67 
Natural History Observations from Burton 
Bridge.—i. 
By CHAS. GEO. MATTHEWS, F.I.C., F.C.S. 
Reap Berore THE Narurat History AND GEroLoGIcAL SECTION, 
Marcu 267TH, 1909. 
I speak as a human biped who has walked over Burton Bridge 
for 25 years and more. The very moderate estimate of twice a day 
for the period named works out to about 4,500 miles, or say one-half 
the diameter of our planet, and there ought to have been a fair chance 
of seeing something either in the domain of natural or adventitious 
history in the time and distance covered. 
The Bridge affords a 440 yards traverse of interesting landscape, 
river and meadow, being very pleasantly associated in the nearer 
view, trees and shrubs are not far away, there is an open sky and 
fairly wide horizon—on certain days a very extended one northward 
—and no little variety as regards atmospheric phenomena. We are 
not obliged to take into account such visible appliances of our present 
day civilisation as posts, telephone wires, etc. 
The Trent Bridge is an admirable place to sample the weather ; 
the full force of a gale from he W. or S.W. may accelerate one’s out- 
ward bound progress from the ‘l'own or retard the inward passage, 
whilst the biting effect of easterly winds is an experience. 
A walk across the Bridge is usually associated with an expectant 
attitude of mind. There is always a sporting chance of an accident 
or mishap, but whilst keeping a corner of one’s eye for happenings 
in the immediate vicinity there is ample time to look out over the 
parapets for something connected with the life of bird, fish, or other 
