notice how the 
numbers of the Thrushes, Blackbirds, Robins, and other small 
birds which came to be fed, dwindled away day by day, as 
they gradually died off, while the number of dead birds (or rather 
what remained of them after having been picked by the Rooks), 
which might be seen lying about the fields and hedgerows, was 
astonishing. Amongst these, Starlings were the most numerous, 
then Fieldfares, then Thrushes, and then Blackbirds. By this 
date the great majority of Starlings, all the Redwings, and 
the greater number of the Fieldfares had disappeared. Probably 
they had gone farther south, leaving only the weakly birds 
behind. Lapwings and Golden Plovers also left the district, 
although the latter were to be seen in hundreds in the fields 
along the coast, near Easky and Finod, County Sligo. 

On December 21st and 22nd there was a slight thaw, but the 


ae. ae) 


EFFECT OF SEVERE FROST ON ANIMAL LIFE. 295 


frost again set in so hard on the 23rd that at two o’clock I observed 
ice forming on the tidal part of the river near Belleek, and the 
cold and want of food then began to be felt so severely by 
the Black-headed Gulls that numbers were captured alive by the 
country children along the river side, being so weak as to be 
unable to fly. The intense cold still continued on the 24th, with 
the thickest fog I ever saw freezing upon everything, all the bays 
and creeks along the river being completely closed by ice. With 
great difficulty I got out my punt, owing to the quantity of ice 
piled up along the shore, and after getting afloat, the fog was 
so thick that I was unable to get to the Widgeon, and had to 
keep close to the shore, looking out for any Mallards that might 
be feeding where the fresh-water streams run into the river. 
While paddling along the shore near Killanly, a Mallard swam 
out from the shore to look at the punt, and after coming within 
about ten yards, swam towards the shore again. I followed, 
expecting him to lead me to his companions, which were invisible 
in the fog. After following for about twenty yards, I could 
just see some Ducks in the water along the wrack, but owing to 
the thickness of the fog I was unable to make out their numbers 
or to aim correctly. Hence, when I at length fired, I made-a bad 
shot, only killing three birds, and these were so close to the 

‘punt that they were fairly riddled and almost spoiled. After 
loading again I returned along the Moyview shore to where 
another stream runs down, and fell in with ten or twelve Mallards 
feeding, but owing to the weight of ice in the boat depressing her 
bows too much, I was unable to elevate the gun quick enough to 
get a shot before they made off; I got so close to them in the fog 
that the instant they saw the punt they were off. The frost 
all day was intense, every drop of water freezing on the punt as 
it fell, and the paddles becoming covered with ice the instant I 
lifted them out of the water. The Curlews now became very 
thin and poor, not worth shooting, and began to search for food 
along the hedgerows and in the plantations, deserting the shore 
by day. I found one of these birds dead from starvation, as well 
as several Black-headed and one Common Gull. 

To give some idea of the state of starvation to which the 
Rooks were at this time reduced, I may state that on my return 
home I threw the dead Curlew and three Fieldfares on the lawn, - 
and in about a quarter of an hour they were clean picked. ‘The 


296 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


cattle and sheep in the fields were in a sad state, not having had 
a bit of grass since the 13th December, and as the turnips were 
hard frozen we were obliged to feed them entirely upon hay and 
straw. 

The thermometer at 11 p.m. indicating sixteen degrees of frost, 
Christmas Day dawned with a bitter east wind and showers 
of hail, but about midday a slight thaw set in, and the snow on 
the roofs began to drip. I caught a weakly Curlew which was 
quite unable to fly. Although the slight thaw continued all 
night, yet on the 26th it made no perceptible impression on 
the frozen snow which still covered the ground. The day being 
calm I went down the Channel to Bartragh in my punt, and 
on my way down saw a flock of twenty-two Wild Swans flying 
towards Enniscrone. I afterwards heard that for a couple of 
days they haunted a little swampy lough situated about a mile 
from that village. I never before remember to have seen such 
large numbers of Widgeon, but, with the exception of two or 
three large flocks resting on the sands, the greater part were 
scattered in small bunches feeding amongst the seaweed along 
the shores of the islands whereon any wrack was to be found. I 
also saw large numbers of Wild Ducks, and it seemed as if 
all the Widgeon of the district had assembled in the estuary, . 
being driven from the lakes and swamps by the ice. Although 
the Widgeon were very wild, I had a very good day’s sport, 
securing twenty-eight and a couple of Mallards. My best shot 
was fourteen birds, but I should have been more successful had 
it not been for the number of small guns along the shore which 
were being continually fired off. My best chance was spoiled by 
a Curlew alarming a fine company of Widgeon feeding along the 
Baunros shore ; I got almost within range when the Curlew put 
them up, and they moved farther up the channel, where they 
settled down again. I commenced setting to them with the tide, 
passing quite close to little bunches of Teal and Widgeon, which 
never rose until the boat almost touched them. I did not think 
them worth a shot, so pushed on to the larger flock, the tail birds 
of which began rising before the punt; but as I ceased paddling 
and let her drift with the tide, those that remained (about thirty 
in number) allowed me to get within range, when I fired and 
knocked over fourteen. 

The frost returned that evening, and by daylight on the 27th 


EFFECT OF SEVERE FROST ON ANIMAL LIFE. 297 


_ everything was hard frozen again, with a cold north-east wind, 
and at five o’clock a fine dust-like snow began falling, which before 
morning had covered the ground to a depth of three inches. 
I went out in my punt for a short time and secured eight Widgeon 
and four Ducks, but lost a fine shot at Ducks through the tube 
missing fire. 

On the 28th a thaw set in, and continued all day. By the 
29th the grass began to reappear after being covered by frozen 
snow for exactly sixteen days, and, rain coming on, the thaw 
became so rapid that by the last day of the year the fields were 
quite cleared of snow. 

The destruction of life amongst small birds, caused by cold 
and starvation, was very great, and the Snipe were almost exter- 
minated by shooting, trapping, and snaring. Some idea of 
the numbers destroyed may be formed from the fact that over 
one thousand Snipe passed through the hands of a game-dealer in 
Ballina in one week, and such were the numbers of game-birds 
and wild-fowl thrown on the market, that I have seen the game- 
dealer referred to refuse to purchase Woodcocks at any price. 
At this time Snipe in the hands of salesmen in Manchester could 
not be sold even at the low price of twopence each. The country 
boys in this district became so expert in the use of rabbit-traps, 
that they took all sorts of game and wildfowl, and by setting 
them in the unfrozen springs and drains captured Snipe, Wood- 
cocks, Curlews, Wild Ducks, Widgeon, Teal, and even Wild 
Geese. I heard of one boy taking three White-fronted Geese 
with traps at a spring not a mile from the town of Ballina. 

The clearing of the ground from snow afforded only temporary 
relief to the birds, for on the 1st of January the frost returned, 
hardening the ground so much as to prevent their feeding, and 
the Rooks and Blackbirds were only too glad to feed with the 
fowls in the yard. No Thrushes, however, appeared, having 
apparently all died off, and only one Robin came to the door- 
step to be fed; one that came regularly to the back window must 
have died, as for some days before the thaw set in it presented a 
very miserable appearance with its feathers all ruffled. The 
Sparrows all disappeared, and of the large flocks of Chaffinches, 
Green Linnets, and Yellowhammers which previously haunted 
the barn-door, not more than four or five of each species were to 


be seen. 
2Q 


298 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


On January 2nd the frost still held, and the morning of the 
3rd was ushered in by a heavy fall of snow, which lay thickly on 
the frozen ground. On the 4th and 5th there were alternate 
frosts and thaws which continued until the 6th, when heavy rain 
with south-easterly wind setin. ‘The gale, with heavy showers, 
continued for two days, when the wind became more easterly ; 
frost returned on the 8th, and by the 11th the river was again 
covered with sheets of ice, drifting out with the ebb-tide. On 
the 12th another thaw supervened, and five Wild Swans were 
seen flying low up the river. This thaw, with showers of rain, 
lasted until the 16th, when again the frost set in, and continued 
till the 18th, when a thaw, with showery weather, lasted until 
the 22nd, upon which day the frost returned with such severity 
that at 11 o'clock that night the thermometer registered ten 
degrees of frost, and next morning all the bays and creeks were 
closed by ice, the ebb-tide bringing down large sheets from the 
higher parts of the river. The night and early morning being 
quite calm was most favourable for the formation of ice on 
the open sea, and when the Enniscrone fishermen went out 
at four o'clock to set their lines in the bay they found the 
sea covered with a sheet of ice about a quarter of an inch in 
thickness, and extending for a distance of two miles from the 
shore! The fact of ice forming on the open sea in Killala Bay 
was a great surprise to the fishermen, for the oldest man amongst 
them had never seen or heard of a similar instance. The day 
being very calm I was induced to get out my punt, and as soon as 
the channel was partly cleared of ice I paddled down to Bartragh 
to try my luck with the Widgeon. I saw numbers, but as usual 
they were scattered along the shores, and though I secured twenty- 
four and one Teal, yet my best shot was only ten birds. Godwits 
and Knots were very numerous on the sands, and I saw a small 
party of Sheldrakes near Scurmore. 

The frost still held, and on the 24th I saw twenty-two Wild 
Swans flying about the river, but instead of alighting they all 
went off in the direction of the lough in the Castle demesne at 
Killala, and on the 26th four Swans were seen resting on the 
water close to where I keep the boat, but on being disturbed they 
flew up the river to Castleconnor. The frost continued to the 
27th and 28th, with no appearance of a thaw. On the last- 
named day I went down to Bartragh, and saw numbers of 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. YOY 


Widgeon, but lost a fine shot owing to a misfire, and after being 
disturbed they would not stand the boat for a second shot; 
however, on my return with the flood-tide I made up for my 
disappointment. JI fell in with a large flock of Godwits and 
Knots resting on the sands along the edge of the channel, and by 
contriving to rake their line, I knocked over about sixty birds, 
picking up thirty-one Godwits, twenty-one Knots, and one 
Dunlin, several wounded birds getting away over the sands. 

From January 29th to the 31st we had hard east winds, keeping 
the temperature just below the freezing-point, and there was snow 
on the Ist, 2nd, and 8rd of February, but from the 4th to 
the 17th the weather became milder, with occasional showers. 
A change, however, succeeded, and snow fell on the 18th, 19th, 
20th, 2lst, and 22nd. The 23rd was mild, but hard frost set in 
that night, and, disappearing next morning, the weather con- 
tinued fine and mild to the end of the month. The weather 
having become milder after the 25th, a few Starlings were to be 
seen returning to their old roosting-places at Belleek and Raro- 
neen, but instead of the thousands that used to assemble before 
the frost set in, a few dozens only were to be seen flying in 
the old direction. I also noticed a few Fieldfares returning to 
roost in the hedges, but not a single Redwing. 

To sum up the effects of the past winter, I may say that in 
this part of the country small birds have been almost exter- 
minated. I have only seen two pairs of the Missel Thrush— 
a bird previously so common that I used to see them about 
everywhere in the different woods and groves. I have only heard 
one Thrush singing, two or three Blackbirds, a pair or two 
of Blue Tits, and one pair each of the Great and Cole Tits. Of 
our large colony of Sparrows only one old cock has returned, 
apparently the sole survivor and representative of his race. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


Tue Tracuine oF Narurat Hisrory.—I cannot help saying one 
word upon that subject which I think, on the whole, has been worse used 
in the schools of this country than all the other branches of knowledge. 
I mean that which is called Natural History. I do not speak now of the 
sciences, either mental or moral science, or natural and physical science. 


300 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


I speak of Natural History, such as is open to you both by the study 
and by the observation of living objects and of dead objects in nature, 
such as continually come around and solicit your attention. Now, formerly 
classical studies were in exclusive possession of the field, almost, I am 
bound to say, in my own time, to the exclusion even of religious instruc- 
tion. Religious instruction, when I was at Eton, if it was not absolutely 
reduced to zero, was very near it. Now modern languages have come as a 
very formidable rival to classical instruction. Mathematics likewise assert 
their claim, and various other claims are set up. Al] I wish in the 
matter is that there should be fair play. I do not myself believe that 
Natural History has had quite fair play, and I have always felt it most 
grievous among the many blanks of our early training that we were totally 
ignorant of it. Iwill just give you these four points in connection with 
Natural History. In the first place, it is a continual lesson—a lesson at 
onve easy and profound—of the wisdom and beneficence of Providence, 
a continual confirmation and belief, when you find that wonderful hand of 
that Workman descending to the smallest objects with the same care with 
which He mounts to the greatest. The religious use of Natural History 
is one that all must delight in. The next point is this. Learning is an 
admirable thing, but it does not always make itself agreeable at the first 
introduction, at least that was my experience ; I don’t know whether it is 
yours. Much has been done, I believe, to improve these initial stages. 
It certainly is a marked advantage in the study of Natural History that it 
leads you on by the hand; it inveigles you, if I may say so, into learning 
what is good and what is useful. Many a one might have his mind first 
opened to the attractions of Natural History, which mind, if once opened, 
might perhaps be capable of applying itself beneficially to harder and 
more repulsive studies. Another point is this, Natural History is one of 
the best and most efficient means for the education of the senses. Some 
may perhaps tell us that our senses are educated well enough already, and 
claim quite large enough a portion of our existence. Of course that is 
perfectly true so far as the grosser forms of enjoyment are concerned ; 
but so far as the senses are concerned as organs for the acquisition of 
knowledge, they are very indifferently educated indeed. This habit of 
minute, careful, and accurate observation, which is inseparable from 
Natural History studies, gives to the senses that habit of accurate dis- 
tinction which is invaluable as an assistant in the pursuit of every branch 
of knowledge. Lastly, let me say that these analogies of Natural History 
are invaluable; they have a most gracious effect in developing the finer 
faculties of the mind; they establish a connection between the different 
portions of creation.—W. E. GLapsrong (Speech at Mill Hill, June, 1879). 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 3801 


Remains oF THE IrtsH ELx in THE Co. WarerForD.—The bone- 
cave at Shandon, near Dungarvan, in the county of Waterford, accidentally 
discovered some twenty years ago, was the first Irish cave which produced 
animal remains belonging to the Pleistocene period. In it were found 
remains of the Mammoth, Horse, Bear, Wolf, and Reindeer. Professor 
Leith Adams, in his report on the exploration of this cave (1876), surmised 
that it was an enormous shelter-shed where the wild denizens repaired to 
end their days, or for the purpose of dragging in their prey; and he 
suggested that it required only funds and some enterprise to discover other 
caverns in the neighbourhood of this one containing abundance of Pleistocene 
animal remains. One such has recently been discovered near Cappoquin, 
at a distance of about seven miles from the Shandon cave, by Mr. Ussher, 
of Cappagh. This new cavern is of large size, and appears to have been 
occupied at a very remote period by bears, portions of whose skeletons are 
to be met with in the lower deposits of the floor; but the chief interest in 
this discovery rests in the fact that remains of the great Irish Elk 
(Megaceros hibernicus) were found in it, in conjunction with the bones of 
other deer and of bears, and along with a polished greenstone celt (Neolithic) 
and several bone-rubbers. 


Ror-DEER IN Dorsetsutre.—lIn the last number of ‘The Zoologist’ 
(p. 262), 1 see my friend Mr. Mansel-Pleydell imagines that I took Ireland 
to be one of the native haunts of the Roe-deer. What I said (p. 170) was 
that “ Lord Dorchester brought a buck and two does over from. Ireland.” 
As he had an estate in Ireland it is very likely he had some Roe-deer on it, 
which might have been brought at an earlier date from Scotland. My 
information about their being brought over from Ireland and America came 
from Mr. Longman, of Poole, whose uncle had the charge of them when 
they first arrived. I trust you will kindly correct, in your next number, the 
mistaken impression my not over-plain note appears to have given rise to.— 
C. W. Date (Glanville’s Wootton, Dorset). 


OrrERS IN SuFFOLK.—-A fine male Otter was shot at Leiston, in this 
county, on the 3rd of May, in one of the mills built for draining the marshes. 
It measured four feet in length from the muzzle to the tip of the tail, and 
weighed twenty-two pounds. Otters exist in small numbers in most of the 
Suffolk streams, but I fear that unless something is soon done to put an 
end to the unceasing persecution they here meet with, these very interesting 
animals will soon go the way of the Badger and the Marten, both of which 
were living in this county within the memory of man, but have now ceased 
to do so.—G. T. Rope (Blaxhall, Suffolk). 


OrnitHoLocicaL Nores From ALDEBURGH.—Many of the readers of 
‘The Zoologist’ will, like myself, have pleasant recollections of Aldeburgh, 


302 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


and will feel an interest in anything connected with the Ornithology of 
the place. I was there on a flying visit on May 13th and 14th, and 
as usual took a ramble over the meres to see what birds were to be found. 
This spring seems to have been a good one for birds. One of the gunners 
told me he had seen several Godwits and Grey Plovers in their breeding 
dress. Peewits and Redshanks were very plentiful, especially the latter, 
and Coots were breeding abundantly in the first mere, but many of the eggs 
of all three species have been taken. I saw many Lesser Terns, and one 
Black Tern, which was frequenting the first mere. The Common Terns, 
which are generally a few days later than the smaller species, had not yet 
arrived. There were a few Black-headed Gulls about, and I noticed one 
fine adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. In the further mere I watched two 
splendid male Shelldrakes for a long time with a telescope, and was told 
that the females were sitting in some of the rabbit-burrows on the heath, 
where they used to breed regularly, as well as at Blackheath and at Iken. 
But the most interesting birds which I observed were a pair of Widgeon, 
which I feel sure, from their actions, are breeding somewhere in the 
neighbourhood. When the cock bird rose he took a short flight around 
and settled again in the water close to the female, and both birds seemed 
unwilling to leave a particular spot in the meres; close to this very spot, 
moreover, a young Widgeon unable to fly was caught alive last year, and 
taken to a friend of mine.—Jurian Tuck (S. Mary’s Clergy-house, Cardiff). 


CorRMORANTS ON THE DokrsersHire Coast.—Referring to the Editor’s 
note under this heading in the last number of ‘ The Zoologist’ (p. 266), a 
word of explanation from me seems desirable. The large Cormorant, 
Phalacrocorax carbo, is the only species of the genus which frequents the 
estuary at Poole, and is there universally known as the “Shag.” With 
regard to the smaller bird, P. cristatus, it occurs accidentally only in the 
harbour, and to the eastward of Swanage; and, when met with, is regarded 
as being merely a small specimen of the larger bird. The few specimens 
procured are usually in immature plumage,—an adult crested bird being 
considered as something quite out of the common,—and brought in by the 
fishermen and gunners of the locality as a “rare foreign bird.” With 
reference to the relative numbers of the two species on the coast-line of 
Dorsetshire, my experience is as follows :—Starting from Poole (of course 
none breed in the harbour, there being no place suited to their habits), the 
first colony we come to is on the cliffs at the back of Ballard Head; it isa 
large one, and consists entirely of the larger species of Cormorant; to the 
westward of Swanage, between Durlstone and St. Albans, not many 
Cormorants breed, but here we first come across the smaller or crested bird. 
I should think that, here, the numbers of the two species are about equal. 
Beyond St. Albans, about eight miles to the westward, comes Lulworth, the 


a 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 308 


district more particularly referred to by Mr. Harting, where are three 
breeding-places of the birds in question: two of them close together, on the 
high cliffs by Arishmill Gap. One of these consists entirely of crested birds ; 
the other and larger colony of the Common Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, 
but whether exclusively, or not, I am not quite certain, for the nests here 
are so high up that a mistake might easily be made. I should say that the 
colony of P. cristatus consists of about twenty-five birds; it is situated on a 
peculiarly-formed jutting out of the chalk, with a cave beneath it; the nests 
are low down, and within easy gunshot of the water. I fancy the Lulworth 
fishermen would not be very particular as to the species they call “ shags,” 
—they would, probably, not know the immature birds apart,—and an adult 
crested bird should be designated a “green shag” rather than a “black” one. 
To the westward of Lulworth, about two miles off, is another breeding- 
station, on a moderately low line of chalk cliffs enclosing a bay with a nice 
beach that has no approach except by means of a boat or a rope from above. 
At this place a great number of the larger birds have their nests, and a few 
—very few, I may say—of the crested species. To give a good idea of the 
relative numbers of the two species near Lulworth, I may mention that 
some four years ago, being requested by some of the eel-pickers and 
fishermen of the Poole estuary to do something to lessen the number of 
Cormorants that infested the harbour, I went to Lulworth during the 
breeding-season. and shot some sixty of these birds; out of this number 
not more than eight or ten were P. cristatus, and of these, nearly the whole 
number were obtained at the colony I have mentioned as being on the cliff 
to the eastward of Lulworth. At the large colony to the westward, where 
we obtained over forty birds, only one of the small crested species was 
included. I have since been informed that the Cormorants partially 
deserted this place in consequence of the slaughter we then effected,— 
resorting to the higher and more inaccessible station at Arishmill. On the 
whole, my experience tends to show that Phalacrocorax carbo outnumbers 
P. cristatus in the proportion of ten to one, at least, on the Dorsetshire 
coast, and I may add that I have had good opportunities for observation.— 
T. M. Pixs (Westport, Wareham). 


Cormorants ON THE DorsersHiRE Coast.—The fishermen of the 
coast eastward of Lulworth Cove, a district I am well acquainted with, 
distinguish the two species of Phalacrocoraz by designating the smaller 
one the “ Black Shag,” and the larger the ‘* French Cormorant,” or ‘* Watch- 
pocket,” from the white oval patch on each thigh. Both breed on the 
chalk cliffs which divide the Worbarrow and Mupes Bays. I have observed 
a peculiarity between the two species there which I have never seen noticed 
by naturalists, and may not therefore be general. The Cormorant builds 
her nest upon the exposed open ledges of the cliffs, high up and out of 


304 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


common gun-shot, whereas the Shag choses holes and clefts; and, as the 
young thus secluded are less likely to be seen, the nests are at a lower level. 
Last week I saw several old birds issue from their dark homes as we 
passed in a boat and shouted, while the Cormorant remained apparently 
unconcerned, conscious that they were out of harm’s way. The two colonies 
are separated from each other by a distance of more than a quarter of a mile, 
the Shag colony being to the westward, where an almost perpendicular fault 
has disturbed and fissured the cliff Under no circumstances do either 
species nest on Gad Cliff or St. Alban’s Head, which I attribute to the 
fact that both these high limestone headlands, resting upon a foundation of 
clay, the birds’ instinct teaches them not to trust to so precarious a tenure 
for their breeding-places. My opinion is strengthened by their breeding on 
the east side of St. Alban’s Head, where the Kimeridge clays sink below the 
sea-bed. I quite agree with the Editor that the Shag is, and always has 
been, the commonest of the two species on the Dorsetshire coast.—J. C. 
MansrL-PLiyDE.LL (Whatcombe, Blandford). 


OYSTERCATCHER IN PoRTLAND DURING THE BREEDING SEaAson—I am 
not aware that the Oystercatcher has ever before been observed during the 
breeding season so far south, in England, as the Isle of Portland. Tt seems 
therefore worth noting that I had the pleasure of watching a magnificent 
male bird of this species, for nearly an hour, on June 6th, on the Weymouth 
side of the Chesil Beach, wading about and feeding among the rocks at 
low water, no more than forty yards from me. It appeared quite uncon- 
cerned at my presence, and remained close by during the time—from 1 to 
6 p.m.—that I was at work up and down searching for insects and spiders 
near the same spot. I should conclude that the female may have been 
sitting on her nest somewhere in the neighbourhood, though probably not 
very near at hand, inasmuch as the male showed no sign of alarm or anxiety 
at my proximity.—O. P. CamBriner (Bloxworth, Dorset). 


Winter VIsITANTS AND SpRiING MicRANtTs To THE IsLE oF WicHT.— 

A Greenshank was shot on the 20th December, at Spring Vale, and a Bar- 
tailed Godwit in the neighbourhood of Bembridge. Three Goldeneye Ducks 
were also shot the same month—all females; this tallies with what Yarrell 
has remarked on the migratory habits of this species: “ visits this country 
in small flocks every winter” . . . “particularly the females,” and, 
probably, the immature males(?) A Red-breasted Merganser and a female 
- Kider Duck were procured at Sea View in February. Several Great-crested 
Grebes were seen, but none were secured. Mr. Careless, to whom I am 
indebted for these observations, tells me that the Chiffchaff was not seen at 
Sea View till the 8th of April, but I observed one on the 30th of March, 
in the trees skirting the Bonchurch pond—a favourite resort on their 
first artival, being sheltered from all winds. Though no Willow Wrens 


eee 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 305 


were seen here till the third week in April, they were observed at Sea View 
by the 3rd of the month. Swallows were seen in the Undercliff on the 
5th of April, but no Martins till the 29th, though one was observed at Sea 
View on the 9th; and the Wryneck and Whitethroat on the 12th. The 
Nightingale was heard on the 14th of April, though there was a slight fall 
of snow on that day; but they were not in full song till towards the end of 
the month—if then! The Cuckoo was first heard on the 14th of April. 
The Wheatear was not observed till the 17th, though, doubtless, it must 
have arrived earlier. The Redstart was seen on the 30th of April, and the 
Whinchat and Blackcap on May-day. <A small flock of Whimbrels was 
observed on the 9th of May: a Sandpiper on the 12th; Swifts were also 
seen on the 12th. On the 7th of May a Wagtail—Ray’s—settled on the 
rigging of a pilot-boat when some ten miles off the coast. On the 2nd of 
May, young Rooks were observed in some lofty elms at Bonchurch; one 
was seen to leave the nest when about to be fed; it was well-feathered, and 
well-nigh full-grown. The Starling, which is also an early-breeder, has 
young some weeks old; they are most voracious, and are fed every few 
minutes, but the old birds will not enter the nest-holes if closely watched, 
and resent the intrusion by a hissing, angry note. Though the above and 
other species have well-fledged young, some of the House Sparrow’s nests 
are still unfinished, and only two of those examined on the 19th of May had 
eggs. In one there were four eggs, which were being incubated ; the other 
had but three. No bird’s eggs that I know of vary more in size, colour, 
and diversity of marking. Though not over-nice in the choice of building 
materials—as I have had occasion to point out—I never (that I remember) 
saw them before using freshly-mown grass to form their nests. Both the 
Blackbird and Thrush were late in building: no nests heard of till the 3rd 
of April. Martins are also backward, so there is little chance of two broods 
being reared this year— Henry Haprrevp (Ventnor, Isle of Wight). 


AN ERRONEOUS BREEDING- HAUNT ASSIGNED TO THE BEARDED TITMOUSE. 
—Permit me to point out an error in Montagu’s ‘ Ornithological Dictionary,’ 
edited by Newman (1866). On p. 354, in the article on the Bearded 
Titmouse is written: “It is found . . . . amongst the great reedy 
tracks near Cowbit in Lancashire.” The last word should be ‘‘ Lincolnshire,” 
Cowbit being near Spalding. It appears desirable that this imaccuracy 
should be noted, for I have seen it copied at least twice, viz., in Mr. A. G. 
More’s paper in the ‘Ibis’ for 1865, on “The Distribution of Birds in 
Great Britain during the Nesting Season,” and thence into Mr. Dresser’s 
‘Birds of Europe,’ part 38. Newman evidently overlooked it in his 
revision of the Dictionary—F. 8. Mrrcnent (Clitheroe, Lancashire). 

[The mistake occurs in the original edition of the Dictionary, published 
in 1802; Newman no doabt relied on the general well-known accuracy of 
Montagu.—Lp. | 

2k 


306 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Late Sray or Brent Geese At Harwicn.—So late as the 15th May 
Brent Geese were still to be seen here, the greater part of them having 
paired on the date named. I observed a Goose come off the marshes down 
to the sea-shore to feed; shortly after, it went back on to the marshes 
followed by the Gander: the Gander again returning alone. The females 
are easily distinguished from the males by their lighter colour. Is it 
probable they will stay here to breed? By their going on to the marshes 
it seemed they had a nest—F.. Kerry (Harwich). 

[We do not think it at all likely that these birds would remain to nest 
in a locality where they would be so liable to be disturbed. Many wildfowl 
which are winter visitors here pair and separate from the main flock before 
quitting our shores in spring, but only under exceptionally favourable 
circumstances do the rarer species remain to rear their young. The 
breeding of the Brent Goose in the British Islands would be an unprece- 
dented oceurrence.—ED. | 


Gorpen Orroie in County DonrGaL.—Several scarce birds have been 
obtained in the north of Ireland during the late severe winter, and the 
spring has brought more than one rare species. ‘The latest rarity I hear of 
is a Golden Oriole, an immature bird, now in possession of the Rev. M. B. 
Cox, of Glenties, County Donegal, near which place it was shot on, or about, 
May 24th—Arexanper Crark Kennepy (Meen Glas, Co. Donegal). 


Eacte Owr ix Lrxcotnsuire.—A fine female specimen of the Eagle 
Owl was shot near Stamford, Lincolnshire, on or about the 12th April last, 
and was sent to me for preservation. The bird had every appearance of 
being a wild one. It was in good condition, and had been feeding upon a 
rabbit, the flesh of which was quite fresh in the crop, and pieces of down 
were still adhering to the claws. The feathers were in good order, but 
slightly worn, and rather darker than in many specimens I have seen. ‘The 
Rev. Canon Tristram examined the bird soon after it was skinned, before 
mounting, and his valuable opinion fully corroborates me in what I have 
stated.—J. Cuntinarorp (University Museum, Durham). 


Brack Repsrart in Essex.—A male Black Redstart was shot at 
Ramsey, near Harwich, on the 14th April last. Is not this bird rare in 
Kssex ?—F. Kerry (Harwich). 

[It is a regular winter visitant to most of the south-western counties 
and the Isle of Wight, but is less common to the eastward.—Ep.] 


Pinor-FisH AND SHort Sun-risH In Movunt’s Bay, Cornwatt.—The 
Pilot-fish, Naucrates ductor, is sufficiently uncommon to warrant a notice 
of the fact that during the present summer one was taken in Mount’s Bay, 
Cornwall, where also was captured a specimen of the Short Sun-fish, 
Orthagoriseus mola.—THomas Cornisu (Penzance). 


ie 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES 307 


SwORD-FISH ON THE CorvisH Coast.—TI have to-day (June 2Ist) a 
Sword-fish, nine feet long, caught in Mount’s Bay last night in a drift-net. 
It is nine feet long over all; the sword is three feet long from the front of 
the orbit of the eye to the tip of the sword. I found it infested with an 
intestinal worm, about three inches in length, having a very peculiar ciliated 
formation for about an inch on each side of its tail. Under the skin near 
the tail of the Pilot-fish, of which I noted the capture yesterday, Mr. Vingoe 
found a parasite in shape like an exaggerated comma, with what appeared 
to be a mouth in the inner part of the bend. It was about three-fourths of an 
inch in length. In the net near the Sword-fish were taken two Pilot-fish.— 
Tuomas CornisH (Penzance). 


Boar-FisH at HastBourNE.—To the list of Boar-fish recently captured 
on the British coast I have great pleasure in adding a somewhat later 
instance of its occurrence. A beautiful specimen of this fish was picked up 
on the beach at Kastbourne on the 16th May, by Master A. E. Ripley, who 
forwarded it to me by post for preservation. It was alive when picked up, 
and the colours were still brilliant when I received it. It measured five 
inches in length. I have not, at present, heard of its occurrence on the 
Norfolk coast.—T. E. Gunw (St. Giles Street, Norwich). 


Larce Pike 1n GatLoway.—Some Pike of large size have been caught 
in the South of Scotland this spring. In the River Dee, Stewartry of 
Kirkcudbright, a Pike of the under-mentioned measurement was taken by 
a set-line, on May 26th, by Mr. T. Johnstone, of Crossmichael. In length 
this fish was 3 feet 11 inches; in girth, 214 inches; and 27 Ibs. in weight. 
A stone weighing more than eight pounds, attached to the line, had been 
dragged by the fish to a long distance from the spot where the line was 
set.—ALEXANDER CxLark Kennepy (late Capt. Coldstream Guards). 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Society or Lonpon. 


April 17, 1879.—Lieut.-Col. Grant, C.B., F.R.S., Vice-President, in 
the chair. 

Dr. T. M. Curl, of Central Rangitikei, Wellington, New Zealand, and 
Mr. G. C. Druce, of Northampton, were elected Fellows of the Society. 

The sixth contribution to the Ornithology of New Guinea, by Mr. R. 
Bowdler Sharpe, dealt more particularly with birds obtained by the Rev. 
W. G. Lawes, from Walton and Hood Bays, near Port Moresby. Few 
novelties were obtained. 

Dr. Francis Day read a paper upon the occurrence of the Long-headed 
Cod-fish, Gadus macrocephalus, at the mouth of the Thames, one example 


308 YHE ZOOLOGIST. 


of which he had obtained last January. He considered it as most probably 
identical with the ‘‘ Lord-fish” of Yarrell, and gave reasons for doubting the 
Lord-fish as being a deformed example of the Common Cod, as had been 
suggested by several authors. Irrespective of its large head, its upper jaw 
- is elongated and its eye larger than in Gadus morrhua. 

Dr. J. Murie read a short communication, ‘Zoological Memoranda of 
Nile Land.” These were of a varied character, chiefly unpublished jottings 
from his note-book, made in a journey towards the Central African Lakes, 
some years ago. Among the subjects were memoranda as to Pigeons in 
the Nubian Desert; anatomy of Nilotic Fresh-water Turtle, Fordia 
africana, Gray; fish at junction of Blue and White Niles; curious move- 
ments of the Ostrich, &c. 


May 1, 1879.—Lieut.-Colonel Grant, C.B., F.R.S., Vice-President, in 
the chair. 

Messrs. T. E. Brown (of Adelaide, Australia), Richard Rimmer and 
P. O’Shanessy (of Queensland), were elected Fellows of the Society. 

Dr. Edouard Bornet, of Paris, eminent for his researches on the structure 
and reproduction of Algs, and other works on that Order; and Prof. Herrich 
Gustav Reichenbach, jils, Director of the Botanic Gardens, Hamburg, alike 
distinguished for his special knowledge of, and publications on, the Orchid 
group, were elected by the Society as Foreign Members, to fill vacancies 
caused by death. 

Several interesting botanical papers of a physiological cast were read, 
and remarkable plants exhibited and commented on. 

In Zoology a communication, in abstract, ‘On the Structure of the 
Pouched Rats of the Genus Heteromys,” was read by Dr. J. Murie. In 
this paper the anatomy and other peculiarities have been worked out and a 
comparison with other forms given, along with remarks on the subfamily 
Heteromyine generally. The group is poorly represented by specimens in 
the museums of this country, and even the skeleton hitherto has been but 
imperfectly known. By the kindness of Dr. A. Giinther, of the British 
Museum, the author has been enabled, in a cousiderable measure, to fill up 
the anatomical hiatus in our knowledge of these curious American rodents. 


Anniversary Meeting, May 24, 1879.—Prof. Arian, F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

In his annual address, the President took for his subject, “ Recent 
Progress in our Knowledge of the Endoproctal Polyzoa.” This had shown 
itself both in anatomy and development. The researches of Nitsch, Oscar 
Schmidt, Salensky, Vogt, Hatschek, and Barrois were especially referred to. 
The author supported the molluscan affinities of the Polyzoa as the most 
strongly marked, but at the same time he could not overlook the fact that 
recent research had been bringing out features which pointed decidedly in 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 309 


the direction of the worms. Among these, one of the most significant is 
the presence of a pair of symmetrically placed gland-like organs, recently 
discovered in Lowosoma. These organs open on the surface of the body, 
and vividly suggest the well-known “segmental organs” of worms. It is in 
the Endoprocta, which now include the four genera, Pedicellina, Umatella, 
Lowosoma, and the curious Ascopodaria, discovered by Busk among the 
eollections of the ‘ Challenger,’ that the most decided vermal approximation 
can be demonstrated. 

The Report on the publications was read by the Secretary. 

The Treasurer’s Statement of Accounts for the past year showed a 
balance of £220 8s. 9d, on hand, being a slight reduction, as compared with 
that of the previous year, but readily accounted for by the general depression 
of trade, which indirectly had affected the whole of the learned Societies. 
Thirteen Fellows had died during the year, and three had withdrawn; and 
three Foreign Members and one Associate likewise were among the list of 
deceased. The demise of such well-known workers in science as Professor 
Grisebach of Gottingen, W. C. Hewitson, G. Dawson Rowley, and the 
Marquis of Tweeddale, may be regarded as a serious loss. During the 
session forty-one new Fellows had been elected. 

The gentlemen chosen to fill the vacancies in the Council were Mr. F. 
Crisp, the Rev. J. M. Crombie, W. 8. Dallas, A. Grote, and R. M‘Lachlan ; 
the President and officers were re-elected —J. Muniz. 


ZootoeicaL Society or Lonpox. 

May 20, 1879.—Professor W. H. Frower, LL.D., F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

Mr. Sclater called the attention of the meeting to several animals and 
other objects of interest observed by him during a recent visit to some of 
the Zoological Gardens on the Continent. : 

Prof. Owen read a paper in which he gave the description of a portion 
of the mandible of a large extinct Kangaroo, proposed to be called Palor- 
chestes crassus, from the ancient fluviatile drift of Queensland. 

A communication was read from Mr. M. Jacoby, containing descriptions 
of new species of Coleoptera of the family Halticide. 

Mr. Sclater read a paper (the fourth of the series) on birds collected by 
the Rev. George Brown on Duke of York Island, and on the neighbouring 
parts of New Britain and New Ireland. ‘The present collection contained 
fifty-nine specimens belonging to forty-two species, of which several were 
believed to be new to science. 

A communication was read from Prof. Garrod, containing a series of 
notes on the anatomy of the Gelada Baboon, Gelada Rueppelli, based on 
the examination of a specimen that bad died in the Society's Gardens 


310 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Prof. Garrod came to the conclusion that Gelada must be considered 
as a distinct generic form, more nearly allied to Cercopithecus than to 
Cynocephalus. 

Lieut.-Col. Godwin-Austen read some notes on, and gave a description 
of, the female of Ceriornis Blythi, Jerdon. 


June 3, 1879.—Professor W. H. Fiowrr, LL.D., F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

The Secretary exhibited and made remarks upon two volumes of 
original drawings of the Birds of India, which had been deposited in the 
Society’s Library by Brigadier-General A. C. McMaster. The volumes 
contained about 270 figures of the birds of India, most of which had been 
drawn by soldiers in General McMaster’s house at Secunderabad. 

Mr. Sclater exhibited and made remarks on a small collection of birds 
forwarded to him by Dr. A. Déring, of the University of Cordova, in the 
Argentine Republic. 

Mr. W. Ottley gave a description of the blood-vessels of the neck and 
head of the Ground Hornbill. 

Mr. Edward R. Alston read a paper “ On the Specific Identity of the 
British Martens,” in which he pointed out the distinguishing characters of 
Martes sylvatica and M. foina, and showed that the former species only is 
found in this country. 

Messrs. Sclater and Salvin gave an account of the birds collected by the 
late Mr. T. K. Salmon in the State of Antioquia, United States of Columbia. 
Mr. Salmon’s collections were stated to have been very extensive, having 
been the product of some five or six years’ assiduous collecting, and to have 
contained altogether about 3500 specimens of birds, which were referable 
to 469 species. 

Mr. G. French Angas gave an account of the land-shells collected by 
the late Dr. W. M. Gabb in Costa Rica. The collection was said to contain 
examples of forty-two species, of which ten or twelve were believed to be 
new to science.—P. L. Scrarer, Secretary. 


ENTOMOLOGICAL Society oF Lonpon. 


May 7, 1879.—J. W. Dunnine, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., Vice-President, in 
the chair. 

Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks voted to donors. 

Prof. N. Joly, of Rue des Chalets, Toulouse, was balloted for and 
elected a Foreign Member. 

Mr. H. J. Elwes exhibited and made remarks upon a fine collection of 
Lepidoptera from Asia Minor, for which he was principally indebted to 
Dr. Staudinger, of Dresden, who has recently worked up the results of his 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 311 


own and other collectors’ work in Asia Minor. Mr. Elwes remarked that 
nothing in the situation, climate, or vegetation of Asia Minor would lead 
one to expect much difference in its insect fauna from that of other parts of 
the Mediterranean region; but notwithstanding that large parts of the 
country are still quite unexplored, the material at hand is enough to show 
that Asia Minor probably contains a larger number of species of Rhopalocera 
than any other part of the Palearctic region. ‘The majority of the species in 
this collection are identical with, or very nearly allied to, those of Southern 
and Central Europe; but in addition to the European species, of which not 
many are absent, are a number peculiar to Asia Minor, or only found to the 
east of it. As regards the species, the most remarkable facts are the large 
number of Lycena and Satyrus, no less than forty-three of the former and 
eighteen of the latter being included, so that about two-sevenths of the 
whole number is made up of these genera, which appear to reach their 
highest development in the country. ‘The only dominant genus in Europe 
which is not well represented in Asia Minor is Hrebia, of which there are 
only four kinds against twenty in some districts of Central Europe; other 
species, however, probably remain to be discovered. 

Dr. Wallace exhibited a collection of Lepidoptera made by his son in 
the United States of Columbia. 

Mr. W. L. Distant exhibited a West African specimen of the large 
water-bug, Hydrocyrius Columbia, Spin., common also to Madagascar and 
the Neotropical region. Similar in general appearance to the genus 
Belostoma, Hydrocyrius is recognised by the possession of two fore tarsal 
claws. Mr. Distant thought the insect was probably a denizen of rapid 
currents, and by its tarsal claws thus prevented itself from being swept 
away. 

The Secretary exhibited a specimen, in alcohol, of a trichopterous insect, 
showing tracheo-branchiw, sent from Brazil by Dr. Fritz Miiller, who 
communicated a note concerning it. 

Dr. Wallace remarked, in reply to an inquiry of Mr. Sheppard’s about 
his silk-worm experiments, that he had experimented with nearly every 
kind of silk-worm which had been introduced into Europe, and that he had 
come to the conclusion that the only one which would pay to cultivate in 
this country was Bombyx Mori. It was true that the A ilanthus moth and 
others would produce a silk; but inasmuch as manufacturers, brokers and 
silk-merchants had invested large sums in the produce of B. Mori, they 
were not disposed to look with an eye of favour upon any other produce, 
which certainly would require much alteration in machinery and in the 
arrangements for business now extant. Moreover, the product of B. Mori 
was a very superior article to that produced by any other worm. It was 
true that in India, China and elsewhere native products were prepared 
from cocoons of indigenous moths, as, for instance, the Tusser-silks from 


312 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Antherea Paphia; Moonga-silk from Antherea Assama; Pongees, from 
China and Japan, from the cocoons of the Ailanthus moth and of B. Pernyi 
likewise a very valuable silk from the Japanese oak-feeding Bb. Yama-Mat ; 
and he thought that the cocoons of the species feeding on the gum-trees 
near Adelaide, New South Wales, which were exhibited that evening to the 
Society, might be utilised in a similar manner. But none of these silks 
were adapted to the machinery now in use in Europe, and therefore it 
would be better to allow native industry to collect the produce and fabricate 
the silks in the countries where produced. 

Mr. Meldola exhibited, on the part of Sir John Lubbock, specimens of 
three species of moths belonging to the family Bombycide, with eggs, 
cocoons and larve, sent from South Australia, together with some notes on 
their life-histories, by Mr. George Francis, of Adelaide. These moths, the 
arvee of which are stated to feed on the native gum-trees, were respectively 
a species supposed to belong to the genus Gastropacha, Opsirhina feroens, 
Wlk., and Anapea (Oxleyi, Newm.)? The first-named species, which is 
said to be rather rare, forms a tough green silken cocoon. 

Dr. Wallace, after examining the cocoon of the Gastropacha, stated that 
it looked very promising as a source of silk. 

Mr. Meldola pointed out, with regard to the Anapaa, that this insect, 
according to Mr. Francis’s statement, displayed the remarkable and 
exceptional character of sexual difference of colour and marking in the 
larval condition. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan read an extract from a letter, dated April last, received 
from his nephew, Mr. W. J. Wilson, Assistant Engineer, P.W.D., located 
on the Anapshahr Branch of the Ganges Canal, near Meerut, with reference 
to an enormous flight of locusts there. They appeared early in March, and 
covered a tract of country about fifteen miles long by two or three miles in 
breadth, moving gradually northwards up the Anapshahr Branch. Their 
eggs were hatched in large numbers before the end of the month, the ground 
being covered with little black larve about three-eighths of an inch long. 
They could not fly, and the only plan of destroying them was to dig trenches 
about one foot deep and sweep the larvee into them. They walk and hop 
about six inches. When a sufficient number are in the trench the earth is 
filled in. The locusts did considerable damage tu peas and mustard crops, 
but not much to grain, which was being cut. 

Dr. Fritz Miiller communicated a paper entitled “ Notes on the Cases 
of some South Brazilian Trichoptera.” 

Mr. Wood-Mason read “ Morphological Notes bearing on the Origin of 
Insects,” and exhibited microscopical preparations in illustration. 

Part [. of the ‘Transactions’ for 1879 was on the table-—R. Metpora, 
Hon. Secretary. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. IIT.) AUG USE. 187 9. [No. 32. 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS.« 
By James Murir, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S. 


A CONSIDERATION of all that is known respecting the habits 
and manifold peculiarities of those animals whose active phases 
of life come under the denomination “nocturnal” is manifestly 
impracticable within the limits of the present paper. A selection 
of instances in point, therefore, is unavoidable. In this case 
preference is given to the Vertebrata, inasmuch as many are 
familiar objects in our public gardens and travelling menageries. 

Scarcely one of the subkingdoms and classes of animals can 
be named but has a subordinate group, or more often a limited 
section, or species of a group, which, in contradistinction to its 
fellows, exhibits abnormal habits and manifests a preference for 
darkness over daylight. Very frequently there is associated with 
this exceptional habit some diversity in organs and subsidiary 
structures adapted to the creature’s particular mode of life. Still 
occasionally where no pronounced structural differences are 
observable one is at a loss to account for singularity of habit. 
Something, therefore, which is not always apparent may underlie 
this tendency to variation. 

Can it be that one or more dominant though hidden forces 
are at work that at least would partially explain the enigma? Or 


* This article is based upon a lecture delivered by the writer during the present 
summer, in the course of “ Davis Lectures” at the Zoological Society’s Gardens. It 
has been modified, however, in some respects, and especially in the elimination of 
much that was stated with regard to the lower forms of life. 


25s 


314 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


are animals actuated by the varied motives which influence 
reasoning mankind, subdued and modified, as a matter of 
necessity, from imperfection in their structural detail ? 

Carlyle has quaintly said that ‘“ the two great moving powers 
of society are hunger and the policeman.” Sternly inexorable is 
the former, a humiliating necessity the latter. Now as animals 
must eat to live, it is not unnatural that they should be found 
abroad at such times as their prey is most easily procurable. 
Moreover, they have cautiously to avoid their own enemies, and 
thus find safety in feeding under cover of darkness. But besides 
the craving for food there seems another influence which, though 
at first less recognizable, is possibly much stronger in its potency 
—namely, an inclination to seek shade. Throughout the animal 
kingdom generally, but. more especially among the lower forms, 
examples of this are numerous. Coincident with an uncomfortable 
feeling, howsvever produced, is retirement to shade. In short, 
light acts as a stimulus, not equally shared by all creatures. 
Its influence on protoplasmic matter is evident, and is of con- 
tinual occurrence even among animals of most imperfect organi- 
zation. ‘Traced upwards from these, the reception of sensory 
stimuli presents us with superadded or adaptive structural modi- 
fications often rendered acute to a degree. 

How gradual development from simple to more differentiated 
condifions has been brought about in the march of time, and 
what may be the relation of transmission of qualities from parent 
to offspring I leave unanswered as involving discussion apart 
from the immediate purport of this article. 

Premising that nocturnal activity is the sequence of an 
endeavour to shun light, as annoying or detrimental to the 
organism, and that in certain cases search for food or other 
functional impulse necessitates nocturnal habits, I shall confine 
my remarks accordingly. 

In using the term ‘nocturnal,’ I would wish it to be 
understood in its widest sense. Thus the great mass of animals 
are abroad, feed, and otherwise are actively employed, so to say, 
in their business of life, during daylight and sunshine, that is, 
from morn till eve. Not a few, however, from preference or 
necessity, are then in retirement, from which they only emerge 
between nightfall and sunrise. Others choose twilight or the 
“gloaming”—that hazy obscurity which precedes the setting in 


- . . oes 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 315 


of night; while others, again, roam at early dawn, when stillness 
and imperfect light prevail. ‘The term “diurnal,” in strictness, 
is applicable to the first mentioned; the three others may there- 
fore be classed under the head “nocturnal,” although the term 
“‘erepuscular” is not unfrequently employed to designate those 
animals whose habit it is to issue forth in the glimmering 
betwixt light and darkness. ; 

But the limits of separation are not easily defined, notwith- 
standing breadth employed. Take mankind collectively, and 
without hesitation they would be classed as diurnal creatures ; 
yet a moment’s reflection will show that, either from choice or 
necessity, many individuals lead a truly nocturnal life. Nor can 
it be said the crepuscular element is here wanting, albeit the 
use of artificial light. Again, Herbivores, the Deer tribe par- 
ticularly, are diurnal, yet under certain conditions—i. e., during 
the breeding season—they temporarily become night-roamers. 
Other somewhat corresponding instances of change from ordinary 
habit may more fitly be referred to in the sequel. 

An explanation of some of the peculiar phenomena observable 
among Nocturnal Birds and Mammalia (Bats to wit) would be 
incomplete without a due consideration of the senses and sensory 
organs of a few of the inferior orders of the Invertebrata, as 
elucidating fundamental principles. 

Quite at the bottom of the scale which zoologists have to deal 
with are the group of Protozoa,—creatures all more or less of 
the simplest construction, and for the most part microscopic in 
size. Little indeed is there to be shown in the organization 
of such a form as Protameba primitiva, Haeck, where alone a 
faint greyish coloured and translucent, granular, gelatinous sub- — 
stance is recognizable. This jelly-like material, notwithstanding, 
possesses all the essentials of animals far higher in the scale, 
inasmuch as, without any organs whatsoever, the necessary func- 
tions of organic life and reproduction are performed. Its sarcode 
is sensitive to impressions—viz. subject to irritability; hence 
contraction and expansion—i.e., movement. It suffers waste of 
tissue, hunger follows, and supply means assimilation of nutri- 
ment at any point, and simple division means reproduction. But 
as bearing on our question at issue, of greater signification is 
the remarkable property of this jelly’s having a diffused sense, 
equivalent to touch. Thus this so-called sixth sense of some 


316 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


writers, modified in a variety of ways, becomes an important 
factor in all that relates to adaptation to ‘“‘nocturnism,” if such 
an expression is admissible. 

Possibly the above and others of the Protozoa are not strictly 
nocturnal, though some shun direct sunlight. But whether heat- 
rays may have a determining influence is an open question. 

Among the Meduse, or Jelly-fish (C@lenterata), which, though 
met with during the day-time, abound most frequently, in calm, 
clear weather, at the surface towards nightfall, or when complete 
darkness has set in, sensory organs of a most rudimentary kind 
are developed. Nerveless, as ordinarily understood, yet, accord- 
ing to the recent researches of Romanes, Eimer and others, 
defined lines of sensory impressions éxist in the sarcodous jelly 
of their umbrella. In fact, reflex action is apparent, minus true 
nerves. A few minute calcareous particles aggregated together 
or within a sac scattered towards the periphery of the umbrella, 
acoustic vesicles, are forerunners of organs of hearing; and for 
eyes there are pigment spots at the base of the tentacles, the 
latter themselves being feelers. 

Thus the Sea-blubbers are instructive as evineing diffused 
sensation along with localized spots wherein this touch becomes, 
by slight differentiation of tissue, instrumental in the production 
of hearing and sight, of course in an inferior degree. Although 
absolute proof is wanting, it is quite within the range of proba- 
bility that their stomachal cavity appreciates in a faint degree 
approaches to a low kind of taste and even smell. In some 
genera more diurnal in habit, their extreme sensitiveness to light 
is manifest by their immediately closing and descending when 
heavy clouds dim the atmosphere. 

The foregoing well illustrates Mr. Herbert Spencer’s views 
(‘Principles of Psychology’), viz.:—‘‘ For every higher phase 
shows itself as an ability to recognise smaller and smaller 
differences, either of kind or degree, in attributes of surrounding 
bodies; and so render it possible still further to specialize the 
adjustment of inner to outer relations.” 

In nocturnal animals this principle is carried to its fullest 
extent, all adaptations to habit being connected with endowment 
of extra sensitiveness specialized. 

The Annelids, however, afford plentiful examples of preference 
for darkness ; and the common earthworm is both easily observed 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 317 


and procurable for examination. Except in damp weather and 
dull days, they are shy and not much given to be abroad; but in 
the evenings, all through the night and early morn, especially 
during moist weather, they crawl hither and thither with 
unrestrained freedom. Keen fishermen know when best to seek 
their bait, and the proverb of the “early bird finding the 
worm” points to grey dawn. Here then we see that the 
nocturnal habit of the one creature superinduces the necessity 
of similar habit in the other. The bird’s own enemy, again,— 
it may be reptile or mammal,—nust stir betimes; and thus, from 
class to class, the nocturnal and crepuscular habit is transmitted. 
Once acquired and perpetuated, modification of organs adapted 
to the altered circumstances ensues. Tactile sensation among 
groups of the Vermes is through minute skin modification, 
papille, bristles, or cup-shaped bodies, all in connection with the 
nervous system. Though the earthworm itself is blind, it is not 
so with others, where evolution of visual organs from indifferent 
condition to complex lens, crystalline rods, cones, &c., is well 
marked. Auditory organs are also present in some. 

With regard to the Mollusca, and with them we may associate 
the Crustacea, some doubtless are nocturnal; others live at depths 
where only a modicum of light is admissible. Not a few 
retreat to darkness under cover of rocks, stones and sea-weed. 
But slugs and snails are active after sundown, and all night 
long commit their ravages, while their reptilian and avine 
pursuers have to follow suit. 

Of Arachnida, Myriapods, and quite a host of the division of 
Insecta, one is at a loss by the embarras de riches of those that 
earry on their life occupations under cover of darkness. Suffice 
to recall some of the Trap-door Spiders and their ingenious 
devices so graphically pourtrayed by Mr. Moggridge; while to 
those who have felt the effects of the nocturnal attack of the 
venomous Scorpion, the name is sufficient. Deeply interesting is 
Mr. Moseley’s researches on the caterpillar-looking nocturnal 
Myriapod of the Cape of Good Hope (Peripatus capensis). It is 
there quite local in habitat, and is found under dead wood, where- 
from it creeps out at dusk. A pair of horn-like antenne project 
from its head, and it crawls by the aid of seventeen pairs of 
hooked, conical feet. It breathes air by trachea and stigmata. 
Cutaneous glands secrete a viscid fluid, which, Capt. Hutton 


318 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


asserts, is thrown out, as if by magic, in fine thread-like jets, and 
by this viscous web insects are caught and afterwards devoured. 
Mr. Moseley believes this creature is of great antiquity, and the 
ancestor of spiders, Myriapods, and insects. If so, then nocturnal 
habits are not of recentintroduction. The variety and modifications 
of apparatus manifest among nocturnal insects, and as adaptive 
to that habit, almost forbid attempt at selection of instances. 

The Vertebrata have their full share of night-hunters, and 
equally can Fish, Amphibia, and Reptiles be cited. 

When we come to Birds (Aves), we find that although the 
majority are diurnal, yet many are habitually crepuscular— either 
found on the wing as the sun goes down, or abroad for their 
living early in the grey dawn. These very often pass the day- 
time tranquilly or dozing under shade, and stir about between 
lights, though roosting at night. Birds with young are urged by 
the maternal instinct, and will then keep late and early hours, 
quite out of their usual way. 

But in generalizing on nocturnal habit, it should not be for- 
gotten that what applies to the northern regions does not always 
hold good of the tropics. As we near the equator, sundown all 
the year round means quick and often intense darkness, to be 
continued till sunrise, and consequently there is a certain seasonal 
uniformity in animal habit. In higher latitudes summer twilight 
stretches further on, and the first blush of the morning quickly 
succeeds. It follows that diurnal groups of birds and mammals 
of the tropics acquire more crepuscular habits the further north 
they go, particularly in the summer season; and winter weather 
correspondingly brings change of hours. 

