i8 
NATURE NOTES 
them entirely on insects. If they do survive it would be extremely interesting 
to see whether they would attempt to migrate or hibernate — I should think most 
probably the latter. If they migrate it would be a great point for those who 
favour the “ migratory instinct,” as they could not have learnt it from experience 
or from their parents, who, I understand, have deserted them. And whilst on the 
subject of hibernation I think the following passage from Carew’s “Survey of 
Cornwall ” which is not generally known, may be of some interest to your readers. 
The survey is very old, being written, I believe, about l6lo, and is rather difficult 
to obtain. “ In the West parts of Cornwall during the winter season, swallows 
are found sitting in old deep tin works and holes of the seacliffs ; but touching 
their lurking place, Glaus Magnus maketh a far stranger report ; for he saith, 
that in the Morth parts of the world, as summer weareth out, they clap mouth to 
mouth, wing to wing, and leg to leg, and so after a sweet singing, fall down into 
certain great lakes or pools amongst the canes, from whence at the next spring they 
receive a new resurrection ; and he addeth for proof hereof, that the fishermen, 
who make holes in the ice to dip up such fish with their nets as resort thither for 
breathing, do sometimes light on these swallows, congealed in clods of a slimy 
substance, and that carrying them home to their stoves the warmth restoreth them 
to life and flight. This I have seen confirmed also by the relation of a Venetian 
ambassador employed in Poland, and heard avowed by travellers in those parts ; 
where through, I am induced to give it a place of probability in my mind and of 
report in this treatise.” The “ Survey ” will well repay perusal by anyone inter- 
ested in Mature, as it contains a mine of information which, though now perhaps 
principally obsolete, is still very interesting, and especially so is a note on migra- 
tion by Thomas Tonkin, Esq., in the edition published in i8ll. 
Penzance, December 1900. Arthur W. Hext Harvey. 
Great Northern Diver. — Whilst out for a walk last Sunday morning I 
saw a very handsome specimen of this species (Colymbus glacialis) which was 
swimming in the sea about five yards from the shore. It was, I think, an 
immature bird and was very shy, though on several occasions I got fairly close to 
it and watched it with a powerful glass. This species is not uncommon here in 
the autumn and winter, and I have seen two examples within the last few weeks. 
Unfortunately, however, when they do come they are greeted with such a fusill.ide 
that they must go away (if they are lucky enough) with a very poor idea of 
Cornish hospitality. 
Penzance, December 8, 1900. Arthur W. Hext Harvey. 
Long-Tailed Tit. — One day last May whilst out with a friend looking for 
nests, I found a long-tailed tit’s nest built in the fork of a small ash tree growing 
in a swamp. I carefully inserted my finger and informed my friend that the nest 
contained eggs. He then felt inside the nest and told me I was mistaken, and 
that there were young birds. On his withdrawing his finger, however, out flew 
one of the parent birds, who had actually allowed me to feel the eggs underneath 
her : this nest contained eleven eggs, which is, I believe, a rather unusual 
number, the average clutch containing from seven to nine or ten eggs at the most, 
but I made quite certain in this instance by taking out the eggs (with great 
difficulty) and counting them. 
Penzance, December "6, 1900. Arthur W. Hext Harvey. 
Tits and Parroquets. — “E. C. R.” writes: “Can you tell me of some 
way of attracting tits to a garden ? I have tried hanging a lump of suet to the 
end of a stick stuck into the ground, but without success. The blue tit and great 
tit are both occasionally seen in this garden, and I should like to get them in 
larger numbers. With regard to the parroquets mentioned by Mr. S. G. 
Edwards, we have had one firing about our own and the neighbouring gardens 
since last September, when it was first noticed eating crab apples. A policeman 
tells us that he has seen it about this neighbourhood for the last two years. It is 
of a bright green colour wi h a red crest, and attracts a good deal of attention 
owing to its constant shrill cries.” 
Tame Raven killing a Rat. — I do not know whether the following 
account is an unusual occurrence. One morning I was attracted by my raven 
making a curious noise either of fright or anger, I was not sure which. On 
