178 FOREIGN BODIES IN EGGS. 



1843. — April 14th. A single Swallow seen. 

 In these two years they were observed skimming over exactly the same piece 

 of ground at the dates given, 



1847. — April 19th. A single Swallow seen: on the 21st. several noticed, 



1848. — April 13th. Swallows first made their appearance. 



1849. — April 13th. Swallows first made their appearance. 



1850. — Api'il 13th. Swallows first made their appearance. 

 During these three years, as will be seen^ there was a remarkable coincidence 

 in the date of their arrival. 



Ijast year the Nightingale preceded the Swallow, having been heard pouring 

 out its enchanting song as early as April 9th. 



I must now add a note in corroboration of the fact thart, sometimes at 

 least, an individual specimen of the Swallow tribe may be noticed in the very 

 depth of Avinter; a subject which, as you are aware, occupied the attention 

 •and cai"eful inquiry of White of Selborne. The following observations are 

 extracted from my journal, at Southampton, in the year 1843: — 



Tuesday, December 19th. This morning a Swallow^ was observed flitting 

 about for some time in the front of the house. 



Wednesday, December 20th. The Swallow again observed, hawking for 

 insects. 



Saturday, December 30th. The Swallow has been seen several times since 

 the previous date. Thrashes have begun their song in good earnest, and 

 make the neiglibourhood ring- again with their delightful melody. Robins 

 have likewise commenced their full song. 



In 1842 the Cuckoo was first hefird on the 27th. April. 



Fleetwood, 1851. On the 13th. May, during an evening walk from Preesall, 

 a beautiful village on the opposite . side of the River Wyre, the Cuckoo was 

 heard for the first time this year. 



Fleetwood^ Lancashire y June IWi. 1851. 



FOREIGN BODIES IN EGGS. 



BY RICHARD NEAI-E, ESQ., M, R. C. S. 



Early during the present year a lady, when on a visit to some friends, 

 was surprised by feeling the bowl of the spoon strike against something solid 

 at the bottom of the eg^, of which she was partaking at breakfast; which 

 proved to be, upon close examination, two shilling pieces finnly glued together. 

 Whether there was any external mark upon the shell, indicating their presence; 

 or whether the egg possessed its natural contour, no definite information can 

 be obtained; but the impression is that there was none; that no trick had 

 been played was most positively and certainly ascertained. Lately I read 

 of a similar case in one of the weekly papers, where a piece of glass, how- 

 ever was the foreign body. 



