276 FIRST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 



regular observations. As an artist, when out sketching alone, it 

 was his pleasure to use the great opportunities which he had for 

 watching the habits of animals, and he often recorded them for 

 the benefit of others. 



The number of observers has sadly dwindled of late years, and 

 there seem but few to replace those who are gone : fresh ones 

 are much needed in various parts of the county, for the greater 

 the number the better is the chance of attaining a correct result 

 in a record which it is impossible from its nature to make 

 absolutely accurate : it is most improbable that one will be able 

 to observe the first bird of any sort that comes into one's district 

 on the day of its arrival ; but the more observers there are the 

 better is the chance of doing this. 



I have received the following 



NOTES ON RARE AND OTHER BIRDS IN 1903. 



BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula). One seen in the garden at 

 Montevideo, Chickerell, with the middle feathers of the tail 

 white, conspicuous when flying (N. M. R.). 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopus minor}. One 

 was seen in Montevideo garden on December nth. A wood- 

 pecker has been heard about the garden all through the summer, 

 but has not been seen until now, when an excellent view was 

 obtained, the bird being under observation for nearly half an 

 hour. It was very quick in its movements, making occasional 

 short flights and running up and down the branches of a walnut 

 tree on the lawn and other trees (N. M. R.). 



HOOPOE (Upupa epops]. One was seen on Povington Heath, 

 West Purbeck, by Captain Maurice W. Portman on May 6th, 1 903, 

 and recorded in the Dorset County Chronicle of May i4th 

 (E. R. B.). 



SWIFT (Cypselus apus], The following is taken from a letter 

 written by Mr. James Day and inserted in the Dorset County 

 Chronicle of June i8th, 1903: "On Sunday morning (June 

 1 4th), when a fresh easterly breeze was blowing, large numbers 



