5-2 



CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES. 



ZOOLOGY. 



The Brake Nightingale (Philomela luscinia) breeding in Confinement. 

 — A bird-catcher in this town had a pair of Nightingales that bred while in his 

 possession, during the summer of 1833. They were captured the previous sum- 

 mer. The female laid five eggs, which were all hatched. Three of the young 

 birds were reared ; and although the male died previously, still the female did not 

 relax her attentions to her offspring. This is the only instance I have known of 

 the Nightingale breeding in confinement. — J. D. Salmon. Thetford, Norfolh 

 Feb. 6, 1836. 



Departure of the Chimney Swallow (Hirundo rustica) in 1836. — At 

 the end of September, 1836, the greater number of Chimney Swallows had winged 

 their course over the sea; but we observed several individuals of the species in 

 the neighbourhood of Doncaster on the evening of Oct. 3rd. Most of them were 

 in so weak a state as to be scarce able to support themselves on the wing ; as they 

 were not young birds, and as the weather was mild, we cannot at present adduce 

 a satisfactory reason for so strange a circumstance. — Ed. 



The Peewit Lapwing (Vanellus cristatus). — Lapwings have now congregated 

 in large flocks upon our fields, on their passage to the south, or to the sea-coasts, 

 where food, during winter, can be obtained. — James Stuart Menteath, Close- 

 burn Hall, Dumfriesshire, Oct. 25, 1836. 



Anecdote of a Shetland Pony. — I was some time since passing rather late 

 in the evening, through one of the streets in the immediate neighbourhood of 

 London, and observed two men walking briskly along, with a beautiful little pony 

 trotting by their side, without either bridle or halter. Presently one of the men, 

 who seemed on the best possible terms with his little steed, passed his arm round 

 its body, and lifting it with ease from the ground, carried it for some distance ; 

 then setting it down, he threw one leg over its back, and half rode, half walked, 

 with his feet touching the ground on either side. After a short time he again 

 carried the horse a short distance ; and at length coming to a large gin-shop carried 

 it up the steps and disappeared with it at the door. Whether he made it partake 

 of his cheer, I know uot. — Bell's Hist, of British Quadrupeds, p, 374. 



