Qtieries mid Answers. 28^ 



of Bewick's British Birds, p. 416., last edition. I am, Sir, Ac. — Perceval 

 Hunter. May 6. 1829. 



The Black-headed Bunting. — Do you call the Black-headed Bunting a 

 Blackcap ? as we have no migratory bird in this neighbourhood but it 

 which deserves the name. What is called the blackcap here is the largest 

 titmouse, which stays the winter with us, and in summer is so injurious to 

 the crops of peas, that 1 have known them sometimes eat them all, not leav- 

 ing a single pod for any one else. — T. G. Clithero. April 17. 1829. 



Stoiu'chat and Wheatear. — What is the difference between the stourchat 

 and the wheatear? The same bird is called by both names here. lam. 

 Sir, &c. — Id. 



Swperfcetation of a Pheasant's Egg. — I had a pheasant's nest last year, on 

 one of my fences, containing eleven eggs. In due time ten birds escaped from 

 the shell and one egg proved barren. In one of the shells, out of which a 

 bird had evidently gone, was a thick film, extending entirely across the middle, 

 in the direction of the conjugate diameter, and dividing the egg into two ca- 

 vities. Beyond the^film, when broken, was discovered another egg, of a glo- 

 bular form, having a very hard shell, and containing, as usual, white and 

 yolk. My brother still retains it in his collection. Is this an instance of 

 what medical men call superfGetation?— /. S. Thiirgarton, Norfolk, Aprii 

 17. 1828. 



Winter Quarters of Frogs. — In reply to the query on the winter quarters 

 of frogs (p. 103.), it must be recollected, that on the breaking up of the ice 

 at the end of winter, or in the early part of spring, in these climates, vast 

 numbers of full-grown frogs make their way to the surface of the water in 

 the ponds and ditches which they inhabit, and there congregate, with their 

 heads out of the water, making such a gurgling noise as often to attract, the 

 attention of idle boys, whom I have often seen contending with each other in 

 the numbers they could knock on the head with their missiles ; a circum- 

 stance which probably suggested the fable of the Frogs and the Boys, and 

 which our young friends will, we hope, bear in mind, when they contem- 

 plate this annual display of joy in these harmless creatures on the return of 

 genial spring ; and recollect what the old frog said, viz. " Although this may 

 appear fine sport to you, remember it is death to us.'* As, then, the frogs re- 

 appear in spring, it k evident that they do not die at the beginning of winter; 

 and the general belief is, apparently not without foundation, that they lie 

 dormant amongst the weeds at the bottom of the water, or buried under thie 

 soft mud ; the reason for which may probably be found in the abstraction 

 of food during the winter season : as they can neither obtain food nor get to 

 the surface to respire, these functions, as in all hybernating animals, become 

 suspended, and the animal, as in a profound sleep, remains quite uncon- 

 scious of its existence. — J. C. 



Gelatinous Mass like the Remains of & Frog. — In reference to the remarks 

 about frogs in p. 103., permit me to say, that the gelatinous mass your cor-f 

 respondent refers to, is not unlikely that commonly called " Shot-star," 

 and occasionally met with in fenny countries and meadows. I have nqt 

 doubt but it proceeds from frogs having been swallowed by sea-fowl, and 

 ejected again from the stomach ; the gelatinous substance is, in all proba- 

 bility, the omduct of the frog, which expands by the temperature of the 

 stomach, and is the principal cause of its being voided shortly after having 

 been swallowed. Thus the oviduct of the frog, if placed in a tumbler of 

 water, about blood heat, expands to very many times its original volume. 



As to showers of frogs, an officer of high rank in India informs me that 

 he has not unfrequently seen, after a shower, the roof of his tent covered 

 with minute frogs, and sufficiently lively too ; may not powerful evapor- 

 ation be also a source of their transport into the air, or the tube of 

 the water-spout inhale them which the nimbus diffuses jmd scatters?— » 

 J, Murray/. 



