342 MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS 



others do not have their full gay plumage till their 

 second and third year, in fact till they are strong 

 enough to take care of themselves. 



The shelled Snail is protected from cold by its 

 outer covering. I have observed that frost has 

 but little effect on the Slug, as I have never seen 

 any killed by it, although harbouring amongst the 

 leaves of frozen cabbages, and under bricks and 

 stones. Soft billed birds search for them in se- 

 vere weather. The slimy covering of slugs must 

 be a great protection to them. Every thing is 

 cared for. 



" Farmers say, that when Chaffers abound, they 

 fall from the trees and hedges on the sheep's 

 backs, where, being entangled in the wool, they 

 die, and being blown by flies, fill the sheep with 

 maggots/'* (A useful hint for shepherds.) 



Some Cape Geese, in Richmond Park, laid their 

 eggs on the ground for two or three years, but 

 finding that the rats destroyed them, they made 

 their nests in some old pollards near the water, to 

 which they safely conveyed their young. Moor- 

 hens, probably for the same reason, will frequently 

 fix their nests in an ingenious manner amongst 

 tall rushes. 



* Rev. Gilbert White's MSS. 



