MISCELLANT. 
£14 
out whether a Crambus or a Phycita. The shape inclines me to think the latter, 
but in colour it is very similar to Crambus argyreus and C. lythargyrellus. My 
pair of Russian Colias europome agree with those in the Linnean Cabinet. Mr. 
Reid, of Doncaster, has several foreign specimens of both sexes, but quite distinct 
from Colias philodice. Hesperia comma is plentiful near Hull, and at Gogmagog 
Park. Theda pruni is common near Doncaster, according to Messrs. Reid and 
Simmonds. Two specimens of Th. virgaurece (3) were taken in Horningsea 
Fen four or five years ago. Mr. Fox had one and Mr. Wenman the other.— 
J. C. Dale, Glanvilles Wootton , Dorsetshire , July 9, 1837. 
Effect of the Drainage of Fens. —The Ancholme Cars were once famous 
for wild fowl, but (thanks to the drainage) of late years we have seen corn grow 
and Sheep graze where they used to swim, and began to think that we should 
have to convert our fowling-pieces into shepherd’s crooks and reaping-hooks. The 
severity of the season, however, has brought back an abundance of the feathery 
tribe to their u watery hunts,” and every old firelock has been called into requi¬ 
sition, and several Swans as well as other birds have been shot and captured, to 
the no small gratification of our lovers of shooting.— Doncaster Gazette , Feb. 23, 
1838.-— r[Mere ornithologists are apt to make bitter complaints of the natural 
effects of drainage and tillage on their favourite pursuit; but the really philoso¬ 
phic naturalist, while regretting the disappearance of a few of his feathered friends, 
otherwise views the changes in his native soil with unmixed satisfaction, as 
pointing out the progress of wealth, civilization, and happiness.— Ed. Nat.~\ 
Royal Poacher. —Much devastation has been caused among the Hares and 
other game in the neighbourhood of Beningborough, Newton, &c., for upwards 
of a week past, by the sportive flights of a large Golden-crested Eagle, which 
during the storm had forsaken his more elevated domains to exercise his sovereign 
rights in these parts. Royalty, however, was not considered sufficient to give 
him a legitimate claim to the game of these manors, and, besides, sundry other 
acts of rapacity were attributed to him, perhaps not strictly accordant with truth, 
such as occasionally diversifying the provisions of his royal table with a Goose, a 
Sheep, and (so far did exaggeration go) that it was also gravely averred he made 
too free with a calf. In consequence a pretty close look-out has been kept, and 
various methods have been tried to secure the royal stranger. Guns were pointed 
against him, but in vain—none had within their barrel the charmed bullet that 
could bring him down as he soared in his pride of place. Traps of different kinds 
were set, but they were too weak to keep him in their toils. At last, however— 
as man still asserts his right to dominion over the beasts of the field, and the 
fowls of the air—a person in the neighbourhood of Newton bethought himself of 
an old man-trap, which had been for some time out of use. This was duly set, 
and having a Hare fastened to it as a lure, the Eagle pounced upon it on Sunday 