The Struthionidee (Ostrich group) attract attention in having 
one New Zealand genus, the diminutive Apteryx, which is a night- 
hunter. It might be interesting to know if its island congeners, 
the great extinct species of Dinornis, were also nocturnal—a 
question easier asked than likely to be satisfactorily answered, 
though I should say they probably were. The night habits of 


the Apteryx are well attested, those confined in this country — 


being as shy of daylight as their wild brethren in New Zealand. 
Selecting a dry hole in sand, tree, or log as their usual abode, or 
artfully concealing themselves among the dense beds of fern, 
the Kiwis lie, generally in pairs, torpid and drowsy while day 
lasts. The approach of night sees them awake and hunting 


a 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 3819 


hither and thither for their food. ‘his is not of a vegetable 
nature, but consists of worms, snails, lepidopterous larve, and 
such insects as they come across. At such times the very marked 
peculiarities of the long, narrow, terminally knobbed beak, 
the loose, freely movable brush of tactile rictal vibrisse, the 
hair-like feathers set all over the body and short stout legs, are 
plainly adaptations fitted to its nocturnal search for food. As 
regards the eye, this has an absence of pecten or marsupilum com- 
patible with night habit, and it is relatively smaller than in the 
other Struthionide. This is amply compensated for by feathering, 
and especially the extremely sensitive vibrisse. These at every 
motion of the bird inwardly convey impressions of touch, and 
guide it among the dense grass and vegetation where sight might 
be less available. It is said to make a sniffing noise when searching 
for food, possibly produced by the imperfect closure of nostrils 
placed, most unusually, at the bulbous extremity of the beak, as 
this latter is inserted among the loose soil and herbage. But at 
all events the careful dissections of Professor Owen show that the 
organs of smell and taste, as well as hearing, are unusually well- 
developed. In this case the point of the bill, with its nerve- 
endings, has a sense of most delicate touch over and above 
olfactory power. Without going into other detail of structural 
differences between the Apteryz and others of its order, enough 
has been said to show that functionally the former is modified to 
adapt it to nocturnal habits. 

Amongst the noisy diurnal group of Parrots (Psittaci) are two 
night-roamers. One of these is a New Zealand form, and the 
other a native of Australia. 

Of the singular.New Zealand Night Parrot, or Kakapo, 
as the natives name it (Stringops habroptilus), Dr. Giinther 
informs me that it is reported as a perfect nuisance to the 
shepherds. In the dark it steals among the sheep, and, mounting 
their backs, vigourously searches for all the ticks and vermin 
it can find, but in the search it not unfrequently tears the 
skin and flesh as well as the wool. In this respect it is a bad 
imitator of the African Oxpeckers, Buphaga. The Stringops is a 
larger bird than Geopsittacus, presently to be mentioned, though 
intensely like it in its sap-green colour, markings, and outward 
aspect generally. It has a dazed eye during the day, indicative 
of moderate light being most suitable for perfect vision. ‘The 


320 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


wings are relatively short and rounded, and although it has 
parrot-like feet, yet these are adapted more for ground-running 
than grasping. It has a somewhat strigine face, the radiating 
feathers around the eyes simulating the facial disk of the Owl’s, 
while numerous tactile hairy feathers prominently oceupy the 
root of the beak. Dr. Giinther’s statement, as above, denotes 
an insectivorous bird, or one that would not despise worms 
or other vermin, but other information on its habits leads to the 
supposition of a preference for vegetable food. Dr. Sclater remarks 
of that living in the Gardens in 1875 :—‘‘ The Stringops is most 
strictly nocturnal in its habits, and never emerges from the box 
in which it is kept, voluntarily, during daylight. Our specimen 
has no power of flight, but uses its wings to aid it in running. It 
feeds upon oats, apples, lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables, 
and appears to thrive well upon this diet.” 


NEW ZEALAND NIGHT PARROT. 
Stringops habroptilus, Gray. 


Sir George Grey records of the Kakapo that during the day 
it remains hid in holes under the roots of trees or rocks, rarely 
perching. Sleepy and stupid as it hides among the grass during 
the day, at sunset it becomes lively, animated, and playful, then 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 821 


feeds, with a grunting noise of satisfaction, on grass, weeds, 
fruit, seeds, and roots. It grazes or nibbles the grass in the 
manner of a Rabbit or Wombat. 

In Mr. D. Lyall’s account of the wild bird, in his communica- 
tion to the Zoological Society, he mentions that at the south-west 
of the middle island of New Zealand he found them living in 
communities on flats at the river’s mouth near the sea, and more 
hillwards ; tracks a foot wide abound where they run about. As 
many of the roots of trees are above ground the Kakapo burrows 
among them. Flight was rarely seen, and then for very short dis- 
tances, the wings scarcely moving, and the bird, alighting on a 
lower level, only gained height among the hollow trees by climbing, 

the tail assisting. It is seldom or ever seen during the day, and 
dogs are used to hunt it. Indeed, the dogs which have run wild, 
with the cats, besides man, are rapidly exterminating this strange 
Parrot. There can be little doubt, he says, that their food 
consists partly of roots (their beaks are usually more or less 
covered with indurated mud), and partly of the leaves and tender 
shoots of various plants. 

Another writer, Mr. G. S. Sale, who kept one alive in this 
country some time, says its playfulness is remarkable; it will run 
from a corner of the room, seize the hand with claws and beak, 
and tumble over and over with it exactly like a kitten, and 
then rush back to be invited to a fresh attack. It is also 
humourous, dancing with outstretched wings, evidently shamming 
anger. It is generally lively enough during the day, but not 
so noisy as at night. : 

The Western Ground Parakeet (Geopsittacus occidentalis, 
- Gould) has considerable resemblance to Stringops and to Pezo- 
porus, another ground-loving Australian Parakeet. Geopsittacus, 
however, lives in rocky caves and comes out at night to feed, as 
Mr. Ryan, of the Gawler Ranges, Spencer Gulf, assured Dr. 
Miller, and this is corroborated by Mr. A. D. Bartlett’s obser- 
vations on a bird in the Zoological Gardens. As might be 
expected from its habits, the wings are like those of many 
night-flying birds; the eyes, of moderate size, in daylight have 
a strange hazy expression, not easily described, but quite 
characteristic of nocturnal animals. The cere is unusually full 


and fleshy, with wide nostrils, and a pencil of elongated hair- 
27 


322 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


bristles below. The bird appears to be a vegetable-feeder, and is 
almost noiseless, uttering very rarely a harsh double note. 

The Owls (Strigide) present some strange modifications, 
and prominently display the fact that organs, by almost 
insensible gradation of structural change, are equally adapted 
for use by daylight, semi-darkness, and night. Only intensity 
of sensory power is secured where absence of light is essential 
to their well-being. What more applicable to noiseless flight 
than their fluffy feathers, whose lightness is strengthened by 
additional serrated delicate barbules interlocking and giving. 
the gossamer framework efficacy for nocturnal purposes? Their 
great cnriously-set eyes, with enormously broad iris and other 
anatomical attributes, so dazed in the sun’s glare, light up and 
receive every faint ray of night reflection; their auditory 
apparatus, with great open tympanum, downy plumage, and 
circlet of feathers, in substitution for an auricle, guiding and 
concentrating sound, however faint, to the recessses of an ear 
specially constructed as a receptacle fur appreciation of vibratory 
movement. ‘The facial disc, the peculiarities of cere and nostrils, 
the beak and talons, all betoken adaptive power as aérial night- 
hunters. 

The Nightjars (Caprimulgide) are equally creatures of night ; 
but, unlike the Owls, their enormous gaping mouth, defended 
by stiff bristles, is an adaptation implying hunting and securing 
prey on the wing. Swallows of the night, the Goatsuckers 
possess a plumage vieing with the Owls in soft delicacy and 
lightness. The eye equally and specially conforms to the 
principles necessitating vision in the uncertain haze of twilight 
and night. The diminutive weak legs present no characters of 
a percher, and the bark-like plumage of the bird, when resting 
and cowering on boughs, protects it from its diurnal enemies. 
It has a peculiar pectinated claw on the middle toe, which may 
either facilitate its balance on a bough or be used as a cleansing 
tool when broken moths’-wings stick around the gape. No 
nocturnal beetle or sphinx moth, however powerful on the wing, 
is safe from the noiseless circling sweep or rapid dash of “the 
awaken’d Churn-owl.” 

Many other birds besides the foregoing are nocturnal; but 
these illustrate sufficiently how sensory organs are correlated 
with crepuscular habit. 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 3823 


In passing to Mammals, numerous groups are found with 
decide| night tastes. Monotremes, Marsupials, Edentates, Ro- 
dents, Carnivora, Insectivora, &c., all furnish marked examples. 
Some are burrowers, others partially aquatic, others again 
arboreal, no animal profession being unrepresented. 

The Cat tribe is familiar. ‘Their cushioned feet give softness 
of tread; their hearing is exceedingly good, though their outer 
ears may be small. Long bristly whiskers stand out, and as tactile 
organs quickly convey impressions of surrounding objects. Smell, 
too, is acute, though not used equally by all to obtain prey. 
Sight, however, is most relied on. The greenish or sometimes 
reddish glare of the feline eye is familiar, as well as that of 
other nocturnal mammals. This is produced from the tapetum, 
a brilliant irridescent membrane immediately beneath the retina, 
whose finely ribbed surface produces the coloration as an inter- 
ference phenomenon. * ‘lhe ensheathed sharp claws and cat- 
like and muscular development of the body complete organisms 
all highly adapted for the capture by night of often powerful 
prey. ; 

But even in the case of Ruminants which, as a rule, are 
diurnal, night excursions among the vast African herds occa- 
sionally happen. The Grysbok during the day hes hid in reed- 
beds, and regularly feeds at night. 

The Elephant and the T'apir are often night-roamers, want of 
water being a chief incentive with the former; its great ears as 
tactile organs are then useful in treading in the gloom of the 
forest. 

The Star-nosed Mole (Condylura) and the Urotrichus may be 
cited as instances where the lengthened nose, having fringed 
processes of a tactile kind, supplies this deficiency of sight. 

Among the entire range of nocturnal animals none exhibit so 
strikingly, or in so high a degree, the diffused sense of touch 
(referred to when speaking of the very lowest animal forms) as 
the Bats (Chiroptera). So accustomed are we to associate them 
with the dusk that when the writer once saw, in Central Africa 
during the middle of the day, a flight of literally myriads of great 
Fruit Bats, he was as much astonished at the diurnal spectacle as 

* There are two forms of tapetwn—lst, cellular, as found in fishes and carnivora, 


whose cells contain lime-crystals in the former, seldom in the latter; 2nd, fibrous, 
as found in many other mammals, 


324 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THE COLLARED FRUIT BAT. 
Cynonycteris collaris, female, showing mode of carrying young. 


at the numbers. They covered the sky like a cloud, and kept 
steadily passing over for many minutes. Though keen-sighted, 
Bats cenerally have rather a sharp rat-like eye than an occular 
apparatus indicating a large field of vision. The dark colour 
of the eyeball, as a rule, prevents the contraction (often to a 
pin’s point) and expansion of the iris and pupil being readily 
noticeable; though there is considerable power in this respect. 
But if the eye of a large Bat—such as that depicted in the 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 325 


woodcut—be attentively observed when exposed to the strong 
glare of sunlight, that hazy, lustreless expression so indicative of 
night habit is readily appreciated. 

Hearing in these animals is a well-developed sense. Not only 
is the internal ear a highly efficient organ, but, as is well known 
in several of the Bat families, the enormous size of the thin 
membranous conch is out of all proportion to the dimensions 
of the animals themselves. Moreover, the tragus, especially in 
the Nycteride and Vespertilionide, is extraordinarily exaggerated. 
The external nasal apparatus, even in our English Horse-shoe 
Bat (Rhinolophus), is an extremely absurd-looking nose-leaf ; 
but in the Vampires (Phyllostomide) and Megaderms the same 
part, in size, complexity, and ugliness, almost exceeds the 
ridiculous. Smell, in fact, like hearing, has a superadded 
intensity, through the exterior apparatus and its wonderful 
tactile power. ‘I'aste, in the Fruit Bats, at least, is in no way 
deficient, though probably little influencing nocturnal pecu- 
liarities. Concerning touch, it is the strangest physiological 
problem in the whole history of their economy. The wing 
membrane of a Bat, most persons are aware, is a thin tegumentary 
extension stretched between the enormously lengthened but 
attenuated bones of the hand (see figure)—that is, both palm and 
fingers. At one bend, that which represents the wrist-joint, is a 
short-clawed grappling-hook, the thumb. The lower and upper 
arm bones are each greatly elongated, especially the former. 
This long-levered arm, which otherwise would be weak and 
futilely beat the air when outspread, is further strengthened and 
improved as an organ of flight by a delicate though tough web 
running out like a guy-rope in front. Furthermore, a continuation 
of broad web reaches from the inner finger and arm to the body, 
and onwards to the heel. ‘The form of the tail varies in different 
genera, and is capable of being extended according to the length 
of the membrane by which it is attached tu the sides of the leg. 
Throughout all this extent of membrane highly elastic tissue and 
minute muscular fibres are so distributed that the web can be 
partially or wholly furled as circumstances require. 

The young cling to the mother by clutching her most 
tenaciously, and she flies about or roosts head downwards, 
enveloping her offspring with the wing-membranes. But the 
wing- and leg-webs, the great membranous ears, and, indeed, 


326 THE: ZOOLOGIST. 


all the sinuosities of facial and nasal flaps, &c., subserve a, 
sensory purpose necessary to the well-being of these nocturnal 
creatures par excellence. Though often transparent, flesh-like, 
and seemingly bare, yet everywhere, and scattered on both 
sides, are extremely slender, delicate hairs, the, bulbs of which 
widen out and enclose minute tactile organs (Vastkorperchen of 
Dr. Schébl). Added to these, fine nerve-threads are freely 
distributed; and, as if further to enhance the extreme sen- 
sibility of the part, a perfect network of contractile capillary 
blood- vessels. 

Hence, as in the Amoeba and Jelly-fish, every particle of 
the surface is a tactile apparatus with a sensitiveness possibly. 
unrivalled in the animal kingdom. 

For a long time it was inexplicable how Bats flew in the 
dark with unerring certainty. The remarkable experiments of 
the earnest and shrewd Abbé Spallanzani showed that, after 
eyes, ears, and nose were destroyed or obliterated, so far as 
sensation or use was ee cca the mutilated creatures avoided 
every minute obstacle placed in the way; they even threaded 
dark caverns, and found out nooks and crevices in a most. 
extraordinary manner. ‘That the result of these experiments 
was not mere accident or good luck on the part of the Bats has 
been shown by Jurine and Schébl, who repeated them. More- 
over, the careful microscopic researches of the latter have 
revealed, as above stated, structural conditions not previously. 
suspected. 

One can no longer wonder, then, how important sha effica- 
cious to crepuscular and night-roaming animals are long vibrisse, | 
erectile spines, filaments, and such-like organs, as well as the 
tactile delicacy of palm, pads, &c.; in fact, impressions are by. 
these means conveyed, which to diurnal animals are unknown 
and unrequired. 

Though not absolutely rivalling the Bats in constancy of 
nocturnal habit, or endowed with the sense of touch in its broadest 
aspect, still the Lemwroidea, or Half-Apes, as some naturalists 
designate them, are marvellously interesting, from their adaptive 
structure to nocturnal habit. Some are cat- or fox-like in build 
or expression, others puggish; all are quadrumanous, with big 
opposable thumbs and great toes; a few possess abnormally, 
developed fingers; none are so intelligent and mischievous as. 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 327 


monkeys. Those of the genus Lemur are much more diurnal 
in habit than their congeners, or rather, they are out morn and 
eve, and often sleep of a night. But the majority of Lemuroids 
are, truly speaking, nocturnal animals. 

The “ night-eye ” is dominant, with its vertical and changeable 
pupil, passing from faint streak to wide circle. Most of the species 
have thick tactile whiskers. The abnormal bulbous tips of the 
toes are quite peculiar looking, but their utility is explained by the 
fact that each pad is an exquisitely sensitive apparatus, possessed 
of a marvellous power of touch. These creatures see, as it were, 
through their fingers, like the blind man. There is much 
difference with regard to ears; in the Loris group they are of 
moderate size; the Tarsius, the Aye-Aye and Galagos, on the 
contrary, have great bat-like ears, the latter singularly movable. 
All are most sensitive to changes in temperature, and soft furry 
coats are noiseless protectives in their night rambles. 


VAN BOSMAN’S porto. 
Perodicticus potto, Gmelin. 


As each group of the Lemuroids is constructed, sui generis, 
for night exploration, a brief glance at one or two of the most 


828 THE ZOOLOGIS'. 


singular is all that can here be taken. The Potto or Bush-dog 
(Perodictcius) is one of the stumpy West African slow-moving 
species. A short tail and well-nigh obsolete fore finger are its 
chief exterior characteristics. Its habits are so similar to 
the better known Asiatic Slow Loris (Nycticebus) that reference 
to the latter will serve both. Seen in the daytime, or made 
to walk on a flat surface, from its weird-looking eyes, sack-like 
body, long limbs, and slow straggling gait, one would predicate 
it the worst of night-hunters; but give it a grasping surface 
and place a beetle before it at night, and the eye lights up 
like a globe of fire: the quiet demeanour and sudden rush 
on the prey is astonishing. The perfect silence in movement, 
tenacity of grasp in climbing, tactile appreciation and dilatable 
eye, all enable the creature stealthily to approach birds, insects, 
and creeping things, and to snatch at and secure them in a 
twinkling. The great-eared Javan T'arsius and the African 
Galagos, on the other hand, are perfect imps of nimbleness. 
Their furling ear-conch catches every sound, their sensitive palms 
and facial vibrissee warn them of every obstacle in their path, 
and the unusually lengthened heel-bones, like frogs, enable them 
to spring astonishing distances, so that they are on their prey 
like lightning. 

The great-eared Aye-Aye of Madagascar, so lucidly described 
by Professor Owen, is even more curiously adapted for its 
peculiar nocturnal rambles. It seems almost blinded by daylight, 
but brilliantly orbed in darkness. ‘The two middle fore-fingers 
are bat-like in tenuity and length, and probe nook, crevice and 
corner with super-sensitive tact and skill. Its whiskers and skin 
warn by delicacy of touch, and its strange rodent-like teeth 
serve as effective chisels in night hunts for creatures, the presence 
of which ear and finger alone indicate. 

The Lemuroids, as a whole, then, embody perfection in varied 
apparatus useful nocturnally. As with the Bats, Mr. Herbert 
Spencer's principle jis highly applicable, viz., “ There can be no 
doubt that the sensation of touch and pressure are consequent on 
accelerated changes of matter produced by mechanical disturbance 
of the mingled fluids and solids composing the part affected.” 

The Douroucouli (Nyctipithecus), a small animal allied to the 
Capuchin and Squirrel Monkeys of South America, decidedly 
leads 2 nocturnal life. Several species have from time to time 


ON NOCTURNAL ANIMALS. 329 


been kept at the Regent's Park Gardens. Visitors seldom see a 
specimen; for, like the Slow Loris (Nycticebus), it cuddles up 
during the day time and seeks shelter in its box. When poked 
it seems bewildered by the light, and the eyes present the 
dazed appearance common to the Nocturnal Lemuroids. Like 
the latter day-sleepers, it brisks up at sunset, and then is 
active, when all other of the monkey tribe slumber. In general 
anatomical structure it resembles the Cebide; but the molar 
teeth are tuberculate; the iris has great power of expansion and 
contraction, the great round pupil at night giving quite a different 
expression to its contracted diurnal aspect; and lastly, the palms 
of the fore feet exhibit more tactile properties than is common to 
the generality of the monkeys. Functionally, therefore, eye and 
finger-tips, or sight and touch, have become extremely sensitive 
to impressions, by a change in the minute tissues of a very limited 
kind; but they are just sufficient, along with the slight dental 
cusps, to effect a radical change adapted to night habit and 
insectivorous food. In the dark virgin forests, the Doroucoulis 
after nightfall nimbly lay hold of small birds and chase the 
spiders, beetles, cockroaches, and other nocturnal insects—even 
bats they are said to devour—though they by no means despise 
sugar-cane, fruit and nuts. In the Zoological Gardens it is 
difficult to rouse the creature during the day; but Mr. Bates says 
that in the Amazons they are aroused by the least noise, so that 
when a person passes by a tree on which a number of them are 
concealed he is startled by the sudden apparition of a group 
of little striped faces crowding a hole in the trunk. 

Thus true Apes and Monkeys (Quadrwmana), with the single 
exception of the South American genus above mentioned, 
are in the full swing of their ceaseless activities and eccentric 
pranks in broad daylight. Just before sunset, when in the forest, 
one occasionally hears a chattering noisy lot either settling 
friendly differences or having a final “scrimmage” ere repose, 
but no sooner has gloom spread than all is hushed. Even in our 
Zoological Gardens, where the creatures feel secure from night 
attack, their silence then is in marked contrast to their com- 
panions, the Lemurs. Some monkeys when in their native haunt 
are astir at grey dawn, and in bands make for the nearest 
plantations, commit ravages, and scamper off before the sun has 


got well up in the horizon. Man has then his part to play; and 
20 


ww 


330 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


so by interdependence of habit, from lowest to highest of the 
animal kingdom, the round of night labours and watchfulness 
goes on. : 

In a mere sketch like the present, the subject obviously 
receives but scant justice ; for many interesting nocturnal animals, 
peculiar habits, and curious structural conditions suggest them- 
selves, of which no mention has been made. Nevertheless 
one may be justified in a retrospective summary of the points 
influencing, doubtless to some extent, nocturnal habits. 

All animals suffer waste, and necessarily require food and 
drink to repair waste of tissue. To supply these they must needs 
obtain them at such times and places as they are procurable. 

Animals, moreover, are influenced by the surrounding medium 
and environment generally, and light especially, as well as 
temperature, often cause uncomfortable sensations. 

Many hence endeavour to shun excess of light, and, in so 
doing, seek night or cool twilight to perform their active functions. 

By dependence upon one another for sustenance, by pre- 
cautions of safety against enemies, and occasionally by seasonal 
occurrence of procreative faculties, or the rearing of offspring, 
and by other economic reasons, nocturnal habit may be acquired, 
retained, and ultimately transmitted. 

The organs of sense, more particularly touch, hearing, and 
sight, usually become highly irritable, and, from lowest to highest 
animal forms, sensory apparatus gets specialized. By slight 
alteration in textural qualities functional intensity is superinduced, 
and touch almost amounts to a sixth sense. 

In a number of cases the same group has diurnal and nocturnal 
representatives; and occasionally, so far as research has yet 
shown, no good reason can be given for nocturnal habit. 

Lastly, communities of animals, like human beings, are 
doubtless influenced in a variety of ways; and the inherent 
tendency to aberration, but absolutely from physical causes 
not demonstrable, may act and react in a manner with which we 
are yet unacquainted, 


a a cal: 


331 


ON THE DISCOVERY OF AN OSSIFEROUS CAVERN 
NEAR CAPPAGH, CO. WATERFORD. 
By Ricuarp J. Ussuer. 


THE discovery of a cave containing remains of man associated 
with those of Irish Elk and other animals, is an event of such 
interest to naturalists that no apology seems needed for bringing 
the particulars to the notice of the readers of ‘The Zoologist.’ 

In April last, during a visit of Professor Leith Adams, who 
had on two occasions explored the Shandon cave, about five miles 
off, I went prospecting with him for a fresh find in my more 
immediate neighbourhood. We selected what proved to be a well- 
worn tunnel running into the face of a limestone knoll that rises 
some thirty feet above the general level of the valley of the Finisk 
River. When we commenced our digging, this cave was nearly 
filled to the roof, but it has since turned out to be about eight feet 
high, and about eight or ten wide. The first deposit we came to was 
dark brown earth, in which we found a broken human skull and a 
profusion of broken bones representing the following animals :— 
Ox, Goat or Sheep, Red Deer, Pig, Horse, Dog, Cat, Fox, 
Marten, Hare, and Rabbit. It was not surprising to find any 
of these, but as it shewed that the cave had long been the abode 
of man, or of animals that brought the bones in, we dug deeper. 
All the animal remains we had yet met with looked fresh and 
yellow, but as we dug down we came upon a stratum of peculiar 
grey earth, containing much carbonate of lime. In this, bones of 
_a very different aspect turned up; blackened, ancient-looking 
bones, with dendritic markings, as if small snails had been 
coursing over them. Some of these Professor Leith Adams 
considered to be bones of the Irish Elk, which, he told me, had 
never been found in a cave in Ireland before. This was soon 
confirmed by our finding portions of the antlers of this animal, and 
subsequently more bones, unmistakably those of the Elk. But 
what had split these, especially the shin bone, which is the 
hardest in the skeleton and the most suitable for bone tool- 
makers? There it was, cleft in two, through joint and all, with 
flakes torn from it, and one long splinter left projecting from 
what remained. ‘There was enough of this bone to show that 
it could have belonged to the Irish Elk alone. But it was not 
the only instance. With it were a number of split bones, and 
one which was long and rounded. This latter is not of the 


332 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


natural shape of any bone, but appears to have been shaped for 
an awl or piercer by some ancient dweller in the cave. The 
groove along its side shows that it is made from the shin, 
probably of a Deer, and its surface is blackened like the others, 
one of which is the scapula of a Bear. Soon, other bones of the 
Bear turned up, blackened in the same way. I separated the 
“old bones,’ as we called them, with care from those in the 
upper stratum, and we found among the former, on examination, 
a human vertebra and finger-bone. The stones from this stratum 
were watched as they were thrown out, and, as might be expected, 
they afforded more indications of human occupation. Some were 
rounded stones broken in two, with the flat surface worn by 
rubbing or grinding. Others had edges more or less sharp, but 
chipped as if used for cutting or cleaving. Nor was this all. 
Throughout both these strata we found pieces of burnt wood, and 
about half-way down through the second stratum occurs a marked 
line, like an old floor, black in places with charcoal. 

This, however, was not the lowest horizon inhabited by the 
cave-men, for, far below the black line, we found more charcoal, 
not only in the second stratum, but deep in that below it. 
Almost from the commencement of our digging we had come 
upon huge blocks of stalagmite of a larger size than I had ever 
seen before, but disconnected, as if an old floor of stalagmite had 
been broken up and the fragments tossed about. As we got 
deeper, below the two strata above-described, we found the 
stalagmite blocks embedded in a pale, sandy earth, forming 
together a third stratum. Yet even in this the charcoal appeared. 
Lower again, we came on a portion of the stalagmite floor that 
had not been broken up, but remained in situ. To this the crow- 
bar was applied. Surely, I thought, we shall find nothing here. 
Yet, still out of the very stalagmite itself, and from under it, we 
took more bones, and teeth, too; whole jaws of a large Bear, with 
both canine and molar teeth, the bones of his limbs and feet, 
vertebree and ribs. These were of a pale buff-colour like the 
stalagmite, and required a glue-bath to render them durable, as 
they were very brittle. But we had not yet done. Under the floor 
of stalagmite we picked out an astragalus of Irish Elk that looks 
as large beside a similar bone of an Ox as a hen’s egg would look 
beside a pigeon’s; also a bone of deer, which Prof. Leith Adams 
suspects to be Reindeer, was found in this deep position. 


ee ee ae 


OSSIFEROUS CAVERN NEAR CAPPAGH, WATERFORD. 333 


Having undermined a portion of the rock on one side of the 
cave, we observed a cleft above it widening. We hurriedly drew 
back, and it was well that we had timely warning, for soon the 
mass tumbled down, filling the space where we had been digging. 
But this revealed a new object of interest. On the upper surface 
of this mass, which had been separated from the solid rock above 
by a narrow fissure, lay a bone, like the bones in stratum No. 1, 
certainly, from which it may have fallen into the crevice. This, 
on being washed, proved to be a tool with a chisel-edge, ground 
down on both sides. We now forsook the interior, encumbered 
by the fallen mass of limestone, and began turning up the soil at 
the entrance of the cave. We had not dug long when my friend 
cried out, “A celt!” picking up a dark greenish stone beautifully 
formed into an axe-head. There were no marks of chipping on it, 
but it had been carefully ground-down with the greatest regularity 
until it resembled the head of a small American axe, with neat 
edge and sides. It is four inches and a half long by two inches 
and five-eighths at its broadest part. 

On resuming my excavations in May I found, close to this 
spot where lay the “celt,” and in the same upper stratum, a large 
bead three-quarters of an inch broad and a little more than a 
quarter of an inch thick, but not symmetrical. When the crust 
of earth fell off it I found that it was transparent and of the 
colour of burnt sugar. It is believed to be amber. As I dug on 
in the cave two more worked objects were found: the first, a bone 
with a neatly-cut hole running through it transversely; and the 
other, a broken shaft like that of an arrow, only that the one 
remaining barb seems to point the wrong way, and seems to have 
been cut into at its base by string, But a more elaborately- 
carved article was found deeper down in a recess behind a mass 
of stalagmite, into which it may have fallen or been carried down 
like the bone chisel. This was a knife-handle, ornamented on its 
four smoothed sides with concentric circles, cut as if with 
compasses. It is hollow, and evidently held an iron blade, as it 
is stained with rust. 

One more remark on the animal remains. As was natural in 
an Irish cave, we found bones of the omnipresent Pig throughout, 
but whether the tooth and toes which I found at a depth of seven 
feet, together with bones of Bear, can be dignified by the 
appellation of ‘wild boar,” I must leave to others to determine. 


3384 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


Brack Rats 1x Norra Lancasutre.—On the 15th and 16th of June 
I received four specimens of the Black Rat (Mus rattus), including an old 
female and three young ones, which had been trapped in the ship-building 
yard in this town. Apart from the colour (a greyish black), the extreme 
prolongation “of the tail, ears, and nose would be sufficient to distinguish 
them at a glance from the ordinary brown species (Mus decumanus). The 
specimens in question have been set up, and form an interesting addition 
to the collection of the Barrow Naturalists’ Field Club.—W. ArrHuR 
Durnrorp (Barrow-in-Furness). 


ANECDOTE OF THE SporreD FLYcaveHieR.—I am indebted to my friend 
Mr. Edward Fountaine, of Easton, Norfolk, for the relation of the following 
circumstance, which occurred in that parish on the 11th July :—A pair of 
Spotted Flycatchers had a brood of young ones in a nest built against the 
wall of a gentleman's house, and were, as usual, tame and familiar, and fed 
their young freely, undeterred by the presence of bystanders. On the day 
above mentioned, the gentleman I have referred to himself fed the young 
F lycatchers with a few flies, which they readily swallowed ; but on returning 
to the nest a quarter of an hour later the young birds were all found on the 
ground, dead, and with a small hole (apparently pecked), in the head of each. 
One of the cld Flycatchers was shortly afterwards seen at the spot with 
raised and ruffled feathers, and the nest was observed to be partly destroyed. 
This occurred about the middle of the day, when no four-footed vermin 
would be likely to be prowling about, and the inference seems to be that 
the old birds destroyed their brood in consequence of an unfeathered biped 
having presumed to feed them.—J. H. Gurney (Northrepps, Norwich). 


Summer Migrants 1N THE IsLe of WicHT.—Though comparatively 
few migrants have visited us this season, Nightingales have been 
unusually abundant, particularly in the Undercliff, to which they may 
have resorted for shelter, the weather having been very severe throughout 
the month of April. However, from the middle of April till the middle 
of June they were in constant song; and on the 8th of the latter month 
they were to be heard in all directions, more particularly at St. Lawrence, 
a favourite resort, the banks and terraces beneath the shelving cliffs being 
dotted and patched with underwood and brier, matted and overgrown with 
a profusion of honeysuckle, traveller's joy, and wild hop, fringed with a 
luxuriant growth of herbage; so that one may be within a few yards of the 
songster without seeing it. Not so in some parts of Kent, where they 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 3385 


frequent the oak woods, and may often be seen, as well as heard, perched on 
leafless lower branches.—Henry Hapriecp (Ventnor, Isle of Wight). 


Tue Surr Scorer 1n Orxney.—A specimen of this handsome North 
American duck was obtained by me in Orkney, in February, 1876, and 
I believe no record of the occurrence was made in ‘ The Zoologist’ at the 
time. (It was recorded in ‘ The Field,’ 19th February, 1876.—Ep.] It is 
well known that this bird is occasionally to be met with amongst the sounds 
of this group of islands, but as regards the frequency of the occurrence a 
good deal of uncertainty seems to exist. For part of this Messrs. Baikie 
and Heddle have to answer, as in their work they describe them as 
frequenting the sounds in small flocks during the winter. This statement 
has been copied by other writers, and so the error has a good chance of 
being perpetuated. It is, of course, a case of mistaken identity, the Velvet 
Scoter being the bird met with in the way mentioned. As regards the 
Surf duck, there can be no doubt that occasionally—I believe a careful 
observer would be able to say almost annually—specimens are to be met 
with, in some place or other, amongst the bays and channels with which 
this northern group is so indentated. [Dr. Rae has so stated in ‘The 
Field,’ 18th March, 1876, remarking, “In the latter part of September or 
during October I have seen one or more in Orkney for the last ten years in 
the large bay which separates Kirkwall from Firth-and Rendall.” — Eb. } 
Where the Velvet ducks are wont to congregate the Surf Scoter is most 
likely to be found, since it seems to be fond of company. [This is 
confirmed by Dr. Rae in the note above referred to—Ep.] A female bird 
might very easily escape notice; but not so the male, the white patches on 
head and neck render it recognisable at a considerable distance, even when 
surrounded by the Velvet ducks, so closely resembling it in general 
appearance. My own experience of the species is limited to two examples, 
which, however, considering the limited number of British specimens 
referred to in the ‘ Handbook of British Birds,’ is a fair number to have 
come under the observation of one person, and makes one inclined to think 
that the list given might be enlarged. In addition to those which I myself 
saw “in the flesh,” I have knowledge of two others. As to the birds to 
which I can refer as an eye-witness: in February, 1875, while stopping at 
Stromness for the purpose of collecting, I went down Hoy Sound towards 
the island of Bara in a yawl, knowing that the sound between it and Rysa 
Little was frequented from October to March by numbers of the Velvet 
Scoter. The first lot we fell in with consisted of four birds, just off the 
small semi-detached N.W. corner of the island known as the Calf of Bara. 
On getting near I saw a white-headed bird amongst them, which I at first 
took for a Long-tailed Duck, Harelda glacialis, which also frequents this 
sound; but soon there was no mistaking the bird’s identity—it was an 
adult male Surf Scoter. We sailed up within thirty yards before the birds 


3386 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


took wing, the stranger seeming particularly tame, and being the last to 
leave the water, affording as it did so an easy cross-shot. It fell to my first 
barrel, but instantly diving came up astern of the yawl, and flew off as 
though not touched; the second barrel also had no effect in stopping its 
career. The boatman and I watched its flight, nevertheless, and both saw 
it fall with a splash about a third of a mile away, but on getting to the spot, 
which we were not long doing, could see no more of it, although the water 
under the lee of Rysa was as smooth as glass; nor could I hear any more 
of it during the time I was then in Orkney. In February of the next year, 
1876, I was at Stromness again, and the first fine day,—which rarely 
occurs in an Orkney winter,—the tides suiting, I started again down the 
sound of Hoy to see if another North American stranger should chance to 
be amongst the Velvet ducks. This time I took the precaution of towing 
down a gunning-punt astern of the yawl, with a hundred-pound gun, feeling 
considerable distrust of the powers of a small gun to stop such a tough 
customer as I had met with the previous year. I was again fortunate 
enough to find one, within half a mile of the place where the former bird 
had occurred. About a dozen Velvet ducks were swimming in a bay formed 
by the island of Rysa, and on approaching these with the punt I found a 
Surf Scoter in company with them. On getting up within shot this bird 
separated itself from the rest, and as it seemed very tame, and the big gun 
was turned full on it, affording little chance for escape, even if it suddenly 
rose, which the Scoter has a difficulty in doing. I watched it a bit from 
the punt before pulling the trigger-line. The flock of Scoters were now 
some distance away, when one of the birds left the others and swam rapidly 
towards the Surf duck; thinking this might be a female, I waited for the 
birds to get in line, and fired just before they crossed. When the smoke 
cleared one bird was floating dead upon the surface, and almost immediately 
the other came up from a dive and flew off. I was afraid at first that last 
year’s misfortune had been repeated, but on getting up to the dead bird 
I had the pleasure of picking up an adult male Surf Scoter, in most perfect 
plumage. It had luckily escaped much damage from the storm of shot 
(17 oz.) from the punt-gun, a single pellet having passed through the lower 
portion of the elongated white patch on the nape of the neck. I felt less 
surprise at the failure of my small gun on handling the wonderfully thick 
soft and velvet-like plumage. As for the other two specimens I heard about 
in Orkney, one of them is in the museum at Stromness, in a most miserable 
state of preservation, having suffered severely from moth and damp. In 
fact, had I not been expressly told to look out for a Surf Scoter, I might 
easily have passed it over without notice ; nor is its history very satisfactory, 
an uncertainty existing as to the place in which the bird was obtained, 
I should scarcely have made mention of this bird had not the late Mr. Joseph 
Dunn assured me that the birds in the museum were all local specimens, and 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 337 


that he had no doubt of this one having been obtained in the vicinity, but 
he could say nothing definite about it. The authenticity of the remaining 
bird, however, is undoubted, Mr. Dunn having shot it himself very near 
the same spot in which my two specimens were met with. I questioned 
him closely concerning the occurrence of these birds amongst the Orkney 
group, knowing what an experience he had had there. He was always very 
careful in his ornithological statements, and in this case contented himself 
with declaring that he had only got that one specimen during his long 
residence at Stromness; he might have seen others,—in fact, he hinted 
that he did see them occasionally, but preferred to make positive mention 
only of the one he had actually obtained; he appeared to think these birds 
very wild and difficult to get within shot of, my experience in this respect 
conflicting with his, the two I met with being particularly tame. In addition 
I made enquiry of the boatmen who live on the low eastern end of Hoy— 
locally known as “ Walls”—bordering on the sound of Fara, a spot much 
frequented by the Velvet ducks.. These men declared that amongst the 
black ducks they occasionally see a strange-looking one with a white head, 
but “not every year.” The year following I was again in Orkney, but saw 
no Surf-duck, the weather being so unfavourable that during six weeks’ 
stay I was only able to get down to Bara once. Since that time I have 
heard every year from the Stromness boatman, James Sutherland, who was 
with me on the two occasions, and who accompanies any accidental visitors 
to that town intent on sporting, but he has never since that time seen a 
similar bird; his visits, however, would probably be limited to two or three 
annual trips,—scarcely a fair trial of the question,—and there are several 
other localities in Orkney quite as likely to reward a search—notably so 
some of the water to the northward of Kirkwall. On the whole I am inclined 
to believe that the Surf Scoter not very unfrequently (if not every year) pays 
visits to the Orkneys. —T. M. Pixs (Malvern). 

[In addition to the specimens referred to by Mr. Pike as recorded in 
the ‘Handbook of British Birds’ (twelve in number), and to those now 
mentioned by him, may be noticed two others recorded by Capt. Clark- 
Kennedy in ‘ The Field’ of March 11th, 1876, one of which was obtained 
at Longhope, Hoy Island, in 1872, and the other at the Brig of Waithe, 
at the entrance of Loch Stennis, Stromness.—Ep.] 


EARLY MENTION oF THE Hoopokr as A Britisu Brrp (A.D. 1395).— 
Amongst the documents preserved in the muniment room of Merton 
College, Oxford, is “An Account of the Charges incurred at the Determina- 
tion Feast of Richard, son of Thomas Holand, half-brother of Richard IT., 
in February, 1895.” From internal evidence it would appear that the feast 
was conducted by the University. In this curious document an inventory 


is furnished of the bread and meat, poultry, game and other birds, purchased 
2x 


338 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


for the occasion, and the prices paid for the same. Under the heading 
“ Empcio poltrie et volatilium,” we read:—‘ Et in v gallinis emptis, 
pretium capitis ijd., xd. Et in iij duodenis caponum emptis pretium xij2¢ 
iijs. ixs. Et in iiij xijis de anatibus emptis pretium xij ijs. viijd. . 
Et in diversis volatilibus in grosso per diversas vices, vs. Et in xxiiij 
gastrimargiis [sc. Woodcocks] emptis pretium capitis iijd., vjs. vijd. Et in 
duobus perdicibus emptis pretium capitis iijd. ob vjd. Et in iij malards et 
iiij teles emptis xxjd. Et in xiiij plovers emptis pretium capitis ijd., 
iijs. vjd. Et in xlvij perdicibus emptis xjs. ixd. pretium perdicis iij ob- 
Et in vij wpupis (se. Hoopoes] emptis pretium capitis ijd., xilijd. Et in xyj 
snytes emptis in grosso, xijd. Et in xx. xiji® avium, viz. owseles, thresshes, 
et feldefares, xs. Et in avibus emptis xd. Et in xxiiij snytes emptis in 
grosso xvijd. Et in v anatibus de ryver (sc. ‘ wild-ducks’ as distinguished 
from the tame birds above referred to] emptis xvijd. Lt in iij duodenis 
avium et v perdicibus emptis xxjd. Et in xxiiij perdicibus emptis de uno 
homine de Sare. pretium capitis ijd., iiijs... . . . . . . Summa.” 
The document from which this extract is taken—a curious jumble 
of Latin, French, and English—has been printed by Professor Thorold- 
Rogers at the end of the second volume of his ‘ History of Agriculture 
and Prices in England’ (pp. 643-647). If the word “ wpupis” be intended 
to apply to the Hoopoe (Upupa epops),—and I know not to what other 
species it could be applied (the price paid precluding the idea that the 
writer confounded the name “ Hooper” with “ Hoopoe”),—it is remarkable 
that these birds were so common in England in 1395, that as many 
as seven might be obtained at one time for ‘twopence apiece. The 
month of February, too, strikes one as being an unusual time of year at 
which to find them here, although a few other instances are known of their 
occurrence here in winter. They fetched the same price apparently as fowls, 
and were cheaper than woodcocks. What their gastronomic properties may 
be I am unable to say, but from what I have observed abroad of their habits 
and the nature of their food, I should not have expected to find them set 
down amongst “ the delicacies of the season.”—J. E. Harrie. 


Nesting or THE Stock Dovr.—I think the habit of nesting early in 
this bird has somewhat escaped the notice of ornithologists. About the 
second week in March they may be seen performing the prettiest aérial 
movements possible in the vicinity of their nesting-haunts. They keep 
flying round and round in circles, generally at the beginning of the flight, 
rising up perpendicularly in the air at an altitude of several feet from their 
favourite perch, smartly striking the wings together with a loud clap, which 
can be heard a considerable distance. Often by the second week in April, 
or by the beginning of the third week, the young ones are fledged, as was 
the case this spring, though one of unusual severity. The nest is generally 


——— a 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 339 


placed in a hole in a tree, but other situations are occasionally fixed on; 
I have found it exposed to the air on the top of pollard-ash and willow trees. 
I once met with this species nesting on the floor in a belfry; there were 
two or three nests in close proximity to the bells; and the late Mr. J. J. 
Briggs found them building underneath the railway-bridges overspanning 
the Trent. They will also nest in rabbit-burrows, and Mr. Harting 
discovered them nidifying in cliffs facing the sea (‘ The Field,’ 14th April, 
1866, and ‘ Birds of Middlesex,’ p. 134, note), and other observers have 
testified likewise. The nest of the Stock Dove, however, may also be met with 
very late in the season; I found two fresh eggs in a hollow ash tree on the 
2nd October, 1875. J am informed, on good authority, by a collector, that 
he has found this bird’s eggs inside a deserted Magpie’s nest. I have 
noticed the Stock Dove as plentiful in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, 
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. It breeds abundantly 
in all five counties, and may often be called common.—C. Marrunw Prior 
(The Avenue, Bedford). 

{During the summer of 1865 a pair of Stock Doves nested in the belfry 
of the old church at Kingsbury. The following summer they returned and 
again had a nest there. We secured the young and reared them in an 
aviary, that the identification of the species might be placed beyond doubt. 
The details will be found recorded in ‘ The Ibis’ for 1867, p. 880.—Eb.] 


GULLS BREEDING IN WESTMORELAND.—It is perhaps not generally 
known that a considerable number of Lesser Black-backed and Herring 
Gulls (Larus fuscus and L. argentatus) breed regularly on Foulshaw Moss, 
near Arnside. Twenty years ago the colony was of small dimensions, the 
nests being placed, comparatively speaking, close together. Since that 
time, owing apparently to all the eggs having been taken on one occasion, 
the birds have spread out over an area of several hundred acres, and, 
having in the meantime largely increased in numbers, there are probably 
at present not less than two or three hundred broods of young birds. 
The eggs were laid this year about May 24th, a week or two later than 
usual. The Lesser Black-backed birds seem to exceed the Herring Gulls 
in the proportion of nearly ten to one. The most noteworthy fact in 
connection with these Gulls is the immense havoc they cause amongst the 
fish in the neighbouring river, the Kent. Young salmon and sea-trout up 
to a couple of pounds or more in weight fall victims to their attacks in 
large numbers; and the remains of these, as well as of crabs, shell-fish, &c., 
which strew the moss in the vicinity of the nests, testify to their extreme 
voracity. The Grouse, which are tolerably plentiful in the locality, are 
being gradually expelled from their original haunts, and, though it does not 
seem to have been proved that the Gulls will actually devour the young 
birds (possibly the resemblance to their own progeny would prevent this), 


340 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


if nothing is done to check the increase of these depredations in the future, 
the moss will eventually cease to be of much value for sporting purposes. 
In addition to the Gulls and Grouse, Wild Ducks, Teal, Curlews and Snipe 
breed on the moss; and a short distance off, across the river, is a good- 
sized heronry. It is scarcely necessary to add that all these birds are 
carefully preserved by the owner of the property—W. ArtHur DurnrorD 
(Barrow-in-Furness). 


Tue Great BusTaRD FORMERLY IN LiNcoLNsHIRE.—We learn from 
Mr. Cordeaux’s ‘ Birds of the Humber District’ (pp. 83-85) that the Great 
Bustard, “formerly inhabiting the desolate wolds of Lincolnshire and 
Yorkshire, has passed away, leaving in the former county scareely a 
tradition of its presence.” One such tradition, if it may be so called, has 
been preserved in a book where one would least expect to find it,—namely, 
in Boswell’s ‘ Life of Johnson,’—-and as Mr. Cordeaux has not referred 
to this notice in his remarks on Lincolnshire Bustards, I will quote the 
passage to which I allude. It occurs in a letter dated 9th January, 1758, 
addressed by Dr. Johnson to his friend Bennet Langton, of Langton, near 
Wragby, and runs as follows :—‘T have left off housekeeping, and therefore 
made presents of the game which you were pleased to send me. The 
Pheasant I gave to Mr. Richardson [the author of ‘ Clarissa’], the Bustard 
to Dr. Lawrence, and the pot I placed with Miss Williams, to be eaten by 
myself.” This “ game,” then, was sent up to London from Langton, and, 
considering what the aspect of that part of Lincolnshire was at the date 
mentioned, the difficulties of communication, and the mode of conveyance 
in those days, it cannot be doubted that this Bustard, like the Pheasant, 
must have been killed in the neighbourhood in which the sender resided. 
Whether it is quite justifiable to identify the bird so called with the Great 
Bustard may be a question, although the probability is that this view is 
correct, since the smaller species has been almost invariably distinguished 
as the Little Bustard, while in contemporary and other notices where 
reference is made to “the Bustard” the context shows, either from the 
description given of plumage, size, or weight, or from some allusion to its 
habits, that the Great Bustard was the bird intended. J learn from 
Mr. Cordeaux that Wragby lies between the oolite and the chalk, on 
both of which ranges the Great Bustard was at one time probably not 
uncommon.—J. E. Harrina. 


Mieration or House Marrins.—My own observations quite coincide 
with those of Mr. Stevenson as to the early migration of the main body of 
House Martins. Although contrary to what might at first be expected, 
their departure does not take place in this county until about the second 
week in September. On reference to my note-books I find that the first, 
and as I think, the main migratory flight departed, in 1875, on September 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 341 


13th; in 1876, on September 12th. I have unfortunately lost the date for 
1877, but am almost certain it was either on the 6th or 7th of September; 
and in 1878 on the 11th of September. For a few days previous to their 
departure they collect in great numbers on a projection in front of the 
Wesleyan Chapel, which has been a rendezvous for these birds for a 
number of years. On the morning of their migration they are very active; 
preening themselves, and performing short flights until they rise almost 
simultaneously for their final voyage. They fly, at a moderate height, in a 
south-easterly direction.—K. P. P. Burrerriexp (Wilsden). 


Barn Owxs anD Sarew Mice.—The Barn Owl, it is generally supposed, 
never preys upon Shrew Mice, but on clearing out an old nesting-hole, last 
August, I was surprised to find among the skulls of other mice, hundreds 
of those of the Shrew. Many of the pellets were composed mainly of the 
skulls of House Sparrows, and I failed to detect the remains of any other 
bird. The young, when taken from the nest, thrived, and fed greedily on 
any sort of fish, when meat was not forthcoming. I fancy if more attention 
was given to the castings of Barn Owls, we should often find the Shrew in 
the bill of fare—C. Marruew Prior (Bedford). 

[On dissolving in warm water four pellets of the Barn Owl forwarded 
by our correspondent, we discovered the crania, more or less perfect, of nine 
mice and three shrews; nine pairs of lower jaws of mice; three pairs of 
lower jaws of shrews; besides fragments of the leg-bones and shoulder- 
blades of a corresponding number of these little animals. No remains of 
birds.—Eb.] 


Woop Wren In THE County oF Wicktow.—In the month of June 
last, while staying at the Glendalough Hotel, I made it my object to search 
carefully for the Wood Wren in the oak plantations of Derrybawn, where 
Thad previously observed the bird during three different summers. Having 
visited its haunts daily from the 1st of June I did not observe it until the 
9th, when a couple of pairs made their appearance, and I have now little 
doubt that the bird breeds annually in this locality —H. Cuicuester Hart 
(7, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin). 


GoLDEN ORIOLE 1n SurroLk.—At the end of May last Mr. T. C. Ellis, 
of Oxnead Lodge, Newmarket Road, in this city, while driving from Sudbury 
to Newton, saw a fine male Golden Oriole fly from a tall hedge by the 
roadside. He was particularly struck with the brilliancy of its colour, and 
from the description he gave me and his recognizing a specimen in my 
shop-window, there can scarcely be a doubt of its occurrence as stated.— 
T. E. Gunn (St. Giles Street, Norwich). 


Nesting Hasits or tHE StTarLinc.—With reference to the remark 
I made relative to the Starling rearing but one brood in a season (p. 187), 


342 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


I did not mean to imply that occasionally they may not rear two broods, but 
that these bear but a small proportion to the number which only rear one 
brood. It is an interesting sight to see them hurrying to and from their 
nests at the end of May, especially near such breeding-haunts as Eastby 
rocks, where every available space is occupied by a Starling’s nest. All is 
animation. It reminds one of being in the vicinity of a wasp’s nest. How 
is it that, if they rear two broods, we never discover the same activity on 
subsequently visiting their haunts? Even of the few that have young in 
July it is very probable that some may have had their first nest destroyed ; 
but this remark applies with greater force to such nests as are built about 
our residences.—K. P. P. Burrerr1exp (Wilsden). ; 


Sworp-FisH oN THE Norrotk Coast.—A specimen of the Sword-fish, 
Xiphias gladius, was captured off Sherringham, on the coast of Norfolk, in 
a mackerel-net, on July 14th. It measured 9 feet 6 inches from tip to tip, 
including the “sword,” the length of which was 3 feet—J. H. Gurnuy 
(Northrepps, Norwich). 


Boar-FisH AT THE Mours or THE Humper.—I have a dried example 
of this fish, which was captured in 1877 off the mouth of the Humber and 
brought alive into Grimsby. In its present condition it measures 5% inches 
in length by 2} in depth in front of the first dorsal. This is probably 
the most northern occurrence of the species on the British coast.—Joun 
Corpraux (Great Cotes, Ulceby). 


OccURRENCE OF THE Boar-FisH.— During the month of June last 
I received several notices of the occurrence of the Boar-fish (Capros aper) 
from various parts of the south and south-east coasts of England. First 
from Bournemouth and Weymouth, where they were found, not uncom- 
monly, dead on the shore. Again, one of the Leigh “shrimpers” took 
about a dozen specimens in his trawl-net near Sheerness at the mouth of 
the Thames. Another haul of two specimens was made likewise in a 
shrimp-trawl off Harwich. None of these survived, no doubt having been 
too long in the trawl. Dead specimens of these were sent for me to look at 
by Mr. Andrew, the Aquarium fish-collector, of 25, Cambridge Terrace, 
‘Southend. He says the Essex fishermen know them as ‘‘ Red Dorees,” but 
none remember having seen them on that coast before this year—Joun T. 
Carrington (Royal Aquarium, Westminster, S.W.) 


Monster Bream 1n Norrotx.—A monster Bream, weighing upwards 
of 11} 1bs., was caught in a pond at Beeston Regis, near Cromer, on the 
17th June, by Mr. J. W. Cremer. It was a male fish and very dark in 
colour; in total length it measured, from tip of nose to fork of tail, 26 inches; 


Sa 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 3438 


depth, 10 inches; girth, 23 inches. This is the largest specimen of the 
common Bream that I ever saw or heard of occurring in England. A fine 
specimen was also caught by Mr. Harper in the River Yare at Thorpe, 
Norwich, on the 23rd June, with an ordinary line and aid of landing-net. 
This fish weighed 8 Ibs., and measured 28 inches in length and 193 inches 

in girth. Both the above were sent me, and are in course of preservation. 
The last-mentioned specimen was a female, and after being landed in the 
boat voided a large quantity of ova.— T. E. Gunn (St. Giles Street, 
Norwich). 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Society or Lonpon. 


June 5, 1879.—Prof. Attuan, F'.R.S., President, in the chair. 

Mr. A. D. Michael was elected a Fellow of the Society. 

Prof. W. K. Parker read an abstract of a lengthened memoir “ On the 
Structure and Development of the Skull in the Urodelous Amphibia.” 
In this memoir several common and rare forms are worked out, the 
Spotted Salamander serving as a type. It is noticed that some of the 
so-called ‘‘skin bones” appear early, others of the investing bones appear 
later, and the investing cartilaginous roof of the nose comes after the 
ear-capsule cartilages. Some Woodela show a stapes which notably is 
absent in Ceratodus and Lepidosiren. The transformations of the Anoura 
are carried on in the plastic larva and young to a greater extent than in 
the Urodela. ‘There have not been wanting anatomists,” says Mr. Parker, 
“who, failing from deficient embryological knowledge to sce the meaning 
of this or that part, have trusted to teleological explanations, but teleological 
science belonging to another category of research of thought thus used 
becomes a misleading light—an ignis fatuus. 

The more important portions of a fourth “ Contribution to the Mollusca 
of the ‘ Challenger’ Expedition,” by the Rev. R. Boog Watson, was read by 
the Secretary, in the absence of the author. This deals with the Trochide 
and Turbinide. A new species of Basilissa (B. oxytropis) is also described, 
accident preventing its being included in the previous list. Of the Trochus 
group, the Margarite are many of them remarkable for beauty and for form. 
Of the genus Turbo there are few, but one species is of extraordinary 
beauty. The author states that the list of known species presents no such 
features of interest as to call for its publication at present. Here follows 
the diagnosis and lengthened description of Basilissa (one species), Trochus 
(sixteen species), and Jurbo (three species). All now communicated are 
new to science. Some are from deep water, and shed light on a faunal 
zone uot yet familiar to us. 


344 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


June 19, 1879.—Prof. Arian, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 

Mr. Charles Holmes, of Bradford, was elected a Fellow of the Society. 

The President called attention to two volumes folio ‘On the British 
Fresh-water Fishes,’ by the Rev. W. Houghton. These, recently issued, 
illustrate in colours all the known species, and the work forms a handsome 
addition to the literature of the British fauna. 

The Secretary, in the absence of the author, then read a paper “ Ona 
remarkable branched Syilis from the ‘ Challenger’ Expedition,” by Dr. W. C. 
M‘Intosh. This polychete worm, S. ramosa, was found in the basal canals 
of a hexactinellid sponge dredged near Zebu, Philippines. Thread-like in 
thickness, the branches are intricately arranged among the meshes of the 
sponge, and it appears that but one head must serve for many branches. 
Buds and secondary buds are very numerous on the latter, and in a free 
female pedal bristle-tufts were observed. A fragment of a different form is 
suggested as possibly the male of the foregoing rare example of a truly 
branched annelid. They both differ in most particulars from anything 
heretofore recorded in science. 

On the Thorax of the Blow-fly,” was the title of a paper by Mr. A. 
Hammond. Most authorities at present recognise the great preponderance 
of the mesothorax over the other two segments (prothorax and metathorax), 
but do not fix the limit of each. The author refers to the integumentary 
parts entering into the thorax of insects, as enumerated by Audouin, and 
also especially to the views held by Westwood, Burmeister, Lowne, and 
others. Afterwards he gives a full description of his own dissections and 
preparations, and reasons for dissenting from the majority of workers, 
though with evident inclination to Audouin’s opinions. He concludes that, 
from the analogy presented by other insects, from the evidence derivable 
from the phenomena of developmental change, and from a study and 
consideration of the nervous muscular systems, all combine to show that 
the thorax of Diptera, as illustrated in the blow-fly, is almost exclusively 
mesothoracic; this conviction, be it observed, being quite at variance with 
that promulgated by Lowne in his admirable researches on the blow-fly. 

Mr. G. Busk read a communication “ On Recent Species of Heteropora,” 
this being founded chiefly on material got by the ‘ Challenger’ Expedition. 
Hitherto our knowledge of these Polyzoa has been derived from fossil forms, 
but quite lately Mr. Waters has drawn attention to a recent example in 
the British Museum Collection, said to be from Japan. Mr. Busk now 
considerably adds to our information on the living types, and enters into an 
account of the several structural peculiarities observed by him. 

