294 A COMMENTARY ON NOS. VII. AND VIII. OF " THE NATURALIST." 



perceived between the habits of Budytes flava and B. neglecta, consisted in the 

 latter shewing a decided partiality for watery situations, whereas the former 

 chiefly affects dry corn-fields and sheep-walks, which agrees with my own obser- 

 vation. I was rather surprised, therefore, to peruse Mr. Salmon's remarks on 

 the species, at p. 103. 



The song of the Common Crossbill (p. 103) is unmusical and squeaking, ac- 

 companied by a Goldfinch-like swing of the body, and a louder call-note analogous 

 to that of the bird alluded to ; its ordinary chirp is a low and sharp chipp. 



Respecting the occurrence of the Yellow-rimmed Albatross near Gainsbo- 

 rough (p. 104), it is much to be desired that some reader, who may possess the 

 opportunity, would endeavour to learn in whose possession the specimen now is? 

 and furnish you with an account of its dimensions, and all about it ;* for, at pre- 

 sent, I think that a writer on British birds is scarcely warranted in admitting 

 this species into his list of stragglers, should he receive no better authority for the 

 fact of its occurrence than the newspaper paragraph cited. 



A notice of Capt. Green's trained Golden Eagle (p. 106) has appeared from 

 time to time in several of the papers. It was mentioned in the John Bull, for 

 November 13, 1836. The old Venetian traveller, Marco Polo, who visited 

 Tartary in 1269, relates that this species was there trained for the pursuit of 

 large game, in which it displayed all the docility of the Falcons. In the Zoolo- 

 gical Gardens the true Eagles prove to be far less untameable than the Ernes 

 (Halicetus), which latter require to be kept in awe by their attendants. Sir W« 

 Jardine mentions having had the Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon tame, 

 and even playful. Indeed, a White-headed Erne, long in the possession of Mr. 

 Leadbeater, was as fond and affectionate as a Cockatoo ; but this is less usual 

 in the species of Halicetus. At Uxbridge a Golden Eagle has actually hatched 

 and reared several broods of chickens, which is, perhaps, the most extraordinary 

 use an Eagle was ever put to. The Common Buzzard has been several times 

 known to do the same ; and the Buzzards are very nearly allied to the true 

 Eagles. I have myself handled young but fully-grown examples of the Osprey 

 and Cinereous Erne ; that is to say, I have partly opened their wings for the pur- 

 pose of investigation, without their offering to resent the liberty taken with them ; 

 though, as before related, the Ernes are apt to be indomitably savage, and it is 

 doubtful whether they could be trained to purposes of falconry. 



A few days since I had the pleasure of both hearing and seeing a Missel 

 Thrush sing while on the wing (p. 106). My attention was aroused by hearing 

 the notes of the bird becoming louder at every stave, as if approaching, and look- 

 ing out, I soon perceived it flying low over. the Furze, taking a long curve, and 



* Any correspondent doing this will receive our best thanks. — Ed. 



