The Express.
London, England, 1853-07-08 00:00:00

CIVIL LIST PENSIONS.

A list of all pensions granted between the 20th
day of June, 1852, and the 20th day of June, 1853, and
charged upon the Cisil List (pursuant to Act 1 Vict. c. 2).
1862. . .

Aug. 4. John Russell in consideration of
his contributions to astronomical science, by important dis-
coveries, 2001.
Aug. 4. Gideon Algernon Mentell, LL.D., F.R.S , in
consideration of his eminent merits and contributions to
science as a geologist and comparative anatomist, 100/.
Aug. 6. Caroline Southey (widow of Robert Southey, the
Post Laureate), in consideration of her late husband's emi-
nent Manny merits. In tryst to the Rev. Sir George
Burnett, Bart., and Captain Sir C. Buzzard, Bart., R.N.,
2001.
Aug. 6. Nancy Taylor (widow of Colonel Taylor, of the
29th regiment, who was killed at the battle of Sobraon),
in consideration of the militiary services of her late hus-
band. In trust to Lord Fitzroy Somerset and James Go-
dolphin Burslem, R.A., 1001.
Aug. 9. Francis Ronalds, in consideration of his eminent
discoveries in electricity and meteorology, 751.
Aug. 9. Charles Richardson, LL.D., in consideration of
kis services to literature, as author of a new dictionary of the
English language, 761.
Aug. 9. Louisa Stuart Costello, in consideration of her
merits as an authoress, and her inability, from the state of
her health, to continue her exertions for a livelihood. In
trust to Edward Marjoribanks, Esq., and Sir E. Antrobus,
Bart., 75/.
Sept. 2. Jane Pugin, wife of R. Welby Pugin, Esq., in
consideration of her husband's eminence as an architect,
and the distressed situation in which his family are placed,
from his inability, in consequence of illness, to pursue his
profeuion. In trust to John Hardman, Esq., and John
Knill, Esq., 1001.

1853.

Feb. 10, Elizabeth Hester Colby, widow of the late
Major-General Colby, R.E., inconsideration of the services
of her late husband in organising and conducting the Tri-
gonometrical Surveys in Great Britain and Ireland, in trust
to John Colby, Esq., and Commander John M'Neill Boyd,
March 23, Wm. Jerdan, in consideration of his services
to literature for many years, and his distreued circum-
stances at an advanced period of life, 1001.
March 23, Elizabeth lila, or Dunbar (widow of the late
George Dunbar, Professor of Greek in the University of
Edinburgh), 75/. • and
Margaret Dunbar, Barbara Grace Dunbar, and Catherine
Dunbar, (daughters of the above, and for the survivors or
survivor of them). In consideration of Professor Dunbar's
services as Professor of Greek Literature for many years in
the University of Edinburgh, and the destitute condition to
which his family have been reduced by his death. In trust
to John Turnbull, Esq., W.S., James Wlinight, Esq.,
W.S., and William Wood, Esq.
Total, 1,2001.

SINGULAR FACT FOR TILE NATURALIST.—A few
days ago, Mr. James Porter, of the Nag's Head, at Canon
Peon, showed the nest of a small blue-headed tomtit, or
titmouse, which had been taken from a pump on the pre-
mises, the history of which is more curious than any other
instance of birds building in extraordinary places, of which
we have lately read so much. The pump from which the
nest was taken is a leaden one, surrounded by a wooden
frame, the tap of which bad been partially raised by the rays
of the sun, so as to allow the parent birds to make their en-
trance and exit to and from the pump. The pump was in
constant use, and the nest was first discovered by parties ob-
taining water hearing a kind of biasing noise issuing from
the interior, similar to that made by a goose when sitting,
but not so loud. The top of the pump was removed, and
the nest discovered, with one of the old birds sitting therein,
which even then did not move from the nest, but continued
the hissing noise we have described. It is well known that
the tomtit generally builds in the small holes of trees, walls,
atc., and, consequently, the nest can be but small ; but, on
the present occasion, the materials carried to the pump
would have filled a man's hat,- and the nest was so inge-
niously constructed, being made larger at the top than the
bottom, that it could not possibly descend further down the
pump. But what is most remarkable is that, when it was
in use, the iron rod worked through a
portion of the nee,
Ootwithstanding which the old birds hatched their eggs,
and brought twelve young birds to maturity, which, when
fully flogged, were allowed to take their tirght ,taharmed.—
Ilerefordietsrridis