Then followed a paper by Pastor H. D. J. Wallengren, of Sweden, “ On 
the Species of Caddis-flies (Phryganee) described by Linneus in his 
‘Fauna Suecica,’ with Notes thereon,” communicated by Mr. R. M‘Lachlan. 

A paper “ On the Bell-bird,” by Dr. J. Murie, was taken as read. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 345 


ZooLoaicaL Society or Lonpon. 


June 17, 1879.—Professor W. H. Frowrr, LL.D., F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to 
the Society's Menagerie during the month of May, 1879, and called 
special attention to several novelties, amongst which were:—two Horned 
Parrakeets, Nymphicus cornutus, obtained by purchase; a Hornbill, 
received in exchange May Sth, which appeared to be a second example 
of the species described in 1870 as Buceros subcylindricus ; a young male 
Patagonian Sea-lion, Otaria jubata, presented by Mr. F. E. Cobb, Manager 
of the Falkland Islands Company, at Stanley, Falkland Islands; and a 
Saki Monkey, Brachyurus rubicundus, purchased May 24th, new to the 
Society’s Collection. 

Mr. Sclater exhibited a skin of Ara glauca, from Mr. Boucard’s 
collection, obtained at Corrientes, and stated that having compared it with 
the Ara now in the Gardens, purchased in June, 1860, and hitherto named 
A. glauca, he had come to the conclusion that the living bird belonged to 
the allied form, Ara Leari. 

Prof. Flower called attention to the skull of the female Sea-lion, which 
had lately died at the Southport Aquarium, and pointed out that it 
belonged to Otaria Gillespii, and not, as had been supposed, to Otaria 
Stelleri. 

Mr. C. G. Danford exhibited and made remarks on some remarkable 
antlers of Deer, which he had obtained during his recent journey in 
Asia Minor. 

Prof. Newton exhibited skins of some rare species of birds obtained by 
Mr. Edward Newton, in Jamaica. 

Mr. F. D. Godman exhibited and made remarks on a drawing of the 
Manatee by Mr. Wolf, taken from the specimen lately living in the 
Westminster Aquarium. 

Hans Graf von Berlepsch exhibited and made remarks on the skins 
of two varieties of the Long-tailed Titmouse, Mecistura caudata, which 
occurred near Cassel, in Germany, one of which appeared to be the same 
as the British form of this bird. 

Dr. J. Murie read a paper on the Manatee, containing the results of his 
examination of the specimen which was lately living in the Westminster 
Aquarium. The peculiar attitudes assumed by the animal in life, the 
great mobility of the upper lip, and the occasional use of the limbs in 
feeding were noted. As regards the anatomy, the chief points dwelt on 
were the shape of the brain and its suppressed conyolutions. The vexed 
question of the number of the cervical nerves and their distribution was 


also discussed. 
2Y 


346 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


A communication was read from Mr. A. H. Garrod, on the brain and 
on other points in the structure of the adult male Hippopotamus, which 
was presented to the Society by the late Viceroy of Egypt in 1850, and 
which died in the Society’s Gardens in March, 1878. 

A second communication from Mr. Garrod contained a note on the 
mechanism of respiration, as well as of the retraction of the head and limbs 
in certain Chelonia. 

Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys communicated the second part of his work on the 
Mollusea of the ‘ Lightning’ and ‘ Porcupine’ Expeditions, embracing 
the families from Anomiide to Arcide. The number of species noticed 
was 100, of which four were new to science, and fifteen were hitherto 
unfigured. Particulars were given of the geographical and geological 
distribution of all the species, and their synonymy was discussed. Some 
species of Leda and Malletia were Sicilian fossils of the pliocene formation, 
aud had not been previously known as recent or living. These species 
occurred at great depths, a fact which showed that the sea-bed in that 
part of the Mediterranean had been considerably raised since the tertiary 
epoch. 

Mr. Edward R. Alston read a note on the Acanthomys leucopus of 
Gray, showing that it does not belong to the genus Acanthomys, but to 
Mus proper. As the name leucopus is pre-occupied in the latter genus, he 
proposed to call the species Mus terra-regina. 

Mr. W. L. Distant read a paper on the African species of Lepidoptera 
of the genus Papilio. A new species from Magila, East Africa, was 
described, and the name of Papilio Hornimani was proposed for it. 

A communication was read from the Count T. Salvadori, containing 
further particulars of the new Pheasant from Western Sumatra which he 
had recently described as Acomus inornatus. 

Messrs. Godman and Salvin gave an account of some _ hitherto 
unrecorded diurnal Lepidoptera, obtained by the Rev. George Brown in 
Duke of York Island and New Ireland, together with descriptions of some 
apparently new species. 

A communication was read from Mr. F. Jeffrey Bell, being the 
second of the series of his observations on the characters of Echinoidea. 
The present paper contained an account of the species of the genus 
Tripneustes. 

Messrs. Sclater and Salvin read a paper on the birds of Bolivia, based 
principally upon an examination of the specimens obtained by Mr. Buckley 
during two expeditions into that country. 


This Meeting closes the present Session. There will be no more 
Scientific Meetings until the commencement of the next Sessson, 1879-80, 
in November next.—P. 8. Sonarer, Secretary. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES 317 


Entomonocicat Society or Loxpon. 

June 4, 1879.—H. W. Bates, F.L.S., F.Z.8., Vice-President, in the 
chair. 

Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks voted to donors. 

Mr. J. Walhouse, F.R.A.S., of 9, Randolph Crescent, Maida Vale, was 
ballotted for and elected an Ordinary Member. Senor Antonio Augusto de 
Carvatho Monteiro, 72, Rua do Alecrion, Lisbon, was ballotted for and 
elected a Foreign Member. Mr. GC. H. Goodman, of Kearsbrook Lodge, 
Lesness Heath, Kent, was ballotted for and elected a Subscriber. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan called attention to a notice by Prof. F. A. Forel, 
published in the ‘ Procés-Verbaux de la Societé Vaudoise des Sciences 
Naturelles’ (séance du 5 Decembre, 1877), concerning certain sculptured 
markings on cretaceous pebbles from the shores of Lac Léman. Various 
theories had been propounded to explain the cause of those markings, such 
as the action of Alge, Mollusca, &. Prof. Forel had, however, come to 
‘the conclusion that they were mainly due to the action of larvee of 
Trichoptera, which formed galleries over the surface, and there were 
larger and deeper depressions in the places where the cases were fixed, 
Mr. M‘Lachlan had received from Prof. Forel, through Capt. Marshall 
Hall, certain of these larve in alcohol, and two plaster casts of small blocks 
(exhibited), one of Jurassic limestone, the other of ordinary white chalk, the 
latter being one of several placed in the lake by Prof. Forel on the 12th 
March, and taken out on the 26th November following, and on which he 
had scratched his initials: these scratches had been deepened in some 
places by the action of the larvee, which apparently were those of the genus 
Philopotamus in the family Hydropsychide. 

Mr. Meldola suggested that the depressions in the pieces of chalk and 
limestone might have been produced by the solvent action of the water 
charged with carbonic acid, which issued from the galleries of the larve, 
a circulation of oxygenated water being necessary for their respiration, and 
after being used for this purpose the effluent water would naturally contain 
more carbonic acid than before its entry into the galleries; but this 
explanation would not hold good if the casts themselyes had been directly 
acted upon by the larve. 

Mr. J. S. Baly communicated a paper entitled “ An Attempt to point 
out the Differential Characters of some closely-allied Species of Chrysomela, 
chiefly those contained in Suffrian’s 11th group; also Descriptions of some 
hitherto uncharacterised forms belonging to the same and other Genera of 
the Family.” 

Prof. Westwood communicated two papers, entitled “ A Decade of new 
Cetoniide,” and “On some unusual Monstrous Insects.” 

Mr. W. L. Distant read a paper entitled “Contributions to our 
Knowledge of the Hemipterous Fauna of Madagascar.” 


348 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Sir Sidney Saunders communicated some notes from M. Jules 
Lichtenstein, of Montpellier, describing the metamorphoses of the blister- 
beetle, which, after repeated failures for many years, he had recently 
succeeded in rearing from the egg. 

Mr. Meldola communicated a translation of a paper by Dr. Fritz 
Miller, published in ‘ Kosmos,’ May, 1879, and entitled ‘“ Jtuna and 
Thyridia ; a remarkable case of Mimicry in Butterflies.” 

With reference to Dr. Fritz Miiller’s remarks on the inexperience of 
young birds, Mr. Jenner Weir stated that from the numerous experiments 
which he had made on the subject of larve which are eaten or rejected, he 
had always been profoundly impressed with the utter disregard paid by birds 
to larve which were inedible. He had never but once seen a distasteful 
larva even examined by a bird. When, day by day, he had thrown into his 
aviary various larve, those which were edible were eaten immediately ; 
those which were inedible were no more noticed than if a pebble had been 
thrown before the birds. It was Mr. Weir's opinion that the experience of 
birds in this respect had become hereditary in the species, and was not the 
result of the experience of individual birds, but was rather to be regarded 
as an act of “ unconscious cerebration.” 

Mr. Bates, whilst acknowledging the great value of the numerous facts 
adduced from his own personal observation by Dr. Fritz Miiller, could not 
agree with him in his proposal to separate, as a distinct family, Ituna and 
Lycorea (with Danais) from Thyridia and the remainder of the Ithomia 
group; the characters mentioned by him only went to prove that tuna 
and Lycorea were the connecting links between Danais and the Ithomie, 
thus justifying the views of those Lepidopterists who first defined 
this important group nearly twenty years ago. With regard to the still 
incompletely solved problem of mimicry, he could not see that Dr. Miller's 
explanations and calculations cleared up all the difficulties. The numerous 
cases where species which are themselves apparently protected by their 
offensive secretions evidently mimic other species similarly protected still 
form a great stumbling-block. ‘The excessive complexity of the question 
must be evident to all who read Dr. Fritz Miiller’s writings on this subject. 
The phenomena with regard to the Heliconide, stated broadly, were 
these :—In Tropical South America a numerous series of gaily-coloured 
butterflies and moths, of very different families, which occur in abundance 
in almost every locality a naturalist may visit, are found all to change their 
hues and markings together, as if by the touch of an enchanter’s wand, at 
every few hundred miles, the distances being shorter near the eastern 
slopes of the Andes than nearer the Atlantic. So close is the accord of 
some half dozen species (of widely different genera) in each change that 
he (Mr. Bates) had seen them in large collections classed and named 
respectively as one species. Such a phenomenon was calculated to excite 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 349 


the interest of the travelling naturalist in the highest degree. Although 
the accordant changes were generally complete, cases occurred in which 
intermediate varieties were still extant, and the study of these had given 
him, when he was in South America, the clue to an explanation which, 
however, does not embrace the whole of the problem. 


July 2, 1879.--Sir Joun Lupgock, Bart., M.P., V.-P.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks voted to donors. 

Mr. Vincent Robert Perkins, of 54, Gloucester Street, South Belgravia, 
was ballotted for and clected an ordinary Member. 

Mr. S. Stevens exhibited living specimens of Tillus unifasciatus and 
Teretrius picipes, from the same fence, at Norwood, where these insects were 
captured last year, this being the fourth season of capturing the first, and 
the third season of taking the second species in this locality. (See also 
Proc. Ent. Soc., 1878, p. xli). 

Mr. M‘Lachlan made a further communication respecting the sculptured 
pebbles from Lac Leman. He had received from Prof. Forel an actual 
water-worn limestone pebble from the lake, which did not, however, show 
any distinct sculpturing, but on it were the covered channels formed by 
Trichopterous larve. A number of the perfect insects forwarded (with 
larvee and pupe) by Prof. Forel proved to be Tinodes lurida, Curt., a 
common insect generally on the margins of lakes and rivers. 

Mr. W. L. Distant exhibited a specimen of Papilio Hystaspes, Feld., 
taken by Mr. R. E. Cole at sea during a calm, thirty miles from Singapore 
and nine miles from the nearest land. This butterfly, found both at the 
Philippine Isles and Malacca, is generally considered as a variety or local 
race of Papilio Helenus, Linn., round which are also grouped a number of 
other closely allied forms. Mr. Distant suggested that if, as in this case, 
one of these forms could be found so far at sea during a calm, it could easily 
be realized how in such a region of sudden storms involuntary migration 
must frequently take place, and the differences in the conditions of the new 
habitats might be sufficient to produce the many constant but varietal 
forms of this species. 

Mr. William Cole exhibited a remarkable variety of Pyrameis cardut, 
taken at Buckhurst Hill, Essex, in June. 

The Secretary exhibited, on the part of Lord Walsingham, some 
specimens of a species of Tipulidee (Bittacomorpha elavipes, Fabr.), remark- 
able for possessing greatly enlarged tarsal joints, captured at Pitt River, 
California. 

Sir Sidney Saunders communicated some additional explanation, 
received from M. Jules Lichtenstein, of Montpellier, respecting the rearing 
of the blister-beetle, Cantharis vesicatoria.—R. Mrxipvoxa, Hon. Secretary. 


350 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 


The Wild White Cattle of Great Britain: an Account of their 
Origin, History, and Present State. By the late Rev. 
Joun Srorrer, M.A., of Hellidon, Northamptonshire. 
Edited by his Son, Joun Srorrer. 8vo, pp. 378. 
London: Cassell, Petter and Galpin. 1879. 


ConsIDERING the antiquity of the race of Wild White Cattle, 
a few herds of which still survive in England and Scotland, 
and the interest which attaches to their origin and history, it 
is somewhat surprising that, until the appearance of the present 
volume, nothing like a complete account of them had been 
published. 

It is true that various allusions to the primitive race 
of wild cattle in the British Islands may be found in the 
works of the older historians, as FitzStephen, Hector Boece, 
Leslie, and Sibbald; the question of their origin and affinities 
has furnished a theme for several eminent paleontologists, as 
Professors Nilsson and Riitemeyer, Sir Charles Lyell, Dr. J. A. 
Smith, and Prof. Boyd Dawkins; while accounts of particular 
herds may be found in the works of various antiquarians and 
county historians, amongst whom we find such well-known 
names as Leland, Erdeswick, Leigh, Raine, and Whittaker. Nor 
have naturalists at various times omitted to notice them, as 
testified by the works of Pennant, Bewick, Bell, and Mr. Darwin. 
But the earlier references, generally speaking, are vague and 
unsatisfactory, chiefly because founded upon hearsay evidence; 
while the later accounts, although in many cases extremely 
valuable, are more or less fragmentary and incomplete in their 
nature, necessitating careful consideration and comparison 
before one can proceed to generalize from them. 

It devolved upon the late Mr. Storrer, from these and other 
sources, to collect and arrange all such information concerning 
wild cattle in Great Britain as seemed to him reliable and trust- 
worthy, and the result is now given to the world in the book 
before us. 


Zod 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 851 


If the arrangement of the material at his command is not so 
good as it might have been, this doubtless must be attributed 
not so much to the inability of the author to deal with his facts, 
as to the regrettable circumstance of his demise before the 
completion of his _ labours. Under the mnom-de-plume of 
*Historicus,” the late Mr. Storrer was well known as an 
experienced writer on the various breeds of domestic cattle, 
particularly “Short-horns,” and his opinions were always 
received with deference by those who claimed with him to be 
authorities on the subject. Had he lived to complete the 
present work, it may be assumed that in several respects it 
would have been materially improved. ‘‘'The text of the book,” 
says the editor (his son), “‘ has been left by me in all respects as 
Mr. Storrer left it, with the sole exception of a few merely verbal 
corrections. A few notes it seemed well to add are carefully 
distinguished. In every case I have been most particular to 
preserve the exact meaning of the author, even to the minutest 
shade.’” In this respect, we think, the editor has exercised a 
wise discretion. 

Commencing with an examination of the questions affecting 
the origin of cattle, the European races, and the fossil species, 
the author investigates the history of the Urus in ancient 
Britain, and the early notices which he has met with of wild 
cattle in England and Scotland. Passing from forest to park, 
he dwells on the gradual extinction of wild animals in forests, 
while, owing to the protection afforded them, they still survive 
in parks, and quotes such authors as have contributed to a 
history of so-called wild cattle in the semi-domesticated state. 
To the Chillingham herd no less than four chapters are de- 
voted,— doubtless because it has been noticed by previous 
writers more than any other, and after dealing less fully with 
the herds of Chartley, Lyme Park, Burton Constable, Somer- 
ford, Wollaton, Gisburne, Middleton, and Gunton Park, he 
passes on to a consideration of the extinct and existing Scottish 
herds, and, in an “ Appendix,” gives a list of localities where 
wild white cattle or their domestic descendants are (in his 
opinion) proved to have existed. 

This list is a long one; much longer, indeed, than most 
people would suppose. In Scotland alone eleven places are 
named as having at one time harboured wild cattle, although in 


3512 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


two only (Cadzow and Kilmory) are herds to be found at the 
present day. 

In England, evidence more or less convincing is adduced to 
show the former existence of wild cattle, or herds in parks, in 
twenty-eight different places, in all of which, save three, they 
have either died out (Mr. Storrer thinks from too closely 
interbreeding) or have been purposely destroyed. But in 
addition to the three parks which are now generally known 
to contain herds, viz., Chillingham, Chartley, and Lyme, we 
find, under the head of ‘The Gunton, Blickling and Wood- 
bastwick Herds (Norfolk),’—all of which are thought to have 
been derived from the ancient wild herd of Middleton, in Lan- 
cashire,—the statement that “the first of these died out some 
thirty years since; the two latter still exist, more or less pure. 
All were domesticated.” 

All these existing herds Mr. Storrer personally visited, and 
his description of these visits is very entertaining. In stating 
(at page 163) that “ Mr. H. H. Dixon (‘The Druid’) was the last 
person who published any account of the herd [Chillingham], in 
his ‘Saddle and Sirloin,’ in 1870, having seen it a few years 
previously,” both Mr. Storrer and his editor have overlooked 
the article by Mr. A. H. Cocks, which appeared in the pages of 
this journal only last year, entitled, “A Visit to the existing 
Herds of British White Wild Cattle,’* a perusal of which 
would have furnished more recent statistics than those given in 
the present volume. 

We have not space at our disposal to examine in detail 
Mr. Storrer’s arguments. Suffice it to say that, although we 
are unable to agree with him in all his conclusions, and con- 
sider that here and there he has laid too much stress upon 
merely presumptive evidence, he has, nevertheless, produced 
a book which conveys a considerable amount of information, 
collected from various sources, and which should prove almost 
as interesting to the general reader as to the professed 
naturalist. 


* «The Zoologist,’ 1878, p. 273. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. 111. SEPTEMBER, 1879. [No. 33. 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 
By Josepu Lucas, F.G.S. 


Iv Yorkshire there are three well-known hills that bear the 
name of Whernside, all about 2000 feet in elevation. Two of 
these—Great Whernside, 2300 feet, and Little Whernside, 1984 
feet—lie together, fourteen miles south-east of the third Whern- 
side, which is near the head waters of the Ribble, the Lune, the 
Ure, and the Wharfe, on the backbone watershed which sends its 
waters to the North Sea on the one side, and the Irish Channel 
on the other. Great and Little Whernside lie near the head- 
waters of the Cover, a tributary which joins the Ure at Middleham, 
twelve miles north-east from its source; and the Nidd, another 
tributary of the Ure, which joins the main river near York, 
thirty-five miles south-east from its source. On the west, Great 
Whernside looks down upon the village of Kettlewell, in the 
far-famed dale of the Wharfe, and up the lovely Langstrothdale ; 
whilst above these, in the midde distance, looms the stupendous 
Pen-y-gent, having the truncated sugar-loaf shape characteristic 
of all the more conspicuous eminences on the Pennine chain. 

This part of the valley of the Wharfe derives its beauty from 
being cut deeply into the mountain limestone, whose regular 
terraces and lines of cliffs form one of the most pleasing features 
in the dale. Though this limestone reappears in the valleys to 
the east, it is too low in their beds to give a character to the 
scenery. With these exceptions all the hills and slopes are formed 
in the millstone-grit formation, which ranges on a huge anticlinal 


line from Derbyshire into Scotland. It is this formation that 
Q2z 


354 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


supports upon its sandstones and shales that remarkable extent 
of heather-covered moor and peat which occupies a belt of 
country, broken only by valleys, for a length of 200 miles, being 
in places thirty miles wide. The line of demarcation between the 
vivid green grass of the limestone and the black heather-covered 
peat of the millstone-grit is generally as well defined as that of 
the formations themselves. 

The basin of the Nidd above Hampsthwaite includes an area 
of eighty square miles; and though some allusions will be made 
to the more southerly part of this area, it is the more northerly 
and more elevated parts that will be particularly described. For 
sixteen miles from Great Whernside the valley proper is nowhere 
more than one mile wide from ridge to ridge, and is from 500 to 
800 feet deep, forming, as it were, a deep groove in the vast 
easterly-sloping heather-covered moorland. South of that the 
valley becomes more open, the height of the surrounding hills 
falls, and the moors, which retreat to the west, disappear 
altogether on the east side. Save for the magnificent Brimham 
Rocks, the valley below this is tame and uninteresting. . 

Between the Wharfe near Otley and the Nidd below Pateley 
Bridge, there is a great extent of wild half-cultivated land, almost 
all of which has formerly been under the plough. Some of this 
tract is yet wild moorland, in which les the ancient enclosure 
of Haverah Park, but the rest has long since been turned into 
grazing land. Over this and surrounding districts, farms fitted 
up for agriculture are now standing half ruinous, and it is no 
uncommon thing to see a little shed of logs thatched with hay for 
the shelter of a few calves put up in one corner of a large roofless 
barn built for the reception of hay and grain. Fences have been 
allowed to go to ruin, or gaps have been intentionally formed in 
them to give the herds of cattle now grazing there a larger run. 

Till about fifty years ago long-horned cattle were kept in the 
dale. ‘They were black-and-white, and blue. These were replaced 
by shorthorns, whose chief merit lies in the fact that in a year and 
a half they will put on as much flesh as an ordinary beast will in 
three. In addition to this they “feed” better, and grow fat on 
pastures where an ordinary cow would remain poor. For these 
reasons they are well adapted for keeping for a year and a half or 
two years on these moorside farms. Since the decline of agriculture 
in the dale their numbers have very much increased all along this 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 355 


part of the lower slopes of the Pennine chain, which may truly be 
called the nursery of the famous breed of Yorkshire shorthorns. 
The cattle are subject to a disease which causes them to swell up 
about the eyes and tail, when they are said to be “ betwenged” 
(Anglo-Saxon thweng, a charm, or phylactery). 

Quitting the zone of cattle-grazing country we may now turn 
to Nidderdale proper. For the first six miles from Great Whern- 
side the valley takes an easterly course, and both sides are 
marked by lines of fine escarpment—a@ propos of which it may 
be observed that this kind of scenery, terrace rising above terrace, 
which has been so faithfully depicted by Turner, is peculiar to 
the valleys of the Pennine chain, not only as regards England, 
but Europe, as neither Norway, the Hartz, nor Switzerland show 
anything of the kind. To return, however, below this the valley 
turns to the south, after which only the eastern side continues 
to be steep. The margin of each terrace is frequently marked 
by a line of wood, but the slopes and terraces are grazing land. 
Nearly all the enclosed land on the sides of the dale as high as 
Woodale, 1000 feet, has been ploughed. It was ploughed straight 
up and down. No doubt this was necessary, as the slopes are so 
steep that heavy showers would wash away the soil. 

Agriculture has never been a complete success in the dale, 
and within these twenty years the last of the ploughed land in 
the dale north of Pateley Bridge has been “‘ swathed.” Several 
late harvests, and some never got at all, have the credit, locally, 
of having contributed to this result; but the true explanation 
demands a wider view. The dalesmen themselves say that oats 
often failed, and wheat would not ripen; but that, as oatmeal was 
almost their only article of food, they and their fathers were 
obliged to put up with bad crops and imperfect success, as they 
were too poor to fetch oatmeal from the better districts. Though 
from such names as “‘ Rye Close” one would infer that rye had 
once been cultivated in the dale, there has been none grown for 
the last eighty years, and all the old inhabitants say that they 
never heard of any being grown. However, in the winter of 
1799-1800 wheat bread was very dear, and the inhabitants of 
Lofthouse fed upon rye bread. Nidderdale is now one large 
grazing field. Not only are the young shorthorns nursed here, but 
vast flocks of sheep are reared on the moors. ‘“ Sheep-gates,” or the 
right to turn sheep on to the moors, are let in specified numbers 


356 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


with each farm, and now it is difficult to get ‘gates,’ though 
thirty years ago there were not sheep enough in the dale to stock 
the moors. At that time they were all Scotch wethers, now there 
is not a Scotch wether in the dale. They are all Scotch ewes for 
breeding, and first-rate Leicester tups, called in the dale “ mugs.” 
The result is a sheep known as the “ half-bred,” with plenty of 
wool and mutton—commodities largely in demand in the manu- 
facturing districts of Leeds and Bradford. All the spring and 
summer the sheep run on the moors, each farmer turning out as 
many sheep as he has “gates” for. In November the farmers 
near the dale-head sent their sheep down to winter in Haverah 
Park. ‘Two or three flocks are joined together under the charge 
of one man, who drives them down and remains with them all the 
winter, and brings them back on the approach of spring, late 
in March. ‘They graze on the ling in Haverah Park, or on the 
sweet land that has been formerly ploughed and again ‘“‘ swathed.” 
All the sheep, however, do not go down. ‘The fields in the upper 
part of the dale in winter are full of sheep that have been brought 
down from the high moors. Though these undulating fields, 
with their ridges and hollows, are admirably adapted for wintering 
sheep, they can only accommodate a certain number; many die in 
cold nights, when they contract a disease known as ‘‘ blackwater.” 

In the spring the sheep feed greedily on the flowers of the 
moor-silk (cotton-grass), or, as it is termed in the dale, ‘‘ Moss- 
crops and cutthroats.” Many hundreds are lost on the moor 
during the summer by casualties, such as falling into holes in the 
peat, by getting entangled in the heather, by getting bogged, and 
sometimes by getting drowned. In times of snow, from their 
habit of sheltering in the hollows, sheep often become buried in 
the drift. When this is the case a good dog will “set” them, 
and, if his master is there, he will recover the sheep; but, what 
seems most strange, however good the dog may be, if he is alone 
he will be certain to worry the sheep. None of the dogs on these 
moors are to be trusted when they go by themselves, as they are 
all—the best of them—apt to turn on the sheep. The dogs on 
these moors do not attain to the same perfection as they do in 
Scotland, probably because the runs are smaller; but many dogs 
are sent up to be trained here. 

The sheep dogs in Nidderdale are referable to four distinct 
varieties. One, a thin long-bodied dog, smooth-haired, black and 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 357 


tan, long sharp head, long tail, sometimes tall; very strong, swift, 
and clever. A second kind is a smaller dog, smooth silver-grey, 
with dark grey blotches; always wall-eyed, light eye in lighter 
patch; bark snappish; barks in a skulking way with its tail 
between its legs; cowardly. A third kind, handsomer than the 
other two, and generally larger, is a long-haired shaggy dog, with 
a mass of long hair about the neck; colour black and white, 
being black over back and sides; has a white ring round his neck 
(whence he is generally called ‘‘ Ring”); ears sharp, short, erect; 
face short, triangular; tail hairy. The fourth type is a noble- 
looking dog, rough-haired, terrier like, large; colour dark slaty 
blue above, light ochreous brown below; tan legs; face hairy; 
ears small, partly erect, then drooping; tail large, dark above, light 
under; bark loud—a good honest announcement of the presence 
of a stranger. Though there are some few dogs that do not fall 
under any of these types, by far the larger number of the sheep 
dogs in Nidderdale do; and though the points of difference may 
appear to be trifling, they are extremely characteristic and dis- 
tinctive. A great many of those dogs are imported from Scotland, 
a few from Craven, and elsewhere. 

The following are some of the very old dog’s names in the 
dale :—Craft, Rake, Gade, Flora, Gess, Bute, Luce, Fleet, Shep, 
Ring, Tossel, Glan, Roy, Yarrow, and Hoov. Some of these are 
eminently suggestive of high antiquity. ‘“‘ Rake” has a Scandi- 
navian origin, Rakki being the Old Norsk for a dog. Sheep are 
said to “rake out’? when they form into a line on being first 
disturbed by the shepherd, and the sheep-tracks which they make 
walking single file are called “‘sheep-rakes.” Danish Rekke means 
a “row.” So that we may safely conclude that the name of “‘ Rake” 
is at least 1000 years old in the dale. Similarly ‘“‘Hoov” is the 
Welsh Hwv and the Anglo-Saxon Héf, a hood (pronounced Hoov), 
and was probably given as a name to a dog in allusion to the shape 
of the hair on the head, or to its colour, presenting the appearance 
of a hood. The word “ Hove” (a hood) was still in use in the 
time of Chaucer, and is, in fact, used by him in the ‘ Canterbury 
Tales’ :— 

“, . . . . And some deal set his hove.’—YV. 3909. 
The name “ Hoov” may therefore be 1300 years old in the dale. 

It is probable that we are more dependent upon animal food 
than we used to be. In their early days the present generation 


358 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


of dalesmen fed almost exclusively upon oatmeal; either as “ hasty 
pudding,” that is, boiled smooth and eaten while hot with milk or 
treacle; or “lumpy,” that is, boiled quickly and not thoroughly 
stirred; or else in one of the three kinds of cake which they call 
“ fermented,” viz., “riddle cake,” ‘ held-on cake,” or ‘ turn-down 
cake”; or of a fourth kind called ‘clap cake.” They also made 
“tiffany cakes” of wheaten flour, which was separated from the 
bran by being worked through a hair-sieve = tiffany, or temse 
(tamis). The dalesmen then lived upon the agricultural produce 
of their land; but in some respects the district of Nidderdale 
proper differs from the surrounding country. 

In Nidderdale much of the upper part of the dale consists 
of property farmed by the landlords. ‘There is no trace of any 
other state of things having existed in Nidderdale than that 
of occupation by individual landowners. -But in Wharfedale, 
Coverdale, Wensleydale, and on the slopes of the hills to the east 
of Nidderdale, the country is covered with little step-like terraces 
called “‘ranes.” ‘The sides of the limestone slopes of Wharfe- 
dale are covered with them, each being twenty or thirty or more 
yards long and two or three yards wide, and though they almost 
always there run horizontally, yet occasionally they lie up and 
down. ‘These ‘“ranes” lay on land which belonged to the village 
communities of the dale, and each man in the village had one. 
One man held a ‘“‘rane” for three years, when he exchanged for 
another. ‘This system was in full working order down to the 
time of the grandfathers of the present generation of men about 
fifty years old. With the decline of agriculture and the increase of 
grazing farming, consequent upon the departure of manufacturing, 
power to enclose was applied for, under the Enclosure Act [6 and 
7 William IY., cap. 115], 1836, which gave power to enclose, 
without a special Act, “open and common arable and pasture 
lands, and lands commonable during part of the year only, by 
Commissioners with consent of two-thirds in number and value 
of proprietors, or, without Commissioners, with consent of seven- 
eighths in number and value.” Long stone fences were built, 
and the ‘“‘ranes” remained as the monuments of a bygone age. 
This was followed by a rapid depopulation of the dales. The 
stream of emigration set in to the great manufacturing towns of 
Leeds and Bradford; so that the population of the dales is not 
now one-third of what it was early in the century. 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 309 


The absence of “ranes” in Nidderdale is not the only 
distinctive feature that isolates it from the surrounding country. 
Though woolcombing was the staple trade till very recent years 
of Masham, West Burton, and Aysgarth, in Wensleydale, there 
hever were any wool-combers in Nidderdale. Weaving and 
spinning “line” (flax) employed women till about forty years 
ago. They made sheets, huckaback table-cloths, and towels, 
many of which are still in use. At Ramsgill, the birthplace of 
Eugene Aram, they wove cotton with a machine they called 
“leim.” A man came from Hebden, in Wharfedale, bringing 
them the raw material, and took back what they had woven. He 
paid them for their work, and left them as much cotton as 
he thought they could finish before his next visit. ‘“Garn” is 
still spun in the dale for knitting stockings; but all signs of 
manufacturing activity has long since been absorbed by the great 
centres, and disappeared from the dales. 

The absence of ranes and of the art of woolcombing in 
Nidderdale are only two of many points of difference that lie 
between it and the neighbouring dales, and the country to the 
south and east. 

Nidderdale lies in the ancient district of Kymry-land, and the 
evidence of names of places shows that the country immediately 
to the south of it, and east of Leeds, was well populated by 
Celts, but the Celts never made any settlement in Nidderdale. 
Only the most eminent hills on the confines of the dale bear 
Celtic names. The dale was first populated by the Angles, who 
entered England, chiefly on the north and east, about a. p. 559, 
under Ella. They appear to have taken possession of the dale, 
at least as far as regards its upper half. The interior slopes of 
the hills, the villages, farms, pastures, sheds, one wood, the 
springs, tributary streams, and the main river itself, bear generally 
Anglo-Saxon names. .Some of these names are too remarkable 
to be passed over without mention. ‘Thus “ Raydale Knotts” is 
the name of the interior side of Little Whernside; ‘‘ Thorpe” or 
“ Thrope,” and “Sten,” villages; “ Limley” (lime-field) being 
situated upon the narrow strip of limestone in the bottom of the 
dale, a farm; ‘'Tiedera Wood,” tiedera being a pure Anglo- 
Saxon adjective meaning “thin,” most descriptive of the thin 
hanger of birches upon a steep cliff of limestone to which the 
name applies; while such names as “ Wising (wiéswng, guiding) 


360 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


sike,” “Haga sike” (hedge or fence, i.¢., boundary), “ Twisling” 
(twislung, tributary, adj.); “Thornit” (thorniht, thorny, or 
abounding in thorn-bushes); ‘Mere Dike” (meera, a boundary, 
being the boundary between Stonebeckup and Fountains Earth) 
applied to streams, as well as “ Héaning” to fields (Anglo-Saxon 
héan, high; ing, field), give but a faint idea of the extent to 
which the Angles stamped their image upon the higher parts of 
the dale during the three centuries of their possession of it before 
the Danish invasion. 

About four miles from its source the Nidd sinks into its lime- 
stone bed, and for two miles takes a subterranean course,—like 
the Mole, in Surrey, which does the same between Dorking and 
Leatherhead, and the Churn in Gloucestershire. It would have 
been strange if this rare phenomenon had escaped the notice of 
the dwellers in the dale, to which it gives a distinctive character. 
Accordingly, we find the Anglo-Saxon word Nider, nyder, meaning 
“ down,” ‘‘ below,” given, in allusion to this descent and subter- 
ranean course, as a name to the river, and the A. S. word 
géeotend, the “down-pouring” or “channel,” to the artery through 
which the water flows. This is now called ‘‘Gooden Pot” or 
Goydin Pot, which latter word may have a different derivation. 
The modern pronunciation of ‘ Nidderdale” is as nearly 
“ Nitherdil” and ‘‘ Netherdil” as it can be written in modern 
English, but the modern name of the river is Nidd. This is, 
doubtless, one of the modifications introduced by the Dano- 
Norwegian invaders on their settlement in the dale three centuries 
later. ‘“‘ Towards 867 an organised expedition of Norsemen under 
Ingvar and Ubba, two of their kings, landed in Northumbria, in 
which district, in the beginning of Alfred’s reign, or about 872, 
Halfdene rewarded his followers with grants of land. The settle- 
ment was something like the Norman Conquest two hundred 
years later, and its extent may be gathered from the fact that in 
the four counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Cumberland, and 
Westmoreland, there are nearly one thousand places which have 
Dana-Norwegian names against less than four hundred in all the 
rest of England.”—Pearson’s ‘ Early and Middle Ages,’ ed. 1861, 
p- 107; Worsaae’s ‘Danes in England,’ p. 71. If the names of 
farms and physical features were taken into account, this number 
would be greatly extended. Among other places the Danes 
settled im Nidderdale, and called the river, not Nider, but 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 361 


Nid, the name which, from its greater simplicity, ultimately 
prevailed. 

Now Nid is the name of a river which flows through the town 
of Throndhjem, in Norway, and gives the names of Nidar-éss to 
a famous old town at its mouth, Nidar being the Norwegian 
genitive of Nid; and oss, mouth. Similarly “ Nidderdale” may 
be Norsk, Nidar-dalr, the dale of the Nid, but the earlier expla- 
nation seems preferable, considering the three centuries’ occupation 
of the Angles. However this may be, the modern name of Nid 
certainly seems to be Norwegian or Danish. 

From Nidderdale, Great Whernside and Little Whernside 
appear as two distinct hills, two miles and a half distant from 
each other. The name of Whernside is itself of doubtful origin 
(A.S. cwern, O.N. kvern, a quern; and A.S. sid, O.N. sida, side ; 
the first, given by A.S., seems best), but this much about it is 
certain, that the whole hill takes its name from a part of it, viz. the 
Wharfedale side, which is so called. Here are quarries from which 
the stone may have been dug to make querns. The Nidderdale 
side, however, is called Blackfell. In other words, the hill seen 
from Wharfedale is called ‘‘ Whernside,”’ and from Nidderdale 
“Blackfell.” Similarly the slope of Little Whernside in Nidder- 
dale is called “ Raydale Knotts,” and that in Coverdale “‘ Cowside” 
—an obvious corruption of ‘“Coverside’”—while it borrows its 
general name from the larger hill. Whernside is pronounced 
** Whainsid,” which favours the A.S. origin. ‘‘ Quernside” has 
been changed into Whernside, in the same way as ‘ Quarrel” — 
i.@., Quarry—has been softened into ‘“ Wharrel” in the name 
Wharrel Crags on the moors east of Coverdale. 

That tract of moor included between the Nidd and How Stean 
Beck bears the names of ‘In Moor” and ‘‘ Middlesmoor” (Niddel 
mor). I regard “ Middlesmoor” as the older and A.S. name, and 
“Tn Moor” as Old Norsk. The summit of this forms a conspicuous 
hill, 1488 feet in altitude, which now bears the name of “ Rain 
Stang.” “ Rane-stang-en” is the name of a mountain in Norway 
on the watershed between Valders and Hallingdal. “Rani” is 
the old Norsk for a hog’s snout, a hog-shaped hill, or ‘‘ hog’s-back,” 
and ‘‘stang”’ the Danish for a pole or post. The name “ stang” 
occurs many times on hills in Yorkshire, as Kettlestang Moor and 
Stang Brae,’ near Carlesmoor in the Laver basin, and “ Stang- 


how” (Cleveland). Besides “ Rainstang” to its summit, the 
3A 


362 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Danes gave various names to other parts of “ Middlesmoor,” of 
which they took possession: e.g., ““Armathwaite” (O.N. arma, 
gen. plur. of armar, an arm; and thveit, detached piece of land, 
Armathwaite being situated near the junction of two “arms” 
which unite to form How Stean Beck, a tributary of the Nidd), 
while Middlesmoor was eventually retained only as the name of 
the village. Other Norsk names of hills and eminences are 
‘Bull brae” (Icel. bula, to tear asunder; Norsk brae, hillside), 
the name of a part of the north side of the dale from which 
there has been a large slip, ‘‘ Haden Carr” near the dale head, a 
plateau 1500 feet ending in a steep escarpment (O.N. hed, hill, 
height; Kjarr, bog covered with brushwood), “Jordan Moss” 
(Dan. jord, earth, peat; en, the; mos, moss, the peat-bog), the 
name of a peat-bog on Lofthouse Moor; ‘“ Blue Burnings,” the 
name of a steep hillside above Lofthouse (O.N. blaberne, the 
bleberries), formerly a wood famous for bilberries; also ‘‘ Blubber- 
house” (Blaber-hus) in Washburndale; ‘“ Trappen Hill,” the 
steepest part of the hill-road that runs up by Blue Burnings 
(Dan. trappe, staircase, en, the—trappen, the staircase). Before 
the road was made it is probable that steps were here cut in 
the soil; they are common enough at the present day. ‘“‘Arna 
Nab” (O.N. arna, gen. plur. of orn, an eagle; Nab, Dan. neb, 
projecting point of a hill, eagle’s point) ; ‘‘ Arnagill,” a picturesque 
rocky gill at the southern extremity of the Colsterdale basin. 
“ Brown Ridge” (O. N. bran, brow of a hill), the northern water- 
shed ridge of Nidderdale, 1500 feet; ‘‘ Acora Sear’ (O. N. akr, 
arable land ; as opposed to eng, grass land), and many others 
Another physical feature of great interest that bears an old 
Norsk name is ‘‘ Beggarmote Scar,” a steep cliff in limestone at 
the angle of the Nidd at which it first sinks in volume into the 
ground at a place called “Manchester Holes.” Beggarmote 
(pronounced “ Beckermort”) is O. N. bekkjar, gen. sing. of bekkr, 
beck, and mét, meeting; but it does not mean a meeting of the 
waters, for there is no meeting of any waters. It simply means a 
“juncture,” and has the same sense as in alda-mét, the end and 
beginning of two centuries; missera-mét, the meeting, juncture 
of the seasons, where one ends the other begins ; so bekkjar-mét, 
means the point at which the river on the surface ends, and that 
below ground begins. Beggarmote Scar is opposite Tiedera 
Wood, which is on a similar limestone cliff, but bears an Anglian 
name. The true explanation of the meaning of this interesting 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALU. 363 


name shows how necessary it is to visit a place and see the nature 
of the spot to which a name is given. ‘“‘ Beggar-mote,” though 
correctly derived, has previously been wrongly explained, as 
shown above. ‘‘ Manchester” refers to the same event(?); It. 
manchézza, loss, defect. 

It is interesting to note the collection of Danish names as 
opposed to old Norsk, on the east side of the Nidd near Loft- 
house, which is itself Danish. This probably indicates that the 
settlers there were of a later date than the original Scandinavian 
invaders who settled on the west side. 

Thus far attention has been drawn to the names of physical 
features, but there are one or two more most interesting points 
connected with names of places that should on no account 
be passed over without mention. It has already been shown 
that most of the streams in the upper part of the dale bear 
Anglian names. For the highest eight miles of the dale, or 
as far down as Sten Beck, there is not one Danish name applied 
toastream. “ Buskar Beck,” a tributary of Stean Beck, is, how- 
ever, Dan. busker, bushes, nom. plu. of busk, a bush. 

In the highest eight miles of Nidderdale, above Stean Beck, 
there are forty-two streams, including branch tributaries, of which 
twenty-seven are named. Of these twenty-seven six retain their 
original Anglian names unchanged, as “ Stand Sike,” “ Hagga Sike,” 
“Maddering Sike,” ‘“‘ Mere Dike”; and twenty-one do so with the 
interpolation of the word ‘‘ Gill,” asin “ Skitter Gill Dike,” “ Wising 
Gill Sike,” “ Twisling Gill,” ‘‘Thornit Gill.” “Gill” (O.N. Gil, a 
deep narrow glen with a stream at the bottom), being the name, 
not of the stream, but of the narrow valley which contains it. 
The English, who came from the Low Countries in which rivers 
are the most strongly marked physical lines, were careful to name 
their rivers and streams, the watershed ridges being low, flat, and 
ill-defined; but the Norseman, who dwelt in a land where the 
watershed ridges from the great physical barriers, or lines of 
division, called the included area dalr, a dale, or division (Goth. 
dalei, dale, dailjan, to divide; A.S. del, a division, a dell; 
O.N. deild, a division; Germ. thal, dale,theil, a division; Gr. do), 
making the name of the river subordinate. 

For this reason a dale frequently bears one name and the 
river another, as Scetersdal in Norway, river Otter; Wensley Dale 
in Yorkshire, river Ure; Colsterdale, Yorkshire, river Burn. 
Therefore, when the Norseman found himself in the Yorkshire 


364 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


hills, he at once applied the cognomen of “gill” and “dale” to the 
smaller and larger valleys, which the English had been content to 
know by the name of the river or stream. 

There is one more point worthy of mention. The English, 
or Angles, settled in the whole dale; whereas the Norseman, and, 
at a later date, the Dane, obtained a footing here and there. 
Thus “ Angram,” at the Dale head, is a Norwegian settlement 
(O.N. Angrum, dat. plu. of Angr, either a man’s name or “the 
bay: these datives, of which we have no English equivalent, have 
the force of “in” the place). Here we have the words “‘thwaite,” 
and “laith” or “lathe,” for shed (O. N. hlada, a barn) :— 

‘““ Why ne had thou put the capel in the lathe.” 
Cuaucer, ‘ Canterbury Tales,’ v. 4086. 

On the next farm, Lodge, an Anglian settlement, all the sheds 
are called “barns,” an Anglo-Saxon word which prevails all the 
way down the valley to Stean Beck, at which stream we again find 
the word “laith.” At Stean the word “shipn” is used (A.S8. 
scypen, a stall, stable) :— 


“The shepen burning with the blacké smoke.” 
Cuavcer, ‘ Canterbury Tales,’ vy. 2002. 


The words “with” (O. N. vidr, a wood) and “royd” (O.N. 
rjédr, a clearing in a wood), so common south of the Wharfe and 
to the east of Nidderdale, do not occur in the dale. “Firth,” a 
wood, is common over the watershed to the east, but does not 
occur in the upper parts of the dale. An extensive swamp on the 
moors near Meughar Hill is called ‘Great Wham,” 1750 feet 
(O.N. hvammr, a swamp) It possesses a rich flora; also “Sand- 
with Wham,” on the moors to the east of Nidderdale. The branch 
of a stream is called the “ grain” or “ granes” (on the moors), as 
“ Agill Granes” (O. N. grein, Dan. green, a branch). One of the 
oaks below the High Scar, Bak’stone Gill, being split upwards as 
far as the branches by a landslip upon the edge of which it grew, 
was said to be “‘roven up to the grain.” This point is also called 
the “brawn.” 

The pronunciation of the old French word “ pasture” (pastoor) 
is well preserved in the upper part of the dale, while the pre- 
servation of the names of “ Haver Close” (Danish haver, oats, 
French clos) and “Hasel Close”; as well as of arran, a spider (old 
French araigne); “ Heronshaw,” “Heronsew” (old French Heron- 
geau, a Heron); “‘Fromarty” (old French fromentée, sodden 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. . 865 


wheat), &c., indicates that the Norman invasion touched Nidder- 
dale lightly. Fountains Abbey had granges in it. 

Nidderdale and its moors have formerly been covered by 
an extensive forest. Many trees lie buried in the peat upon 
the moors. In the thousands of sections made by little water- 
courses the birch appears almost everywhere predominant. Hazel, 
“sealh” (willow), thorn, oaks, &e., also occur, but the birch must 
have formed a thick and almost universal forest by itself, such 
as may be seen on the west coast of Norway at the present day. 
There are many oaks in the peat-bogs between Blayshaw Gill and 
Brown Rigg, 1000 to 1250 feet, easterly aspect, exposed; and a 
very large oak, thirty feet long, was dug up at Biggin Grange, Kex 
Moor (550 feet). In Sykes Moss most of the buried trees are 
sealhs, oaks, and birches. The birch is easily recognised by 
preserving its bark so completely, and an old sealh is known by 
its red wood. The wood of a young sealh is white. 

The birch and thorn covered the upper part of the sides of 
the dale, what the Angles called the ‘‘ Edge,” while in the bottom © 
of the dale there flourished the sycamore, ash, holly, hazel, alder, 
bullace, elder, wych elm, “heckberry ” (bird-cherry), &c.; the last 
especially in the neighbourhood of Lodge, near the dale head. 
There is now a fine avenue of planes (sycamores) at Woodale, 
1000 feet, with heckberry, common ash, and alder, with Petasites 
vulgaris along the river bank. At Rough Close, 925 feet, there 
are hazel, holly, ash, sycamore, bullace; on Bekkrmét Scar, 725 
to 900 feet, there are ash, hazel, holly, bullace, thorn, the ash 
being the commonest. All the large trees on the Scar are ash, 
with a strong undergrowth of hazel. All along under Thwaite 
House nearly all the trees are ash, with the remains of hazel 
undergrowth, and a few fine “hollins” (hollies). On Boysoak Sear, 
700 to 750 feet, there are ash, alder (at bottom), holm, ivy, and 
elder; and along the river bank south of Thorpe House, 600 to 
650 feet, there are ash, alder, hazel, heckberry, plum (sloe). In 
the same field there is a remarkakle old birch, with very small 
leaves, not pendulous. Though there are now hardly any beeches 
to be seen in the dale, I am told by the old people that they 
formerly abounded, but have been gradually all felled. Bekkrmét 
Scar and Boysoak Scar are limestone, but all the rest of the dale 
is sandstone and shale, or the covering of drift clay and gravel that 
lies upon them. With these may be compared the limestone slopes 
of Wharfedale. A little above Netherside, on a steep slope below 


3866 THE ZOOLOGISY. 


the road, is a natural wood of birches. At the top of the sides of 
the valley for miles are remains of extensive thorn scrub. Lower 
down the sides and along the bottoms, many sycamores. ‘The 
valley has, however, been much cleared of trees by agriculturists. 

Birch and “ eller” (alder, Dan. eller) were formerly extensively 
exported from the dale to supply the bobbin-makers, but this 
trade has nearly ceased. Some years ago, when the “scrogs” 
(Dan. skrog, trunk, stump) were cleared off Thorpe Edge to make 
room for a large plantation of larches, known as “ Thorpe Planta- 
tion,” a great deal of charcoal was burnt, and was sent to Masham 
to heat the combs of the woolcarders: this was not commonly 
practised, however, in the dale. Blue Burnings Wood, which 
formerly existed near the spot (1000 to 1200 feet) consisted of 
birch and hazel scrub. Bleberries abounded there: this being 
a most capricious plant in the matter of ripening its fruit, it may 
be well to state that the site is a steep hillside running north-west 
and south-east, and facing south-west, at the elevation given, the 
slope of the ground being 1 in 44, or an angle of fourteen degrees. 
Most part has been ploughed within the last seventeen years. 
Turnips and potatoes succeeded there ; oats would hardly ripen, 
sometimes not at all. Blue Burnings now belongs to different 
proprietors; part is glebe land. Before the enclosure the same 
proprietors ran sheep on it, each having so many gates. 

The peat on the moors, viewed broadly, is now undergoing a 
process of destruction. Except in the “ Whams” the conditions 
for its formation do not exist. In summer, on the higher ranges, 
the peat becomes very dry and dust-like, when it is swept away 
by the strong winds, all along the lines of the dry beds of what 
are, in the autumn and winter, watercourses. This process is 
best seen in the ascent of Great Whernside from the south-east, 
where acres together of bare rock have been thus denuded. The 
villages have their common land on the moors from which the 
inhabitants may fetch peat. Middles Moor has one hundred 
acres of peat common for the village. The top spit of the peat 
is cut with a spade with a long bent handle, called the flaying 
(pronounced jleding) spade, into pieces sometimes a yard long and 
eight or ten inches wide. These strips are called “flouts.” They 
are not used for burning when “peats” can be got, but black- 
smiths use them for heating the tires of wheels. For this 
purpose they are better when cut from sandy ground, as the sand 
makes them grow hotter. 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 367 


In the process of gathering peat they first cut slices the shape 
of a thin brick, about eight inches or so long, in May. These they 
call “peats.” The peats are laid to dry and harden on the moor 
a few hundred paces from the place where they are cut. After 
about a fortnight the cutters “set” them, which is standing three 
pieces together, one piece on its side edge, slightly leaning over 
towards two others resting endwise against it. After another 
fortnight they “hut” them, which is setting six or eight more 
peats round these, and laying two or three flat on the top to shoot 
the rain off. After a time, sometimes as much as a month more, 
they pile them into stacks, which are called “ruckles.” Of 
course all this has to be done in the dry weather. If a person 
puts off getting his peat till late in the season, he runs risk of not 
having any for the following winter, and indeed this sometimes 
happens. It is useless to try and get them when the wet season 
has once set in. The process of gathering his peats occupies 
a man for a period not complete under about two months. 

To the botanist the district of which Nidderdale forms a part 
possesses a fourfold interest. While its higher parts ascend into 
the arctic region of Watson, its lower portions lie far down in the 
agrarian zone. The line marking the upper limit of grain crops 
divides the district into two parts, in the higher of which many 
northern types occur, while in the lower we have representatives 
of the Midland and Southern English, and of the Germanic 
types of distribution. The district lies upon the border-land of 
several provinces, both as regards zones of elevation and areas 
of distribution. 

The Germanic is represented by the rare Primula elatior, or 
oxlip, which ranges up to 750-feet east of the Nidd, but up to 
900 feet or more in Wharfedale; and in Wharfedale by the still 
rarer and more beautiful lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis, 
which grows in the woods near Netherside in large beds like 
garlic, and at Arncliffe. 

The Southern English type is represented by the daffodil 
(here a rare plant), Narcissus pseudo-narcissus (which grows at 
Azerley, at 300 feet), Colchicum autumnale (in meadows by the 
Ure near Tanfield, 200 feet), Huonymus europeus, the spindle tree 
(one bush by the Ure near Low Mains, in Masham parish, 250 feet, 
exceedingly rare); while to the British English type, or those 
which, though occurring throughout Britain, are yet more plentiful 
in the southern counties, belong herb-paris, Paris quadrifolia 


368 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


(wood near Azerley, 250 feet, very rare), and Gentiana amarella 
(widely scattered, but rare, and exceedingly pretty with its pale 
rose-coloured flowers). 

The Midland, or Intermediate type of distribution, is repre- 
sented by the nearly extinct Cypripedium calceolus, or lady’s 
slipper, which still grows at one or two favoured stations in 
Wharfedale, very properly ‘not for publication”; and Primula 
farinosa, one of the most beautiful of plants. Its flowers are a 
pale lilac-purple, with a yellow eye; the leaves are mealy pale 
green above, and silvery beneath. Its habitats “ stream-bogs” or 
bogs not stagnant. 

The British Intermediate type, or those which, though 
occurring throughout Britain, are most plentiful in the Midland 
district, is represented by the cranberry, Vacciniwm oxycoccos, a 
fastidious fruiter. 

The Scottish type, or those which range as far south as the 
North Midland districts, is represented by Trollius ewropeus, the 
globe-flower, which ascends to 1400 feet, on Greenhow Hill; it 
likes shallow valleys by running streams. Prunus padus, the 
heckberry (Danish hekke, hedge; ber, berry), or bird-cherry, 
which is common in the upper part of Nidderdale, from 800 to 
1200 feet. Towards the end of May the long white racemes of 
clustering flowers that adorn this mountain-loving species add a 
strange and characteristic beauty to the pleasing wildness of these 
subalpine dales. The London-pride, Saxifraga wmbrosa, grows 
wild on the limestone of Greenhow Hill, at 1400 feet, where it 
carpets for acres the gently sloping grass fields on the northern 
side. There is no reason for doubting that this is as true a 
British species as the very grass that grows with it. Who, it 
may be asked, would take the trouble to carry it up to a wild 
Yorkshire hill and plant acres of it 1400 feet above sea-level ? 
Surely such an enterprising person would have chosen a locality 
better calculated to bring him some reward for his trouble. 
“Mr. Tatham,” says Mr. Watson, in his ‘ Cybele Britannica,’ 
“deemed it wild in Heseltine Gill, West Yorkshire; and 
according to Mr. Brand, it grows ‘ On Craig-y-barns, a hill to the 
northward of the Park at Dunkeld, covering acres, and in some 
places to the exclusion of everything else, forming the entire 
turf. But for the occurrence of Hypericum calycinum, and other 
introduced plants, it would have been considered native. But 


a 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 369 


against this fairly given testimony of Mr. Brand there is some- 
thing more positive than the suggestive counter evidence of 
Hypericum calycinum and its associates. In the ‘ Correspondence 
of Sir J. E. Smith’ we find a letter from Mr. Winch, expressly 
stating that the Saxifraga was introduced into the woods of Blair 
Athol by the gardener. Whether his introduction extended as 
far as Craig-y-barns does not (from memory) appear in the letter.” 
Now a gardener would probably be the very last person to plant 
it on Craig-y-barns, though he might to adorn ornamental woods; 
and the natural conclusion is that he introduced it into the woods 
from Craig-y-barns, its native habitat. Melampyrum sylvaticum, 
whose small deep yellow flower is often the only one to be seen 
in the woods, is plentiful from Huddersfield northwards. In 
Nidderdale it is plentiful in the woods near Fell Beck, 600 to 
700 feet, sheltered; also at Hag Pits, 500 to 600 feet, sheltered. 

The Scottish-British type, or those which, though occurring 
throughout England, are most plentiful in Scotland, is represented 
by Pyrola minor, lesser wintergreen, which grows in leaf-mould in 
Hackfall, 300 feet, a noble wooded gorge through which the Ure 
flows between Masham and Tanfield. Parnassia palustris, grass 
of Parnassus, and Pinguicula vulgaris, the butterwort, adorn many 
of the wet bogs generated by springs on the hillsides. The 
green-veined wax-like flowers of the former, and the noble 
appearance of the plant, call forth the admiration of the botanist 
who for the first time lights unexpectedly upon them in their 
native hillside bog; and the recollection of the inexpressible 
pleasure felt on first finding Parnassia palustris, Pinguicula 
vulgaris, Drosera rotundifolia, Narthecium ossifragrum, Rubus 
chamemorus, Myrica Gale, Trollius euwropeus, Saxifraga umbrosa, 
Botrychium lunaria, Ophioglossum vulgatum, and many other rare 
and beautiful plants, has remained fresh in the memory, affording 
a never-failing source of pleasure through many after years of the 
rough battle of life. The young botanist who yet has before him 
the pleasurable emotions attendant upon the discovery of some 
new or rare plant for the first time may well be envied that 
rapture. Botrychiwm lunaria is rare. It grows in grass fields, 
and is difficult to see. It grows in Nidderdale near Clark’s Carr 
Wood, at 600 feet, sheltered. 

