NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
59 
Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Ceraslium iriviale (in large bud), Stellaria media, 
Geranium Robertianum, Geum urbanum, Potenlilla Fragariastrum, Sherardia 
arvensis, Beilis perennis, Achillea Millefolium, Matricaria inodora, Tussilago 
Farfara, Petasites fragrans (not a native — Ed.), Senecio vulgaris, Crepis virens, 
Taraxacum officinale (= T. Dens-leonis), Primula acaulis, Veronica heder.efolia, 
V. polita, V. agrestis, V. Tournefortii. V. serpyllifolia, Stachys arvensis (in large 
bud), Lamium purpureum, Mercurialis perennis, Urtica urens, Corylus Avellana, 
Poa annua. 
Mr. Alfred Markham, of Sutton, Cheshire, reports that the plovers have not 
this winter left their breeding grounds on the moors near Macclesfield. Their 
practice is to leave in October and return in the spring, lie supposes that the 
supply ol food has not failed during the mild winter. 
A Clever Pony. — From a young friend at Abbotsbury, who always reads 
her Nature Notes, I have received the following story in a letter. I give it in 
her own words : — “ The other day when we were having lunch we heard a 
strange scratching sound, and then as if some one was trying to turn the handle 
of the door. Our housemaid went and opened the door to see what it was, and 
there stood the baker’s pony and cart ; his master had left him in the road while 
he went to the next house, and the pony had turned round and himself tried to 
open the door. Of course vve were much amused to hear what it was, and the 
door was shut again. The next minute came one loud decided knock, evidently 
from the door knocker. ‘ That can’t be the pony,’ we all cried, at the same 
time rushing to the door — but it was. He was standing with his front feet on 
the pavement, quietly waiting, and very pleased at his success. Of course we 
gave him some bread, biscuits, and sugar, as a reward for his cleverness, lie 
must have taken the knocker in his teeth. . . . This is really almost good 
enough for Nature Notes, is it not ?’’ I think it is, quite. 
4, Thur/eiq’h A'oatl, Balham. William Whitwell. 
Experientia docet. — Is the following experience more general than I know 
of? To me it was unique. 1 have a kitten, not yet fully grown. Last week she 
caught her first mouse, with which she played in orthodox feline fashion. Suddenly 
the mouse disappeared down her throat — alive, unbroken, unmasticated, fur, tail, 
bones, flesh, and palpitating heart, all undisturbed. The kitten was in great dis- 
tress, and cried more like a child than an animal. I took her up and she looked 
at me and left off crying, but when I put her down she stretched herself out under 
the kitchen table, her body pressed close to the ground and all four paws w’ide out. 
She shivered strongly, but was silent. My cook, whose especial property she is, 
took her up and put her inside the kitchen fender, where she lay for hours in an 
almost death-like state, her eyes glazed, she herself absolutely powerless, like a bit 
of cotton wool more than a creature with bones and muscles. After some time, 
when I was free, I went into the kitchen and took her in my arms, calling her by 
her name. She opened her eyes and knew me — it was a very human look — then 
shut them again. We put her on the table but she could not stand, though she 
lapped a little milk, then went back to her lethargy. By the next morning she 
had digested her furry elephant and was all right. Is this a common mistake for 
a kitten to make with her first mouse? 
Malvern. E. Lynn Linton. 
Communications for Nature Notes should be addressed to Professor 
Boulger, 34, Argyll Mansions, Addison Bridge, W. , as should specimens for 
naming, books for review, &c. The Editor cannot undertake to reply privately 
to questions. 
Letters connected with the Selborne Society, as well as all inquiries as 
to the supply of Nature Notes, and subscriptions, should be addressed to the 
Secretary of the Selborne Society, A. J. Western, Esq., 20, Hanover Square, W. 
