54 CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. 



amazingly Jarge mouthfuls. It was at times extremely brisk and 

 lively, flying about from perch to perch for half an hour together with 

 great activity, and generally accompanying every movement with a very 

 singular motion, which made it appear exactly as though afflicted with 

 the hiccoughs. It rested sometimes on the whole length of the tarsus, 

 but most commonly in the usual manner of most birds. Though by no 

 means timid, it never became very familiar, although some pains were 

 taken to make it so. I was never able to divine the cause of its death ; 

 it was taken ill during my absence from home, and the next day, when 

 I returned, was too far gone for to entertain any hope of its recovery : 

 when dead, it was in good plump condition ; and had a few sprats been 

 given to it at the time it was first taken ill, it would very probably not 

 have died. As it was, I was not sorry to get rid of it, for a more messy 

 bird never existed. 



The length to which I have unconsciously been extending these 

 desultory observations prevents me at present from finishing the 

 subject ; there is a vast deal to be said about the plumage of the smaller 

 birds; which it would be useless to attempt to cram into this paper. I 

 must, therefore, close here for the present, and reserve for a future 

 occasion a number of other similar remarks on the numerous smaller 

 birds which frequent the British islands. 



Tooting, Surrey, Dec. 18th, 1833. 



CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. 



ANECDOTE OF A SLOW WORM. As every little anecdote, however 

 insignificant in itself, tends in some degree to the advancement of 

 knowledge, I have sent the following, which, should you find it worthy, 

 you may insert in your magazine. 



My attention was lately arrested, during a ramble, by a rustling 

 among some dry grass, which was contiguous to the path I was tread- 

 ing. And upon examining into the cause of the disturbance, I dis- 

 covered a slow worm in the close pursuit of a large moth which it had 

 apparently wounded, and was upon the point of capturing ; but, on my 

 appearance, it made a precipitate retreat into its hole. I should like 

 to know something more of this beautiful little reptile ; perhaps some 

 of your contributors will furnish us with its history. 



