188 ■ LOCAL JOTTtNOS. 



been accustomed to shake the twigs: this action was I imagine to shake off 

 ijiseets. 



After some time one of the Doves happening to meet wiih a narrow strip 

 of paper, and this seeming to suit its purpose equally well with twigs or string, 

 it was carried to the nest, and from that time the same eagerness was shown 

 for strips of paper as for string; but if it were not stiff they would have 

 nothing to do with it. These birds would carry up these curious materials 

 as fast almost as T could cut them up, and at times, as they sat in the nest, 

 they were almost buried in string and paper — a curious sight — their pretty 

 heads and bright eyes peeping out of these odd materials. 



They were both perhaps more tame than such birds had ever been made 

 before, for besides the particulars I have mentioned, they would wash in a 

 large bowl, whilst I held it in my hand, splashing the water about with 

 their wings, and then preening their feathers as familiarly as if I were not 

 close to them. One of them, which I called ^^Lovey," was more particularly 

 so, for she allowed me to stroke her wings and back and kiss her all over, 

 as she sat on my finger* but ^'Dovey" would not be kissed, though in other 

 respects equally at ease. They were greatly attached to each other, for if 

 one was carried out of the room, the other fluttered about, and was greatly 

 distressed till the return of its companion. They were a constant source of 

 interest and amusement to me during many years of ill health, and I was 

 never tired of watching their graceful actions. At last one having been for 

 some time in a suffering state, and unable to get on the perch, I thought 

 it more merciful to have them both killed, as I was going from home for 

 some time, and thus these interesting birds lived, died, and were buried together. 



Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, March ^th., 1852. 



LOCAL JOTTINGS.— No. 4. 

 DORCHESTER— DORSETSHIRE. 



BY JOHN GARLAND, ESQ. 

 "Our River, and its finny inhabitants." 



I OMiTTF.D in my last several of the "Finny" tribe inhabiting the pleasant 

 River Froome, and which, though of trifling consideration, and seldom observed, 

 are, I humbly think, well worthy of mention. 



The Loach, (Cobitis barbatula.) — This little fish is found lying under stones, 

 but seldom or^ never attains a larger size than four or five inches, and is not 

 very abundant in this stream. It is of a dullish brown colour, with a light- 

 coloured belly, and has several projections or barbules issuing from the mouth, 

 which, are very peculiar. It feeds on insects, worms, &c. 



2!'.(3 Miller's thumb, or Bull-head, (Cottus gobio,) is a well-known little fish, 

 and very numerous in "our stream." It is seldom more than three or four 

 inches in length, and has a very singular-looking head — large, round, and 

 rather flat. The body dark, with belly whitish. It is a very stupid fish. 



