THE BIRDS OF BRECONSHIRE. 85 
unable to obtain a proper mate of its 
own species. Nature runs strictly in 
her own allotted grooves, and it is only 
when she is unable to do so (as in the 
present case) that the survivor seeks for 
atmate usually allied as nearly as possible 
to his or her own species, the result 
being hybrids incapable of breeding 
tnter SE. 
COLLARED PRATINCOLE. 
Glareola pratincola. 
One of these curious birds was seen 
near Hay, in Breconshire, some time 
since by the brothers of the late Mr. 
Baskerville, of Clyro Court. They are 
quite certain it was the Collared Pratin- 
cole, for it alighted several times, and 
allowed them to walk close to it. They 
knew the bird well, as they had both 
been stationed in South Africa, where 
they had often observed it. 
THE STONE CURLEW, 
Gdicnemus crepitans. 
This bird is almost unknown with us, 
and I have never seen it, although one 
