Zoological Notes, by Andrew Brotherston. 523 



at Dunbar, November 26, 1877. It was 14£ inches in length — 



12 inches being the usual size. The male and female differ so 



much in colour, that they were considered to be different species 



until it was ascertained by Fries that they were the same. The 



number of fin-rays in this specimen differ from those given by 



both Couch and Yarrell : — 



Couch— D. 18 + 13 ; P. 15 ; V. 1 + 5 ; A. 3 + 10 ; C. 14. 



Tarrell— D. 17 + 13; P. J5; V. 1 + 5 ; A. 3 +10; C. 11, with 6 



graduated incumbent ones above and below. 

 Dunbar specimen-D. 18 + 13 ; P. 16 ; V. 1 + 5 ; A. 3 + 11 ; C. 11, 



with 4 graduated ones above and 2 below, 

 Yarrell's figure of this fish is misleading. The posterior part of 

 the dorsal and anal fins, instead of being pointed should have 

 been rounded. 



Peculiar habit of Badger. — A full grown female Badger was 

 brought alive to me in the end of November, 1877. Wishing to 

 get a good view of her, she was taken out of the box, and set at 

 large in a room, when she at once tried to hide. Taking another 

 Badger — a stuffed specimen — and pushing it against the living 

 one, she snapped several times at it, but after finding that it had 

 no effect, she placed her head between the fore legs, when she 

 had somewhat the appearance of a large Hedgehog. This was 

 repeated several times with always the same result. It struck 

 me at the time, that the position was instinctively taken for the 

 protection of the most vulnerable part — the breast — but after 

 dissection I discovered that one of the jaws was fractured, so it 

 is possible that it was to save that part. I have not seen any 

 notice taken of this peculiarity by authors, but those who have 

 kept them will know if the first opinion is correct, as I am in- 

 clined to think that it is. 



Difference in the sizes of Birds of the same species. — Many 

 species vary a good deal in size according to age and sex. I was 

 much struck with the great difference between two Water Hails, 

 received on the same day (February 9th, 1878) from Mr Cowe. 

 The following are the measurements : — 



Length from bill to toes - —Male— 16 inches ; Female, 13 inches. 

 Do. tail — do. -12J „ do. 10 „ 



Length of wing from carpal joint — do. — 7f ,, do. 6 \ ,, 



,, bill to gape - — do. — If ,, do. If ,, 



The Water Bail is not uncommon in this district, but owing to 

 their shy and retiring habits, they are seldom seen, especially 



