Queries and Answers. 93 
To soften the Skins of Birds (in answer to J. A. HL, Vol. I. p. 484.) — 
Wrap the feet of the bird in a damp cloth, and put a piece of linen dipped 
in water, with the water wrung out, in the body of the bird, and moistened 
cotton in the eyes.—A. Z. Nov. 5. 1829. 
Softening the Skins of Birds.— For the information of your correspondent 
J. A. H. (Vol. 1. p. 484.), I beg to inform you that a friend of mine, who is 
in the habit of occasionally receiving the skins of birds in a dry state from 
South America, always puts them into a cellar for a few days previously to 
stuffing them, to render the skin soft. Lam, Sir, &¢.—H. Gray’s Inn, Nov. 
23. 1829. 
A small Bird reputed to be a Humming-Bird.— Tie small bird met with 
in the western parts of Devonshire, and reputed, from its diminutive size, to 
be a humming-bird (Vol. I. p. 402.), I should have little doubt must be the 
golden-crested wren, which is the smallest of our British birds, and answers 
the remainder of the description by frequently making its “pendent bed 
and procreant cradle” on the extreme branches of some fir or other tree.— 
W.T. Bree. Rectory, Allesley, Sept. 8. 1829. 
Winter Quarters of Frogs (Vol. I. p. 103. 289.).—Sir, The following fact 
relative to this subject may, perhaps, be acceptable. In draining a bog or springy 
piece of ground in the winter 1813-14 (during the frost), I discovered a large 
quantity, some hundreds I suppose, embedded about three feet below the sur- 
face, in the head or source of a more than usually strong spring. Upon 
being uncovered they appeared very inactive, but not torpid or motionless, 
and attempted to bury themselves again in the sand, which, from the flowing 
of the water, was so easily separated as to admit a pole of considerable 
length to be run down it with a slight pressure. The cavity in which they 
were, and which apparently was formed by them, was so placed that the 
water of the spring flowed through it, and prevented their feeling the effects 
of the frost. In cleaning ditches or stagnant ponds during the winter, I 
have never seen any but at the bottom of ponds, in which, I am told, they 
are common. Are we not to infer from this that they instinctively seek springs, 
as the water is less liable to freeze ; and, as they were in the instance men- 
tioned capable of moving, that they do not hybernate or become torpid dur- 
ing the winter, but that they respire in water, or in their hiding places? I 
have never observed them in ditches or pools until near their spawning 
time, viz. after a few warm days in February or March, when their “ croak- 
ing is considered the precursor of spring and provocative of sport” to boys ; 
after which the embryo frogs appear as black spots in a large mass of gela- 
tinous matter. Lam, Sir, &c.—J. F. B. Aug, 29. 1829. 
Skate Spawn.— What are these gelatinous masses so prevalent On our 
coasts, and called by the vulgar, skate spawn ? It is impossible for any one 
to walk along this part of the coast, and not to be struck with the great 
abundance of these large, transparent, jelly-like masses, the exuviz of every 
tide. A few days ago I had an opportunity of seeing one of these in its 
natural element, left by the ebb, in a shallow tank of clear water, and exhibit- 
ing a degree of sensific and motific power. far beyond what I should have 
expected to have found in such an assemblage of negative organisation. 
The masses vary in bulk, and may weigh from four ounces to two pounds. 
On the beach they are a solid and quivering lump, having one side convex 
and perfectly smooth, the other cupped in its centre; the cup of the largest 
is about two inches in diameter, hard and cartilaginous at the bottom, with 
the appearance of four quadrangular tentacula nearly even with the surface. 
Tt was the first time I had ever seen one of these in water, and I was at- 
tracted by its well defined outline and graceful movements ; it was lying at 
the bottom upon its convex side, and the cup, which on the beach is about 
one fifth of its whole diameter, and would hold not more than an ounce of 
water, was now expanded to its entire diameter, and would contain at least 
a pint. The movements perceptible were in the margin of the cup, and 
