106 Zoological Notices, by James Smail. 



The minnow and the worm took no notice of each other. The 

 minnow, however, often swallowed a worm, put in for it, as long 

 as itself ; and when such a worm was taken in end first the other 

 end sometimes remained outside its mouth for a considerable 

 time, or till such time as the end first swallowed had been partly- 

 digested. The protruding nose or tail of the worm used to go out 

 and in a little with every in-and-out draught made by the min- 

 now. The digestive power of fish seems much stronger than that 

 of land animals. 



Glow- Worms. — I have seen many Glow-Worms, first and last, 

 on Tweedside, about Thornielee. I gathered some one night 

 and brought them home, and tried to keep them in the grass be- 

 hind my house ; but the sparrows, I think, breakfasted on them. 

 The glow or light comes from near the tail of the worm, which is 

 of a somewhat speckled brown colour and very velvety. 



Note. — Mr Smail is desirous of obtaining a return of the 

 Rookeries in the counties of Northumberland, Berwick, Rox- 

 burgh, Selkirk, and Peebles, and he has sent out the following 

 queries to many members of the Club. He would feel exceed- 

 ingly favoured if members who have not received the schedule 

 would kindly send him information, especially as to the number 

 of Rookeries. Schedule of queries, &c, sent out : — 



1. Name the Rookeries you know to exist in each, of these counties. State 

 also whether the Eookeries are large or otherwise. 



2. Do you know the age of any of these Rookeries ? If so, state it. 



3. State what Kookeries have heen destroyed, and what means were used 

 for their destruction. 



4. Do you consider Rooks are much more numerous now than twenty-five 

 years ago ? 



5. Do you know any Rookeries in which the Rooks reside in winter ? If 

 so, name them. Note. — The only Rookeries known to the writer in which 

 the Rooks roost at night in winter are respectively at Marlefield, Roxburgh- 

 shire ; Mellerstan, Berwickshire ; Sunderland Hall, Selkirkshire. 



6. What kind of food do Rooks eat ? State particularly whether in your 

 neighbourhood you know them to eat bulbs of turnips, or clover; and 

 whether you know of their preying on the eggs or the young of partridges, 

 pheasants, or other birds. State also whether you have known them to injure 

 young lambs. 



Please state whether you consider Wood-Pigeons have increased in num- 

 ber in your district within the last twenty-five years. 



Please also to give the names of Heronries in the counties named, and state 

 something as to their size. 



[Address — J. Smail, Bank House, Galashiels.] 



