322 Field Notes. 
hood are very stationary, and that we have very few (if any) 
emigrants or immigrants—unless it be that part of the young 
birds of the year leave us. 
During the past twenty years, each year has continuously 
brought in reports of the increase of Starlings, and complaints 
of their occupying and driving out other species (such as 
Woodpeckers, Tits, Robins, Redstarts, and even Pied Fly- 
catchers) from their nesting holes, and that in addition to eating 
other fruits than cherries, it has seriously attacked apples, 
pears, grain, etc. In fact it has become a nuisance almost as 
much as formerly it was beneficial in destroying wire-worms, 
leather-jackets and various other grubs. In early May many 
old nesting holes of Starlings were unoccupied this season, and 
that for the first time I noted a decrease in the number of local 
nesting Starlings. Many friends in the district have also noted 
a decrease in the number of Starlings during 1913. 
Towards the end of July and early August the birds were 
in flocks of six to a dozen, instead of in scores, or in hundreds, 
as in former years. Apparently the fruit crops had not been 
attacked to the same extent this season. 
It would be interesting to learn if the same holds good in 
other districts—H. B. Bootu, Ben Rhydding. 
—! 0:— 
FISHES. 
The Ribbon Fish.—We learn from Nature that a specimen 
of the rare deep-sea ribbon-fish, Tvachypterus arcticus, which 
was landed at the Grimsby market recently, has been sent to 
the University College, Reading. ‘The following details of 
the specimen are perhaps worth reporting :—Length, 5 feet 
8 inches; greatest width, ro?inches. No anal or pelvic 
fins. Caudal fin not axial, and the ventral portion without 
fin rays. Base of pectoral fin horizontal. Dorsal fin with 
154 smooth rays. Teeth small but sharp. Skin silvery, and 
spinous on the ventral edge of body and along lateral line. 
Eye 3inches in diameter. Lower line of body straight.’ A 
few months ago we received a specimen from a Hull trawler. 
It was 6 feet long, 12 inches wide, and the eye 23 inches across. 
It had been ‘ exhibited’ just a little too long when we received 
it, but a plaster cast was taken.—T. SHEPPARD, Hull. 
Ove 
Part 14 of Major Barrett-Hamilton’s History of British Mammals has 
been published, and deals with the dormouse and bankmouse. There are 
also a number of plates and illustrations in the text. The part also con- 
tains an appreciative notice (with portrait) of the late Dr. Edward A, 
Wilson, whose drawings have so improved the work. Dr. Wilson, it will 
‘be remembered, perished in the British Antarctic Expedition. 
Naturalist, 
