down its back, it would throw back its head after the manner of a water-fowl whilst
washing, and as a bird does when it wishes to cleanse its ejes, and so transfer the mat-
ter from the feathers of the body to those of the neck out of the range of the bill.
"Providence never does anything by halves," seeing that that part of the plumage
which is out of the range of the bill is kept clean, and in order, by the aid of the claws,
and the act of rubbing the one part against the other.
I have often thought of writing what I had seen, but having Mr. Walerton's (no mean authority) flat denial as to the lubrication of the plumage, I hesitated ; till at last having had so many fair and open evidences thereof, I could not refrain. I have a jackdaw, but it does not make such frequent use of the gland as does the magpie. — Henry Daniell ; Lambert Homey Bath, January ITth, 1846.
Notes on the Birds of Belgium. By Julian Deby.
(Continued from page 1189 and concluded.)
Division VI. concluded.
Group d. Water-birds which are regular migrants in spring and autumn when on their way to and from their breeding stations. A very numerous group, which I divide into (a), maritime or littoral, (b), inland, and (c), both maritime and inland passengers.
a. Water-birds, which in migrating north and south follow the sea-coast, and are only accidentally met with inland.
Dotterel, Charadrius Morinellus. This bird is not a summer re- sident in Belgium, and is only seen during the two first months of autumn. It cannot be considered a common bird, although it is annually seen in the localities it frequents along our sandy shore. I have never noticed this bird on its return in spring, which inclines me to believe that it must follow some other migratory route at this sea- son to that it pursues in autumn.
Kentish Plover, Charadrius Cantianus. This bird is common in spring and autumn, and has sometimes been known to nestle on the sand-hills.
Grey Plover, Squatarola cinerea. Common.
Turnstone, Strepsilas Interpres. Regular visitant in spring and autumn ; I do not believe that any remain stationary with us during winter, as they are said to do on the English coast.
Sanderling, Calidris arenaria. Gregarious and not uncommon
