382 
MISCELLANY. 
unwilling to intermit either for the shortest time. When close, the Marsh and 
Coal Tits are at once distinguished by the absence or presence of the white spot 
behind the head.— Ed. 
Comparative Distribution of the Buntings. —Amongst scores of Buntings 
shot within a few months in the neighbourhood of Doncaster, only one was a 
Corn Bunting. The Yellow species, as elsewhere, is extremely abundant, and 
the Reed Bunting by no means scarce. The latter is, we believe, equally but 
rather sparingly distributed in England.— Ed. 
Propriety or otherwise op the Name Budytes.—l rather doubt the pro¬ 
priety of the name Buddies, as applied to the Spring Oatear of your British Song 
Birds, having noticed the Pied Wagtail quite as assiduous in his attentions to 
the cattle, in extensive low pastures, as the former, and cjuite as familiar with < 
them, if not more so; but this kindness seems only to be given on special occa¬ 
sions.— Edwin Lees, Drgadville Cottage, near Worcester, Oct. 21, 1836. |^That 
the Pied Wagtails may often be seen among cattle is not to be questioned; but 
that they are much less constant cattle-attenders is, on the other hand, equally 
certain.'— Ed.] 
The last Swallow in Surrey in 1836.—Swallows were last seen here on 
the 21st of this month.— Edward Blyth, Tooting, Surrey, Oct. 28, 1836. 
The Missel Thrush in a Shower of Rain.' —On the 21st of October, 1836, 
while taking shelter under a tree, we remember noticing a Missel Thrush 
perched on the top of a lofty Beech-tree, during a pelting shower of rain, without 
moving an inch. It would not permit any of its species to approach the tree, 
which it quitted as soon as the shower ceased. It appeared to view the descend¬ 
ing element in the light of a shower-bath, and to enjoy it accordingly. The 
same may be said of Pigeons, which every one must have noticed spreading their 
wings to receive the shower.— Ed. 
The Black Rat at Yarm.—M r. Thomas Meynell, jun., informs me, that he 
meets with the Black Rat at Yarm, He says:—“I took one this year (1836) among 
several Water Rats, in a trap set for the purpose, in consequence of their having 
attacked the Peaches and Nectarines; they were not even contented with the 
fruit, but also attacked the branches of a Hamburgh Vine.”—F. 0. Morris, 
Doncaster, Sept. 3, 1837. 
The Robin Redbreast on the Sea-coast. —In winter this bird may often be 
seen close to the sea-side, upon those rocks covered with sea-weed, probably in 
search of marine insects. To some this may not appear extraordinary; yet 
many of the admirers of this universal favourite would be a little surprised 
at meeting him there, in a place so different from hk usual haunts.— Patrick 
Hawkridge, Scarborough, Aug. 7, 1837. 
A Ferret Weasel suckling a Kitten.-—A few days ago a live Kitten was 
