NOTES BY RUlllOOLA. 



499 



with the margin thick, and reflected at the pillar, so as in general to 

 cover the umbilicus or nearly so ; the inside of a pale violet brown." 

 It is also stated to inhabit " chalky or gravelly counties." 



A friend took me, a few weeks since, to see a very beautiful and lofty 

 oak, standing down a lane near Mill Hill, Hendon. The most obvious 

 peculiarities of this tree consist in its branches not being like other 

 oaks, crooked and irregularly disposed, but perfectly straight, and 

 directed slightly upwards, giving the tree a most elegant appearance 

 and a well preserved outline. I regret that my ignorance of botany pre- 

 vents my rendering a phytographical account of this tree, by which it 

 would stand a better chance of being recognised by the botanist, either 

 as a species or a variety. 



Paddington, Oct. \2th, 1833. 



NOTES. 



BY RURICOLA. 



I am at present visiting at a house, in the pleasure garden of 

 which there is a small piece of water overhung with some fine beeches, 

 as well as Portugal laurels and other shrubs, where a party of Water 

 Hens, or Moor Hens, (Gallinula Chloropus, Latham,) have long made 

 their abode. The party consists at present of about six, having been 

 but little increased for some years, in consequence of accidents, as it is 

 supposed, for care is taken not to molest them intentionally. But 

 rat-gins have been known in more than one instance to prove injurious 

 to them ; and last summer a young brood of four chicks, having been 

 led by the mother a little distance below the water-dam, appear to 

 have been prevented by the fall from returning, and were found dead 

 beyond it by a labourer, who had endeavoured to catch and lift them 

 over the water-dam, but they ran from him into the crevices of the 

 stones, and so perished. 



These birds, which belong to a naturally timid spepies, are apt to 

 take alarm at the sudden approach of a footstep, as I just now wit- 

 nessed. As I was walking by the side of the water, one hastily 

 rose a few yards before me, and skimming along but a little above the 

 surface of the pool, took shelter in the adjoining bushment. They 

 habituate themselves, however, to the presence of man, when they have 

 assurance that he means them no harm. The gardener informs me 



