NATURE NOTES. 
1 16 
much-beplumed garments. Thirty thousand black partridges have been killed in 
certain Indian provinces in a few days’ time to supply the European demand for 
their skins. One dealer in London is said to have received, as a single consign- 
ment, 32,000 dead humming-birds, 80,000 aquatic birds, and 800,000 pairs of 
wings. We are told too that often ‘ after the birds are shot down, the wings are 
wrenched off during life, and the mangled bird is left to die slowly of wounds, 
thirst, and starvation.’” 
A Gentle Remonstrance. — We are always glad to see the facts recorded 
by our contributors brought before a wider circle than our own by reproduction 
in other journals ; but in such cases courtesy, to say nothing of honesty, would 
suggest an acknowledgment of the obligation. Such acknowledgment, however, 
is by no means always forthcoming ; the Daily Graphic, for instance, on April 
iith, and again on April 13th, utilised two of our contributors’ communications 
without making any reference to Nature Notes. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES, QUERIES, AND 
ANSWERS. 
Tlie Ruddy Sheldrake. — On the 28th March a beautiful specimen of the 
Ruddy Sheldrake came to a piece of water here, which is perfectly commanded 
from the windows of the house. Never having seen the bird before, I was at first 
at a loss even with the assistance of “ Yarrell ” to know whether it was a duck or 
a goose, for it was the size of the latter class. It had a golden neck and head, 
toning dowm to w hite near the bill, which was lead colour. The body was light 
cinnamon, except the rump, which was golden like the neck. The upper tail 
feathers were cinnamon, with jet black under, and jet black tips to the wdngs. 
The black showed much more when on wing. Its legs were black. It stayed very 
quietly for a fortnight with other wild fowl, but one morning it w’as gone, and I 
have not heard of its movements since. I have, however, received a letter from a 
gentleman near Guildford, telling me that he purchased a pair in Leadenhall Market 
abouta)'ear ago, and they remained on his water until they disappeared about a month 
ago. Doubtless this was one of them. In all the illustrations which I have been able 
to find of this Sheldrake a black ring round the neck is shown, and some 
white feathers on the wing coverts. I he bird in question had neither of these 
markings, probably it was a female. Its extreme rarity would point rather to its 
being a foreigner than a British bird. When the gentleman whom I mention 
bought the pair of these Sheldrakes he was assured that they had just been received 
from China. 
llingwood. W. Clement D. Esdaile. 
Owls and Pigeons. — I understand that .some people are under the mistaken 
impression that owls destroy young pigeons. Now a friend of mine has for many 
years kept pigeons which rear their young in boxes hung in a loft, and in one of 
the adjoining boxes a pair of Barn Owls regularly make their nest. These two 
species of birds have got on, it seems, in perfect harmony, the pigeons suffering no 
harm. E. G. WoODU. 
Carrion Crow chasing Heron. — One day last March, whilst I was 
waiting for wood-pigeons in a plantation, two herons, evidently paired, alighted 
on a neighbouring fir tree. After a few minutes had elapsed, a carrion crow 
swooped down upon them, driving them in different directions and chasing one 
round the plantation and then a considerable distance away, the heron in the 
meantime uttering cries of alarm. An old man who lived in the vicinity has since 
told me that the crows for some years past have interfered with the herons nesting 
in the plantation. It is a curious fact, that herons, although so wary and difficult 
to approach during the day, are singularly stupid when roosting. I have frequently 
fired off in close proximity to them when settled for the night, and they have 
taken but very little notice, at the most shifting on to a neighbouring tree ; in this 
way they often fall a victim to that ruthless enemy of nature, the keeper. 
Dorchester. Farmer. 
