858 Birds. 



how the eggs fared. They were much surprised at finding a stranger inmate in occu- 

 pation. This was a hedgehog, which they had interrupted in the enjoyment of his 

 ambrosia. One taken into the house, ate apples, and supped porridge and milk (for 

 it was in Scotland), and when not otherwise engaged, delighted to roll himself up in 

 the coziest nook of the fire-place, which, as it was in the summer, was filled with 

 shavings. — James Hardy ; Gateshead^ January, 1845. 



Habits of the Water-rat. It is, perhaps, not generally known, that the water-rat 

 sometimes becomes very injurious in mills, situated on the streams which it haunts, 

 by undermining the walls, and devouring the grain. We usually find it in lone, un- 

 frequented waters, remote from human vicinity ; and as if it scorned to derive its 

 sustenance from man, relying on the bountiful provision, which, even in the wilderness 

 and out-settlements of Nature, has been adapted and furnished to an appropriate 

 population. I have heard of two instances, one in Berwickshire, and the other in 

 East Lothian, where the water-rat has entered mills, and committed great ravages. 

 In the suspension of business, occasional hunts would take place, and the rats, in 

 some measure out of their element, were killed in numbers. Owing to their subterra- 

 nean labours, joined with those of their congener, the brown rat, one mill had to be 

 taken down and rebuilt. — Id. 



Occurrence of the Badger near Cambridge. A badger, which is now a very rare 

 animal in these parts, was captured on Monday, the 23rd of December, in Saxham 

 Wood. The man who took it had not seen one for three years previously. — Henry 

 T. Frere ; Jan. 2, 1845. 



Notes on the Birds of Belgium. By M. Julian Deby. 



(Continued from p. 816.) 



Division II. 



Osprey, Pandion Haliaetos. This very rare bird is only found in 

 the vicinity of rivers and ponds, and migrates in September. It 

 builds in rocky places. The osprey will sit motionless on some 

 stumpy tree, or willow, overhanging the water, for several hours, with- 

 out intermission, when it will dart on some passing fish, with incon- 

 ceivable rapidity. 



Honey-buzzard, Pernis Apivorus. Scarce. Migrates in winter, 

 lives in extensive forests. It has the habit of remaining immoveable 

 on the same branch of a tree for a whole day, in the same way as the 

 common buzzard ; from this stand it strikes at the smaller Mammalia, 

 reptiles, and insects which may chance to appear. 



Ash-coloured Harrier, Circus cineraceus, Mont. This hawk nestles 

 in the standing corn, and is not uncommon in July and August, some 

 few being seen as early as the month of April. 



Tawny Owl, Ulula stridula, Selby. Migrates in winter. Not 



