26 THE PURBECK SOCIETT. 



of cultivation, bordered by the sea, and the mudlands of an 

 extensive harbour. The birds of greatest interest are doubtless 

 the Hawks, which must be numerous ; next the Gulls and Sea 

 Birds ; then our summer visitants, amongst which is most con- 

 spicuous the Hoopoe, which has been frequently shot within the 

 Island; and lastly, the Wild Fowl and Water Birds, which 

 visit the north shores in great abundance, the most remarkable 

 being the Glossy Ibis, Bittern, Northern Diver, Spoonbill, Ruff, 

 and Grebe. Of the Fish I am not prepared to speak, further 

 than to suggest that from the different characters of the coast, 

 they must be, -with regard to species, very abundant. In 

 studying them, those of our rivers and streams ought not to be 

 neglected. The same may be said of these districts in their 

 production of numerous species of Shells. Studland Bay is one 

 of the best localities of the south coast of England. Many of the 

 estuary shells may be obtained in Poole Harbour; the river 

 Frome, and the ditches of Stoborough are very productive ; I am 

 told that the neighbourhood of Bindon Abbey alone affords sixty 

 species of fresh water shells, which doubtless exist below: the 

 land species are proportionably abundant. 



Lastly, the Reptiles are to be considered. These are not so 

 attractive, but nevertheless, where the natural history of a 

 district is to be recorded, no part must be put aside. Of the 

 different varieties of the Viper, we have the Red and the com- 

 mon one. The ponds afford two species of the Water Eft. But 

 the most remarkable circumstance connected with this part of 

 natural history is with regard to the common Frog; I have 

 never been able to ascertain its occurrence on the south side of 

 the chalk hiUs. The Sand Lizard, I should conceive, inhabits 

 the Studland and Corfe heaths, but I have not yet been successful 

 in obtaining a specimen. Upon the other side of Poole Harbour 

 it is common, and occurs upon the sand banks of the North 

 Haven. 



The Botany of the Island I have already touched upon, as 

 well as the geological causes for its being so very rich. But as 

 the Society happily possesses amongst its members, one who is 

 devoted to this subject, I resign to him what little result my own 

 observation may obtain during my other researches. I would 

 only remark, that it is almost impossible for any one person, 

 unaided; to produce a perfectly correct catalogue of the Plants 



