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CORRESPONDENCE—GLEANINGS. 161 
poplars in this village; although rare, a few of these birds are seen 
every year. The last large flock of Fieldfares I saw was on April 5th. 
On the 16th of that month I heard young Rooks calling from the nests. 
I was rather surprised to hear them so early, as the old birds were rather 
behind hand in beginning nesting operations. The first Swallow I saw 
was on the 19th April; they were not, however, plentitul till the 27th. 
House Martins were not here till the 26th; a very late date. The 
Cuckoo was first seen on the 27th; but was heard on the 20th. On that 
day I observed several small birds feeding on the tops of some fir trees, 
which on examination turned out to be Siskins. This seems late for them 
to be here. Icountedeight. A flock of yellow Wagtails, about twenty, 
was seen on a fallow on the 21st, strange to say in company with one 
grey and a pair of the pied species. On the 4th May I put up a Mallard 
and Duck from off the Cherwell, where they are no doubt going to nest. 
A Swift was seen on the 10th of that month, and on the same day I saw 
\ two male Redstarts.—O. V. Arun, Bodicote, Oxon, May 14th, 1879. 
SEASONABLE OssERvAtIONS.—I heard the welcome note of the Cuckoo 
(Cuculus canorus) for the first time on April 24th, 1879, April 17th, 1878, 
April 22nd, 1877. Swallows (Hirundo rustica) first seen April 22nd, 1879, 
April 17th, 1878, April 27th, 1877. Window Martins (Hirundo urbica) 
first seen April 26th, 1879, April 23rd, 1878, April 28th, 1877. Nightingale 
in full song April 25th, 1878, and May 6th, 1879. I have observed 
Potentilla fragariastrum in flower April 24th. Primula veris, Taraxacum 
dens-leonis, and Cardamine pratensis April25th. Wild Cherry (Prunus 
avium) in sheltered places April 27th, not observed in more exposed 
places till May 6th. Prunus spinosa by April 30th. Sazxifraga tridactylites 
by May 3rd. Lamium album and Geranium rotundifolium by May 5th. 
The Wild Bullace and Wild Plum were in flower in the hedges May 6th. 
Anthriscus sylvestris in flower May 11th; Cerastium glomeratum, Ribwort 
Plantain, (Plantago lanceolata,) Beech, (Fagus sylvatica,) and Sisymbrium 
alliaria on May 13th; and Wild Pear (Pyrus communis) on May 14th. 
Brimstone Butterfly first seen March 19th, Tortoiseshell Butterfly 
March 28th, Red Admiral and Peacock Butterflies seen on April 8th, 
White Cabbage Butterfly first seen May 4th. Wood Crowfoot (Ranun- 
culus auricomus ) in flower by May 4th.—Rosrrr Rocers, Castle Ashby, 
Northampton. 
Gleanings. 
Minanp Unton.—The Annual Meeting next year will be held at 
Northampton, on the invitation of the Northampton Natural History 
Society, the President of which is the President-elect of the Union. 
Derr Borines.—In Hertfordshire the Colne Waterworks Company 
have long been engaged in putting down a deep bore-hole to obtain an 
additional supply of water. We understand that at a depth of about 
1,000ft. they have struck Silurian rocks. The bores being of great 
diameter have yielded numerous fossils of Wenlock species. 
Mock Sun.—On April 19th, whilst in the train from Ashbourne to 
Rocester, I saw, between 6 15 and 6 40 p.m., a brilliant example of mock- 
sun, varying in colour from white to yellow-and-red. It was near the horizon, 
about 20 degrees from the setting sun.—C. U. Tripp, Burton-on-Trent. 
Snow in May.—A correspondent in the Times says there is yet (May: 
21st) enough snow on Snowdon to enable mountaineers to enjoy their 
favourite occupation within a few hours of London. The gullies which 
descend from the peak towards Glaslyn are still full of-snow. This he 
adds is most unusual at this time of the year. 
