192 Queries and Answers. 
tre, except secondarily, by the extension of the disease to the surrounding 
parts. It is properly a disease affecting the thyroid gland. As it is gene- 
rally of little consequence except from the deformity it occasions, those 
affected with it (in this country at least) are very unfrequently the subjects 
of a severe operation for its removal ; and, if by “ the knife”” Obscurus means 
the extirpation of the gland, I believe no one would be so mad as to attempt 
it, unless the patient’s life were in immediate danger from the pressure of the 
diseased structure on the trachea obstructing respiration. The arteries 
supplying the tumour (which are generally enlarged) have been tied with 
partial success, and setons, blisters, leeches, friction with or without medi- 
caments, and pressure, with alkaline and tonic medicines internally, have each 
and all been more or less successful in different instances ; but the greatest 
dependence at present is upon the preparations of iodine, which are used, not 
“to neutralise any noxious qualities of the water” drank by the patient, 
but on account of its peculiar action on the glandular system of the body 
generally. To its good effects in the early stage of the disease, I can bear 
witness, but I do not think it would be found equally beneficial in a case of 
long standing. I am, Sir, &c.—J. Aaron, M. R.C.S— Birmingham, Sept. 
17. 1829: 
A Fight between a Rat and a Hedge-sparrow. — In the beginning of No- 
vember, a friend of mine was witness of a fight between a rat and a hedge- 
sparrow. The sparrow acted on the offensive as well as on the defensive, 
by striking the rat on the head with its beak. On hearing my friend 
approach, the sparrow flew away, and the rat, of course, disappeared among 
the bushes. What could have been the cause of this fight ? It was too late 
for the sparrow to have young or eggs to defend ; and I am at aloss for any 
other reason for her attack on the rat. It evidently could not be in self- 
defence, for she could fly away as well at first as at last. — Y. Dec. 1829. 
The Cavia Cobiya, or Guinea-pig (in answer to C, Lamb, Vol. IT. p. 205.), is anative of Guinea and 
the Brazils,where it is generally of a pure white colour, and seldom variegated with orange and black, 
in irregular blotches, as in England. ‘They dwell in warrens, like rabbits, whom, in their food and 
manner of living, they strongly resemble ; and would, without doubt, be speedily extirpated by the 
smaller kinds of cats, in which their country so greatly abounds, were it not for the rapid and 
almost ineredible multiplication of their species, six hundred, on an average, being annnally pro- 
duced from each female. In cenfinement, their food consists of the most juicy and succulent 
herbs ; they will also eat bread sopped in milk, grains and fruits of all sorts, especially apples : and 
here it may be well to correct an error of Bufion’s, who states, ‘‘ that, though perpetually throw- 
ing out urine, they never drink.” This, however, is not the case; for all those that I have seen 
have always manifested a strong inclination for drinking, being particularly fond of milk, and 
never refusing water when offered them. ‘Their sleep is short and frequent ; they utter a shrill 
piercing cry when in want of any thing, or when any one approaches near them, and frequently 
perish from cold, moisture, or want of exercise. On the whole, they are extremely timid, delicate, 
and feeble, but inoffensive, docile, and elegant: useless for food, in this country, at least, or for 
any of the purposes to which domesticated animals are generally applied, but very well adapted, 
from their gentleness and beauty, to be kept as pets. — Perceval Hunter. June 4, 1829. 
The Night-Jar, or Goatsucker.— Is it generally known that the Night-Jar, 
or Goatsucker (Caprimilgus europee‘us), is reared in the manner of the 
cuckoo ? At least, one circumstance of the kind has occurred within my 
knowledge. Last spring, a large bird was observed to visit a hedge conti- 
guous to the road-side, and enclosing a garden at Newington, near Sitting- 
bourne, Kent. It was soon remarked that a hedge-sparrow had built her nest 
there, and that there was an egg of a larger size than hers, and of a different 
colour, in the nest. The incubation was watched, and a stranger of. larger 
dimensions than the progeny of the hedge-sparrow was hatched with her 
own offspring. Ina short time the mtruder grew so fast that it occupied 
the whole nest itself, having previously ejected the young of the rightful 
owner. When the bird was fledged, and nearly ready to take wing, it was 
placed in a cage, supposing it to be a young cuckoo ; but, as the plumage 
became perfected, it proved itself a night-jar. [am not aware that a similar 
circumstance of this bird has been recorded. — W, Masters, Curator of the 
Canterbury Museum. Jan. 3. 1830. 
Softening the Skins of Birds (in answer to J. A. H.).—The skin should be 
thrown into a vessel of sufficient capacity to admit it without bending, and 
