NOTES AND QUERIES FOR NATURALISTS.

THE SNIPE (Scolopax Gallinago).

A BIRD SO well known as the snipe would appear to require but little to make its natural history known even to the most unfamiliar; and yet, in sober truth, as little is known of the habits of the bird as if it were a tenant of some Siberian wilderness, or the intertropical forests of America. The popular idea of birds treats of them as luxuries of the table, and not as living creatures: it is the task of the naturalist alone to follow them to their haunts in the wilderness, and trace out, for the benefit of the world at large, the history of their existence; and if he be an observer of nature, and not one of your closet naturalists, who draws his information from books and stuffed specimens, his life is no easy one. He must toil up the mountain, descend into the valley, ford the river, track the forest, and penetrate the swamp or the morass, as well as cross green fields, and visit shady copses. Under a broiling sun one day, exposed to the cutting north-east wind another; one moment plunging up to his knees in water, the next stumbling over clods of earth. Such a life is one of toil and privation, how beit sweetened by the reflections which the pleasures of knowledge always afford. The snipe in this country, though a comparatively rare bird, in summer, is far more plentifully distributed than a casual ob

server is apt to imagine. The habits of all the marsh birds during the breeding season are very retired. They build their nests in swamps, accessible only to the foot of the most experienced, and in many cases almost inaccessible. In some lonely swamp, at the foot of an alder, in some close tuft of rushes or long grass, the nest is usually built, and contains four or five eggs. From these spots they may be occasionally started during the summer months, but they are always rare and solitary. They are found at these seasons principally in the upland moors in the neighbourhood of watery swamps. About the month of October, or early in November, as soon as the first frosts cover the pools with a sheet of thin ice, the great autumnal migration of the snipes commences. They then appear suddenly and in great numbers in the marshes, frequenting the rills and ditches, and even the ploughed fields. The writer on one occasion started upwards of a thousand of these birds from a single field; and though they were constantly fired at, in the course of an hour or two they returned in numbers almost as great as at first. At these periods, to use the sportsman's phraseology, "they lay wild." Feeding in societies, they are more attentive to the presence of an intruder; and immediately one recognizes their haunts, they rise with the well-known "scarp," and make off. When the bird first rises, it makes a number of zig-zags in its flight, turning first to the right, then to the left, and so on, till; it reaches a short distance, when it moves along in a straight line. This peculiarity is very annoying to the amateur sportsman, who fires as soon as the bird rises, and therefore is sure to miss his mark; but the veteran, who is acquainted with this circumstance, always delays pulling the trigger till the snipe is well" off," and thus makes certain of his game. Experienced sportsmen will thus bag their twenty brace in a forenoon; and we remember to have read of a gentleman who made a wager to bag twenty brace in two hours, which he won easily, having killed twenty-two and a-half brace in the specified time. Throughout the whole of the winter the snipes continue in the same country, though not altogether in the same district. They are, in fact, very versatile birdsone day haunting a certain district in great numbers, where a day or two hence it is impossible to find a single bird. When the weather is so hard as to freeze the deep ditches, the snipes resort to the springs, where they are sometimes found in large companies. When the winter breaks up, they again return to the marshes, and may there be found, in fact, in almost every place where there is any water. In fact, the writer has

started them from a cart-rut in a ploughed field, from under hedges, and various other spots where their presence would never have been suspected. March comes, and with it the snipes prepare for their great vernal migrations. Often before they quit the fens their courtship commences, and the low drum of the male is heard at this season as he soars up to an immense height in the air. A few days, and save a solitary straggler, they are all "off;" some to the upland swamps, but the great bulk of them to distant lands, whose watery solitudes afford them, during the greater part of the summer and autumn, abundance of food, and a habitation secure from all intrusion.

THIEF CATCHING BY SMELLING.

Dr. Evers gives an account of a curious case which was referred to the Silesian Medical College, to report how far the pretensions set up were genuine or deceptive. A peasant who, according to his own account, from an early period began to perceive himself endowed with remarkable power of smell, gradually attracted the general attention of his locality by extraordinary instances of its exercise. By this he became, in fact, a kind of general discoverer of stolen property, and in many instances detected the thief at the same time, by a similarity of the smell attaching itself to him and to the property which had been in his possession. He traced thieves by the smell of their footsteps, unless, indeed, they crossed a river, which baulked him, just as it would a hound. He was enabled, while in complete darkness, and whether in an enclosed space or the open air, to distinguish men from women, as also different individuals among flocks of animals. When persons interchanged hats or clothes, he speedily restored each article to its proper owner. So many stolen articles which had been concealed did he detect, that his fame spread far and wide; but, as he was not invariably successful in indicating the thief, and still more because he was so frequently successful, many enemies, and accusations of deception were raised against him. It turned out, on investigation, that he never employed his talents to mischievous purposes, and nothing was proved against his character; the commission evidently believes in the main truth of his statements, but regrets that accurate experiments cannot be instituted, insomuch as he has of late impaired his powers by drinking and smoking. In his best times, he always found them diminished after a debauch.Casper's Vierteljahrschrift, 1859.

