low was to be seen, nor could I hear of any; it is, therefore probable, that those which arrived on the 2nd, had re-migrated. On the 15th, I heard of the first nightingale, and saw one myself on the 19th. Still few swallows were to be seen. On the 17th, the weather continued cold, with N. E. winds, and I could not see any swallows in their usual haunts, although I occasionally heard of them in different localities. No swallows had been seen near Dartford, in Kent, on the 20th, but a pair was observed on the 21st.

These facts will serve to shew the time of the arrival of these welcome birds. Their departure is more irregular still, as may be seen from the following remarks which I made in the next

autumn.

October 13th, 1843, Thermometer 40.- Cold and frosty. Many swallows seen, flying low, or skimming along the streets of Windsor and the adjacent roads.

October 20. A severe frost, which destroyed dahlias, &c., yet I saw many swallows, and at least fifty flying about a house at Wimbledon. Thermometer at eight o'clock in the morning was 36. October 22. Weather cold, yet many swallows seen.

ing, hawking for flies busily close to the ground,

over a grass plot. Thermometer 30, at eight o'clock in the morning, ice, but a sunny day. November 25.-Two swallows flying about the round tower of Windsor Castle. Mild day. These were the last swallows I observed.

MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS, &c.

337

It is only by the united observations of various persons, that we must expect to learn many curious facts in Natural history of which we are still ignorant.

ANON.

That the destruction of sparrows, and small birds generally is very injurious to those who have gardens and orchards I am strongly induced to believe. A proof of this has been sent to me by a correspondent, to whom I am indebted for much interesting information. He informs me that attached to his garden, is a fruit plantation of three acres, containing gooseberries, currants, raspberries, cherries, apples, pears, plums, &c., and that he never allows birds to be destroyed or their nests taken. The consequence is that he is never annoyed with caterpillars. He adds, that about two miles distance from his residence, there is “a small bird club," the members of which are bound to produce a certain number of small birds every week. Each year the caterpillars devastate the plantations, and last year an apple-orchard of more than ten acres was so infested, that the owner employed women to pick off every blossom in order to save the trees. It is hoped that a knowledge of this fact will induce persons to discontinue the wanton

destruction of small birds, intended, as they have been for the benefit of man.*

From information communicated to me, I have reason to be more convinced than ever, that both Herrings and Mackerel only perform partial mi

* A friend, (the Rev. J. Mitford) whose opinion is at variance with that advanced in the text, on the question as to whether some of the smaller birds are useful or injurious to fruit trees and vegetables, has sent me some twigs of the cherry, gooseberry, and Pyrus japonica, in which the blossom-buds, he says, are entirely eaten out by the Bullfinch; and he adds, that all the buds in one large bush of P. japonica in his garden are destroyed by them. His gardener, who is a very experienced and observant person, informs him, that he has seldom seen any birds but the Black Titmouse, in Autumn, feeding on caterpillars; even the Robin seldom, who prefers earth-worms and earwigs. His gardener has given the names of the birds that he considers the most destructive to the garden crops, and the particular nature of the mischief they do.

The Bullfinch.-All buds, cherry, gooseberry; after these, the apple.

The House-Sparrow-Gooseberry buds and peas.

Chaffinch.-All vegetable seeds, as they come up in the Spring. Linnet.-All seeds ripening in the Autumn, especially spinach and beet.

Hedge-Sparrow.-Draws out of the ground young onions and

leeks.

Thrushes and Blackbirds.-Ripe fruit of all kinds.

Norf. Nightingale.--Cherries, raspberries, &c. when ripe.
The Jay.-Strips off whole rows of ripe peas, and beans.
These observations were made in a garden in the eastern side

of Suffolk, and are here stated, as they differ from the opinion given in the Text, that their truth may be examined and verified, in other quarters.

grations, either for the purpose of depositing their spawn, or in search of food. In fact they may almost always be found where food is abundant, feeding on the lower grounds in winter, and removing to the upper grounds in summer.

Fresh water Fish in salt water, and salt-water fish in fresh water, living, breeding and thriving, have been seen in various places in Scotland; and also in a pond in Guernsey, which has been recovered from the sea by draining the neck of a narrow isthmus.

In a former work, I have given some account of a large Spider, found at Hampton Court, there called "the Cardinal." They are so large that when one was put into a tumbler, the legs reached over the edge of it. They are very swift in their motions, and hunt about for their food. They bite off the wings of moths, and unlike the common spiders, which suck the juices of their prey, they appear to eat the body. They may be heard distinctly when they run along the paper on the walls. They are always found in pairs—at least if one is caught, another is sure to be seen directly afterwards. They are most frequently seen in Autumn.*

* It is a general remark at Hampton Court, that the Cardinal spider makes its appearance previous to wet weather.