252- MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



feathers." The following forenoon another was discovered, which Mr. Sinclair and I immediately 

 gave chase" to, bnt, like the former, he appeared to have no friends, as the Whinchats were 

 tigiiin iu full cry, and, after following liim over some rocky precipices, he escaped, to die, 

 however, the following evening, as Mr. Sinclair had the good fortune to shoot him. — Geokoe 

 Donaldson, Glencripsdale, Loch Sunart, August 18th., 1852. 



Occurrence of the Little Bittern in Norfolk. — A male specimen of this exceeding rare bird 

 •was shot at Somerlyton, near LowestofF, on Tuesday, May 18th. It was purchased for the 

 Norfolk and Norwich Museum. — J. 0. Hauper, Norwich, June 17th., 1852. 



Dates of the arrival of the Hirundinidm in Norfolk, in 1852. — Sand Martins, April 13tli., 

 wind S. AV. Swallows, April 26th., wind S. Martins, April 27th., wind S. W. Swifts, May 

 14th., wind S. W.— Idem. 



Very many instances are related of the voracity of the Pike, and the group here shown, adds 

 a remarkable example. The two fish were taken in April last, in the "Crystal Colne," (the Duke 



of Northumberland's waters,) precisely in the position here represented, and in which tRey have 

 been excellently preserved by J. Cooper, of Radnor-Street, St. Lukes. The Pike, it will be 

 recollected, is one of the most voracious of fish, and it is said will even eat its own species. 

 It is a strange action of Pike v. Pike. The two fish were swimming in the Colne, one witli 

 open jaws, into which the other darted, and became transfixed and 'faucibus hajsit,' as we 

 here see it. — Idem. 



Occurrence of Vanessa Antiopa. — The following may perhaps interest some of the readers of 

 "The Naturalist." The accuracy of the statement admits of no doubt whatever: — An old friend 

 of mine, a medical gentleman, and lover of entomology, wliilst driving in the green lanes near 

 Stoke Newington, had his attention arrested by "Vanessa Antiopa." He alighted and endeavoured 

 to possess himself of it, but having no better instrument than his hat, was obliged after several 

 attempts to give it up sorrowfully. He describes it as a beautiful fresh specimen, with the 

 yellow border. I have just shewn this gentleman specimens of Antiopa with the yellow as well 

 iis with the white border, and he has no hesitation in stating it to be the specimen with the 

 yellow border. This rencontre took place on Thursday last, the 15th. inst. I intend to visit 

 the exact spot as soon as I have leisure. — Bombyx Atlas, Tottenham, July 20th., 1852. 



On Vanessa Antiopa. — I believe this insect is generally considered by entomologists as of rare 

 occurrence in this country. I must confess here that I canjiot speak from my own experience, 

 never having seen a living specimen in England, that is to say a specimen bred from caterpillars 

 absolutely English. I have, however, bred the perfect insect in this very parish from a caterpillar 

 brought by myself from Switzerland. I had some diflSculty in bringing over the catei-pillars ; 

 they mostly went into chrysalis "en route," and many died from the difficulty of getting 

 quite fresh food; still I have by me several specimens of these very Antiopa, but these cannot 

 fairly be called British specimens. The fact, however, that Vanessa Antiopa was seen by a 

 professional friend of mine in the green lanes at Stoke Newington, near the residence of the 

 Ilcv. Mr. A. Clissold; and my friend, who is also a good entomologist, having assured me that 

 lie had ample time for observing the insect, (what a pity he had not his entomological instru- 

 ments as well as his surgical ones by him at the time ;) and that it had the rich yellow border 

 and not the pale white one, has induced me to send you a few observations of my o^vn upon this 

 insect. I must first of all state that Vanessa Antiopa was seen at the spot already mentioned, 

 on ITiursday, the 15th. of this month, August. I shall begin by observing then that the caterpillars 

 of Antiopa are gregarious, and in the "Canton de Vaud, Switzerland," may be found in 

 immense families on the summits of the highest branches of the "Salix Caprea." About the 

 latter end of June, or beginning of July, they lU'c generally full grown: they seldom remain 



