+ 
NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 253 
ural protectors. The hunters then turned their guns upon the 
crows, and slaughtered them in heaps, before they would abandon 
their prey.* — S. C. CLARKE. 
Tur Picron Hawk. Correction. — When first finding the nest 
and eggs of which I sent notice to the NATURALIST (September 
number), I was fully convinced I had discovered a new ornithologi- 
cal fact, and I was confirmed by several persons to whom I told the 
facts and showed the eggs; I hastened to report, and to call forth 
facts from other quarters in regard to this hawk. I have since 
carefully investigated. the case, and find I was in the wrong — that 
the nest was that of the Sparrow Hawk, which breeds quite often 
here. To be sure I also sent one of my eggs to Dr. Brewer, Bos- 
ton, for identification. He states that the egg is unquestionably 
that of the Sparrow Hawk, of full size, and unusually well marked ; 
that the parent must have been an old bird, and much in heat 
when the egg was laid. Mr. Brewer compared it with a number of 
eggs of the Sparrow Hawk and Pigeon Hawk, and states that it 
has no resemblance to the latter, and compares with a great num- 
ber of the former. There can be no question that I have made a 
great mistake, but I beg that it will be taken only as a mistake.— 
WINFRID A. STEARNS. 
PRESERVATION OF Sea-FowL.— The rapid diminution in the 
number of sea-fowl on the coast of Great Britain, of the gulls es- 
pecially, in consequence of the wanton destruction of the birds 
and their eggs by summer tourists, induced Parliament to pass a 
law, a few years ago, imposing a heavy fine upon all offenders, dur- 
ing certain months. The economical argument adduced in favor 
of this restriction, was that the birds themselves destroyed great 
quantities of insects in the fields, and served as scavengers for the 
removal of putrid flesh on the shore; and also, that by their 
* We copy the A origin from “The Birds of North America,” by Baird, Cassin and 
and 8 
White anaien boat nth, 70 inches, wing 24.50. Habitat. Throughout the United 
Fur countries up to 
States, rare on the coasts of the Middle and Northern States. ] 
61st parallel. There is no observable difference between specimens from the Pacific 
and Atlantic coasts. The species breeds in the fur countries, ge 
cessible places in the papait of cheese They also bit throughout the 
O untains and in California. In winter they are very abundant on our south- 
ern sari from as to Flori 
Brown Pelican. Length of male H hnas, wing, 22. Habitat. From Texas to North 
n 
scone. California coast. 
ast and shores of the Gulf of Mexico; also of California. Theirnests are placed on 
aiin, and also on the ground.— 
