Nattiral History in the English Counties. 89 



cation and rational amusement. I remain, Sir, yours, &c. — Jos, Kenyon. 

 Preston, Oct. 4. 1828. 



Westmoreland. 



Crossbills, as occasional visitants at Ambleside. — For some weeks past a 

 pretty large flock of crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) have been observed in the 

 vicinity of Ambleside, Westmoreland. Their favourite haunt is a plantation 

 of young larches, where they may be seen disporting almost every day, 

 especially between the hours of eleven and one. The crossbill is a rare 

 British bird, and may be classed among our occasional visitants, as, during 

 certain seasons, none make their appearance. They are northern birds, 

 which breed, or are supposed to breed (for, in truth, their real history is 

 still rather obscure), in Sweden and Norway. They are never seen here 

 except during the earlier part of the winter season, or (as in the present 

 instance) late in autumn. I think they were first observed in the neigh- 

 bourhood this year during the third week of October, which I consider an 

 unusually early appearance. I hope it does not betoken a severe winter? 

 If I happen to detect the period of their final departure, I shall inform you 

 of it. — J.W. Ambleside, Nov. 20. \S2^. 



Cumberland. , 



Arrival of certain Birds of Passage in the Neighbourhood of Carlisle. — 

 The green sandpiper {Totanus ochropus) was seen in this neighbourhood 

 on the 21st of July, and the woodcock on the 26th of August, both remark- 

 ably early. I know not whether you take much interest in the arrival of 

 the various birds of passage, but perhaps some of your friends may be grati- 

 fied with the following account of the arrival of the swallow tribe in this 

 neighbourhood, during the last four years : — 



1825. 1826. 1827. 1828. 



Sand marten (ifirundo riparia), April 10. .April 10. Aprils. April 4. 

 House marten (^rundo urbica), - 26. - 27. - 22. - 28. 



Swallow (^irundo rustica), - 23. - 16. - 20, - 18. 



Swift (Cypselus A^pus), - - 25. ■ - 29. - 29. - 29. 



T. C. Heysham. Carlisle, Sept. 29. 1828. . > 



[ North Wales. f 



Insects taken at Barmouth, North Wales. — The following list of insects 

 taken at Barmouth, North Wales, and in its vicinity, may not be without 

 interest to travellers fond of entomology : — 



Papilio hjale. Saffron butterfly ; met with under the rock below the 

 inn in 1826, but not seen since. P. cardui. Painted lady ; found in great 

 abundance in the same year, but very rarely met with since. P. wrticae. 

 Small tortoise-shell. P. A'rgus, Common blue. P. Vo, Peacock; abundant. 

 P. Atalanta, Red admirable; abundant. P. S6me\e, Black-eyed marble. 

 P. Janira, Meadow brown. 



(Sphinx A'tropo5, Death's head hawk-moth ; two fine specimens taken on 

 the window. Phalae^na Jacobae^a, Cinnabar; behind the inn. Ph. filip^ndulae, 

 Burnet ; abundant. Ph. phi, Broom. Ph. gu^rcus. Large egger. Ph. 

 zoegana, abundant ; described by Donovan as rare. Ph. viridana. Small 

 green oak ; this beautiful but destructive little moth completely strips the 

 oak copses about Barmouth of their leaves. Ph. vauaria. Gooseberry. 

 Ph. wrticata. Ph. evonymella. White ermine. Ph. hexadactyla. Many- 

 feathered. Ph. pinetdla. Pearl veneer ; described by Donovan as rare, but 

 here not unfrequent. Ph. atralis. Ph. idmhria. Ph. bilineata. Ph. 

 caja, Great tiger. Ph. dactyla, White-plumed. Ph. pavdnvd. Emperor ; 



