Quadrupeds. 3905 



him down as unusually cruel and wanton. Any other labourer in his 

 place would probably have done the same thing ; they have seen no- 

 thing but persecution against such creatures, and they do but follow 

 the practice of their fathers. 



It is therefore, as I conceive, a subject by no means beneath the 

 notice of our most scientific zoologists, ornithologists and entomolo- 

 gists, to endeavour, by any and every means in th<?ir power, to bring 

 about a kindlier feeling in the people of this country towards the ani- 

 mal creation, by never losing an opportunity of pointing out the use- 

 lessness and the cruelty of such persecution. It is a subject on which 

 the country gentleman may expatiate with advantage to his labourers 

 and servants ; and it is one that may most deservedly and properly be 

 introduced by the clergyman in his parish school, and instilled into 

 the hearts of all his people. And I am quite sure it will ever be found, 

 that those who practise systematic kindness to the animal race, are 

 far more kindly disposed to the human race, are far more amiable and 

 gentle towards their fellow creatures, and have better hearts as Chris- 

 tians, than those who wantonly and cruelly persecute and destroy the 

 wonderful and beautiful creatures which the Almighty, in His infinite 

 wisdom, has made and endowed with life and with feeling. 



Alfred Charles Smith. 



Yatesbury Rectory, Calne, 

 May 6, 1853. 



Occurrence of the Otter in Derbyshire. — The following may be interesting to some 

 of the readers of the ' Zoologist,' and will support, by additional evidence, my friend 

 Mr. Wolley's communication in the April number, (Zool. 3843). My cousin, Sir J. 

 Harpur Crewe, of Calke Abbey, co. Derby, has now in his possession, stuffed, a beau- 

 tiful pair of full-grown otters, which have been taken within the last three years by 

 his keepers, on the banks of the Trent, in the neighbourhood of Calke. — H. Harpur 

 Crewe; 17, Cavendish Road, St. John's Wood, April 15, 1853. 



Occurrence of the Water-shrew (Sorex fodiens) at Castle Eden. — On Friday last, 

 the 6th instant, a party of nine or ten of these beautiful little creatures were seen run- 

 ning along a path in a plantation in this place (Castle Eden), about a mile from any 

 water. I obtained one of them, a full-grown male. The water-shrew has never be- 

 fore been observed in this neighbourhood, so far as I can learn : its habits, of course, 

 might easily conceal it from observation ; but the occurrence of so large a party, in 

 such a situation, seems to suggest the idea that possibly, like some of its congeners, 

 the water-shrew migrates at times to a considerable distance from its usual haunts. — 

 H. B. Tristram ; Castle Eden, Durham, May 10, 1853. 



Anecdote of a Cat and a Kestrel Hawk. — I am indebted to a lady of my acquaint- 

 ance for the following incident : — A tame kestrel, which is kept in a garden with one 

 XI. 2 B 



