1G4 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



and abounding in laurels and other shrubs ; this was portioned off in several compartments. As 

 I had access to this aviary, I reared in it some young Tlirushes and Blackbirds, which I kept 

 for six or seven yeare; feeding them liberally with snails, slugs, worms, etc. Having in this 

 space much liberty, they paired and bred; and from daily visiting them with food, I could 

 distinguish them apart. I am therefore ccsrtain the result of the difference in the size and 

 appearance of their eggs, arose from the circumstance I liave stated; the younger producing 

 smaller eggs than the older birds.—H. R. Boltox, 16, Alfred Street, Plymouth, April 30th., 1851. 



Singular capture of a Sparrow-Hawh, (Accipiter fringillarius.)— Many years ago, when a boy, 

 being anxious to obtain a Thrush, I was induced (absurdly enough) to set a rat-trap alongside 

 of a Thrush's nest, containing eggs, in hope that the bird, when returning tliither, might, by 

 accident, light upon the trap, (which was not baited,) and thus be secured. The nest occurred 

 in a plantation, and was situated on a fir-tree, about twelve feet from the ground. Having very 

 loosely fastened the trap, wlxich was set, early in the morning, I left the shrubbery and went 

 for a days fishing in the neighbourhood. On my return home, late in the evening, I repaired 

 to the shrubbery with the hope of finding the Thrush caught. I had no sooner, however, entered 

 the first row of trees, than I was seriously alanncd by a screaming, which, to my terrified mind, 

 appeared like the noise of a child. Fearing to proceed any further, and not being able to see 

 any figure, (for it was getting dark,) I summoned up what little courage I had left, and in a 

 loud voice called out, —Who's there.'' lleceiving no answer, I was about to speak again, when 

 I was agreeably surprised by hearing the "metallic rattle" of the trap. I now darted forward, 

 and found a Sparrow-Hawk on the ground, a few yards from the tree on wliich the trap had 

 been placed, caught by one of its legs only. The bird, which is still in my possession, stuffed, 

 measured from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail, thirteen inches. Qmries. Did tlie 

 Hawk follow the Thrush to its nest.' or was it on the nest when attacked.' Or, is it probable 

 that the Hawk resorted thither to devour the eggs.' I am inclined to think the second hj- 

 pothesis the correct one, inasnauch as I had, a day or two previously, observed a SpaiTow-Hawk, 

 probably the same, hovering over the plantation with much expectancy. —Spencer CoBUOLn, 

 M. D., 20, Dublin Street, Edinburgh, August 2ud., 1851. 



Note on the Moor-hen, (Gallinula chloropus.)— Having read with much interest the two first 

 numbers of your interesting publication, "The Naturalist," I cannot refrain from wishing it evei-y 

 success, and, at the same time, corroborating tlie fact of Moor-hens, (Gallinula chloropnx,) 

 laying, at times, more than four eggs; as mentioned by your concspondent, J. C. When in 

 ^Norfolk, two years ago, I discovei'ed the nest of a Moor-hen on the edge of a similarly situated 

 pond to the one described by J. C. The nest was composed of reeds, rushes, and small twigs, 

 and constructed on the tops of some reeds, which stood about a foot above the sm-face of the 

 water. The hen was sitting at the tune, (this was the List week iia May:) as I approached 

 she darted oflT amongst the reeds and overhanging bushes, and exposed to view a nest containing 

 eight eggs. I hid myself for a few minutes, within sight of the nest, and saw the hen cautiously 

 return, and, having assured hei-self that all was safe, resumed her seat. Almost daily I visited 

 her, until she allowed me to go very near her before she moved from her nest. In due time, 

 about the middle of June, to my great delight, I saw three pretty little blnek balls of douii, 

 as a young chick at first appears, skimming and darting over the surface of the pond, already 

 catching flies. The hen was on her nest, doubtless watching her little progeny; she allowed 

 me to nearly touch her before she moved, when I saw a fourth chi(!k attempting to rid itself 

 of its shell, which I had no sooner removed, than immediately it left the nest, and soon found 

 out its three already busy little companions and anxious parent. When I removed from the 

 nest, the hen returned, and continued sitting until the remaining eggs were hatched; and I 

 had the satisfaction of watching this little brood grow up till they were old enough to shift 

 for themselves. As this may interest your con-esi)ondent, J. C, I send it to you to make what 

 use you like of it.— S. W. LuKis, Great Bedwyn, near Marlborough, April lath., 1851. 



P.S. — I heard young Eooks in theh' nests on the 8th. and 9th. inst.--S. W. L. 



On the Moor-fien.—In accordance with my intimation in the second part of "Tlie Naturalist," 

 permit me to infonn you that a brood of Moor-hens was observed in my home pond on the 

 Pith, instant, and was seen by myself on tlie 13th. I am quite convinced I have seen them 



