CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES. 
277 
the common species^ and I have no doubt but that such has frequently been the 
case.—F, 0. Morris, Doncaster^ June^ 1837. 
Cranes and Crabs. —^On the Coast of Chili innumerable small Crabs live in 
cylindrical excavations in tlie sand, and, as the tide approaches, watch for their 
share of the booty brought by the waves, while they themselves are threatened 
by the long-legged Cranes, which pursue with extraordinary eagerness the' 
Crustacea, and in general all marine animals. But the bird cannot get one of 
these Crabs except by rapid flight, and even the diligent naturalist does not 
obtain them without digging in the sand | for the smallest trembling of the 
ground under foot, even the shadow of a person approaching, warns the little 
animal of its danger, and, with the rapidity of lightning, it starts into its hole.. 
Swarms of little fish purposely suffer themselves to be brought by every wave 
far upon the beach, and seem to take pleasure in the sport, for they are so quick 
and so attentive that you may attempt in vain to catch a single one, or to 
intercept a number in their retreat with the receding wave. The grave Herons 
alone contrive to deceive them by their fixed attitude, which, at a favourable 
moment, is interrupted by an almost convulsive motion, and brings death to one 
of the poor dupes.~“P(EPiGs Travels. 
A Hive of Bees swarming three times in eleven Days. —Mr. J. Thack- 
RAY, of the Hill Top, near Bramham, has a hive of Bees which swarmed three 
times within the short space of eleven days, namely, on June 3, 11, and 13.-— 
Domaster Chronicle. 
Remarkably large Trout. —A few days ago a Trout was caught in the 
river Strid, by Mr. Scott, of Strid Cottage, near Bolton Abbey, weighing 
eight pounds six ounces, and measuring two feet two inches in length, and fifteen 
inches round.- —Doncaster Chronicle^ June 24. 
On separating the Pigeon Family from Rasores., and the Plover Family 
FROM Drallatores.—J. think Mr. Allis (p. 57) has very ably shown that the 
Columbidm ought not to be retained in the order Rasores^ and I would suggest, 
that a portion of the Ckaradriadce be removed from the order Grallatores to the 
Rasores^ to supply the place of Columbidm. I must leave it to more scientific 
persons than myself to define which genera are to be removed. I think there 
cannot be a. doubt that the habits of most of the species partake more of the 
Rasorial than the Grallatorial order. Amongst them the Stone Thick-knee 
((Edicnemus crepitans) is very conspicuous; for instead of resorting to low wet 
grounds^, it entirely confines itself to the most arid parts of the country, and 
consequently cannet be considered a Wader. The same may be said of several 
other species now included among the Charadriadm.—J. D-. Salmon, Tketfordy 
Norfolk^ June 14, 1837. 
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