20 
close past it with loud cries, almost if not quite touching it with their wings. 
These tactics so confused and apparently terrified the Weasel that it leaped 
about in the most violent manner, sometimes throwing itself quite on its 
back, and striking at the Swallows with its feet and jaws. The Swallows, 
however, ultimately drove the Weasel off, for it finally bolted at top speed 
away from them and found refuge in a hedge. 
THE SMALL ERMINE MOTH. 
For several years past the hawthorn hedges on the south side of the 
City have become infested, at the end of May and early in June, with the 
nests of Caterpillars of the Small Ermine Moth. Later they attack the apple 
trees, on which they become a serious pest, but they do not much favor the 
pears or stone fruit, or raspberries; although all rosaceous fruit plants seem 
more or less liable to the pest. This year again they are very troublesome, 
and nothing except hand picking seems to be effective in clearing them. 
Protected as they are by a web, no birds seem to touch them. 
STARLINGS AND FRUIT. 
As it seems to be a somewhat unusual occurrence and indicative of the 
different habits of birds in different localities, it is perhaps worth while 
recording that for several years past the Starlings in my orchard eat both 
cherries aud apples—late apples especially. They last year appropriated a 
tree of Yorkshire Greening, which being somewhat buried by other trees 
had not fully ripened its crop by December 12th. On this date, however, 
we were obliged to gather what the Starlings had left us, and their protests 
against our interference were as vigorous as only Starlings can make when 
their little plans are interfered with. 
GROWTH OF FRUIT TREES. 
The great heat of September last had a remarkable effect in prolonging 
the growing period of fruit trees in the district, and proved also very 
favourable to the formation of flower buds. When pruning a pear tree 
during the winter I cut two shoots from the centre of it. Both were entirely 
last year’s growth. One was 6ft. 3in. and the other sft. roin. in length, 
There were over 50 leaves on each. For four-fifths of their length the 
wood was firm and well-ripened. Unfortunately, the abundant flower bud 
production was neutralised by the ungenial conditions this spring, stone 
fruit and pears being very badly caught, and even the apples much diminished 
by the cold of April and May. 
MISLETOE PLANTING. 
I have rubbed the berries of misletoe into the crevices of several apple 
trees on which I was anxious to watch it germinate. It did not germinate 
in any case where I had rubbed it, but has done soe on two other trees where 
I presume the birds have transferred the seeds. 
FIRST APPEARANCE OF SPRING FLOWERS. 
Comparative notes on the first appearance of spring flowers are apt to 
be very misleading except the same plants and habitats can be noted from 
year to year. As the meteorological conditions have however a very direct 
influence on plant life, I append a short table for comparision with the 
Rev. J. C. Mitchell’s tables :— 
FIRST APPEARANCE IN FLOWER OF— 
1897. 1898. 1899. 
Snowdrop .... Feb, ist .... Jan. 6th .... Jan. 16th. 
Crocuseesec... Hebs2othiz pan 20th). ;. .iHebuwathe 
Celandine .,.. Feb. r4th.... Jan. 18th ..., Feb. 12th. 
Hazel ........ Feb, 14th.... Jan. 15th .... Feb. oth. 
Coltsfoot...... Feb. 25th.... Feb. 3rd .... March 12th. 
