MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 203 



her by no means amiable-looking open mouth, and happy indeed were those who escaped from 

 her jaws, it might be only to hear her "crunching" the bones of their less fortunate companion. 

 Her custom was to devour the whole of the fowl, save the large wing feathers and a few of 

 the smaller ones which escaped in the process. She never left such numerous traces of her 

 banquet as a Hawk would leave, had he been the murderer. — J. Pemberton Baetlett, 

 Fordingbridge, Hants. 



Anecdote of a Bog. — The sagacity of these intei-esting animals comes so very near reason in 

 some instances, as to make it a most difficult question, where instinct ends, and the rational 

 powers begin; in other words, whether what we call reason is the exclusive property of the 

 human creature. I remember a most singular case of intelligence in a beautiful little King 

 JCharles Spaniel, which belonged to my sister, which occurred a few years since. This little 

 animal was not only the most beautiful, but also the most testy little fellow I ever saw ; but 

 I am bound to speak well of him, because, for some reason or other, I was an especial favorite, 

 and although he sometimes snapped even at me, he never did more, which few others could 

 say; and I own that although I saw his faults, I was exceedingly attached to -him, and he in 

 return had the most perfect confidence in me, and understood my looks in a most extraordinary 

 manner, and it was a common practice not only with myself, but other members of our family > 

 when we left the room where he was, to promise in words to return, and not go out without 

 him ; for his sporting propensities were very strong, and I never knew a more indefatigable 

 or better finder than he was. One fine day I was engaged in my own room writing, and little 

 "Charlie" lay on the rug dosing, and very snug and comfortable, and twice or thrice during 

 the morn I had occasion to take my cap and go out for a few minutes, but on each occasion, 

 promising to return, he only looked up, and again settled himself to sleep ; but at last, thinking 

 I would take a short walk, but not particularl}^ wishing to have the incumbrance of a Dog 

 with me, I took my cap once more, and promised to return as usual, but as I passed the 

 corner of my room took up a small stick, which was usually my walking companion; but this 

 circumstance was sufficient to make him disbelieve what was certainly intended to deceive him, 

 and it would not accordingly do this time, for he immediately followed me to the door, showing 

 that he was not to be done, and I own that my heart smote me, and I took him with me, 

 being no less pleased with his intelligence. Now we know it is a very common thing for a Dog, 

 if you do not wish him to follow you, and therefore shut him in by a front door, to come 

 out and join you by the back door, if it be open; or if conscious of doing that for which he 

 has been chastised, on the approach of any pei-son immediately decamp; but it appears to me 

 that the anecdote I have just related is a greater refinement of instinct than I ever heard of 

 or met with, and worthy to be recorded of a little animal who has long since met the melan- 

 choly end of all pets, the unnatural life he led producing asthma, and unhealthy obesity, which 

 rendered it necessary to put him in the hands of a Dog-doctor, where he soon after breathed 

 his last, and lies buried under a small stone .in those very shrubberies which had so often 

 resounded to his joyous cries. — 0. S. Round, Lincolns-Inn-Fields, February 3rd., 1852. 



The Fern Owl, (Caprimulgus Europa;us.) — It is not in all heath-clad districts that you meet 

 with these birds, although it is almost always in such districts that they are found, and I 

 cannot help thinking that, as a general fact, they are not so numerous in this country as I 

 remember them in my boyhood, now some twenty-five years since. I have travelled a good 

 deal about England, and have consulted those who were as familiar with Scotknd, a knowledge 

 I cannot equally pretend to ; and my impression is that which I have stated, because, wherever 

 I go, natural objects are chiefly interesting to me, and hence without effort I make my silent 

 observations. The neighbourhood in which I spent the earlier part of my life, Bagshot Heath, 

 has always been the peculiar resort of the Fern Owl; and I suppose no one has had more 

 opportunities than myself of observing their mode of life, and obtaining specimens. By imitating 

 their call, which is not difficult, in the summer's evening, you may soon have the pleasure 

 of their company; and I remember in this manner bringing five or six flying round my head 

 in a very short time. There has been a great deal of discussion and conjecture relative to the 

 serrated nail of the middle toe, but I tliink I am quite right in saying that no satisfactory 

 conclusion has been come to on the subject. It may be to secure their insect prey, to pass 

 through theii- feathers, or to secure their footing on the leader of a tree, and is probably used 

 for more than one purpose; but we find in the Heron the same conformation, which might 