The Scottish Highland type, or those which, though occur- 


ring in the northern counties of England and in Scotland, are yet 
3B 


370 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


limited to the mountains, is represented by Empetrum nigrum, 
the crowberry, which grows sparsely among the ling on the moors 
up to 1800 feet; Vaccinium Vitis-idea, cowberry ; Arctostaphylos 
Uva-ursi, the bear-berry, which is very rare on these moors, occurs 
on Great Wham, 1750 feet, and on Little Whernside; Rubus 
chamemorus, the smallest tree, the cloudberry, with a beautiful 
white blossom, is scarcely six inches high, and grows sparsely on 
the high moors, but is very local in its distribution on them; 
Oxyria reniformis is common on moorside pastures and streams; 
while T'rientalis ewrope@a is exceedingly rare. This last occurs 
also on the moors of Cleveland. 

The British type, or those that are fairly equally distributed 
throughout this island, is represented by many rare and interesting 
plants. Drosera rotundifolia, which is found on the peat on the 
moors in abundance; the juniper, which is very rare, but of which 
a few bushes are preserved in sheltered gills on the borders of the 
moors, as in Lul Beck, at 1000 feet; the asphodel, which is very 
rare, grows under Brimham Rocks, at 850 feet, and on Coni- 
stone Moor, about 1750 feet: the golden yellow flowers of this 
exquisite little plant are some of the most beautiful things in 
nature. Menyanthes, bogbean, fairly common in bogs; Myrica 
Gale, not common, moorland bogs; Calluna vulgaris, the ling, 
characterises the moors, but does not ascend above 1800 feet, 
often replaced by green grassy moors; LHrica tetralix and cinerea 
occur among the ling; Gymnadenia conopsea, sparsely, up to 
1200 feet, in grass fields; Corylus avellana, in the valleys, up 
to 1200 feet; Vacciniwn myrtillus, local, but not uncommon, 
especially in moorside woods and in sheltered damp places on 
the moors on which the sun shines, when it fruits best; Draba 
verna, scarce, Pateley Bridge, 500 feet, and Galphay, 400 feet ; 
Ophioglossum vulgatum, exceedingly common in places, occurs 
right up the dale to Lodge, 1250 feet, in grass fields; Digitalis 
purpurea, sparsely ; Mercurialis perennis, less plentiful than south 
of Wharfe, where it is most common; Primula vulgaris, 1800 feet, 
on Pen-y-Ghent, in flower May 7, 1871, very dwarf; Cochlearia 
officinalis, carrier pasture, near Kettlewell, grassy boggy moor, 
1600 feet, north-east aspect, same day; Adoxa moschatellina and 
Asplenium viride, on north slope of Pen-y-Ghent, 2000 feet, both 
very dwarf. 

(To be continued.) 


- 


571 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE. 


By Joun Corpravx. 


Tue extraordinary cold and backwardness of the spring of 
1879 is certainly without a parallel during the last quarter of a 
century. A winter of extreme severity prolonged far into what 
ought to have been a spring, and culminating in a wet and cold 
summer, makes it almost an anomaly to write of spring, which 
season this year might almost be erased from the calendar, All 
this most ungenial weather has had the effect of greatly retarding 
and throwing back vegetation far beyond the ordinary period, 
and the observations now regularly taken at various stations in 
the kingdom, in connection with meteorological phenomena, on 
the foliation of trees and the first blooming of certain flowers, 
will, when brought together, probably result in showing that it is 
the latest and most ungenial season ever recorded in the British 
Isles. This will be best illustrated by a reference to the 
appended comparative list, showing the first blooming of certain 
familiar plants in North Lincolnshire in the spring of 1878 
and that of 1879 :— 


1878. 1879, 
Coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara - Feb. 18. March 19. 
Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus ficaria - Feb. 24. March 18, 
Marsh Marigold, Caltha palustris - Feb. 24. March 20. 
Wood Anemone, Anemone nemorosa - March 16. April 7. 
Cowslip, Primula veris — - - - March 24. April 28. 
Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa - - March 31. May 11. 
Herb Robert, Geranium robertianum ~ May 4. May 30. 
Dutch Clover, Trifolium repens - - June 9. June 21, 
Common Mallow, Malva sylvestris - June 10. June 28. 
Black Knapweed, Centaurea nigra - June 22. July 14, 
Hawthorn - - - - - May 11. June 9. 
Wheat in ear - - - - - June 8. July 12. 


As might have been expected, the arrival of our spring 
migrants has been most erratic, and in many cases prolonged 
beyond the average period. Consequent upon this and the cold 
weather, most birds have nested a month behind their time, and 
then, in a vast number of instances, the first eggs have been addled 


372 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


and destroyed by cold rains, coupled with an abormally low and 
continuous temperature. 

Up to this date (the end of July) I have been struck with the 
general paucity of young birds which have left the nest. This is 
very marked in the case of the ground-builders, and the numerous 
instances in which we find nests deserted and eggs spoiled will 
fully account for the scarcity. The constantly recurring heavy 
rains have reduced this strong-land district mto a swamp of 
soddened grass and liquid mud. Enormous as was the loss 
amongst birds in the last severe winter, the survivors have 
hitherto had a poor chance of recruiting their ranks from the 
young of the year. 

A reference to my note-book shows that from January 20th, 
and a fortnight later, with biting north-easterly winds and frosts 
and snow, the only birds to be seen in this bleak and exposed 
district were Larks and Snow Buntings. By the 3rd February 
Linnets and Twites appeared, and on the 8th Thrushes were 
singing, and Rooks had paired and returned to their nesting 
haunts. From the 16th to the 25th the wind was still N. and 
N.E., with many heavy snow squalls and sharp frosts. Larks 
were still packed together in flocks, vast numbers migrating 
southward, others remaining about the stubble-fields in company 
with Snow Buntings. At this time large flocks of Lapwings and 
Golden Plovers returned. On the 28th, the first really warm 
and spring-like day, with a south wind, there was a regular burst 
of melody. Blackbirds, Thrushes, Larks, and several other 
species were singing; and on March Ist the mellow notes of the 
Golden Plover were general in marsh-land. 

During the first fortnight in March I almost daily saw 
flocks of Tree Sparrows. They used to come regularly to some 
paddocks near the house to feed on small seeds and refuse from 
the farmyard, spread on the grass. These flocks may have been 
migrants going northward, as they were not seen after the middle 
of the month. In June I found Passer montanus nesting in holes 
in old and decayed pollard willows overhanging a trout stream on 
the wolds. 

There was a single Wheatear on the high wolds on the 
19th March. Most common as they are in the early spring 
in our marshes during the migratory period, it is somewhat 
curious that this year has been an exception, as I have seen 


NOTES FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE. 373 


none.* Later in the season, on the 20th May, a remarkably 
handsome pair of the large variety + was seen by me on the 
“beck” side in this parish. They alighted on the highest twigs 
of a tall ash, a tree so common in this county and generally 
distributed that it has earned the soubriquet of the ‘‘ Lincolnshire 
weed.” This pair of Wheatears seemed very arboreal in their 
habits, as for the quarter of an hour that I followed them they flew 
from tree top to tree top without once coming near the ground. 

As late as March 21st there were about a score of Snow 
Buntings on the Humber embankment; this is a very late 
appearance. Amongst these were several examples in the 
beautiful pied breeding plumage, a dress we so rarely see them 
in in England. Well might they linger on our shores, and put 
off their flight across the storm-swept northern seas; for, from 
the 22nd to the 25th, came—for the season—four of the coldest 
days I have ever experienced; east winds and frosts, cakes of ice 
floating down the big marsh drains, and great icicles on the 
northern sides of sheds and outbuildings. 

The first familiar notes of spring came with the little dark- 
legged Chiffchaff, on April 2nd. Bleak, bare, and desolate must 
he have found the tops of the elms, for I note that at this date 
the buds on the hawthorn were not developed larger than No. 4 
shot; last year, at the same time, they were more than in half- 
leaf. After the Chiffchaff came another burst of mid-winter, 
with ice on Good Friday morning (April 11th) half an inch in 
thickness, and on the 12th four inches of snow. 

Here the first Swallows were seen on April 22nd. Three 
were observed from the Tees light-vessel on the 25th, flying 
in a south-westerly direction. The 23rd brought the Yellow 
Wagtail. On the 24th Hooded Crows still lingered in the 
marshes and on the coast, the last of their tribe, cawing dis- 
consolately to the melancholy main—the knowing birds probably 
aware that there were no birds’ nests ready to harry in the north. 
This same day the Cuckoo was heard, and Swallows had become 
numerous. On April 26th a single Cuckoo passed the Tees 
light-vessel from S.E. to N.W., a moderate 8.H. breeze blowing. 


* A very competent observer on the Teesmouth light-vessel says that on April 7th 
he observed a great many Wheatears pass: wind 8.8.E., and clear. 

+ See Lord Clifton’s remarks on this race or variety in the current number of 
‘The Ibis,’ July, 1879, p. 369. 


374 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


The Tree Pipit has been exceptionally numerous, and is the only 
one of our arboreal migrants which can be said to be at all 
plentiful. They arrived about the last week in the month, and 
their pleasing song has been heard from every copse and wood, 
both in the low country and over the high wolds. 

The first week in May brought a recurrence of winter, with 
east winds and frozen drains, the weather continuing most severe 
till after the 10th. On the night of the 9th there was a hard 
frost, with icicles two to three inches in length on the eaves of 
buildings. Notwithstanding the excessive cold House Martins 
were hawking on the beck and other open waters on the 9th. 
This day five black-breasted Golden Plovers pitched in one of 
our fields, and a single Swift appeared hawking above some large 
woodlands on the wolds. Swifts have been most abundant, so 
much so as to attract attention by their numbers, and I do not 
think I have ever known them generally hawk at so great a height. 
The Nightingale was heard on the 12th; they have been quite 
common in North-east Lincolnshire, also on the opposite side of 
the Humber in Holderness. A short break of warmer weather 
on the 13th brought the Sedge Warbler, and on the 14th the 
Garden Warbler. ‘The Whinchat was seen on the 17th; they 
have been most scarce, and I have not observed a tithe of 
the number which visits us in ordinary seasons. Spotted Fly- 
catchers appeared at their old haunts on the 14th; and on the 
same day Martins commenced laying the foundations of their 
nests under the eaves. 

A great peculiarity of this most untoward season has been 
the almost entire absence of the flocks of migratory waders from 
the Humber flats. On April 16th I saw a few Grey Plovers, 
and a flock of Dunlins, Tinga variabilis, estimated to contain 
from 1500 to 2000. These, with a few Whimbrel about the 
middle of May, complete my list. The probability is that the 
wet season having been prolonged so late into the summer our 
waders when once on the move have gone directly forward to 
their summer haunts, without making a half-way house of the 
Lincolnshire coast. 

On April 15th and subsequent days a Dipper visited our 
small stream. It was not wild, and permitted a tolerably near 
approach. Short of shooting and examining the bird, which 
I was reluctant to do, I had little doubt of its belonging to the 


NOTES FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE. 37d 


northern variety known as Cinclus melanogaster. On May 27th 
I saw the Turtle Dove in the next parish; and on the 31st, when 
riding across the wolds, I had an excellent view of the Great 
Spotted Woodpecker, a species by no means so scarce in North 
Lincolnshire as is generally supposed, haunting the large wood- 
lands and old timbered parks. Very large flocks of Brent Geese 
and Widgeon were observed every day off the mouth of the Tees 
during March; they had all left before the 28th. From a notice 
in ‘ The Field,’ it appears the former lingered on the Essex coast 
till late in May. ‘The only ducks seen by me when cruising on 
the south and south-east coasts from the Solent to tlhe Humber, 
in the second week in June, were Common Scoters, the “black 
ducks” of the fishermen. ‘Terns were seen on the Tees on the 
19th April; numerously on May 7th. We took no eggs of the 
Carrion Crow till after April 14th. My boys took several nests 
during the Easter holidays, and a young birdnesting friend 
secured 127 eggs. I mention this to show how numerous the 
species is in North Lincolnshire, where, as a rule, game is not 
preserved. 

I have paid especial attention to the Starlings this season—if 
possible, to substantiate the fact of the separation of the young 
and old during migration. After the young leave the nest they 
assemble in the marshes in flocks of greater or less extent—from 
twenty to thirty to several hundreds. Occasionally I have detected 
an old bird or two; but they appear as often without as accom- 
panied by adults. As a rule, the old birds remain about their old 
haunts, and, in the majority of cases, nest a second time. During 
this period the young of the first broods certainly collect together. 
My. Giitke states that hundreds of thousands of young Starlings 
cross Heligoland in June to the end of July, and like numbers of 
old birds during October and November, and later; that young 
and old are thus strictly divided, and migrate at quite distinct 
periods. 

During the last week in July Whimbrel passed overhead, and 
I also saw a few small flocks in the marshes; with flocks of from 
ten to twelve young Curlews. The plaintive whistle of the Ring 
Dotterel came from the fallow land—a sure indication of summer 
being far advanced. May I never have to write of a more miserable 
and ungenial one 


376 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM ST. LEONARDS. 
By J. H. Gurney, Jun. 


A Buzzarp seen on May 10th was evidently a migrant, 
making its way in from the sea at a great height. I cannot say of 
what species it was, but its mode of flight was curious. Having 
first risen in circles to an immense height, it shot off on a steady 
descent, which was at such a gentle angle that, without any per- 
ceptible movement of the wings, the natural buoyancy of the bird 
sufficed to carry it almost out of sight. On May 4th I saw four 
Bartailed Godwits at a little marsh about two miles west of St. 
Leonards, and two or three hundred yards from the sea—the most 
attractive place imaginable for tired waders. Two of these birds 
were in full summer plumage, one was in change, and the other still 
in winter plumage. They were extremely tame. On the first occa- 
sion I got within about thirty yards of them, and going again two 
days afterwards approached within five yards before they attempted 
to fly. At this marsh, on May 7th, I saw a Sandpiper, which, from 
its small size, I have little doubt was a Wood Sandpiper. 

I went twice to Winchelsea in search of Terns; but they are 
not so common there as I had hoped to find them, which I suppose 
is due to the extensive manufacture of shingle-concrete which is 
carried on at the adjoining town of Rye. I only saw a pair of the 
Common Tern; but nearly opposite Camber Castle a very nice 
colony of Lesser Terns were breeding. I have no doubt at the 
date of my visit many of them had young, as they were busy 
fishing and carrying the fish about in their bills after they had 
caught them. A very pretty manceuvre—which I do not remember 
witnessing at Blakeney, near Cromer, where there is another 
colony of these birds—was dropping a fish in the air and catching 
it again in its descent. While looking for their eggs I stumbled 
on a couple of Boar-fish, Capros aper; they had lost all that 
beautiful salmon-colour which is so conspicuous in the live fish. 
This species seems to have been very abundant all along the south 
coast this spring; several were taken at Hastings. I believe 
Hastings to be a very good place for anyone who is making a study 
of fish. During my stay there I saw two Anglers, or “ Fishing- 
frogs,” Lophius piscatorius. Twice a fine Grey Mullet was caught 
off the parade, in a common shrimping-net, which I mention for 
the singularity of the capture. 


NOTES FROM ST. LEONARDS. 3877 


On my arrival at Hastings in April, Guillemots, or “ Willocks,” 
were very common; but when I left, in June, not one was to be 
seen. A gentleman, who is very fond of birds, told me that during 
a part of April there was a constant movement eastward of Guille 
mots and allied species, while Scoters also, I believe, joined in the 
same movement. Mr. Bates, the taxidermist, of Eastbourne, 
informs me that no birds of the Guillemot tribe breed at Beechy 
Head now. He saw seven Spotted Redshanks at Eastbourne on 
May 4th, the same day that I saw the Godwits. One which was 
shot was described as being in magnificent summer plumage. The 
legs, Mr. Bates informs me, were entirely black; no red colour at 
allin them. The May passage of waders on the south coast lasts 
but a short time; by the 20th it seems over. Many other migratory 
birds, if not detected by the observer on the day they are passing, 
are not seen at all. For three days Whinchats were abundant at 
Bexhill, after which they disappeared. At the same place, for a 
few days, there were numbers of beautiful Yellow Wagtails; but 
the majority made no stay. The Pied Flycatcher, as I learn from 
Mr. Bates, occurred twice at Kastbourne—on the 5th and 20th of 
May; and on the 19th a female Black Redstart was identified. 
I learn from the same source that a white Red-necked Grebe, 
almost an albino, was obtained off Beachy Head. 

Before leaving St. Leonards I paid a visit to the fine old 
red-brick Castle of Hurstmonceaux, of the time of Henry VI. 

‘Its ivy-mantled walls are very fastnesses for the Owl and the 
Jackdaw. There were scores of egg-shells of the latter birds in 
its side towers. The Stock Dove, too, as might be expected, 
nests in its walls. A short walk across Mr. Curteis’s park took 
us to the Heronry, a goodly colony of nearly fifty nests, placed, 
with a few exceptions, upon oak trees, the exceptions being beech. 
The numerous rabbits of the vicinity are laid-under contribution 
by the Herons; we found two young ones under the trees, together 
with a mole, a rat, and a perch. Very little comes amiss to these 
voracious birds. They formerly nested close to the house; but, 
as often happens when disturbed by Rooks, they deserted the spot, 
and migrated to a field opposite. 

The Cuckoo is a bird which seems to be increasing in England 
It is exceedingly common at St. Leonards and Hastings. In one 
of my walks I put up a Cuckoo in a meadow, which, as it flew 


away, was pursued and mobbed by two Titlarks. On going to the 
3c 


378 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


spot, a few yards from where it rose, I found a nest with two eggs, 
which were certainly those of the Sky Lark; one was sucked, the 
other was sound. Had the Cuckoo done this? I suspect so.* 
A week after I went again to look; the sucked and broken egg was 
gone, and three others, all sound, were there. If the Cuckoo was the 
culprit, it was probably frightened by me, and had not been again. 

On May 31st 1 saw a Blue Tit’s nest in a lamp-post, and was 
informed the same pair had nested there for three years. The 
entrance was at the top of the hollow iron post, full under the 
light of the gas. The persistency with which the Starlings drop 
their eggs, at Bexhill, on the edge of the cliffs where they breed, 
is very remarkable. I found nearly a dozen on different occasions, 
and all near the same spot. All but one were broken and yelkless, 
which I imagine must be the work of mice, as I hardly think the 
old Starlings would doit. The first Lapwing’s eggs noted were on 
March 31st. Great numbers are collected in the neighbourhood 
of Hastings, and sold by the fishmongers and poulterers; yet, 
although so many were taken, the price never dropped below 834d. 
Fresh eggs were taken up to the first week in June. A nest of 
four eggs taken on June 3rd contained two fresh and two slightly 
sat upon. At this time fully-developed young Pied Wagtails were 
about, with tails as long as their parents, from which they could 
only be distinguished by colour. 

There are some birds whose absence from St. Leonards is 
remarkable. I never saw the Redstart (cy. Knox, ‘Orn. Ramb. in © 
Sussex,’ p. 192) in my walks, though keeping a particular look out 
for it; and I never heard the Corn Crake, which I could hardly have 
failed to do had there been any in the neighbourhood. Amongst 
the numerous little parties of Pied and Yellow Wagtails, the most 
careful inspection failed to detect either the White or the Grey- 
headed Wagtail; yet these well-marked species are not infrequent 
at Brighton. The Redbacked Shrike was late in arriving, but soon 
became common. Its favourite victim for impalement seemed to be 
the large yellow-tailed bumble-bee. I found two of these insects, 
about fifty yards apart, on the spikes of large dead brambles, and 


still alive. I found others last summer at Northrepps on dead 
thorns. 


* The Cuckoo may have visited the Lark’s nest merely for the purpose of 


depositing her own egg therein, and the broken Lark’s egg may have been sucked 
by a field mouse.—Ep. 


379 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


A Fox Cuasr 1x Lonpon.—On the 15th August a bagged Fox 
contrived to escape from its temporary place of confinement in the Metro- 
politan Market, and making its way along King’s Road, turned down 
Raymond Buildings, and took refuge in Gray’s Inn Gardens. Here, how- 
ever, it could not remain long undisturbed, and a hue and cry being raised 
it was eventually recaptured by the gardeners.—J. E. Harrtine. 


ON THE PRESUMED MENTION OF THE MHoopor, A.D. 13895.—In 
Ainsworth’s ‘ Latin Dictionary’ (Ross’s edition, 1826), I find, under the 
head Upupa, ‘‘ A bird called a Hoopoe, or, as some say, a Lapwing.” May 
not the “vij upupis,” quoted in ‘The Zoologist’ for August (p. 338) as 
costing twopence each, have been Lapwings, and the “ xiiij plovers” at 
threepence each have been Golden Plovers—a bird more delicate for the 
table than the Lapwing, and therefore likely to command a better price ? 
This seems to me more probable than that by the word “‘ upupis” Hoopoes 
were in this instance intended.—J. H. Gurnuy (Northrepps Hall, Norwich). 


EARLY MENTION OF THE Hoopor as A British Brrp.—It has been 
suggested that the meaning of the word wpupa in the document quoted by 
me (antea p. 337-338) is not “ hoopoe,” but “ lapwing,” a bird more likely 
to have been met with at the season, and in the numbers, indicated. Some 
dictionaries, indeed, give “lapwing” for uwpupa, as that of Ainsworth quoted 
by Mr. Gurney, and that of Adams (Edinb. 1814). The only two T have 
by me, however, are in favour of Hoopoe, and make no reference whatever 
to the Lapwing. Dr. Andrews, in his ‘ Latin-English Lexicon’ (1854), 
gives “ Upupa [ero], a hoopoe. Plin. 10, 29, 44; id. ib. 25, 86. Varr. 
L.L. 5, 11, 22”; and Dr. Wm. Smith, in his ‘ Latin-English Dictionary’ 
(1857, based upon the works of Forcellini and Freund), adopts the same 
view in almost the same words. On looking into Cooper’s ‘Thesaurus 
Lingue Romane et Britanniw’ (1578), I find the following quaint but 
appropiate remark :—‘ Upupa, upupe@, Avis, Plin. A birde no bigger than 
a thrush, and hath a crest from his bill to the uttermost part of hys heade, 
which he strouteth up or holdeth downe according to his affection. Where- 
fore it cannot be our lapwing, as it hath.been taken for. It is rather to be 
called an houpe.”* I presume that the inference intended to be drawn 

here is that the crest of the Lapwing was thought not to be erectile. If so 
~ this was a mistaken notion, since this bird, like the Hoopoe, is able to 


* Mr. Turner, of Sherborne, states that these birds were known as ‘‘ hoops” in 
Dorsetshire, 


380 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


elevate and depress its crest at will. In old ‘ Household Books” dated at 
the end of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth century, the Lap- 
wing is entered sometimes as “ Pewit,” but generally ‘‘wype” (compare the 
Swedish “ wipa”), and the latter word is occasionally found coupled with 
“ plovers,” showing that by the last-mentioned name “ golden plovers” were 
intended. I have not met with any instance of the use of the word upupa, 
in which it is clear from the context that the Lapwing is referred to; nor 
do I think it clear that this is so in the case in question.—J. E. Harrine. 


Futmar PrerrReL BREEDING IN THE IsLE oF Fourna.—So far as 
I know, the Fulmar Petrel, Procellaria glacialis, has not hitherto been 
known to breed in Britain, except at St. Kilda and in the Hebrides. I have 
often seen them in Shetland, and several specimens have been procured ; 
but there was seldom more than one seen at atime. On June 4th, 1878, 
about a dozen pairs were observed hovering round the cliffs of the island of 
Foula, and at last they fixed on the most inaccessible cliffs on the island— 
a place that no native could reach, and where, according to their statement, 
no bird ever nested before. This stronghold was taken by the Fulmars, 
and they nested and brought off their young unmolested. This year they 
again made their appearance at the same date, only about double the 
number of birds. ‘They have again taken up their quarters, and are said 
to defend it against all intruders from without, while their position secures 
them from the grasp of the daring islanders. They maintain the same 
position of undisputed right to their cliff that the bold and fearless Skua 
holds on the hills above them. The nests are placed on small ledges 
formed by the splitting of the rocks into layers, while the entire cliff seems 
so perpendicular that no foothold could be got for even the smallest bird. 
This is an addition to the number of our native birds, many of which have 
been considerably diminished of late, from the too easy access of collectors 
to their haunts. Those that have suffered most of late are the Red-throated 
and other Divers, the Grebes the Great Skua, and several of the Duck 
family.—J. Garriooxk (Prospect House, Lerwick). 

(If our correspondent will refer to Mr. Robert Gray’s ‘ Birds of the West 
of Scotland’ (p. 499), he will find that St. Kilda is not the only stronghold 
of the Fulmar. Besides Borrera and Soa, it used formerly to breed in the 
south isles of Barra; and in Skye, says Mr. Gray, it breeds in at least one 
locality—a “stack” off the farm of Tallisker, half way between Stack-na- 
Maidaidh and Breshal Beg. The nests are in holes in a very deep grassy 
slope, extremely difficult of access. The country people say there are many 
more breeding places of this bird in Skye. There is some reason also for 
supposing that at one time it nested at Mull.—Eb.]} 


Sea Birds Breepine av Scrtty.—Up to last week (July 19th) Gulls 
and Terns haye been breeding at the Scilly Islands. Young birds in all 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 381 


stages of size, and nests with eggs, especially of the Terns, appearing 
naked, sat upon, and hatching—just what may be usually seen in the 
second week of June in ordinary seasons. I observe that authors do not 
refer to the rich creamy tint which is observable very often in the nestling 
and undeveloped plumage of several young Terns; and I am led to refer 
to this from having received an interesting specimen of the Sandwich Tern, 
which was captured a few days since in “ Guthers,” one of the Scilly 
Islands, with the whole of the under parts from the chin and vent having 
this beautiful tone, which may be described as cream-colour, with a dash 
of salmon-pink in it, but very different from the roseate tint observable 
in the Roseate Tern and the summer plumage of the Little Gull, and 
sometimes in the Black-headed Gull. This tint which I have described in 
the young Sandwich Tern was observed in others, but not all, at the time 
it was captured. Mr. Dorrien Smith writes me word that in this island 
there are uow “heaps of Sandwich Terns on their eggs, and nests with 
eggs.” With respect to what I have said as to this creamy tint not being 
mentioned by authors, in the figure of the Arctic Tern in Gould’s ‘ Birds 
of Great Britain’ I observe there is shown in the young bird a slight blotch 
of yellow on the breast. I find, too, from Professor Newton, that this 
cream-tint has very often been observed by him in the Young Arctic Terns 
which have come under his notice—EpwarD Hearie Ropp (Penzance). 


Hasirs or THE House Srarrow.—Dr. Hamilton, in his interesting 
remarks on “ The Birds of London” (p. 273), tells us that the House 
Sparrow is a “ very early breeder,” in confirmation of which he states that 
a pair had nearly completed their nest by February 22nd, 1877, and that 
in the following year a pair had commenced building by March 2nd; but 
neither nest contained eggs, and none may have been laid for days, it being 
a hard matter to determine when a House Sparrow's nest is completed. 
Though upwards of sixty years ago I first saw the London House Sparrow, 
I know nothing of its town habits, but here, in the country, I have not 
found it an early breeder. This season, for instance, some of the nests 
were not finished by May 19th, and only two of those examined had eggs, 
when the Rook, Starling nnd Blackbird had young on the wing. Mr. R. 
Warren concludes his notice of the birds observed in the County Mayo 
during the late severe winter by saying, “Of our large colony of Sparrows 
only one old cock has returned, apparently the sole survivor and repre- 
sentative of his race.” Though this colony of Sparrows had disappeared 
from Mr. Warren’s farm by January 1st, it does not necessarily follow that 
they perished; it is more likely, considering what a hardy bird the House 
Sparrow is, that food was sought for elsewhere. Birds were picked up, but 
it does not appear that any dead Sparrows were found.—Hunry Haprinip 
(Ventnor, Isle of Wight). 


382 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Nicut Heron 1n Scorianp.—A friend has sent me a paragraph from 
a Scotch paper (the ‘ Glasgow Weekly Herald’ of May 29th), in which it is 
stated that on the 23rd May last a Night Heron was shot off a tree on the 
banks of the Black Devon, adjoining Alloa Park Policies, by one of Lord 
Mar’s keepers. I should be much obliged to any correspondent who may 
have an opportunity of learning further particulars if he will communicate 
them for publication in this journal. If the bird in question has been 
preserved it would be desirable to furnish a careful description of it, since 
it appears, from Mr. Robert Gray’s account of the last Night Heron 
procured in Scotland (‘ Birds of the West of Scotland,’ p. 284), that the 
latter was referable not to the European, but to the American form of this 
bird, by some considered to be specifically distinct.—J. E. Harrine. 


Nesting Hairs oF tHe StarLinc.—I observe (p. 218) Mr. Christy is 
of opinion that two broods are occasionally reared in a season by the 
Starling, in proof of which he remarks :—* Another nest I found contained 
at the end of May (1877) young birds just ready to leave. . . . These 
flew all well, and about a fortnight after I found three eggs slightly sat 
upon.” Now, considering the length of time that the young Starling is 
fed by the parent birds, I think it unlikely—not to say impossible—that 
these eggs belonged to the original owners of the nest. More likely far 
that another pair had taken possession of it. Though a elose observer 
for many years of the Starlings nesting about the house, I never knew 
them to rear more than one brood in a season, nor have they done so this 
year. That they may occasionally do so is possible, and worthy notice, 
but I have no reason to doubt that their habit is to rear but one.—HENRY 
HapFigExp (Ventnor, Isle of Wight). [*‘* That they occasionally do so” has 
been satisfactorily ascertained. See ‘ Zoologist,’ 1876, p. 5164.—Eb.] 


Larcr Fuicur or Swirrs.—On June 25th, at about 11 a. m., a large 
flock of the Common Swift, Cypselus apus, was observed flying in a north- 
easterly direction across the high road at Sudbury, Middlesex. This flock, 
in very compact order as to the main body, with stragglers hawking for 
flies as they went, proceeded slowly on their journey, taking nearly ten 
minutes in passing. Whether or not they were birds retarded in their 
migration to this country by the severity of the weather I cannot say, but 
should be glad if any of your readers could throw some light on the 
subject.—Liongx P. Fiser (South Side, Harrow). 


GotDeN Eacie in tHE Lewes.—On April 12th, I obtained a splendid 
pair of Golden Eagles, which were killed near Stornoway. The female is 
considerably larger than the male, and lighter in colour—Rozserr W. 
Cuase (Birchfield, near Birmingham). 


a ae we 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 383 


Brack TERN oN THE THAMES.— While going up the river from 
Kingston to Windsor, on August 18th, I saw a Black Tern at Sunbury. 
It followed in our wake for some little way, and then passed our boat close 
enough to enable me to identify the species and to note that it was a young 
bird. Several species of Terns appear on the river about the periods of 
migration in spring and autumn, and sometimes stray a considerable 
distance inland, as, for instance, to the Serpentine, and the reservoirs at 
Kingsbury, Elstree, and Tring. Of these the Black Tern is perhaps the 
rarest.—J. E. Harrina. 


KinertsHers 1x Lonpon.—Referring to the mention of the Kingfisher 
by Dr. Hamilton, as one of the “ Birds of London,” in the July number of 
‘The Zoologist’ (p. 289), may I add that on the 1st of March last I saw 
one fly across the Royal Toxophilite Grounds, Regent's Park, apparently 
on its way from the ornamental water to the Botanical Gardens.— 
R. Watters (Ewell). 


Witp GreEsE In THE IsiE or WicuT In Jung. — A flock of wild 
geese was observed late in the evening on June 30th, flying in two lines, 
at a considerable height, in a northerly direction. I had heard a day or 
two before of geese being seen passing over the Island, but doubted it until 
I had ocular proof, seeing that they are neither migratory nor gregarious at 
this season in general Henry Haprigvp (Ventnor, Isle of Wight). 


StuRGEON IN THE THAMES AND Mepway.—Noticing a letter in the 
‘Standard,’ of August 22nd, stating that a Sturgeon weighing seven 
pounds had been caught in the Thames. it has occurred to me that it 
might be interesting to the writer thereof, and your readers, to know that a 
gentleman and myself, with a bullet and a wire cartridge, shot one in the 
Medway above Maidstone Bridge, weighing one hundred and thirty-two 
pounds, and seven feet nine inches in length, which we sent to her Majesty 
the Queen at Windsor Castle on June 21st last. —ALExanpeER J. RusseLh 
(Town House, Maidstone, Kent). 


Fox SHark or “‘TuresHeR” oFF THE Coast or Duvon.—On July 
29th a fine Fox Shark (Carcharias vulpes), measuring twelve feet in length 
and about four feet in girth, was captured in a herring net off the Start, 
and brought into Plymooth by some fishermen for exhibition. This fish 
had played great havoc with the net, but appears to have become entangled 
and captured by the “head-rope.” A few years since I recorded a small 
specimen that had been taken with a hook and line—a case of very rare 
occurrence.—JoHN GatcomBE (Durnford Street, Stonehouse). 


384 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 


A Hunting Expedition to the Transvaal. By D. FerNanpez Das 
Neves. Translated from the Portuguese by Marrana 
Monteiro. London: George Bell & Son. 1879. 


Our relations just now with the Transvaal are such as to 
render any information concerning that country and the native 
races which inhabit it of more than ordinary interest to English 
readers, particularly if that information be supplied by one who 
is able to write from personal experience. 

The author of the present work, having spent thirteen years 
in the Transvaal, has had unusual opportunities for informing 
himself of the nature and resources of the country from a 
mercantile point of view, and of the character and mode of life of 
the different tribes with whom he was almost daily brought in 
contact while pursuing his ayocation, that of an ivory trader. 
The success which seems to have attended him in his travels is 
doubtless to be attributed to his humane and sensible mode of 
treating the natives. Instead of alarming, threatening, and 
endeavouring to coerce them, he always approached them in a 
friendly way, respected their customs, and made them liberal 
presents in exchange for anything he wanted, whether ivory or 
food. Now and then he fell in with people who, in spite of all 
his endeavours to persuade them to the contrary, would persist 
in believing that his intention was to dispossess them of their 
goods and kill them; and many a plot had he to upset by a 
counter plot, and by firm, energetic action. Some of his escapes 
were truly marvellous. On one occasion a hunter came running 
into camp with the intelligence that King Mahuéoé with eight 
hundred Kaffirs were approaching with the express intention of 
killing him. In a perfect downpour of rain, he had just time 
to reach the ford on the river Bembe, distant half an hour’s 
march from where he was camped, and cross to the opposite 
side before the swollen torrent became unfordable, and, by the 
interposition of a natural barrier, effectually prevented his enemies 
from following him. 

At times the author found himself in great straits for food, 


ft) ee oe 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 385 


for he had a numerous retinue to provide for, and fresh meat was 
not always to be obtained when wanted. His force consisted of 
one hundred and twenty carriers with bales of goods for trading 
with the Dutch ; thirty with the merchandize proper for bartering 
for provender and provisions; three captains or guides for the 
carriers ; seventeen hunters; sixty-eight negroes for transporting 
the necessary materials for the hunt; five carriers for his personal 
luggage; four servants; a second and third lieutenant in com- 
mand, and four carriers for their separate use. In all mustering 
two hundred and fifty-three men. This was a goodly number 
to provide for, but none too many, on an emergency, to withstand 
the attacks that were made upon them. 

The hunters appear to have made the most of their time and 
opportunities, and not only secured plenty of fresh meat in the 
shape of antelope and buffalo, whenever they had a chance, but 
also brought in a fair amount of ivory. Some of their encounters 
with wild animals are very graphically described, as, for instance, 
their walking up to a very large Lion in open ground (pp. 219— 
222); and, on another occasion, at night, seeing three Lions 
stalking a herd of twenty Buffaloes (pp. 249—251). They once 
came unexpectedly upon two dead Lions and a dead “'Tuongonhe” 
(from the description, p. 48, note, possibly a Gnu), and the sight 
presented was a singular one :— 


“One Lion was stretched full length on the ground, its huge jaws 
opened wide, while by his side lay a ‘‘Tuongonhe’ half devoured. The 
second Lion was lying a few yards from the first one; his sides were 
fearfully gashed, and a deep lacerated wound between his shoulders, where 
the enemy had inserted his teeth. The ground all about the beasts was 
pawed up—evident proof that a fierce struggle had taken place. The first 
Lion had certainly received some gashes on his ribs, and had a slight 
wound on his shoulders. Evidently this one had proved the victor, yet he 
was dead. Could it possibly be from the slight wounds he had received ? 
We could not account satisfactorily for his death. Remarking, however, 
that his mouth was open to an extraordinary degree, and that his tongue 
was protruding, we found on examination that a large bone had stuck across 
his throat. No doubt these Lions had both attacked the Tuongonhe, and 
they evidently fought for their prey until one fell. he victor, perhaps 
famished, set at work at once to devour the ‘Tuongonhe, and in doing so 
had eagerly swallowed a bone, which had stuck in his throat and caused a 
fearful death. ‘The two Lions lay untouched on the ground, proving that 

3D 


386 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


their encounter had taken place during the early morning; for, had the 
fight occurred in the night, the Hyzenas would have devoured them.” 


The author states (at p. 224) that during his travels in Eastern 
Africa, he met with five different species of Lions. For “species,” 
no doubt, we should read “varieties,” and even then the variation 
must be regarded as dependent in a great measure upon age and 
sex. The colour and length of the mane goes for very little; and 
the best authorities of the present day seem to be agreed that 
there is only one species of Lion in Africa. 

To the naturalist who may desire information concerning the 
fauna of the Transvaal this book will be disappointing, inasmuch 
as the author, although an intrepid hunter and a good shot, shows 
so little acquaintance with Natural History as to be unable to 
distinguish a deer from an antelope, and often failed to identify 
the animals he killed. Nor does he furnish recognisable descrip- 
tions. At page 67 he writes, “ The deer or stag of Eastern Africa 
is twice the size of the European stag, and its horns differ con- 
siderably.” There is nothing in the description which follows to 
enable an identification of the species, the only clue which he 
gives being the allusion to size, from whence it may be presumed 
that the Eland is intended. Elsewhere he speaks of seeing the 
horns of fallow-deer hanging up with other horns in a kraal which 
he visited ! 

His description of the largest Elephant procured by his party 
is somewhat startling. It is well known that the African Elephant 
attains a much greater height, and carries larger and heavier tusks, 
than the Indian Elephant. Mr. Sanderson, in his excellent book 
on the ‘ Wild Beasts of India,’ says (p. 55), “ There is little doubt 
that there is not an Elephant ten feet at the shoulder in India”; 
and he gives the exact measurements of some of the largest he 
ever saw. Sir Samuel Baker, writing of the African species in 
his ‘ Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia,’ states that both sexes average 
about one foot taller than the Asiatic Elephant. Now what does 
Senhor Das Neves say ?— 


“During a hunting expedition which I made between Sofala and 
Inhambune, in the year 1864, I had the curiosity to measure the first 
Elephant killed on that occasion, and which proved the largest of all we 
destroyed. From the sole of his foot to the top of his back he measured 
thirty-eight palmos (spans of nine inches). As I had to get up on the top 
of his trunk to measure him, I may have made a mistake of four palnos, 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 387 


certainly not more; therefore, I can safely state his height was not less 
than thirty-four palmos, or twenty-five feet six inches.” 


Now, with all deference to the translator, we are under the 
impression that “‘palmo” cannot mean a hand's span of nine 
inches, but the breadth of a palm, about four inches. This would 
make the height of the animal in question, not twenty-five feet six 
inches, but eleven feet four inches, which is consistent with the 
observations of the authorities we have cited. 

We need not criticise the Natural History portion of this 
narrative further than to say that it is the weakest portion of 
the book. During his thirteen years sojourn in Eastern Africa, 
Senhor Das Neves had splendid opportunities for studying the 
fauna and flora of the countries through which he travelled; 
but, for want of the requisite training, these opportunities were 
unfortunately lost. His book is chiefly valuable for the insight 
which it gives into the manners, customs, and superstitions of 
the tribes which he encountered. ‘The information which he has 
to impart is both instructive and amusing, and is given in a clear 
and fluent style, a merit which we suspect is due in a great 
measure to the translator, who seems to have performed her 
share of the work extremely well. 


The Birds of Guernsey and the Neighbouring Islands, Alderney, 
Sark, Jethou, Herm; being a Small Contribution to the 
Ornithology of the Channel Islands. By Crecit Surtu, F.Z.S. 
London: Porter. 1879. 


Ir is not a little surprising that until the appearance of the 
present volume we haye been without any reliable information on 
the Ornithology of the Channel Islands. Itis true thatin Professor ~ 
Ansted’s work on this group an attempt has been made to give’a list 
of the birds which were supposed to reside in or visit the islands; 
but this list is not satisfactory, since the excellent geologist by 
whom it was prepared made no pretensions to be an ornithologist, 
and was content to set down the name of every bird that was 
reported to him without furnishing any evidence of its occurrence. 
He enumerated 197 species as residing in or visiting the Channel 
Islands, but after careful enquiry Mr. Cecil Smith has come to 


388 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the conclusion that of these twenty-one at least should be struck 
out, and has accordingly reduced the list of species to one hundred 
and seventy-six. 

From the geographical position of the Channel Islands it 
might be expected that the avifauna of the group would present 
some interesting features. There are some birds in France 
which seldom or never make their way to England; there are 
others which, although periodical migrants to both countries, 
never visit us in such numbers as may be seen in the more 
favoured south. Of both these classes we should expect to find 
representatives in Guernsey, and we are accordingly somewhat 
surprised to discover from the book before us that there is no 
bird in Guernsey with which we are not familiar here, and that 

many of the summer migrants to France are rarer in the Channel 
Islands than they are in England. For the absence, or at least 
great scarcity, of such birds as the Golden Oriole and Hoopoe, 
there appears to be some reason, namely, the changes which have 
taken place in the physical aspect of the islands during the last 
fifty or sixty years. Guernsey was formerly far more wooded 
than it is at present, and it is probable that the wholesale 
destruction of hedgerow elms, and the grubbing up of so many 
orchards in order to employ the ground more profitably in the 
culture of early potatoes and brocoli, by which the island has lost 
much of its picturesque beauty, has had the effect of deterring 
many of the occasional visitants’ from alighting here in their 
periodical migrations. But, if some species have decreased in 
number, owing perhaps to the causes suggested, for other reasons 
others have become more numerous. The Mistletoe Thrush, for 
instance, is stated (p. 32) to have greatly increased in numbers in 
Guernsey, especially within the last few years; and, although 
Professor Ansted’s list confined it to Guernsey and Sark, it is 
“now nearly as numerous in Alderney and Herm as any of the 
othez islands. 

On a great extent of the higher part of Guernsey, on both 
sides of what is known as the Forest Road, there is little or no 
hedgerow timber, the fields here being divided by low banks, with 
furze growing on the top of them. Furze brakes also are still 
numerous, the whole of the flat land on the top of the cliffs, and 
the steep valleys and slopes down to the sea on the south and east 
side of the island, from Fermain Bay to Pleimont, being almost 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 389 


uninterrupted wild land, covered with heather, furze, and bracken. 
Besides this wild furze land, there are several thick furze brakes 
inland,-in different parts of the island. This is the stronghold 
of the Linnet (which is far commoner in the island than the 
House Sparrow), the Greenfinch, and the Stonechat, while many 
other small birds avail themselves from time to time of the thick 
covert which is here afforded them. One would suppose it to be 
just the place for the Dartford Warbler; but this little bird is 
either so scarce or so difficult to catch sight of, that Mr. Cecil 
Smith has never seen it himself, and is only able to record a 
single instance of its occurrence there. The Goldcrest occasionally 
comes over in large flocks, apparently from Normandy. Several 
flocks, numbering many hundreds in each, have been observed to 
settle on different parts of the common before dispersing over the 
island. The rarer Firecrest is now and then met with, although 
not in flocks. 

The Crossbill is said to be an occasional visitant to all the 
islands, and sometimes in considerable numbers; but, as in 
England, it is very irregular in the date of its appearance Mr. 
Smith writes (p. 86) :— 


“My first acquaintance with the Crossbill was in Sark on the 25th 
June, 1866, when I saw a very fine red-plumaged bird in a small fir 
plantation in the grounds of the Lord of Sark. It was very tame, and 
allowed me to approach it very closely. I did not see any others at that 
time amongst the fir trees, though no doubt a few others were there. On 
my return to Guernsey on the following day I was requested by a bird- 
catcher to name some birds that were doing considerable damage in the 
gardens about the town. Thinking, from having seen one in Sark, and 
from his description, that the birds might be Crossbills, I asked him to get 
me one or two, which he said he could easily do, as the people were destroying 
them on account of the damage they did. In a day or two he brought me 
one live and two dead Crossbills, and told me that as many as forty had 
been shot in one person’s garden. ‘The two dead ones he brought me were 
one in red and the other in green plumage, and the live one was in green 
plumage. This one I brought home and kept in my aviary till March, 1868, 
when it was killed by a hawk striking it through the wires. It was, however, 
still in the same green plumage when it was killed as it was when I brought 
it home, though it had moulted twice.” 


The absence of Rooks from the Channel Islands is noticeable. 
‘*T have never seen the Rook in the islands myself,” says Mr. 


390 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Cecil Smith, “‘even as a stranger.” But Mr. Gallienne, in his 
notes to Professor Ansted’s list, says, speaking of Guernsey, 
“The Rook has tried two or three times to colonise, but in vain, 
having been destroyed or frightened away.” Mr. MacCulloch 
has observed that they sometimes visit Guernsey in large flocks 
in severe winters. 

Kingfishers, adapting their habits to circumstances, “‘ breed in 
holes in the rocks all around the island” (p. 102). Mr. Cecil 
Smith thinks the number of these birds is somewhat augmented 
in autumn by migrants, since he has seen more specimens in the 
birdstuffers’ shops at that time of year than at any other. This, 
however, may perhaps be accounted for, to some extent, by its 
being protected during summer and early autumn by the local 
Sea Birds Preservation Act, wherein the Martin pecheur appears 
os one of the Oiseaux de Mer. 

The Thick-knee, or Stone Curlew, is said to be by no means 
uncommon in winter—a fact for which ornithologists would be 
more or less prepared from Mr. Rodd’s observations of its habits 
in Cornwall, who states that it is never seen in the Lizard and 
Land’s End districts except in winter; and the only way to 
account for this deviation is to presume that a portion of the 
migratory party, in their southern flight in the autumn, hold a 
northern limit just reaching the Land’s End and the Lizard lands 
(the most southern in the British Isles), the corresponding 
northern migration in the spring just taking the whole number. 
above the southern latitudes of the extreme western counties. 

The Kentish Plover Mr. Cecil Smith regards as a summer 
visitant to the islands, and he has found their nests after a long 
search on the sandy shores of Grand Havre and L’Ancresse Bay, 
Guernsey, as well as on the shell beach in Herm. He believes 
that they nest also in Alderney, where he has seen them during 
the breeding season. 

The Turnstone is said to be resident throughout the year, its 
numbers being augmented in autumn by the arrival of migrants. 
The author has reason to believe that a few pairs even breed in 
some of the smaller rocky islands, where he has seen them in pairs 
during the month of June. 

On the subject of sea-gulls, as might be expected, he has a 
good deal to say; but none of the Skuas are represented in his 
list. This is somewhat singular, since two species of these 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 391 


parasitic Gulls are by no means uncommon on the English side of 
the Channel, about Torbay, during the autumnal migration. 

On the whole we do not doubt that Mr. Smith’s little book 
will prove acceptable to many, especially to those visitors to the 
Channel Islands who, without it, might search in vain elsewhere 
for reliable information concerning the birds which they are 
likely to meet with. 


Natural History Scraps: more especially about Birds. By C. M. 
Apamson. Newcastle-on-Tyne: Bell & Co. 1879. 


As a contributor for many years to the Natural History 
columns of ‘The Field,’ Mr. Adamson’s name will doubtless 
be familiar to many of our readers. He is an observant 
naturalist, and in a quiet, unpretending way has from time to 
time contributed many interesting notes on the Ornithology of 
Northumberland (in which county he resides), which have appeared 
in the columns of our contemporary. These notes have now been 
collected and reprinted in an octavo pamphlet of 140 pages, and 
amongst them we note a few which do not appear to have 
been previously published—such, for instance, as the account of 
Prestwick Car (pp. 80—93), which used to be such a paradise for 
naturalists until drained in 1855. 

It may be easily supposed the reclamation of such a place 
caused a great alteration in the fauna and flora of the district. 
“No similar place,” says Mr. Adamson, “now exists in the North 
of England; it was, in fact, a small fen. At times it collected 
Swan, Geese, Ducks and Waders, unlimited as to species as well 
as quantity.” Duck and Mallard, Teal and Shovellers, used to 
breed there; Coots and Moorhens abounded, and in the winter 
Little Grebes. Mr. Adamson states that he never heard of the 
last-named species being seen there in summer. This is rather 
curious, for the locality at one time was especially suited to its 
habits. Amongst other birds which used to breed on the Car 
may be mentioned the Curlew, Redshank, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, 
Snipe, and Black-headed Gull; while Temminck’s Stint and the 
Black Tern have been found there in June. Mr. Adamson’s remarks 
on the habits of the Golden Plover and Snipe, as observed by him 
at this spot, are very interesting. “ Besides birds,” it would seem, 
“ Pike, Perch, Roach, and Eels, and hosts of shells, plants, and 


392 THE ZOOLOGISY. 


insects were located there. The birds, having wings, escaped 
annihilation, and have gone elsewhere; the fish and shells, of 
course, were destroyed entirely, and many of the insects and 
plants also, in consequence of the entire change; but, without 
doubt, another set of animals and plants has taken the place of 
the previous occupants, and certainly are of more use to man 
under the altered conditions, but hardly so interesting to the 
naturalist.” 

We have not space to extract from Mr. Adamson’s pages 
many observations which are worth quoting, and which invite 
comment; such, for instance, as his ‘‘ Naturalist’s View of the 
Close-time for Sea-birds,” and his remarks on the preservation 
of wildfowl. In a few instances, we observe, he has reprinted 
communications from other naturalists addressed to the Editor 
of ‘ The Field,’ on subjects on which he himself has written. ‘T'o 
this there can be no objection when the information is worth 
reprinting, and is “ warranted genuine” by the publication of the 
writer's name; but we question the desirability of reprinting 
anonymous communications like that of “ Aquarius,” given at 
p. 79. This is a note on the Fulmar Petrel, wherein the writer 
states that he has “ very constant opportunity of observing” these 
birds; that they dive freely, but in a peculiar manner, following 
the shoals of sprats or young herrings in great flocks on the 
wing, and dropping over them like a hailstorm; diving about six 
or eight feet beneath the surface, using wings and feet as most 
sea-birds do, but never diving deep or remaining long under 
water. Now this is an interesting fact if it could be substantiated, 
but as the reader is not furnished either with the name of the 
locality where the observation was made or the name of the 
observer, he is left in doubt whether the statement can be relied 
upon, and whether the writer was likely to know a Fulmar from 
a Manx Shearwater. 

The omission of anonymous communications (unless made by 
persons known to the author as reliable observers and stated to 
be so) would not have detracted from the merits of Mr. Adamson’'s 
reprint; while its value might have been enhanced by the adoption 
of a uniform pagination throughout, and the addition of a good 
index, the single page of ‘‘ Contents,’ miscalled ‘“ Index,” being 
hardly sufficient for practical purposes. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. IIL.] O@ PO BH Ric 1879: [No. 34. 


PROF. DODEL-PORT ON THE FERTILISATION OF 
RED SEA-WEEDS BY ANIMALCULA. 


In a recent number of the excellent periodical ‘ Kosmos,’ 
Dr. Dodel-Port, the eminent botanist, of Zurich, has published 
the results of a series of observations made by him regarding the 
part played by Animalcule in the fertilisation of a certain species 
of Floridee, or red sea-weed, viz., Polysiphonia subulata, J. Agas. 
The paper is of great biological importance, since it forms, so far 
as our knowledge extends, the first record of the participation of 
animals in the fertilisation of cryptogams, which in itself is an 
interesting parallel to the relations existing between insects and 
phanerogams. We have pleasure therefore in presenting our 
readers with an illustrated abstract of the paper in question.* 

In previous numbers of the periodical referred to, Dr. Hermann 
Miiller has sketched the history of evolution of the floral world, 
and has shown the’basis upon which the entire relation between 
flowers and insects rests. This basis is the transition of the male 
sexual cells from the liquid medium of water into the dry atmo- 
sphere which occurred at the upper boundary of the cryptogamic 
flora of prehistoric times. 

In almost all cryptogams which are not agamic, the contents 
of the male cells are actively movable; when they leave the 
cell they move freely about in the water by means of vividly 
oscillating cilia. They thus possess the faculty of moving inde- 

* For the translation from the German we are indebted to Mr. Carl Armbruster, 


and for the use of the woodcuts to the publishers of ‘ Nature.’ 


34 


394 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


pendently, like any free aquatic animal, to the distant female 
organ, there to complete fertilisation. In the case of phanerogams 
the independent mobility of the pollen-grains is an impossibility. 
To effect the union of pollen-grains with that particular part of 
the female flower which is destined to receive them, some external 
agent must interfere. In many cases, especially in the lower 
orders of the floral world, the wind, gravitation, or both together, 
are the agents in question; in the majority of higher phanerogams, 
insects, or occasionally other animals, are instrumental in con- 
veying the pollen. 

Now there are a great number of cryptogams in which the 
male sexual cells which are emptied into the water do not possess 
the faculty of independent motion, as they are not endowed with 
cilia, and are therefore dependent on the action of external forces 
for their locomotion. To these belong the great and highly 
differentiated order of so-called “red sea-weeds,” or Floridee, 
chiefly marine plants which in form and colour develop a number 
of wonderfully beautiful varieties, which no one who has ever 
attentively observed them on the sea coast will ever forget. 
Their antherozoids, which are generally spherical, are dis- 
charged into the water as motionless cells, and are yielded up to 
the play of currents, in the same way as, in the anemophilous 
phanerogams, the pollen-grains pass as a dust into the atmosphere 
from the anthers, and are moved to and fro by the wind. There 
are many analogies between Floride@ and higher phanerogams 
as regards their sexual conditions. Thus amongst the former we 
find many species which are diccious, similar to the lowest 
phanerogams amongst gymnosperms, and to others of higher 
order. The chances of fertilisation in their case are, therefore, 
similar to those applying to diccious phanerogams. Often 
the male plants grow at a considerable distance from the female 
plants of the same species. In the spring of 1878 Dr. Dodel- 
Port, during a series of microscopical examinations of Adriatic 
red sea-weeds extending over four weeks, found only female and 
agamic (tetrasporous) specimens of Polysiphonia subulata, and 
looked in vain for male specimens, of which only at the end 
of his investigations he could obtain a few. Their respective 
localities of growth were evidently considerably apart, and yet at 
all times Dr. Dodel-Port found female. specimens in all stages 
of fertilisation. ‘lhe antherozoids ejected by the male plants 


FERTILISATION OF RED SEA-WEEDS BY ANIMALCULA. 395 


must have found their way to the distant female plants in 
spite of their own immobility and general passive condition. 
The sea-water, therefore, must have been frequently in vivid 
motion. 

