BERODOTIJS AND HIS CROCODILE BIRD.
[To TRE EDITOR or TER " SPECTATOR." J Sin,—The late Professor Newton in his "Dictionary of Birds" (Cheap Issue, A. and C. Black, p. 733, note 1) seems to con- sider the habit in question (see Spectator, February 20th) as beyond doubt, upon the authority, as eyewitnesses, of the elder Geoffrey St.-Hilaire and of Dr. A. E. Brehm. The only point undecided would appear to be the species of bird which affects the habit. The two authorities already mentioned identified the bird they watched as the Pluvianue (or Hyas) mgyptus of ornithologists, a member of the plover family, and described by Professor Newton as "a small bird whose plumage of delicate lavender and cream-colour is relieved by markings of black and white." Another observer, however, whom the late Professor condemns as being "no ornithologist," identifies the bird he watched as Hoplopterue apinosue, the spur-winged Plover. He has the support of ornithologists of repute, who do not, however, claim to have been eyewitnesses themselves. The authorities, and references for the two opinions, are given by Professor Newton with all his usual care ; and although he impartially leaves the decision to posterity, he allows little deubt to remain in his readers' minds that he considers it Proved that the rpoxaos of Herodetus was the bird now known as Pluvianue mgyptus.—I am, Sir, &c., Thos. HEPBURN. 39 Shrub End Road, Colchester.
[We cannot Publish any more letters on this subjeot.—B. Spectator.)
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