BY THE BEV. E. F. WHEELEK, M.A. 275 



NOTES ON BIRDS AND INSECTS. 



North Sunderland. — The mountain sparrow was observed on 

 March the 10th, and one was captured in the garden on Decem- 

 ber the 24th. The woodpecker put in an appearance on Sep- 

 tember the 23rd, and a middle-spotted one was shot in a garden 

 south of the village. 



Alston. — Swallows were seen on April the 24th. 



Greta Bridge. — The cuckoo was heard on May the 2nd. Hive 

 bees swarmed on the 19th. 



Wallington. — January. — Hive bees were flying about on the 

 14th. On the 19th a few starlings were seen. 



February. — Large flocks of field-fares and starlings were seen 

 hovering about on the 13th. On the 29th bees were observed 

 feeding on the crocus flowers. 



April. — A nest of young thrushes was discovered on April the 

 4th ; and young blackbirds were on the wing on April the 18th. 



May. — Young partridges were seen on the 3rd ; and game of 

 all kinds was three weeks earlier than usual. 



June. — The humming-bird hawk-moth was seen on the 25th ; 

 they were plentiful throughout the season. 



July, — The continued dry weather has not been favourable 

 for the swarming of bees. Many bee keepers had no swarms at 

 all, while in the case of others only half their stocks swarmed. 

 Still, bees were plentiful. Queen bees were scarce. Honey was 

 also scantily produced this month. 



August. — Four sphinx convolvulus moths were caught feeding 

 on (Enothera acaulis : the first on August the 26th, and the others 

 during the first week in September. They were very large and 

 fine specimens. 



September. — Bees have made a fair average collection of honey 



