tlRST APPEARANCES OF BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 1 83 



crying dreadfully, but the sound of the carriage made it disgorge 

 i:s pre}', which got away for the time at any rate. (D. C), 

 Childe Okeford. 



Lizard {Lacciia agilis ?). — Mr. W. Galton, of Stoborough, 

 caught on the line at Holme on Friday (April 4th) a three-tailed 

 lizard. (Note published in the Dorset County Chronicle of 

 April loth, 1902.) (E. R. B.) 



Botanical Note by Rev. James Cross, Baillie House, Wim- 

 borne : — 



The sheaths of the sycamore buds of a tree opposite to my 

 front door began to fall — 



In 1900 on April 25th. In 1902 on April 12th. 



1 90 1 ,, ]\Iay 1st. 1903 ,, April loth. 



General Notes. 



Weymouth. — A very backward, wet, and cold early summer. 

 Until June 24th, when the weather suddenly became warm, 

 there had been practically nothing that could be called summer 

 weather. The hay crop is heavy and unusually late. (N. ]\I. R.) 



Chard. — The Coronation of King Edward VII. took place 

 on August 9th in fine bright warm weather. The weather at 

 Chardstock was lovely all day. Saw eclipse of the moon well 

 from 7 — 8 p.m. on April 22nd, and on October 17th also 

 saw eclipse of moon well, taking four observations between 

 4.0 and 5.0 a.m. A very cold dry April and backward spring. 

 A great year for the flowering of the black thorn, cherry, apple, 

 and stone wall fruit trees in garden, whitethorn, laburnum, lilac, 

 and elder. The backward season prevailed all through the year ; 

 backward vegetation in everything shewed this. We had one of 

 the most cloudy, wet, cold, and sunless springs, summers, and 

 autumns known for 40 years. Garden flowers did badly for want 

 of sun and warmth. Corn harvest late and much corn spoiled 

 throughout England. A wonderful quantity of grass and keep. 

 Many trees and shrubs flowered twice in this year owing to 

 unseasonable weather. (E. S. R.) 



The tables of first appearances, &c., are appended : — 



