COBRESPONDENCE. 21 



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The Nest of a Spaeeow, (Passer domesticus,) containing six eggs, 

 was taken at Saltley, ou tlie 30th of November. It is now iu the 

 possession of Mr. A. F. Shrive, 98, Lower Tower Street, Birmingham, 

 where it may be seen by anyone interested iu ornithology. 



Leicestershiee Floea. — The Natural History Section of the 

 Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society is engaged iu verifying 

 aud bringing up to date the MS. of the Flora of Leicestershire, left by 

 the Rev. W. H. Coleman, of Ashby, about twenty-five years ago. Any 

 botanist in the outlying districts of the county will be rendering useful 

 assistance by sending lists of plants obsex'ved to the President of the 

 Section, at the Town Museum, Leicester. 



Magpie — Cuckoo. — A friend of mine who, as a boy, was a great 

 hand at bird's nesting, and also a great observer of the habits of birds, 

 has remarked that when a magpie biiilt its nest in a larch or fir tree, and 

 the nest was taken with a full complement of eggs, she would invariably 

 build again near the same spot. But if the nest was taken under the 

 same circumstances froin an oak, elm, or other forest tree, she would 

 never rebuild in the same neighbourhood. I should be glad to know, if 

 any one else has remarked this, and if it can be accounted for. Also, if it 

 is a generally acknowledged fact, that the cuckoo lays its egg on the 

 ground, and carries it to the nest where it is to be hatched. — Oswald M. 

 Feilden. 



CoNCHOLOGY. — It may be interesting to your Conchological readers 

 to learn that two species of shells not previously known to exist in War- 

 wickshire have been recently added to the fauna of that county. Whilst 

 searching for Pselaphidie, in moss growing on a poplar tree near Kuowle, 

 the writer found a single specimen of Zonites excavatus, var. vitrhia Fer. 

 This species is interesting from its habit (unusual with snails) of braving 

 the most inclement weather, being often found crawling on snow. Near 

 Heuley-in-Arden in the heart of Warwickshire, the tiu-npike road has 

 been cut through a hill composed of red marl, and on the banks of the 

 cutting, on both sides of the road. Helix Cantiana, Mont., abounds. The 

 writer found it there during a Summer Excursion of the Birmingham 

 Natural History Society, but has not discovered it in any other part of 

 the county.— W.G.B. 



A Suggestion for Naturalists. — Having in the early part of 

 this year set on foot a Natiu-alists' Society, called " The Northwich 

 Naturalists' Field Club," we ai*e very anxious to establish a series 

 of lectures on Botanical and other Natural History subjects, to be 

 delivered during the winter months for the pui"pose — first, of instruction 

 to the Class ; second, of increasing interest in such subjects ; and 

 third, of aiding the funds — as we are at present very poor. The 

 announcement of the " Midland Naturalist " has suggested to me the idea 

 of soliciting through its pages the frratis services of some of the 

 members of the Midland Union of Naturahsts in the delivery of 

 monthly 'lectures, trusting that there may be some who, out of love 

 for the objects and a desire to extend the study of Nature, would be 

 willing to deliver such lectures to our Society here without further 

 remuneration than their necessary expenses. Our Society is in an infant 

 state, and therefore the lectures need only be plain and elementary 

 in theh nature. If you would assist me by printing this letter I should 

 feel very grateful, and it would be a great assistance to the work which 

 we hope to carry on here. — T. Hartley, Curate of Witton, Northwich, 

 Cheshire, Hon. Sec. of N.N.F.C. 



