164 
MISCELLANY. 
A Cat in a Rook’s Nest. —In the Autumn of last year a Cat belonging to 
one of the houses near the above-mentioned Rookery, took possession of one of 
the Rooks’ nests, and, by way of indulging her fancy, would every now and then 
climb up the tree, coiling herself up and lying gently down in the nest. After see¬ 
ing her do this one day, I gave a smart blow at the bottom of the tree, whereupon 
Puss put her head over one side of the nest, and very knowingly looked down; 
then instantly withdrawing it, satisfied no doubt of her safety, and that all was 
going on well.— Id. 
Swallow’s Nest Seized by a Wren. —In the chamber of an out-building'at 
Belle-Vue, the residence of Dr. Murray, a pair of Swallows had built their 
nest, and immediately on its completion a pair of Wrens took a fancy to it. The 
Swallows, naturally unwilling to give up their labour, and the good-will of their 
tenement, resisted the unjust claims of the intruders. A regular battle was the 
result for three successive days, sometimes the Swallows taking possession of the 
nest, at other times the Wrens. On one occasion I managed to conceal myself 
in the chamber, which afforded a better opportunity of watching the contest. 
At length the Wrens obtained possession, and kept it, and a very amusing sight 
it was to observe the female sitting in the nest. She got her brood safely away. 
In Winter I have constantly met with the Wren amongst the rocks near the 
sea-side, creeping through the crevices in search of marine insects.— Id. 
The Hoopoe near Scarborough. —A very beautiful specimen in my collection 
was shot near Belle-Vue, in May 1835. This bird evinced great attachment 
towards the place in which it was found, allowing itself to be repeatedly fired at 
without forsaking* it. On dissection it proved to be a male. Its stomach was 
filled with the remains of Beetles and other insects. Not long ago two other 
specimens were shot near Scarborough, one at Ganton Hall, the other on the 
sands, and both are now in the Museum.— Id. 
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Picus minor') shot near Scarborough. —One 
specimen only to my knowledge has been shot in our neighbourhood. All the 
Woodpeckers are scarce with us, probably from the want of timber.— Id. 
The Kingfisher near Scarborough. —May be seen in all our Trout-streams. 
I have frequently met with this beautiful little fellow during the severity of 
Winter at the sea-side, flitting over the rocks which surround any little pool left 
by the receding tide.— Id. 
The Great Bustard ( Otis tarda) shot near Scarborough. —A bird of this 
magnificent and now rare species, was killed on the Folkton Wolds, eight miles 
from Scarborough, in 1822, by Mr. Thomas Nicholson, huntsman to the Scar¬ 
borough subscription hounds.— Id. 
The Quail near Scarborough. —Occasionally shot in our neighbourhood. 
One in my collection was killed by Mr. John Bland, five miles South of this 
