Birds. 9019 
the fleshy portions of the animal, bird or fish, by the solvent powers 
of the digestive secretion. 
2. That those birds in which a true gizzard is found are birds 
feeding upon grain, seeds, vegetable matters, and a mixed dietary, 
which could never be digested by the solvent powers of a true 
stomach, and which positively requires the mechanical crushing, 
pulping process of Nature’s mill, with its motive power concentrated 
in the enormously developed muscles, and its mill-stones on which 
these act, represented by the cartilaginous plates between which the 
food is speedily rendered fit for assimilation. 
3. That those birds in which a double or compound stomach is 
found, possessing the solvent powers of a true stomach, together with 
the grinding powers of a true gizzard, are birds feeding on a com- 
paratively bulky prey of flesh or fish, and which assimilate the 
bones, &c., as well as the softer portions of their victim. This is the 
case with the goosander, smew and diver, and most probably with all 
the members of these families. 
W. W. Bourton. 
Beverley, March 8, 1864. 
Birds and Plate-Glass.—I fancy that the introduction of plate-glass into our 
windows must have been very fatal to the birds. Since my residence here many birds 
of many kinds have come to a sudden and untimely death by a flight against the 
glass. At first this destruction was quite distressing, but I am happy to say that 
each year it is becoming less. I suppose that they (the survivors) have gained expe- 
rience. Plate-glass alone could have withstood the impetus with which some have 
met*their fate, coming with a hang against the pane, like the report of a pistol. 
Amongst the victims I may mention a few: a sparrowhawk, two partridges (which 
being in season did not grieve me much), a misletoe and many common thrushes, 
chaffinches, two nightingales, and many other species ; and a few days ago, during a 
severe frost, and in the dusk of the evening, seeking shelter from the cold, a golden- 
crested wren flew against the window, but was fortunately only stunned: I brought it 
in, and, before it had quite recovered, placed it in a small covered Japan basket 
upon a bed of rose-leaves. It never moved, and, fearing it might be dead, I carried 
the basket across the room some hours afterwards, and though the cover was removed 
in the full glare of the light the beautiful thing was not disturbed: it was asleep, and 
one round ball of feathers, the head and neck invisible. Upon coming into the room 
next morning I found it all alive and well, and gave it its liberty. Birds when asleep 
must fall au easy prey to their enemies; they are very deaf, and, except some (which 
sleep, as they say Bristolians do, with one eye open), blind to approaching danger.— 
—W. C. Hewitson; Oatlands, February 22, 1864. 
Whitetailed Eagle near Wymondham.—An eagle, supposed to be a young specimen 
of Falco albicilla, was observed for several days in the neighbourhood of Great Melton, 
near Wymondham, about_the middle of November last.—7. E, Gunn ; Norwich, 
February 24, 1864. 
