188 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



how much loveliness we had lost; but November dawned on us in rich efful- 

 gence, a very clear and sunny morn, equalling those of the late month; and 

 we took a morning airing, conscious that many such could not be enjoyed 

 by us. We wended our steps by the boundaries of Colney Park, about a 

 mile from our hill; and the first object that engaged our regard was a party 

 of three Squirrels, (Sciurus vulgaris^) garnering the fruit of a fine oak for 

 their wintry store. This is a very pleasing trait of foresight possessed by 

 these animals, the loild nature of whose lives, frisking from spot to spot, with 

 a possibility of straying to any distance, either voluntarily or by compulsion, 

 would betoken perfect heedlessness to any future provision. But we are com- 

 pelled to admire God's love in furnishing this little animal with powers of 

 prudence, and of memory in some degree; for how, otherwise, should he know 

 the very cellar in which he has carefully deposited his nuts? In some stores 

 we have even found a cluster of moss, gathered from the banks, closely 

 enveloping the buried treasures; and then, over the entrance, the dry leaves 

 of the oak carefully laid. 



In the spring of this year, the man employed in repairing our roads, told 

 me, that when engaged for upwards of a week near Colney Park, he daily 

 had visits from three or four of these pretty English quadrupeds; that when 

 OQ the hedge-bank, partaking of his dinner, they would approach within so 

 small a distaaee, and display so much tameness, that the bits of bread he 

 threw them in no way alarmed them, for they would eat contentedly and 

 quietly; but on his rising they always retired very hastily. 



I have known one of these highly amusing creatures confined for several 

 years, and all attempts on the part of its mistress to tame it, were ineffectual; 

 nor do I recall any instance of its being domesticated or familiarized. 



And now I record my last observation of a Swallow, on the evenin:; of this 

 day, November 1st.; at about a quarter past four, I saw one wheel over our 

 garden several times, as though, in its solitariness, quite undone: it departed 

 for the west, as if winging its flight towards Lynn. ''Poor lonely bird!'' 

 thought I, as I entered my dwelling, ''thou art the care of my God, by 

 whom the fowls of the air were created, and are still supported; and He 

 will regard even thee; for not a sparrow falls to the ground unknown of Him." 



Bawhurgh Hill, near Nonvich, November 12th., 1853. 



3IIi3i:HlnnBntt3 Sniiut 



Variety of the Redwing, (Turdus iliacus.) — T have to inform you of my good fortune 

 in shooting a beautiful variety of the Eedwing on the 27th. of December last, in a field 

 opposite Dulwich College. The crown of the head and the back are handsomely varied with 

 white and brown; cheeks and breast, nearly white; tail and quill feathers of the usual colour, 

 with the exception of a few white feathers; it retains the usual red tinge beneath the wings, 

 ehoulders of the wings pure white. — C. Wood, Dulwich, April, 1854. 



Note on the Wrynech and Chiff-Chaff. — I have this day, for the first time this season, 

 heard the Wryneck, {Yimx torqttila,) also the Chiff-Chaff, (Sylvia hippolais.)— Idem. 



