648 Birds. 



ago, from a friend, Mr. David Inglis, at that time resident in the north of England. 

 I know not whether the circumstance narrated in it was accidental or otherwise. The 

 writer says: — " One evening, about last Easter, I was enjoying a quiet walk by the 

 banks of the Eden, when I observed a small graceful bird hopping about in a hedge- 

 row. From its appearance I soon perceived that it was the long-tailed titmouse, or, 

 as it is here called, " Bottle Tom," (Parus caudatus). I resolved to watch its motions. 

 It went from bush to bush, occasionally uttering a shrill chirp, until it reached a thorn 

 tree, where it remained. I went up to the tree, and as I expected, found its nest upon 

 it. It was built upon a most convenient place; resting upon three twigs, one of which 

 ran through it. The nest seemed to be just newly finished, and was empty. It was 

 of an oval shape. There was a long entrance to the nest proper, which was slightly 

 arched ; so that the interior of the domicile was thus protected from wind and rain. 

 But there was a still more curious contrivance, by which the nest was, as it were, 

 guarded from the intrusion of unwelcome visitors. A strong feather was fastened to 

 the nest by hairs woven around it and through the moss and lichens. It was so pla- 

 ced that its top hung over the hole. It bent upwards with the slightest pressure, and 

 immediately resumed its position when the pressure was removed. I once saw the bird 

 fly out in great haste, and the feather did not in the least incommode it in its egress. 

 I frequently visited the nest in order to ascertain the manner of opening the door; but 

 I never saw the bird enter the nest. I fully expected to have my curiosity gratified 

 when the young ones would burst from the shell ; but one day, ere that time came, I 

 saw two boys scampering off from the tree. I pursued, and found in their hands the 

 shattered nest and the eggs of the poor titmouse. You may be sure I thrashed them 

 within an inch of their lives." — Robert Dick Duncan. 



Note on the use of Oil from Glands for the purpose of lubricating the plumage in Birds. 

 I have much diffidence in differing from a naturalist of such skill and experience as 

 Mr. Waterton, but I certainly do so in a few particulars. In his ' Essays on Natural 

 History,' pp. 60 — 64, he is very severe on those who maintain that birds " use oil from 

 glands for the purpose of lubricating the surface of their plumage." It would be some- 

 what difficult for any one to prove the actual fact, that " a bird procures oil from the 

 gland with its bill," &c. (p. 61) ; since that perhaps could not be decided even by shoot- 

 ing the bird in the very act of pressing the gland. But it surprises me that one, who 

 speaks of watching the actions and habits of animals so attentively and so closely, 

 should never have observed proceedings, which at least strongly countenance the opin- 

 ion he so positively condemns. Mr. Waterton has other opportunities, but most per- 

 sons must confine their observations to domestic fowls and cage-birds, which has been 

 the case with myself; who must assert, that I have frequently watched birds in the 

 operation of pruning themselves, when they have inserted the bill among the rump- 

 feathers, with a motion precisely such as if compressing the gland in order to squeeze 

 out some of the contents, and then resumed dressing the feathers. This (seemingly) 

 lubricating process is often repeated ; and the effect is imparted to the head and neck 

 (which Mr. Waterton considers the bird cannot reach) by a very simple contrivance. 

 The beak, having been applied to the oil-gland, is then used (as if to discharge its con- 

 tents) upon the feathers on the middle of the back, when the head and neck are rub- 

 bed over the spot (which the length and flexibility of the neck enable the bird to do), 

 so as completely to apply every part except the forehead, the plumage of which I re- 

 member noticing in the duck to throw off the water less than that of any other part. 