These facts being ascertained, the idea readily suggested 
itself that possibly animals might take part in the fertilisation, 
particularly as there is no lack of small marine animals roaming 
about in the Floride@ forests, such as Infusoria, Crustacea, 
Annelids, Starfish, Bryozox, Sponges, &c. But what particularly 
attracted Dr. Dodel-Port’s attention was the regular occurrence 
of innumerable bell-shaped animalcules (Vorticella) on the shrub- 
like branches of Polysiphonia subulata. On closer investigation 
of the phenomena of fertilisation in the female organ, during 
and after adhesion of the antherozoid with the trichogynium, 
Dr. Dodel-Port eventually arrived at the conviction that in the 
case of Polysiphonia the little Vorticelle facilitate the conveyance 
of the antherozoids to the trichogynium, and that they act 
according to a natural law, in the same way as do the pollen- 
collecting bees when, by visiting the willow-catkins, they assist 
in their fertilisation. The investigation of the sexual conditions 
of Floridee is as yet in its infancy; it is to be hoped that more 
numerous researches in this direction will shortly be made, and 
possibly relations may be found to exist between other species 
of this order and certain animals similar to those discovered 
by Dr. Dodel-Port in the case of Polysiphonia and Vorticella. 
The details of the interesting relations in this case are briefly 
as follows :— 

Fig. 1 represents the male reproductive organ (antheridium) 
of Polysiphonia subulata, magnified 480 times. These antheridia 
often appear in large numbers at the upper branch-ends of the 
male plant, laterally close to the apex which continues its growth, 
at the spot where in the vegetative state young branches would 
form. In their earliest stage the antheridia consist, like the 
young branches, of a single row of cells. By repeated longitudinal 
and lateral divisions a polycellular body is soon formed, which 
begins with a short stem-cell (st), and which on the side furthest 
away from the maternal thallus-branch is protected by a forked 
hair (gh). The ripe antheridium in external appearance reminds 
one very much of a maize-cone; a row of four to six cylindrical 
cells (aa) in the axis of the whole organ represents the spine of 


396 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the cone, while the surface is covered by numerous spermatozoid 
mother-cells (s m, sm) representing the grains of maize. Before 
the antheridium is ripe the latter are polyhedrical ; but afterwards 
they assume a round shape, as the drawing shows. All parts of 
the male organ are colourless; the antherozoid mother-cells are 
filled by a fine granular plasma, which is soon differentiated into 
around body, and subsequently discharged from the mother-cell 
as an antherozoid (ss). Thus within a short time the ripe 


antheridium discharges some 400 to 800 spherical anthero- 
zoids into the surrounding sea-water. The single antherozoid 
is a little globule of protoplasm, without cell-wall or any loco- 
motive organ. In the centre of this globular primordial cell a 
strong magnifying power shows a little nodule which strongly 
refracts light, and round which a few smaller colourless plasma- 
granules are grouped. As it freely floats in the water, the 
antherozoid is analogous to a pollen-grain of an anemophilous 
phanerogam. 

The female reproductive organ of Polysiphonia subulata is 
a polycellular carpogonium of relatively high differentiation. 


FERTILISATION OF RED SEA-WEEDS BY ANIMALCULE. 397 


It originates upon the female plant closely below the apex of 
the thallus-branches, and generally there are several of them 
forming successively at varying intervals from the branch-end 
downwards. 

Fig. 2 shows the carpogonium-bearing branch-end of a female 
specimen of Polysiphonia subulata ; cg’ is a very young carpo- 
gonium; ¢g, cg are two mature ones; ¢’ and ¢” two trichogynia; 
Vort. are two Vorticelle. The whole is magnified 800 times. 


In Fig. 3 a carpogonium (ca) is represented, magnified still 
more (480 times); Vort.is a Vorticella; ss the antherozoids. In 
the mature state the carpogonium consists of three essential 
parts, viz. :— 

1. The basal portion, f (Fig. 3). 
2. The fertile spore-forming part, ¢ 9. 
3. The hair apparatus, ¢ and gh. 


The basal portion (f) consists of five tubular cells running 
parallel to each other, of which in Fig. 3 only two are seen. Then 
follows the fertile part (cg), which is an oval cellular body, con- 
sisting of some 20 to 26 cells. A central cell, copiously filled with 
granular protoplasm, is surrounded by a number of irregular, peri- 


398 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


pheric cells, and awaits fertilization, in order afterwards to trans- 
form itself into the spore-forming apparatus, while the remaining 
19 to 25 peripheric cells become the case of the spore fruit through 
further divisions (see also Fig. 4, hh). The uppermost part of the 
female organ is the hair apparatus, which in Polysiphonia consists 
of the forked hair (gh), and the trichogynium (Fig. 3, t). The forked 
hair forms very early upon the young carpogonium, and indeed 


Fie. 3. 


long before the trichogynium is formed ; its position is always 
upon the true apex of the whole organ, although at times it 
stands apparently laterally from the apex. The duration of its 
existence, its presence at the time of fertilisation and its 
disappearance immediately afterwards, prove it to be an organ of 
some use in that process. The most essential and important part 
of the hair apparatus, however, is the trichogynium (¢ in Figs. 2 
and 3)—i.e., the receptive organ, which in Floridee has a similar 


FERTILISATION OF RED SEA-WEEDS BY ANIMALCULE. 399 


signification to that of the elongated style in many phanerogams, 
while the central part (cg) of the carpogonium is the anologue 
of the closed ovarium of angiosperms... The trichogynium is a 
tender, colourless hair consisting of but a single cell, which rises 
from the carpogonium laterally from the apex of the latter, and 
does not quite attain the length of the forked hair (gh). It forms 
just about the time when all other parts of the carpogonium have 
attained that degree of differentiation which they possess during 
fertilisation. In the full-grown state, the trichogynium is of the 
same thickness in its entire length, and rounded off suddenly at 
the upper end. The norrow canal of the trichogynium contains 
colourless finely-grained protoplasm. 

Now if antherozoids of Polysiphonia subulata, freshly dis- 
charged by the antheridia of male plants and accidentally carried 
near by currents, come into contact with the upper part of the 
trichogynium, they get firmly attached to the latter. It is par- 
ticularly the apex of the trichogynium which possesses the faculty 
of retaining the globular antherozvid. Then the granular proto- 
plasmic contents of the antherozoids pass into the interior of the 
trichogynium (Fig. 3, s’’). A part of it descends down the 
trichogynic canal into the carpogonium, giving the fertilising im- 
pulse to the central cell of the carpogonium. This process is 
quite similar to the corresponding one in phanerogams. 

As the antherozoids of Floridee are wholly devoid of active 
locomotive organs, the possibility of fertilisation—i.e., the 
coming into contact of the antherozoids and trichogynium—of 
course rests entirely upon a lucky chance. The antherozoids 
reach the female organs passively, either by their own weight, 
or through the currents of the water caused by waves, wind or 
tides, and doubtless in many cases through the incessant move- 
ments of some marine animals. ‘The greater the distance 
between antheridia and carpogonia the smaller, of course, are 
the chances of fertilisation; the more violently the water is 
moved about in the vicinity of and between the separated organs, 
the more probably will the lucky accident of the union of both 
elements take place. 

During a long series of investigations of the reproductive: 
phenomena of Polysiphonia, Dr. Dodel-Port found regularly on 
the bushy thallus, and particularly upon the uppermost and 
younger branches, an enormous number of the well-known stalked 


400 THE ZOOLOGIS'r. 


animalcules, Vorticelle, which had settled there, and were as usual 
in incessant motion. Often they appeared in dozens in the field 
of the microscope, and with the constant vibration of their cilia 
were very troublesome, until Dr. Dodel-Port discovered their 
friendly co-operation in the fertilisation he was studying. He 
was a frequent witness of the process depicted in Fig. 3, where 
numerous antherozoids were whirled round and round in the 
whirl produced by a Vorticella, and where antherozoids frequently 
came in contact with the trichogynium, and remained attached to 
it (Fig. 8, s’ and s”) for a longer or shorter period. It was 


entirely due to the motion caused by Vorticelle that Dr. Dodel- 
Port was enabled to follow the phenomenon of the attachment — 
of the antherozoids to the trichogynium from beginning to 
end. The motions of the Vorticelle are particularly varied 
through the repeated contractions of their stalks into short 
spirals, and thus they cause various currents in the water, by all 
of which the antherozoids are carried along, like any other small 
and passive body that may be suspended in the water. (Compare 
Fig. 2, where one of the Vorticelle is just contracting its stalk, 
the arrows in each case indicating the direction of the currents.) 
The presence of numerous Vorticelle thus imparts to the passive 
antherozoids a kind of motion much resembling that of the 


FERTILISATION OF RED SEA-WEEDS BY ANIMALCUL&. 401 


sperm-cells of other eryptogams which are endowed with active 
cilia. From this it follows with mathematical certainty that the 
probability of the antherozoids finding thei way to the tricho- 
gynium in the presence of Vorticelle is immensely greater than 
would be the case if there were no animals present. 

At the same time it is evident that this probability is further 
~ increased in the case of Polysiphonia subulata through the presence 
of the forked hair (g h) in the vicinity of the trichogynium, because 
the whirls caused by the animalcules will often be cleft by the 
forked hair, and thus secondary whirls will be produced. Often, in 
Polysiphonia, carpogonia were found which were not fertilised. 
Thus Fig. 4 represents a ripe and spore-ejecting cystocarp (cy) 
and two carpogonia (ucg) which remained unfertilised. This was 
particularly the case on thallus-branches which were less densely 
crowded with Vorticelle—another, although negative, proof of 
Dr. Dodel-Port’s theory. It is not particularly remarkable that 
Vorticelle should inhabit Polysiphonia in large numbers, because 
these animalcules, as Dr. Dodel-Port observed, feed with predi- 
lection on the antherozoids of this plant. Thus we have here a 
condition of things similar to the relations between certain flowers 
and pollen-consuming insects. The consumption of antherozoids 
by Vorticelle is, of course, far too insignificant to merit any 
consideration, particularly if compared with the great advantages 
regarding fertilisation which the presence of the animalcule 
brings with it. Moreover, a comparison of the male plant of 
Polysiphonia with a female specimen shows that here also, as in 
most phanerogams, thousands more male cells are formed than 
are necessary for fertilisation. 

After fertilisation the carpogonium develops into a cystocarp, 
i.e., the spore-forming fruit (Fig. 4). Shortly after fertilisation 
has taken place the whole hair-apparatus disappears. The wall- 
cells of the carpogonium now begin to grow quickly and divide 
by membranes perpendicular to the surface. They form a 
cellular case (Fig. 4, h, h), which has an orifice in the apex, long 
before the spores are ripe. In the meantime the central cell 
of the fertilised carpogonium begins to form a number of densely- 
packed short branches, which, as a series of cells radiating in 
all directions, fill the basis of the capsule-shaped fruit. The 
central cell is therefore called the placenta-cell. At the 
ends of the ramified cell-series which radiate from it, pear- 

3.F 


402 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


shaped and dark red spores (carpospores) form, which, as soon as 
they have attained a certain size become detached and pass‘into — 
the water through the orifice at the apex of the cystocarp. In 
this state they are perfectly capable of further development, 
and soon begin to germinate. 

Dr. Dodel-Port concludes his interesting paper with the 
following suggestive remarks:—“ The total absence of active 
organs of locomotion in the antherozoids of Floridee points to 
a common ancestor from which the different branches of the 
Floridee have inherited the immobility of the antherozoids. 
No doubt that during the differentiation of the red sea-weeds 
many forms have died out in consequence of the fertilisation not 
taking place through the passivity of the male cells, while 
other forms have retired to localities which through active water- 
currents favour the process of fertilisation in spite of the immo- 
bility of the antherozoids. It is now well known that most of 
the existing Floridee are found on the coasts of warmer seas 
which are constantly washed by the waves, while the northern 
coasts, which are covered by crusts of ice during a great portion 
of the year, are very poor in red sea-weeds. Future researches 
will show in many of these aquatic plants how far the 
differentiation of the genera took place in the sense of an adapta- 
tion to the small marine animals which inhabit them, and 
favour their fertilisation in the way pointed out. If many sea- 
weeds in their bushy shrub-like thallus harbour certain infusoria, 
bryozoa, hydre, sponges, crustacea, annelids, and small star- 
fishes, and afford them excellent hiding-places or nourishment, 
so that these animals inhabit them with special predilection, then 
it is certainly possible that occasionally a correlation was formed, 
or adaptation took place, which was mutually advantageous, and 
which would find numerous analogies in the domain of the multiple 
cross relations between the higher flowering plants and insects.’ 
In this sense it is considered a duty to submit to the criticism of 
biologists a point hitherto overlooked in the biology of red sea- 
weeds, and bearing upqn the explanation of the morphological 
differentiation of submerged aquatic plants.” 


408 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 
By Joszpu Lucas, F.G.S. 
(Concluded from p. 370.) 


Pateley Bridge lies at the centre of a circle of somewhat over 
forty miles radius that passes through several points on the 
eastern and western seaboard. Thus it is forty-one miles from 
the T'ees-mouth, forty-three from Morecambe Bay, forty-seven 
from the Ribble near Preston, and forty-five from the Humber at 
Goole. This central position, taken with the great vertical range 
of the district, 100 to 2300 feet, is eminently favourable for the 
occurrence of birds, resident, marine, migratory, and casual. 
Sea-birds occasionally find their way across, and perhaps I should 
say not uncommonly, if all the occasions on which they have done 
so had been placed on record. In the summer Gulls slowly flap 
their way all along the eastern slopes of these hills. In June, 1868, 
I saw one above Billing Hill, in Airedale; on July 29th, 1869, one 
over Haverah Park; and on May 11th and 13th, 1871, a Lesser 
Black-backed Gull at Kettlewell, in Wharfedale. A young: 
Gannet, in speckled plumage, was found on Bewerley Moor 
(1000 feet) in 1858, and is now in the possession of Mr. Yorke, of 
Bewerley Hall. — 

In the absence of any recent records of the Golden Eagle in 
the district, the names of “ Arna Nab,” -“‘ Arncliff,” “ Arnagill,” 
indicate that it formerly bred on these hills. Buzzards are occa- 
sionally seen on the moors. At Christmas, 1868, Mr. Yorke’s 
keepers trapped a Common Buzzard on Gouthwaite Moor (1200— 
1500 feet). Mr. Ormerod shot a Rough-legged Buzzard on the 
moors near Lofthouse about 1864. The Rough-legged Buzzard 
is said to be commoner here than the Common Buzzard. The 
Merlin breeds on the moors. On February 22nd, 1868, I saw one 
a few miles west of Bradford; on June 12th, 1869, one on the 
moor behind Guy’s Cliff (1100 feet), a magnificent cliff with a 
northerly exposure, over 100 feet in height, in the lower part of 
Nidderdale. Its flight is swift, low, and graceful. As it flies 
its wings seem sharper than a Kestrel’s, and its tail thinner, 
approaching the appearance of a Swift. The last week in June, 
1869, Mr. Yorke’s watchers found a Merlin’s nest on Ramsgill 
Moor (1250 —1800 feet, N.E. exposure), with four young birds. 


404 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


On July Ist, 1869, I saw a Red-backed Shrike at Hole Bottom 
(950 feet), a dell full of trees and bushes, slightly exposed to 
the S.K., chattering and making a great noise. It is here a rare 
bird, as I have no other record of its occurrence. Says Chaucer, 

‘The Friar’s Tale’ :— 
“ As full of jangles,* 
rv full of venom * these Wariangles.” +—Y. 6990. 


These birds commence their autumnal migration in July, when 
they are to be seen along the coast of Sussex. On July 30th and 
31st, 1867, I saw two at Heene, and on August 7th and fh, 
8. F. Lucas shot two migrating. 

The Tits, at least the Great Tit and the Blue Tit, are clever 
mocking birds. On January 24th, 1868, I heard the Great Tit 
uttering a cry like that of the Wryneck, but not so loud and 
sweeter. I have noticed the same note in the Lesser Spotted 
Woodpecker, and a young Kestrel. In 1867 there was an extra- 
ordinary abundance of holly-berries at Heene, Sussex. The Blue 
Tit (August 9th) was constantly in the holly bushes, in company 
with a Blackbird, cutting off the berries, the ground being strewn 
with them. On Sunday, October 25th, 1868, at Pool, Wharfe- 

* “ Chattering.” 

+ Mr. Speght explains “ Wariangle’’ to be “A kind of birds full of noise, and 
very ravenous, preying upon others, which when they have taken, they use to hang 
upon a thorne or pricke, and teare them in peeces and devour them.” A faithful 
description of the habits of the Red-backed Shrike. Cotgrave’s ‘ French Dictionary,’ 
published 1650, translates arneat by ‘The ravenous bird called a Shrike, nyn- 
murder, wariangle.” The word is derived from the Old French guware, war, 
and jangler, to chatter. Now guare is one of the warlike terms of German 
origin which the Roman inhabitants of Gaul, or the “Old French,” picked up 
from their enemies in the battle fields by the Rhine (Max Miiller, Lect., 2nd ser., 
p. 263). It was first heard probably as a war ery, as Cotgrave gives it, “guare, 
guare, war, war.” The Anglo-Saxon “ Scrie” is rendered by Manning, in his 
‘Gothic and Anglo-Saxon Dictionary,’ by “ T'urdus,” i.e., Turdus viscivorus, the 
Sereecher. The Old Norsk Skrikja is rendered by Cleasby, in his ‘ Icelandic 
Dictionary,’ ‘“ The Shrieker,” and Sél-skrikja (i.e., sun- or day-shrieker), “ Shrike, 
Butcher-bird.” (‘Itinerarium; or Travels of Eggersh Olaffson,’ 1772, p. 582), 
while the modern Swedish Skrikja is the Jay, another “screecher.” ‘ Shrikes 
Wood,” near Bewerley, takes its name from either the present species, or the Jay. 
It is also noteworthy that jangler in Old French first meant “ to chatter like a bird,” 
but afterwards came to mean in English jangle, “to quarrel,” while jangler dropped 
out of the French language. It is consistent with this and the above that, the 
chatterer which was first said to “jangle” was a quarrelsome chatterer, the 
Red-backed Shrike. But what a volume of cruelty is compressed into the name 
nynmurder, which expresses that which pursues, seizes, and tears to pieces, and so 
murders! (Old Norsk ninna, to pursue; myrdir, murderer), 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDIERDALE. 405 


dale, I watched from inside my window a Blue Tit busily engaged 
in pecking at the apparently bare bark of a trained cherry tree, 
on the young shoots and buds, and when he had gone I looked to 
see what kind of food he had been eating. The extremities of the 
young branches and buds were covered with the Aphis, much 
changed in colour, very few being the light green they are in 
summer; they were dirty brown and black. The Blue Tit, 
through the autumn, goes in flocks with the Cole Tit and Great Tit, 
together numbering perhaps fifty birds. They like the sheltered 
deep valley of the Washburn, where all three kinds abound. The 
Blue Tit has a powerful, sprightly note like “ Chickwéed, chick- 
wéed, chickwéed,” quickly repeated. The Long-tailed Tits go 
in little flocks of six or seven; they have a sweet little single note, 
a straightish flight, stronger than one would expect, with their 
long tails stuck out behind. It is uncertain whether one of the 
Tits is meant in the lines :— 


* Parus enim quamvis per noctem tinnipet omnem 
At sua vox nulli jure placere potest.” * 


The Pied Flycatcher breeds in Bolton Woods, near Barden 
Tower, Wharfedale; at Bewerley and at Harefield Wood, Pateley 
Bridge, Nidderdale; and at Hackfall, near Masham, on the Ure. 
All these are deep wooded valleys. They rear two broods in the 
course of the summer; the first brood is brought off in May. 
On July 15th, 1869, the second brood flew from the nest at 
Bewerley. At Harefield Wood the site chosen was in an old wall, 
which can be entered in three ways, two of which are easy to the 
bird, and the third so narrow as to cause it to squeeze very flat to 
go in or out; nevertheless this is the one generally chosen. The 
cock appeared to build the nest, and used to prevent the hen from 
approaching till it was ready. Harefield Wood is on the west side 
of the hill, is admirably protected from the north and east, and is 
itself cover from the west. Accordingly it is one of the very few 
places in the district of which it can be said that it abounds with 
Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, Spotted Flycatchers, Red- 


* From a very beautiful little Latin poem of the third century, called “ Elegia 
de Philomela,’ written by Albus Ovidius Juventinus (about 4.p. 210). It expresses 
the cries of forty-one different birds by appropriate verbs, and is the sole authority 
for the meaning of several of the Latin names. It is to be found in the * Anthologia 
veterum Latinorum epigrammatum et poematum.” Henricus Meyerus, Lipsie, 1835. 
Several pretty verses are cited in the present notice. 


406 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


starts, Robins, Chaffinches, and at least two pairs of Pied Fly- 
catchers. The Pied Flycatcher has a melancholy little “ tweet,” 
very like the Spotted Flycatcher. They dart from the wall, &c., 
just as the Spotted Flycatcher does. ‘They are a trifle more 

sprightly, not quite so downcast-looking as the latter, and evidently 
have the mastery of it. They are naturally very tame. The 
Spotted Flycatcher is far from common. In 1868 I did not see 
one till May 8th, when I saw one in Jonas Wood, near Farnley 
Hall, Wharfedale. This bird feeds its young after they have left 
the nest. It utters a weak, piercing note. 

The Kingfisher is very rare, I should say almost exterminated. 
On March 4th, 1868, I saw one on the River Aire near Bingley; 
and on November 9th, 1870, one at Burrill Wood (350 feet), in a 
narrow ‘“‘clough” with well-wooded sides, sheltered, and one at 
Mickley (175 feet), on the River Ure, where it flows through broad 
meadows. 

The Raven, which has given its name to a great many places, 
is now confined to the wildest and most elevated parts of the 
West Riding. I have only seen it twice. On July 23rd, 1868, 
I picked up a young Raven at Carlton, on the south side of Otley 
Chevin; and one hot day (May 6, 1871), after a wearisome climb 
to the summit of Pen-y-ghent, J. R. Dakyns and myself watched 
a pair wheeling about, croaking hoarsely, at a great height above 
us, doubtless taking us for carrion as we lay motionless upon our 
backs enjoying their beautiful evolutions. * 

1 have never known the Hooded Crow to breed on these hills, 
nor even to stay the summer. In 1868 I saw the first on 
October 20th, at Yeadon Ghyll, and on the moors near Lanshaw 
House (800 feet); in 1869, on October 13th, at Appletreewick, 
Wharfedale ; in 1870, on October 28th, in some fields near Newton 


* Max Miller remarks, “The Emperor Julian, when he heard the Germans 
singing their popular songs on the borders of the Rhine, could compare them to 
nothing but the cries of birds of prey.” The original (in the ‘ Misopogon,’ written 
about a.D. 352) has Tois xpwypors Tay TaD Bowvawy épvibwv, and the Latin 
translation in the Leipsig edition of 1696 has “clangorum quos aspere clamantes 
aves edunt,” while Eugene Talbot, in his French translation, 1863, gives “cris 
rauques de certains oiseaux,” but boldly adds in a foot-note, “ Les corbeaux.” See 
Voltaire, ‘Essai sur les Moeurs,’ Preface. Clangorum is not a good rendering of 
xpwyyecis, for the “ Elegia de Philomela,” which was written 140 years or so before 
Julian wrote the ‘ Misopogon,’ says, ‘‘ Clangunt porro Aquile ... et crocitat Corvus.” 
Crocito is for crocio, Greek xpwlw, xpw&w, to croak as a Raven or Crow, from which 
xp~yvess a croaking noise. 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 407 


House, in the flat country of the Vale of Mowbray (110 feet). 
These birds are very plentiful in Norway, where they breed in the 
summer, as I have observed in 1870 and 1871. The Hooded 
Crow is a noticeable bird, and has attracted my attention when 
quite two miles off. It has far greater power of wing than a 
Rook. Rooks begin to build in February. They rob old nests 
to build the new, and apparently wage war upon each other’s 
colonies, as they both bring twigs to and carry twigs away from 
the same rookery. Rooks begin to take long flights at least as 
early as September, when they fly to the salt marshes by the sea. 
They are seen during the summer high up on the moors, often 
when there are no other birds visible. The Jackdaw is a bird of 
the low country, but the Magpie goes up the dales and gills, only 
stopping short of the moors. 


‘“* Pica loquax varias concinnat guiture voces, 
Scurrili strepitu quidquid et audit ait.” 


The Jay also keeps to comparatively low country; it occurs 
in some of the large “falls,” or “hangers,” in Airedale, as in 
Calverley Wood, at 225 feet, and in large woods throughout the 
- district. 

The Nuthatch is rare; I have seen it only once, in the deep 
wooded gorge of Hackfall (500 feet). The Wryneck and the Tree 
Creeper, common in the South of England, I have never seen 
anywhere in the district. In December, 1868 or 1869, Mr. Ormerod 
shot a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Bak’stone Gill, near Loft- 
house; but it is a rare bird here. 

The Cuckoo ranges from sea-level up to the high moors, where 
they ascend as high as Ring Ouzels or Titlarks are found to make 
nests for them. In spring, up to 1200 feet or higher, there are 
few places on the moors in which it is possible to be out of hearing 
of a Cuckoo. Cuckoos begin to go in little flocks of six or seven 
by the end of July or beginning of August. On August 2nd, 1867, 
I saw in Surrey a flock of six Cuckoos in the plumage of the first 
year, and later in the day a second group of four, also in the 
plumage of the first year. They arrive in April in flights of twenty 
or thirty birds. The Cuckoo has a long, plaintive, somewhat 
wailing note, very soft and musical. It has also a rattling note, 
not altogether unlike that of a Landrail. Cuckoos vary much in 
colour, some young birds being dark ash-coloured, or cinereous ; 


408 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


others dark rufous, resembling the colour of a Kestrel; while 
some are intermediate and tinged with both colours. 

The Evejar occurs in the district. On May 8th I started 
one in Jonas Wood, near Farnley Hall, Wharfedale, and I have 
also seen and heard them in the woods under Guy’s Chiff, 
Nidderdale. They begin to migrate early in August, when they 
appear on the coast of Sussex. This, I presume, from its jarring 
noise, is the ‘‘ Gable-ratchet,” its note resembling the noise 
made by a small ratchet-wheel. It has also a piercing, distressed 
note, which sounds from several different places. Like the 
Grasshopper Warbler, this bird seems gifted with ventriloquial 
powers. 

The Swift frequents some of the higher ground. They do 
not associate with Martins, and are never seen in the same air 
together. When Swifts fly high, Martins may be seen nearer the 
ground; but when Swifts are low there are no Martins. Martins 
ascend to the Dale Head. Sand Martins I have seen only twice 
in the district: at Apperley Bridge, Airedale (about 200 feet), 
where they build in the sandy river bank; and on the Ure below 
Tanfield. In a gravel-pit here (150 feet) there was one lenticular 
bed of sand, one foot long by six inches thick in the middle, and 
in this I found a Sand Martin’s nest with eggs on June 12, 1870. 
This bird does not seem to ascend above two or three hundred feet. 
The highest elevation at which I found a Pied Wagtail’s nest was 
1050 feet, near the Dale Head. ‘This was on the face of a lime- 
stone scar, in a tuft of moss covered with long slender grass, six 
feet above the waters of the Nidd; young birds, May 21, 1871. 
The hole was bored into the clump of moss from low down in the 
side; nest made of grass. Pied Wagtails arrive in parties of forty 
or fifty early in April. On March 11th, 1868, I saw a pair of Grey- 
headed Wagtails beside the canal near Manningham. Striking 
points are the head being a much meee grey than the back, and 
the small size of the bird. 

The Titlark breeds on the moors, especially on the grassy 
moors. I give the descriptions of three nests, taken down from 
nature in 1871 :— 

No. 1. Near Carlton, Coverdale, N.W., 1000 feet, May 19.— 
Open grassy moorside bank above little running stream. Bent- 
grass nest, round; five eggs. Internal diameter, 23 inches. 
Length of eggs, ‘75 in.; breadth, *6 in.; ochreous ground, thickly 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 409 


covered with dark brown stains, blotchings, and markings—darker 
at larger end; still darker lines and streaks at larger end. 

No. 2. Near Lodge, Nidderdale, S.W., 1600 feet, May 22nd.— 
Open grassy moor, nest with three young birds in a tuft of ling 
and bents. Young birds covered with long grey down. 

No. 8. Angram Pasture, Nidderdale, S., 1350 feet, May 23rd.— 
Found a Titlark’s nest with eggs. Instead of being all dark, they 
were dark only at upper end, with usual darker markings and 
stripes. The lower halves were very pale greyish ochre, almost 
white. The bird was distinctly striped down the breast. 

On February 22nd, 1868, I saw an immense flock of Chat- 

finches, which must have numbered some thousands. They were 
in beautiful bright feather, apparently all cocks. A strong west 
wind was blowing, with hail and rain, and they took shelter in the 
low hedges. The place was a steep hillside, two miles east of 
Shipley, Airedale, facing north-west, in the teeth of the wind. 
_ The Redpoll breeds in Nidderdale. On May 19th, 1869, 
I found a nest in an alder bush on the bank of the Nidd (about 
390 feet), just above the weir at Pateley Bridge. The nest was 
in a fork a few feet from the ground, composed externally of roots 
and twigs. Four eggs; small, pale bluish green, spotted and 
streaked at larger end with brown. - 

I noticed the Bullfinch on four occasions only, as follows :— 
November 9, 1870. Hedges near Rasp Wood, three miles 8.W. of 
Bedale, sheltered situation (375 feet); Nov. 29, 1870. Ellington 
Firth, in valley in large wood, sheltered (500 feet); Dec. 6, 1870. 
Roadside hedges between Azerley and Kirkby Malzeard (375 fis) i; 
June 13, 1871. Follifoot Ridge, western exposure, summit of ridge 
(400 feet). . 

The only Crossbills I have ever seen wild stayed for some 
time in the autumn of 1874 at Sandsend, near Whitby. 

Starlings go right up to the Dale Head, but I do not remember 
‘seeing them on the moors. They begin to flock in June, as I ob- 
served near Bewerley, June 17th, and again early in August, 1869. 
In February the Starling sits upon a twig and sings three notes; 
one as if his beak were chattering with cold, another like in sound 
to the Corn Crake’s, but far less loud, and a third like the clucking 
of violin-strings with the finger. It utters also a fourth note—a 
long sweet cadence gradually dying away and descending the ‘scale 


at the same time. 
34 


410 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


The Dipper I did not observe in the Aire below Shipley, 
doubtless on account of the polluted state of the river; nor in the 
Wharfe below Otley; nor have I noted it in Nidderdale below 
Pateley Bridge; nor in Washburndale below Blubberhouse. In 
the Ure, however, I have seen it as low as Ripon (90 feet). It 
follows almost every beck right up on to the moors. They are 
generally seen singly, sometimes in pairs. On May 9th, 1869, 
I watched two Dippers in the afternoon flying about over some 
shallows near Ramsgill. They kept chasing each other at a great 
pace, flying close above the water. In order to escape its pursuer, 
the pursued niow and then followed through the water, entering 
and leaving it without any apparent check. I was astonished at 
the freedom with which they could transfer themselves from the 
air to the water or the water to the air. Even a duck seems to 
rise out of the water with difficulty. They rested frequently on 
snags, stones, and roots of trees, and kept up an incessant “ chip, 
chip,” quickly repeated. The Dipper’s nest is sometimes so. 
placed that the bird would have to fly through the water every 
time it entered or left the nest. They frequently build under 
waterfalls. 

I observed the first and last flocks of Fieldfares as follows :— 
Stainburn Moor (800 feet), October 15, 1868; Crag Wood, near 
Brimham Rocks (500 feet), June 1,1969; Appletreewick, Wharfe- 
dale, Oct. 17, 1869; Hardgap, near Stean, Nidderdale (1200 ft.), 
on border of moor, Sept. 2, 1870. 

The Thrush and Blackbird go up to the Dale Head, at least as 
high as 1200 feet, where their voices tend to the wild beauty of 
the scene. 

“Et Merulus modulans sat pulchris tinnitat odis, 
Nocte ruente tamen cantica nulla canit.” 

“Lodge, May 21, 1871. The chorus of birds on this still, 
calm, sunny evening, 6.30 p.m., consists of the notes of the 
Curlew (of which a pair, wheeling about, has gone to the Nidd to 
drink), the Ring Ouzel, the Cuckoo, the Snipe high in air, and the 
Chaffinch, with his sharp ‘ wit, twit, twit,’ while Starlings are busy 
with their young in the neighbouring barn-roofs. 


‘Tune Turdus truculat, Sturnus tune pusitat ore.’ 


7 ».M. The Thrush has only just begun to sing, and now, save for 
the distant Curlew, he has it.all to himself. 7.30 p.m. Curlews 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 411 


_all around making a sweet melodious chorus; Swallows gone ; 
Martins flying about; Starlings gone; the last warm, soft, rose- 
coloured tint fading and darkening on the opposite cliffs. Four 
distinct Thrushes singing; Partridge noisy in the dale below the 
house. 


- *Caccabat hinc Perdix, hine graccitat improbus Anser,’ 


A troop of clouds that came over this afternoon have all gone, 
but there is a haze forming.” 

The Ring Ouzel has a sweet song, not unlike parts of a 
Thrush’s. It bas a beautiful note, which it repeats thrice,— 
not inaptly represented by the words “tree, tree, tree,’— 
smart, but extremely melodious. The Ring Ouzel does not 
ascend to the very highest hills, nor does it go below the 
heathery moors, and. even on these is not to be seen every- 
where. Its favourite haunts are broad . shallow valleys with 
humerous running “sikes,” and having on each side a flat 
ridge. There the ling grows long, and its nest may be found 
near to some running stream. I give descriptions of four of 
‘these from nature :— 


No. 1. May 13, 1869. Brimham Rocks (900 feet), in an east 
and west sike, on the northern side, under a tuft of heather.— Com- 
posed of sticks of heather and pieces of dry strong grass, rather 
loosely compacted, but strongly built, and lined with finer grass. 
The nest contained four eggs; light bluish green ground, mottled 
with dirty brown spots. 

No. 2. May 14, 1869. Pateley Moor (1000 feet).— Constructed 
like No. 1, and exposed to the east. Three eggs. 

No. 3. May 11, 1871. Moors near Kettlewell (1440 feet), ina 
cleft in limestone.— Made of grass, &e., lined with fine grass ; 
internal diameter, 4 inches; outside, 7 inches. Four eges; pale 
blue ground, faint blotches, pale purple and brown, thicker at 
upper end; length, 1°2in.; breadth, °9 in. 

No. 4. May 22,1871. Lodge (1075 feet), under a tuft of wood- 
sage in a vertical bank on a bed of sandstone.—Made of wiry roots 
and stems of bracken, pieces of moss and coarse grass, lined with 
fine grass; internal diameter, 4.inches, round. Four eggs; pale 
green ground, irregularly but somewhat thickly speckled with 
umber blotches of a pale tint, and less distinctly with pale purple, 
especially about the larger end; a few dark lines and dots at larger 


412 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


end; length, 1:25 in.; breadth, ‘9 in. Nest nearly three inches 
deep; seven feet above stream. 

The Ring Ouzel is somewhat uncertain in its appearance 
upon ‘the South Downs; sometimes it will not appear for years 
together. On January 29th, during the present year (1879), 
_I observed a small flock amongst some furze bushes on the downs 
about a mile above Michelgrove, in Sussex. 

Let me record my tribute of admiration for the gentle bird, 
the Hedgesparrow, whose rich little canzonet may be heard on the 
silvery mornings of those rare bright days when an atmosphere, 
clear as crystal and of alpine purity and freshness, descends 
to invigorate the less favoured regions of the plain in bleak 
November. 

The Redstart is quite as characteristic of the larger woods 
as the Grouse, Golden Plover and Ring Ouzel of the moors. 
It abounds in the district, and ascends to 1000 feet, perhaps — 
higher. I have noticed it in Airedale, Wharfedale (as high as 
Starbotn), Nidderdale, Colsterdale, and Coverdale. The Willow 
Wren, Redstart, and Chaffinch have a note in common—most. 
‘delicately modulated and drawn out by the Willow Wren, 
rather more quickly repeated by the Redstart, and some- 
what more coarsely by the Chaflinch, which seems to mock 
the Willow Wren. 

There are no Stonechats in Nidderdale. On July 6th, 1869, 
I saw the only Stonechat I remember to have seen anywhere 
in the neighbourhood; that was on Constable Ridge, near 
Haverah Park (750 feet). The place abounds with low stunted 
furze-bushes. 

The Whinchat is extremely common, and ascends to 900 feet; 
in Airedale, east of Shipley, there is not a field without several. 
It has a favourite note, “ tooee, tuck, tuck,’’"—the “‘ tooee” drawn 
out beautifully modulated, the “tuck, tuck” rather reedy in sound, 
somewhat like picking the end of a thin piece of wood with the 
finger. ‘he Whinchat and Wheatear have this note in common; 
so great is the similarity that I question whether the most 
practised ear could tell by the sound alone which bird uttered the 
often-repeated and slightly varied “twee, chuck, chuck.” They 
-have also the same habit of flying before one along the road—a 
trick common to the Whitethroats, Flycatchers, and many others. 
Whinchats swarm along the railway between Pateley Bridge and 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 418 - 


Dacre Banks, and Wheatears are common on the higher ground. 
They abound in the flat green fields of Cracoe (700 feet), near 
Linton in Wharfedale, where there are stone walls or iron railings, 
and no hedges, with a few scattered thorns. They evidently 
consider, with Col. Lovelace, that— 
“Stone walls do not a prison make, 

Nor iron bars a cage.” : 
The young Wheatears arrive at the south coast early in August, 
where they flock during the autumn. 

I have not seen the Grasshopper Warbler in the whole district, 
except once, about June 15th, 1869, at Garth Crook (1000 feet), on 
the border of the high moors of Barden Fell, between the Wharfe 
at Bolton and the Washburn, an exposed situation, with an easterly 
aspect. I have observed it farther south, near Huddersfield. 

Notwithstanding the efforts of a local author to disprove the 
existence of the Nightingale in this district, I venture to record 
two localities in which I have seen these birds—Esholt Woods, in 

Airedale, in the summer of 1868, and on May 8th, in Jonas Wood, 
near Farnley Hall, Wharfedale. Nightingales usually reach the 
south coast the first week in August. -On July 27th, 1867, I saw 
the first at Heene. On the 15th one was for some time on a 
geranium, in front of a window where I was writing, pecking the 
underside of the leaves. On looking to see what it could get, 
I found numbers of cobwebs stretched in various directions to 
catch the flies that might shelter there from the rain that had 
fallen lightly all the morning. On August 16th I saw a beautiful 
cock bird in the asparagus bed, of which dense forest it seems 
particularly fond. It runs nimbly up the perpendicular stalks, 
now and anon pecking on its way. It flew to a tree about thirty 
yards off—a straight slightly undulating flight. 

I used frequently to hear the Blackcap singing through the 
night, in company with the Corn Crake, at Apperley Bridge and 
at other places in the district. 

The Whitethroat occurs in Nidderdale, where its “ee tscbrale” 
may be heard, but not plentifully. 

The Lesser Whitethroat is by far the commonest bird in the 
whole district, from the vale of York up to the borders of the moors, 
where its place in this respect is taken up by the Titlark. It ascends 

Nidderdale to Angram (1200 ft.), at the Dale Head. The inclined 
plateaux, peculiar to the eastern slopes of the millstone-grit range, 


414 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


with their small clusters of Acer pseudo-platanus, and frequent 
small ponds, afford just the conditions that suit this bird. No 
table land is too exposed or too elevated; provided there is a 
cluster of two or three trees and a pond, there will be Lesser 
Whitethroats. This lively bird has a loud attractive song, consisting 
of four notes quickly repeated, then another four a shade lower, 


then a third and a fourth four, thus:—‘*""*++++,,,, Rees After 


the last four the song dies away in a beautiful little trill. It has 
also a note like the Whinchat’s, softened and modified. The 
Lesser Whitethroat’s note has ceased by the beginning of July, 
when the pretty and frequently repeated trill is much missed. 
This bird may frequently be seen inspecting the intruder from the 
leafy cover of its favourite tree, Acer pscudo-platanus. 

The Wood Wren is somewhat more local, but in suitable 
situations is sure to be heard. ‘I'all trees and thick underwood, 
firs and Acer pseudo-platanus, deep sheltered “gills” with wooded 
sides, and large woods, are the favourite haunts of this bird; 
where these prevail it ascends to 1000 feet, and to the borders 
of the moors. 

The Willow Wren ascends the dale to Angram (1200 feet) ; 
but I have no special notes about it, from which I conclude that 
the bird is rare here. 

The Chiffchaff ranges up to little above 700 feet. The steep 
wooded sides of valleys and extensive woods, with tall firs and 
beeches, or any tall trees, are the favourite haunts of this bird. 
It is not so common as the Lesser Whitethroat, but considerably 
more common than the Wood Wren. 

The Common Wren ascends to 1000 feet, perhaps higher. 

The Rock Dove breeds at Guy’s Cliff, and at Brimham Rocks. 
On May 13th, 1869, one flew out of a hole bored for more than a 
.yard into the peat on the top of a crag amongst the Hare Head 
rocks. A yard from the nest I picked up two eggs, one broken, 
the other addled; these may have been turned out by a Cuckoo, 
hut I had no opportunity of proving this point. The Rock Dove 
only lays two eggs. 

On August 12th, 1871, Mr. Ormerod shot a Grey Hen on 
Cockley Hill (1300 feet), on the moors east of Lofthouse. 

The Grouse is a capricious bird in its choice of residence. 
The fact that they do not abound everywhere on the moors is 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALE. 415 


doubtless not without its influence on the leases of moors. They 
are most plentiful in the zone between 1000 and 1500 feet, and 
do not go much above 1700. Spots where bilberries ripen, kept 
moist by springs, and with a southerly exposure, attract them in 
autumn, though they le under a northern “edge” in the spring. 
For their nests they like broad shallow hollows with Springs at 
the edges, and a flat ridge, at least on one side, on to which 
they adjourn to crow and sun themselves. “ Cocklakes” is the 
name of one of these “ Riggs” on the moors, west of the River 
Washburn. What a flood of beauty is shed upon the word when 
we learn that it means the “ playing-ground” * of the moor-cock ! 
They build also in the peat in deep-stream courses. Here is a 
description of two nests :— 

No.1. May 10,1871. A light nest, beside a deep-stream course 
in sandstone. Made of round rushes, a few feathers mixed ; 
73 inches across. Seven eggs; pale grey, irregularly speckled 
and blotched. 

No. 2. Same date. Deep-stream course, in peat under tuft of 
grass; exposure N., sheltered. Made of grass; 7 inches across. 
Ten eggs. . 

Many young Grouse are hatched before this; and it is 
astonishing how fast they grow, how soon they are able to fly, 
and how strong they are on the wing. 

It has been my good fortune to spend nine successive years— 
spring, summer, autumn and winter—on and around the moors, 
and to have sat among the long heather, in the fresh spring. 
_ evenings, listening to the melodious clamour of the piping birds. 
Here I will fall back upon first impressions, lest. the picture 
should suffer from the rude touch of familiarity :—“ May 22, 1869. 
On Masham Moor, a glorious expanse of heather, lying to the 
north of Nidderdale, 1500 feet above the level of the sea, from 
6to8p.m. Air resplendently clear and transparent, not a cloud 
_ to be seen; the sun lighting up the moor. Grouse calling all- 
around, with Curlews wheeling in the air, and Golden Plovers 
swiftly skimming the ground; the Ring Ouzel suddenly rising on 
to some spray of heather, and uttering his melodious ‘tree, tree, 
tree’; the Snipe wildly flying high in air, with his peculiar 
knocking noise and startled whistle—hundreds on every side, all 
together in full chorus. The charm of the place, with its wildness, 

* Old Norsk leika, to play; leikr, a game or play. 


416 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the incessant harmonious clamour of the piping birds, and the 
complete novelty of the scene, inspired me deeply. The Golden 
Plover has a single sweet mellow pipe, which is answered by 
his mate a semitone lower; also a note, which he frequently 
repeats, =“~"s~, like the ‘Hallelujah’ of the ‘ Hallelujah 
Chorus,—and who knows but that this refrain may not have 
been thus suggested to the great composer !—while with some of 
his single pipes there is a beautiful and inimitable little roll. 
The Curlew keeps up an incessant ‘toor-r-lui, toor-r-lui,’ in a 
flute-like, melodious, piping tone, while the Grouse utters a 
peculiar guttural call as he flies off, in the time of what is 
generally understood as a ‘double knock,’ the syllable repeated 
being ‘coc.’ All these together form a chorus to be. heard 
nowhere else but in these moorlands.” 

The Woodcock sometimes appears on the moors. On the 
31st of October, 1871, I saw one near Greenhow Hill (1325 
feet). 

The Peewit (called ‘‘ Tewfit”) is generally distributed and very 
plentiful, ranging to at least an equal height. Young birds begin 
to call imperfectly in July. They come down to the Wharfe to 
drink just as it is getting dark, and continue crying “ peewit” as © 
late as a quarter pust nine. 

The Corn Crake is found in the larger dales, but does not 
ascend to their upper parts. 

The Heron pays periodical and solitary. visits to the dales. 
One was hanging about the Washburn from September 14th till 
October 31st, 1868, and doubtless much later. One came to the 
waterfall in Wath Wood, Nidderdale, on August 2nd, 1869; but 
with the exception of one or two occasions in the upper part of 
Wharfedale, I have not noted them elsewhere. 

I have been much struck with the tactical methods of the 
Snipe. On July 30th, 1868, I put up four of these birds in a 
stream among the broad meadows between Otley and Burley, in 
Wharfedale. They divided, each in its own course flying head- 
long at a great pace for about two hundred yards up stream. On 
being a second time roused they rose, each in its own course, to 
a great height, and flew right away. - 

The Common Sandpiper is found along the streams in the 
dales throughout the spring. I have no note of its occurrence 
above 900 feet. 


THE NATURALIST IN NIDDERDALK. 417 


The following summary will give an idea of the distribution 
of some of the birds observed in the district, and will show 
the various elevations at which they have been respectively 
met with :— 


SUMMARY OF THE ORNITHOLOGY OF THE DISTRICT. 


Elevation. 


2000 ft. 
1500 ,, 


1200 ft. 


900 ,, 
700 ,, 
800 ,, 
600 ,, 
500 ,, 


1200 ft. 


1100... 


1000 ,, 
(ALU ES 
600 ,, 
500 ,, 


HIGH: MOORS. 
Raven. 
Titlark, Buzzards, Snipe, Grouse, Golden aM Merlin, Ring 
Ouzel, Curlew. 
Cuckoo, Fieldfare, Peewit. 


DALES. 


UPPER. LOWER. 

Dipper. 

Sandpiper. 

Heron, Whinchat - - - - - - - Redstart, Chiffchaff. 

wee re ee = eh CSC =) Red-backed Shrike. 

Redpoll - - - - - - - - - - - Nightjar, Nuthatch. 

Pied Flycatcher - - - - - - - - Jackdaw, J ay. 
LOWLAND. 

Ue iene Se= ey eet lib 2% <r CornsOrake. 

Sandpiper - - - - - - - - - - Kingfisher. 


Mee ios Bele oe em ay) ae Cand iMartine 
Dipper. 


EASTERLY SLOPING PLATEAUX. 


BARE. WOODED, 


Peewit, Swift. 
Gulls. 
Fieldfare -°- - - - - - - - - Lesser Whitethroat. 
Stonechat, Wheatear. 
ate pe at aa er ee Wood. Wren: 
E > “= = \ Bullfineh: 


3H 


418 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL, 
By Joun GatcoMBE. : 


On April 10th, wind E.N.E., several Swallows-and Sand 
Martins made their appearance in the neighbourhood of Plymouth; 
and on the 13th, after snow, the wind blowing extremely cold, 
I observed the first Wheatear on the coast, the Common Sand- 
piper, anda solitary Black-headed Gull in full breeding plumage, 
which had not yet left us for its nesting quarters. During the 
remainder of the month several Manx Shearwaters were captured 
and brought in by our fishermen. 

On May Sth there were several pairs of Turnstones and a 
single Knot on the Plymouth Breakwater. The Knot, although 
apparently an adult bird, was still in perfect winter plumage. 
By the 6th Whimbrels were numerous on the mud-flats. Swifts 
made their appearance in pairs on the 7th; and on the same day 
a fine young Brown Owl, almost fully fledged and nearly as large 
as its parents, was brought to one of our birdstuffers. Mr. Rogers, 
dealer in live birds at Plymouth, had three fine young Peregrine 
Falcons sent to him from the coast of Cornwall, and I am sorry 
to say that I heard of old birds having been trapped or shot 
during the spring, one of which came under my own inspection. ° 
A friend, writing from North Devon, a short time since, stated 
that a Peregrine had just carried off a good-sized young fowl 
which the farmer’s wife was feeding in front of a farmhouse; it 
had also killed two and knocked down more of his own pigeons, 
and after having committed other depredations took its departure. 

On May 9th a. Great Northern Diver, in nearly perfect summer, 
plumage, and weighing eleven pounds and a half, was kindly sent 
to me by Mr. Stephen Clogg, of Looe, on the Cornish coast, off 
which port it was hauled up—meshed and drowned, I believe—in 
a trammel-net three miles from the shore and from a depth of 
twenty fathoms, which shows the wonderful diving powers of the 
species. Had it lived a few weeks longer it would have com- 
pletely assumed its full summer dress, which from examination 
I have ascertained beyond doubt is ‘attained by a regular moult, 
and not by a change of colour in the feathers only, as some have 
supposed. ‘The above-mentioned bird was a female, but the eggs 
in the ovary were not much developed, the largest not being 


NOTES FROM DEVON AND CORNWALL. 419 


bigger than grains of No. 6 shot. It was very fat, and the stomach 
crammed with fish-bones, mixed with many small stones. I believe 
the breeding plumage of the females of our three species of Diver 
to be equal in brilliancy to that of the males, although perhaps 
the white spots may not be quite so large, and the same might be 
said of the Shag and Cormorant. On the 21st I received a further 
communication from Mr, Clogg; stating that two days before he 
had observed a pair of Black-throated Divers close by the shore, 
one of which appeared to be in perfect summer dress, adding that 
for many years before he had not seen a specimen of that species 
in any state of plumage. 

A Ringed Guillemot was obtained during the month in the 
Sound, and an Iceland Gull made its appearance in our harbour, 
after a heavy gale from the north on May 14th, the latest date 
I ever remember to have noticed this bird on our part of the 
coast. 

On June 7th some Puffins were brought in by the fishermen, 
and a friend told me that he had seen some lying dead on the 
shore at New Quay, on the north coast of Cornwall. On the 11th 
I visited the breeding-place of the Herring Gulls at Wembury, 
near Plymouth ; but, although I observed several nests containing 
either eggs or young birds, not half the number of old ones 
were to be seen in comparison with former years. I have also 
remarked a great falling off in the numbers of both the Greater 
and Lesser Black-backed Gulls which annually visit our coasts 
inthe spring. Can this be owing to the late unusually severe 
winter? I am sorry to say that robbing Gulls’ nests is carried 
on to a great extent, where practicable, in Devon and Cornwall. 
Only a few weeks since a fine young man lost his life in trying to 
get at some young Gulls near the Land’s End. 

Swallows are very scanty with us this season, but of Swifts 
and Martins I think we have had about the average number. 
I may here mention an interesting anecdote concerning the 
Swallow related to me by some yachting friends, Mr. and Mrs. 
Cummins, residing at Stonehouse. On June 6th, when crossing 
the channel on their way to Jersey in the yacht ‘ Electra,’ four or 
five Swallows flew on board, two of which, after having rested on 
deck for some time, came into the cabin, one of them actually 
alighting on the edge of a book Mrs. Cummins was reading, and 
there quietly sat looking up into her face with the utmost 


420 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


confidence, Mrs. Cummins sitting perfectly still, talking to it, 
and, as she expressed it, only wishing the pretty little creature 
_eould talk too, tell her from whence it came, and understand that 
it should receive no harm. After awhile, thinking that the little 
voyagers must be hungry, but not knowing the kind of food they 
required, she at first tried them with crumbs, but finding these 
were not eaten, she caused some meat—ham, I believe—to be ¢ut 
into small thin strips, so as to resemble worms as much as 
possible, and put into a basin of water, thinking by that means 
to tempt them to eat, but of course without avail. They remained 
on board for several hours, ultimately making their appearance 
on deck, and, finding the vessel to be in sight of land, took their 
departure, first hovering two or three times round the yacht by 
way of farewell, and then making straight for the coast, their 
kind friend wishing them “‘ God speed.” 

On August 9th Curlews returned to our mud-flats from their 
breeding-places, and flocks were constantly heard passing over 
the town by night. The last Swift observed by me was on the 
7th; and by the 25th I saw numbers of Turnstones, Dunlins, and 
Ring Plovers on the Laira mud-banks ; also many Yellow Wagtails, 
both old and: young birds, in the adjacent meadows. 

Captain H. Hadfield, in the last number of ‘ The Zoologist,' 
mentions the early appearance of Wild Geese passing over the 
Isle of Wight on June 30th. On July 14th a flock of these birds, 
seventeen in number, flew over Cannington, in Somersetshire, in 
a north-westerly direction. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


Pine Marten 1n Lincotnsuine.—It may interest some of your readers 
to learn that a female Marten bas been trapped in a wood near here, and, 
being now a very rare animal in this part of the country, has been preserved. 
T understand this is only the second instance of the occurrence of this species 
in Lincolnshire within the last twenty years.—Cuartes Winn (Appleby 
Hall, Brigg). 

[Our correspondent having been so good as to forward the specimen for 
our inspection, we are able to state that it is the Pine Marten, and not the 
Beech Marten, as he at first supposed. In ‘The Zoologist’ for 1877 
(p. 251) the Rey. A. P. Morres has recorded the death of a Marten-cat in 


_ OCCASIONAL NOTES. 42] 


Lincolnshire (in a wood called South Wood, once noted for Martens, belonging 
to Mr. Thomas Drake, of Stainfield Hall), but the species was not ascertained, 
or at least not stated. Perhaps this is the second specimen alluded to by 
Mr. Winn. Buta Pine Marten was trapped in the parish of Riley, North 
Lincolnshire, in 1865, as recorded by Mr. Cordeaux (Zool. 1866, p. 242), 
who refers to it as the second captured in that locality.—Eb.] 


WHITE-BEAKED Do.PHIN aT YaRMourad.—On the 25th August last 
I saw on the beach at Yarmouth a very beautiful White-beaked Dolphin, 
Delphinus albirostris, which had been captured by some fishermen in their 
nets the previous night. In form and coloration it very closely resembled 
Mr. Clark’s specimen taken at Lowestoft in March, 1876, and described and 
figured in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society’ for that year (p. 686). 
Although of the same sex (female) and length, it differed in form very con- 
siderably from the Grimsby specimen figured with Mr. Clark’s, being much 
more slender. I regret I made no vertical measurements for comparison 
with Mr. Clark’s, but the following measurements of lengths very nearly 
correspond with those of the Grimsby specimen :— 

Feet. Inches. 
. Total length from anterior edge of upper lip to notch in 


middle of caudal fin (in straight line) - - - - - 4 3 
From upper lip to anterior edge of dorsal fin (along curve) 2 1 
From anterior edge of dorsal fin to notch in caudal fin 

(along curve)- - - = - - - + = = = += - 28 5 
Base of caudals time-series ely ase Coe es i=) gi 
Vertical height of caudal fin - - - - - - - - - 0 64 


Pectoral fin from junction with the body to tip along 

anterior edge - - - - - - - - =~ - = = = 

From.anterior edge of upper lip to angle of the mouth - 

From upper lip to anterior edge of blow-hole (along curve) 

From upper lip to anterior corner ofeye - - - - - 
From point to point of the flukes of the caudal fin - - 1 0 

Dental formula, 3¢ 3$. Several of the front teeth had not pierced the gum. 

Sex, female. Said to have weighed 110 tbs. 


oococs 
ror] 
es oe a 


Three were said to have been seen together, one larger and the other 
slightly smaller than the one captured. The close agreement in colour 
and form of the Yarmouth specimen with that described and figured by 
Mr. Clark, although of opposite sexes, is very interesting; but a good 
figure of the adult animal is still a desideratum, that by Van Beneden (which 
T have not seen) not being considered satisfactory by Dr. Cunningham, and 
that by Miss BAM Rrellnaleieie every allowance for difference of age— 
being obviously incorrect. Knowing Miss Brightwell’s reputation as an 
artist, and the accuracy with which her figures of microscopic animals for 


422, HE ZOOLOGIST. 


her father were made, I was very reluctant to form this conclusion. The 
skull of Mr. Brightwell’s specimen is not in the British Museum, as stated 
in the Museum ‘Catalogue of Seals and Whales, but in the Norwich 
Museum. The error arose, as the late Dr. Gray explained to me, from his 
being under the impression that it was sent to him for the National 
Collection, whereas he was subsequently requested to return it to Norwich. 
I hope to place the skull of the present example also in the Norwich 
collection.—THomas Souruwx1 (Norwich). 


