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Birds. 9181 
like Dr. Heineken,* or have been the companions of invalids. Conse- 
quently, of the character of the casual additions to the Madeiran avi- 
fauna we are quite ignorant. On the other hand, I do not suppose 
that the number of species really inhabiting the islands is likely to be 
materially increased by any future observations. 
Still there is much in the Ornis of the Madeiras that merits or 
requires further elucidation. The facts that Scolopax rusticula is 
stationary all the year, and constantly, though in small numbers, breeds 
in latitude 33° N., and that Petronia stulta, departing from its cus- 
tomary habits of seclusion on the continent of Europe, is met with on 
trees in the centre of the town of Funchal, are such as, if they did not 
come to us on undoubted authority, would scarcely be credited. It is 
almost impossible that these should be the sole exceptional pecu- 
liarities of their kind in Madeiran Ornithology. 
To British oologists the Madeiras have for some years been known 
as the locality whence they have obtained a plentiful supply of the 
eggs of various Procellariide. These were, I believe, first imported 
into this country by my friend Dr. R. T. Frere; and it is very much 
to be regretted that we have so little information respecting the 
breeding habits of the birds which produce them. Some of us who 
are afflicted with the mania for egg-collecting, and who are sceptical 
on every point pertaining to our favourite study, have expressed 
doubts as to the genuineness of the specimens called by the name of 
Puffinus obscurus. These entirely want the strong musky smeil which 
is so characteristic, as far as we know, of eggs of the whole family ; 
and, I believe, insinuations have been occasionally uttered respecting 
the bantam hens which might be kept to lay these valuable objects. 
I confess to having been at one time among the disbelievers; and 
therefore I feel bound to record the fact, of which I was not formerly 
aware, that the Dezertas are uninhabited islands, and consequently 
that there is no domestic poultry there. At the same time I wish 
I could hear of some ornithologist visiting these barren rocks at the 
breeding season, and putting the matter for ever at rest. 
The geological relations of the existing Fauna and Flora of the 
Atlantic isles and the European continent have, as far as known, been 
treated by much abler hands than mine; and I can scarcely hope to add 
any reflections on the subject which are worth the printing. Yet 
hitherto the birds of these interesting groups (the only relics of an 
* I have not seen the paper said to have been published by this naturalist in the 
‘Edinburgh Journal of Science,’ 2nd ser. vol. i. p. 229, and am only acquainted with 
that in the ‘ Zoological Journal,’ vol. v. pp. 70—79. 
