Reptiles. 2611 



one or two birds of the golden plover, which apparently accompany 

 them from their northern breeding-grounds. I have notes of observing 

 them on February 22nd, 1845, September 10th, 1847, August 22nd, 

 1848. They do not, however, stay many days, but seem to fix upon 

 this parish as a baiting-place, until they are inclined to pursue their 

 journey further south. The margin of the Trent is their favourite 

 spot, and whilst with us their manners are pretty and amusing. They 

 have a very favourite habit of frequenting the shallows, where they 

 may be seen running lightly along the shore, to pick up insects 

 amongst the pebbles, and wading knee-deep in the river, occasionally 

 upturning a stone for the food beneath. They are not very shy, and 

 with care may be approached closely, and when disturbed merely flit 

 to the opposite side or a few dozen yards lower down the same mar- 

 gin. In severe seasons they come to us in flocks of from twenty to 

 thirty birds, and find sustenance in the meadow-grounds, which, being 

 constantly overflowed, afford them a good supply. 



Dotterel [Charadrius morinellus). A dotterel was killed during 

 the last week in April, 1844, at Twyford, a village four miles distant 

 from here, which no doubt was making its way for its breeding-grounds 



on hills of the Peak. 



J. J. Briggs. 

 Melbourne. 



(To be continued). 



The Lake of Alligators in Scinde. — " This curious place is about eight miles from 

 Currachee, and is well worth inspecting to all who are fond of the monstrous and gro- 

 tesque. A moderate ride, through a sandy and sterile tract varied with a few patches 

 of jungle, brings one to a grove of tamarind trees, hid in the bosom of which lie the 

 grisly brood of monsters. Little would one ignorant of the locale suspect that under 

 that green wood in that tiny pool, which an active leaper could half spring across, 

 such hideous denizens are concealed. ' Here is the pool,' I said to my guide rather 

 contemptuously, ' but where are the alligators ? ' At the same time, I was stalking 

 on very boldly with head erect, and rather inclined to flout the whole affair, naso 

 adunco. A sudden hoarse roar or bark, however, under my very feet, made me execute 

 a pirouette in the air with extraordinaiy adroitness, and perhaps with more animation 

 than grace. I had almost stepped on a young crocodilian imp, about three feet long, 

 whose bite, small as he was, would have been the reverse of pleasant. Presently the 

 genius of the place made his appearance in the shape of a wizard-looking old Fakeer, 

 who, on my presenting him with a couple of rupees, produced his wand — in other 

 words, a long pole, and then proceeded to ' call up his spirits.' On his shouting 

 * Ao ! Ao ! ' ' Come ! come ! ' two or three times, the water suddenly became alive 

 with monsters. At least three score huge alligators, some of them fifteen feet in 

 length, made their appearance, and came thronging to the shore. The whole scene 



