37G CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. 



latter locality, I used some years ago to observe it very frequently 

 during the spring and summer months, and that too at a time when I 

 did not take so great an interest in birds as I now do, and consequently 

 was little likely to have noticed it, had it been of rare occurrence. I 

 however, remember only to have once found its nest, which was situated 

 in a hole of an old garden wall near the house in which I then resided. 



In your edition of Colonel Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary, 

 there is an account of one of these nests, which was constructed in a 

 hole of a wall close by an old gateway at Craigcrook Castle ; and I 

 may mention, that in the month of May last, there was a nest of some 

 small bird, in what appears to me to be the hole there alluded to. But 

 the young had flown, and their nest had been destroyed before I had an 

 opportunity of examining it, so that I cannot say what bird it was, 

 though I am informed it was a redbreast. (Sylvia rubecula, LATHAM.) 



I saw a redstart (Sylvia phoenicurus, LATHAM), at Craigcrook last 

 month, and understand they have been numerous there this season ; 

 and that one pair built their nest in the garden, between the branch of 

 a tree and the wall. T. M. G. 



Edinburgh, 4th July, 1833. 



STBROPUS MEDIDUS. Should you think the accompanying sketch 

 of a singular specimen of Sleropus medidus, in my possession, worthy of 

 a place in the Field Naturalist's Magazine, it is greatly at your service. 



I took the insect in my own garden, and was greatly astonished to 

 find it had eight legs ! the two extra ones articulated in contact with 

 one of the usual middle legs, perfectly formed, though somewhat 

 smaller than the other six. I have shown it to several collectors, who 

 were much pleased and astonished at the sight ; should any of your 

 numerous readers have a wish to see this lusus, I shall feel much 

 pleasure in showing it. G. W. B. 



Kensington. 



