Page:Hardwicke's Science-Gossip - Volume 1.pdf/223

Ingenuity of the Thrush.—On the 1st instant was pointed out to me a thrush's nest built in the fork of a mountain ash, so near to a bed-room window as to be under the close inspection of an invalid lady, who, with her husband and her nurse, were much interested in watching the daily progress of the family. The young birds were hatched on the 20th of June. For several weeks no rain had fallen till the 29th, when a heavy downpour set in, which lasted, with very slight intermission, throughout that and the following day. The parent birds were much distressed to give shelter to their young, and despite all their care they failed in their efforts, until, struck with a happy thought, they succeeded in placing a stick across the nest, then availing themselves of this extemporized perch, and simultaneously spreading out their wings, they formed a complete and effectual canopy. On the following day the perch had disappeared; with the return of sunshine both parents, relieved from all anxiety on account of the weather, were busily plying their brood with grubs and caterpillars, so that I had no opportunity for seeing the happy contrivance; but the three more fortunate observers bore testimony, In terms of high admiration, to the skill and patience exhibited by the thrushes, who never descried the perch so long as the rain continued, although their own feathers were dripping with water. Throughout the second day of trial the cock bird brought food to his mate, who distributed it amongst her nurselings, taking, of course, her own well-earned share. I asked my friends how the birds contrived to carry up the perch more than fifteen feet from the ground, but neither had been so fortunate as to witness what must have been a clever piece of engineering.—E. Y. S.

Snakes at Dinner.—During the present summer I have kept two snakes (Natrix torquata) in a glass case for the purpose of observing their habits; one of the most interesting is the method by which they take their food. Bell, in his "History of British Reptiles" (and after him most writers), states that it seizes frogs generally by one of the hind legs, or should the frog be taken by the middle of the body, it invariably turns it until the head is directed towards the throat, when it is swallowed head foremost. Wishing to test the validity of this statement, I supplied my snakes with a number of small frogs, and to my surprise I found that they were generally swallowed as taken—i.e., if seized by the hind legs they went down backwards; if by the head, head foremost; and if taken sideways (as several were), they were swallowed in that position. Bell, in the work before cited, states that when a frog is seized all its struggles generally cease at once; this I cannot credit, for I have repeatedly noticed them struggle violently, and only cease to do by being swallowed. I have frequently noticed my snakes mistake small stones for frogs, actually biting at them, while the frog they were in chase of was scarcely an inch off, and which by lying quiet generally escaped, but the instant it moved the snake was after it again. From this I am forced to believe the sight of my reptiles cannot be good: is it so in their natural state?—F. P. D., Birmingham.

Birds and an Eclipse.—In Mr. Bennett's "Wanderings in China" (1833), we find an elaborate description of an aviary, and the following paragraph appears curious. Other persons may have made move ample examination of the same phenomenon. "It once happened during a total eclipse of the sun, that as that luminary became overshadowed, the feathered colony, if not in consternation at the event, was exceedingly perplexed at the rapid and untimely termination of the day, and all retired supperless to bed; they received, however, a second surprise at the briefness of the night; for before they could be well asleep, the cocks crowed at the reappearance of the sun, and all again resumed their daily amusements and occupations."—P. B. St. J.

White Hedgehog.—On the 15th of last month (July), when walking to London, seeing a number of working men examining some curious-looking animal which one of them had in his hand, I asked to be allowed to see it also, and to my surprise found it to be a white hedgehog, with red eyes, the same as a white rabbit or white mouse; it was gentle, and apparently very tame, and full grown, and in good health. One of the workmen observed to the others, that though in his life he had seen scores of hedgehogs, yet he had never met with a white one before; an observation that I could fully endorse; but whether it is so unusual a fact as I think, I am by no means sure. The colour was one uniform pale nankeen colour, both hair and spires.—Aug. Gaviller, Stamford Hill.

Hammer-headed Shark (Zygæna malleus).—About 1 p.m. July 31st, a large object was observed floundering among the rocks near the ladies' bathing cove by the boatmen on the quay-head. With great difficulty and some risk it was secured by ropes, and triumphantly towed into Ilfracombe harbour; it was then placed on a cart and drawn through the streets. For a small amount I obtained the carcass, and had it placed in the small garden behind our house. On measurement it was found to be 13ft. 7in. in length, 7ft. 2in. in girth behind the pectoral fins, 3ft. 3in. between the orbits of the eyes, which were nearly covered by crustacean parasites. On opening the animal the remains of two thornbacks and a bass were found, together with a number of intestinal worms of enormous size. There is only one recorded appearance of this remarkable fish on the British