76 Miscellaneous. 



Through the kindness of Mr, Erasmus Wilson I had an opportunity 

 of comparing the above specimens from the dog with those of the 

 human skin, to ascertain whether they constituted a distinct species. 

 The differences however, chiefly of size, which existed between 

 them, — and in this respect the human Demodices vary much even 

 among themselves, — did not enable me to arrive at any definite con- 

 clusion, though the analogy of other parasites found on different ani- 

 mals would be in favour of their being regarded as separate species. 

 I have preferred the generic name, Demodex, expressive of its habitat, 

 given by Prof. Owen, to that of Acarus by Dr. Simon, or Entozoon 

 by Mr. E. Wilson, as the former implies a relation to a tribe of 

 Arachnida, not warranted certainly from the general form, the multi- 

 articulate condition of the abdomen, and other details of the external 

 anatom}' ; while that of Eiitozoon is objectionable from the term 

 having been hitherto restricted to a class of parasites infesting the 

 visceral cavities of other animals. 



KENTISH BIRDS. 



To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. 



Margate, Nov. 1843. 



Gentlemen, — Some time having elapsed since my last letter, I 

 write to communicate what has fallen in my way during the sum- 

 mer. I have shot several Kentish plovers, and also procured some 

 of the eggs, and the young in the downy state : they were taken 

 on the shingle near Sandown Castle ; also three specimens of the 

 Wood Sandpiper, Totanus Glareola. These birds only visit us in the 

 spring and autumn ; they arrive with the other Sandpipers, but are 

 found more inland by small running streams. 



Woodcocks, Scolopax, have been very common about the com- 

 mencement of the present month. 



Tringa subarquata, or Pigmy Curlew, rather plentiful on Sandwich 

 Flats about the 18th of October; they only staid for about two days, 

 and were so tame that I brought down eleven in one shot. 



The Purple Sandpiper, Tringa maritima ; only a few of these birds 

 have made their appearance this season, owing to the mildness of 

 the weather, as about this time of the year we generally have them 

 plentifully. 



Little Stint, Tringa minuta, has been very common all along the 

 coast ; but more particularly about Sandwich haven I jirocured a 

 great many. 



A few of the Lesser Tern, Sterna minitta, have bred this year on 

 the shingles about the North-shore station ; I took a few of their 

 eggs, but the parent bird I allowed to escape, hoping to see them 

 another season in the same locality, for I am much pleased to see 

 these little birds hawking and fishing only a few yards off, and to ob- 

 serve with what dexterity they dart under the water and bring up their 

 prey, and bear it off to their strong-looking young, which have much 

 the appearance of young hawks, moving about among the stones. 

 When they can just begin to fly it is also very amusing to see the 



