NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
»9 
evidence before him believed in the practice, and Darwin was not easily satisfied 
in questions of fact. A little observation is better than a great deal of theory, 
even though the theory be Charles Waterton’s “so far back as t863.” Many 
will prefer Charles Darwin’s conclusions in 1882, and there may still be “life 
left in the old falsehood.” Why .should the direct evidence of Mr. James 
Partridge, given in N.vtore Notes (November, 1898), be ignored ? He was an 
eye witness. 
Brighton. J. L. Otter. 
Rare Birds shot near London. — male and a female pied oyster-catcher 
were shot yesterday morning by Mr. J. .Atkinson, of Barnet, in a field near Rick- 
mansworth. These birds are the constant inhabitants of the seashore, and though 
nowhere plentiful, yet are widely dispersed over the globe, being met with in 
almost every country, and more frequently off the Narrows, at the mouth of New 
York Harbour, the Bahama Islands, off the coasts of the Japanese Archipelago, 
and also off the shores of New Guinea and New Zealand. It is not often, how- 
ever, that they are seen far inland, their food chiefly consisting of oysters and other 
shellfish. Those shot yesterday appeared to be fatigued as the result of an extra 
long flight. Shortly after this capture was also shot another very rare bird, the 
male scoter, black duck or black diver. These birds are only sparingly distri- 
buted over the coasts of England, where they feed on small shellfish, of which 
they are very fond. They are often killed in France, and sold to eat on fast days 
and during Lent, some peculiar idea existing that their flesh is akin to fish, by 
which pleasing subterfuge people console themselves for a possible breach of the 
observances respecting meat on fast days. 
[We take the above record of how we encourage rare birds from the Daily 
Mail of November 24. The mention of the eating of the Black Scoter (CEdemia 
nigra) by French Catholics during Lent is of interest, as it engaged the attention 
of our great naturalist, John Kay, in 1683 and 1684. Its French name is mac- 
reuse, and Ray’s correspondent. Dr. Tancred Robinson, writes: “I have been 
told by several of the most learned priests beyond sea, that the macreuse was as 
much a fish as the barnacle (and indeed I am of the same opinion), that the 
blood was the same in every quality with that of fishes ; as also that the fat, 
which (as they falsely affirm) will not fix, dry, or grow hard, but always remains in 
an oily consistence. Upon these and other reasons the Sorbonists have ranked 
the macreuse in the classis of fish.” — Ed. iV.A^.] 
Wasps — Bullfinches (vol. ix., p. 219). — My remarks on the above were 
written with the most innocent intentions, and I hope Mr. Hiam will accept 
them as such. 
Market IVeston, Tketford. Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
Hybernating Butterflies. — With the exception of Vanessa Antiopa, 
V. C-album and Colias hyale, the hybernating butterflies are fairly common here- 
abouts, and V. Polychloros is more abundant in ordinary years than in any part of 
England with which I am acquainted. This autumn, however, there is a singular 
scarcity of all without exception. I have seen two or three V. Urticce and 
V. lo ; one V. Polychloros-, but not a single specimen of V. Atalanta, Cynthia 
Cardui, Colias edusa, or Gonepteryx rhamni. This is corroborated by a 
neighbouring observer. Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
Donations towards Reduction of the Deficit.— The Council 
acknowledges with thanks the receipt of the following donations : Miss J. Bridge, 
2s. ; Sir J. Colquhoun, Bart., 27s. 6d. ; Rev. R. Miles, 2s. fid. ; Dr. A. J. 
Powell, 5s. 
Additions to the Selborne Library.— The Librarian reports that 
the following books have been received from the Editor, and are hereby acknow- 
ledged with thanks : “ The Flora of Donegal,” by Henry C. Hart, B..A., T.C.D. ; 
“ Murby’s Science Series —Skertchly’s Geology,” revised by James Monckman, 
D.Sc.Lond. 
