64 APPENDIX : NOS. XLII.—XLIU1. 
events not very obvious externally, but it is difficult to understand 
how stoppages of the nostrils should not be constantly occurring 
unless there is some such safeguard. I do not remember ever to 
have seen either Snipes or Woodcocks in the act of piercing the soft 
ground; it is probable that they do it by bearing forward the weight 
of the body as the Kiwi-kiwi does, but whether the different sense 
which predominates in their beaks does not cause some departure from 
the exact method in which the Kiwi-kiwi operates, remains to be 
learned. I am not aware that water has ever been offered to him; 
it would be interesting to know whether he would ever drink or 
wash. 
I have never observed any use made of the little claw at the end 
of the wing, which is far too feeble te be available for defence. This 
claw is probably only a development showing the relationship of the 
wing to the legs, or, when compared with other animals, to their fore 
legs. A similar claw is attached to the longest digit of the wing of 
a nestling Eagle. 
I have only to add that one of the keepers tells me he has seen 
the Apteryx lie on its side, and strike out like the Rat-Kangaroo 
[Hypsiprymnus| ; but I believe he saw it only once. He also on 
one occasion, when the box was opened, found it lying upon its side, 
with its legs stretched out. These actions however I have not seen. 
There are many points which require a better description than [ 
have been able to give, and especially the paces, the positions, and 
the general expression. Some good paintings would be far better 
than any other means of explanation, and are indeed indispensable 
accompaniments of a complete history, for the benefit of futurity. 
One considerable addition to our records will be a series of foot- 
marks, which Mr. Mitchell is, I believe, intending to obtain. 
Many more particulars in the habits of the Apteryz, especially of 
it in a state of nature, remain to be observed ; and indeed something 
of its nidification is already known in this country; but some of the 
peculiarities which I have endeavoured to describe are sufficiently 
remarkable, and their duration amongst the things that are is 
sufficiently ‘precarious, to engage the services of more capable pens 
than mine. 
21 Cambridge Terrace, Hyde Park, 
March 1852. 
XLIII. 
OccuRRENCE OF T'RITON PALMIPES IN SCOTLAND ', 
[‘ Zoologist, x. (1852) p. 3426.] 
Last April I saw Triton palmipes, Daud.,in plenty, on moors between 
the foot of Ben Nevis and the Caledonian Canal, and in the same 
' [See Nos. XXIII., XXV., and XXXVI.—Ep. ] 
