26 
NOTES BY MR. J. ARKLE, 1900. 

FLOWERS IN BLooM, SPRING.—The frost and snow in the first half of 
February, and so frequently in March, made vegetation late — particularly in 
the case of almond and pear blossoms which only appeared about the end of 
April, or six weeks later as compared with 1899. The snow-drop was also 
delayed well into February, and the crocus and primrose well into April. 
Sallows—April 16th (17 days late). Warm spring weather commenced 
April 19th, and vegetation began making up for lost time. Blackthorn, 
cherry, in bloom—May 8th. Apple, sycamore—May 12th (8 days late). 
Lilac—May 19th (6 days late). Horse-chestnut —May 25th (12 days late). 
Hawthorn and laburnum—May 27th (14 days late). Lime trees had almost a 
complete rest after the luxuriant bloom of the preceding summer; their 
flowers were so few as almost to pass unnoticed. On November 3rd, a 
couple of white dog-roses were taken from a hedge in Lache Lane—an 
extraordinary tribute to the mildness of the prevailing weather. Trees in 
leaf—it was a close race between the oak and the ash, the oak winning by 
not more than two or three days, 
BirDs,—I did not see swallows till April 27th, when I observed martins 
as well. Mr. Powell, Verger of St, John’s Church, takes great interest in the 
swallows building from year to yearin the Church Porch; he observed their 
return about 9 a.m, on the morning of April 18th. Swifts appeared in their 
old haunts, May 4th—three days earlier than last year. Cuckoo and corn- 
crake heard May 7th—five and three days late respectively. Swifts suffered 
much by the high gales and thunderstorms which occurred from August 3rd 
to August 7th; on the latter date, Mr. Thompson, of 24, South View, 
Sealand Road, picked up a couple of dead ones in Handbridge. The 
remaining swifts left us on August 2oth—two days earlier than last year. 
Swallows and martins, which usually stay about a couple of months longer, 
disappeared on October 12th. 
Insects.—The summer, all over the country, was an exceptional one for 
Lepidoptera. Species were observed, which were either marked ‘‘ extinct,”’ 
or of rare or ‘‘ periodical”? occurrence. Amongst the latter we had a visita- 
tion of Colias Hdusa—a large, rich deep-yellow butterfly, with broad black 
borders to the wings—along the Cop and adjacent fields, from August 17th 
to September 9th. I have evidence to show that some, if not all, of these 
species are with us always—circumstances, climatic and otherwise, merely 
contributing occasionally to their exceptional numbers, Worn specimens of 
Canonympha davus=typhon were captured in July on Abbot’s Moss; and 
the brilliantly-coloured moth Zygena filipendule was exceptionally abun- 
dant (July 14th) on the Delamere heaths, as well as the little, blue, silver- 
spotted butterfly Zycena gon. Black Aplecta nebulosa were reared by 
the Messrs. Thompson, from Delamere Forest caterpillars; and Zupithecia 
castigata, and the tiny chocolate-coloured plume-moth Pterodactylus 
bipunctidactylus, were abundant at flowers of the hogweed, 
I took the following species at the City Electric Lamps, all new to the 
immediate district :— 
Heliothis marginatus, Xanthia gilvago, Hydrecia petasitis, Calamia 
lutosa, Nephopiera spissicella=roborella. One specimen of the rare 
Aplecta occulta was captured, August 28th, by Mr. W. Hargreaves 
(** Mr. Cattermole’’) of Zhe Private Secretary Company, then playing at the 
Royalty Theatre, Chester. 
a 
