October 12, 1841. 
Professor Owen, Vice-President, in the Chair. 
A letter from John Parkinson, Esq., was read. In this letter Mr. 
Parkinson incloses a communication which had been forwarded to 
him by Mr. Commissary General Coffin, tending to prove the dis- 
position of the woodcock to return, not only to the same district but 
to a once-frequented spot. The communication is as follows :— 
“In the year 1833 a woodcock with white feathers in the wings 
was observed in a cover on the manor of Monkleigh, near Torrington, 
in the county of Devon. The same bird, or cne of exactly similar 
plumage, re-appeared in the same place during the four succeeding 
seasons, in which period it was so repeatedly shot at by different 
persons without effect, that it at last acquired among the country- 
people the name of ‘ the witch.’ In the year 1837 however it was 
killed by John Piper of Monkleigh, while following the owner of the 
property which it frequented, the Rev. J. T. Pine Coffin of Port- 
ledge, who has now the stuffed specimen in his possession. 
“ The white feathers are the primary quills and bastard winglets of 
each wing, the remainder of the plumage being of the ordinary hue. 
‘These feathers are all of a pure white, and seem to be of a closer 
and stronger texture than usual, but no other peculiarity is observa- 
ble. It is however worthy of notice, that the cover which formed 
its constant haunt, when not disturbed, is a piece of wood not ex- 
ceeding fifty acres in extent; thus proving the disposition of the 
woodcock to return, not only to the same district but to the same 
spot which it has once frequented, and to which it is probably first 
directed by the parent bird, or by other companions older than itself.” 
“ Barnstaple, 17th July, 1841.” 
A letter from Sir Rebert Heron, Bart., was next read. It states 
that two Rheas in Sir Robert Heron’s menagerie had laid thirteen 
eggs; but as they showed no inclination to set upon them, eight of 
them were placed under four turkeys. ‘‘ When the young Rheas 
were hatched,” observes Sir Robert Heron, ‘‘ the turkeys appeared 
to think them monsters, and in every instance attacked them; but 
upon their being placed under the turkeys the ensuing night, they 
took proper care of them.” But one, however, of the young Rheas 
survived, and this was allowed to range loose with the turkey. It 
employed its time in catching insects, which is remarkable, since the 
adult Rhea does not feed upon insects. 
The eggs of the Rhea were hatched in five weeks, whilst the Emu 
sits nine weeks, and Sir Robert Heron supposes the difference of 
time required to hatch the eggs of these two species may perhaps 
Nos. CV. & CVI.—Procrepines or TuE Zoot. Soc. 
