FIRST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 287 



occurred with the two earlier dates of 1905. Two or three 

 other British orchises have spotted leaves, notably the " Early 

 purple orchis " (O. mascula], which is probably what was observed 

 on March 24 and possibly on April 20, though the latter might 

 have been (O. mono}. (E. F. L.) 



I hesitate to question the statement of so good an authority as 

 the Rev. E. F. Linton, and have little doubt that mistakes as to 

 the identity of Orchis maculaia have, as he suggests, occurred in 

 several years, including 1905. May it not, however, be irregular 

 in its dates, like many other plants, and earlier in some localities ? 

 Mr. Mansel-Pleydell, in "Flora of Dorsetshire," 1895, p. 257, 

 gives April-June, and his records in our volumes of " Proceed- 

 ings" support this April 19, 1893 ; April 20, 1901 ; June i, 1899; 

 &c. I would ask observers to be careful to make no record unless 

 they are quite certain of its correctness, and especially to avoid 

 recording Orchis mascula and O. morio for O. maculata. (N. M. R.) 



FLOWERING TREES, &c. There was a wonderful profusion 

 of blossom in Purbeck on the apple, pear, plum, blackthorn, 

 hawthorn, and other wild and cultivated trees, but the grand 

 promise of garden and orchard fruit was very poorly fulfilled, 

 plums alone being plentiful, and even apples being in general 

 decidedly scarce. Gorse bloom was irregular in the time of its 

 appearance and poor as a rule, the bushes having been appar- 

 ently injured by the intense frosts of the previous winter. 

 (E. R. B.) 



The autumnal tints were as rich and beautiful in colouring as 

 I ever remember them, and lasted till towards the end of 

 November. (E. S. R.) (Chard.) 



The oaks have been in full leaf for some time, but the ashes 

 still only just show the least sign of leaves at the tips of their 

 branches. Chickerell, May 27, 1907. (N. M. R.) 



NOTES ON WEATHER, &c. 



The weather in January and February has been very various. 

 Frost and snow in abundance, with 20 of frost on some nights. 



