NATURE NOTES 
136 
A large-scale map, showing the position and extent of the lands, with a copy 
of Mr. Buxton’s statement, have been placed in the Essex Museum at Stratford, 
and the Forest Museum at Chingford, for public inspection. 
We trust that all having any interest in such matters will do their best to make 
known in powerful quarters the importance of this grand proposal. From a 
social standpoint the almost appalling fact should be remembered that the parishes 
within a few miles of the “New Epping Forest” have increased wlxhm living 
memory by 6c»,ooo inhabitants ! It is emphatically a case of “ now or never.” 
Such opportunities and such a man to co-ordinate them, are happy, but very rare, 
occurrences. 
Lodgings in the New Forest. — Two sisters, keen botanists, 
are making a veritable “ home away from home ” for all Nature 
lovers on the breezy ridge not far from Rufus’ stone. Bowls of 
wild flowers delight the eye of every visitor, and at the present 
moment a pair of wagtails nesting in the peat-stack are a source 
of joy and interest to all residing there. A clear day shows the 
visitor the Needles of the Isle of Wight gleaming in the distance. 
The full address of this peaceful and restful spot is — Miss 
Fraser, Picket Post, near Ringwood. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES AND QUERIES. 
Hedgehogs. — Mr. Savage, in his interesting note upon hedgehogs, gives 
first-hand evidence in favour of these much-persecuted little animals. There are 
many superstitions regarding them which will vanish before careful observation, 
and it is to be hoped that Mr. Savage will make further notes. I should much 
like to know whether he has kept watch at all over his hedgehog during the 
winter months at night, as I do not believe in the “ long sleep ” theory. It is, 
I think, pretty certain that, like the bat, the hedgehog leaves his place of 
hybernation on mild nights through the winter in order to obtain food, and so 
keep up vitality. My dog caught a very fine male hedgehog which was hunting 
in the road on a frosty night at the end of last November, and as I wished to 
ascertain his winter habits I have kept him in captivity, and have him still, in 
excellent health. Except when the weather has been e.xceptionally cold he has 
regularly come out of his nest and fed hastily, and I have never known him go 
without food for more than two or three days together. As I have kept him in 
an outhouse open to all climatic alterations, I am more than ever convinced that 
the total hybernation theory is a mistake. Being night animals they are com- 
paratively little observed, so that it is difficult to get trustworthy information 
regarding their habits. 
Tiljord Farm House, Robert Morley. 
jiear Farnham, Surrey. 
June 13, 1902. 
Kitten.— One of my cats last night (June 3) gave birth to a dead kitten 
with vjidely-open eyes. Is not this somewhat unusual ? A few hours later another 
one made its appearance with eyes closed in the usual manner. This one is still 
living. The mother is an ordinary mouser. 
'J yfield, near Abingdon. W. II. Warner. 
Swallows Nesting.— The following facts may be interesting to your 
readers as giving additional proof that swallows make use of the same nest two 
years running. Last year a pair of swallows built on a projecting ledge of the 
skylight in the hall here. The skylight is always kept open a trifle, and through 
this narrow aperture they found their way. They did not seem the least disturbed 
by people passing by a few feet below them, but continued their building opera- 
