16C) THE QUERIST. 



fluid, which struck me on the face and partly entered one of my eyes, causing a very acute, 

 but, fortunately, not a very enduring, pain. My surprise at this salute prevented my taking 

 particular notice of the place from whence the jets proceeded. It appears probable that this 

 caterpillar has been endowed with this squirting apparatus to enable it to defend itself against 

 its enemies, or, at least, to assist it in frightening, or perhaps, in hunting its prej'. For myself, 

 I confess, after the reception I had met with, I felt some degree of fear at nearly approaching 

 it."— L. Shields, Blackheath, February 28th., 1854. 



In St. John's "Field Notes and Tour in Sutherland," vol. i., page 208, I find the following 

 passage, which appears to me to account for "the curious conduct of the Hooded Crow," men- 

 tioned in the last number of "The Naturalist," by Mr. W. W. Cooper. "Amongst the curious 

 instincts which birds display in providing themselves with food, one, most resembling reason, 

 is that which teaches the Common Crow, on finding on the shore a shell containing fish, to fly 

 with it to a height in the air and then to let it drop, in order to break the shell sufficiently 

 to get at the fish enclosed in it. When the st3ne (shell ?) does not break the first time that 

 the Crow drops it, she darts down, picks it up, and ascends still higher, till she perceives that 

 the height is sufficient for her purpose. Sometimes another Crow darts in to carry ofi" the booty, 

 upon which a battle ensues in the air." — E. J. Meynell, Durham, April 5th., 1854. 



€k (£iunmi. 



Is Guernsey to he considered^ hy Naturalists, part of Great Britain. — 1 have, this morning, 

 noticed a query in "The Naturalist," by the Rev. F. 0. Morris, as to whether the Channel 

 Islands are to be "considered Entomologically and Ornithologically, as well as politically, a part 

 of Great Britain." I cannot say what the usage among writers on Birds and Insects may be, 

 but in all manuals of British Botany I have seen, and most of them have passed through my 

 hands, plants from these islands are included. May not the rule which applies to one department 

 of Natural History bo with advantage applied to all? — James B. Davies, Borage, Eipon, April 

 3rd., 1854. 



I do not for half a moment doubt that the nest found by Mr. Hodge, one of the "Querists" 

 of your February number, was that of the most familiar of our birds, little Robin Redbreast. 

 The position and materials correspond exactly. And, though I believe almost all birds have white 

 eggs as an occasional variety, I do not think it is the case so frequently with any other as 

 with the Robin. Some, in my possession, which I took two years ago, from an ivy-covered 

 wall, are pure white, and very smooth. As both the Robin and Yellow Hammer vary considerably 

 in the size of their eggs, the eggs of the two may often be about the same size. I should 

 think the Wryneck never builds in this situation. — G. Sowdex, Curate of Houghton-le- Spring, 

 February 17th., 1854. 



Is there not some mode of taking impressions, so to speak, of the wings of Butterflies and 

 Moths, on some kind of paper. Information on the subject will oblige. — F. 0. Moiuiis, Nun- 

 burnholme Rectory, Ilayton, York, May 30th., 1854. 



G. R. Twinn would feel it a great kindness if any of the Botanical readers of "The Naturalist" 

 would advise a work on British Mosses, suited for the hands and wants of youth about fourteen 

 years of age; by which they might readily become conversant with all the genei-a they might 

 discover in their rambles and studies. A work with illustrations or specimens, after the manner 

 of Gardiner's, would be preferred; but including all the families. Also a work on British Ferns. 

 — Bawburgh Hill, near Norwich, March 18th., 1854. 



I hope you will not consider the following question as out of place in the finst convenient 

 number of "The Naturalist," seeing that it is most likely some of its readers may be "City- 

 pent" Fern growers, as well as myself. I have one or two Wardian Cases in my bedroom, 

 and I am remonstrated with for keeping them there, as being unhealthy in a sleeping room. 

 Now I want to ask yourself, or some of the Correspondents of "The Naturalist," if any injurious 

 result is to be apprehended, or if experience, in anj' case, has proved having one or more Wardian 

 Cases in a bedroom to have an unhealthy tendency. — Anceps. 



