APPENDIX I 



DURING the progress of this first volume through the press I have 

 received some notes from my friends Mr. W. E. de Winton and Mr. 

 R. I. Pocock, which are of considerable interest : 



Page 113. Water Shrew. White had evidently never found 

 this Shrew. It is easily overlooked, and in his time it had only 

 been recorded from the eastern and midland counties. It is, 

 however, much more widely distributed throughout England than 

 is generally supposed, and may sometimes be found a long way 

 from water, though the sides of brooks and ponds are its favourite 

 haunt. When lying on a plank across a small brook, I have 

 often watched it diving and searching the bottom for shrimps and 

 larvae, when the air-bubbles on its fur made it look like a bar of 

 silver. [W. E. de W.] 



Page 113. With regard to the Eagle Owl, there is always some 

 doubt felt as to whether the individuals of this species, which are 

 now and again met with in the British Islands, are not escaped 

 birds. Some of the occurrences on the east coast and north of 

 Scotland may be those of genuinely wild birds. [W. E. de W.] 



Page 113. Water Rat (Micro/us amphibius). The potatoes 

 were, no doubt, the attraction in this case, and similar instances 

 are not rare, but this animal does not usually wander far from the 

 sides of brooks or ponds, even in winter. [W. E. de W.] 



Page 114. The Large Great Bat (Vesperugo noctula). It is 

 highly probable that Gilbert White has hit the mark as to the reason 

 of the high flight and short summer activity of this species. Like 

 the Swift, it feeds solely on small insects which are abroad only 

 in the middle of summer. This Bat sleeps and hibernates almost 

 invariably in hollow trees, and of course does not leave this country 

 in winter. It may be seen before sundown flying over our London 

 parks, especially over St. James's Park and Kensington Gardens. 

 [W. E. de W.] 



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