Queries and Answers. 93 



To softcji ike Skins of Birds (in answer to J. A. H., Vol. II. p. 484.) — 

 Wrap the feet of the bu'd in a damp cloth, and put a piece of linen dipped 

 in water, with the water wrung out, in the body of the bird, and moistened 

 cotton in the eyes. — A. Z. Nov. 5. 1829. 



Softening the Skins of Birds. — For the information of your correspondent 

 J. A. H. (Vol.11, p. 484.), I beg to inform you that a friend of mine, who is 

 in the habit of occasionally receiving the skins of birds in a dry state from 

 South America, always puts them into a cellar for a few days previously to 

 stuffing them, to render the skin soft. I am. Sir, &C.—H. Gray's Inn, Nov. 

 23. 1829. 



A small Bird reputed to be a Humming-Bird. — The small bird met with 

 in the western parts of Devonshii'e, and reputed, from its diminutive size, to 

 be a humming-bird (Vol. II. p. 402.), I should have little doubt must be the 

 golden-crested wren, which is the smallest of our British birds, and answers 

 the remainder of the description by frequently making its " pendent bed 

 and procreant cradle" on the extreme branches of some fir or other tree. — 

 W. T. Bree. Rectory, Allesley, Sept. 8. 1829. 



Winter Quarters of Frogs (Vol. II. p. 103. 289.).— Sir, The following fact 

 relative to this subject may, perhaps, be acceptable. In draining a bog or springy 

 piece of ground in the winter 1813-14 (during the frost), I discovered a large 

 quantity, some hundreds I suppose, embedded about three feet below the sur- 

 face, in the head or source of a more than usually strong spring. Upon 

 being uncovered they appeared very inactive, but not torpid or niotionless, 

 and attempted to bury themselves again in the sand, which, from the flowing 

 of the water, was so easily separated as to admit a pole of considerable 

 length to be run down it with a slight pressure. The cavity in which they 

 were, and which apparently was formed by them, was so placed that the 

 water of the spring flowed through it, and prevented their feeling the effects 

 of the frost. In cleaning ditches or stagnant ponds during the winter, I 

 have never seen any but at the bottom of ponds, in which, I am told, they 

 are common. Are we not to infer from this that they instinctively seek springs, 

 as the water is less liable to freeze ; and, as they were in the instance men- 

 tioned capable of moving, that they do not hybernate or become torpid dur- 

 ing the winter, but that they respire in water, or in their hiding places ? I 

 have never observed them in (htches or pools until near their spawning 

 time, viz. after a few warm days in February or March, when their " croak- 

 ing is considered the precursor of spring and provocative of sport" to boys ; 

 after which the embryo frogs appear as black spots in a large mass of gela- 

 tinous matter. I am. Sir, &C.—J. F. B. Aug. 29. 1829. 



Skate Spawn. — What are these gelatinous masses so prevalent On our 

 coasts, and called by the vulgar, skate spawn ? It is impossible for any one 

 to walk along this part of the coast, and not to be struck with the great 

 abundance of these large, transparent, jelly-like masses, the exuviae of every 

 tide. A few days ago I had an opportunity of seeing one of these in its 

 natural element, left by the ebb, in a shallow tank of clear water, and exhibit- 

 ing a degree of sensific and motific power far beyond what I should have 

 expected to have found in such an assemblage of negative organisation. 

 The masses vary in bulk, and may weigh from four ounces to two pounds. 

 On the beach they are a solid and quivering lump, having one side convex 

 and perfectly smooth, the other cupped in its centre ; the cup of the largest 

 is about two inches in diameter, hard and cartilaginous at the bottom, with 

 the appearance of four quadrangular tentacula nearly even with the siu^face. 

 It was the first time I had ever seen one of these in water, and I was at- 

 tracted by its well defined outline and graceful movements ; it was lying at 

 the bottom upon its convex side, and the cup, which on the beach is about 

 one fifth of its whole diameter, and would hold not more than an ounce of 

 water, was now expanded to its entire diameter, and would contain at least 

 a pint. The movements perceptible were in the margin of the cup, and 



