454 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
as a substitute, they employ small mountain pigs, which practically cost 
them nothing. They are as good as sheep-dogs in keeping the flocks 
together, and when a suitable feeding-place has been found, the pigs, as 
they wander about under the chestnut trees, pick up chestnuts and other 
food. The reason why they are employed thus seems to be that they may 
be trained to become good substitutes for dogs, and by finding their own 
food in the woods cost their owners nothing.—F. V. Darpysxtre (Balliol 
College, Oxford). 
Black Rat in Cornwall.—A specimen of the “ Old English” or Black 
Rat, Mus rattus, was taken at Tredorwin in Towednack, about five miles 
north-east of Penzance, and is—in this neighbourhood, at least—decidedly 
of rare occurrence. Some years ago I was advised of a small colony of 
this rat which had established itself at a farm called Trenuggo, about 
four miles west of Penzance; but I failed to secure a specimen, and they 
seem to have deserted the place.—Tuomas Cornrsu (Penzance). 
Bat resting on the Water.—One evening in July last I witnessed an 
unusual action on the part of a bat (Vespertilio daubentonii). 1 was fishing 
for Tench in a large pond overhung by willows, which forms a favourite 
hunting-ground for bats of this species, when one of them, after hovering 
repeatedly over a particular spot, suddenly dropped flat on the surface of 
the water with its wings fully extended. Having remained motionless for 
several seconds, it rose with apparent ease and continued its flight. The 
action appeared to me to be voluntary, and not the result of accident. 
I have had many opportunities for observing these bats, both here and in 
North Wales, but never previously saw one take to the water. The power 
of avoiding obstacles possessed by bats is, I think, much exaggerated, and 
I have known Daubenton’s Bat strike against my fishing-line several times 
in the course of a single evening.—G. H. Caron Hateu (Grainsby Hall, 
Great Grimsby). 
BIRDS. 
Occurrence of the Crane in Essexi—While shooting with a party, 
on Sept. 26th, in the adjoining parish of Little Oakley, I had the pleasure 
of seeing a fine specimen of the Common Crane. We were sitting at lunch 
under a hedge, when, happening to look up, I noticed—as I at first 
thought—a large Heron flying towards us. It was then about a mile off. 
Presently I looked up again, and by that time it had come much nearer, 
and to my astonishment I observed that the bird held its head and neck 
stretched out in front of it, as Herons never do, and from its immense size 
there was no mistaking what it was.. It still came gradually towards us, 
and appeared to be looking for a place whereon to alight, for it flapped its 
great wings several times over its back until they almost appeared to touch, 
and then glided on with outstretched pinions. This it repeated several 
