98 NOTES TO THE 



debarred access until so turned over by the salmon, and the 

 more frequent the visits of this most useful bird to the newly- 

 turned gravel the freer will the spawning-bed be from these 

 hurtful insects. This opinion subsequent experience has con- 

 firmed, and preservers of salmon will act wisely to protect as a 

 most able assistant the falsely-accused water-ousel." I therefore 

 entreat fish-culturists, water bailiffs, and gamekeepers not to 

 kill the water-ousel. 



I have written on this matter many times ; I urge it once 

 more, and repeat, " Spare the water-ousel ;" he is a friend, not 

 an enemy, to fish and fish-culturists. 



BRIGHTON BUSTAEDS, p. 113. Brighthelmstone is of course 

 Brighton. The origin of the prosperity of this beautiful 

 town was Dr. Russell's book, published in 1752, entitled " A 

 Dissertation on the Use of Sea-water in the Diseases of the 

 Glands, particularly the scurvy, jaundice, king's evil, leprosy, 

 and the glandular consumption." Dr. Eussell established 

 himself at Brighton, the sea-air cured his patients, and the 

 doctor made his fortune. I should exceedingly like to see 

 bustards re-established on the downs. I am certain they would 

 do well, and form a most interesting addition to the present 

 charms of Brighton. I wish the Mayor, the residents of Brighton 

 and its vicinity, and Sir Cordy Burrows, would take up the idea. 

 Bustards could be obtained from the plains of Central Europe, 

 not far from Berlin. 



Norfolk was once the head-quarters of this magnificent bird. 

 There are some fine specimens in the Museum at Norwich, 

 shot between the years 1820 and 1830. 



Many interesting particulars as to Norfolk Bustards can be 

 found in the Rev. R. Lubbock's descriptions of " The Broads and 

 Decoys " (H. Stacey, Norwich, price eighteenpence). All natur- 

 alists would rejoice exceedingly if His Royal Highness the 

 Prince of Wales would revive the race of Bustards on his estate 

 at Sandringham. The country about there is admirably suited 

 for them. 



I am told they show good sport when coursed. The bustard 

 is to my mind the " ostrich of England." 



DUCKS, p. 121. My uncle, the Rev. B. Morland, rector of Shab- 

 bington, Bucks, in the middle of a large grazing country, tells me 

 that the fanners in the district are in the habit of utilising the 

 calves as food for early ducks. The heads, feet, and sweet- 

 breads of the calves are sent to the London market, and the rest 



