Phenological Observations. 165 



the foliage on ornamental foi-est trees, such as the Horse Chestnut. 

 Hail fell ou the afternoon of the 12th June, and the temperature 

 shortly afterwards became normal. The later portion of the 

 month and the first three weeks of July were remarkable for 

 warmth. On some days the thermometer registered 78 in the 

 shade. Thunderstorms of a somewhat violent character visited 

 the district on the 14th July, the 20th July, and the 10th August. 

 By the 20th of July hay harvest was practically over. The crop, 

 although deficient in bulk, was of first-rate qualit}^ and must have 

 been secured at a minimum of cost and trouble. Corn harvest 

 commenced in the second week of August (an unusually early 

 date), and by the end of the month the work was generally ovei'. 

 These few notes descriptive of weather conditions seem a fitting 

 introduction to my phenological observations. The Coltsfoot, 

 thanks to a genial March, was found in flower on the 10th of the 

 month. The Hawthorn was first observed in blossom on the 31st 

 May. The following are the flowering dates for the other plants 

 scheduled by the society : — White Ox Eye, 1st June ; Dog Rose, 

 13th June ; Harebell, 6th July; Greater Bindweed, 11th July; 

 Black Knapweed, 19th July ; Ivy, 13th October. The Sand 

 Martin was first seen on the 4th April. The House Martin was 

 not observed until the 10th May. The Swallow arrived on the 

 18th April, and the Cuckoo on the 2r)th April, The Swift, once 

 common, seems to have deserted the district. The Willow Wren 

 and the Spotted Flycatcher were found nesting on the 2nd June, 

 both with their full complement of eggs. The small White Butter- 

 fly was first seen on the 2nd May. The Marsh Ringlet was seen 

 on the 30th June, and may have been present earlier. The 

 Meadow Brown is recorded for 3rd July, A female Saw Fly was 

 captured on the 19th July. Wasps were late in putting in an 

 appearance, but became plentiful as the season advanced. A 

 Nightjar was seen in the heart of the village at 8.35 p.m. on the 

 15th August. A few Swallows remained until the 16th Sept. 

 The House Martin was last seen on the 6th October. It will be 

 understood that the date of my appointment as an observer was 

 too late for me to record the flowering of the Hazel and the sing- 

 ing of the Thrush. 



