Tue ZooLtocist—NoveMBER, 1872. 3299 
determine it. After keeping them a week the incrustations dropped 
off the several parts, which were quite healed, making it clear the 
latter supposition was the right one; the question then arose what 
species of “ vermin,” and how happened they not to carry off their 
prey? The nest was placed on some sprouts on the side of an elm, 
sixteen inches from the ground (to the top of the nest), making it 
easily accessible; but stoats, weasels or rats would hardly be con- 
tent with the beak for a repast, nor do I think either would be likely 
to be driven off by the parent birds. By-the-way I may here mention 
an instance of a stoat being driven from the nest of a wood pigeon, 
as recorded by me in the ‘ Field’ of March 3rd: it is the only 
instance I have heard of a stoat being up a tree, and I have only 
once seen arat climb a tree. A short time since I saw from my 
window a rat run about five feet up the bole of a holly : it descended 
by dropping from one branch to another, only using its fore feet, 
holding by one and looking down past its shoulder for the next 
branch, which it caught by the other, the hind legs dangling 
parallel to the tail: this all seemed to be done in frolic. I have 
however, come to the conclusion that the injuries done to the 
thrushes was the act of some evil-disposed squirrel: the trees near 
where the nest: was found are much frequented by them: they are 
very numerous here now, though about ten years ago there was not 
one to be seen; they are sometimes threatened with destruction 
for injury done to the trees. I have watched them tearing the 
bark from the smaller limbs of the beech: they first cut it across 
and then draw it backwards in long narrow strips, which they 
make still more narrow and wind into loose balls, the motion of 
their feet being similar to a person winding a ball of yarn: it is at 
last cut off the branch and carried off to line their nests. I once 
shot one in the act: it fell to the ground, but, before I could get to 
it, it leaped to the bole of the tree, and was nearly out of reach when 
I caught it by the “brush,” which it left in my hand and went on 
with its naked tail: 1 would have left it so, but I thought it might 
go in agony from the effects of the shot, so I put an end to it by a 
second shot. 
Since writing the above I have read the “ Anecdote of a Rat,” 
recorded by Mr. Gurney (Zool. S. S. 3181), and as my own obser- 
vations may help to explain what were the intentions of the rat at 
liberty, had it succeeded in making its way to the one in the trap, 
perhaps you will allow me to add them to my already long and 
