216 Observations on Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary. 
contrary to its inclinations; it is far beyond the reach of probability, to 
imagine, that it could oblige the Blue-Bottle to do so; and however easy 
it may be for the Ichneumon, to deposit its eggs in the sluggish caterpil¬ 
lar, it could by no means deposit them in the body of this strong and 
restless insect. 
But, if the flies are not deposited in the tubes of this plant, by these 
insects, what is it that induces them to enter ? Possibly, as suggested in 
Kirby and Spence’s “Introduction to Entomology,” the effluvia emana¬ 
ting from putrid animalculae, in the lower part of the tube, may induce 
the flies to enter, in search of a fitting receptacle on which to deposit 
their eggs,* or they may enter in request of food, but whatever be their 
inducement, repeated observation has convinced me, that their ingress 
is voluntary;—and having descended some length, the gradual contrac¬ 
tion of the tube, asssited by the short stiff hairs which clothe its inner 
surface, and which point downwards, effectually prevents their return. 
(TO BE CONTINUED.) 
Article II.— Observations on Professor Rennie's edition of 
Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary. By Mr. O. Je witt, 
Duffield-Bank, near Derby. 
Gentlemen, 
I HAVE been much pleased with looking over Professor 
Rennie’s new edition of Montagu’s Ornithological Dictionary. Tliat 
gentleman seems to have an anxious desire for accuracy in his work, 
and as I find some of his statements to differ from my own observa- 
ti«ms, I take the liberty of offering, through the medium of the Horti¬ 
cultural Register, the following extracts from a journal which I have 
kept some years; some of which will serve to confirm, and others to 
correct the descriptions he has given:— 
Page 513, under the head “TOM-TIT,” (^Parus cnmleus^') be says, “It lays 
seven eggs, rarely eight.” “ It has been said that this bird will sometimes 
lay as many as twenty eggs in the same nest; but this is certainly an error, 
for in the great abundance of nests we have seen, with eggs and young, never 
more than eight were found.” 
The following, will show that sometimes at least, it lays more than 
that number: — 1821, May 16th. Found a nest of the Parus cceruleus^ 
Blue Titmouse; in a hollow maple tree. The entrance to the nest, 
was a small hole near the ground, just sufficient to adinit the bird. 
Having watched the bird in, we immediately spread a small net over 
• That the Musca romiloria, is liable to be deceived, in this respect, is proved, by tlie fact 
that it deposits its eggs on certain betid flowers of the Stapelia, or Carrion Flower. 
