358 MISCELLANEA. 



of Mr. Edwards, Linen Draper, High Street, Bristol; and Joe 

 Black of Cambo Avill pay you.* 



Of the Water-Hen, you say, * ' It is not yet ascertained whether 

 they ever migrate. I can only say that they are in an island- 

 pond of mine, near the house, all the year round; and in the 

 winter season, always more than twenty; and I have counted 

 thij'ty -three at one time : in the spring they go to the brooks to 

 breed, except two pairs, supposed to be master birds, and from 

 whom are as many broods. In November they return and re- 

 main the rest of the winter ; and if hard weather they are fed 

 with oats, and become very familiar. 



The Water-Ouzel is well described in your History of Birds ; 

 but a few peculiar habits arc omitted by you and Pennant, which 

 ought to be noticed as they differ from every other species of the 

 feathered tribe. The "VYater-Ouzel always flies very quick, and 

 does not appear to me to be able to moderate his flight ; for which 

 reason, when he intends pitching on a point of rock, or stone, 

 above the surface of the water, he avails himself of hitting liis 

 breast deeper, or shallower, dashing the water around him ; and, 

 partaking of the rebound, is at the instant on the spot, firm on 

 his feet. In flying up the stream, he checks himself in like 

 manner, nearer the object he intends to pitch on; and down, at 

 a greater distance from ; allowing for the rapidity of the water 

 cither way, so as to answer his purpose. I have seen the bird 

 swim from a stone to a shelving bank, but never from a bank to 

 a stone. 



In your account of the Long-tailed Field Mouse, you conclude 

 with Pennant's account of the Hampshire Mouse, which is also 

 con*ect; but as they are tolerably plenty here, and which we 

 call the Harvest Mouse, I have kept two or three of them in a 

 Dormouse Cage, to observe their habits, and find they have a 

 very flexible tail, towards the end, with which they frequently 

 lay hold of a wire, twisting it twice round, close to the wire, as 

 if to prevent their falling, should they slip ; and sometimes they 

 will suspend themselves from one of the upper wires, lianging 

 wholly by the tail, perhaps a minute or more, but do not drop to 



[• Lnncl-ngcnt to 8lr John Trcvclyan.J 



I 



