CHAPTER OF CRITICISM. 91 



Critical Remarks on Mr. Dale's Dorsetshire Fauna. 

 To the Editor of the Naturalist. 

 My dear Sir, — I could wish that Mr. Dale, in his Dorsetshire Fauna (Vol^ 

 II., p. 171), had entered more into particulars when he speaks of such rare birds 

 as the Great Auk, &c, occurring in Dorsetshire. He remarks of the Harvest 

 Mouse that it is " sometimes reddish." Did he ever see it otherwise ? I suspect 

 no t. — I am of opinion that there are no distinguishable characters between the 

 Rats and Mice.* Taking the Brown Rat and House Mouse as types, the Black 

 Rat would pertain to the latter, and the little Harvest Mouse to the former ! — 

 Respecting the Grey Wagtail (M. boarula), I should be glad to know at what 

 season it is common at Glanville's Wootton. Some breed in Devonshire and 

 Cornwall. 



Yours truly, 

 North Brixton, Surrey, Edward Blyth. 



July 4, 1837- 

 [Tor some reason unknown to us, the above letter, dated July 4, only came to 

 hand on the 19th of November! — Ed.] 



Extracts from New English Publications. 

 To the Editor of the Naturalist. 



Sir, — As a reader and an admirer of your interesting Journal, The Naturalist* 

 I beg to suggest, as an improvement — supposing it to be^agreeable to yourself and 

 your subscribers — that you should occasionally introduce extracts from new 

 English books and periodicals. Leaving this point to your consideration, 



I am, Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



Taunton, Jan. 1, 1838. G. H. Wynne. 



fin Vol. II., pp. 395 and 496, our correspondent will find extracts from 

 English works, and we are constantly on the look-out for scattered notices of 

 interest in periodicals and newspapers, for our Chapter of Miscellanies. This we 

 shall continue to do as heretofore. — Ed.] 



Brief Reply to Mr. Sweeting. 



To the Editor of the Naturalist. 



Sir, — I must really find fault with you for thinking it possible that I could be 

 in any way offended with my good friend Mr. Sweeting's letter (Vol. II., p. 367). 

 I have too great esteem for him to entertain towards him any but the most 



* This, it will be perceived, relates to a note of our own. — Ed. 

 VOL. 111. — NO. XVII. 



