Red wi fig's Nest, Green Sandpiper, 555 



nerus. — The Vdspa muraria of Linnaeus, regarded as the 

 female of the Vespa spinipes by Latreille and Mr. Shuck- 

 ard, is perfectly distinct from that insect, both specifically 

 and subgenerically, as may be seen by the original spe- 

 cimen of the former, preserved in the Linnsean cabinet, 

 and to which the Linnaean label is still attached. I much 

 doubt, also, whether the V. muraria of Latreille be the female 

 of V. spinipes, as several of the Odyneri of the British 

 catalogues will agree with it in habits and description. — 

 J. O. Westwood. Sept. 20. 1837. 



Redwing's Nest near Godalming, in Surrey. — A nest of 

 the redwing thrush was found in a gooseberry bush near 

 Godalming, a few seasons ago, containing three eggs, which 

 are still preserved. As the parent bird was taken upon it, 

 all doubt is thus removed concerning the species. I am in- 

 debted for this information to Mr. Stafford, animal preserver 

 of Godalming, who is practically well acquainted with the 

 ornithology of his neighbourhood. — E. Blyth. August 1 7. 

 1837. 



1 y wo Specimens of the Green Sandpiper shot in August. — I 

 have just received two beautiful specimens of the green sand- 

 piper (Totanus ochropus), male and female (proved to be 

 such on dissection). They were both shot on a small brook 

 falling into the river Darwen, about 3 J miles south of Black- 

 burn. The male was killed on Saturday, July 29. 1837; 

 and the female on Tuesday, August 1. 1837. They were 

 very wild and wary. It required great caution in approaching 

 them ; as, when disturbed, they soared off to a immense 

 distance, still, however, following the windings of the stream. 

 Had this not been the case, it would have been impossible to 

 have taken them. The male was pursued for six hours before 

 he was killed. This is an additional fact proving that this bird 

 breeds in England occasionally. Taking the latest authority, 

 Mr. Gould (Birds of Europe, part 15. plate 20.), states this 

 fact as doubtful. However, though neither the nest, eggs, 

 nor young, were found, it is not very probable that, at this 

 early period (and I should observe, further, that one or both 

 of these birds has been seen for two or three weeks back), 

 they would have migrated from a more northerly breeding- 

 ground. I am perfectly satisfied myself that these birds have 

 bred in the neighbourhood of the spot where thev were 

 killed. 



A Fork-tailed Stormy Petrel (Thalassidroma Ledchii) was 

 picked up dead, but quite fresh, on Hoddlesden Moss, a high 

 moor 5 miles south of Blackburn, on Tuesday, November 

 11. 1834. There had been a severe storm the preceding 



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