104 MISCELLANY. 



ance of some species is to be ascribed. Such casual notes on species may afford 

 aid to the more general observers, and help to complete the British Ornithology : — 



The Sparrow Hawk (Falco nisus, Linn.) is very plentiful and mischievous. 

 Kestril (Falco tinnunculus, Linn.) not uncommon in autumn ; it is generally 

 seen skimming along one side of a hedge, and then in the contrary direction on 

 the other side, in search of prey. The Hooded Crow (Corvus comix, Linn.), 

 frequent in winter, but departs in spring. The Cornish Chough \_Fregilus gra- 

 culus. — Ed.|] is often observed, but is by no means so common as further west- 

 ward. In the mild January of 1796 (as I am told by one who remembered it) 

 a Cuckoo was heard repeatedly in the grounds of Mount Edgcombe. The Swallow, 

 the Bank Swallow, and the Swift are common. I have been told that there is 

 often seen a species of Wren called the " White Wren,"* but it is a bird of passage 

 only. The Godwit, or Redstreak £Qu. Limosa rvfa or L. melanura ? — Ed.^], is 

 common, as well as the Lapwing in the season. The Grey Plover is occasionally 

 seen. The Dabchick and Dobchick (Grebes) are plentiful. The greater and 

 Lesser Terns, and the Gannet, are common. The Heron is abundant on the 

 Tamer. The common sea-birds are in great plenty. The Woodcock is not so 

 common as further to the westward, but in ordinary seasons is very far from 

 being scarce. The Ash-coloured Harrier is seen but seldom. The great mildness 

 of the climate makes this part of Devonshire the resort of species emigrating from 

 the north in very genial seasons, when many do not perhaps go beyond this part 

 of England at all. — C. Redding, Lichfield, Nov. 20, 1837. 



Notes on the Neighbourhood of Godalming. — The vale of Godalming is 

 considered to embrace one of the most delightful views in the kingdom ; and from 

 the few opportunities I have hitherto had of judging, I should think that in the 

 spring it must realize all that has been said in its favour. The 16th instant 

 being fine, I was induced to take a ramble, principally with a view of gathering 

 for my friends in Norfolk specimens of one of our most beautiful native ever- 

 greens, Ruscus aculeatus, to commemorate the approaching joyous season of 

 Christmas. As I was pushing my way amidst the briars and brambles, I 

 chanced to stumble upon an interesting incident in the shape of a little ball of 

 grass curiously interwoven, lying on the ground. It was about eight inches in 

 circumference, and on taking it up I soon ascertained, by the faint sound emitted 

 from the interior (on my handling it), that it contained a prisoner. I bore my 

 prize homeward for examination, and on making a slight opening, immediately 

 issued forth one of those beautiful little creatures the Dormouse (Myoxus avel- 

 lanarius). The heat of my hand, and the warmth of the room had completely 



* This is perhaps a provincial name for the Whitebreasted Fauvet {Ficedula garrula), or 

 "Lesser Whitethroat" of some authors.— Ed. 