THE SNAIL LEECH (Glossiphonia emarginata), Found in Scotland by Sir J. Dalyell, and described by him, in his "Power of the Creator Dis

played," as Hirudo flave, has been found in Bala Lakes, and also in a small stream in Warwickshire, by the Rev. W. Houghton, and is described by him in the Annals of Natural History. GOLD FISH.

This beautiful little fish, called in this country "gold and silver fish," are originally natives of China and Japan, where they are held in great estimation, and are called "kinyn." From China the English carried some of them to the island of St. Helena, and from thence the captain of one of our East India Ships brought some of them to England in the year 1728.

CURIOUS POSITION OF A WREN'S NEST. Two sawyers were cutting a log of Stettin oak, 26 inches square, at Sunderland. About the centre of the log a large hole was discovered, 10 inches in length by 7 inches in breadth, filled with moss, feathers, hair, &c., and containing seven bird's eggs, which, from their diminutive size, are considered to be wren's eggs. The tree, from its immense size, is supposed to be of about 150 years growth. The moss forming the wren's nest was as fresh as if it had only been pulled yesterday.

A DELICACY FOR THE DOG.

The dogs are fed every second day, when two pounds of seal's flesh, previously thawed when possible, is given to each. The weaker ones get additional food, and they all pick up whatever scraps are thrown out. This is enough to sustain, but not to satisfy them; so they are continually on the look-out for anything eatable. Hobson made one very happy without intending it; he meant only to give him a kick, but his slipper being down at heel, flew off, and away went the lucky dog in triumph with the prize, which of course was no more seen.-MClintock's Voyage of the "Fox."

MOLE'S NEST IN A STACK.

Moles do not often show above ground, and seldom seek to intrude on the patrimony of those who claim the sovereignty of the upper world, but one day lately, while the people at Brankananthem were taking a riek of grain into the barn, they were not a little surprised to find a mole's nest, with several young ones in it, in the heart of the stack. What had induced the animal to leave its own natural abode below ground, and thus intrude itself and progeny into the lawful domains of mousedom, we must leave naturalists to determine, but the fact that it did so is beyond question.-Banffshire Reporter, June 23rd, 1860.

FLYCATCHER'S NEST.

Mr. George Palmer, head park-keeper, Wood Nook, Wentworth Park, has at this time a bird called the "Flycatcher," which has built her nest for four successive years on a buck's head placed over the front door. She has again taken to the same head, hatching her eggs, five in number. "She appears quite at home."-1854.

BIRMINGHAM NOTES.

A magnificent hybrid of the capercailzie and black grouse was recently exhibited at our Natural History Association. The leading characteristics of the bird were those of the capercailzie, but the bill was black, being that of the grouse. It was shot this season in Perthshire, and is valuable in that it proves the extinction is not entire of those capercailzies introduced a few years since by the Marquis of Breadalbane, that the moors might once again become the home of a bird which was completely exterminated.

Some evenings since I saw a robin pursue with great fury a tit, the oxeye, and strike at him, driving him from tree to tree, and afterwards perching on the top of an elder, and singing defiantly. Every time the tit re-appeared, the robin was off in wild pursuit of him.

This tit, on the return of autumn, for now three years, has been accustomed to roost under the eaves of a window adjoining my office. He migrates in spring, and we lose him till the fall of the leaf, when he returns to his favourite nook. Does not this evince a very strong power of memory? He usually runs about the walls and secures flies and insects. In this occupation he was when chased by the robin with such fury, at intervals, for half an hour.-GEORGE R, TWINN.

ANSWERS TO QUERIES.

THE ARMADILLOS (p. 302) is a native of South America; it is a harmless creature, living chiefly upon vegetables, melons, &c., but it will also eat esh, small fish, worms and water insects.

It burrows like the mole, and as it can neither run, leap, nor climb, when pursued it makes towards its hole, and there conceals itself; or if this be impracticable, it will make a new hole on the spot very quickly, for which its strong and crooked claws are well adapted. But should this resource fail, its only defence is its outer covering of shells or scales, under which it will withdraw its head, tuck up its legs, and form itself into the shape of a ball. In this position it can roll down precipices without sustaining the least injury; but if on a plain, it must remain thus in a fixed state, and await the approach of the hunter, who takes it home in this position, and by holding it close to a fire obliges it to unroll itself to escape being burnt. Armadilloes frequent the sides of rivers and moist places.

