Birds, 145 



Magazine, Vol. VIII. p. 498., that " turnips and other plants 

 of the cabbage tribe, are subject to excrescences at their root 

 part, called anbury, and ringers and toes. These arise from 

 the punctures of an insect called Nedyus contractor. I have 

 often seen partridges, magpies, crows, and, if I mistake not, 

 even rooks, doing the useful service of preying on the larva 

 of this insect." — J. M. 



A tame Godwit destroyed by a wild Raven. — In the late 

 botanic garden, at Bays water, of the deceased Comtesse de 

 Vandes, a godwit was kept, which ran about at will among 

 the growing plants in the open garden. On May 14. 1832, 

 a raven from off the trees in Kensington Gardens, close by, 

 descended into the garden, and killed the godwit. After it 

 had pecked a hole into the side of the bird's body, near to 

 the junction of the neck with the body, it was observed, and 

 frightened off. It subsequently made several attempts, but 

 very cautious ones, to resume its meal; but unsuccessfully, 

 through the vigilance of one of the gardeners, armed with a 

 gun, who sought to wreak vengeance on the raven. — J, D. 



Reasoning in Birds, (p. 68. 81.) — J. D.'s mention (p. 68.) 

 of the name of Ralph calls to my recollection a raven and a 

 sea-gull, both of which were gifted with the name of Ralph. 

 The former I became acquainted with at an inn in Hedon, 

 Yorkshire, to which it was an attache ; and the latter was a 

 frequent and constant guest at the George Hotel at Castleton, 

 Isle of Man, then kept by a landlord of the name of Downes. 



Ralph the Raven, at the White Hart Inn at Hedon, was a 

 curious bird. I never heard such an excellent mimic of the 

 voice of humanity, even among parrots and starlings. Poor 

 Ralph could call the " ostler " as distinctly as any stable-boy. 

 Among his mimicry may be mentioned his own name, of 

 which, if frequent repetition were a proof, Ralph was not 

 ashamed. Then Ralph could call " a coach," whether it 

 were wanted or not. The note of the cuckoo was admirable, 

 but it seemed to be a considerable effort ; more so, appa- 

 rently, than all the rest besides: but so well was that note 

 imitated, that I have been frequently deceived, although aware 

 of Ralph's powers of imitation. Let it not be imagined, 

 however, that Ralph's attainments in learning went no farther 

 than monosyllables, or a conjunction of two now and then : 

 he could say, moreover, " What's the matter with you?" as 

 plainly as I could repeat it : and, though it must be confessed 

 that Ralph generally repeated the lesson he had learned, as 

 schoolboys do, merely for the sake of repetition, our raven's 

 observation on one occasion was very apposite. A baker had 

 been plaguing poor Ralph, and, for this annoyance, Ralph 



Vol. VI. — No. 32. l 



