196 



RETURNS OF RAINFALL, ETC., IN DORSET. 



herbaceous plants those growing in precisely the same spots each 

 year." Further, the trees and plants should be average mature 

 plants, situated in neither very exposed or sheltered positions. The 

 first flowers on each plant should be carefully watched for. He 

 defines a plant to be in flower when the stamens on the first 

 blossom of it first become visible. The object of each observer 

 should be accuracy in the recorded observations, whilst attention 

 should be concentrated on a few unmistakeable species. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE APPEARANCE OF BIRDS IN DORSET 

 DURING 1890. 



Mr. Richardson mentions that he has not observed the Wryneck 

 at all this year. The Corncrake, which is a fairly common bird 

 in the neighbourhood of Weymouth, has not been noticed, nor has 

 the Redstart. 



From Swanage, Mr. Andrews writes, the first Wheatear was 

 seen on the 13th of March, and the first Swallows on the 12th of 

 April. These latter remained with us, also Martins, until the day 

 preceding the great frost viz., Nov. 25th ; on that day, as on 

 several" previous days, numbers of each class could be and were 

 observed. 



a Song May 7th. 



