24 THE QUERIST, 



May not the exposing of this fluid and sucking it in again give an enjoyment to the insect, 

 while it hastens tlie termination of its existence? 



The following curious fact in the history of the remarkable genus Xylophaga was recorded by 

 Edwaud Chahlesworth, Esq., F. G. S.: — 



Some time ago I was carefully breaking up some masses of wood from Ardrossan, (kindly 

 sent me by Major Martin,) for the purpose of extracting the inclosed shells of this mollusc, 

 when I was surprised to find an entirely new feature in the economy of the animal, namely, 

 the presence of a case or tube, lining the chamber occupied by the creature, and extending 

 from the valves of the shell to the open extremity of the chamber. The tube is not shelly 

 like the tube of Teredo^ but has rather the appearance of being formed of minute particles of 

 wood cemented together. It adheres so slightly to the walls that I dare say it has escaped 

 notice by falling out when the chambers have been broken into. I have only observed it in a 

 small proportion of cases, and then in chambers that were excavated to a greater depth than 

 usual; its occasional presence, however, would not be a greater anomaly than the finding the 

 Lima Mans in most localities free, but in Lamlash Bay, Arran, always inhabiting a nest. 



I intend to get one of these tubes analyzed, and I shall then publish a more detailed account 

 of its occurrence. In the meanwhile you may think the circumstance sufficiently interesting 

 to bring imder the notice of your members, some of whom may perhaps be able to confirm my 

 observations. . 



It was confinned by one member who had opce observed this curious tube. 



Mr. John Touxg, Campsic, was admitted a corresponding member. / ^^ 



€\t (hwml 



What cause can be assigned for the mortality which annually takes place am 

 particulai-ly the common species, Sorex araneusf I have frequently found specimens dead in 

 gardens and fields as well as hedge-rows, and none of them ever exhibited any external mark 

 of injury. It is a common belief that cats will not eat Shrews when they kill them, and I was 

 long satisfied with this explanation, though I could not account for the fact that it was only 

 in summer and autumn the dead Shrews were seen. Is it true thSt at these seasons Shrews 

 are affected with a peculiar odour, which obliges animals of prey to leave them in the spot 

 where they are killed.'' One morning when out for a ramble shortly after sunrise, I observed 

 seven or eight lying dead by the side of a wood, and one of them was a Black Shrew, {Sorex 

 fodiens;) some of them still retained heat in their bodies and were not stiff, and the last I 

 discovered was just expiring. The season was a dry one, and the death of these creatures I 

 imagined might have been caused by thirst. On the afternoon of the same day as I was 

 walking on the public road, a Shrew suddenly dropped down before me, and lay in the dust 

 kicking convulsively for a few moments, and when I lifted it I could not see a scratch upon 

 it. — It died in my hand. If disease be the cause of dissolution, the malady proves suddenly 

 fatal, and attacks the Shrews chiefly during the night. AVild Rabbits are subject to a similar 

 disease, and they are seized about the same time of the year. — G. 



Can any of your readers inform me at what age the Common Gold Crest, (Regulus aurica- 

 pillus,) acquires the plumulet which covers the nostrils, or suggest any cause for the occasional 

 absence of that feature ? or describe from personal examination the differences between this bird 

 and Regulus modestus of Gould.'' — G. 



Do the Hirundinidse moult in the autumn, or what is the general rule for birds of passage ? 

 —0. N. Knox, Callipers Hall, Herts. 



On the 19th. ult. as I was standing on a slight eminence near the sea, in the neighbourhood 

 of Luccombe Chine, Isle of Wight, I observed a black-coloured bird with a crimson breast, 

 not very bright, and rather inclining to roseate, fly across a small doll which was below mo, 

 so that I obtained an excellent view of it. In size and general appearance it much resembled the 

 Blackbird, and had it not been for the colour of the breast I should have pronounced it to 

 have been one. A relation who was with me also saw it, and her statement agrees with mine. 

 Perhaps some of the subscribers to "The Naturalist" can tell mo the name of this bird."— 

 Edward Erxest Stride, Highbury Park, Islington, near London, September 15th., 1852. 



