30 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



It may be of interest to record that shortly after leaving the egg 

 each young bird joined the other parent, which kept up a continual 

 calling-note in some rushes on the other side of the pond. This, how- 

 ever, was probably due to the fact that I examined the nest several 

 times during the day, and consequently alarmed them. 



C. L. COLLENETTE. 



THE LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM JARDINE. 



To the Editors of British Birds. 



Sirs, — For some time past I have been engaged in writing the 

 " Life " of Sir William Jardine, the naturalist. 



Would you be so good as to insert this letter in your Magazine, 

 in the hope that, if it catches the eye of anyone who may be able to 

 assist me, either by letters from Sir William Jardine or from personal 

 acquaintance, they will communicate with me. 



Hugh S. Gladstone. 



THE STOMACH OF A WATER-RAIL. 



To the Editors of British Birds. 

 Sirs, — On opening the stomach of a Water-Rail (Rallus aquaticKa) I 

 found a small stomach inside the ordinary one. This small stoniach 

 was 1^ cm. across and open at one end, but unfortunately it had been 

 cut into so that I was unable to see how it was attached. In colour 

 it was slightly paler' than the ordinary stomach, but otherwise exactly 

 resembled it except in size. When found it contained food. The 

 stomach has been sent to Sir John McFadyean, who says that it is 

 lined by mucous membrane with tubular glands, and is undoubtedly 

 a true digestive stomach. A microphotograph of a section of the small 

 stomach is enclosed. The bird was a female and in good* condition. 



M.\RJORY Garnett. 