Futmar PetreL BREEDING IN THE IsLE or Fouta.—The announce- 
ment by Mr. Garriock (p. 380) that this species has adopted a breeding 
station in Shetland is so very interesting, that it may not be out of place to 
draw further attention to the subject, more especially as a similar occurrence 
took place in the Froe Islands about 1839. In the year 1849 the late Mr. 
John Wolley visited the latter group, and in a paper read at the meeting of 
the British Association held in Edinburgh, 1850, and subsequently published 
by Sir William Jardine, ‘Contributions to Ornithology,’ 1850 (pp. 106—117), 
thus referred to the appearance of the Fulmar Petrel as a breeding species in 
the Froe Islands :—*TI have to record a very interesting fact with respect 
to the Fulmar, Procellaria glacialis, which has recently adopted some of 
the cliffs of the Fwroe Islands as a summer station. In the time of Landt, ~ 
who wrote in 1799, it was only known to those who fished far from the 
shore, but somewhere about the year 1839 it was observed by the rock- 
climbers breeding, for the first time, near Quelboe in Suderoe, and it has 
since much increased, and is scattered over several spots on the west cliffs 
of the islands of Skuoe and Great Dimon; in the latter place, the cliff in 
which it builds is of great height and quite perpendicular, and the ledges 
are very small and bare. Eight or ten of the nests that I examined con- 
sisted of a few small fragments of rock lining in a slight depression. The 
featherless abdomen of the bird is hollowed into a perfect egg-cup shape 


- during the incubation, so that the single large egg-has the warmth applied 


to it in the most effectual manner. I will not attempt to speculate on the 
reason of this remarkable change of locality in a bird supposed to be so 
constant in its attachment to certain breeding places. It is not found in 
Shetland or Orkney. St. Kilda is perhaps its only British, and also its 
most southern, station. It is, however, said to breed on the island of Barra, 
perhaps not South Barra, but Bara aud Rona, two rocks far to the north 
of Cape Wrath and the Lewes, whose position was ascertained with accuracy 
in one of Parry’s Arctic Voyages.” Sir Edward Parry’s observation, 
referred to by Mr. John Wolley, was taken on the 31st May, 1824, on his 
outward voyage to the Arctic Regions, in H.M. ships ‘ Heckla’ and ‘ Fury,’ 
and the west eud of Bara is placed by that distinguished navigator in 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 423 


latitude 59° 06’ 45”, longitude 6° 11’. For a most interesting account of 
the various out-lying rocks of the west coast of Scotland and their feathered 
inhabitants, I must refer the reader to Captain Elwes’ admirable paper on 
the “ Bird-stations of the Outer Hebrides” (‘ Ibis,’ 1869, pp. 20—87). This 
naturalist did not find the Fulmar breeding on Berneray (Barra Head) or 
other of the south isles of Barra in 1868, and in 1870 Mr. Harvie Brown 
aud I met with similar experiences. Mr. Robert Gray (* Birds of the West 
of Scotland,’ p. 499) records the interesting fact that the Fulmar bred in 
the south isles of Barra as late as 1844, since which date it has not been 
observed in those localities during the breeding season. Under ordinary 
circumstances I should not venture to question a statement published under 
the sanction of such an eminent authority as my friend. Mr. Robert Gray, 
and indeed it is not my intention to do so now, but merely to point out 
that John Wolley, writing in 1850, seemed to accept with some hesitation 
the fact of the Fulmar breeding in South Barra. For my own part I do 
not consider it more extraordinary that this species should vacate old 
established breeding haunts than that it should adopt new ones; but it shows 
that the Fulmar is not so attached to certain breeding stations as used to 
be supposed. It would be interesting to find out about what date the 
Fulmar made its appearance as a breeding species in Skye, or whether 
it has always been recognised as such by the inhabitants of that island. 
Procellaria glacialis, as recorded by me in ‘ The Zoologist’ for 1872, has 
greatly extended its breeding stations in the Feroe iclends since 1839, 
and since Wolley’s visit in 1849, for in 1872 JT found it breeding on 
Suderoe, Great Dimon, Skuoe, Mygenaes, Videroe, and Fugloe, or, in other 
words, throughout the group.— H. W. Fritpen (Aldershot). 


Lave Sray or Swirrs.—The late stay of Swifts during the present 
autumn has been the subject of general remark by naturalists throughout 
the country. Up to the present time (Sept. 25th) I have received reports 
of Swifts being seen at the following places on the following dates :-— 


Aug. 20. Between Redcar and Teesmouth, “in thousands.” 

» 21. Loch Tay; Redcar and Teesmouth; only two or three remained. 

» 22. .Whitby. 

», 28. Near Hartlepool. 

», 25. Budleigh Salterton. 

,», 26. Withernsea, Yorkshire; and Lymington, Hants. - 

» 27. Darlington, flymg 8.W.; between Redcar and Teesmouth, 
‘another immense flight.” 

», 28. Between Redcar and Teesmouth, “about a dozen”; others at 
Yarmouth. 

» 29. Darlington, flying W.; Spurn Point; Landerfel, near Bala; and 
Ryde, Isle of Wight. 


424 THE ZOOLOGIS?. . 


Aug. 80. Between Redcar and Teesmouth, “a few”; Flamborough Head, 
“scores.” ; 
», 31. Between Redcar and Teesmouth; and at Ipswich. 
Sept. 1. Teesmouth, ten or twelve, “none seen here afterwards”; and 
Bedford, ‘ several.” 
» 2. Scarborough; Masham; Uttoxeter; and Hornsea Mere, 
“ hundreds.” 
» 98. Bridlington Quay: and Ipswich, flying S. 
» 6. Grantown-on-Spey; Riccal Common, near Barnsley; and about 
"- the Abbey Church, Selby, Yorkshire. 
» 7%. Loch Tay; and Worcester. 
»» 8. Remony, Loch Tay; Glenisla, near Alyth; and Gt. Chesterford. 
», 10. Penarth, “two”; and Castle Lough, Killaloe, Tipperary. 
» 12. On the Waveney, near Lowestoft; Great Cotes, Ulceby; and 
Ryde, Isle of Wight, “a solitary bird.” 
», 15. A single bird, over the River Wharfe, near Wetherby, Yorkshire. 


In the marshes of North Lincolnshire, during the past summer, 
Mr. Cordeaux has remarked how much higher than usual the Swifts have 
flown when hawking for food; showing that, notwithstanding the cold, wet, 
and ungenial weather, and the constant occurrence of heavy rains, the small 
insects they seek must have taken to a higher level, and been especially 
abundant in the upper regions of air. The why and the wherefore of this 
he leaves to meteorologists. It is doubtless in some manner connected 
with a peculiar state of the atmosphere, and the amount of moisture with 
which it is charged.—J. E. Harrine. 


ArtempTeD InrropuctTion- or THE NutHatcH ito IreLanp.—In 
reply to your letter of enquiry about my attempt to introduce the Nuthatch 
into Ireland, I am sorry to say that I have not been very successful in my 
experiments. In the summer of 1877 Mr. Borrer, of Cowfold, Sussex, gave 
me seven young birds. I reared and sent to Ireland five of these, but 
unfortunately, the second or third day after their arrival, four died quite - 
suddenly. They seemed perfectly well in the evening, but early the 
following morning my keeper found them dead in the bottom of their cage. 
Last year (1878) Mr. Borrer gave me eleven more young birds. Of these 
the keeper to whom I entrusted them at the Zoological Gardens, only 
succeeded in rearing two, which lived well and quietly together in the same 
cage until last January, when, without any previous warning, one set upon 
and killed the other. I was thus left with one bird from each year, and 
these I turned out last spring, but I do not know whether or not they are 
a pair. On the receipt of your letter I wrote to ask my keeper whether he 
had seen them since, and I have only just received his answer to say that 
he had never seen the birds after they were turned out. Iam not much 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. ues 425 


surprised at this, as the woods here are large, and my keeper has been very 
busy rearing pheasants; but if they have remained about the place they 
ought to show themselves during the autumn and early winter. A great 
deal of my wood is a natural growth of holly, hazel, and oak, which IT think 
- ought to suit the Nuthatch. There are also a good many ants, but they do 
not form regular ant-hills, and I have tried and failed to introduce the large 
wood ant. I have now; through the persevering kindness of Mr. Borrer, 
four fine young birds, which I hope to take with me to Ireland next week ; 
but I am a little doubtful what to do—whether to turn them out this 
autumn or to keep them until the. spring. My experience with the Nut- 
hatches—and not with them only, for I have tried Hawfinches, Crossbills, 
Blackgame, and Capercaillies—shows the great difficulty of trying to 
introduce any birds into strange localities. I believe, however, that the . 
chief obstacle to success is the difficulty of getting a sufficient number to 
allow for casualties. Nothing but the interest Mr. Borrer has shown in the 
experiment has enabled me to give the Nuthatches a fair chance: for I find 
it next to impossible to purchase any of our less common birds. T have 
tried for a long time to buy a few Spotted Woodpeckers, but without 
success, although I have given commissions to several of our London bird- 
fanciers. I shall be happy at any time to give you information as to how 
Tam getting on with my various experiments, which are not confined to 
birds, for I am now trying to establish some foreign moths.—Epwarp H 
Coops, Lieut.-Col. (Markree Castle, Collooney, Co. Sligo). 


Nestine or Buackcame 1x WotmeEr Forrst.—To show the difficulties 
attending the increase of Blackgame at Wolmer, I find, on reference to 
my notes, that a nest of nine eggs was ruthlessly taken by boys in charge 
of cattle grazing on the Government ground on the Ist June, 1878, and no 
direct evidence of the robbery established; while out of a nest of seven 
eggs examined by Capt. Feilden and myself‘on the 13th of the same month 
only two eggs proved fertile, five addled ones being left in the nest! 
Whether this latter lamentable failure was due to the cold wet weather 
prevalent at the time, or to the well-known preponderance of male birds, 
Iam unable to say. It serves, in any case, to account for the fact that 
there is no marked increase in the number of Blackgame in the Forest, in 
spite of all restrictions and strict preservation of the Grey-hens.—S. G. 
' Rerp (Capt. R.E.). 


Discovery or THe Ecos or Tar Curtew Sanppirer. — In ‘The 
Ibis’ for July Dr. T. M. Brewer, of Boston, thus announces the discovery 
by an American naturalist of the egg of the Curlew Sandpiper, Tringa sub- 
arquata, hitherto unrepresented by authentic specimens in any collection :— 
- “Mr. Ludwig Kumlien, Naturalist to the Expedition sent to the Cumber- 
land Region, was so fortunate as to find the Curlew Sandpiper breeding in 
a 31 


426 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


North Greenland, near Christianshaft, in the summer of 1878. He mentions 
the species as not uncommon. Several eggs were procured, through the 
attentions of Governor Fencken. Two examples of the eggs were brought 
home by Mr. Kumlien; and these are now in the collection of the Smith- 
sonian Institution. During a recent visit to Washington I availed myself 
of the opportunity to examine these specimens; and from the notes then 
taken I send you the following description :—One of these eggs measures 
1:52 inch in length by 1:05 inch.in its greatest breadth. Its ground colour 
is thickly marked with blotches of two shades of umber-brown; one of these 
shades is quite light, the other much darker. These are most numerous on 
and around the larger end, and are in a somewhat longitudinal direction, 
with a tendency also to a spiral course. There are also a few spots of a very 
dark (almost black) colour on the larger end. The other egg measures 
1:47 inch by 1:04 inch, and.is of a much more pyriform shape. Its ground 
colour is very light greenish drab, with rather sparse markings of a deep 
umber. The markings are larger and more confluent about the greater end 
of the egg, where they are chiefly disposed in a circular ring. The rest of 
the egg is sparsely marked with the same. About the larger end are a few 
very dark markings. The two eggs, as you will notice, differ somewhat in their 
shape, and present also something of a contrast in their ground colours.” 
So far as one can judge by the description given, these eggs appear to be very 
similar in colour and markings to those of the Dunlin.—J. E. Hanrrine. 


Green Suac 1x Norruampronsuike.— A young bird of the above 
species was caught whilst asleep upon a pinnacle of the towers of Arthing- 
worth Church, near Market Harborough, on August 31st, and brought to 
me alive and uninjured. This is not the first occurrence of this species in 
this county which has come to my knowledge, but strikes me as worthy of 
record, as I believe the Green Shag to be an uncommon bird upon our 
eastern coasts.—Litrorp (Lilford Hall, Oundle). 


Manx Suearwater iN NorraampronsHire.— A Manx Shearwater, 
Pufjinus anglorum, was shot on the River Nen, near Titchmarsh, on the 
evening of September 4th, by my friend and neighbour, Mr. G. E. Hunt, 
who seut it to me. As in the case of the Green Shag above recorded, 
I know of a previous occurrence of this species in our county; but the 
weather that can drive such a hardy sea-rover as a Shearwater some forty 
miles inland at this time of the year is certainly very exceptional.— LitrorD 
. (Lilford Hall, Oundle). + 


Hopsy and Common Scorer 1x Beprorpsairn.—Mr. Covington, 
taxidermist, of this town, has shown me a male Hobby which was shot near 
Bedford at the latter end of July. I hope, in recording this capture for the 
benefit of future faunists, I shall not lay myself open to the charge of 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. AQ7 


“pandering to the vanity of its destroyer” (cf. Zool. 1878, p. 76), for I much 
regret its destruction. Mr. Wright, of Clifton, near Biggleswade, informs 
me that he has in hand “a male specimen of the Black Scoter, (idemia 
nigra, which was shot on the 19th August, by Mr. Hare, of Compton Mills, 
near Shefford.” I fancy this is a most-unusual date at which to meet with 
a Scoter in this part of England.—C. Marruew Prior (Bedford). 


Tawny Owl, NestiIne In 4 Burrow.—In regard to its nesting habits, 
the Tawny Owl seems to differ a good deal from other Owls. As a rule, 
the eggs are deposited in the hole of some tree, but it has been observed to 
make an open nest in a hollow of a fork, seven feet from the ground, and 
_ Sometimes.to make use of the deserted nest of a Rook (see Gray’s ‘ Birds of 
the West of Scotland,’ p.61). It has’also been known to lay its eggs upon 
the ground on a heap of fir-needles (‘ Ibis,’ 1866, p. 824). In ‘The Ibis’ for 
July last (p. 878) two instances are recorded of its nesting in a burrow. 
Capt. J. W. P. Orde mentions a nest of five eggs so placed which came 
under his observation in Argyllshire. One had rolled away into a branch 
of the burrow, the others were nearly hatched in the second week of April: 
Mr. Bruce, of Ederline, at the foot of Loch Awe, on April 18th, 1876, found 
a nest of this bird in a rabbit-hole, about two feet deep in a sloping bank. 
The nest contained four young Owls differing greatly in size; two were at 
least ten days older than the other two, and no two of them looked quite of 
the same age; they were covered with whitish down, and kept their eyes 
shut. The nest also contained a rat and two mice, freshly killed, and with 
their heads taken off. This approximation in habit to the well-known 
burrowing Owls of America is curious and worth noting.—J. KE. Harrine. 


Common Scorer 1n NorrHampronsHire.—A female of this species, 
Oidemia nigra, was killed near Woodford Mill, on the River Nen above 
Thrapston, and sent to me, in the flesh, on August 20th. I consider this 
occurrence worthy of record, not only because it is the first appearance of 
the species in this neighbourhood which has come to my knowledge, but 
also on account of the unusual time of year for the visit of such a sea-loving 
bird to an inland locality—Linrorp (Lilford Hall, Oundle). 


Grey Wacrain arecarious at Roostinc Time.—At p- 391 of ‘The 
Zoologist’ for 1878, Mr. H. Chichester Hart observes that he noticed on 
one occasion a number of Grey Wagtails congrégated together at roosting 
time in some reed-beds in Ireland. As this seems to be,a newly recorded 
fact in Ornithology, I have much pleasure in stating that quite recently 
(September 4th) I have frequently observed small parties of Grey Wagtails, 
consisting of a score or so of individuals, resorting to the reed-beds by the 
Ouse as soon as it begins to get dusk. At this time of year this species 
is very abundant here —C. Marrumw Prior (Bedford). 


428 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Destruction or Woop Picrons 1x ScorLand.— Speaking at the 
Central Banffshire Farmers’ Club on the 15th August, Viscount Reidhaven 
said :—“ I daresay some of you will remember some years ago, when I had 
the pleasure of addressing you in Mr. Longmore’s hall, that I ventured 
to suggest the getting up of an association for the destruction of Wood 
Pigeons. However, that fell to the ground; but I wish to read to youa 
few returns showing that my father did not forget about the Wood Pigeons. 
I will read you the returns of what has been done at Cullen House between 
1876 and 1879. In 1876, 1256 eggs were destroyed. In 1877, 1172-old 
Pigeons, 1038 young Pigeons, and 6593 eggs were destroyed, making a total 
of 8798. In 1878, 1821) old birds, 446 young birds, and 5946 eggs were 
destroyed, making a total of 7712. In 1879, 804 old birds, 124 young 
birds, and 1399 eggs were destroyed, making a total of 2327. Besides these, 
there were killed by my father and shooting friends 436 old pigeons during 
two seasons. My father gives so much money to anybody who brings 
young or old birds or eggs, and the amount of money which he had expended 
in this way from 1876 to 1879 has been £117 18s. 8d. The total number 
of birds and eggs that have been destroyed altogether during these years 
has been no less than 20,529.” 


Curious Dreatu or A Moornen.—F rom the last ‘ Annual Report and . 


Proceedings of the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club,’ obligingly forwarded by 
the Secretary, we learn that at one of the meetings Mr. Thomas Darragh 
brought under the notice of the members a Moorhen which had been 
brought to him for preservation. ‘his bird was found dead on the banks 
of a small pond in the neighbourhood of Richmond, on the Antrim 

Road. When found it was still warm, and it did not- appear to have been 
killed by violence. Curious to know the cause of death, Mr. Darragh made 
a careful examination, and found, on dissection, that death had resulted 
from the presence of several small annelids, apparently leeches, one of which 
he found firmly adhering to its lungs, another to its liver, and two almost 
embedded in its kidneys. The only way he could account for their presence 
in the viscera was by supposing they had entered by the windpipe, pierced 
the lung, and found their way to the other parts of the body. It was stated 
that the pond near which the bird was found is supplied by the overflow 
water of the town basin, and that it was a matter worthy of serious con- 
sideration whether or not:these dangerous annelids were derived from that 
source; and if so, whether there is any possibility of their reaching the 
water-cisterns, and causing fatal results to the. ratepayer who may uncon- 
sciously imbibe a few. The specimens, which are upwards of three inches in 
length, were exhibited, and Mr. Darragh, on the suggestion of the President, 
pronised to hand them to a competent authority for examination. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 499 


ADDER TAKING POSSESSION OF A Nest.—Looking over last year’s notes, 
I recently came across the following, which I intended at the time to send 
for publication in ‘ The Zoologist,’ but which, in the hurry and scramble of 
a change of quarters from Aldershot to Ireland, found its way to the lowest 
depths of a portmanteau instead of the pages of that welcome periodical :— 
“ June 4, 1878. Warder Ford reports a strange incident. He was at Fleet 
Pond, and seeing an Adder lying coiled up in the thick herbage at the 
foot of a bush at the water’s edge, he struck at it with a thick stick and 
killed it. To his astonishment, the blow also knocked a young Reed 
Bunting, Emberiza scheniclus, out ofa nest on which the Adder had been 
lying, fortunately doing it no injury. It turned out that the reptile had 
coiled itself up—probably already gorged by a previous heavy meal—on the 
top of the Bunting’s nest, containing four young birds, like a veritable 
dog in the manger, waiting till its appetite returned before devoting its 
gastronomic energies to the consumption of its victims.” It is satisfactory 
to know that the whole of the brood safely left their nest in due time.— 
8. G. Rem (Capt. R.E.). 


Boak-FIsh ON 1HE DeEyonsHirE Coast.—The shore on the western 
side of Plymouth, on August 12th, was strewn with Boar-fish, Capros aper. 
I asked some fishermen, who were drawing a seine for Mackerel, whether 
they had caught them; but they said that they were caught by the trawlers 
in the channel, who in coming into Plymouth threw them overboard when - 
turning out their nets, and as there was a strong easterly wind blowing at 
the time it accounted for so many being driven on the western shore. 
I should say there were more than a thousand of them, and almost all of 

‘the most beautiful colour, some quite crimson, others more scarlet or pink ; 
but all more or less beautifully banded or striped. I found, however, that 
these bands soon faded or disappeared altogether on being exposed to the 
light and air. They had a peculiarly strong fishy smell, and their very 
small scales were exceedingly dry and rough to the touch. The construction 
of the protruding and retractile snout is very curious. On asking the 
fishermen, out of curiosity, what they called them, they one and all answered 
“ Cuckoo-fish”; but I-think what is generally by fishermen called by that 
name is the Cook Wrass, and. sometimes one of the Red Gurnards.—Joun 
GarcomBr (Durnford Street, Stonehouse). 


Tue OccurrENcE or Lepropora IN LxGLanp.— At the recent 
meeting of the British Association at Sheffield, Sir John Lubbock, in the 
Department of Zoology and Botany, called the attention of the Section to 
the occurrence in England of. Leptodora, a very interesting crustacean 


430 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


first found in deep lakes abroad, and more recently in a reservoir near 
Birmingham. Like many marine organisations it was as transparent as glass. 
This rendered the creature less conspicuous to its foes. Like other animals 
of the same group it laid two kinds of eggs. The young at first were quite 
unlike their parents, so unlike that they were thought to be a distinct 
species. Sir John then gave a description of this little animal, and, 
by means of sketches, illustrated the peculiar functions of the different 
organs, pointing out the difference of the organs in male and female. 


INSECTS WHICH INJURE Booxs.—At the recent meeting of the British 
Association, at Sheffield, Prof. Westwood, in the Department of Zoology 
and Botany, read a paper “ On the Insects which injure Books.” Referring 
to an address delivered by Dr. Hagen, on July 2nd, 1878, before the 
American Library Association, on the same subject, Prof. Westwood passed 
in review the life-history of the different species of insects which have been 
found to destroy books and printed papers, several of which were not noticed 
by Dr. Hagen. The caterpillars of the moth Aglossa pinguinalis, and also 
of a species of Depressaria, often injure books by spinning their webs 
between the volumes and gnawing small portions of the paper with which 
to form their cocoons. A small mite, Cheyletus eruditus, is also found 
occasionally in books kept in damp places. A. very minute beetle, 
Hypothenemus eruditus, forms its tiny burrows within the binding of books. 
Lepisma saccharina also feeds on paper, of which a very curious example 
was exhibited ofa framed and glazed print of which the plain paper was 
eaten, whilst the parts covered by the printing ink were untouched. White 
ants (T’ermitid@) are a constant source of annoyance in warm climates; and 
Prof. Westwood also noticed the ravages committed by the cockroaches, 
Blatta orientalis. The insects that do the greatest injury are Anobiwm 
' pertinaw and A. striatum, commonly known as the “death watches,” 
burrowing through the books, even, it is recorded, drilling through twenty- 
seven folio volumes. Various remedies for the destruction of these insects 
were mentioned and especial notice was directed to a ‘ Report of the Com- 
mission appointed to inquire into the Decay of Wood-Carvings, and the 
Means of Preventing and Remedying the Effect of such Decay,’ issued by 
the Science and Art Department in 1864. Prof. Westwood then detailed 
the various remedies proposed, as washing with solution of corrosive 
sublimates in alcohol, exposing the books to the vapour of benzine, or 
carbolie acid, or hydrocyanic acid, or fumigating with burning sulphur. 
Placing the volumes under the exhausted receiver of an air-pump for an 
hour has also been found successful by Dr. Hagen. 


431. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


EntomonocicaL Society oF Lonpon. 


August 6, 1879.—J. W. Dunnina, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., Vice-President, 
in the chair. 

Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks voted to the 
respective donors. 

Mr. Phillips exhibited living specimens of both sexes of Spercheus 
emarginatus, taken at West Ham. 

Mr. Stainton exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Grigg, of Bristol; larve of 
Réslerstammia Eralebella, a genus of which the larve had hitherto been un- 
known. These were obtained from lime trees near Bristol, feeding externally 
on the leaves, quite exposed. They were very transparent, showing the 
whole of the interior of the larvee, and with the segments deeply incised. 
When full-fed they turned down the edge of the leaf and spun the cocoon 
within the fold thus made, just like the larvee of the genus Orniz. 

Miss Ormerod read a paper entitled ‘‘Sugar-cane Borers of British 
Guiana,” and exhibited specimens of the insects referred to in different 
stages of development. The first—a moth stated to be a Proceras (sp. ?)— 
was the most destructive, and the other insects were Coleopterous belonging 
to the genus Calandra—C. sacchari and C. palmarum. Miss Ormerod 
made the exhibition on behalf of the Colonial Company, who were anxious 
to receive any information as to available and practical methods of dealing 
with these attacks. 

Mr. W. L. Distant stated that these insects had long been recorded as 
destructive to the sugar-cane in the West Indies, and that the circumstances 
were almost the same on the plantations in the Straits Settlements at 
Malacca, where the usual remedy, and possibly the only one, was searching 
for and burning the infested canes, thus gradually diminishing, and possibly 
eventually to a great extent extirpating, these destructive insects. 

Mr. Swinton contributed the following note :— 

“At page xii. of the ‘Proceedings of the Entomological Society of 
London’ for 1877, contained in the third issue for that year, I find the 
following observations recorded :—‘ Mr. Meldola stated that... . the larva 
of Liparis auriflua, which feeds upon hawthorn, sloe, apple, oak, &c., and 
which possesses the well-known property of ‘‘ urticating,” could be adduced 
as an example of a larva feeding on non-poisonous plants, and yet elaborating 
poisons by chemico-physiological processes.’ Mr. M‘Iachlan remarked that 
the received opinion, on the other hand, was that ‘the urticating property 
was due to mechanical irritation, the numerous brittle hairs of the larva 


432 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


entering the skin.” Mr. Dunning and Mr. Waterhouse raised the question 
whether the hairs thus penetrating the skin might not possess some 
poisonous quality. 

“On the penultimate and ante-penultimate segments of the Gold-tail 
Moth, Liparis auriflua, will be seen dorsally two scarlet conical and trun- 
cated tubercles, which superiorly present a keyhole-shaped orifice. These 
when the caterpillar contracts its tubercles, which it does in the fashion of 
a sea anemone, enlarge by the constriction to a triangular shape, and a 
colourless liquid wells up to their rim. A pencil-point dipped in this and 
applied to the cheek or eyelid will at once renew the said burning sensation, 
and leave little doubt as regards the caustic property of the fluid. The 
larva then in this instance poisons its lances, and if a magnifying power be — 
applied, the drops of moisture conglobing on the hairy armature are revealed 
to view, squirted from the hinder craters, by constriction we may presume, 
since touch unneeditiiesy produces a contraction in the hinder segments of 
the caterpillar.” 

The following communication was received from Mr. R. M‘Lachlan :— 

“Tn the ‘Comptes Rendus,’ of the Belgian Entomological Society of the 
5th July (1879), is a notice by M. Meélise on the subject of correlation of 
mutilation in the larva with deformity in the imago. M. Mélise operated upon 
teri selected silkworms by cutting off the right metathoracic leg of each. All 
went through their transformations, and the operation caused, apparently, 
little inconvenience, for they recommenced feeding almost immediately after- 
wards. The effect on the moths produced from these larvae was as follows :— 
One was deprived of three tarsal joints, but the claw was developed. Three 
were deprived of three tarsal joints, and of the claw also. Three had only 
the femur and tibia. One had the leg ‘amputated’ in the middle of the 
femur. The two others had only a stump, scarcely a millimetre in length. 
M. Meélise adds that in not one of the moths was the leg absolutely absent, 
and that the variation in the amount of deformity probably resulted from 
the difficulty of performing the amputation in the larve at. precisely the 
same place in each. In the case of insects with incomplete metamorphoses 
parallel experiments have often been made, and with similar results; but 
with Lepidoptera they have been so few as to render confirmatory evidence 
of the statements of other experimenters of much value.” 

Part II. of the ‘Transactions’ for 1879 was on the table-—R. Mrexpota, 
Hon. Secretary. 


THE ZOOLOGIST. 


THIRD SERIES. 


[No. 85. 


Vous TI1.} NOVEMBER, 1879. 


ON SOME .LITTLE-KNOWN HABITS OF 
EET WO .O.D:C:0.C K; 


By tHe Epirtor. 


Nor many years ago it was currently believed by sportsmen 
that no Woodcocks remained in the British Islands after the 
end of winter, except perhaps a few wounded birds, which were 
unable to cross the sea to their usual breeding-places. Nor 
is this notion yet altogether exploded, so difficult is it to con- 
trovert preconceived ideas which have once firmly taken hold 
of the public mind. 

It is, of course, perfectly true that the greater proportion 
of the Woodcocks which are found here by sportsmen during 
the shooting season are winter visitants, which arrive in October, 
and which, if not killed, would leave the country again in March 
or early in April. But it is equally the fact that a large number 
of Woodcocks annually remain here to pair and nest in suitable 
localities. 

Mr. A. G. More, in his valuable remarks in ‘ The Ibis,’ “ On 
the Distribution of Birds in Great Britain during the Nesting 
Season,” observes that the nest of the Woodcock is by no means 
so rare as is generally supposed. The bird is reported as breeding 
occasionally in nearly every county throughout England and the 
South of Scotland. Farther north it becomes more numerous, 


and may be considered to breed regularly from Perthshire 
3K 


434 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


northwards to Caithness.* ‘There is no doubt that many more 
birds remain to breed now than formerly; and this increase 
appears to be owing to the great extent of country which has 
been covered with plantations during the past few years, par- 
ticularly, according to St. John, with fir plantations. t 

What reason, asks Selby, is to be assigned for this change in 
their habits? Is it to be attributed to a change in our seasons, or 
are we to look for it in the great increase of woods or plantations, 
so general over all the island, affording these birds additional and 
secure retreats, as well as an abundant and constant supply of 
food?t The late Sir William Jardine attributed the circumstance 
to the increased attention paid to Ornithology, and to such facts 
being recorded; he could not perceive any change in the country 
to induce the birds to remain more frequently than heretofore. § 
Another reason may be found in the circumstance that now many 
owners and lessees of manors do not allow their coverts to be 
disturbed in the spring, and give orders to their keepers to spare 
the Woodcocks after a certain date. 

Mr. T. Monk, of Lewes, some years since was at considerable 
pains to obtain statistics as to the number of Woodcocks remaining 
to breed in the eastern division of Sussex; and, extraordinary as 
it may appear, the conclusion he arrived at was to the effect that 
in seven districts of East Sussex, comprising twenty-one parishes, 
there were annually, on an average, from one hundred and fifty to 
two hundred nests of this bird. || 

It is not, however, with the question of nesting that we are 
now concerned, but with the singular habit which this bird has of 
carrying its young under certain circumstances—a habit which 
has been placed beyond doubt by the testimony of many com- 
petent observers, and which has been very beautifully depicted by 
Mr. Wolf in the accompanying illustration. The observation of 
this habit is by no means new. Scopoli, in his ‘Annus Primus 
Historico-Naturalis, long ago remarked upon it, and several 


* Mr. More might also have added Ireland, since several instances of the 
Woodcock breeding there are mentioned by Thompson (yol. ii., p. 247), and many 
others have since been recorded. 

+ * Wild Sports and Natural History of the Highlands,’ p. 264 (ed. 1878). 

{ ‘Mag. Zool. and Bot.,’ i. p. 201. 

§ ‘British Birds,’ ili. p. 171 (Naturalist’s Library). 

|| The statistics collected were subsequently published in ‘The Field’ of 25th 
February, 1871. | 


LITTLE-KNOWN HABITS OF THE WOODCOCK. 435 


writers since his time have discussed the subject. Gilbert White, 
on reading Scopoli’s statement “pullos rostro portat fugiens ab 
hoste,’ was incredulous. ‘‘ But candour,” he added, ‘“ forbids me 
to say absolutely that any fact is false, because I have never been 
witness to such a fact. I have only to remark that the long 
unwieldy bill of the Woodcock is perhaps the worst adapted of any 
among the winged creation for such a feat of natural affection.” 
Had Scopoli omitted the word “‘rostro” his statement might have 
been less open to criticism, the fact being that not one of the 
subsequent observers who have confirmed his assertion that 
Woodecocks do carry their young agrees with him that they are 
carried in the bill. Nor do they upon this point agree amongst 
themselves. 

The late L. Lloyd, in his ‘Scandinavian Adventures,’ wrote, 
“Tf in shooting you meet with a brood of Woodcocks, and the 
young ones cannot fly, the old bird takes them separately between 
her feet, and flies from the dogs with a moaning ery.” Again, in 
his ‘Game Birds and Wildfowl of Sweden and Norway’ (p. 194), 
he thus refers to the habit as observed by a friend :— 

“Once during a hare-hunt,’ writes my friend, M. Anders Oterdahl, 
‘I myself shot a Woodcock, flushed by the dogs, and when flying at about 
six feet from the ground, that was bearing an unfledged young one in her 
claws. It seemed to me she grasped it with her feet, one foot having hold 
of one wing and the other foot of the other. Though, owing to intervening 
branches, I did not observe the old bird when she rose, I was fortunately 
so near to her as clearly to see what I have stated. Afterwards I found 
two other young ones under a neighbouring bush, where they had retreated 
for safety.’ When the above story appeared in my former work, ‘ Scandi- 
navian Adventures,’ it was looked on by many, both in Sweden and England, 
as a fable: but, from the number of similar instances since recorded, it is 
now, I believe, received as an admitted fact in both countries that Wood- 
cocks, when their young are in jeopardy, not unfrequently thus convey them 
to a place of safety.” 


One of the brothers Stuart, who, in the second volume of the 
‘Lays of the Deer Forest,’ have given such a graphic account of 
the wild animals of Scotland, from personal observation of their 
habits, thus refers to the bird now under discussion :— 


“The Woodcock breeds to a considerable extent in most parts of the 
forest, and also in other woods of Morayshire, the Aird of Inverness, and 
on the Dee, the Don, the Spey, and other parts of the Highlands, but, 


436 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


within our knowledge nowhere so numerously as in Tarnaway. Without 
any search, and merely in the accidental occasions of roe-hunting, we have 
found, in one season, nineteen nests with eggs. It would, however, be 
more proper to say ‘beds,’ rather than ‘nests’; for, like those of the 
Plover, they are merely slight hollows formed by the nestling of the bird’s 
breast in dry soft spots, or on the fallen leaves. They generally lay three 
eggs, sometimes four, and occasionally, but rarely, five, and never that 
we have known beyond that number. The eggs are surprisingly large in 
proportion to the bird, and of a brown colour, variegated, like the young, 
with beautiful clouded tints. Like all the larger ground-birds, they run as 
soon as they are hatched, which is early in the spring; and in May I found 
a brood of five, so large that I could only catch the smallest, and that with 
difficulty. As the nests are laid on dry ground, and often at a distance 
from moisture, in the latter case, as soon as the young are hatched, the old 
bird will sometimes carry them in her claws to the nearest spring or green 
stripe. In the same manner, when in danger, she will rescue those which 
she can lift. Of this we have had frequent opportunities for observation in 
Tarnaway. Various times, when the hounds, in beating the ground, have 
come upon a brood, we have seen the old bird rise with a young one in her 
claws, and carry it fifty or a hundred yards away; and, if followed to the 
place where she pitched, she has repeated the transportation until too 
much harassed. In any sudden alarm she will act in the same way. One 
morning I had been sitting for some time on the grey stone of the ‘ Braigh- 
clach-liath,’ ruminating with my eye fixed unconsciously on the ground, at 
the dry leafy foot of a cluster of those tall slender birehes which, at that 
time, formed one of the most beautiful features of the terrace: as my 
thoughts became less intense, and the mind had exhausted its action upon 
the subject by which it had been abstracted, the eye grew more sensible, 
and I was aware of another large black eye which was fixed upon mine from 
the bed of brown leaves before me. I could distinguish no form, no colour 
distinct from them: in fact, the leaves seemed to look at me. I approached 
nearer and nearer, but could discover nothing but the large, round, dark eye 
fixed intently upon mine. I was at a loss what to think: if the eye closed, 
I felt that there would be nothing left to prove that what I then saw was 
one of the clearest and most intelligent eyes I had ever beheld, when 
suddenly the little, round, light-brown head of a young Woodcock peeped 
out from what now became visible as the back of its mother, whose eye it 
was which had caused me so much astonishment. The little head dis- 
appeared again, and immediately afterwards the diminutive bird came out 
from the feathers of the old one’s breast, bearing half its shell upon its 
back, and uttering that plaintive cry for which language has no sign. 
I retreated softly to my stone, but trod upon a long dead branch which lay 
concealed under the moss, and the extremity stirring the leaves and dry 


LITTLE-KNOWN HABITS OF THE WOODCOCK. 437 


sticks near the Woodcock, she rose, and trailing her wings along the 
ground, pattered round the stump of the birches, but stopped as she heard 
the wail of the little bird, which was running about like a tiny ball of 
brown chenille. In the nest there were two more eggs unhatched, but out 
of one I saw a little sharp bill and half of another small head peeping 
through the shell, and to relieve the anxiety of the madre, therefore, 
I immediately turned from her retreat, and dived down the terrace into the 
wood. Near the place where I found her there was a soft green ‘stripe,’ 
such as Woodcocks love. I had no doubt the family would be there next 
day; and as I passed near I tummed aside to see what they were doing. 
Upon a dry bank, half-way down the brae, I almost stumbled over a bird 
which rose at my feet ; and as it darted through the trees I saw that it had 
something in its claws, and at the same time I heard the plaintive cry of 
the little Woodcocks just under my feet. I looked down; there were two: 
and I thought a hawk had carried off the third, and perhaps killed the 
mother. I saw the bird light, as hawks very often do, especially in a close 
wood, when they have just caught their prey, and are impatient to satisfy 
their appetite. I sprang down the bank, determined, if I could not save 
the little victim, to spoil the hawk’s breakfast. I flushed the bird so 
suddenly, that, after a low flight of only a few yards, it dropped what it 
was carrying, and instantly lighted not half-a-dozen paces distant. I van 
to pick up the mangled prey, when to my surprise I found a vigorous little 
Woodcock running about as nimble and active as its madre could wish. 
T looked for the hawk, but in his stead saw the old Woodcock, in great 
consternation, trailing her wings as if wounded, and busy to attract my 
notice. As soon as I followed, she led me away, hirpling and halting like 
an ‘old wife,’ taking little flights, which became longer as she drew me 
farther ; till at last, thinking she had sufficiently succeeded, she took a turn 
down the brae, rose over the trees, and wheeling back dropped on the spot 
where she had left her charge. I gave her a little time to find him, which 
was not difficult, as he continued to call her as loud as his tiny bill could 
pipe. In a few moments I ran forward, and she rose with him in her feet, 
her long legs dangling and swinging with her little burden like a parachute. 
She lighted at no great distance, and as I again came upon her she got up, 
but in her burry dropped the young bird. I instantly stopped, for she 
came to the ground almost at the same time with the little one, and she ran 
back and sat upon him, and rose again with him in her claws. I left her | 
to pursue her flight in peace, and went on to my pass; but I have no doubt 
she went back for the other two, for, several times afterwards, I saw them 
all together in the soft green ‘ glac.’” 


This very circumstantial account from so good au observer 
leaves no room for doubt in the mind of the reader, but an 


438 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


independent observation by another equally good naturalist may 
be quoted for the purpose of showing that the young are carried 
in another and a different manner to that already described, and 
that they are thus transported, not only to escape their enemies, 
but for the purpose of obtaining food, which, in their unfledged 
state, they would be unable to procure at any distance from the: 
nest. Charles St. John, in his ‘Natural History and Sport in 
Moray’ (p. 210), says :— 


“JT have again seen the old Woodcocks carrying their young down to 
the soft, marshy places to feed. Unfitted as their feet appear to be for 
grasping anything, the old birds must have no slight labour in carrying 
their whole family (generally consisting of four) every evening to the 
marshes, aud back again in the morning. They always return before 
sunrise. Occasionally I have come upon a brood of young Woodcocks in a 
dark, quiet, swampy part of the woods, near which they have probably been 
bred. Ina case of the kind we may suppose that the old birds are saved 
the trouble of conveying their young to a distant feeding-place; but as the 
young birds are frequently hatched in long heather in dry situations, and 
far from any marshes, they would inevitably perish in the nest were they 
not daily carried backwards and forwards by their parents. The quantity 
of worms required to sustain one of these birds would astonish those town- 
bred naturalists who gravely assert that the Woodcock ‘lives on suction.’ 
* ok %* + As soon as the young are hatched, the old birds are obliged 
to carry them to the feeding-ground, which is often at some distance. The 
young, though able to run immediately, are tender helpless little things, 
and could by no means scramble through the tangled heather and herbage 
which often surround their nest, perhaps for many hundred yards. It long 
puzzled me how this portage was effected. That the old birds carried their 
young I had long since ascertained, having often seen them in the months 
of April and May in the act of doing so, as they flew towards nightfall 
from the woods down to the swamps in the low grounds. From close 
observation, however, I found out that the old Woodcock carries her young, 
even when larger than a Snipe, not in her claws, which seem quite incapable 
of holding up any weight, but by clasping the little bird tightly between her 
thighs, and so holding it tight towards her own body. In the summer and 
spring evenings the Woodcocks may be seen so employed passing to and 
fro, and uttering a gentle cry, on their way from the woods to the marshes. 
They not only carry their young to feed, but also, if the brood is suddenly 
come upon in the daytime, the old bird lifts up one of her young, flies off 
with it fifty or sixty yards, drops it quietly, and flies silently on. The little 
bird immediately runs a few yards, and then squats flat on the ground 
amongst the dead leaves, or whatever the ground is covered with. ‘The 


LITTLE-KNOWN HABITS OF THE WOODCOCK. 439 


parent soon returns to the rest of her brood, and if the danger still threatens 
her, she lifts up and carries away another young bird in the same manner. 
T saw this take place on the 18th May; the young were then larger than, 
or fully as large as, a Snipe.” 


Here it will be observed that the narrator doubts the 
feasibility of any other mode of transport than that which he 
himself witnessed. 

Thompson, in his ‘ Natural History of Ireland’ (Birds, vol. 11. 
p- 258), refers to a keeper who believed that he had seen the old 
hen carrying off her young when suddenly disturbed. Under the 
impression of his having been deceived in the matter, he several 
times followed hens apparently thus burthened to where they 
alighted, and saw them run off without any young bird being 
there. It is, he says, the body behind the wings, the tail, legs, 
and feathers of the belly, that she droops down in a peculiar 
manner, that gives the appearance of a young bird being clutched 
up. He was several times quite near to birds presenting the 
appearance here described. 

St. John’s account of the mode of transport, however, has 
been confirmed by other observers. A correspondent writing 
from Rostrevor, Co. Down, in August, 1871, says :—‘“‘ On the 2nd 
of this month I started a brace of Woodcocks close tome. One 
of them had a young one pressed between its breast and feet; 
it lighted on the ground again after rising, apparently to get a 
better grasp of its young one, and then flew off with it. They 
were near the edge of a wood in the afternoon and during 
sunshine.” Another correspondent, writing from Rohallion, 
Birnam, says:—‘‘ This spring (1871) I have been witness 
repeatedly to the ability of the Woodcock to carry its young, 
and fly off with them, pressed to its body by its legs. This was 
in May and June.” 

Another method of transport is that referred to by Mr. W. 
Colquhoun (Dumbartonshire), who says:—‘‘I have seen a 
Woodcock carry its young, but it was by pressing it between 
its legs.” 

Again, Mr. A. Hamond, jun., of Westacre, informed Mr. 
Stevenson that when in company with a friend and a gamekeeper, 
at Shielda, near Dingwall, in Ross-shire, he saw a Woodcock in 
the act of carrying a young one wm its claws for some distance. 


440 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


The old bird then returned and clucked about like a hen to draw 
the rest of the brood to her. His friend had observed the same 
proceeding on several occasions. * 

Thus it is placed beyond doubt that the Woodcock is able to 
transport. its young, in various positions, from place to place, not 
only when flying from its enemies, but also when going out to 
feed and returning. 

This curious habit is not confined to the European Wood- 
cock, but, according to Audubon and others, has been observed 
also in the American species. More recently, too, it has been 
witnessed in England in the case of the Common Snipe. A well- 
known sportsman who has adopted the pseudonym of ‘ Idstone,” 
writing in ‘ The Field’ of 30th May, 1874, says that on the 22nd 
of the same month, when crossing a marsh on his way to a trout 
stream, a Snipe rose almost at his feet, “‘and there was attached 
to it, mostly on its left or near side, a young Snipe, which it 
carried, or which clung to it, for about twenty-five yards.” He 
could distinctly see the markings on the young one, and is 
therefore positive that he was not mistaken. The locality was 
close to Laurence’s Mill, Morden, Dorsetshire. In the same 
number of ‘The Field,’ Mr. John Titterton, of Ely, Cambridge- 
shire, states that a similar thing was observed near Ely, also in 
May of the same year. 

These observations confirm our impression that, while the old 
birds are able to carry their young in two or three different 
positions, that which has been so skilfully depicted by Mr. Wolf, 
in the accompanying plate, is probably the one most commonly 
employed. 


* «The Birds of Norfolk,’ vol, ii. pp. 292, 293. 


441 


MR. HE. R. ALSTON ON THE BRITISH MARTENS. 


[At the last scientific meeting of the Zoological Society a paper was 
read by Mr. Alston “On the Specific Identity of the British Martens.” 
The subject being one which has especial interest for naturalists in this 
country, it is believed that the publication of Mr. Alston’s remarks in this 
journal will be appreciated by many who would not otherwise have an 
opportunity of perusing them. We need hardly say that should any of our 
correspondents be in a position to examine specimens of British-killed 
Martens, whether recent or otherwise, by the light of Mr. Alston’s 
observations, we shall be glad to receive their criticisms.—ED.] 


“Two European species of Martens,” says Mr. Alston, “ have 
been generally recognised by naturalists since the days of Albertus 
Magnus and Agricola, although some writers, including Linneus 
himself, regarded them as identical. It is only of late years, how- 
ever, that their specific distinctness has been finally proved; and, 
before considering the question of the identity of the British 
Martens, it will be well to point out the true synonymy and 
’ diagnostic characters of the species in question, concerning which 
some confusion still appears to exist. 

Several systematic writers, especially in Germany and America, 
have assigned the Linnean title Mustela to the Martens, instead 
of to the more truly typical Weasels, on the ground that this had 
been done by Cuvier. But the names Putorius and Mustela were 
only employed by the great French zoologist to mark sous-genres, 
and were not used binomially to indicate distinct genera.* The 
first definite separation was made three years later by Nilsson, 
who gave the generic title of Martes to the present group ;+ and 
thus both priority and propriety sanction the restriction of the 
name Mustela to the true Weasels and Ermines. There has also 
been some difference of opinion as to the specific name which 
should properly be given to the Mustela martes of Linneus. 
Many writers have employed abietum, apparently on the ground 
that it was used as a varietal name by Linneus himself. This, 
however, is not the case: the varieties abietum and fagorum were 


* «Reégne Animal’ (Ire éd. 1817), i. pp. 147, 199. 

t ‘Skand. Fauna’ (Ist ed. 1820), i. p.41. The genus Martes has been quoted by 
Lilljeborg and some others as instituted by “ G. Cuvier, 1797;” this error appears 
to have originated in a misunderstanding of the French plural Martes in the 
‘Tableau Klémentaire.’ 


3.1L 


442 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


not accepted by him; he merely says that such a distinction was 
recognised by the peasants.* Moreover, if abietum be used, the 
universally known name of foina for the allied species would have 
to, be withdrawn in fayour of fagorum. The earliest equivalent 
to Mustela martes appears undoubtedly to be Nilsson’s Martes 
sylvatica; and the synonymy of the two species should therefore 
stand thus :— 


I. Marres sytyatica (The Pine Marten). 


Mustela martes, Linneus, Syst. Nat. (12th ed.), i. p. 67 (1766). 
Martes sylvatica, Nilsson, Faun. Skand. (1st ed.), i. p. 41 (1820). 
3 vulgaris, Griffith, Cuvier’s An. Kingd., v. p.. 128 (1827). 
» - abietum, Fleming, Brit. Animals, p. 14, ex Ray (1828). 
» sylvestris, Nilsson, Faun. Skand. (2d ed.), i: p..171) ex 
Gesner (1827). 


II. Marres rorna (The Beech Marten). 


Mustela foina, Erxleben, Syst. Reg. An., p. 458 (1777). + 
Martes foina, Nilsson, Faun. Skand. (1st ed.), i. p. 88 (1820), 
3 fagorum, Fleming, Brit. Animals, p. 14, ex Ray (1828). 


The cranial and dental characters by which Martes sylvdtica 
and M. foina may be recognised were first pointed out by Dr. Ri 
Hensel, in 1853,{ further elaborated’ by Blasius in’ 1857,§ .and 
recently revised by Dr. Elliott Coues in ea yl a with their 
American congeners: I 

“At various times,” adds Mr. Alston, “ Ihave oatlie com- 
pared, the descriptions of these writers with a great number of 
skulls ; and although many of the distinctions which they have 
pointed out are merely comparative, and though some of them 
prove -to, be: inconstant when a large. series of specimens ‘are 
examined, yet I) have never found the slightest)! difficulty: in! 


* «“ Varictas duplex rusticis: Fagorum gutture albo;. Abietum gutture flavo.” 
Syst! Nat! (12th ed.), i.’ p. 67. y 1 

+ Drs Elliott ‘Coues; in’ his’ * Fur-bearing Animals” (p.'77), gives! Jf. foina ‘as 
nstituted, by “ White, Phil. Trans. Ixiy, 1774, 196,” having seemingly been misled 
by some reference to Gilbert White’s celebrated Monograph of the House Martin, 
Hirundo urbica ! 

t ‘Arch. f. Naturg.,’ xix. 17—22, pl. ii. 

§ ‘Saugeth, Deutschl.,’ pp. 211—219. 

|| ‘ Fur-bearing Animals,’ pp. 74—80, pls. iii., iv. 


MR. ALSTON ON THE BRITISH MARTENS. 443 


separating the species by the following external and internal 
characters :— ‘ 

Martes sylvatica.— Outer fur rich dark brown, under fur 
reddish grey, with clear reddish yellow tips; breast-spot usually 
yellow, varying from bright orange to pale cream‘colour or 
yellowish white. Breadth of the skull across the zygomatic arches 
rather more than half the length; the arches highest posteriorly, 
whence they slope rather suddenly downwards and forwards. 
Sides of muzzle nearly parallel; anterior opening of nares oval; 
postorbital process about equidistant between the frontal ‘constrie- 
tion and the anterior root of the zygoma. Palate comparatively 
narrow, with\a distinct azygos process on its posterior margin. 
Upper premolars placed regularly in the line of the series; the 
fourth ‘as long as the upper molar is broad, its inner cusp large 
and placed nearly at right angles to the axis of the tooth. Upper 
molar broader than long, its flattened inner portion considerably 
longer and larger than the outer part; in the latter the external 
tubercle fills the space between the anterior and posterior tubercles, 
so that the external outline of the tooth is simply convex, not.emar- 
ginated* First, lower molar with a slightly’ developed inner 
tubercle at the base of the main cusp. 

Martes foina.— Outer fur dull greyish brown, under fur greyish 
white; breast-spot smaller than in’ M. sylvatica, pure white: 
Breadth of the skull across the zygomatic arches much more than 
half the length; ‘the arches regularly curved, broadest and highest 
near their middle. Sides of muzzle slightly converging; ‘anterior 
opening of nares broader than in M. sylvatica, heart-shaped ;’ post- 
orbital “process nearer to the frontal constriction than to the 
anterior root of the zygoma. Palate comparatively broad, trun- 
cated posteriorly... Upper premolars crowded, and ‘often placed 
diagonally, their anterior extremities being directed inwards ; the 
fourth considerably longer than the upper molar is’ broads" its 
inner cusp smaller, and placed more diagonally than in M. syl- 
vatica. Upper molar subquadrate, its flattened inner, portion 
hardly longer or larger than the outer part, in which the’ external 
and anterior tubercles are placed close together, the external out- 
line of the tooth being distinctly emarginated * between them and the 


* We have italicised Mr. Alston’s words here, in order to indicate a character 
upon which especial reliance is placed. In the ‘Proceedings of the Zoological 
Society,’ from which we quote, the skulls of both species are figured.— Ep. 


444 THE ZOOLOGISY. 


posterior tubercle. First lower molar with a well-developed inner 
tubercle at the base of the main cusp. 


As Blasius has remarked, the differences of proportion are 
less, conspicuous when a skull of an aged example of M. foina is 
compared with that of a young M, sylvatica than when indiyiduals 
of the, same age are contrasted; nevertheless they are always 
present to an appreciable degree. In his figures Blasius has 
represented a further distinction, in the form of the transverse 
ridges of the soft palate; but I have not had an opportunity of 
testing the constancy of this feature; nor have I sufficient 
materials for any original observations on the distinctive marks 
of the American and Siberian Martens, as to which I can only 
refer the reader to the descriptions of Drs. Couest and Midden- 
dorff.t On the whole, it may be said that the most striking and 
trustworthy of the characters enumerated above are, externally, the 
colour of the under fur, and, internally, the comparative breadth 
of the skull and the shape of the upper molar.§ 

Having thus cleared the ground as to the synonymy and dis- 
tinguishing marks of the two European Martens, we come to the 
question whether both of them whabit our own islands. Every work 
hitherto published on the British fauna has either stated or 
assumed that both forms are natives; and almost, every one has 
represented the white-breasted Martes foina (the Common Marten 
of the Continent) as being also the prevailing species in Britain. 
Several, however, of our best zoologists have expressed grave 
doubts as to the specific distinction of the two forms, or have 
even denied that they could be separated as constant varieties. 
This will be evident from a glance at the pages of the, principal 
writers on the subject. ) 

Passing oyer the older writers, who merely copied the accounts 
of Gesner and Aldrovandus, we may come at once to Pennant, 
who describes Justela foina as ‘The Martin,’ distinguishing ‘The 
Yellow-breasted Martin’ as a distinct species, of which he says 


*« Fur-bearing Animals,’ pp. 59 —96, pls. ii., iv. 

t+ ‘Reise in Sibir. ii. Th. ii. pp. 68, 69, pl. ii. figs. 1—6. 

} It should be observed that Dr. Severtzoff has stated that our European 
Martens are “not fully differentiated” in Eastern Turkestan, and has described 
some skins which he saw there as a new species, Mustela intermedia (Turkestanskie 
Jevotnie, p. 80; Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 4th ser. xviii. p. 46); but as he obtained 
no skulls, much weight cannot be laid on his observations. 


MR. ALSTON ON THE BRITISH MARTENS. 445 


that it ‘is found in Great Britain; but is much less common in 
England than the former; it is sometimes taken in the counties 
of Merioneth and Caernarvon, where it is distinguished from the 
other kind by the name of bela goed, or Wood Martin, it being 
supposed entirely to inhabit the woods, the bela graig to dwell 
only among the rocks. Though this is so rare in these parts, yet 
in Scotland it is the only kind; where it inhabits the fir forests, 
building its nest at the top of the trees.’ * 

Pennant was followed by subsequent writers without much 
additional information being supplied. ‘Thus Bingley states that 
the ‘Common Martin’ is ‘not very uncommon in many of the 
southern parts of Great Britain and Ireland ;’ while ‘Pine Martins 
are sometimes, though rarely, observed in the wooded and thinly 
inhabited districts of Wales and Scotland, and two or three of the 
northern counties of England.’ t+ 

Fleming gives the habitat of Martes yagorum as ‘In woods and 
rocks in the south of Scotland and England;’ that of M. abietum, 
‘in the wooded districts of Wales and Scotland ;’ but adds thut 
‘the characters of these two species are ill-defined.’ t 

The Rev. L. Jenyns, in his excellent ‘Manual,’ considered that 
Mustela foina was ‘more generally diffused’ than M. martes, which, 
he says, ‘inhabits the fir-woods of Scotland: occurs also sparingly 
in the West of England.’§ 

Edward T. Bennett, then Secretary of the Zoological Society, 
discussed the question of the distinctness of the Beech and Pine 
Martens in 1835, evidently inclining to the belief that they were 
specifically identical, and referring two British specimens then in 
the Society's Museum to the former and two others to the latter 
race.|| What was the ultimate fate of these examples I know not; 
but it is to be remarked that no exact localities are mentioned, 
and that the supposed ‘ Beech Martens’ had ‘dirty-white breasts :’ 
not improbably they were faded specimens. 

Two years later appeared the first edition of Mr. Bell’s standard 
work, in which he gave separate figures and descriptions of the 
two Martens, but ‘with the precaution of a protest against being 


* «British Zoology’ (1763), i. p. 81. 

t ‘Mem. Brit. Quad.’ (1809), pp. 164, 169. 

{ ‘Hist. Brit. Anim.’ (1828), pp. 14, 15. 

§ ‘Man. Brit. Vert. An.’ (1838), jee 

|| ‘Gard. and Menag, of the Zool. Soc.’ (1835), i. pp. 227—240. 


446 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


considered as. decidedly supporting the opinion that they are 
essentially different.’ .No mew information was here given as to 
the supposed distribution of the animals in this country.* In 
Scotland, however, the elder Macgillivray had better opportunities 
for. observation, anda comparison of specimens. convinced him ‘of 
‘the indivisibility of the species... Young specimens, he says, 
haye yellow throats, and are the Pine Martens of authors; while 
‘in old individuals the whole fore-neck and part of the breast are 
white, or greyish white, or pale grey mottled with brownish. The 
yellow colour on the throat fades in specimens kept in Museums; 
SO, as; at length to be scarcely perceptible.’+ In Ireland, 
W. Thompson came to similar conclusions, observing that: ‘all 
the native specimens which have come under my own notice were 
yellow-breasted (Martes abietum), with the exception of one, which 
had the breast white (M. foina), and was killed in the county of 
Antrim.’ He adds that he had long since remarked that the yellow 
colour gaye place to white with advancing age, and explained the 
greater number of yellow-breasted specimens obtained: by’ their 
comparative immaturity. t 
The author who has most recently treated of the question is 
Mr, Bell, . In his revised second edition of the ‘Quadrupeds”: he 
fully accepts the, specific distinction of the two forms, regarding 
which, he was formerly so doubtful, and quotes a letter from 
Mr, R.'T. Vyner, who ‘concludes that the Beech Marten is ‘at 
present much less\ common than the Pine, and is, indeed, very 
nearly extinct,in England, which is accounted for by its habit 
of leaying its. summer haunts of woods and rocky: places}: to 
inhabit, in the, winter, farin buildings, faggot-stacks, and other 
similar localities, and thus becoming exposed to various means of 
destruction. .The Pine Marten, on the contrary, continues to 
inhabit, at all seasons of the year, its accustomed retired’ haunts, 
rarely, if eyer, intruding into the immediate ipriies 0 of sion 
habitations. § 
It will thus, be seen thatthe later and better-informed Ehslish 
faunists, gradually,approached agreement) as’ to: the existence ‘of 


* ‘British Quadrupeds,’ Ist ed (1837), pp. 167—176. [Reference might also be 
made here to a paper by Mr. Eyton, ‘ Ann, Nat. Hist.’ 1840, p. 290.—Ep.] 
+ ‘ Brit, Quady.’(Nat. Libr. xx. 1838), pp. 166—173. 
t ‘Nat, Hist. Ireland’ (1856), iv. p. 9. 
§ ‘British Quadrupeds,’ 2nd ed, (1874), p. 212. 


