384- Zoology. 



tularis Stephens); and on getting off, to examine the spot, I 

 found a nest with about eight eggs. I took off my hat, and 

 put some dry herbage into it, upon which I placed the lining 

 of the nest with the eggs, dividing one from the other by a 

 little of the lining ; upon which I put more of the herbage, and 

 thrust my head carefully into my hat, and rode quietly home 

 about the distance of six miles : and from the time I found 

 the eggs until I could procure a hen was about* the space of 

 two hours and a half; and in about one week the birds were 

 hatched. I have since tried this experiment on eggs mowed 

 or reaped over in the harvest time, and found it to answ^er : 

 the warmth of the head in the hat being of sufficient tempera- 

 ture to prevent the eggs from spoiling, taking care to walk or 

 ride quietly until a hen can be found. I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 — -J. a Dec, 12. 1831. 



Another Instance of Poultry hatched by the common Buz^ 

 zard [Fdlco Biiteo L., Buteo vulgaris Fleming). — There is, 

 in the garden of the Chequers Inn, at Uxbridge, a buzzard 

 that has been known in the neighbourhood for twenty years, 

 and has occupied her present quarters for half that time. 

 About eight years ago she first showed an inclination to sit, 

 by collecting and bending all the loose sticks she could obtain 

 possession of. Her owner, noticing her actions, supplied her 

 with materials : she completed her nest, and sat on two hen's 

 eggs, which she hatched, and afterwards reared the young. 

 Since then, she has hatched and brought up a brood of 

 chickens every year. She indicates a desire to sit by scratch- 

 ing holes in the ground, and breaking and tearing every 

 thing within her reach. This last summer, in order to save 

 her the fatigue of sitting, some young chickens, just hatched, 

 were put down to her ; but in this case she did not forget her 

 natural appetite, but destroyed the whole. Her family at 

 present (June, 1831) consists of nine; the original number 

 was ten, but one has been lost. There is another brood of 

 chickens in the same garden, but they never venture within 

 her reach. When flesh is given to her, she is very assiduous 

 in tearing and offering her food to her nurslings ; and appears 

 very uneasy if, after taking small portions from her, they turn 

 away to pick up grain. — W, Yarrell. Ryder Street, St. James's^ 

 Nov. 7. 1831. 



A white Water-Hail. — Recently a specimen of the water- 

 rail (Rail us aquaticus) was received from Berkshire, every 

 feather of which was of a pure white. The rich coral colour 

 of the beak formed a singular and beautiful contrast to the 

 delicate hue of the plumage. The specimen was sent for 

 preservation to Mr. Leadbeater, to whom I am indebted, for 

 the information. — -4. B. Feb. 16. 1S32. 



