312 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
At a gentleman’s house in Upton-upon-Severn, I lately saw one of these birds 
running about his garden, and which was caught when quite young* upon a 
common in the neighbourhood. On observing the bird standing upon a grass plot 
in the garden, and shaking as if it had the ague, I inquired the cause, and was 
told that it was the manner in which it obtains its food. This I observed it to 
effect in the following manner:—It advances four paces, then stands firm on one 
foot, and, with the other in advance, it agitates the grass by moving the knee of 
that foot backwards and forwards ; it looks intent all the while on the. ground, to 
see if there is any motion in the grass; on perceiving any, it immediately plunges 
its beak therein, to catch any unfortunate insect or Worm that may be attempt¬ 
ing to make its escape. It then proceeds four other paces, beginning with the 
advanced foot, which brings the other foot at the fourth step in advance, with 
which it agitates the grass as before, and so on, alternately. 
I am, Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
Neville Wood, Esq. Jabez Allies. 
Suggestions for a Work on the Localities of British Insects. 
To the Editor of the Naturalist. 
Bewsey House , near Warrington , 
April 3, 1838. 
My dear Sir, —I beg to draw the attention of naturalists to a desideratum in 
our entomological literature, which I wish much to be supplied. Mr. Watson 
deserves the thanks of all botanists for his Guide to the Localities of the Barer 
British Plants. Why should there not be a similar guide to the localities of the 
rarer insects ? The importance and advantage of such a work to entomologists is 
obvious. And were any competent individual to attempt the task, he would 
undoubtedly receive much assistance. To this end the work might appear 
periodically ; and its success would be further insured by the price being moderate. 
The localities of the rarer species only would be necessary. A list of all such 
as are plentifully and generally distributed, might be given at the conclusion. 
The extent of the work would thus be considerably diminished, as the repetition 
of the same species under each of the counties would be rendered needless. Fur¬ 
ther suggestions need not be given here, and I conclude by hoping that attention 
will be paid to this subject, as I feel convinced it deserves and demands it. 
Yours very truly, 
To Neville Wood, Esq., &c. Peter Rylands. 
* When covered with down, this bird utters the same “ peewit” cry as the adult, but, of course, 
in a more chicken-like tone.—E d. 
