223 



among the number. On the whole, perhaps, we have not so much change in our 

 flora here as in many other places, and yet we cannot but repfret that some of our 

 varieties should be exterminated by ruthless hands. 



My knowledge of entomology is too limited to say much about insects. I have 

 noticed, however, that the Cockchafer has been much less numerous of late years 

 than I remember it to have been, and for several years past, and, if I am not mis- 

 taken, there has been a comparative scarcity of butterflies ; and even this year the 

 abundance of sunshine and fine weather has not caused them to be plentiful. Per- 

 haps the most remarkable thing to record is the large number of Clouded Yellows 

 which appeared in 1878. In some of our roads they seemed almost to swarm. 



The supply of fish in the river Wye is reported to be, both in kind and quantity, 

 much the same as it used to be, with the exception of the small fish, the Gudgeon, 

 which is now seldom or never caught.* 



Through the kindness of Mr. E. Purchas, and Mr. W. Blake, some very interest- 

 ing notes on our wild birds will be attached to this paper, but since they make no 

 allusion to the Raven, I may express my regret that he is so rapidly disappearing. 

 At Symonds Yat he was regularly to be seen thirty years since, and at one time 

 built on the Chimney Rock, in an apparently inaccessible position. Mr. David 

 Lucas, and one or two more then employed in the construction of the Gloucester 

 railway, determined to get the nest, and by flying a kite and then passing a rope 

 over the summit, succeeded in scaling the fortress and obtaining their prize, but 

 what good they did, except in destroying an interesting locality for a rare bird, I 

 am at a loss to know. 



BIRD NOTES. 



Concerning the larger birds of prey, the gamekeeper war has resulted in all be- 

 coming rare during the present century, and some few being rendered almost, if 

 not quite, extinct in the county. 



The noble Peregrine has been well-nigh outlawed, and is of very rare occurrence. 



The ignoble Common Buzzard is now no longer common. Still, it is of regular 

 occurrence in suitable parts of the county, and breeds when unmolested. A pair 

 nested on Do ward Hill woods a few years ago. In 1883, a fine specimen was 

 trapped on the Leys Estate, and its partner was seen in the neighbourhood. It 

 has been noticed almost annually at Bishopswood, more rarely still in Penyard. 

 One was obtained near Peterchurch a few weeks ago. 



The regal Kite, though formerly plentiful, is only seen at intervals. 



The Honey Buzzard, though perhaps never plentiful, is regarded as occurring 

 more frequently of late throughout England. A few years back, one was trapped 

 on the Goodrich Court Estate, and, more recently stUl, another in the Queen's 

 Wood, Marcle. Its spouse was also seen in the neighbourhood. 



*0n the authority of Mr. George Home, of Hereford, the Gudgeon have again (i8 

 increased both near Hereford, and also higher up the river. — Ed. 



