ON NATURAL HISTORY. 343 



During this very mild winter, (Dec. 1 843) I ob- 

 serve the Rooks haunt their old nests in the Home 

 Park, Windsor, as if preparing for the breeding 

 season. In Mr. White's unpublished MSS., he 

 mentions a rook's nest, with young ones in it, as 

 early as the 26th of November ; and states, that 

 on the 6th of December, one of the young was 

 found dead under the nest, about half grown. 



Wood-lice may be found all the winter through, 

 in mild weather, and earth-worms, also, after it 

 is dark. Some kinds of Gnats play much about 

 during a soft winter's evening. 



Hornets fly about on a moon-light night in 

 Autumn. They have flown into my room late in 

 the evening, attracted by the light. They, pro- 

 bably, are in search of moths. 



Mr. White mentions a notion of the country 

 people about Selborne, that there is a species of 

 the genus mmtelinum, besides the weazel, stoat, 

 and polecat, which they describe as a little red- 

 dish animal, not much bigger than a field mouse, 

 but much longer, which they call a cane. I am 

 assured, that this is by no means an uncommon 

 animal in some parts of Berkshire.* 



* This mistake has been pointed out and corrected, in the addi- 

 tional notes to White's Selborne, signed J. M. p. 544. 4to. ed. 

 No such animal exists. 



