52 THE WEATHER OF DECEMBER. 
Thunder was heard at Stokesay on the 30th, and a lunarrainbow wasseen 
there on the night of the 31st. The birds suffered greatly from the cold. 
From many places they disappeared altogether, doubtless going south- 
ward in search of a warmer climate. Mr. Ball, of Waltham, says: 
** Previous to the frost, great numbers of small birds were observed going 
southwards. Numbers of rooks, crows, sparrows, and robins perished 
here during the frost.” At More Rectory, (Rev. A. §. Male,) ‘‘ Winter 
birds, fieldfares, &c., were abundant and very tame. One hawfinch was 
killed on the 31st. The rooks were so tame with hunger that they came 
to feed with the small birds atthe window.” At Nottingham, (Mr. 
Johnson,) ‘‘ Great quantities of small birds have died in this neighbour- 
hood, and we have had some fresh arrivals, as bramble-finches and 
redwings.” 
RainFatt oF 1878.—We have received the following returns :— 
(Cloyysnineye USS doe oe soeUS 34:8i1in: | Stoke Bliss ty. : i.e 36°92in. 
Leicester (Town Museum) 29-73in. | Nottingham (E. J. Lowe, 
Spondon....... shen aomoc 32°32in. ISG) Goannoo ss coon oon 32.97in. 
Hodsock Priory.......... 24.88in. | Ashby Magna .......... 27-16in. 
TGS Gooncocadsadon ZT -AUGINE | MOVSUOD tee lelsleieielbelet ise 28°76in. 
IMR! GanaseeocantaauT 29-73in. | Coston Rectory.......... 28°27in. 
(Clagkuclils) Aa so ebogasanadee 37°57in. | Cheltenham ............ 33°18in. 
Adderley Rectory........ 52:16in 
For observers’ names and counties see the monthlylist. These returns 
show an average excess of about ten per cent., chiefly due to the months 
of May and August. It was the fourth year of excessive rains, the last 
“dry season” having been in 1874. 
Correspondence, 
$$$ —_____— 
Snow Crystats.—Information how these may be observed under the 
microscope would be most acceptable.—ENQuiRER. 
FRESHWATER Poiyzoa.—Will some one kindly describe a good method 
for preserving these interesting objects, with tentacles expanded for 
examination under the microscope ?—M. 
Rotirers.—I have tried in vain to preserve these interesting animal- 
cules as microscopical specimens, but have, so far, been most unsuccess- 
ful. Will some reader of the “Midland Naturalist” communicate a 
method which has stood the test of experience ?—J. N. 
Witp Goosrt.—It may interest some of the readers of the ‘‘ Midland 
Naturalist” to know that one of the boys in this village captured, on 
Christmas Day last, a wild goose. The bird lighted in a field near to where 
the lad was singing carols, and was too exhausted to fly further. It 
weighed 10lbs., and measured 7ft. between the tips of the wings.— 
Wm. Exutor, Cardington. 
Tastpts to Mount Specimens on.—Referring to a note on tablets 
for mounting specimens at page 25, I may say that the pasteboard recom- 
mended by Professor Miall answers admirably. But his plan of 
indicating formations or classes by different colours does not answer so 
well, since most of the colours fade very soon. In my own cabinet I 
have, for that reason, adopted one quiet permanent colour.—C. 
Cautaway. D.Sc., Wellington. 
