Zoologg. 147 



Norfolk, during the hawking season, as its jesses were on when taken, and 

 were not much worn. The warrener observed the hawk pursuing astock- 

 dove with astonishing rapidity over the open part of the warren. The 

 dove, to evade the stoop of the falcon, darted down to a rabbit burrow; 

 but so close was her pursuer that both were caught in a large trap set for 

 rabbits at the entrance of the hole. The bird is now in my possession. — 

 J. D. Hoy. Stoke Nayland, March 26. 1830. 



The Cuckoo. — I once heard the cuckoo's note (Cuculus canorus) at 

 midnight. This occurred some years ago, as I was coming from Castleton 

 to Douglas in the Isle of Man. It was moonlight, and I enjoyed a 

 delightful walk en solitaire^ my reveries being frequently interrupted by this 

 interesting note, unusual, if I mistake not, for the " witching hour." — 

 J. Murray. Carmarthen, April 2. 1830. 



Anew Species of Marten. — The following is a description of a short- 

 tailed marten, which I believe has not before been noticed in any zoological 

 work : — Marten, ^'pus. Length, 4f in. ; breadth, 14 in. ; bill dusky ; iris 

 dark brown ; chin white ; forehead and fore part of the eyebrow light 

 brown mixed with white; rump and corresponding parts of the sides 

 white ; all the rest of the plumage blackish mouse-colour, with an obscure 

 greenish gloss; the primary and secondary quills, except the three 

 outer, having narrow light tips ; the wing curves considerably, and mea- 

 sures 5iin. from the bend to the tip, reaching 1 in. beyond the tail, which 

 is even when expanded, and very short, being scarcely more than half an 

 inch in length; feet black ; tarsi short and feathered; foretoes directed 

 forward ; claws black, strong, and much hooked ; the feathers of the spu- 

 rious wing are remarkably large, the outer one being more than IJin. in 

 length ; the under tail-coverts are of a bluish mouse-colour. This marten 

 is a common bird in Southern India, and does not at all differ in its habits 

 from the black marten or swift of Europe. It is not described in Griffith's 

 Animal Kingdom ; and has not the forked tail which is assigned to the 

 family by Cuvier's remark in the text, that " the martens ( J'pus) have 

 the tail forked," and that of the writer in the Supplement, who says the 

 same thing. Yours, &c. — A Subscriber. March 23. 1830. 



Torpidity of Frogs. — On the 24th of December, 1829, as I was looking 

 at some men digging clay for brickmaking, part of the bank which they had 

 undermined gave way, and exposed a small cavity near the surface, in 

 whieh were five toads, two frogs, one large yellow-bellied water newt, and 

 two large black shell-less snails. I was very much surprised at the odd 

 assemblage of reptiles choosing their winter quarters together. In conse- 

 quence of the irregular falling of the clay, I could not find the aperture by 

 which they had got in. They all of them moved, the frogs most ; though 

 at that time the snow lay thick, and we had some severe frosts for a week 

 before. — Scolopax rusticola. Chilivelly near Nottingham, Aug. 30. 1830. 



Snakes taking the Water. — Several notices having appeared in your Ma- 

 gazine relative to the fact of snakes occasionally taking the water (Vol. I. 

 p. 397., and Vol. III. p. 450.), I beg to state that it is by no means an un- 

 common circumstance. I have myself repeatedly seen a snake, on being 

 surprised, take to the water, and appear quite at home in that element, 

 moving rapidly through it, either diving beneath or gliding above the sur- 

 face; in the latter case, with the head somewiiat erect. I apprehend that 

 this reptile will take the water for security on being surprised (as above 

 Stated^ or for convenience to transport itself from one side to the other ; 

 or, perhaps, occasionally for the sake of food.* Hence I conclude it is, 



* This suggestion seems to receive support from the curious fact, com- 

 r municated by your correspondent Mr. Murray, of an adder having seized 

 the artificial fly of an angler. 



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