176 Retrospective Criticism, 



is the most abundant bird in Norway, and is generally diffused 

 over that part which we visited, breeding (so contrary to the 

 habits of other species of the genus Turdus with which we 

 are acquainted) in society ; 200 nests or more being frequently 

 within a very small space." Possibly some of the readers or 

 correspondents of the Magazine, who may be personally 

 acquainted with the Western Islands, will favour us with a 

 more minute description of the nest, eggs, and general habits 

 of the redwing. — J. D. Salmon, Stoke Ferry^ Norfolk, [See 

 p. 144.] 



The Black Viper, (VI. 527., VII. 76.) — Mr. Bree's remarks 

 (in VII. 76.) do not disincline me to repeat my former assertion, 

 that I believe that there is but one species of poisonous reptile 

 in England, namely, Fipera Bhrus. The black viper is an 

 extreme variety, but every intermediate shade exists. — E.N,D. 

 Feb, 1834. 



Criticisms on some Species of Insects published in Wood's " In- 

 dex Entomologicus" and in Stephens's " Illustrations of British 

 FntomologT/." — As the correction of errors must be acceptable 

 to every impartial person, I point out some which occur in 

 Wood's Index Entomologicus and in Stephens's Illustrations of 

 British Entomology^ which Mr. Wood takes for his guide; 

 and as there are many figures which I do not understand, I 

 shall be glad to have them explained, to prevent my being led 

 further astray: — Wood, plate 1. fig. 3. Is this the true Eu- 

 ropom^? or Philodic^? and on what authority does it appear 

 as British? — Plate 1. fig. 4. Is this the true Chrysothom^? 

 and in what does it differ from Electro (or Edi\s«) ? — Plate 1. 

 figs. 8. 10. 12. Charicle«, Metra, and sabeilicae : Why are 

 these distinct from brassicae, rapae, and napi ? — Plate 2. 

 fig. 53. spini ? Is this the true spini ? The late Mr. Ha- 

 worth told me he had one from the cabinet of the late Captain 

 Lindegret ; but it had no head. Mr. Sparshall has a Thecl«, 

 quite new, and distinct^from Mr. Ha worth's. — Plate 2. fig. 67. 

 looks like Alexis (the common blue). Wood gives it as 

 D6ryla5, and 67. (or 69. ?) $ , and 67. (or 69. ?) $ , as Alexis; 

 but the $ is figured with a border of black spots in the 

 second wings, which is not common in Alexis ; 68. Icarius, $ 

 and ? ; and 70. EVos, $ and $ : what is the distinction 

 between these four ? — Plate 2. fig. 58. $ , and plate 3. fig. 58. 

 $ : Hippotho^*. Mr. Haworth told me that they came out of 

 an old cabinet, and were said to have been taken near Fa- 

 versham. I had $ and $ from the late Mr. Latham, which 

 were from Captain Lindegret's cabinet ; whence, probably, all 

 the supposed British specimens also came. — Plate 2. fig. 72., 

 plate 3. figs. 73. and 74. Agestis, Salmacis $ and $ , and 



