THE MAGAZINE 



OF 



NATURAL HISTORY, 



SEPTEMBER, 1830. 



Art. I. Remarks on the Natural History of the Parish of Slaptouy 

 near Dartmouth^ Devonshire. By H. V. D. 



Sir, 



Encouraged by your ready insertion (Vol. II. p. 143.) of 

 my communication on the natural history of that portion of 

 the genus ^Scolopax that fell under my own immediate observ- 

 ation, I am induced to offer, for the use of your valuable 

 Magazine, such remarks on the natural history of the parish 

 of Slapton, in Devon, as may at various periods present 

 themselves to my notice. My former communication was 

 made to you from the county of Norfolk, where I had for 

 many years attentively observed and registered the habits and 

 migrations of our winter visitants of that natural family. The 

 parish in which I now reside will, I expect, afford me oppor- 

 tunities to fill up the chasms, and supply the information de- 

 ficient in my former letter, with regard to the movements of 

 this tribe, interesting alike to the naturalist, the sportsman, 

 and the epicure. 



The parish of Slapton is situated in that part of Devon 

 denominated the South Hams, remarkable for the tempera- 

 ture of its climate, the fertility of its soil, and the salubrity of 

 its atmosphere. The district of the South Hams is bounded 

 on the north by the mountainous tract of Dartmoor, on the 

 east and south by the English Channel, and on the west by 

 the river Tamar. The parish itself is bounded on the north 

 by that of Blackawton, on the east by Start Bay, on the south 

 by Stokenham, which parish, with that of East Alvington, 

 forms its western boundary. It is in latitude 50° 15' south, in 

 longitude 3° 30' west, six miles distant from the port of 

 Kingsbridge, and about seven from that of Dartmouth. Tot- 

 ness is the nearest place through which a London coach passes, 

 which is about thirteen miles hence. It is, therefore, seldom 



Vol. III. — No. 15. dd 



