The Zoologist— May, 1807. 753 



various modulations, after the lamp was lighted in the room where 

 they were kept, was excessively sweet and pleasing. In their actions 

 they somewhat reminded me of starlings playfully snapping at one 

 another with their beaks, as they sat side by side, and occasionally in 

 the most affectionate manner taking food from one another's mouths. 

 The male when thus excited with play was a very striking object, his 

 whole figure full of life and vigour, being drawn up as if standing on 

 tiptoe, with the crest elevated and curving forwards. At times he 

 would amuse as well as exercise himself by hopping sideways on his 

 perch in a very droll manner, and when alarmed by a visitor, or 

 listening to any strange sound his expression of curiosity (the head 

 and neck being stretched out to the fullest extent), mixed with a queer 

 pert manner, was extremely comic."— p. 159. 



One other extract, and a very brief one, and I commit the Birds of 

 Norfolk to my readers, feeling thoroughly assured that they will enjoy 

 it as much as I have done : — 



Yellowhammer.—" As a cage-bird the yellowhammer, though looking 

 a giant amongst the smaller finches, is exceedingly gentle in manner, 

 maintaining his own rights with a quiet dignity that brooks no insult, 

 though he never interferes with others. In fact, a feathered gentleman, 

 and graceful in action, he floats, rather than flies, from one perch to 

 another, or amuses himself by repeatedly springing into the air, and 

 with a rapid turn of the wings alighting again on the same spot." 

 —p. 197. 



I find I have omitted to mention that this is a first volume only : it 

 ends with the Californian quail, the arrangement being that of Mr. 

 larrell, so that all the wading and swimming birds, tribes in which 

 Norfolk is peculiarly rich, have yet to be noticed. 



Edward Newman. 



Cat and Squirrels.— On one of the early days of April, this year, I was asked by a 

 bird-fancier to come into a little room in his house in Eton, and see a "novelty," as 

 he called it. This novelty was quite new to me, for it consisted of an old cat bringing 

 up a "happy family" of her own single kitten and four young squirrels. The man 

 told me that the cat saved him much time and trouble by taking the young squirrels 

 off his hands; and he also told me that she had done the same for him last year. It 

 was very curious to observe how carefully she avoided stepping upon them. She evi- 

 dently liked them as well as her own kitten, and was a very affectionate foster-mother. 

 SECOND SERIES — VOL. II. g q 



