BIRDS OF PASSAGE. 
‘37 
seen in them the remains of Eels or any otlier kinds of hsh; and I should be 
inclined to think that Eels are not a very common dish with the species. The 
skins and bones of Field Mice, the limbs of Frogs, and the feathers of birds, 
are the remains generally met with in their holes. 
In some parts of England, a kind of old-fashioned fence, formed of stones 
loosely thrown together, is frequently met with; in such places the Fitchet loves 
to take up his abode, probably from their being more airy than holes burrowed in 
earth, and also giving more room. 
It is astonishing with what ferocity this animal fights when attacked, and the 
Terrier that can overcome him, is considered a valuable animal. When he gets 
hold of his foe, he only relinquishes it in death. While travelling one summer 
amongst the mountains on the Scottish borders, I met with a person, famous as a 
breeder of those Terriers celebrated by Sir Walter Scott, in the novel of Guy 
Mannering^ as ‘‘ Peppers and Mustards.” He showed me skins of the Fitchet 
and Toof,* as trophies of the chase, which he considered to speak sufficiently for 
the character of his Dogs. It is surprising to what perfection some of these Dogs 
are trained to hunt the Fitchet. I knew one that would not follow the scent of 
any other animal, and have seen a Common Weasel cross his path, when he has 
been hunting the scent of a Fitchet, without his taking the least notice of it. 
Professor Rennie gives an interesting account of a tame animal of this species. 
It appears to have been perfectly domesticated, and to have shown much affection 
and attachment to the family to which it belonged. The Fitchet, by Buffon 
and some other naturalists, has been considered as incapable of being tamed above 
a certain degree. If, however, the memoirs of “ Follette,” (the animal spoken of 
by Rennie) be authentic, they prove that at least one of the race was so far 
tamed, as not to be surpassed in exhibiting marks of fondness to its keepers even 
by the faithful Dog. 
W. R. Scott. 
PERIOD OF THE ARRIVAL OF BIRDS OF PASSAGE. 
By Edward Blyth. 
All migratory birds arrive very gradually, and in fact come over at several 
distinct periods, on nights when the moon enlightens their course. Even at the 
present time, only about half the Blackcapt Fauvets (Ficedula atricapillaJ have 
arrived in this neighbourhood. Thus we perceive that our birds of passage 
arrive in separate sets, which are divided by periods of non-arrival, ^. e., when 
there is no moon. The Fallow Chat, Bank Swallow, earlier Wrynecks, Dark- 
* Fox. 
