178 CORRESPONDENCE. 



Acronycta alni. — I took a fine specimen of A. alni at rest on 

 an oak tree in Repton Shrubs, on June 12th. — J. E. Nowers, Burton- 

 on-Trent. 



Phenological Observations made in the vicinity of Farley, near 

 Cheadle, Staffordshire, during May, 1880 : — 2nd, gathered first flowers 

 of Galium cruciatum on hedge bank facing S. ; first flowers of Plantago 

 lanceolata gathered on lawn ; lower branches of some Elms in full young 

 leaf in Churnet Valley woods ; Tussilago Farfara still in flower at 

 Oakamoor. 4th, Gardamine pratensis, Anemone nemorosa, and Caltha 

 palustris in full flower in Churnet Valley, between Oakamoor and Alton, 

 a fine sight ; first noticed Pedicularis sylvatica in flower on waste ground ; 

 Limes coming into full young leaf ; Geranium Robertianum becoming 

 plentiful. 5th, first flowers of Ajuga reptans. 8th, Salix 1 over- 

 hanging pond and open to S.S.W., still slightly in flower ; Sycamore in 

 full young leaf, except top and ends of upper branches. 9th, first noticed 

 Veronica serpyllifolia in flower on warren ; Tussilago Farfara still in flower 

 in the Churnet Valley ; first flowers of Larnium album and Galeobdolon 

 luteum ; Hyacinthus non-scriptus said to be in flower. 12th, first saw 

 flowers of Hyacinthus non-scriptus on wayside bank in sandy loam, fairly 

 open to S. ; gathered first flowers of Anthriscus sylvestris and Ranunculus 

 repens by wayside on old wall, all three considered very late ; Arum 

 maculatum expanded, first noticed and gathered on moist ground by 

 wayside bank. 13th, Cytisus scoparius just in flower on moorlands 

 between Oakamoor and Cheadle ; Hirundo riparia very busy nesting. 

 14th, first full flowers of Vicia sepium seen near Cheadle, two days later 

 at Farley ; first flowers of Ranunculus acris and bulbosus gathered. 16th, 

 gathered Polygala vulgaris in flower on warren ground. 17th, Laurel in 

 flower in Alton Towers grounds ; about this time first flowers of Garlic 

 appeared. 20th, several Sea Gulls said to have flown over to S.W. 21st, 

 gathered first flowers of Trifolium pratense in pasture land. 23rd, Pyrus 

 aucuparia first in full flower. 25th, Gratcegus Oxyacantha coming into 

 flower. 26th, gathered first flowers of Horse Chestnut. 30th, first heard 

 Landrail.— Clemt. L. Wragoe, F.R.G.S., F.M.S. 



The Cuckoo was first heard here on April 18th. The Oak first 

 showed its leaves on May 9th, some time before the Ash, whose leaves 

 did not appear until May 17th. The Hawthorn first blossomed on May 

 20th. — H. F. Johnson, Nottingham. 



Ornithological Notes. — This is rather an early season with birds, 

 probably owing to mild weather in February. I heard the Chiffchaff on 

 March 15th, the earliest date but one (March 9th) some years ago. They 

 are very common this year ; I saw a nest built on April 15th. The Tree 

 Pipit was first heard on April 14th, about the usual time. Yellow Wag- 

 tails are very abundant this year. Kingfishers — I am glad to say, not- 

 withstanding two cold winters, generally so destructive to these birds, 

 we have some left. I found six eggs on April 27th, fresh, and seven eggs 

 on April 30th, hard sat. From about the 15th to the 25th of April is 

 the usual time for obtaining these eggs. Jackdaws — Found a great 

 many eggs at Bagot's Park on May 14th, but all hard sat. Found a Barn 

 Owl's nest the same day, with four fresh eggs, in a tall oak tree. "Water 

 Ouzel — I found these birds are common in Cornwall, and lay from 

 April 9th to end of month. We have not the usual number of Sedge, 

 Reed, or Blackcap Warblers. Willow Warblers are very numerous. 

 Titmice and Golden Crested Wrens are becoming very rare, as are also 

 Bullfinches. Owls will soon be birds of the past, thanks to our keepers. 

 Landrails and Cuckoos seem common this year. — H. G. Tomlinson, 

 Burton-on-Trent. 



