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NOTES AND QUERIES. 



MAMMALIA. 



Mus sylvaticus wintoni in Suffolk. — With reference to the note on 

 the occurrence of this species in Suffolk by the Rev. Julian G. Tuck 

 (ante, p. 266), I may mention that I have often caught specimens at 

 Plumpton, in the parish of Whepestead, five miles south of Bury St. 

 Edmunds, and also at Brettenham Park, which is about ten miles 

 south-east of the same town. It does not appear, however, to be nearly 

 as common as M. sylvaticus, though its large size and bright colour, 

 especially the orange patch on the chest, at once attracts attention. 

 Probably it will be found to occur throughout the district now that the 

 difference between the two species has been pointed out {ante, p. 150), 

 and the present one becomes better known. "Whilst on the subject of 

 Mice, I may add that the Common Field Vole (Arvicola agrestis) also 

 differs very considerably in size, and on one occasion I remember 

 catching such a monster at Brettenham Park that I thought it must 

 have belonged to a new species, and forwarded it to London for exami- 

 nation, but it was reported to be only an exceptionally large specimen 

 of the common species ; and I notice in Bell's ' British Quadrupeds,' 

 2nd edit. p. 326, he refers to two other forms which were previously 

 described as separate species, viz. A. neglecta and A. britannicus, of 

 which, however, he says : ' ' The characters on which their distinction 

 was founded were merely external differences of tint and proportions, 

 which cannot in the least be depended on in so variable and difficult a 

 family as the Voles." The one I caught was certainly far larger than 

 any Field Vole I have ever seen in England before or since, and I have 

 mentioned the fact in case the subject may be brought up at any time 

 hereafter for discussion. — E. A. Butler (Plumpton House, Bury St. 

 Edmunds, Suffolk). 



Goat suckling a Lamb. — There is on the farm of Kilbride Bennan, 

 Arran, a Goat, the property of Mr. Murchie, farmer there, which yearly 

 suckles a lamb. The Goat is now thirteen years old, and every year 

 she has had a lamb put to her, which she readily takes to, and suckles 



