88 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



when, during periods of unusually stormy weather, they overflow their banks. 

 I once found Achatina acicula in considerable numbers, and generally in a 

 pretty good state of preservation, though the animals were all dead amongst 

 the wreck brought down by the River Tees, and deposited on its banks near 

 INIiddlesbro.' A few specimens of Vertigo cylindrica were found amongst it, 

 together with several other common kinds. These Shells had most likely 

 come down from the Limestone district through which the River Tees flows. 

 I have come to this conclusion, as we have found Achatina acicula and 

 Vertigo cylindrica amongst the roots of grass which fill the fissures and clefts 

 of the Magnesian Limestone clifls of West- vale, four miles from Ack worth. 



Flounder's Institide, AcJcivorth, 7ih. of 2nd. months l&od:. 



SKisrtllniirnns |!nta. 



Common Rat, (Mus decumanus.) — A pure white specimen of this Rat was caught in a trap 

 in the stackyard at Canledge Park Farm, near this town, during December last, the skin of 

 which is now in my possession. — W. Akmstuong, Alnwick, February 1st., 1854. 



Curious conduct of the Hooded Crow, (Corvus cornix.) — As I was riding in this neighbourhood 

 on the 8th. instant, I noticed a Gray Crow pick something off the grass in a low wet field by 

 the road side, and fly up into the air some heiglit; it then threw its head up and rose a little 

 higher perpendicularly, its flight at that time resembling that of a towering Partridge just before 

 it falls; it then turned nearly on its back, and let drop something from its beak, which I thought 

 ■was a Mouse, but I could not get near enough to ascertain this distinctly. The Crow repeated 

 his flights four or five times, and then I left him. How long he had been amusing himself 

 in this way before I saw him, or how long he continued to do so after I left him, I cannot 

 say. The greatest height to which it flew might be twenty yards. What was his object? It 

 could hardly be to kill the Mouse, which he could have efiected with one stroke of his powerful 

 bill. — "W. Waldo Cooper, Rectory, West Rasen, February 9th., 1854. 



Nutcracker, (Nucifraga caryocatactes.)— A Nutcracker was shot off" Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 7th. 

 October, 1853. — T. Southwell, Fakenham, February lltli., 1854. 



Great Gray Shrike, (Lanius excubitor.) — One killed near Fakenham towards the end of October, 

 1853; another a short time later near Lynn. — Idem. 



Black GroHse, (Tetrao tetrix.) — A gray hen brought off' her brood in Refley Wood, about two 

 miles from Lynn, last summer. This bird was introduced some years ago at Sandringham, 

 and I am informed has increased in number of late. — Idem. 



Greenshank, (Scolopax glottis.) — I saw a Greenshank at Lynn, in the end of August last. — 

 Idem. 



Pectoral Sandpiper, (Tringa pectoralis.) — I saw a specimen of this rare bird, which was shot 

 on the 30th. of September last, near Yarmouth, Norfolk. — Idem. 



Tlie rink-footed Goose, (Anser brachyrhynchus,) has occurred several times; and A. albifrons 

 has been unusually common this winter near Lynn. — Idem. 



Little Auk, (Mergulus alle.) — Three specimens were killed in Norfolk, in November, 1853: — 

 one near Norwich, one near Yarmouth, and a third near Lynn. — Idem. 



TJie Nightjar, or Fern Owl, (Caprimulgus Europoeus.) — I am induced to send you a few notes 

 on the habits of this bird, as your correspondent G. R. Twinn, Esq., seems to think himself 

 somewhat unfortunate in not having been able to discover its nest; and certainly when he 

 discovers one, it will be a very remarkable circumstance, seeing that it makes none, but its 

 eggs may easily be discovered in any spot frequented by the bird. Darcnth Wood, in Kent, 



