Queries a?id Answers. 397 



Since writing the above, it occurred to me to consult Bewick, the only 

 authority I have at hand, where I find the following : — " It is a curious 

 fact, that when a cow happens to bring forth two calves, one of them a 

 male, the other a female, the former is a perfect animal, but the latter is 

 incapable of propagation, and is well known to farmers under the denomin- 

 ation of a * free martin.' It resembles the ox, or spayed heifer, in figure ; 

 and is considerably larger than the cow." The criticisms and confirmations 

 of your correspondents on this subject, will, Sir, oblige, yours, &c. — U. 

 Cambridge y Jan. 25. 1832. 



Information and Queries on the Trachea^ or Windpipe^ of the Dun Diver 

 (Mergus Castor). — Sir, Mr. Rennie, in his edition of Montagu's Ornitho- 

 logical Dictionary (see p. 218. of that work), has left it still undecided 

 whether the trachea of the dun diver has two enlargements, as that of the 

 goosander (ilfergus Merganser L.) has ; or only one. As an instance has 

 recently occurred here of the trachea of the dun diver differing from that 

 of the goosander, I beg, through your Magazine, to inform him of it. The 

 bird was in the exact plumage of the dun diver, and was brought to me on 

 December 17. 1831. It weighed lib. 13 oz.; its length was 2 ft.; its 

 breadth 2 ft. 4 in. ; and the length of its bill 2\ in. The trachea of this 

 bird had only one enlargement; the labyrinth was large and bony; as the 

 bird was shot in the body, its sex could not be discovered by dissection. 

 The trachea has been preserved. Is this bird to be considered an imma- 

 ture male of the goosander ? and is the trachea ever found to alter with 

 age? — T. K. Dublin, Feb. 7. 1832. 



A Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax cristatus Cuvier) was brought to 

 me on Jan. 24. 1832. -It was a female, and contained a large bunch of 

 eggs, about the size of dust shot, three or four of them about the size of 

 No. 4. shot, and a little detached from the bunch. It can scarcely be con- 

 sidered as having attained its breeding plumage at this season. Is it to be 

 considered a variety or not ? — Id. 



Is the Water Rail (Rdllus aqudticus') migratory or not ? — Bewick states 

 it to be so ; Latham that it is so only on the Continent ; on which point 

 Temminck is silent. Now, on the 24th inst., I had two brought to me, 

 which were caught on the top of our cliff, among the fortifications, at least 

 two miles removed from any spot congenial to their habits : the impression 

 on my mind is, that they had just arrived from the opposite coast, and had 

 dropped from exhaustion, as I have noticed with woodcocks at the time of 

 their migrating into this country. From notes I have by me I find that rails 

 have been caught in a similar manner in two or three other instances; but 

 from my having met with them at all times in this neighbourhood, I cannot 

 believe that they are migratory, but merely change their locality. Perhaps 

 some of your more informed readers can dispel my doubts. I am. Sir, 

 yours, &c. — E. P. T. Dover, March 25. 



The Senegal Sparrow, a Species of 'Fringilla. — A little more than three 

 years ago, a relative brought home with him from Charleston, South Caro- 

 lina, several birds, under the name of cut-throat sparrows, or Senegal 

 sparrows, which, I believe, he purchased from an African vessel. He had 

 several males, though but one female ; and she, with one male, was, soon 

 after her arrival at Liverpool, transferred to Lord Stanley's aviary at 

 Knowsley : two of the males he gave to me. One of them I now unfor- 

 tunately have it in my power to pack up and forward to you ; my cat, not 

 having been educated by your correspondent Cattus [Vol. IV. p. 511.], 

 believing that when out of its cage it was fair game. This one, you per- 

 ceive, is of one uniform dark brown colour, with the exception of the 

 crimson gorget. Two winters ago it assumed this colour, instead of its 

 former coat, which was similar to that still retained by his survivor, namely, 

 a light brown, prettily speckled or spotted by a still lighter, approaching, to 

 fawn colour. So light is the prevalent brown, that the crimson is shown 



