interesting is the little mudlark (Alauda Greenwichiensis) whose plaintive cry may nightly be heard upon the shore of the river, where these little creatures congregate in flocks, and pick up any grub which they may chance to meet with.

Doubts have been entertained by sundry Cockney naturalists whether the pyramids of oyster shells, which in the early part of August used to be noticed in the streets, should be regarded as a proof of the migratory habits of the mollusc. That the oyster is a sluggard and objects to leave his bed seems pretty generally admitted; but that he is endowed with the power of locomotion has, fortunately for science, been placed beyond a doubt. Whether oysters shed their shells when they are crossed in love is a point on which the naturalist is still somewhat in the dark.

"I say, Bill, 'ere comes two champion doners! Let's kid 'em 'at we're hofficers!"

Epsom up to Date.

'Arry. "Ain't ye comin' to see the 'orse run for yer money?"

Cholley. "Not me! No bloomin' fear! I'm goin' to see this cove don't run with my money!"

ROYAL ALBERT HALL TO DAY

"I 'ear this 'ere Patti ain't 'arf bad!"

"Would you gentlemen like to look at the old church?"

"Ho, yus. We're nuts on old churches!"

Quoth an eminent literary man, in the hearing of 'Arry, "All George Meredith's poetry might be republished under one title as 'Our Georgics.'"

"Oo's ''Icks'?" asked 'Arry.

"The Teaching of Erse in Ireland."—"Well," says 'Arry, "it sounds uncommon funereal. O' course I knew an erse and plumes and coal black 'osses is what they call a 'moral lesson.' But why make such a fuss about it in Ireland?"

An Awkward Name.—'Arry, on a marine excursion, hearing mention made of the two sea-birds the great auk and the little auk, inquired if the little auk was a sparrow-'awk.