SEPTEMBER. 237 



went over us, their long necks very prominent ; a Hawk appeared 

 during the day, and although we caught not a single fish we have had 

 a most enjoyable day, and been enabled to make quite a few Natural 

 History jottings. 



6th. Bright, but somewhat cooler, still over 100 degrees in the 

 sun. Ring Doves flapping about in the tree where we fished to-day. 

 Robin singing, Rooks and Jackdaws very noisy and plentiful, although 

 we went in a totally different direction to yesterday. Many Song 

 Thrushes and Blackbirds seen, also Rabbits. Thyme-leaved Veronica 

 in flower again. 



7th. Still the most perfect weather possible, a few slight showers 

 towards evening Beautiful clear moonlight nights now. The Toad- 

 flax is in its beauty now, and the Field Scabious is still blooming. 

 The former is one of the chief features in our flora at this season. 



I spent to-day a most enjoyable time at Tring Museum with 

 my esteemed friend the curator, Mr. Ernst Hartert. In my book 

 "A Year with Nature," I have already written an article on the 

 Museum and Zoo at Tring, and have not the space to enlarge 

 here. I should like to mention, however, that I had the pleasure 

 to-day of being shown the two clutches of young Rheas born in 

 Tring Park. They are elegant and graceful little creatures, but Mr. 

 Hartert is afraid all will not survive the Winter. One or two have 

 already succumbed. Went to the splendidly kept grounds at Dundale, 

 and on and near the water there was pointed out to me several 

 American Bull Frogs, Egyptian Geese, Wild Ducks, Ruddy Sheldrakes, 

 Pochards, Tufted Ducks, and other Wild Fowl. Since I last visited 

 the museum the Zebra collection has been greatly added to, and a 

 very valuable addition is a couple of Ribbon Fish, the most curious 

 creatures imaginable, being about fifteen feet in length, an inch or 

 two across, and a foot or so deep, with curious ribbon-like appendages 

 on the head. It was reported to Mr. Sullivan, who captured it, as a 

 ''Sea Serpent," and was taken near Dunedin, New Zealand, whilst 

 the second one was taken, if my memory serves me correctly, at 

 Flamborough Head. The case of Humming Birds was also new to 

 me. It is without doubt the finest collection in the whole world. It 

 is worth noting that there are about 500 species at present known, 

 and the number of eggs is always two, and their colour is invariably 

 a glossless white. After fishing several days this week without 

 success it was quite refreshing to observe two Pike, weighing 

 respectively 36 and 37 pounds, a 13-ounce Dace, and several very 

 fine Perch, Roach, Rudd, and Carp. Nobody at all interested in 



