198 FIRST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 



(D. C.) D. Curme, Cliilde Okeford, near Blandford. 



(S. C.) S. Creed, Cheddington, Misterton. 



(Miss P.) Miss Payne, Weymouth. 



(H. S. G.) H. S. Gray, Rushmore (Wilts). 



(IT. S. E.) H. S. Eaton (Notes from Portisbam). 



(G. B. L.) Rev. G. B. Lewis. Broadstone. 



Three of last year's observers Lave sent no returns, viz. : Col. F. 

 J. Stuart and Jas. Andrews (J. A.) (one observation only), both of 

 whom have left their former places of residence, and Rev. Canon 

 R. F. Wheeler. 



RARE BIRDS IN 1895. A few rare birds are mentioned in the 

 returns. 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. One was seen and closely 

 watcli2d for some time in an oak coppice near Corfe Castle by Rev. 

 E. II. Greenhow on January 4th. It was busily engaged in 

 cracking the round oak-galls. (E. R. B.) 



GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. A female specimen was 

 picked up dead near Rempstone, Corfe Castle, on February 16th 

 during the Great Frost, and is now in the collection of 

 (E. R. B.). 



BITTERN. One was shot by Mr. W. Edmunds,* at Coombe 

 Farm. Langton Matravers, near Swanage, on January 22nd, and 

 recorded in The Field of February 2nd. One is reported in the 

 Dorset County Chronicle of January 17th, to have been shot by 

 Mr. B. Bird, of Wyke Regis, Weymouth, just previously. 

 (E. R. B.) 



AMERICAN YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Cuculus Americanus). A 

 specimen of this N. American species was observed during several 

 months in the garden of Mr. W. Colfox, of Westmead, Bridport, 

 and was eventually picked up there dead on October 5th. Its skin, 

 beautifully stuffed, was exhibited by its owner at the meeting on 

 December 13th, at the County Museum. The bird showed no 



* I learn from Mr. Edmunds that tins is the specimen referred to at 

 page 185 of Vol. XVI., which was erroneously stated to have been shot 

 in December, 1894, instead of January, 1895. (N. M. R.) 



