162 
MISCELLANY. 
municated to us in conversation, by W. H. Rudston Read, Esq., A.M., F.L.S.:— 
Mr. Read had some young Partridges. These escaped at an early age, but 
returned the following Spring with one or more wild individuals. Two of the 
birds made a nest in the Spring of 1838, and hatched close under the window 
where they were usually fed. Probably both old and young will now remain. 
We have known wild Ducks, and semi-wild Canada Geese, attracted to farm- 
buildings and stack-yards by tame individuals of their own species.— Ed. 
Account of a tame Starling.— There is now at Mr. King’s, Rock Ferry 
Hotel, an interesting little Starling, which hops about the house even amongst 
strangers. 44 Jack” is particularly attached to Mrs. King, following her from 
room to room, and if he chances to be separated from her for a time, and hears 
her voice in a distant part of the house, he hurries off to court her acquaintance 
and attention. 44 Jack” is a native of Warwickshire, and still a young bird. He 
talks a little, and is fond of telling people to 44 get out.” He excels in whistling, 
and in that way imitates any tune or snatch of a tune he may hear. He and a 
Dog belonging to the house live on terms of great affection, and are almost 
inseparable play-mates. 44 Jack” has a temper of his own, which is none of the 
mildest ; particularly if anything edible (he has quite an aldermanic appetite) be 
taken from him. The offender is instantly flown at, and fought with, and told 
again and again to 44 get out!” There is another peculiarity of 44 Jack’s” disposi¬ 
tion, wdiich we fear we cannot class among the virtues. He is far from being 
a 44 teetotaller.” He is fond of ale, and spirits and water, but (having a truly 
aristocratic gout) is passionately fond of wine, particularly 44 champagne.” When 
44 drunk,” he rarely becomes 44 disorderly,” but amuses those around him by 
reeling about, and throwing himself into a variety of fantastic attitudes.— Liver¬ 
pool Standard. 
Intelligence of the Roebuck. —The following interesting anecdote, illustra¬ 
tive of the intelligence of this animal, is related in Lewis’s Life , &c.:—About 
ten days ago, one of the farm-keepers’ wives was going homewards through the 
wood, when she saw a Roebuck running towards her with great speed. Thinking 
that it was going to attack her with its horns, she was considerably alarmed— 
but, at the distance of a few paces, the animal stopped and disappeared among 
the bushes. The woman recovered herself, and was proceeding on her way, 
when the Roebuck appeared again, ran towards her as before, and again retreated 
wdthout doing her any harm. On this being done a third time, the woman was 
induced to follow it, till it came to a deep ditch, in which she discovered a young 
Roebuck unable to extricate itself, and on the point of being smothered in the 
water. The woman immediately endeavoured to rescue it, during which the 
other Roebuck stood by quietly, and as soon as her exertions were successful, the 
two animals galloped away together. 