MR. ALSTON ON THE BRITISH MARTENS. 447 


only one species of Marten in Britain, and that some of them 
drew the natural though erroneous deduction that Martes sylvatica 
and M. foina were specifically identical. The fact'is, as I believe, 
that M, foina is not, and never was, a member of the British 
fauna. During the last ten years I have missed no opportunity 
of examining native Martens, and have endeavoured to trace out 
every supposed ‘Beech Marten’ that I could hear of. I have 
thus seen a very large number of specimens from various parts of 
England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland; and every one has proved 
to be the Pine) Marten. The late Mr. Blyth, who paid some 
attention to this question, assured me, shortly before his death, 
that’ his investigations had led him to the same result; and I have 
beem unable to find any competent observer acquainted with the 
true characters of the species, who has ever seen’ an’ authentic 
British-killed specimen of M. foina. Macgillivray and Thompson 
were certainly correct in saying that the pale-chested individuals 
which have usuilly received that name in this country are merely 
aged examples of the Pine Marten, or specimens which have faded- 
in museums. Nor does there appear to be the slightest evidence 
in favour of Mr. Vyner’s suggestion that M. foina has been recently 
exterminated in this country. Such a fate has not overtaken the 
species on the Continent, where it holds its own fully ‘as’ well 
as,its ally; and a subfossil skull found in Burwell Fen, Cam- 
bridgeshire, and exhibited to the Zoological Society in 1878, by 
Mr. J. W. Clark,* is certainly referable to \M! sylvatica.’ The true 
Beech Marten is undoubtedly a more southern species than its 
congener, finding its northern limits in Denmark and the Baltic 
Provinces; for Professor Lilljeborg has proved that it is not, as’ 
had been stated, a native of Sweden.+) Until an authentic British 
specimen has been produced, it must also, I think, be struck out 
of the lists of the British fauna. 

» L.will conclude with a few remarks on the present’ distribution 
of the Pine Marten in Britain, much of the information ‘being’ 
gleaned from the pages of ‘The Zoologist.’ Although ‘greatly 
reduced in numbers by persecution, it still maintains its ground 
in the wilder districts of Scotland, the North of England, Wales, 
and Ireland, and occasionally specimens are killed in counties 
where the species was thought to have been long extinct, In 


* «Proceedings Zool. Soc., 1873, p. 790. 
+ ‘Sverg. og. Norg. Ryggradsdjur,’ p. 535. 


448 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Scotland it is still found, though comparatively rarely, in the 
Lews and in most of the Highland mainland counties, being 
perhaps most abundant in Sutherland and Ross-shire, especially 
in the deer-forests. In the Lowlands a Marten is now a very 
great rarity; but a fine example was killed in Ayrshire in the 
winter of 1875-76. Inthe North of England, Mr. W. A. Durnford 
says, the species is ‘still plentiful’ in the wilder parts of Cum- 
berland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire;* and in Lincolnshire 
several have been recorded, the latest, killed in 1865, by Mr. 
Cordeaux.t In Norfolk one was shot last year;{ and I have 
myself examined a fine example, which was shot in Hertfordshire, 
within twenty miles of London, in December, 1872. In Dorset- 
shire the last is said to have been killed in 1804 ;§ but a specimen 
occurred in Hampshire about forty years ago;|| and another in 
Surrey in 1847. A Marten is said, by the Rev. C. A. Bury, to 
have been ‘seen’ in the Isle of Wight;{[ and one was recorded 
from Cornwall, by Mr. E. Hearle Rodd;** but this proves on 
investigation to be an error, the specimen having been brought 
from North Wales, where Martens appear to be still not very 
rare. In Ireland the following counties were enumerated by 
Thompson as habitats of this species :—Donegal, Londonderry, 
Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Longford, Galway, Tipperary, 
Cork, and Kerry.t+ ‘The Cat-crann is probably now a rarer 
animal in Ireland than it was when Thompson wrote; but it still 
exists in various districts, especially in the County Kerry, whence 
the Society has received several living examples; and Professor 
A. Leith Adams states that it has been seen of late years even in 
the County Dublin.” tf 


* ‘ Zoologist,’ 1877, pp. 291. [See also Parker, Zool. 1879, p. 171.] 
+ *Zoologist,’ 1866, p.242. [Not quite the latest; others have since been 
recorded; Zool. 1877, p 251, and 1879, p. 420.—Ep.] 

t F. Norgate, ‘ Zoologist,’ 1879, p. 172; J. H. Gurney, tom. cit. p, 210, 

§ J. C. Mansel-Pleydell, tom. cit., p. 171. 

|| P. L. Sclater, ‘ Zoologist,’ 1845, p. 1018. 

q ‘ Zoologist,’ 1844, p. 783. 
** Td., 1878, p. 127. 
++ ‘Natural Histery of Ireland,’ iv. p. 9. 
tt ‘Proceedings of the Royal Society of Dublin,’ 1878. 


449 


THE BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. 
By. H. Iu, Gox,, M.B. 


In the following notes I do not propose to give a full list of 
all the birds that have been met with in the counties of, Dublin 
and Wicklow; but merely to collect, in a readable form, a, few 
rough notes relating to those which I have observed myself 
during the last seven or eight years. These I hope may prove of 
use and interest to other ornithologists.* 

Prernertne’ Fatcon.—I once saw one on the east, side of 
Treland’s Eye. It allowed me to get within seventy yards before 
it flew. ‘This was in September, 1877. 

Meriin.—Seen two or three times at Lough Dan, at, Howth, 
and on the Sugar-loaf. I have never found it breeding, though 
T saw it at Lough Dan in April and May, 1875. 

Krstrrey.—Numerous in both counties in suitable localities. 
A pair breed at Lough Dan almost every year. They used to 
nest on Bray Head; but I think they have been frightened away. 
They may be seen about Howth and Ireland’s Hye during the 
spring. 

SparrowHawxk.—By far the commonest hawk in Dublin and 
Wicklow. Ihave often seen it in the streets of Dublin during 
the winter. 

Common Buzzarp.— 1 saw one in April, 1875, between 
Annamoe and Lara; it was hovering about a hare piece, of 
mountain, about a mile up the river from the latter village. 

Barn Ownu.—Generally distributed. 

Lone-rarED Owx.—Found in all suitable localities. I have 
seen it near Blanchestown, and shot one on the canal between that 
place and Dublin, at No. 8 Lock. I have also met with it in 
Wicklow, near Roundwood and at Kinniskerry. 

Suort-EARED Owu.—Occurs chiefly in autumn and the early 
part of winter. I have seen three, at different times, on the sand- 
hills at the North Bull. I shot one there on December 6th, 1872. 
T met with another on the South Bull in November, 1877, during 
a stiff breeze. 

* In ‘The Zoologist’ for 1866 (pp. 93, 295, 479) will be found some “ Ornitho- 
logical Notes from the County Dublin,” by Mr. Blake-Knox; and at pp. 220, 300, of 
the same volume, an account of “The Migratory and Wandering Birds of the 


County Dublin,” by the same pen.—Eb. 
3M 


450 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Water OvuzeL..—Observed on almost every stream south of 
Dublin, but not on any of those on the north side. I have 
seen it also on every stream that I have fished or walked along 
in Wicklow. Although it may not be met with on the Dodder 
close to Dublin, yet on its tributaries, at Rathfarnham, several 
may be seen any day. I have taken the eggs in Wicklow. 

MissEL THrusH.—Common, and breeds abundantly. A pair 
generally brings out a brood in the Park, ‘Trinity College. During 
the past winter its numbers were greatly reduced by the severe 
weather; scarcely one is now to be seen. 

Repwine.—Common during the winter. I obtained one as 
late as May lst, out of a flock near Dunsink. These were the first 
birds that suffered during the hard weather; five days after its 
commencement they could be caught with a cap. 

Frevprare.—A regular winter visitor. These birds on the 
seventh or eighth day of the hard weather (1878-79) had been so 
much weakened by the snow and frost that I caught two of them. 
Three or four days later I found dead ones, 

Sone TurusH.—Common everywhere, and increases during 
the autumn; these remain all winter, unless it is very severe. 
I am afraid this bird is also nearly extinct after last winter. 

BuackBIRD.—Common everywhere, particularly on the north 
side of Dublin. They come into the town in hard weather in con- 
siderable numbers. I have snared four or five in a yard in Eccles 
Street during snow or frost, and often a couple in open weather. 
Like Thrushes, they increase in numbers during the winter. 

Ring Ovuzen.—On May Sth, 1875, when fishing in the River 
Annamoe, about a mile above Lara, one flew down the side of the 
hill and settled on the root of a dead tree within fifteen yards of 
me. I had a walking-stick gun with me, but by the time I took 
it off my basket and had it almost loaded the bird flew off. 

Rogin.—Common. I once saw a variety with white wings. 

WuHEATEAR.—Numerous in certain places. On its first arrival 
numbers may be seen near the Pigeon House Fort, and also on 
the shore from Dollymount to Dublin. Late in the season, before 
leaving us, they congregate on the North Bull. 

Warncuat.—I shot one of these birds on May 9th, 1875, on 
the side of the road from Roundwood to Annamoe, about half 
a mile from the latter place; but it was so mangled that it was 
not worth preserving. 


BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. 451 


Sronecuat.—Numerous, and breeds in suitable localities. 
I have taken the nests near Roundwood and at Howth. 

Wuireturoat.— Somewhat local. When walking up the canal 
towards Blanchestown, or in the neighbourhood of the Tolka, it 
may often be seen and heard. There many other spots, too, where 
it may be found. 

Wittow Wrey.—Abundant in both counties, and may be 
heard from the first week in April for six or seven weeks. The 
Wood Wren has occurred at Glen Druid, Co. Dublin, but I have 
not met with it myself. 

CuirrcHarr.—Not so numerous as the Willow Wren, but still 
a common bird. 

Sepez WarsBier.—Occurs along every stream, canal, and 
river, where there are reeds or willows, and cover of this 
description. 

GOLDEN-CRESTED WrEN.—Numerous, but seems more abun- 
dant in early spring than at any other time. 

Great Trr.—I have met with this bird in almost every part 
of the two counties; but it is nowhere very numerous. I have 
seen it at times in the squares and gardens in Dublin. 

Buve Tir.—Common everywhere, even in Dublin. Those 
seen in town are generally very shabby, being covered with soot. 

Cott Tir.—Nearly as common as the Blue Tit; in some 
places more numerous. 

Prep Wacrat.—Frequent, though less numerous than in the 
North of Ireland, preferring the neighbourhood of the sea. 

Grey Waerait, Motacilla sulphwrea, Bechst.—Common. I 
have found a pair every few hundred yards, in the spring, along 
the streams in both counties. It is particularly numerous on the 
Tolka, the Dodder, and the stream that runs through Bray. It 
is more generally distributed, and in the spring much more 
numerous, than the Pied Wagtail. 

Sporrep Friycarcuer.—A scarce bird, but every year certain 
places are frequented by a pair—possibly the same pair, as they 
seem to use the same twig to sit on and watch for their prey. 

Raven.—On several days during the month of April, 1874, 
I saw a Raven wheeling about above the mountains on the shores 
of Lough Dan. 

Carrion Crow.—I saw a pair of birds on the evening of the 
24th May, 1878, which I suspect were Crows. They were in an 


452 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


old elm tree at the corner, opposite a grave-yard, beside one of 
Mr. Ion Trant Hamilton’s gates. When I first saw them they 
were moving about near the top. ‘They flew out several times, 
and when on ‘the wing uttered a hoarse croak, deeper almost than 
that of a Raven; then, sailing round, alighted again and again. 
At last they took fright and flew off, and although I often visited 
the spot afterwards I never saw them again. These are the only 
birds I have met with that could be Carrion Crows. 

Hooprp Crow.—This bird I have seen once or twice on the 
Wicklow Mountains in the spring, but oftener on the sea-shore in 
winter, though seldom more than two or three at once. 

Roox.—Met with everywhere, even in Grafton Street, if one 
is up early enough to see it. They destroyed an immense number 
of small birds during the hard weather last winter, and in this 
way they fared well, chiefly at the expense of Thrushes and 
Redwings. 

Jackpaw.—Common. In the spring they come into Dublin, 
and make use of any blind chimneys they can find to build in. 

Macriz.—I have observed this bird in both counties, but 
nowhere abundant when compared with some parts of Ireland. 

STaRLInG.—Common, and increasing annually. This increase 
is most remarkable in the winter flocks. 

GREENFINCH.—Numerous and generally distributed. 

Liyner.—Pretty common in suitable localities. During winter 
large numbers may be found all along the coast. 

Lesser Reppoity.—This bird is far less common here than in 
the North of Ireland. A few pairs breed every year near Dunsink. 
l have also found the nest in different parts of Wicklow, and in 
the County Dublin, but nowhere abundant. 

Twirr.—I have often shot this bird on the North Bull during 
the winter, amongst flocks of other small birds, and also near the 
Pigeon-House Fort. It breeds near the foot of the Dublin 
Mountains, though I have never visited its breeding haunt. In 
December, 1878, it was numerous all along the coast. 

GoLpFiIncH.—Seldom seen in either county. In the neigh- 
bourhood of Rush and Lusk I have observed one or two 
during the winter, and have occasionally heard one in other 
parts of the county. I met with them near Finglass once or 
twice, and once saw a pair near Enniskerry, always in the autumn 
or winter. 


BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. 453 


Siskin. — Observed every winter, but I have never come 
across a flock of more than five or six. They may be heard 
almost any day in winter along the valley of the Tolka, though 
not always seen, as they are generally on the other side of the 
river. J shot a hen bird on March 15th, 1878, in this neigh- 
bourhood. Near Donnybrook Chapel I have seen them during 
winter; and near Bray, and in other places, I have occasionally 
seen a solitary one. I fancy that some of them breed in 
Powerscourt, as I have heard one or two there on June 23rd 
and also on July 1st, 1878, when I happened to be there. 

CHAFFINCH.— Our commonest bird. It is met with everywhere, 
and in some places in large numbers. 

Srarrow.—Common. There is a periodical migration of these 
birds from and to the city of Dublin. They disappear soon after 
the young birds are full grown, and do not return until about the 
end of October or beginning of November, when nice clean, fresh- 
looking Sparrows are to be seen for a short time; but they soon 
lose their clean appearance, and become regular town birds again. 
I have several times seen pied varieties in the streets. 

Common Buntine.—F ound in suitable localities, and numerous 
near the sea-coast from Dollymount to Malahide. In the winter, 
usually, a few may be seen near the Pigeon-House Fort and 
North Bull. 

YELLOWHAMMER. — Common in suitable localities in both 
counties. It seems to have withstood the late severe winter 
almost better than any other bird. 

BLACK-HEADED Buntine.—Local. I have seen it near Bal- 
doyle, Malahide, and also in Wicklow. 

Snow Buntine.-—Hitherto I have considered this bird a regular 
winter visitor; but last winter I did not come across a single 
- specimen. In 1872 there were some hundreds im a flock on the 
North Bull, where there were always a few to be seen until the 
winter of 1877-78. I have twice seen them as late as the first 
week in May. In 1876 and 1877 these birds were frequently to be 
seen between the Coastguard Station and the Pigeon-House Fort ; 
there were five the first year and two the second. They were 
very tame, allowing approach within five or six feet of them. 

Buuirincu.—This bird is getting scarce, particularly on the 
north side of Dublin. In 1871 and 1872 I used to see a good 
many, but since then they have either been destroyed or have 


454 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


left, being hardly ever seen except on the south side of the city 
towards the mountains. 

Sxy Larx.—Common, increasing considerably in numbers in 
winter. 

Merapow Prrerr.—Common everywhere. 

Rock Pirrr, Anthus obscurus, Lath.—This is a scarce bird, 
even in suitable localities. I have seen it all along the coast of 
both counties, but nowhere numerous. The Meadow Pipit out- 
numbers it, even on Ireland’s Eye, where one would imagine it 
would be in a majority. 

Tree Crererer.—I have met with this bird in every wooded 
district. It is easier found in spring, being then more vociferous. 

Wren.—Numerous everywhere. 

Cuckxoo.—In variable numbers every spring. 

KinerisHpr.—I have seen this bird on the Liffey and almost 
every stream north of it. It is found, as a rule, on the same 
rivers as the Dipper, preferring the more sluggish streams. 
During the autumn I have often observed them along the sea. 
On the Clontarf shore, in October and November, they are not 
rare; nor at Malahide and other places. The numbers seem to 
have been much thinned during the past winter. 

GoatsuckEeR.— This I believe to be a very scarce bird. In May, 
1875, I heard one near Lara almost every night for about three 
weeks, but could never see it. I know that they also come 
regularly to Bray, but I never could see or hear them there. 

SwaLLow.—A regular summer visitor. 

Sanp Marrin.—Also a regular visitor, but in limited numbers. 

House Marrin.—-More numerous than the Sand Martin, but 
only in suitable localities. Amongst other places, they breed 
along Howth and Bray Head. 

Swirr.—A regular summer visitor. Very common in Dublin, 
where it may be both seen and heard any day when breeding 
under the slates of a house, and may be heard crawling about and 
squealing almost all night long. 


(To be continued.) 


455 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 


THe Zoonogican Srarion at Napius.— The Zoological Station at 
Naples has undertaken the publication of a new Zoological Record, in which 
equal attention will be paid to all departments of Zoology. A large staff of 
zoologists of various nationalities will act as recorders under the editorship 
of Prof. J. V. Carus, of Leipsig; and the first volume, dealing with the 
literature of the current year, will appear in 1880. All those engaged in 
zoological work on any group of the Animal Kingdom are invited to send a 
copy of their papers to Prof. J. V. Carus, Leipzig, Querstrasse 30, and to 
write on the address “for the Jahresbericht.” Papers so sent will be 
distributed by Prof. Carus amongst the recorders, and, after being abstracted 
for the Record, will be deposited in the Library of the Zoological Station at 
Naples.—Anron Doury (Naples). 


5 


——__—_ 


Aw ALBINO Weaser.—On September 27th I was fortunate enough to 
obtain a pure white Weasel, full grown, a true albino, with pink eyes. It 
was killed by a dog in Soham Fen, Cambridgeshire, on the 17th of the 
month, and has been very well set up by Mr. John Baker, naturalist, of 
Cambridge. This variety is so rare in England that I think it worth 
recording. I have never seen a true albino Stoat. Were such a variety 
procurable I am convinced it would be entirely white to the tip of the 
tail— F RupERicx Bonn (Staines), 


Tue Great Sxva.—In May and June this year a friend and I were in 
the Shetland Islands, chiefly for the purpose of collecting eggs. We had 
the gratification of seeing the Great Skua in its haunts, and it is almost 
worth the journey to see this bird alone; especially interesting because 
so soon likely to become extinct as a breeding bird in Britain. Had 
Mr. Saxby been living, he would not have thought the light-house men 
most to be feared for its extinction; the circumstance I refer to was not in 
existence in his time. As is well known to naturalists, there are only two 
places in Britain where it now breeds, Unst and Foula. In one place I do 
not think we saw more than five or six birds, though the shepherd, who is 
daily on the hills, thinks there may be five or six pairs. From circumstances 
which came to my knowledge, but to which I cannot give full publicity, one 
of these is likely to know the birds no more in a very short time. You will 
appreciate the danger when you understand that, previous to this year, 


456 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


nobody in the locality I am speaking of knew how to drill and blow the 
eggs; but now a person well able to get the eggs is going to do so, and will 
blow them and keep them by him to sell to visitors who may come at any 
time of the year. There are but few visitors in the early part of the year, 
May and June, when the birds are breeding, so they have not been much 
molested by strangers. Money is scarce with the poor people up there; so 
that, now they know how to keep the eggs until visitors come, you may guess 
what chance the few remaining binds nil have of hatching. I need not 
describe the beauty of the bird, nor its flight, nor its boldness in defending 
its nest from intruders. Its courage in swooping down at persons to within 
an inch of their heads must be the admiration of all naturalists, and is 
delightful to see, but this very boldness might easily lead to its destruction. 
On a late occasion some persons got permission to shoot a pair of Arctic 
Skuas, but the Arctics were not the only ones they took away with them, 
“ because they came falling down somehow”! So I was informed. I think— 
as no doubt will everyone who has ever seen the bird—it would be a pity, 
a great loss indeed, should the birds become extinct from man’s cupidity. 
One of the best ways to secure its preservation would probably be to increase 
the number of breeding places. I know of two suitable places, Hascosea 
and Noss; there may be another or two known to some of your readers. 
Lonely places they must be where the Arctic Skua breeds! The 
plan I would propose is to get twenty or thirty Great Skua’s eggs, and 
cause them to be hatched by Arctic Skuas; then the young birds would 
return to breed in the same places, for it seems the Skuas are greatly 
attached to their breeding haunts, and will not forsake them nor leave them 
except they are fairly driven away or killed. Now if they could be established 
in three or four other good places, where perhaps some arrangements might 
be made for their protection (such as, 1 think, Mr. Micklejohn would make 
for Noss) the birds might become numerous again. It would probably take 
two months or more to get the eggs from Iceland,—to make arrangements 
and take care of the eggs whilst hatching,—and, as there would be con- 
siderable expense, I should be glad to help in the matter. It is hardly to be 
expected that anyone would undertake it unaided. From my own experience, 
however, in carrying out a similar plan with Owls, I am sure it might be 
managed, by a suitable person, knowing what to do and how to do it, and 
having time at his disposal. If some enthusiastic naturalist would under- 
take to carry out the plan next year—some one you thought would sueceed— 
perhaps you would receive the subscriptions of those who would like to 
contribute to the preservation of this bird from extinction in the British 
Isles, I think perhaps £20 would serve to get the eggs from Iceland and 
other extra expenses. I commend the matter to the fork of all 
those who would like to preserve our rarer British birds. —W. PuRNELL 
(Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames), 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 457 


GREBES OCCURRING 1N THE I #roxe IstaAnps.—In some notes on 
“The Birds of the Feeroe Islands,” pnblished by me in ‘ The Zoologist,’ 
1872, page 3256, a mistake occurs in the scientific name of one of the 
Grebes recorded in that list. 'The Horned or Sclavonian Grebe, P, cornutus 
(Gmelin), is a tolerably common autumnal and winter visitor to the group. 
I have, or had, a specimen captured in October, 1871—the one referred to 
in my above-quoted notes—and another captured in March, 1873, near 
Thorshavn ; Mr. Hargitt has two or three specimens in his collection, and 
Miiller writes of it as being a common autumnal visitant to the Feroe 
Islands, though it does not breed there. No specimen of the Eared Grebe, 
P. nigricollis, as far as | am aware, has been obtained in Iceland or the 
Feroes. The trivial name given in my list (page 8256 of the volume for 
1872), viz., “Sclavonian Grebe,” is correct; but the scientific term, 
P. nigricollis, is incorrect, and should be P. cornutus (Gmelin)—H. W. 
FEILDEN. 

Manx SHEARWATER IN OXFORDSHIRE AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.—In 
his note to ‘'The Zoologist’ (p. 426) on the Manx Shearwater, Lord Lilford 
remarks, ‘‘ The weather that can drive such a hardy sea-rover as a Shearwater 
some forty miles inland at this time of year is certainly very exceptional.” 
It is, however, worthy of remark that this is not the first time that the 
Manx Shearwater has been obtained in our district in September. In 1839 
Mr. Goatley, of Chipping Norton, records, at p. 2625 of ‘The Zoologist,’ 
that he captured one alive in September of that year. In 1878, at p.185, of 
this periodical I noticed one in my possession caught, alive, at Chipping 
Norton in the winter of 1872-78. At p. 229 of the volume for the same year 
I recorded two instances—one at Framington, Oxfordshire, in September, 
1877; the other at Chacombe, Northamptonshire, date of capture unknown. 
Another was shot at Wroxton, near Banbury—I-am not sure at what season 
of the year, but I fancy in the winter. In Plot’s ‘ Natural History of 
Oxfordshire’ is the following note :—‘ ‘The Cormorant has been observed 
to come hither about harvest time, whereof there was one killed from 
St. Mary’s steeple (tired with a long flight), an. 1675, and another young 
one taken up in Arncot field, fallen down in the corn, and brought me to 
Oxford.” Mr. J.H. Gurney, Jun., in a letter to me, of August 19th of this 
year, suggests that the young Cormorant which had fallen down in corn 
might have been a Manx Shearwater. If Mr. Gurney’s supposition is correct, 
it will be noticed that from the mention of the corn we may conclude it also 
was obtained in August or September. Since writing the above, Lord 
Lilford has very kindly sent me an extract from his note-book concerning 
a second Manx Shearwater in Northamptonshire,—* Shearwater, caught 
feeding with chickens in Northampton, September, 1866,”—and adds, 
“This bears out your views of. the prevalence of September occurrences of 


this species. Ido not understand why Mr. Gurney should suppose that the 
3N 


458 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


young Cormorant recorded in Plot’s ‘Natural History of Oxfordshire’ as 
‘fallen down in the corn’ should be a Shearwater.” It is therefore to be 
remarked that out of six or seven Shearwaters captured in the two counties 
no less than four occurred in the month of September.—C. MarruEw 
Prior (Bedford). 


Uncommon Birps ar Barmourn.—On September 18th, whilst walking 
along the shore at Barmouth, Merionethshire, TJ observed six or seven birds 
sitting on the water a long distance from land, which, by the aid of a good 
pocket telescope, I discovered were Common Scoters. I was afterwards 
informed that there have been a good number of them about. A pair of 
Great Northern Divers were several times seen during the winter on the 
Barmouth Island, but—fortunately for them!—they were exceedingly 
difficult to get near. I picked up a Manx Shearwater in a dying state some 
distance from the town, at high-water mark, and was shown another which 
had been picked up dead almost in Barmouth itself.—J. Backuousx, Jun. 
(West Bank, York). 


GREEN-BACKED Porrnyrio Av Barton.—The Green-backed Porphyrio 
(Porphyrio smaragdonotus, 'Tem., P. hyacinthinus, Brehm, jun., nee Tem.) 
has occurred, for the third time in Norfolk, on August 23rd, on Barton 
Broad, the same locality which produced the last. The specimen is at 
present in the hands of Mr. T. E. Gunn, of St. Giles’ Street, Norwich, 
who informs me that it was a female, with eggs about the size of hemp- 
seed, and weighed one pound seven ounces. It does not show the slightest 
traces of confinement, and I have little doubt it was a migrant hither. The 
species is found as near as the North of Egypt. When in that country; in 
1875, I met with it a few miles from Cairo. It has been confounded with 
the Purple Waterhen of the South of Europe (Porphyrio hyacinthinus, 
Tem.), aud in all probability some of the examples of the Purple Waterhen 
which have been recorded as occurring in England belonged to the more 
southern green-backed species. Four specimens have been obtained in 
Norfolk, but there is good reason for supposing that one of them—the 
example recorded at Hickling—was an escaped bird; the other three appear 
to have been all wild.—J. H. Gurney, Jun. (Northrepps, Norwich). 


SporrED CRAKE IN County Dowy.—L have just received (October 15) 
a fine specimen of the Spotted Crake, which was shot by Mr. Frank 
Thompson, at Baubridge, Co. Down. It is curious that the last vecorded 
Trish specimen was killed by another pupil of mine, Mr. G. E. Armstrong, 
about two years since. This bird has only fallen under the notice of 
Mr. Williams, the naturalist here, three times within the past ten years, 
and I have never myself been fortunate enough to observe it. I do not 
remember to have noticed it in the fine collection of Dr. Burkitt, of 
Waterford, which contains many rarities, including one specimen at least 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 459 


which that well-known ornithologist is unable to identify. This year has 
been a very barren one for many observers in Natural History, and my 
gleanings have been much fewer than in former years.—CHARLES W. BENSON 
(Rathmines School, Dublin). 


Uncommon Birps 1n NorrinaHamsatre.—A Common Buzzard was 
shot, on the 15th September last, at Rufford. Early in the same month, 
as some workmen at Nottingham were one morning proceeding to their 
work, they came across two Shags, or Crested Cormorants, flapping about in 
Cross Street, and after an exciting chase caught them both. They were 
taken to T. White, birdstufter, who tells me they dived for fish in his tank, 
eating several; he kept them alive for two days, but, finding they “did not 
look like living,” killed and stuffed them. J have purchased them for my 
collection. Another was caught in a street close by, and a fourth was shot 
on Mapperly Plains. ‘They were all young birds, possibly from the same 
nest, and haying wandered away, got lost; or they may have been driven 
inland by a gale. Two male Common Scoters were shot on Thornton 
Reservoir, near Leicester, on the 18th September, and forwarded to me. 
Thornton Reservoir is four miles from Bosworth Field, which is about the 
centre of England.—J. Wuirraker (Rainham Lodge, near Mansfield). 


DisTRiBUTION OF THE CaRRION Crow.—Allow me to point out a slight 
inaccuracy in your ‘ Handbook of British Birds.’ It is there stated that 
the Carrion Crow is rare in the HKastern Counties. I think Essex is 
certainly an exception, as it is fairly common about here; and for some 
miles round Felsted, where I was at school, there was scarcely a wood 
where the nest of this bird might not be found. My brother only left last 
year, and he always found a great many eggs of the Crow as well as of the 
Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, and the year before last found a Hobby’s nest 
with four young ones—M. Vaveuan (Finchingfield, Braintree). 

[The statement referred to was founded on the observations of several 
well-known naturalists in the Eastern Counties. See Stevenson’s ‘ Birds 
of Norfolk,’ vol. i., p. 258.—Ep.] 


IMMIGRATION oF Rooks AND OTHER Brrps at Harwicu.—On October 
16th thousands of Rooks, Hooded Crows, Jackdaws, Starlings, and Sky 
Larks were seen coming in from the sea—the first migration observed this 
season. _A Spotted Crake was picked up dead on the railway-line, having 
flown against the telegraph-wires.. On the 12th October a specimen of 
Richardson’s Skua, in immature plumage, was shot on the Dovercourt 
shore; and, at the same place, a Snow Bunting was procured on the 14th.— 
F. Kerry (Harwich). 


Grey Puatarore 1x Beprorpsutre.—A specimen of the Grey 
Phalarope was shot on October 6th by a farmer at Beeston, near Tandy, 


460 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


in this county. It was rapidly assuming its winter dress. It was observed 
swimming about on a pond, and, as is usually the case, was remarkably 
tame. One was also obtained near here during the memorable immigration 
of this species in the autumn of 1866.—C. Marruxw Prior (Bedford). 


VaRInTy OF THE SaANDERLING.—On the 28th August I and a young 
friend observed a small white bird flying in a flock of about twenty others 
on, the sands near Holy Island. We watched them settle, and approached 
the flock from different directions, haying both agreed to shoot at the white 
bird when the flock rose. One bird only fell, which I picked up, an 
old Sanderling; the white bird ‘‘singled” from the flock flying a short 
distance on my friend's side, and when it rose again he killed it. It 
proved to be a Sanderling, but very curiously marked and in perfect 
feather, nearly all white; the centre of the head cream-colour, shaded to 
white, gradually and evenly marked there as elsewhere. The back is pale 
buff, and the outer edges of the outside primaries are rich cream-colour ; 
an even dusky brown V-shaped mark on the back, and the other parts quite 
white ; the beak and legs olive. Jt was very fat, and it was no easy matter 
to keep it clean. However, with great care, I set it up, and it is now as 
clean as can be. Sanderlings were common about this date. The old 
birds first arrive in August in flocks by themselves; they pass on, I 
presume, for I never see them after the end of the month, when the 
young birds arrive. ‘They keep in separate flocks, and after a few days they 
also appear to pass on, for they are afterwards only met with occasionally.— 
C. M. Apamson (North Lesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne). 


SHore Birps on THE Norroik Coasr,—On September 21st Mr. Gunn 
had a. male Grey Plover, with a black breast only slightly broken up with 
white, from Yarmouth, which is a late date for it to have retained its 
summer plumage. A good many Knots and a few Pigmy Curlews have 
been shot at Blakeney during the last week. The Knots were like skeletons, 
having no fat at all upon them, while Sanderlings and Dunlins shot at the 
same time were in good condition. One Pigmy Curlew shot on the 18th, 
by Mr. Ford Barclay, had a cockle on its foot: the bird had evidently 
trodden on it when open, and been caught. A Tern was caught some 
years, ago, near Lynn, in the same mauuver by a mussel, and other similar 
instances have been recorded. On August 11th I received eleven Knots 
in three-parts red plumage from Happisburgh.— J. H. Gurney, Jun. 
Northrepps, Norwich). 


SuproseD Nesting or tue Repwine near Yorx.— Whilst out 
shooting on August 27th I killed a bird which, in the dim evening light, 
looked like a Thrush, but on examining it next day I found it was a young 
Redwing (moulting). The body was a good deal shattered, but the head 
was untouched, and showed the whitish line above the eye very well. "The 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 461 


colour under the wing also was very deep. Does not this clearly prove 
that a pair of Redwings have bred in the county, owing probably to the 
severity of the weather in the early part of the year ?—J. Backuousn, Jun. 
(West Bank, York). 


Brr-EATER IN DerBysatre.—On the 4th May last a pair of these 
beautiful birds were shot in the gardens of Stainsby House, near Derby, 
by James Hawkins. They were flying round some apple and cherry trees 
which were in blossom. The birds were in fine plumage, but rather 
damaged by the shot. One was purchased for the Nottingham Museum, and 
I obtained the other.—J. Wurrraxer (Rainham Lodge, near Mansfield). 


Reportep Nesting oF THE GoLtpEN Eacie in SuHuTLanp.—While 
staying at Kirkwall, last August, I was informed by a gentleman, who had 
just returned from a tour in the Shetlands, that the Golden Hagle had 
nested and brought off its young on the island of Bressay, notwithstanding 
the repeated attempts of a shepherd there to shoot it. I made a point of 
asking whether it might not have been the White-tailed Eagle, but my 
informant seemed perfectly satisfied that it was the Golden Eagle. Ishould 
feel much obliged if any of your readers could give me any further 
particulars, as I cannot help feeling that it is far more likely to have been the 
White-tailed Eagle—M. Vaueuan (Finchingfield, Braintree). 

[The late Dr. Saxby, long resident in Shetland, was unable to obtain 
any satisfactory evidence of the Golden Hagle breeding there.—Ep.] 


Coronm3La Levis IN Dorsetsnire.—l captured a fine example of 
this rare Snake on Bloxworth Heath yesterday, September 26th. Although 
Tam very frequently walking about and entomologising on the heath, at all 
seasons of the year, it is now six or seven years since I obtained a specimen 
of it (Zool. 1872, p. 3113). The length of the example now recorded is 
exactly two feet.—O. P. CamBripex (Bloxworth Rectory). 


Boar-FIsH OFF PLyMouTH.—Since my last note (p. 429) I have had 
some conversation with Plymouth fishermen on the subject. They tell me 
that within a few years these fish have swarmed to such an extent as to 
have become a perfect pest, and that in many instances the trawlers have 
actually been obliged to change their fishing grounds in order to be out of 
their way. Indeed such immense numbers often get into the trawls, and 
and so great is their weight, that they are obliged to cut a large hole in the 
net to let them escape, together with all the more valuable fish they might 
have taken besides, finding it almost impossible to lift such a great bulk on 
board without carrying away their gear. On my telling one of these men that 


462 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the proper name was “ Boar-fish,” he answered, “ And a proper name for 
ein, too, sir, for they be proper bores to us fishermen; but we always 
calls °em ‘Cuckoo-fish.’” It certainly seems remarkable, and worthy of 
notice, that a Mediterranean fish considered rare not many years since 
should now appear on our coasts in such countless numbers.—JouN 
GatcomBe (Durnford Street, Stonehouse). 


Drarn or Proressor Garrop.—lIt is with much regret that we have 
to announce the recent death, from consumption, of Professor A. H. 
Garrod, F.R.S., whose loss will be much deplored by all workers in 
zoological and anatomical science. In his capacity as Prosector to the 
Zoological Society, Prof. Garrod had opportunities as an anatomist which 
fall to the lot of but few, and how well he turned those opportunities to 
account is best known to those who have studied the result of his researches, 
as embodied in the many valuable papers contributed by him to the 
‘Transactions’ and ‘ Proceedings’ of that Society. For some time prior 
to his death, Prof. Garrod had been engaged upon a much-needed. work on 
the Anatomy of Birds, in furtherance of which he was elected to share in 
the Royal Society's grant in aid of Scientific Research; but his failing 
health causing great anxiety to his friends, he was recommended to desist 
from work, and spent some time in the South of France in the hope that 
he might recover. ‘This hope, alas! has proved vain, and the scientific 
world now deplores the death, at an early age, of one of the most clever 
and ‘earnest workers of the day. His readiness to answer questions and 
impart information on the subjects of which he was so good a master. will 
be long gratefully remembered by all who have had occasion, at one time or 
other, to seek his assistance. The announcement of his death only reaching 
us ds these pages were going to press, we regret that we have been unable, 
in the short time at our disposal, to furnish, as we should otherwise have 
done, a complete list of Professor Garrod’s publications. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Entomonogican Society or Lonpon. oe 


September’, 1879.3. Jensen Wein, F.L.S., F.Z.S., ‘Treasurer, in 
the chair. 0, 

Mr. Philip B. Mason exhibited specimens of Harpalus oblongiusculus, 
Dej., taken in August, 1879, at Portland. One specimen had been 
captured there last year by Mr. Harris; but at least a score had now been 
taken in this locality, thus confirming the claim of this species toa place 
in the British list. Mr. Mason also exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Gameys, 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 468 


of Repton, specimens of Huplectus ambiguus, Reich., showing the difference 
between this and the var. “duplo minor” described by Thomson, The 
variety exhibited, which has not been before recorded in Great Britain, was 
taken at Repton in flood refuse during the late spring. 

Miss E. A. Ormerod exhibited specimens of Calandra palmarum, for- 
warded by Mr. D’Urban, of Exeter, as examples of the injury caused by the 
so-called  cane-borers” to the sugar-canes of Demerara. One piece showed 
the commencement of the attack, ‘‘ the preparatory holes made for. it to 
insert its eggs” (as stated in observations from the colony); the second 
shows the complete destruction of the inside fibre of the cane, and in the 
third piece the cane was completely hollowed out. Miss Ormerod remarked 
that these specimens were accompanied by two living larye of the cane- 
weevil, which formed their cocoons whilst on the way, and availed themselves 
for the purpose, of the packing material; the inside of the cocoon being, as 
usual, of fine cane-fibres, but the outside consisting, in one case almost 
entirely and in the other partially, of the straw or grass (still with a few 
empty ears on it) in which the cane was packed. The difference in material 
is rather interesting, as it affords means of tracing the method of plaiting 
and arranging longitudinally as well as twisting the fibres. The pupa was 
found to be dead shortly after receipt, and was shown with the cocoon 
from which it was removed. A single specimen of lepidopterous pupa was 
also sent over, lying in the central gallery it had hollowed in a small cane- 
shoot little more than a quarter of an inch in diameter. This pupa was 
singularly active when received, moving at will for about an inch along its 
gallery ; but though placed in an evenly warm and moderately damp atmo- 
sphere, and left undisturbed, excepting occasional examination, it appeared 
to be dead. The report of the Managers of the Great Diamond Plantation 
furnishes some good notes, in few words, of the general characteristic of the 
attacks of the three Aes cane-borers :—I1st. The lepidopterous larva (pre- 
sumably of the Proceras) has only been found hitherto in growing canes and 
above ground. 2ndly. The larva of the Calandra palmarum is found in 
rotten canes ; cane tops after they are old, though still growing; and in the 
stools below ground. The cocoons in which these insects lie in the chrysalis 
state are nearly always to be found at the extremity of the cine top deepest 
in the ground = 3rdly,. The larva of the Calandra sacchari, which is distin- 
guishable from the C. palmarwm by its smaller size and colouring of dark 
brown and yellow ochre, instead of black, but similar in habits,,and in 
forming an intricate and strong cocoon woven of fibre to protect it whilst in 
the pupal state. With regard to the cutting out of infested cane, and the 
value in product paying expenses, it is noted :—‘‘ Besides burning, ja gang 
of men has been employed cutting out such young canes as show sigus of the 
attack of the insects, and these have been thrown into canals and sunk under 
water. A good many insects are killed in this way, but a great man y escape. 


464 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


In dry weather it might be preferable to make them into heaps on the downs, 
and, after being allowed to dry a little, covered with dry trash or grass and 
burnt. This cutting out was commenced some six weeks ago; and during 
that time 246 acres have been gone over, and although experience is so short, 
it may be safely said that the young cane-stumps look stronger than they 
have done for a long time past, although they have had very dry weather on 
them lately. Fifty punt loads of tops and water-sprouts, which had shown 
signs of the attacks of the borers, have been brought home and ground, and 
the juice showing a density of 10424, after being neutralized by lime, was 
set up and distilled. Sufficient rum and megass were obtained to pay all 
expenses.” Ants are of very great service, as they devour the insects when 
in the chrysalis state, and it is satisfactory to notice that they are on the 
increase. It is evident that to burn fields in which the small red or black ants 
are to be found in abundance is a mistake, as large numbers of the best 
friends of the canes must inevitably be destroyed by the fire. To entice ants 
and other insects known to be antagonistic to grub-life is of vital importance, 
and no trouble should be spared in getting them into the cane-fields. 

Mr. M‘Lachlau stated that the lepidopterous larva proving so destructive 
was probably no other than that of the moth noticed by Fabricius in 1794 
as “ Phalena saccharalis,” and which had been commonly noticed since his 
time in various West Indian and South American plantations. He agreed 
with Miss Ormerod that the only probable means of lessening the amount 
of damage was to be sought in the practice of uprooting and burning all 
infested canes the moment they showed signs of the presence of the larva; 
not by burning them on the ground, but by collecting them and destroying 
them by fire outside the plantations, by which means the risk of destroying 
the natural enemies of the borer would be avoided. From the accounts 
just read it appeared probable that the Calandra only came in after the 
canes had been rendered unhealthy, or were destroyed, by the larva of the 
moth, and thus acted the part of scavengers, completing the work commenced 
by the moth. 

Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited a pair, male and female, of Cicada montana, 
taken in the New Forest, in July, 1879. 

M. Ch. Oberthur communicated the following paper :—‘ Observations 
sur les Lepidopteres des iles Sangir et descriptions de quelques especes 
nouvelles.” Coloured drawings of some of the new species described were 
exhibited. Mee 


October 1, 1879.—Sir Joun Luspocs, Bart., M.P., V.-P.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 

The President first alluded to the loss which the Society had sustained 
by the death of Mr. William Wilson Saunders, F.R.S., who had been 
President in 1841, 1856 and 1857. 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 465 


The President then announced that Lord Walsingham, in conjunction 
with other gentlemen, had placed at the disposal of the Council the sum of 
£100, to be awarded in two prizes of £50 each for the following subjects :— 

1. The best and most complete life-history of Sclerostoma syngamus, 
Dies., supposed to produce the so-called “gapes” in poultry, game, and 
other birds. 

2. The best and most complete life-history of Strongylus pergracilis, Cob., 
supposed to produce the “ grouse disease.” 

No life-history would be considered satisfactory unless the different 
stages of development were observed and recorded. The competition was 
open to naturalists of all nationalities. The same observer might compete 
for both prizes. Essays in English, German, or French were to be sent to 
the Secretary of the Society on or before October 15th, 1882. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan said that, with the greatest respect for the liberal offer 
made to the Society by Lord Walsingham, he nevertheless considered the 
Council had not held sufficiently in view the objects for which the Society 
was instituted when they entertained his offer. The Society was now (as 
almost always) languishing for want of funds sufficient to enable it to 
efficiently carry out its purpose—the advancement of entomological science ; 
and he thought that if this were properly brought undnr the notice of Lord 
Walsingham he might be willing to modify his offer so as to bring it within 
the scope of the aims of the Society. By accepting the offer as it stood he 
thought the Council had exposed the Society to the risk of ridicule. The 
subject belonged more properly to the Linnean or Zoological Societies. It 
was true that the subjects in which the Society was specially interested did 
not consist exclusively of Insects, but they were limited to that division of 
the Animal Kingdom classed under the comprehensive term Arthropoda, 
and in no case could the Entozoa come within that division. 

Mr. Stainton remarked that when he heard an announcement made 
from the chair, in which the Latin names of the species occurred, he fully 
expected that, for the information of the younger members who were 
present, the President would have stated to what order of insects they 
belonged. If the creatures in question were not insects, he could not 
conceive what the Entomological Society had to do with them. Insects, 
Crustacea, Arachnida, and Acari came properly under the charge. of the 
Society, but the Entozoa were quite foreign to its scope, and fell more 
strictly within the province of the Linnean or Zoological Societies, with 
which latter Society he believed Lord Walsingham to be connected. It 
was a case he considered of ultra vires, and when he used that expression 
he was in hopes that he should induce a lawyer whom he saw present to 
rise and say a few words on that text. 

Sir John Lubbock stated that the offer for these prize essays had first 


been made to him by Lord Walsingham, and, as President of the Society, 
30 


466 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


he did not take upon himself to refuse what appeared to him a valuable 
opportunity of extending the knowledge of an obscure group of Annulosa, 
but had forwarded the letter to the Secretary, to be laid before the Council, 
by whom the offer had been accepted. He fully agreed with Mr. M‘Lachlan . 
and Mr. Stainton that these entozoic parasites could in no way be regarded 
as coming within the scope of Entomology proper; but he was of opinion 
that in accepting Lord Walsingham’s offer a useful precedent was established 
for receiving future support from others who might be disposed to extend 
similar aid to the investigation of subjects coming more strictly within the 
province of the Society. In conclusion, the President stated that the Council 
were in the hands of the Society, if any member chose to put the objections 
raised to the acceptance of the offer in question into the form of a resolution. 

Mr. Stainton said that he had no intention of moving aay resolution on 
the subject. He thought the Council was the proper body to deliberate 
on the matter; but if a suggestion were made to Lord Walsingham that 
the development of Entozoa was a subject which came very properly in the 
province of the Zoological or Linnean Societies, but that to the Entomological 
Society the matter was altogether foreign, his lordship would be found quite 
ready to transfer his proposal to one of those Societies. 

Mr. Pascoe observed that the subject was one which should be settled 
entirely by the Council. 

Mr. C. O. Waterhouse remarked that in accepting this offer the Council 
could not be considered to have claimed for the Society any special knowledge 
of the subjects proposed for competition ; they were simply placed in the posi- 
tion of having to award a certain sum placed at their disposal for essays, the 
quality of which they would be at liberty to refer for determination to any 
competent authority, whether in the Society or not. If the prizes had been 
offered by the Council, or to members of the Society only, there would have 
been good grounds for objecting to their acceptance, but as the competition 
was open to any person, whether a member of the Society or otherwise, the 
Council were only the means of communication between Lord Walsingham 
and the essayists, to which no objection could be raised. 

Mr. Philip Henry Gosse, F.R.S., of Torquay, Devonshire, was apsinnn 
for, and elected an Ordinary Member. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan exhibited specimens of an Hemipterous insect just 
received from a gentleman residing near Canterbury, and which, it was 
stated, was causing great damage to hops, being known to the growers as 
the ‘“‘needle-nosed flea.” It was stated that hitherto it had only appeared 
in a restricted area, but this year it occurred over many acres. The’ insect 
proved to be Anthocoris nemorum, and Mr. M‘Lachlan suggested that it 
was on the hops in search of Aphides or other small insects, its habits being 
carnivorous, 80 far as is known. Hence the hop-growers were possibly asking 
advice as to the destruction of what might be ove of their best friends.” ~ 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 467 


Mr. M‘Lachlan also exhibited examples of the larye of one of the 
Embide, found by Mr. Wood-Mason at Jubbulpore on his return to 
Calcutta, crawling on the ground in the open, and also occurring under 
loose bricks; the latter habit being quite in accordance with that most 
generally attributed to the family, although one species (Oligetoma Michaeli, 
M‘Lach.) had been found in a hot-house near London, in all its stages, and 
apparently injuring orchids. The species sent by Mr. Wood-Mason was 
probably Oligotoma Saundersi, Westwood. 

Mr. M‘Lachlan further called attention to the sculptured stones on the 
shores of Lake Léman, alluded to at two previous meetings, and which 
it had been suggested by Prof. Forel might be merely due to the action 
of trichopterous larve, apparently those of Tinodes weneri (larida, Curtis). 
Mr. M‘Lachlan had recently examined multitudes of these stones on the 
shores of Lake Neuchatel, and under peculiarly favourable conditions, 
because recent engineering works had lowered the level of the Lake, and 
exposed many interesting phenomena. ‘The stones, which (as in those of 
Lake Léman) were limestone, were very strongly sculptured, but in differing 
degrees, so as to lead one to suppose that all might not have been acted 
upon by the same agents, or that differences in the texture of the stone 
oceasioned variety in the sculpturing. He was doubtful as to the ability 
of any trichopterous larvz to occasion the sculpturing, and thought it more 
probable the result of the work of Mollusca, but there still remained much 
uncertainty as to its exact nature. 

Mr. Waterhouse, with reference to injury done to hops, stated that he 
had recently inspected a hop garden in Sussex, in which great mischief 
had been done by a species of Homopteron (Huacanthus interruptus), 
probably assisted by an Hemipteron (Lygus). These punctured the leaves 
in which holes were afterwards formed, so that the surface was destroyed, 
and the supply of nourishment to the plants thus prevented. He was of 
opinion that. Huacanthus was likely to have been the cause of the damage 
complained of by Mr. M‘Lachlan’s correspondent. 

Mr. Pascoe exhibited an apparently new genus and species of Acridiida, 
remarkable for its aquatic habits. It was seen in some numbers hopping 
about on the surface of a pool near Para. 

The Rev, A. K. Eaton exhibited larve, pups, and cases of Hydroptila 
(restricted) collected near Val d'Illiéry, Vallais, and Sixt, Haute Savoie. 

Sir John Lubbock exhibited a specimen of Orchesella rufescens, taken 
im, Kent, being a species of Colembola new to Britain, 

Mr. E: Boscher exhibited a coloured drawing showing the extreme forms 
of two varieties of the caterpillar of Smerinthus ocellatus, found, feeding 
respectively on Salia viminalis (osier) and S. triandra (French. willow). 
~ Mr. Wood-Mason communicated a note “ On the Specimens of Narycius 
(Cyphonocephalus) smaragdalus, figured on Pl. L., fig. 3 (male), fig. 4 (female), 
of Trans. Ent. Soc. 1878.” 


468 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Mr. J. S. Baly communicated ‘ Descriptions of Phytophagous Goleaptem 
belonging to the Families Chrysomelide and Galerucide, from Peru.” .\, 

Mr. A. G. Butler communicated ‘“ Descriptions of two new Lepidoptera 
of the Family Sphingidee.” 

Mr. C. O. Waterhouse read ‘ Descriptions of two new Genera and 
Species of Coleoptera from Madagascar, belonging to the Families Tene- 
brionide and Cerambycide.” Mr. Waterhouse also read a paper “ On the 
Affinity of the Genus Polyctenes, Westwood, with a Description of a new 
Species.” —Kt. Mrtpoura, Hon. Secretary. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 


The Capercaillie in Scotland. By J. A. Harvie Brown, F.Z.S. 
8vo, pp. 155.. Edinburgh: Douglas. 1879. 


Tuts book was well worth writing, and Mr, Harvie Brown has 
written it well. We could have wished that while he was about 
it he had told us a little about the former existence of, the 
Capercaillie in England, since there can be little doubt, that 
it was once an inhabitant of our ancient pine-woods,, a surmise 
which is strengthened by the fact that the Britons had,a name for, 
it, ““Ceiliog Coed,” and that its bones have been found amongst 
Roman remains at Settle. We have met with old grants (circa 
1343—1861) of land, in the county of Durham, held. by, the, 
tenure imter alia of paying “one wode-henne yerely,” to the 
Bishop of Durham for the time being, indicating pretty clearly. 
the “‘ Ceiliog Coed,” or Capercaillie. sehitat 

But it.was in Scotland, of course, that, prior to its eukrena 
and reintroduction, it had its chief stronghold; and it was to, be 
expected that Mr. Haryie Brown’s remarks would relate .chiefly, 
to its history in that part of the British Islands where alone it, is, 
to be found at the present day. After examining the, evidence; 
concerning its extinction, in Scotland during the latter, halfof,the, 
last century, he arrives at the conclusion (p,.28) that ‘im the, 
absence of distinct data it is safer to accept the date. of 17.60 -as{; 
that of the extinction of the original stock in Scotland.” About, 
the same date we are,told it became extirpated in, Ireland, the jlast 
survivors, according to Pennant, having been found) at,Thomas;| 
town, in Tipperary. Jn regard to,its last haunts)in bevinity and 
Wales we are at present left in the dark, tuditteil 


a 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 469 


Of the causes of the extinction of the species in Scotland 
Mr. Harvie Brown says but little. “The most likely factors ” he 
believes to be ‘‘ the probable destruction of great forest tracts by 
fire, the cutting down of the same by man as late as the days of 
Cromwell, and the wasting of the forest from natural causes, by 
the conversion of dry forests into bogs and morasses, and 
resulting from this the decrease of, and change in, the food of 
the species.” 

Rutty, in his ‘ Nat. Hist. of the Co. Dublin,’ 1772, speaks of 
the Capercaillie as having been seen in the County Leitrim about 
the year 1710, but adds, ‘‘ They have entirely disappeared of late 
by reason of the destruction of owr woods.” 

In 1827 or 1828 an attempt was made by the Earl of Fife to 
reintroduce this fine game-bird at Mar Lodge, but unfortunately 
the experiment did not succeed. A few years later, however, 
viz., in 1836, through the instrumentality of the late Sir Thomas 
Fowell Buxton, and the co-operation of that fine old sportsman, 
the late Mr. Lloyd, of Scandinavian renown, a number of these 
birds were imported from Sweden, and turned out in the woods 
at Taymouth. The actual rearing by hand was not so successful, 
but in 1841 favourable reports were received of the successful 
hatching of eggs under grey hens, principally in the woods 
of Drummond Hill. They soon became fairly established, and 
about the year 1862 or 1863 the Marquis of Breadalbane estimated 
their numbers on the estate at over 1000 birds, while the head- 
keeper, who tended the birds with the greatest possible care, 
considered that there were over 2000. 

At Taymouth, and all along the Tay Valley, as far as Dunkeld, 
Capercaillies, after becoming fairly established, increased in 
numbers rapidly for a number of years. The whole district was 
in every way admirably adapted to their habits, the Duke of 
Athole and Lord Breadalbane having planted considerable areas 
of their estates in the latter part of the last century, and in the 
beginning of the present one, with larch, Scotch fir, and spruce, 
thus forming for the restored birds the perfection of cover and 
food. 

Mr. Harvie Brown has been at considerable pains to trace the 
direction in which the progeny of this new stock spread from the 
head- quarters at Taymouth; and by means of a circular, which he 
distributed amongst the principal land-owners of east-central 


470 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Scotland, and which was responded to in a very liberal spirit, he 
has been enabled to furnish some interesting particulars con- 
cerning the gradual increase and present distribution of the 
species, ‘The evidence thus collected is arranged methodically 
and clearly, while a small map exhibits at a glance the districts 
(coloured red) wherein the Capercaillie may now be found. 

The author’s concluding remarks on the damage which the 
bird does to young trees by feeding on their growing shoots, and 
in its alleged hostility to the Black Grouse, are not the least 
valuable portions of his essay. 


The Spiders of Dorset; with an Appendix containing short 
Deszriptions of those British Species not yet found in Dorset- 
shire. By the Rey. Ocravius Pickarp CampripGe, M.A.,, 
&e. From the ‘ Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History 
and Antiquarian Field Club,’ edited by Professor JAamrs 
Bucrman, F.G.8., F.L.8. Vol. I. 8vo, pp. 285, with 
three plates. Sherborne: L. H. Ruegg. 1879. 


