AN entomot.ogtst's excursion. 87 



hanging over the cliff. Having secured a firm footing, I put my arm in, 

 and pulled out a young Jackdaw, which occasioned the strange sound. The 

 poor bird was in a pitiful condition; it was swollen to an enormous size by 

 the admission of air between the flesh and the skin; indeed it was so large 

 that I could not put it into my hat. There were three others in the nest, 

 and although they were fine birds— about a fortnight old, yet they looked 

 like pigmies by the side of their monster companion. I punctured the skin 

 in several places, which caused it to collapse, and then the creature breathed 

 with more ease. But the air readily swelled the skin again, and then the 

 windy subject resumed his old habit of breathing. About three weeks after 

 wards, I found it dead in the nest; in all probability he was starved — not 

 being able to follow his fledged companions, he was forgotten by his parents. 



I now went up through the hazel coppices on the left of the cavern, and 

 pursued my way across some four or five fields, but found nothing worthy 

 of notice, save a very large Toad, which I discovered in a low thick-set bush; 

 I was led to the discovery by seeing a small hole in the long grass which 

 was interwoven in the bush. The inhabitant had made this his dwelling for 

 some time, as the interior of his establishment was very smooth, and as 

 comfortable as a Wren's nest, which it very much resembled. 



I was now on Ebbor Hocks. The first interesting object that met my 

 gaze, was a circle of scarlet fungi, about sixty yards in circumference; and 

 so perfect was the ring, that they were not more than a foot apart; they 

 presented a magnificent spectacle as the sun shone on their glossy velvet- 

 like skin. The Gray and Golden Plovers frequently build about this part 

 of the hill. In the course of my rambles here this season, I took some of 

 all our known species of British Skippers; and, might as well observe, 

 that I have seen most of them in other places about this locality; but the 

 most rare is the Lul worth Skipper, {Pamphila Actceon.) The most picturesque 

 parts of this hill, are observable on traversing the valley, which forms 

 a boundary of Sir 0. l^aylor, Bart., and R. C. Tudway, Esq., M. P's property. 

 There are, in this valley, a thousand various objects on either side: — high 

 rocks are standing like pyramids decorated with moss, ferns, and ivy; while 

 underneath are shrubs, and trees, and flowers. In the highest rock, called 

 the "Giant's Cave," a pair of Ravens have built for many years; as have 

 also the Kestrel, the Sparrow-hawk, and Goshawk; and I have no doubt 

 but they are imitated by the Peregrine-Falcon, as I have seen them on 

 several occasions, quivering and making the hills echo to their shrill note. 

 I observed some specimens of shells — CycJostoma round the limbs of trees, 

 Limax pellucida and Bulimus lubricus under rubbish, and in the chinks of 

 rocks. I saw no less than eighteen blind worms, and nine Ringed Snakes 

 to-day; I caught one of the latter — a very fine one; it measured three feet. 

 As I had it in my hand, a farm-labourer came by and was wonder-struck 

 to see me handling a snalce! He asked me if I had not "hut his back 

 off, and pulled out his stinger?" On replying in the negative, he looked 



