166 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



point by several examples. By some accident I had missed this 

 supplement; and some expressions of mine (pp. 156, 157), which 

 seem to upbraid Mr. Witchell for not doing what he had actually 

 done, are unfair to him, and shall certainly be expunged on the 

 first opportunity. I need hardly say that it never occurred to 

 me that I was making an original observation and claiming 

 precedence for it ; for the idea was one that must have occurred 

 to many who are familiar with the songs of birds, though it has 

 never, so far as I know, been worked out scientifically. 



On the other points of which he complains I hardly think 

 I have seriously misrepresented Mr. Witchell, unless to criticise 

 he necessarily also to misrepresent. For example, when I wrote 

 that in his view the Corncrake " took a fancy to imitate the noise 

 made by a cow in browsing," I think I was justified; for the 

 whole tendency of his remarks (Zool. 1890, p. 239) suggests not 

 merely similarity but imitation, and they conclude with the 

 words, " Many birds reproduce less persistent sounds, which 

 will be subsequently mentioned." This certainly implies that 

 the examples just given are examples of reproduction of such 

 sounds by birds, and not merely casual resemblances which 

 Mr. Witchell is noting down for what they may be worth. But 

 perhaps this is one of those " surmises of a more or less value- 

 less character," to which Mr. Witchell alludes on p. 134 of the 

 last number. If so, I think he will allow that it is a little 

 difficult for a critic to separate these from others to which he 

 attributes more weight. 



But I am unwilling to enter into a controversy with Mr. 

 Witchell on points like these at present, for I understand that 

 he is about to publish a work in which the whole subject will be 

 dealt with afresh ; and I have also had a friendly correspondence 

 with him, the pleasant impression of which might possibly be 

 obliterated if we were to take up arms in public. My only object 

 in this note is to do him all the justice in my power by stating 

 how far, in my opinion, I misrepresented his statements, and to 

 express my regret. In other particulars I am sure he will allow 

 that he laid himself open to criticism ; and except in the points 

 to which I have alluded, I do not think he has any real cause 

 to resent it. 



