zo CORRESPONDENCE. 
in the two counties. Mr. T. C. Garth, 
in the ‘‘ Field ”’ of the same date, 
notes the killing of a Quail, “ plump 
and in good order,” at Twyford, on 
Nov. 7. 
A Swattow at Cuurcu.—-A 
curious occurrence took place dur- 
ing morning service in the Parish 
Church of Bradfield, near Reading, 
on Sunday, Oct. 4. While the 
collect for peace was being read, a 
youngswallow settled on the shoulder 
of a gentleman, where it remained 
during the anthem, Litany, and a 
portion of the Communion Service. 
T.S.’’—Field, Oct. 17, 1868. 
Spuinx Convyotyui1.—The Rev. 
J. J. Goodall, of Dinton Hall, Ayles- 
bury, writes to the “Field’”’ as 
follows :—‘‘I never knew a season 
here without them, especially about 
the time of flowering of Aster amellus, 
over which I have often seen half-a- 
dozen hovering, protruding their long 
probosces in search of honey. From 
the fact ofa few of my visitors having 
observed this most interesting insect, 
I suppose it must be locally very 
uncommon. Though more plentiful 
than usual here last season, this year 
they are more so than ever known 
before. I have frequently seen at 
one point of view more than a score 
skimming over a belt of the common 
garden valerian. I fancy it is rather 
remarkable that, whilst the moths 
are on the wing, specimens of the 
same animal in its caterpillar state 
fully three inches and a half long, 
and two inches and a ha‘f in girth, 
should be feeding on the leaves 
below.” 
[Mr. Goodall must be situated in 
a very favourable locality. The 
perfect insect has, we know, been 
exceedingly abundant this year; but 
the appearance of the caterpillar 
seems to require confirmation. ] 
Tur SPARROWHAWK AND THE 
Kestret.—One day in November 
last, I saw two birds fighting in the 
middle of the road near the railway 
bridge which crosses the Bradenham 
road. I drove hastily to see what 
the disturbance was about, and on 
approaching the combatants I found 
they were two hawks, one of which 
had got a Greenfinch in its talons, 
When [ had got within twenty yards, 
both the birds took flight, and I dis- 
covered that one was a Sparrowhawk 
and the othera Kestrel. The Kestrel 
settled in a field close by and com- 
menced eating the bird it had caught : 
the Sparrowhawk settled in a hedge 
near, and when I got opposite, darted 
away and commenced hunting up 
and down the hedge side. I dare 
say ifI had not come up when the 
fight began, the Sparrowhawk would 
have robbed the Kestrel of its prey. 
I have been fortunate in seeing more 
than once the pugnacity of the Spar- 
rowhawk. About two years ago, in 
the lane leading to Toweridge from 
West Wycombe, I knocked down 
with my whip a Sparrowhawk which 
had caught a Blackbird. I was 
within three yards of the bird when 
seized by the Sparrowhawk, and 
was successful in rescuing the sweet 
songster, which appeared very fright- 
ened at first, but doubtless thankful 
that a protector was so near at hand. 
R. M. Bowsteap, M.D. 
Naturauists’ Kanenpar.——We 
hope, during the coming season, to 
present our readers with a somewhat 
novel and interesting feature, in the 
shape of a record of the more re- 
markable objects observed by the 
members of the Society in our own 
district or neighbourhood. The times 
of the flowering of our plants, the 
dates of the arrival and departure of 
our migratory birds, the appearance 
of rare visitors—all these will, it is 
hoped, find a place. It must be 
evident to all that, for the success of 
this project, we must depend mainly 
upon our members and readers for 
support; and we trust that they will 
not fail to render us the requisite 
assistance. 
Tur G Lastonpury THoRN.—There 
is, in Wycombe Park, a tree of this 
variety, known as Crategus oxya- 
cantha precox, which usually buds, 
but does not blossom, in December. 
This season, however, many blossoms 
have fully expanded, induced by the 
mildness of the weather to put in an 
appearance; their perfume being 
quite as powerful as that of those 
which expand at the more usual 
time, 
