A NATURALIST'S JOURNAL IN HOLLAND AND BELGIUM. 335 



eaux-fortes, by Pierre Boel, of Hawk scenes. One represents 

 two Falcons striking a Heron, which is almost on its back in the 

 air. In another, which includes Ducks, a Merganser, a Heron, 

 and two Bitterns, one of the last-named has its neck stretched 

 upwards and its bill in the air ; the other is crouched on the 

 ground, with half its neck and its bill straight up ; all the birds 

 are apparently alarmed by a Hawk, which is not shown. Among 

 various pictures of hunting scenes, dead game, &c, in the Musee 

 (Palais des Beaux- Arts), I noticed especially one by P. Gysels 

 (who lived between 1621-90). This wonderful production in- 

 cluded, inter alia, representations of a Heron, Mute Swan, Bit- 

 tern, Partridge (with chestnut horseshoe), Green Woodpecker, 

 Poller, Kingfisher (of the usunl black-blue), Spotted Woodpecker, 

 and Jay. As a whole the birds were wonderfully well done, 

 especially the two last-named. There is a fine picture also, by 

 J. Fyt, of two Eagles on a crag, one holding a Mallard. The 

 only well-coloured Kingfisher I saw in any of the galleries we 

 visited was here, by J. Weenix (1644-1719). A few Black- 

 headed Gulls were seen along the qua) r . 



Oct. 19th. To Ghent, where for the first time I noticed Red- 

 wings among the Song Thrushes in the shops. 



Oct. 20th. Bruges. Redwings in the shops here too. 



Oct. 21st. Crossed from Ostend to Dover. A few Grey Crows 

 were to be seen at Ostend and a little way inland. The sea was 

 calm, and there was hardly any wind. Soon after starting we fell 

 in with many Black Scoters (Q^Jdemia nigra), some Black-headed 

 and Common Gulls, and a few Gannets. When we had been 

 about an hour at sea a Robin came on board, settling on the deck 

 close to our chairs, and two or three more passed over, going 

 towards the continental coast. In mid-Channel we saw only 

 Gannets — about a score, and all adults — and a few Gulls. But 

 several flocks of small birds were going in our direction. I 

 identified Chaffinches and Tree Sparrows ; two or three of the 

 latter (clean, bright-looking birds) came on board, and others 

 followed in our wake and under our lea, a slight breeze only 

 blowing from about S.W. Chaffinches are stronger and faster 

 fliers, and could beat us easily, albeit we were on a good boat — 

 the ' Rapide.' 



