20 



3EistBllaurnn3 JIntias. 



Oared Shrew, (Sorex remifer.) — On the 17th, of October I shot one of 

 these rare little animals in a run of spring water near Fakenham. On the 

 first alarm ho took to the water and swam some little distance, then dived 

 to the bottom, seeming equally expert at travelling under the water as in 

 it, till my desire to become more nearly acquainted with him prompted me, 

 however much against my will, to discharge the fatal shot, which ended his 

 career. I had on previous occasions seen two other individuals, which I 

 believe belonged to this species. — T, Southwell, Fakenham, November 

 17th., 1855. 



An Extraordinary Sawlc. — The following account is one which I have 

 copied from the Dunstable Chronicle of this month: — Mr. W. Jardine, of 

 that town, has for some time been in possession of a Hawk. A few months 

 ago she laid two eggs, soon after which she sat upon them. Her own eggs 

 were subsequently removed, and two Guinea-fowls' eggs placed in her nest. 

 The Hawk sat upon them the usual time, when, to the surprise of all, 

 two fine chickens were hatched, with which their step-mother appeared 

 highly delighted, and over which she has continued to watch with all the ten- 

 derness of a natural parent: the only thing at which she appeared uneasy, 

 and evidently shewed surprise, was the fact of her young picking up the 

 moment they were hatched, and many were the efforts whichj^she made to 

 induce them to offer their bills, that she might cram in pieces of raw meat. 

 — T. Cane, Manchester Street, Luton, Beds. 



Occurrence of the Eose-Coloured Pastor. — Last August I had a Rose- 

 Coloured Pastor brought me that was shot in this neighbourhood. It was 

 a young bird of this year. — Idem. 



Green Sandpiper. — I had a very good specimen of the Green Sandpiper 

 sent me to preserve about the same time. — Idem. 



Bed Admirals. — A correspondent in "The Naturalist" last month stated 

 that Red Admirals were very scarce in his district, (Wells;) now in the 

 neighbourhood of Luton they have beeu more plentiful than usual. A 

 friend of mine captured eight one afternoon, and I have caught several 

 myself. — Idem. 



Curious Hatch of a Hen. — A Hen, belonging to a person of this town, 

 a short time, out of a sitting of thirteen eggs, hatched fourteen chickens. 

 The double egg was not quite broken through, but very thin and cracked. 

 The birds were fully formed, but had evidently exhausted all the nutrition 

 in the egg, and had died in consequence. — Fixederick M. Burtox, Upping- 

 ham, October 10th., 1855. 