MERMAIDS (p. 302).-The mermaid, like the sea serpent, is one of those fabulous creatures about which a great many wonderful stories are told, only the former has the advantage of the latter in being celebrated in classic song and story. It is from the Greek and Latin poets we derive our notions of "the maiden with the sea-green locks." Has any one ever seen a mermaid? We should say not. What people have fancied is a different matter. Here is a recent instance of the force of imagination acting on a prevalent superstition.-"A Mermaid: The declaration of two fishermen of the Argyleshire coast appears in the Shipping Gazette. They say: We, the undersigned, do declare that on Thursday last, the 4th of June 1857, when on our way to the fishing station, Lochindal, in a boat, and when about four miles south-west from the village of Port Charlotte, being then about 6 p.m., we distinctly saw an object about six yards from us in the shape of a woman, with full breast, dark complexion, comely face, and fine hair hanging in ringlets over the neck and shoulders. It was above the surface of the water to about the middle, gazing at us, and shaking its head. The weather being fine, we had a full view of it, and that for three or four minutes.-John Williamson, John Cameron.-Islay, June 9, 1857.'-Northern Ensign.-[Where were the traditional 'comb and glass?']"

There is something more real about the following, which we find in the Illustrated Times for July 17, 1858.-" A 'mermaid,' or angel fish, has been caught in the Forth. This strange fish is described as nearly six feet long, and weighing a hundred pounds. It has wings (fins) eight inches long, the face of a frog, and the tail of a shark. The belly is pure white, the back is light brown, the skin being rough, like that of a shark or dog-fish. The wings are not unlike the wings of

a duck-skate, and the teeth resemble those of the shark. The fish measures three feet across the wings. Just before it was caught, the fishermen saw it raise itself upright in the water, and then fly over the surface like a bird. It dived-ah, stern necessity!-and was caught in a turbot net.Query, what fish is this ?"

TAME OTTERS (p. 228-302).-I have taken the following anecdote from Thomas Brown's book, entitled "Biographical Sketches aud Anecdotes of Quadrupeds:❞—

"The Prodigal Restored.-A man of the name of William Collins, who resided at Kilmerston, near Wooler, in Northumberland, had a tame otter, which followed him wherever he went. He frequently took it to fish in the river for its own food, and when satiated, it never failed to return to its master. One day, in the absence of Collins, the otter being taken out to fish by his son, instead of returning, as usual, refused to come at the accustomed call, and was lost. Collins tried every means to recover it; and after several days' search, being near to the place where his son had lost it, calling it by its name, to his inexpressible joy, it came creeping to his feet, exhibiting many marks of affection and firm attachment."

Goldsmith, in his "Animated Nature," says that "Otters never will be thoroughly tamed, and if kept for the purpose of fishing, are always apt to take the first opportunity of escaping."

Many naturalists say that the otter is capable of being tamed, and may be taaght to follow like a dog.-R.N.W.

POETRY OF INSECT LIFE.

In the vast and the minute we see
The unambiguous footsteps of the GOD
Who gives its lustre to an insect's wing,
And wheels his throne upon the rolling world.
CowPER.

To shew him in an insect or a flower
Such microscopic proof of skill and power.
As, hid from ages past, God now displays,
To combat atheists with, in modern days.

COWPER-Review of Schools,

Things small as dust, of every dye,
That scarce the sight perceives,
Some, clad with wings, fly droning by,
Some climb the grass and leaves.
CLARE-Wanderings in June.

Making oft-remarking stops;
Watching tiny nameless things
Climb the grass's spiry tops,
Ere they try their gauzy wings.
So, converging into light,

From the ignorant and vain,
Fearful Genius takes her flight,
Skimming o'er the lowly plain.

CLARE,

TO THE SKY-LARK. We call thee bird of ethereal wing,Morning songster,-musical thing,Melody's child,-bright bird of fame,Sky-lark, and many a pretty name. By what do spirits of upper air Address thee when thou singest there? Have they a name more sweet than ours, To win thee from thy earthly bowers? Or what the appellation given Thy spirit-self in fields of heaven ?I'd know it now, that, ere I go, I may speak it, Lark, I love thee so! E. E. A.-Tait's Mag.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.

WAR-DANCE OF THE DYAKS OF BORNEO.

ALMOST every savage nation has its peculiar war-dance, and the different steps, movements, and cries in each depict different stages in the supposed fight. An account of the various kinds of dances would form an interesting work, and as a contribution to it, we here call attention to the following description of a war-dance which was practised for the entertainment of the officers of the Semarang, on the occasion of their visiting a Dyak Chief. It is taken from Captain Marryat's "Borneo":

"A space was cleared in the centre, and two of the oldest warriors stepped into it. They were dressed in turbans long loose jackets, sashes round their waists descending to their feet, and small bells were attached to their ankles. They commenced by first shaking hands with the rajah, and then with all the Europeans present, thereby giving ns to understand, as was explained to us, that the dance was to be considered only as a spectacle, and not to be taken in its literal sense, as preparatory to an attack upon us, a view of the case in which we fully coincided with them.

"This ceremony being over, they rushed into the centre, and gave a most unearthly scream; then poising themselves on one foot.