Fedia carindta. 439 



at Shrewsbury, which correspond with specimens received as 

 this species from Edinburgh. I had observed a few indivi- 

 duals occasionally springing up for the last three years, but 

 always passed them by as only luxuriant plants of Lamium 

 amplexicaule. Assuredly, to the best of my knowledge, the 

 seeds have not been introduced. — W. A. Leighton. Shrews- 

 bury, July 4. 1837. 



Fedia carindta. — On the 29th of June last, in company 

 with my inestimable friend, Mr. J. E. Bowman, I collected this 

 plant in a situation which could leave no doubt on any one's 

 mind of its being truly wild. It covered a space of about 

 100 yards, along a dry hedge bank, in a wild and retired 

 lane, close to the Long-lane Quarries, near Cheney Longville, 

 Shropshire. The adjoining corn fields were passed over with 

 moderate attention, and not a single specimen of any Fedia 

 observed. — Id. 



On Woodcocks, Fieldfares, and Redwings building within 

 the British Islands. — In reference to the extremely interest- 

 ing communication of Mr. Fairholme (p. 337.), I am fully 

 disposed to concur in ascribing the undeniable fact of the 

 increasing number of woodcocks which now breed in this 

 country to the circumstance of the young returning to the 

 place of their nativity, and also the old birds to their former 

 building haunts. That woodcocks repair every season to the 

 same winter station, is sufficiently attested by the facts re- 

 corded by Bewick : and it is only in conformity with what is 

 noticeable in other species, and more prominently in the 

 razor-billed awk and common guillemot, for individuals from 

 more northern latitudes to replace our native birds during 

 the winter months. It is not improbable, also, that the pro- 

 genitors of a large proportion of our indigenous woodcocks 

 were wounded birds, the descendants of which have returned 

 to the localities where they were reared. 



I have known many instances of this species breeding in 

 Surrey, within a few years. In 1836, I obtained a young 

 one, about a third grown, which had been killed and mangled 

 by a cat, so early as April 23., notwithstanding the extreme 

 backwardness of the season ; and, several days subsequently, 

 I saw many of the adults, together with snipes and jack- 

 snipes, exposed for sale in Leadenhall market. I know of 

 one pair, which I suppose have bred, during the present 

 season, within a distance of six miles from London Bridge; 

 and, four years ago, of a brood that was reared safely in a 

 very populous neighbourhood, but of the existence of which 

 only myself and two other persons were aware ; at least, so 

 far as I have been able to learn. These birds used, early of 

 a morning, to haunt a brook beside the public road, above 



