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vol. iv. " A Naturalist's Calendar for the Northern Border of 

 Hertfordshire," constructed by H. G. Fordham, F.G.S. In the 

 preparatory note Mr. Fordham says it represent the results of 

 observations from 1877-1886, and forms a calendar for the northern 

 border of Hertfordshire and extreme southerly portion of Cam- 

 bridgeshire. From it one result seems to indicate the earlier 

 southern movement of migrants from the North of Hertfordshire 

 than from the county generally. In this calendar there are averages 

 struck for the whole county, which must be the result of numerous 

 observations taken over the whole of it, and with this average 

 the dates taken at the particular spot on the northern border of the 

 county are compared. Finally, the locality, area over which the 

 observations are taken, elevation above the sea, geology, natural 

 features, and rainfall are noted down from subsequent reference 

 and comparison. The observations extend to 46 phenomena 

 comprising the singing, pairing, and nesting of birds, the 

 arrival and departure of migrants and the flowering of various 

 plants and trees. The earliest and latest dates during the 10 years 

 are entered and a mean is struck between them. The comparison 

 of this mean for the particular spot with that of the whole county 

 gives frequently very interesting results. The Royal Meteorological 

 Society of London have already done much in this direction. A 

 series of printed schedules have been drawn out under their 

 auspices containing a list of phenomena to be observed, comprising 

 79 plants, 11 insects, 20 birds, and finally the first appearance of 

 frog spawn. Each schedule is to be filled in as far as possible and 

 returned month by month signed by the observer. How long this 

 has been in operation or what results have been achieved I am not 

 at present aware. 



For the construction of such a calendar for the county our 

 method of procedure would be a simple one. It would consist of 

 the drawing out and printing of schedules suitable to our require- 

 ments which should be issued to members and friends who would 

 be willing to undertake the task of observation and filling them in. 

 They should then be returned to head-quarters, there the statistics 



