7-1 



Miscellaneous, 



features, are highly entertaining and instructive. I sincerely hope 

 the publishers will let us have the remaining portion of the work — 

 the Water birds — with as little delay as possible, for the author's 

 valuable experience with this tribe, advantageously located as he is, 

 must prove exceedingly useful. 



Wild Geese (I cannot say what species) were seen in this neigh- 

 bourhood on June 16 ; thirteen appeared in the flight. This appears 

 unusually early, supposing them to be a brood of the present year. 



Thomas Goatley. 



notes on british birds. 

 To the Editors of the Annals and Magazine of NaturahHistory. 



The Goshawk. — Of this handsome bird I kept three specimens 

 in the year 1837 : two were females, and at least one-third larger 

 and stronger than the male. The young Hawk for some time after 

 birth is covered with a thick white down in place of feathers, and, 

 upon the whole, much resembles a young Turkey. Until four or five 

 months old it does not stand erect, but holds the head low, round- 

 ing the back like a Guinea-fowl. The cry, which is easily excited, 

 resembles a quick shrill repetition of the letter P, pe-pe-pe-pe-pe. 

 Whilst the bird is young its faeces are ejected with surprising force, 

 even to the distance of eight or nine feet. 



When a bird was placed near the bars of the cage in which they 

 were confined, one of the Hawks would rush up to it, and dashing 

 into it a claw, drag it to one corner of the cage, extending his wings 

 round it to prevent the approach of the others. This, however, was 

 somewhat difficult ; and often, when the devourer least expected it, 

 his bonne bouche was snatched from him by another, who had perhaps 

 relinquished his own piece for the purpose. Howbeit the loser never 

 appeared incensed at the theft. 



When presented with a living bird, the Hawk invariably seizes it 

 round the neck with his talons, and begins devouring the head, re- 

 gardless of the cries and struggles of its victim. The pressure on 

 the neck and blows on the skull quickly cause death, and the Hawk 

 begins feeding with such hearty good will, that in a few minutes 

 nothing remains but a few feathers. 



Fragilitas Ossium (?) in the Kestrel. — In the year 1837 I 

 purchased a young Kestrel of a boy from Wilcot. I was at the time 

 surprised at the peculiarity of its shape, and the difficulty it expe- 

 rienced in walking. Its appetite was voracious, and it was exceed- 

 ingly tame. When fully fledged, it was suddenly seized with violent 

 spasms ; the leg being thrown over the back, and the wings drawn 

 forwards over the breast. It appeared in great pain, but was very 

 hungry. It continued in this state two days, when I killed it. 



On examining the body I found nearly every bone dislocated or 

 fractured, and rather softer than usual, containing less earthy mat- 

 ter. One femur had been broken in five places, the tibia in four ; 

 indeed, there were upwards of twenty recent or partially united 



