BIRP-nETREATING. 175 



a pliial of water, it swam in a very lively way, and stuck every now and 

 then to the side of it. 



A good many months ago, I got from the crevice of a stone taken 

 from deep water, a fine living specimen of Area hetragina. 



Anomia patelliformis appears to be more common in the Frith than was 

 supposed. I have got a good many specimens. Thracia pTiascolina, Tellina 

 crassa, Vemis cassina, Gardium norvegicum, and Pentunculus glycimeris, have 

 all been got — one, two, or more specimens of each. But more of this here- 

 after, if all is well. 



My last capture in entomology last season was a fine male of the 

 Vapourer Moth, (Orgyia antiqua.) 



I have also seen a specimen of the Death's Head Sphinx, (Acherordia 

 Atropos,) got by Mr. Lemon, between Boyndie and Banff". 



As to our Zoophytes, in a short time I hope to be able to give a 

 pretty fair list; meanwhile be it known that I have got one specimen of 

 Caryophyllea Smithii, many of Cellipora cervicornis, and, I am inclined to 

 think, Cellipora Icevis. Many of Cellipora Skenii, Plumularia Catherina, 

 Plumularia myriophyllum, Sertularia cupressina, Betepera Beaniana, Thuria 

 articulata, have also been found in greater or less abundance. 



Macduff, Banff, June 17th., 1856. 



BIRD-RETREATING. 



BY O. R. TWINN, ESQ. 



How much a matter of regret it is that as civilization and industry take 

 possession of any locality, and render it a busy hive of men, we cannot 

 secure to it any great abundance of Nature's lavish gifts, for the enjoy- 

 ment and contemplation of the teeming population. 



In harmony with the law of compensation, I find that our gain in one 

 method is met by loss in another; and the natural and peculiar features 

 of the advantage are not of that pure, refining, God- displaying character, 

 (though far be it from me to disparage man's glorious doings,) that so 

 pre-eminently distinguish Nature's works. The close environment of a 

 town, its noisy hum of industrious thousands, its rattling wheels and engines, 

 its engrossment of every spare acre, its sacrifice of land, and tree, and 

 hedge, from the open field or wood, to become the narrow, house-confronting 

 street, are all enemies to him who would retain Nature around in all her 

 charms, for general benefit. 



I resided for many years near to an old city of weavers, a quiet, dear, 

 ancestral spot^ but my ornithological notices there were of occasional House- 



