METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. 91 



flights of Plovers at Branstone ; there were none to be seen in January. 

 Their return, according to local tradition, shows winter to be " clean 

 «one." Altarnun. — Snowdrops in bloom generally during first week ; 

 Yollow Primrose on 23rd, both very late for Cornwall. Oakamoor, near 

 Cheadle. — Snowdrops out on 27th. Stroud. — 6th, Catkins of Hazel, low 

 and damp, loamy, south-west ; 21st, Snowdrop, low and damp, loamy, 

 south ; 24th, Pistil of Hazel, low and damp, loamy, south-west ; Ivy- 

 leaved Veronica, Mouse-ear Chickweed, hillside, heavy and damp 

 south-west ; 26th, Primrose, hilltop, heavy loam, south-west'; Dog's 

 Mercury, hillside, heavy land, south-west ; 28th, Coltsfoot, Ground Ivy, 

 hillside, loamy, south-west. Nottingham. — Primrose first flowered 21st 

 January, Snowdrops first flowered 14th February ; Willow Catkins seen 

 on February 20th. Uppingham. — Turdus musicus singing January 28th, 

 Alauda arvensis began singing January 31st, Fringilla ccclehs singing 

 February 1st, Motacilla Yarrellii first seen February 21st, Coccothraustes 

 chloris singing on February 21st, Galanthus nivalis in flower February 

 18th, Draba verna in flower February 22nd, Corylus avellana in flower 

 February 25th ; Frogs — spring croaking commenced February 21st. 

 Farley, near Cheadle. — 4th, Honeysuckle bursting into leaf; 7th, Turdus 

 musicus surely singing, heard for first time this year ; 10th, pair of Gold- 

 finches seen ; signs now of activity among the feathered tribe ; Fringilla 

 ccclehs in song; 21st, Turdus musicus, Turdus me rid a, Turdus viscivorus, and 

 Sturnus vulgaris becoming more abundant. Shifnal. — Snowdrops spring 

 on 5th, Aconites on 10th, and full out on 25th ; Kooks carry sticks on 21st. 

 More Rectory. — The Common Thrush was in song tlrroughout the whole 

 of the month, and the Blackbird since the 20th, in the evening. Waltham. 

 — Snowdrop open on 7th, in sheltered spots ; Aconite on 13th, Primrose 

 (coloured) 19th, in gardens. Spondon. — Crocus in bloom in warm situa- 

 tions in the last week ; in exposed parts only just peeping above the 

 ground. 



- — ■ — ■♦— — 



Leaping of the Oak and Ash. — Observers will oblige by communi- 

 cating the exact dates of the first appearance of leaves on oaks and 

 ash trees respectively. — Eds. M. N. 



Plants in Flower. — Lesser Celandine, (Ranunculus Ficaria,) in 

 flower at Bretby on 6th March ; Viola odorata, in flower in a garden 13th 

 March.— J. E. N., Burton-on-Trent. 



Floral Notes for February. — Ulex gallii in flower February 8th ; 

 Ranunculus Ficaria in flower February 8th. — H. W. Trott, Wimborne, 

 Dorset. 



Plants in Flower. — I first observed the Daisy, February 21st ; Dog's 

 Mercury and Hazel, 22nd ; Primrose, Snowdrop, and Sweet "Violet, 26th. 

 — A. Davis, jun., Great Marlow, Bucks. 



Plants in Flower.— February 21st, Hellebore, (Hclleborus fetidus,) 

 Boxley Hills; Hazel, (Corylus Avellana,) Boxley Hills; Coltsfoot, 

 (Tussilago Farfara,) Snodland Marsh. February 28th.— Lesser Celandine, 

 (Ranunculus Ficaria,) Boxley; Chickweed, (Stellaria media,) Boxley 

 Hills. — J. Thornhill, Maidstone. 



Spring Flowers. — The following species were gathered February 

 29th, between Leicester and Charnwood Forest :— Sweet Violet (buds), 

 Dog's Mercury (buds,) Little Celandine (buds,) Snowdrop, Daisy, Coltsfoot, 

 Speedwell, Hairol. March 14th :— Primrose, ana Chryttspltnium 

 alternifolttfm.—G: EouBOs. 



