Birds. 1251 



down its back, it would throw back its head after the manner of a water-fowl whilst 

 washing, and as a bird does when it wishes to cleanse its eyes, and so transfer the mat- 

 ter from the feathers of the body to those of the neck out of the range of the bill. 

 " Providence never does anything by Jialves," seeing that that part of the plumage 

 which is out of the range of the bill is kept clean, and in order, by the aid of the claws, 

 and the act of rubbing the one part against the other. 



I have often thought of writing what I had seen, but having Mr. Waterton's (no 

 mean authority) flat denial as to the lubrication of the plumage, I hesitated ; till at 

 last having had so many fair and open evidences thereof, I could not refrain. I have 

 a jackdaw, but it does not make such frequent use of the gland as does the magpie. — 

 Henry Daniell ; LOmbert House, Bath, January 17th, 1846. 



Notes on the Birds of Belgium. By Julian Deby. 

 (Continued from page 1189 and concluded.) 



Division VI. concluded. 



Group d. Water-birds which are regular migrants in spring 

 and autumn when on their way to and from their breeding stations. 

 A very numerous group, which I divide into (a), maritime or littoral, 

 (b), inland, and (c), both maritime and inland passengers. 



a. Water-birds, which in migrating north and south follow the 

 sea-coast, and are only accidentally met with inland. 



Dotterel, Charadrius Morinellus. This bird is not a summer re- 

 sident in Belgium, and is only seen during the two first months of 

 autumn. It cannot be considered a common bird, although it is 

 annually seen in the localities it frequents along our sandy shore. I 

 have never noticed this bird on its return in spring, which inclines me 

 to believe that it must follow some other migratory route at this sea- 

 son to that it pursues in autumn . 



Kentish Plover, Charadrius Cantianus. This bird is common in 

 spring and autumn, and has sometimes been known to nestle on the 

 sand-hills. 



Grey Plover, Squat arola cinerea. Common. 



Turnstone, Strepsilas Interpres. Regular visitant in spring and 

 autumn ; I do not believe that any remain stationary with us during 

 winter, as they are said to do on the English coast. 



Sanderling, Calidris arenaria. Gregarious and not uncommon 



