CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES. 
lOB 
the year, though we are of opinion that the' notes heard in winter are tliose of 
young birds.—E d.] 
Expedition to Algeria.— ^The Academy of Sciences in Paris has united with 
that of Belles Lettres, in a request to the government to send to Algeria, with 
the exploring expedition, such persons as shall be capable of, and especially 
charged with, making geographical and physical observations, and researches in 
Natural and Historical Science. 
Arrivals of Birds. —In looking over my last year’s pocket-book, I find that 
our migratory Warblers arrived here about the 6th of April, but I have this year 
seen no signs of them. It is rather odd that the young Rooks at this place were 
hatched on the same day this year as last, namely, on the 8th. The Grey Crows 
departed last year on the 9th; this year, as far as I can make out, on the 7th. 
Last year I saw a House Swallow on the 4th, but have not observed any this 
year.—R. P. Alington,’*^!^^^^^^ House, 'Lincolnshire, April 12, 1837, in a let¬ 
ter to the Rev. F. 0. Morris. 
Scarcity of the House Sparrow ( Pyrgita domestica ) near Doncaster;.— 
This species, proverbially common, is, strange to say, really rare in this immediate 
neighbourhood. I am not aware whether this fact has been stated, but I have 
heard it confirmed by several individuals, and it certainly is so. Small flocks 
may be seen in farm-yards here and there, but, compared with the numbers in other 
parts, they may be said to be almost unknown here. Even in the town it is a 
rare occurrence to see one. How to account for this circumstance I know not. 
The birds cannot have been all destroyed ?—F. 0. Morris, Doncaster, May 5, 
1837.—I^Wecan confirm the above fact from our own obser^tion.— Ed.]. 
Feathered Miners. —A Garden Ouzel which had built its nest beneath the 
leaves of a large Brocoli, in the garden of Vernon Wentworth, Esq., of WenU 
worth Castle, near Barnsley, Yorkshire, and which contained some young ones, 
was completely buried by the snow which fell, so plentifully during last week. 
The parent bird, however, formed a tunnel beneath the snow, more than two 
feet in length, through which they gained access to their 'broodu'—April 5. 
The Common Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris, Linn.). —In no part of England that 
I have visited do Squirrels appear to be sO abundant as in Yorkshire—of course 
in the wooded districts. They are here exceedingly common, and may be seen 
in every wood, where the timber is of any growth. In this neighbourhood I 
have also repeatedly observed them throughout the winter, which militates rather 
against the received opinion, which is, I believe, that they hybernate.-—F. 0. 
Morris, Dowmsfer, May 4, 1837.—[Mr. Bell informs us that the Squirrel re¬ 
mains in a state of almost complete torpidity in winter, but that it may be seen 
out on fine days.-— Ed.] 
The Camberwell Beauty (Vanessa antiopa). —A locality for this rare and 