Hap this volume consisted of a mere catalogue of the species 
of Arachnide found in the county of Dorset we should have 
experienced some difficulty in expressing an opinion on its merits, 
for want of that special knowledge of a subject on which Mr, 
Pickard Cambridge is perhaps the best authority at the present 
day. The very excellent introduction, however, with which the 
volume is prefaced, takes it completely out of the category of 
mere lists of species, and furnishes material for a more lengthy 
critique than we can at present, for want of space, afford. Ina 
future number we shall hope to deal with it more fully, and give 
some extracts from the pages of our author on a subject which 
hitherto seems to have attracted but little attention amongst 
naturalists. In the meantime it must suffice if we direct attention 
to the appearance of this recently-published volume, and recom- 
mend to our readers the perusal of the ‘‘ Introduction”: in 
its entirety. It furnishes an amount of information, clearly and 
intelligibly conveyed, which many, we feel sure, would be glad to 
possess did they know where to look for it. 

As the Spiders found in Dorsetshire include upwards of two- 
thirds of those as yet known to be British, and as an appendix 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 471 


will furnish a supplemental list with Short diagnoses of the 
species not yet discovered within the limits of the county, 
the monograph, when complete, will include all the known British 
Spiders. Mr. Blackwall’s large volume, published by the Ray 
Society in 1861—64, records 304 Species; the present work 
already includes 510, and fresh additions are constantly being 
made to this total by the author and his fellow-workers in this 
special field of observation. 


T'ransactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, 
1878—9. Norwich: Fletcher & Son. 1879. 


TuE last part issued of these ‘ Transactions’ (vol. ii. part v.) 
contains several papers of unusual interest, of which we may 
specially notice that by Mr. Southwell on « Norfolk Decoys.” It 
will probably surprise many of our readers to learn that, in this 
county alone, Mr. Southwell has ascertained the former existence 
of no less than twenty-three decoys, while at the present day 
there are six still in working order. The statistics collected 
concerning the site and dimensions of these decoys, and the 
numbers of fowl annually taken, are very curious, and have fur- 
nished the writer with materials for an article which is interesting 
alike to sportsmen and naturalists. Under the head of “ The 
Gannet City,” Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., gives an account of 
the Bass Rock and its feathered inhabitants from recent personal 
observation. No less than 1000 Solan Geese are said to be 
taken here annually, and the plucking is carried on by five or six 
women who are employed daily throughout the season at one 
shilling and sixpence a day each. The feathers are used for 
beds, and the eggs are taken for food. There are other sources 
of profit, however, besides the Gannets; Rabbits are plentiful, 
and the guano-grown grass affords capital pasturage for a score or 
so of sheep. So that the lessee who farms the rocks for the 
modest rent of twenty pounds a year from the owner, Sir Hugh 
Dalrymple, apparently makes a good thing out of it. 

Mr. Cordeaux contributes “ Some recent notes on the Avifauna 
of Lincolnshire,” in which he compares the present condition of 
his county as regards the range and distribution of certain species 
with its former aspect as depicted by Pennant and Montagu, and 


472 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


some of the older historians; while Mr. Stevenson, in his 
“ Ornithological Notes,” keeps us well informed of the latest 
news concerning birds observed in Norfolk. 

The Society may well be congratulated on the publication of 
so many interesting papers as appear in the present part of these 
‘ Transactions.’ 


A Dictionary of the Thames from Oxford to the Nore. By CuaruEs 
Dickens. Sm. 4to., pp. 268. London: published at the 
office of ‘ All the Year Round,’ 26, Wellington Street. 


Unirorm in size with his ‘Dictionary of London,’ Mr. 
Dickens has just published a ‘ Dictionary of the Thames,’ with 
maps of the river in sections. Its claim to be noticed in these 
pages rests upon the fact that in addition to the information 
usually supplied by guide-books, topographical, archeological, 
historical, and otherwise, it contains a good deal of Natural 
History. Articles on the Geology, Botany, and Ornithology of 
the Thames Valley, written by well-known specialists, will be 
found under these separate headings, and the Fishing is discussed 
both generally and in detail, the following species being separately 
treated :—Barbel, Eel, Gudgeon, Perch, Pope or Ruff, Roach, 
Salmon, Shrimps, Sturgeon, Trout, and Whitebait. The remarks 
on Thames Salmon will be found of special interest, particularly, 
of course, to anglers. The expulsion of this fine fish from the 
river dates apparently from the opening of the docks at the 
commencement of the present century. Faulkner, in his ‘ History 
of Fulham,’ 1813, writes :—“ The Salmon caught here are highly 
esteemed, and sell from 5s. to 12s. per pound. Only one 
was caught here during the last season. They have abandoned 
the Thames since the opening of the docks.” 

Of the articles which do not relate to Natural History ive 
headed “Art and the Thames,” ‘‘ Etymology of the Thames,” and 
“Poets and Poetry of the Thames,” are particularly interesting, 
and deserve special mention. We have no hesitation in saying 
that a better shillingsworth in the shape of a handbook to the 
river is not to be found. 


THE ZOOLOGIST., 


THIRD SERIES. 


Vou. IIT.) DECEMBER, 1879. [No. 36. 


SCYLLARUS AROTUS. 


ON SOME LITTLE-KNOWN FISHES AND GRUSTACEA. 
; By Tuomas Cornisu. 


To the kindness of Professor Bell I am indebted for the 
identification of the first specimen which I obtained of Scyllarus 
arctus, the pretty lobster-like crustacean here figured. This was 
in 1865." He thought at the time that it was the first English 
specimen procured; but I subsequently ascertained from him, 
and from the late Mr. Jonathan Couch, that the latter gentleman 
had anticipated me with two specimens taken from the stomachs 
of codfish, and I believe I was further anticipated by Borlase, 
the historian of Cornwall, who mentions “a fine shrimp” (which 
he took at Longrock, in Mount’s Bay), by a description which 
applies more nearly to S. arctus than to any other crustacean 

3P 


474 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


with which I am acquainted. As this species has been neither 
figured nor described by Mr. Bell in his work on Crustacea, and 
as I have had opportunities of examining more specimens of this 
crustacean, alive and dead, than probably any other observer, 
I propose to describe the subject of the above woodcut, which 
I obtained last August, and which I succeeded in keeping alive 
for fifteen days. 

This specimen, a female in berry, I took in my trammel while 
fishing on a bottom of fine shingle about half a mile off shore in 
about six fathoms of water. This was on August 7th. I placed 
it in an extemporised aquarium on a bottom of fine gravel, the 
water being entirely renewed twice a day. I did not feed it at all. 
It proved to be—as the late Mr. Jonathan Couch surmised, in 
writing me, it would be—very sluggish in its habits. In shape 
like a Galathea, without prehensile claws, and with all its legs 
covered by the carapace, it remained usually at rest on the 
bottom of the aquarium, or else slowly crawled about with its tail 
tucked in under it; but if suddenly disturbed it would exert a 
rapid and somewhat powerful back-spring action by quickly 
extending and recovering its tail-fin and tail, just as the Shrimp 
does. I think I detected it twice routing up the sand with its 
broad, rounded exterior antenne, as if feeding; but I am not 
clear on the point, and possibly the action which I saw may have 
resulted from an instinct of defence, although of course it is 
extremely probable that the antenne are thus used for feeding 
purposes. 

Everything about the upper exterior of the carapace suggests 
defence, but not so much against attack as against wave injury. 
The eyes are sunk in deep sockets, and each is protected by three 
large and numerous small stout spines. ‘I'wo rows of spimes on 
each side of the carapace and one down the middle of the back 
protect the shell, which is in addition covered with hard sealy 
excrescences. ‘he dorsal half of the tail is protected by similar 
excrescences. The broad exterior antenne are each divided into 
an upper and lower lobe, the lower one jointed on to the upper 
one, at about one-third of its length from its base. Both lobes 
have independent lateral action and a downward vertical action, 
and are strongly ribbed. When spread in hfe they are the 
broadest part of the whole animal. The interior antenne le 
between the exterior, and are jointed in five articulations. ‘They 


ON SOME LITTLE-KNOWN FISHES AND CRUSTACEA. 475 


can be folded up so as to be placed entirely under the protection 
of the exterior pair. All the legs have curved pointed single 
fingers, and none have any prehensile hand. The front pair of 
legs have a very strong arm and wrist anda stout claw. The 
second and the third pair of legs are longer than the first, and 
reach as far forward. ‘The under surface of the carapace is 
protected by the same scaly processes as the upper. 

When the animal les in what is apparently its natural 
attitude, anchored by its three sets of foremost legs, and with 
every one of its legs under the cover of the carapace and its 
exterior antenne spread in front and lowered to a level with 
the bottom, so as to form a shield, it looks as thoroughly and 
effectively on the defensive as well can be. In front of the 
working fore-legs there is a pair of small appendages, in 
appearance somewhere between legs and pedipalps,* furnished 
with ciliated terminations, and used, I imagine, for sweeping the 
very small atoms of food on which the animal exists into its 
proper mouth. 

The prevailing colour of the animal is reddish brown, with 
cross-bars of dull coral colour, pointed with ultramarine blue 
across the interstices of the joints of the tail. The stalks of the 
eyes are dull coral colour, and the eyes themselves very large. 

Of the two specimens now lying before me,t the larger 
‘measures 4 inches from the extreme point of the external 
exterior antenne to the bend of the tail, and 13 inch across the 
broadest part of the exterior antenne, with 14 inch between 
the exterior spines of the eyes; and the smaller 33 inches over 
all as before, 12 inch over the broadest part of the antenne, and 

7’ inch from spine to spine outside the eyes. 

[We have shown these observations to Mr. E. J. Miers, of the 
British Museum, who has paid special attention to the Crustacea, 
and he has favoured us with the following note:—“ Of recent 
years several occurrences of this species have been recorded in 
the British Channel. Mr. Spence Bate (Ann. Nat. Hist. 11. 1868, 
p- 117) mentions its occurrence at Penzance and near the entrance 
of Plymouth Sound; and specimens are in the collection of the 
British Museum from Mount’s Bay, Cornwall, and the island of | 


* (These are the first maxillipedes, which are pediform.—Ep. ] 
+ Only remains of specimens, T am sorry to say; both were taken alive and in 
berry, but in noting these details | have ruined both of,them. 


476 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Guernsey. It is very common in the Mediterranean, and occurs 
also on the coast of Portugal, at the Canaries, and Madeira. 
Dana, it should be noted (‘Crustacea of the U.S. Exploring 
Expedition,’ 1852, xii. p. 516), has, with good reason, placed the 
Scyllari of Milne-Edwards’ first section in a separate genus, to 
which he has applied the name of Arctus, and the Scyllarus arctus 
of authors, which is the type of the genus, is named by him 
Arctus ursus.” } 

Syngnathus brevicaudatus.—In ‘ The Zoologist’ for 1872 (page 
3274) I noted the occurrence of a rare Syngnathus, new, I believe, 
in British seas. On the 19th August last I took another specimen 
in my trammel in Kenegie Bay here in about six fathoms water. 
Beyond noting again the beautiful vertical markings of the fish, 
I have nothing more to add to my former deseription. This 
specimen made and retracted—at will, apparently—a queer little 
projection under its gills, having the appearance of a tiny jibsail 
with its foot forward. 

Scyllium catulus.—This fish, the Spotted Dogfish, is known 
here as the “ Land-dog.” I caught two in August last, the 
smaller of which was less than a foot in length over all. 

Pagrus vulgaris.—A specimen of the Braise, or “‘ Becker,” was 
brought to me on the 16th August, caught in Mount’s Bay. It 
was beautiful in colour and in excellent condition. I cannot 
agree that it is by any means a common fish. In ‘all my - 
fishing excursions I have not seen a dozen specimens. Couch 
states that this fish is migratory in its habits, and its visits are 
confined to the summer and autumn, leaving us on the approach 
of colder weather at the beginning of winter. 

Motella vulgaris.—On the 20th August last I procured a female 
Three-bearded Rockling close inshore, full of roe partially 
matured. 

Motella quinquecirrata. — A specimen of the Five-bearded 
Rockling was taken on a small hook off the rocks on the same 
day. This species, as a rule, is not found in such a depth of 
water as the Three-bearded Rockling. The most singular fact in 
connection with it is its habit of nest-building, the nest wherein 
the spawn is deposited being invariably formed of the common 
coralline, Corallina officinalis, thrust into some cavity or crevice 
of a rock close to low-water mark. It is well described by Couch 
(vol. iii. pp. 108, 109). 


BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. AT7 


Galathea Andrewsit.—On August 22nd I took an example of 
this species on the roots of some sea-weed in the trammel on our 
usual six-fathom ground. 

Doris tuberculata.— At the same place and time. 

Carystes cassivelaunus.—From the stomach of a Bass on the 
same day. 

Atelecyclus heterodon.—Same day. I found two very small 
specimens in a boat which had been “ crabbing” in deep water. 

Lepadogaster cornubiensis.— Under a stone amongst the 
shingle at low water, on August 22nd, we took a specimen of the 
“ Cornish Sucker,” so named because first noticed in this part of 
England, although now known to be widely distributed. It is 
generally found in shallow water, and fastens itself to one place, 
without moving, for hours together.. It preys on the smaller 
Crustacea, which it swallows whole. Full-grown specimens 
measure four inches in length. 


THE BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND, WICKLOW. 
By H. L. Cox, M.B. 
(Concluded from p. 454.) 


Rinc Dove.— Numerous in the wooded districts. Their 
numbers increase in the autumn and again in early spring. 
Whether they gather into large flocks or move farther south, 
I cannot say; but they do not seem so numerous in the winter 
as before and afterwards. 

Purasant.—A. few stragglers may be met with about the 
country that have strayed from preserves. 

GrovusE.—Numerous in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. 

Parrripce.—Not yery plentiful, although I have shot them 
several times within a mile and a half of Dublin. 

Quait.—I once heard a Quail calling in a field between 
Malahide and Donabate, and on another occasion I heard one 
near the Vartry Reservoir; om both occasions in the spring. 

Common Heron.—Abundant during spring and autumn. 

Curtrw.—I have met with this bird during every month in the 
year along the sea coast. ‘Those I have shot in the latter part of 
spring and early summer are small birds with extraordinary long 


478 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


bills, which I conclude are barren old birds. ‘They are common 
from autumn to spring; most abundant in autumn. I have heard 
and seen them in the Wicklow mountains in spring and summer. 
Though never able to find a nest, I think they breed there. 

Wurmsreu.—I have met with this bird in spring and autumn ; 
and in spring it is very common. In May it may be seen at 
Clontarf in considerable numbers, and any night during that 
month may be heard flying over Dublin. In autumn it is not 
nearly so numerous, and, though it may be heard passing over at 
night, the flocks are not to be seen on the shores. I met with 
one on April 1st, 1878, at Dollymount—the earliest date I have 
met with it in the spring. 

Woopcocx.—A regular winter visitor, in variable numbers. 
I met with one in May, 1873, near Lough Dan, where a friend 
found the nest containing four eggs, hard set. I have seen other 
eggs that were taken in that neighbourhood, and have heard of 
the birds being seen there during summer. 

Common Snipr.—Resident, and is increased by foreign arrivals 
in autumn. They breed in considerable numbers all over County 
Wicklow, and may be seen and heard drumming over nearly every 
suitable spot, particularly in the neighbourhood of Roundwood, 
but the nests are difficult to find. In bard weather almost all the 
Snipe met with are home-bred birds. One would be inclined to 
think these would be the first to migrate; but I have noticed | 
here, as well as all over Ireland, that the longer snow and frost 
last, the smaller is the proportion of foreign birds killed; thus 
pretty well proving that Snipe bred in Ireland do not migrate to 
anything like the extent one would suppose. I am inclined 
to think they merely shift their quarters from one part of the 
country to another. . 

Jack Snrpe.—A regular winter visitor; more numerous towards 
the end of November and beginning of December than at any 
other time. 

Bar-raiLeD Gopwir.—Common. A few may be met with in 
August, the breast still buff; after this they increase each moult 
till November, when hundreds may be seen along the coast. In 
mid-winter the flocks are larger on the shores at Shetton, Dolly- 
mount, and Clontarf. In severe winters fewer remain, hard 
weather driving them farther south. In early spring there are 
always fresh arrivals, in small flocks; these have nearly all 


BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. 479 


disappeared by the end of April; two or three stragglers sometimes 
remain a few days later. A pair stayed through nearly the whole 
of May, 1878. I shot them on the 25th; they were male and 
female, and still had the light breast. The eggs in the female 
were about the size of B shot. This is about the latest date at 
which I have met with them. 

RepsHank.—Common, but not so numerous as it used to be 
some six or seven years back. It is most frequent late in autumn 
and in winter, I have never found it breeding in either county, 
though I once saw a pair at the end of April near the source of 
the Vartry River. 

GREENSHANK.—A regular autumn visitor to some parts of the 
coast, though in some seasous in much smaller numbers than 
others. In 1874 there was hardly one to be found, whereas in 
1877 there were considerable flocks. I saw one flock of from 
thirty to forty at the end of October, that year. I have met with 
them nearly everywhere along the shore; but they are always 
most numerous at the inlet about half a mile north of Donabate. 
An odd one sometimes stays through the winter, and I have once 
or twice seen or heard one during the vernal migration. 

Common Sanpprper.—A regular summer visitor, and a pair or 
two may be met with quite close to Dublin, on the Liffey or 
Dodder. I have seen it along most of the streams, and have found 
the nest occasionally. 

Dun1in.— Common from the end of August till the beginning 
of May, remaining till the breeding plumage is almost assumed. 

CurLEwW Sanppieer.—I have only met with this bird once in 
this district. ‘lowards dusk on the 19th September, 1874, while 
walking along the sand outside the Bull, I saw a pair running 
in the direction of the bent, in which they crouched. One of 
these I captured with my hat; the other escaped. I never again 
saw any in this neighbourhood, though I often watched for them. 

PurrLe SANnDpPIpER.—A very scarce bird on the Dublin and 
Wicklow coasts, though a few pass every year. In October, 1876, 
I saw four or five about Ireland’s Kye. On another occasion 
I saw a pair on the shore some miles north of Malahide. This 
bird frequents particular kinds of rock which are not found on 
the coast here, viz:, trap and basalt. 

Knor.—Abundant all along the coast. When just arrived in 
August it is so tame as almost to allow one to catch it. I have 


480 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


frequently thought it must be a wounded bird which could not fly. 
During winter very large flocks may be seen, after the ebb has 
set.in, flying about on the North Bull, at Malahide, Donabate, 
and, at. low water, passing the Pigeon-House Fort. These birds 


are among the first to leave in spring ; the large flocks have mostly , 


disappeared before the end of March. 

TurnstonE.—Numerous in autumn and late spring. It is 
nowhere abundant; but on Ireland’s Eye, in September and 
October, I have met with it in larger flocks than anywhere else. 

OysTERCATCHER —Large flocks may. be seen in winter and 
spring near the Pigeon-House Fort and on the North Bull. 
I have seen them about Ireland's Eye, Lambay, and Howth in 
spring and summer, so I suspect that a few breed there. 

Grey PuarAropr.—lI shot one on the North Bull on the 9th 
September, 1879—the only one, I believe, obtained in the neigh- 
bourhood for many years. 

SaANDERLING.—Passes regularly twice a year, about September 
and May. They remain, on their passage north, until most of 
them have assumed their breeding plumage, when they congregate 
in very large flocks. In autumn they are more numerous, but in 
smaller parties. 

Grey Prover.—A regular autumnal visitor, but: most of them 
pass on before winter, the few that remain disappearing very early 
in spring. As Ihave never met with any on their way baal to 
the north, I fancy they must take some other route. 

GoLDEN Prover.—Most plentiful late in autumn and early 
winter, except in mild winters, when they remain. Their numbers 
increase again in February, and in the Wicklow mountains I have 
found very large flocks in March and April; in the latter: month 
all with the breast partially black, and usually tame. I have heard 


their note and seen odd ones later on, when they must have soa 


breeding. 


GREEN Piover, or PeEEwrr.—Breeds abundantly in parts. of! 


Wicklow, and a few in County Dublin. ; 

Rivcep Prover.—I have found the eggs of this bird on the 
North Bull, on the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock, at Malahide, the 
Pigeon-House Fort, and other places. It breeds all along the 


coast, but nowhere very plentifully, ‘The nests are always difficult | 


to find. 
Water Rart.— This I consider a scarce bird, having met 


"OO ee 


BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. 481 


with very few. They are certainly difficult to flush, and many 
are missed from their habit of running, aided by the nature of the 
ground they frequent. In a swamp near the Sugar Loaf I saw 
two of these birds several times in March, 1870, and 1 have once 
or twice met with one in other parts of Wicklow. 

Lanpram.—A regular summer visitor in variable numbers. 

WarERHEN, or Moornen.—Common. I have met with it 
along almost every stream, canal, or wet ditch in both counties. 
It increases in numbers, I fancy, in winter. is 

Coor.—I have seen a few on the Vartry Reservoir in early 
spring, and in winter at the upper part of the Malahide estuary, 
also at the one near Donabate, and on the Swords river in 
April. 

Swan.-—In January, 1870, when lying on the low part of the 
North-Bull wall, waiting for a pair of Mergansers to come within 
shot, I was startled by hearing a bullet whizz over my head. 
I looked about me without raising myself much, when I saw a 
Swan crossing the wall below me, and three sportsmen some 
hundreds of yards on the other side. They fired several balls, 
but as I was no longer between them and it I was able to watch 
the bird, which flew in the direction of Howth. Where it came 
from or went to I do not know, for though I looked for it for a 
week after I never saw it again. The following winter, about 
Christmas or a little after, three stayed for about ten days between 
the Bull and the shore, generally near the Sutton end. These 
J often thought were escaped tame birds. In April, 1875; a Swan 
was pointed out tome on the water between the Pigeon-House 
Fort and Kingstown Harbour, but by the time I had rowed round 
the Lighthouse it had vanished. In April, 1876, when about five 
or six miles straight out from the mouth of the Liffey, a flock of 
birds ‘were seen on the horizon, flying in a northerly direction, 
which turned out to be Swans when looked at through a glass. 
These ‘are the only Swans I have seen in the district.’ I cannot 
say of what species they were—most probably Bewick’s Swans. 

WHITE+FRONTED Goosr.—In March, 1873, a flock of thirty- 
seven of these Geese stayed for a few days about the old targets 
on the North Bull, generally on the water. In January, 1874, 
I saw a single’ Goose flying over the Bull Bridge. It seemed to 
alight at the north end of the Bull, and was probably a White- 


fronted Goose. 
3Q 


482 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Brent Goosn.—A regular winter visitor to all the estuaries 
along the coast, but does not come close into Dublin Bay in any 
numbers till February, though a few are generally to be seen about. 
T shot one of a flock as late as May 5th, and I have seen them up 
to the 15th, but only single birds or a pair as late as this. Its 
numbers increase all along the coast towards the end of January 
and February. 

SHELDRAKE.—Appears in October in small flocks, which 
generally remain until after Christmas, when their numbers 
increase. I have observed the largest flocks in March and the 
beginning of April, after which those that remain are generally 
paired. 

Witp Ducx.—Most plentiful in winter, but even then not 
numerous. I have found it breeding in several parts of Wicklow. 

Trat.—Most plentiful in winter. I believe a few breed in 
Wicklow, as I have found it paired and unwilling to leave a certain 
spot; once near the source of the Vartry river, and again on the 
bog behind the Sugar Loaf, both in the latter part of May, 1875, 
but I could not find a nest. 

Pintam.—In January, 1872, I saw a pair with some Widgeon 
in Dublin Bay, and again in January, 1873, I saw a single bird 
with Widgeon. 

SHovELLER.— One night in January, 1872, I shot a drake out 
of a flock of four, below the targets on the North Bull. In 
January, 1874, I winged a drake out of three that were crossing 
the Bull wall, but lost it. These are the only birds of the kind 
I have met with myself, but I saw another which had been shot 
on the night I obtained the first-mentioned bird. 

Wincron.—By far the most common duck in the district. In 
hard weather, as in December, 1878, their numbers increase to a 
wonderful extent. I have seen small flocks at the end of April. 

Scaup.—Met with sparingly in all suitable places. There are 
generally some in or about the mouth of the Liffey. They are 
most numerous in February and March. 

Turrep Duck.—I have seen some at Malahide, and off Clon- 
tarf I have twice obtained one; but it is very scarce. 

Pocuarp.—I have noticed flocks of this bird early in October, 
when scarcely any other of the duck tribe have arrived. In 1877 
they were unusually numerous, but only stayed a short time. 
They are now scarce in winter, but used to be more plentiful. 


BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. 483 


GoLDENEYE.—Numerous everywhere along the coast, and as 
usual the young and female birds are in the majority. , At the 
end of March or beginning of April, in most years, there is an 
increase in the number and size of the flocks. 

Emer.—About the winter of 1869 or 1870 some of these 
ducks came into Dublin Bay, but soon left; they were very wild, 
I believe one was killed and preserved. I saw a pair on the 4th 
November, 1876, when I fired at the old drake as the pair passed 
over my head, but did not stop it. 

RED-BREASTED Merrcanser.—-Decreasing in numbers all along 
this coast. Years ago I have seen flocks of five or six commonly, 
and of thirty or forty occasionally. During 1877 I saw but one 
large flock and only a few stragglers, and still fewer in. 1878. In 
May, 1877, when fishing in the River Annamve, I saw five Mer- 
gansers; they were always within a limit of a mile and a half. 
Later on in the same month one had disappeared, and two pairs 
were still there; these remained until the middle of June, and 
I thought they were breeding somewhere along the river, but 
never found a nest. 

GoosanpER.—A scarce bird, though I haye seen it several 
times. In January, 1871, there was one constantly diving along 
the Clontarf shore. I once got a long shot at it, but it dived at 
the flash and rose far out of range. During the winter of 1871-72 
three frequented the same neighbourhood. I once saw a single 
bird near Donabate; I think it was in the winter of 1874-75. At 
the beginning of December, in the same winter, three appeared 
for a week or ten days off Clontarf. 

-Crestep Greps.—In the winter of 1870-71 I saw one of these 
birds near the Pigeon-House Fort, and hunted for it for some 
hours, but never got a fair shot at it, though it was fired at 
several times with a heavy gun; the ebbing tide ended the chase 
at last, as.our boat grounded. 

_Dascuicx.—I, once. saw three of these birds on the sea near 
the Lighthouse at the mouth of the Liffey. I have constantly 
seen them at Malahide and Donabate; but they do not frequent 
the sea on this coast in winter, as they do in the West, where 
dozens may be seen at once almost any day. On the Vartry 
Reservoir a number may always be seen in spring and summer, 
and isolated pairs in other suitable spots where they can breed, 

Rep-rHroateD Diver.—The commonest of the three Divers, 


484 THE \ZOOLOGIST. 


I have’ seen it all along the coast; but it is most plentiful in 
April in Dublin Bay, where it remains till about the 10th or 
12th of May. rect ners) 

Buack-THRoATED Diver.—The  searcest of the three~ Divers. 
I have ‘twice met with it in winter, but it is'!more frequent in 
spring.’ On'the 13th May, 1876, I got a long shot at onesam full 
summer plumage, but it escaped through the ‘wire: cartridge 
balling: On the 2lst April, 1877, when walkimg: towards: the 
Lighthouse; one rose beside me within tem yards, not showing 
any! alarm, and continued to dive and rise im nearly the same 
place for some time. This bird had the black throat, andovas in 
splendid plumage. I ‘saw it almost every day a5 ten it: after 
this about the mouth of the Liffey. doin 

Great NorrHEerRN Diver.— A regular winter visibory bowtjtlike 
the others, a larger number are seen on their northern passage. 
The number is somewhat regulated by the wind; the more easterly 
and the stronger it is, the more numerous: this: and the: other 
Divers are in Dublin Bay in the spring. t [eitraq 

Guittemor.—I have met with this bird in Marchoccasionally, 
but in April and May it is fairly numerous, generally remaining 
about Dublin Bay until it has assumed the chocolate head, when 
it departs for its breeding haunts. | During ‘summer. scarcely 
any are to be met with nearer than Lambay, where a:few may be 
seen.’ ‘They again appear on their autumnal migration. 

Buack Gurtemor.--A few breed round Howtli Head. | T have 
seen from ‘two to five pairs there every year, but in 1878 Donly 
noticed one pair. I have also seen them in’ Dublin) Bay in 
autumn and winter in small flocks. \wotr 

RazonpisL.—More numerous in spring than anyother time. 
In April and May flocks of from twenty to thirty may sometimes 
be seen onthe Liffey, from the Pigeon-House Fort: down to its 
mouth, and also outside. A few stay all summer. }:)'There is an 
increase in their numbers in autumn, but not so great ‘as imispring. 
T ‘have obtained. one or two: every month through. thei twinter. 
East winds and frosty weather always bring them ins! ))i0/9 6 

Purrin.—I have only once or twice seem this: bird off the 
' Dublin'-coast;: and always in ‘the’ spring. The! few I: have seen 
were always north of Howth, near Lambay. 19 

‘Cormorant.— Disappears almost’ entirely sim April, ities 
only stragglers ‘are met with, until. September, after which they 


r 
: 


BIRDS OF DUBLIN AND WICKLOW. 485 


imerease in numbers till about February or March, when large 
numbers may be seen. A few breed on Ireland’s: Eye’ and 
Lambay. 

Suac.—Seldom observed along this coast. I shot one at the 
mouth of the Liffey im April, and have seen them in Dublin Bay, 
near Ireland's Hye and Lambay, generally in autumn and winter. 

GanneT.— When crossing in the steamers or yachting, during 
spring, summer and autumn, a few of these birds may be seen 
some miles out to sea. During a long continuance of east winds, 
in April, I shot one while feeding in the Liffey near the Pigeon- 
House Fort. 

Arctic Trrn.—<A regular spring and autumn visitor, in some 
numbers, but almost all pass on north after a stay of three or 
four weeks., ‘This is by far the commonest Tern during spring. 

Common Trrn.—Like the last-named, a spring and autumn 
visitor. Along the Dublin coast, as far as my experience goes, 
this: bird is scaree compared with the Arctic Tern, nor is:it so 
partial to salt water. 

Buack! Trrn,:—In a stiff easterly breeze during the last week 
in April, 1877, one of these birds stayed a couple of days'in the 
Liffey, near the end of the North Wall. 

Lussrr ‘Trern.—A regular spring and summer visitor. I first 
noticed it, in 1875, when on May 19th I saw two birds going before 
a squall; on the 22nd, just a little after daylight, I got a glimpse 
of three, and on the 24th procured one.; A few days later a large 
«number of these birds came in and about the Liffey. I, found 
nivieteen pairs of them breeding in Co. Dublin that year, and took 
a few eggs. I believe they have since been found breeding on the 
Wicklow coast.' Some years only five or six pairs,;come; the 
largest flock I have seen at once was forty-five. 

Noppy Trrn.—I was once lucky enough to ‘see one) ofthese 
birds, but failed ito procure it in consequence of haying putin a 
“eartridge of No. 12) shot fora Sanderling. It was at the mouth 
of the Liffey, about: 7 P. m., May 12th, 1877, perfectly calm—not 
a cloud in the sky, although there had been a stiff 8.H. breeze all 
day. ‘The:bird flew in from the bay, close:past- the boat; I fired 
at it, andat flew on badly wounded and fell somewhere ‘near the 
Battery on the wall above the Lighthouse. |The tide was low at 


othe time, and I suspect it fell among the large stones covered 


with long dark sea-weed, and was probably found by one! of the 


486 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


hungry rats with which this wall abounds. We looked till darkness 
ended our search, but never succeeded in finding it. 

RosEaTE Tern.—I believe I recognised one of these birds, 
amongst a flock of Arctic and Lesser Terns, feeding near the 
Lighthouse, one morning in May, 1876. 

Litre Guii.—I saw one feeding with a number a 
other Gulls, chiefly Blackheads and Kittiwakes, on the Liffey 
at Kingsend, on December 6th, 1876. It came quite close to us 
several times, a westerly gale blowing at the time. I neyer saw 
it afterwards, though it remained about for a week, and a friend 
of mine saw it on three different days, and recognised it from 
having once obtained one himself in Scotland. 

BuLackK-HEADED GuLL.—Common all the year round, except 
from June till about the end of August, when the greater number 
retire from this locality, returning when they have nearly lost 
the black head, and leaving when or soon after they get it. 

GreEAT BLACK-BACKED GuULL.—F ormerly much more numerous. 
There are always a few pairs and small flocks of four-or five along 
the coast, but these are nearly all immature birds. In early spring 
I have noticed large flocks occasionally on the North Bull and 
near Malahide, but these do not usually make a long. stay,—a 
change of wind occasionally taking them off, 

Lesser, Buack-BackED Guiu.—I have met with immature 
birds, during winter, but they are not seen in any number until 
spring. . Towards the end of March a few arrive, and in April 
large flocks may be seen al] along the coast. They again diminish 
in numbers’ in May. Ihave come across an odd pair now and 
then in June and July out in Dublin Bay and farther north. They 
appear again, on their return south, in August and September. 

Herring Guru.—Breeds round Howth Head, on Ireland’s 
Eye, and Lambay, and seen at all seasons along the coast. In 
spring'a good many may be found about the North Bull. . 

Gravcous Guit.—During January, 1871, a large fish was’ 
washed up on the north end of the Bull, and I noticed one of 
these Gulls constantly at or about it for a week or ten days, when 
it disappeared. It was very wild, and I and a friend made many 
fruitless attempts to get within shot. 

Common Guiu.—During winter and early spring I have always 
found this bird most numerous, though there are generally a few 
about. 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 487 


KirrrwakeE.—Common. Its numbers are greatly increased in 
April and May by fresh arrivals, which disappear by June. It 
breeds on Lambay. 

Sxua.—I never obtained a Skua along this coast, though 
I have often seen them in Dublin Bay, near Bray Head, Ireland’s 
Eye, and farther up the coast, always in autumn. They were 
probably Richardson's or Buffon’s. 

Manx SHEARWATER.— An uncertain spring and autumn visitor, 
although in some years there are thousands. In May, 1875, 
Dublin Bay was literally full of them; in 1877 I could not get 
a single specimen. 


Hrrata.—P. 451, line 9 from top. The statement having reference to the 
oeeurrence of the Wood Wren in Co. Dublin should have been Editorial.;; P. 453, 
line 11 from bottom, for ‘‘last winter” read “in the winter of 1877—8,”, P, 454, 
line 16 from top, for “it is found” read “it is not found.” 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 

ORIGIN OF THE NAME “ Puss.”—The cat was worshipped in Egypt as 
a symbol of the moon, not only because more active at night, but from the 
priests conceiving that the contraction and dilatation of the eye afforded an 
emblem of the increase and decrease of the moon’s ever-changing orb. In 
the British Museum may be seen several figures of the cat-headed goddess 
Pasht, under which name the moon was worshipped by the Egyptians, 
Pasht signifying the face of the moon, ‘ Pasht” is compounded of the 
consonants, P, SH, T;,T is the Coptic feminine article, which, being 
omitted, the name is reduced to P.SH, but the aspirate SH, should be the 
tenuis $, and then the word would be PS, as in Hebrew, which may be 
pronounced “ Pas” or “Pus” (Puss). It thus appears that our familiar 
name for the cat can boast of a very high antiquity.—J. E. Harrine. 


Rep Firrip VoLE 1 Dryonsuire.—A second specimen of the Red 
Field Vole, or Bank Vole, Arvicola glareolus (Schreber), was, brought to 
me on the 7th November by Mr. A. Dudley, of Ide, near Exeter. A careful 
examination of the molar teeth established the identity of the species, which 
may now be added with certainty to the Devonshire fauna—W. S. M. 


D’Urzan (Curator, Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter). 


Lone-ratLED Duck 1x Cornwaru.—I have never heard of the Long- 
tailed Duck in Cornwall in its full plumage, but it occasionally occurs in 
winter in its immature form, without the elongated tail-feathers. On the 


488 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


30th October one was sent me from an inland parish, some miles from 
the sea, and—from its size and the greater intensity of the dark brown 
dorsal plumage—I should think it will prove to be a male.—Epwarp 
Hearve Ropp (Penzance). 


SHOVELLER AND Bar-TaILep Gopwir at Repcar.—On August 2nd 
I shot a female Shoveller, Anas clypeata, at the Tees-mouth. It was one 
of a brood which had evidently been reared in the locality, and several 
otheis were obtained in a neighbouring marsh. On the same day I also 
procured a fine specimen of the Bar-tailed Godwit in full summer plumage, 
one of a pair which appeared unusually early, the large flights not arriving 
until the end of August or beginning of September.—T. H. Netson (Redcar). 


OrniITHOLOGIcAL Notes From West CUMBERLAND.—A Peregrine was 
seen last March near Hall Bolton, in Gosforth parish, by a gamekeeper, who 
was sufficiently near the bird to distinguish a white feather in its left wing. 
I heard of a Raven’s nest on Skiddaw, and on March 26th, after a toilsome 
climb through bitter sleet and snow, reached it and found six eggs. The 
two specimens I took were exceedingly hard set. Soon after I-heard that 
three young Ravens had been taken from another nest on Skiddaw, and 
were for sale. I sent for one of them, and kept him for about a month, at 
the end of which time he got loose, and, after once or twice circling round 
above the house, made off for the mountains, where I trust he still lives. 
From a Buzzard’s nest on Miterdale Head Crag, in Eskdale, a perfectly 
white egg was taken, on April 6th, and sent to me. There were two more 
nests near. A pair of Goosanders were seen on Wastwater on April 22nd; 
the duck, I regret to say, was shot and eaten, and the drake soun left. The 
Swallow was first seen on April 26th, and the Cuckoo first heard the 
following day. On April 28th some eggs of the Common Snipe, hard set, 
were brought to me, These birds breed here in increasing numbers every 
year. The Landrail was first heard on May 11th, and on May 18th 
I found a Grey Wagtail’s nest containing five eggs. A female Golden 
Oriole was shot in the adjoining parish of Irton in 1857, and a Hoopoe was 
killed at Calder Abbey, Beckermont parish, in 1851, both of which were 
preserved. A Solan Goose, rare in this district, was shot on the coast at 
Braystones last winter. After the late severe gales 1 found several Puffins 
dead on the beach, which had evidently been blown and washed across from 
the Isle of Man. I hear, on good authority, that a pair of White-winged 
Crossbills were observed several times in the Hall Santon Woods, in Irton 
parish, in the summer of 1878. The Common Crossbill is not uncommonly 
seen in the larch woods at Hall Santon.—Cuaries A. Parker (Gosforth, 
Carnforth). 


“NyxmurDER” A Name For THE BurcHEr-BIRD.—I venture to 
sugyest that the derivation for this term given on p. 404 (footnote) is not 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 489 


altogether correct, and that ‘“‘nynmurder” is equivalent to the German 
name ‘neuntodter,” which I believe is applied both to Lanius ewcubitor 
and to L. collwrio,, and was embodied by Boie in, the generic name 
“ Hnneoctonus,” proposed by him for the latter species. The German 
term is founded on the popular idea (still current in Hanover) that the 
Butcher-bird slays and impales nine victims every day.—J. H. Gurney 
(Northrepps Hall, Norwich). 


Axpine, Swirr at Fincatuy, Mippiusux.—L have lately received full 
particulars, relating to, the occurrence of an Alpine Swift, which was killed 
at. Finchley during the first week in August, 1860, by Mr. Bates, farmer, 
of that. place. He tells me that he was looking for a hawk which he had 
previously seen, and was standing with his gun in his hand, when he saw 
the bird coming towards him at a great height. From the great length of 
its wings and its way of soaring, he mistook it for the hawk for which he had 
been waiting, and as soon as it had passed overhead he fired at it. The shot 
took effect, and the bird slowly fell to the ground in the Islington Cemetery, 
in the Finchley Road, about a hundred yards from where it was shot. He 
had the bird set up, and it is still in his possession, but he did not know 
what it was until I told him, on my attention being called to it by a friend 
who ‘had seen the bird, but was equally ignorant of the species.—W. J. 
STERLAND (New Southgate). 


Scorer and SHAG in NorTHaMProNsHIRE.—The female Scoter shot 
in Northamptonshire, on August'20th (p. 427), was doubtless the partner of 
my bird obtained, the day before, at Shefford, in Bedfordshire. A Shag has 
been |recorded. oncé, or twice from the neighbouring county of Oxon, and 
it seems» a ‘curious fact that when these birds and Cormorants: do come 
inlandthey often perch on steeples, no doubt considering them the: best 
substitutes for rocks.—C. Marruew Prior (Bedford). 


r 


nic 


SHORE Lark IN CorNWALL.—Two very prettily marked specimens of 
this Lark were shot a day or two since in St. Monyn, a parish not far from 
Padstow, on our north coast, and adjoining Trevose Head. The black and 
yellow markings about the head, chin, and sides of the head are well 
shown, and I was surprised to see the yellow tone so developed, as Yar rell, 
I t nink, speaks of this colour fading twenty-four hours after death.— 
Epwanp Hearne Ropp (Penzance). 


“ae cir Conouk oF FraTaErs IN Live Birps.—It is stated, 
in Fletcher and Kidder’s ‘ Brazil,’ that the Indians have a curious art’ by 
which they change the colour of the plumage of many birds, They pluck 
out a certain number of feathers, and in the various vacancies thus occasioned 
infuse,the milky secretion made from the skin of a small frog. When the 
feathers grow, again, they are of a brilliant yellow or orange colour, without 

oR 


490 THE ZOOLOGIST, 


any mixture of green or blue, as in the natural state of the bird; and, it is 
said, the yellow feather will ever after be reproduced without a new infusion 
of the milky secretion.—J. E. Hanrina. 


Late Nestine or tak YELLOwHAMMER.—On August 28th a friend 
of mine found a Yellowhammer’s nest containing two eggs. The bird 
subsequently laid two others, and sat upon three, one having been 
accidentally broken. Is not this unusually late, even allowing for the 
backwardness of the season ?—Arruur Brae (Chiddingstone). 


DorrereL 1x Norra Devoyn.—Towards the end of last May a trip of 
Dotterel visited the neighbourhood of Barnstaple. Three of the birds were 
shot and brought into the town. It is only at very long intervals that the 
Dotterel is seen in the West of England.—Murray A. Marsew (The 
Vicarage, Bishop’s Lydeard). 


Furmar Perren anp Terns at Repoar.— On October 16th two Fulmar 
Petrels were foundon the sands. One was taken alive opposite Coatham, and 
is now in my possession; the other was picked up east of Redear. Terns 
remained with us very late this year; on the 17th there was a large flock 
at the Tees-mouth, and a friend of mine shot two examples of the Arctic 
species. On the 23rd I walked close to a small flock of six sitting on 
the sands near Redcar, and two were seen fishing near Redcar Pier on 
the 24th.—T. H. Netson (Redcar). 


Extraorpinary AsseMBLAGe or SHort-EARED Owts.—On the 6th 
November, when shooting at the Romau encampment, commonly called the 
“Black Beacon,” near Cromer, I saw an extraordinary number of Short- 
eared Owls. First a pair got up, and then a single bird or two, but about 
2.30, out of a small valley on the heath, where there are some young larch 
trees, nine rose, and afterwards, from another part of the heath, where 
there are a great many thriving young Scotch firs from five to ten feet 
high, about twenty got up, not all at once, but by twos and threes in rapid 
succession, so that there was no doubt of their being all members of one 
flock. | We certainly did not see less than forty in the course of the afternoon, 
allowing for seeing some twice over; and J think, though it was impossible 
to count them, thatreckoning the single’ birds—there were nearer fifty. 
It'is very common at this time of year to see one or two, but T never 
saw anything approaching this before—J. H. Gurney, Jun. (Northrepps, 
Norwich). 


Skuas aND CorMOoRANT IN OxrorDsHIRE.— A fine specimen, of 
Richardson’s Skua was killed, at Milcombe, in this county, on October 1th ; 
and about the same time a Common Skua, at Eydon, Northamptonshire, 
about ten miles from here. On November 7th a Cormorant was procured, 
shot at Clattercut Reservoir—O. V. Artin (Bodicote, near Banbury). 


OCCASIONAL NOTES. 491 


Hen Harrier at Scry.—One of the finest examples of this 
-beautiful ‘species, in the character of the female or ringtail plumage, was 
sent over from the islands on October 30th. Its length, which I carefully 
ascertained, was twenty-two inches, and the whole of the under parts, 
including the thighs, were of an uniform cinnamon colour, without blotch 
or streak, giving the bird at first sight, when lying on its back, the 
appearance of the immature Montagu’s Harrier. The last-named. bird 
has been much more frequently met with at Scilly than the Hen Harrier, 
‘and it may be said that the former is far more abundant generally in 
Cornwall, at least in the Land’s End and Lizard districts— Epwarp 
Hearre Rovpp (Penzance). 


A Wurte Porrin.—Early in June last an almost white specimen of 
the Puffin was picked up alive on the sands between Redcar and Marske, 
and is now in the possession of a gentleman at Redcar. The bill is in the 
winter stage, and, with the exception of a few cinnamon-coloured feathers 
on the back, the whole of the plumage is white.—T. H. Newson (Redcar). 


Caprturié or A TorPEDO, oR Cramp Ray, at Beer, Drvon.— 
Mr. 8. Good, photographer, of Seaton, to whom I have been indebted for 
interesting specimens on several previous occasions, kindly sent me a 
female specimen of the Torpedo, or Cramp Ray, which was taken in a 
trawl-net by some Beer fishermen on the 28th October. It measured 
2 feet 9% inches in length, and 1 foot 8} inches across the back at the 
widest part. The spiracles were devoid of fringes, and the first dorsal fin 
was situated nearly entirely behind the roots of the ventrals. The outline 
of the head in front was straight, being only slightly concave in the centre.. 
The colour was a uniform dark brown above, and pure white on the under- 
side.; There were no traces of spots. It is doubtless.Torpedo habetans, Lowe. 
I examined the electrical organs, and the appearance of the peculiar 
gelatinous substance of which they are composed strongly reminded me 
of the egg-clusters of the Squid sometimes thrown up on our shores. I did 
not perceive that the cells were hexagonal in shape. They more resembled 
in form the cells in the pulp of a dry-fleshed orange... This fish is so rare 
on this,part of the coast, none having occurred, it is said, for at least thirty 
years, that, its power, of giving an, electrical, shock appears, to have been 
unknown, to its captors, At alljevents the first of them, who laid, hold of it 
received so severe a practical illustration of this part in its Natural History 
that his comrades thought he would have jumped overboard. The specimen 
has been preserved for this Museum; but, at the best, fishes of this family 
have but a sorry appearance when stuffed—W. 8. M. D’Ursan (Albert 
Memorial Museum, Exeter). 


Rare Fis. on tae Norrork AND SurroLKk Coast.—Mr. Gurney has 
recorded (p. 3142) the occurrence of a Sword-fish, captured at Sherringham 


492 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


near Cromer, in July last. ‘This fish was taken to Yarmouth, and exhibited 
on the Race-course there; but, in consequence of some difficulty with the- 
authorities, it was sold for six shillings, and what eventually became of it 
I could not learn. On the 28th September a Thresher Shark, taken in 
the herring-nets off Lowestoft, was brought on shore there, and immediately 
forwarded by rail to London, It was seen by my informant, Mr. Massingham, 
the harbourmaster of Lowestoft. A newspaper paragraph states that on 
Saturday, October 25th, a “ barking” (sic) Shark was exhibited at South- 
wold by a fisherman named Hudd, who had captured it in his nets, It ° 
was said to weigh three-quarters of a ton, and measured 144 feet in length. 
The man expressed his intention to forward it to a “ London museum.” 
The Basking Shark has more than once been found entangled in the 
herring-nets by our fishermen.—T. Souruwe.t (Norwich). 


i 


PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 


Linnean Socrery or Lonpon. 


November 6, 1879.—Prof. Arman, F.R.S., President, in the chair, 

In opening the Session of 1879-80, the President made a few remarks 
on the demise of Mr. W. Wilson Saunders and Mr. John Miers, two old 
and respected Fellows of the Society, whose scientific labours in connection 
therewith have been highly appreciated. 

Mr. W. H. Twelvetrees, of Orenburg, Russia, was elected a Fellow of 
the Society. 

Dr. Francis Day read a paper “ On the Instincts and Emotions in Fish.” 
He observed that during the last few years, while biologists have given 
attention to the faculties of many animals, those of fish have received but 
scant attention; and even of late, Cuvier’s estimate of their total want of 
intelligence is quoted as authentic by English authorities. He endeavoured 
to combat this notion, and adduced a great many examples, both from his 
own experience and the data afforded by other writers, as evidence of what 
may be regarded as emotions and affections. He pointed out that they are 
both monogamous and polygamous, construct peculiar nests, occasionally 
carry about their eggs; protect and defend their young with, great vigour ; 
occasionally exhibit affection for one another; can be tamed and recognise 
human’ beings; manifest fear, anger, hatred and revenge; have peculiar 
modes of defence; in certain instances utter sounds; hide themselves when 
danger warns, or betake themselyes for protection to the bodies of other 
animals ; even leave the water for food, &c.; and lastly, certain species, even 
of different families, form combinations for attack and defence. At the same 
time he considered that it could hardly be expected that. these, the lowest 
form of vertebrated life, have their faculties so acutely developed as in the 
higher races. He felt justified, however, in claiming for some, at least, of 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 493 


the finny tribe that they have attachments, whether in the form of conjugal 
feeling, paternal and maternal affections, or even of platonic friendship. 

Some botanical photographs were exhibited, and two interesting papers 
read, viz.:— On the Coffee-leaf Disease,” by Mr. D. Morris, and “ On the 
Origin of the (so-called) Scorpioid Cyme,” by the Rev. George Henslow. 
The abstruse character of the latter paper was rendered comprehensible 
by some ingeniously contrived apparatus elucidating the changes in spiral 
vegetation,—J. Munrig. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 


The Amateur Poacher. By the Author of ‘ The Gamekeeper at 
Home,’ and ‘ Wild Life in a Southern County.’ Post 8vo. 
London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1879. 


Tue author of this book, who gives no clue to his identity 
beyond the initials “R. J.” at the foot of his preface, is already 
known to our readers by reputation, his two former books having 
been noticed in the pages of this journal. In the present volume 
he gives us an insight into some of the many devices which human 
ingenuity has contrived for capturing wild animals, more especially 
those which come under the denomination of “‘ game.” We are 
taught how to set a rabbit-snare, how to outwit a hare, how to 
secure a pheasant with the least trouble and least noise, how 
to take a pike with a wire, and other similar accomplishments, 
all of which usually come under the definition of “poaching.” 
These inventions, improved upon at various times and in 
various ways, must have originally been suggested by close 
observation of the habits of the animals whose destruction they 
were designed to compass ; and our author, not content with a 
mere description of each trap or snare, points out in most cases 
the peculiar trait in the animal’s character which has had to be 
counteracted by the superior intelligence of man in the struggle 
of instinct versus reason. He borrows no facts from other 
authors, but narrates the results of his personal observation as 
jotted down by him during his country rambles. Nor are his 
remarks confined to game: we find some pretty glimpses of bird- 
life. Here is an observation anent Yellowhammers :— 


“The female Yellowhammers, whose hues are not so brilliant as those 
of the male birds, seem as winter approaches to flock together, and roam 


494 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


the hedges and stubble-fields in bevies.. Where loads of corn have. passed 
through gates the bushes often catch some straws, and the tops of the 
gate-posts, being decayed and ragged, hold others. These are neglected 
while the seeds among the stubble, the charlock, and the autumn dandelion 
are) plentiful; and while the ears left by the gleaners may still be found. 
But in the shadowless winter days, hard and cold, each scattered straw is 
sought for. |A few days before the New Year (1879) opened I saw a 
Yellowhammer, attacking, in a very ingenious manner, a straw that hung 
pendant, the ear downwards, from the post of a windy gateway. She 
fluttered up from the ground, clung to the ear, and outspread her wings 
just as the breeze does on a paper kite, and there the bird remained 
supported without an effort while the ear was picked. Now and then the 
balance sas lost, but she was soon up again, and again used the wind to 
maintain her position. The brilliant cock birds return in the early spring, or 
at least appear to do so, for the habits of birds are sometimes quite local.” 


The professional poacher’s account of himself, given in the 
vernacular, furnishes a good illustration of the author's powers of 
observation, combined with the rare merit which he possesses 
of describing accurately without exaggerating. 

We may take it that the present volume is not designed to 
teach the; art of poaching, but, by exposing the machinations of 
the poacher, to enable intelligent keepers, under their master’s 
direction, to outwit that urch enemy of the game-preserver. 


The Natural History of Selborne, and the Naturalist’s Calendar. 
By the Rey. Giwperr Wuirr, A.-M. A New Edition. 
Edited, with Notes, by G. Curtsrorner Davies, Author of 
‘The’ Swan and her Crew,’ &c. Post 8vo, illustrated. 
London: Warne & Co. 1879. ; 


ALTHOUGH we are unable to understand how any necessity 
can possibly have arisen for another edition of White’s ‘ Selborne,’ 
three different editions having appeared within the last, three 
years, we are willing to admit that any attempt to increase. the, 
popularity of this already popular book is worthy of commenda- 
tion, provided the text is left as White wrote it, and is not 
overloaded with notes which, upon examination, are found to 
be neither, useful nor releyant. In the present instance the 
editor’s chief merit seems to lie in the brevity of his notes; we 
should like to haye added also in the accuracy of them. 


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 495 


With the commentaries of so many previous editors to fall 
back upon, there was less excuse for tripping than there otherwise 
might have been, and we fear that Mr. Davies has relied too 
strongly upon his own acquaintance, or rather want of acquaintance, 
with some of the subjects dealt with in the text.. A few instances 
will suffice. In a note to White’s observation that ‘a little 
yellow bird still [2. e., in August] continues to make a’ sibilous 
shivering noise in the tops of tall woods”’ [Letter X. to Pennant], 
Mr. Davies suggests that the Grasshopper Warbler is intended. 
But the Grasshopper Warbler is not a little yellow bird, nor is it 
in the habit of frequenting the tops of tall woods. White 
obviously referred to the Wood Wren. At page 41 Mr. Dayies 
states that there are about twenty species of British Bats. 
Fourteen is the number of species included by Mr. Bell in the 
last edition of his ‘ British Quadrupeds,’ and one or two of these 
have occurred so very seldom as scarcely to entitle them to be 
termed indigenous. The supposition that there is only one 
species of Newt in this country would not have been hazarded 
had Mr. Davies referred to Bell’s ‘ British Reptiles,” or the more 
recent work with the same title by Mr. M. C. Cooke. In ‘The © 
Zoologist’ for February last (p. 61), will be found a note which 
establishes the existence of three species of Newt in the British 
Islands. It was previously supposed that there were four. The 
statement that the Pied and Grey Wagtails do not migrate 
(p. 112), is not.in accordance with what has been observed of these 
birds, although we have not space here to enter upon proofs. 

We cannot say much for, the engravings. The. best are 
copies (electros, we presume), of Wolf’s illustrations to Johns’ 
‘ British Birds in their Haunts,’ engraved by Whymper.| . These 
were charming when they first appeared, but as they have been 
published ‘some seventeen years, and have been used over and 
over again in different books, many of them are much worn, and 
the impressions consequently are not satisfactory. Of the rest, 
some, as, for instance, the Weasel (p. 51), and the Shrike (p..108), 
are mere caricatures. The editor, we feel sure, can have had no 
hand in selecting the illustrations, or he would never have allowed 
a poor representation of a Fallow-deer to do duty for a Red-deer 
(p. 20), or have put forth the portrait of a Common Curlew as a 
faithful likeness of the Stone Curlew, or Thick-knee (p. 55). 
Nor would hé have given us (as on p. 86), a picture of the 


496 THE ZOOLOGIST. 


Brambling to illustrate White’s remarks on the Snow Bunting. 
Why figures of such birds as the Knot and the Puffin, of which 
no mention is made by White, should be.introduced (pp. 69, 71), 
we cannot say. 

We make these remarks in no spirit of unfriendly criticism, 
but rather in that spirit of acewracy which especially characterises 
the writings of Gilbert White, and which all writers on Natural 
History would do well to emulate. 


Ostriches and Ostrich Farming. By JuLius DE MosentHan and 
JAMES Epmunp Hartine. Second Edition... 8vo, with 
numerous illustrations. London: Triibner & Co. 1879. 


Tue first edition of this work appeared in 1876, and was 
noticed in ‘The Zoologist’ for that year at page 5173. The 
favourable reception accorded to it both at home and abroad, and 
the marked recognition of its utility by the French Société 
d’Acclimatation, which awarded the authors une medaille de la 
premiére classe, encouraged the hope that.a second edition might 
be as favourably received. This new issue contains a reswmé of 
such fresh information of importance as has been received in- 
connection with the subject since the appearance of the first 
edition, including the report of the Committee appoimted by the 
Chambre .Syndicale of Paris to report on the best’ means of 
developing and encouraging Ostrich-farming in Algeria and other 
French colonies. The present aspect of. Ostrich-farming in 
South Africa is discussed, and the current prices of birds of all 
ages given from recent quotations. Two new models of incubators 
are described, and some suggestions are offered on the nature and 
treatment of certain diseases to which these giant birds*are found 
to be liable in confinement. 

The full-page illustrations by Mr. T. W. Wood, of the Ostrich, 
Rhea, Emu, Ceram Cassowary, and Apteryx, which were drawn 
expressly for this work from living birds in the Zoological 
Society's Gardens, Regent’s Park, are very characteristic, and, 
together with the numerous other woodcuts with which the book 


is interspersed, render the volume as complete a i on the 
. Subject.as it was possible to make it. entire SED 
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