NOVEMBER 28TH. THE FIELD FARE.—(Turdus pilaris.) "Flocking Field Fares, spotted like the thrush, may now be seen. A week since not a single bird of the species was to be found, now they appear in flocks. The summer of the more northern parts of Europe has closed, the pine forests of Norway are deserted, and the passage of the stormy North Sea has been effected by the frail wing of this little bird-it comes to us as a refuge from the more severe winters usual in the North. The migration of birds offers us one of the clearest evidences of instinct. Migratory birds, when reared in confinement from the egg, and who never could have been taught the custom of their progenitors, will, at the appointed time, exhibit the utmost restlessness; appearing as if seized with frenzy, they try pertinaciously to escape, often dashing against the restraining wires until worn out; if permitted to escape they are observed invariably to take flight in the direction their kindred have gone. The regularity of arrival and departure of our summer and winter visitors is remarkable, the one taking the place vacated by the other; as soon as our winter birds are gone, the summer birds arrive, and as these leave the others return. The Field Fare is a well-known bird of the thrush group, rarely arriving before the end of November, and departing at the end of April. It is scarcely ever seen solitary; flying, feeding, roosting, and breeding in companies frequently of hundreds, but more usually of flocks of thirty or forty. Immediately on its arrival it attacks the hawthorn, mountain ash, and other berry-bearing trees, resorting after a time to the marshy lands. The bird, though somewhat widely dispersed, appears to prefer a somewhat cold climate; in severe and long-continued frosts it suffers sadly; whole flocks become so reduced as to lose all fear of man, suffering even capture by the hand, and perishing of hunger by hundreds. The plumage somewhat resembles that of the thrush; the centre of the back and wing coverts are of rich brown, assuming a deep amber tint in the centre; the throat and breast of yellowish brown, with regular spots of black. It is a wary bird, the sentinel from some tall tree keeping "watch and ward" with vigilance, carefully warning the flock of approach of danger, and leaving its post of observation the last. NOVEMBER 29TH. THE COMMON HERMIT CRAB.--(Pagurus bernardus.) THIS crustacean, although classed among the "common objects of the seashore," requires a lengthened search for its discovery by those who are unacquainted with its habits. Many autumn sojourners on the coast are, no doubt, totally ignorant of its singular form and curious habits. It is often seen exposed for sale at sea-bathing places, and not unfrequently found in the aquarium. Recently, on our return from an excursion along the coast, "Laden with sea-weeds from the rocks," we found an old woman bottling Crabs alive for the London market, where, she told us, the Hermit commanded a price of from 2s. to 2s. 6d. each. Crabs are a very curious race, but this is the only species that Nature has not adequately defended from the perils of a rocky coast; for whilst the upper parts are cased in stony mail, the hind parts are all undefended; the posteriors taper down to a hook-like apparatus, and are without shell covering. The Hermit seems to be perfectly aware of this awkward fact, for it seeks eagerly for some shelter for its naked parts. At first, it appears not to be so particular as subsequently, and turns the first shell it meets with into a pair of pantaloons; afterwards it becomes more difficult to please, and it may be seen, at favourable opportunities, turning over, inspecting, and trying on various shells, examining them carefully inside and out, until one is found (most likely of the spiral form) that suits its necessities, when the old garment is discarded, and the hind parts are instantly thrust into the new shell. It will be of no use trying to eject the new occupier, for by the aid of its hook-like claspers it will hold so firmly to the shell that all efforts to dislodge it are useless. The whelk-shell seems a favourite with the Hermit race, probably from the fact that its peculiar shape enables the animal to hold on more firmly, the projections along the abdomen then coming into active use. The Hermit's nether extremities duly protected, the "Soldier Crab," as it is sometimes called, is ready to do battle with all assailants; the stout pinchers lie tucked within the shell ready to be thrust forth for defence or assault, and with these we have had clear evidence that the animal can bite most severely. All the crabs are pugnacious and vindictive, never hesitating at cannibalism if they have the opportunity of preying upon a weaker brother. Although the Hermit carries a cumbrous armour it moves with some alertness. Out of its shell it looks more like a lobster than a crab. Izaak Walton says, in reference to the name :-"There is a fish called a Hermit that at a certain age gets into a dead fish's shell and, like a hermit, dwells there alone, studying the wind and weather, and so turns her shell that she makes it defend her from the injuries that they would bring upon her." NOVEMBER 30TH. THE FERRET.-(Mustela furo.) THIS animal is brought into active use for the capture of rabbits. The entrances to the burrows are netted on one side, and the Ferret introduced on the other or windward side, and if due care is observed the rabbits suddenly rush out of the burrows from their deadly enemy into the nets, and are thus caught. Several cautions are, however, necessary in ferreting -complete silence, otherwise the rabbits take to the deep earths; and the coping or muzzling the Ferret, otherwise they suck the blood of their victims and remain gorged in the burrows. If the Ferret can by any means remove the muzzle, it will remain under ground until severe weather comes on, |