MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



159 



the superfluous fluid. This cement will ^set' in about half-an-hour, and may 

 then be covered with a coating of gold-size or other varnish^ and the cell is 

 rendered permanent. 



The principal advantages of these cells consist in the quickness and little 

 trouble with which they may b3 prepared^ and their being unaffected by changes 

 of temperature. The elasticity of the band, when very thick, may, perhaps, 

 render the fluid likely to be forced out by compression, but, I believe this 

 would not occur with a less pressure than would sufiice to destroy the covering 

 of an ordinary cell, whilst it renders these cells secure from injury by slighter 

 concussions, which so frequently damage cells constructed in the usual way. 



The vulcanized India-rubber may also be procured in sheets, and cut to 

 the required size with a sharp penknife, if square cells be preferred. 



3iiistdlnnrnii5 IJntirtH. 



Sparrmv-TIawh^ (Falco nisus.) — A vcr}- remarkable instance of the voracity of the Sparrow-Hawk 

 occurred in this neighbourhood a few years since, which would appear almost incredible had 

 not similar accounts been authenticated by various writers, and recently by A. E. Knox, Esq., 

 in "Ornithological Eamblcs in Susse-x," which leave no doubt on the matter. A pair of these 

 birds bred in Loscar wood, about a mile from this place: not very long after the young were 

 hatched, the gamekeeper found around and near the nest, no less than between fifty and sixty 

 head of game, the greater part in a perfectly fresh state, consisting of young Pheasants and 

 Partridges, which were all stripped of their feathers, and, strange to say. Rabbits and Hares, 

 which had doubtless been obtained very near the nest, the Sparrow-Hawk, as mentioned in 

 "British Birds," page 147, not generally feeding on quadrupeds. They were of coui-se young 

 ones. — S. Haxnaford, Jun., Kiveton Park, Mai'ch 29th., 1851. 



Tawny Owl, (StrLx stridula.) — A pair of these birds bred last summer in Thorpe wood, on 

 the Duke of Leeds' estate. The old birds kept their young well supplied with Rabbits, which 

 were hung, one at a time, on a branch of a tree near the nest, so as to be within their reach. 

 On March 2'5th., I got a very fine pair in this wood; the hen was sitting in a hollow of an 

 old tree, several feet down, on one egg, wliich was laid on a lot of old dried leaves and rubbish. 

 ■ — Idem. / • 



Kingfisher, (Alccdo ispida.) — A relative of mine was fislmig in Folly Copse, on the Dart, near 

 Totnes, Devon, last year, with a cow-dung maggot, or bob, and a Kingfisher made many attempts 

 to seize the bait, by dartuig at it from a hole in the bank. — ^Idem. 



Jackdaic, (Corvus monedula.) — A very curious specimen was shot by a friend, near Worksop, 

 Notts., about a month since. The head was i-ather lighter than is usual; the back, breast, 

 lesser coverts, and scapulars spotted pretty thickly with white spots; two or three of the tail 

 feathers, perfectly white. — Idem. 



Great Spotted Woodpeckti; (Picus Major.) — A very fine specimen, a male, was shot at High- 

 ground, near Worksop, Notts., by William Robinson, Esq. There was a bird in company with 

 the one shot, the plumage similar, but nearly as lai'ge again, about the size of a Fieldfare.— 

 Idem. 



Nest of the House Piycoii. — -Your correspondent, S. Ilannaford, Esq., Jun., has anticipated me 

 on this subject. Vide page 23, of "The Naturalist." However, I camiot refrain from confirming 

 what thiit gentleman has stated, by asserting, from repeated observations, that the common 

 House Pigeon prefers twigs or small brandies to straws, and I have repeatedly watched them 

 break small twigs from oft" elm and beech trees. As this is another disputed point in ornithology, 

 I hope there are others of your correspondents who may be able to add, or otherwise, to these 

 remarks. — J. Mc'Ixxosii, Charmiiister, Dorset, April 12lh., 1851. 



