BIRDS OF PASSAGE. 37 



seen in them the remains of Eels or any other kinds of fish ; and I should be 

 inclined to think that Eels are not a very common dish with the species. The 

 skins and bones of Field Mice, the limbs of Frogs, and the feathers of birds, 

 are the remains generally met with in their holes. 



In some parts of England, a kind of old-fashioned fence, formed of stones 

 loosely thrown together, is frequently met with ; in such places the Fitchet loves 

 to take up his abode, probably from their being more airy than holes burrowed in 

 earth, and also giving more room. 



It is astonishing with what ferocity this animal fights when attacked, and the 

 Terrier that can overcome him, is considered a valuable animal. When he gets 

 hold of his foe, he only relinquishes it in death. While travelling one summer 

 amongst the mountains on the Scottish borders, I met with a person, famous as a 

 breeder of those Terriers celebrated by Sir Walter Scott, in the novel of Guy 

 Mannering, as " Peppers and Mustards." He showed me skins of the Fitchet 

 and Tod,* as trophies of the chase, which he considered to speak sufficiently for 

 the character of his Dogs. It is surprising to what perfection some of these Dogs 

 are trained to hunt the Fitchet. I knew one that would not follow the scent of 

 any other animal, and have seen a Common Weasel cross his path, when he has 

 been hunting the scent of a Fitchet, without his taking the least notice of it. 



Professor Rennie gives an interesting account of a tame animal of this species. 

 It appears to have been perfectly domesticated, and to have shown much affection 

 and attachment to the family to which it belonged. The Fitchet, by Buffon 

 and some other naturalists, has been considered as incapable of being tamed above 

 a certain degree. If, however, the memoirs of " Follette," (the animal spoken of 

 by Rennie) be authentic, they prove that at least one of the race was so far 

 tamed, as not to be surpassed in exhibiting marks of fondness to its keepers even 

 by the faithful Dog. 



W. R. Scott. 



PERIOD OF THE ARRIVAL OF BIRDS OF PASSAGE. 

 By Edwabd Blyth. 

 All migratory birds arrive very gradually, and in fact come over at several 

 distinct periods, on nights when the moon enlightens their course. Even at the 

 present time, only about half the Blackcapt Fauvets (Ficedula atricapilla) have 

 arrived in this neighbourhood. Thus we perceive that our birds of passage 

 arrive in separate sets, which are divided by periods of non-arrival, i. e., when 

 there is no moon. The Fallow Chat, Bank Swallow, earlier Wrynecks, Dark- 



* Fox. 



