A MST OF FUXG(. 277 



have kno\vn the Swallow to nest^ though often robbed of its home, on com- 

 pletion, by the Sparrows, (Passer domestictis.) In 1851, we made such alliance 

 with them, that often the young ones came and sat on the sill of a lower 

 ■window, where we were busy with our books, and frequently they entered 

 the room, and taking their rapid evolutions for a few minutes, would depart; 

 and after half an hour's absence, return again. On May 27th, of this season 

 the Swallows began their nest in the old place, but lost it by the Sparrows 

 taking it. They had many eflForts and plans to secure it, for the poor 

 Swallows, as early as three o'clock in the morning, were at it; and an 

 ejectment absolutely took place on the part of the Sparrows, ere they 

 captured the nest. 



The little outcasts thus robbed, were homeless all June 4th., but on the 

 morning of the Gth., we found them in the children's play-house, very 

 assiduously labouring at a new erection; but alas, the inquisitive youngsters, 

 and their noisy and merry seasons of recreation, drove them away; but though 

 thus molested, the birds were not driven to despair, and on the 14th. they 

 entered the open window of a lumber-room over the play-house, and mefc 

 "with nothing to retard their work. Here they were safe; and on the morning 

 of the 22nd., they had a home all secure, and three eggs in it. What a 

 rebuke we may take for our want of perseverance in our duties, and how 

 high in the ennobling qualities that man prides himself in possessing, ranks 

 the poor little Swallow! 



Birmingham, S^j)temher^ 1854. 



A LIST AND NOTES ON THE FUNGI 

 FOUND IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF EXETER, 



BY MR. EDWARD PARFITT. 



I PROMISED in my former communications to "The Naturalist," that I would 

 give a list of the plants found wild in the vicinity of Exeter; I will now 

 endeavour to fulfil that promise; — I shall begin with that mo.st interesting- 

 branch of the vegetable kingdom, the Fungi. I have given a great deal of 

 my leisure time to these interesting plants for the last three years, and have 

 collected and figured up to this time four hundred and eighty-eight species 

 and varieties; and I am sure there are numbers more yet remain to be dis- 

 covered, particularly the minute species, which are in my opinion the far more 

 interesting of the various forms. Not half the world have the least concep- 

 tion of the beauties which are hid beyond our natural sight, till aided bj 

 powerful glasses. Had we eyes so constructed as tO' reveal the myriads of 

 minute living atoms which swarm in earth and air, our present senses would 

 be completely overpowered; and tte formidable looking monsters, which sport 

 about in almost every drop of water, would completely disgust us. I anj 

 sorry that I have not been able to apply the microscope to the spores 



