512 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Backhouse, has sent me a good specimen of Corystes Cassivelaunus, 

 cast up on the sands at Seaton Carew ; and, from a fisherman at 

 Whitburn, I have received a fine example of Atelecyclus hetero- 

 don, which was taken alive in a rock pool.— George S. Brady, 

 Sunderland, May, 1872. 



The Pied Flycatcher at Long Benton. — On the 15th of this 

 month (May, 1872), a living specimen of the Pied Flycatcher 

 (Muscicapa luctuosa, Temm.) was brought to me in a comatose 

 state, having been struck on the skull by a shot thrown from a 

 catapult. Early that morning it was observed in the grounds 

 of John Middleton, Esq., and was shortly knocked over by a 

 lad employed in his gardens. Another individual was seen in 

 my brother's garden the following day, but wisely took its de- 

 parture a few hours afterwards, to, I hope, less dangerous quar- 

 ters. Both specimens were observed feeding on flies, and were 

 so tame as to admit of a very near approach. 



Another indigenous species, the Spotted Flycatcher (ilf . grisola, 

 Linn.), is not uncommon with us, and breeds about gardens, &c, 

 where it may frequently be seen capturing and devouring the 

 white butterflies ; but the present one is only an occasional visi- 

 tor, and has never, to my knowledge, rested here. It may be 

 remarked that Bewick (Brit. Birds, I., 211, Ed. 1832) mentions 

 a pair of these birds killed at Benton, so that our manners, in 

 this matter at least, have not changed since his time. 



The new gun act has been most successful in putting an end 

 to the dangerous popping which used to prevail all over this 

 district, especially on holidays. Could we not have another act 

 for the protection of our rare and harmless visitants, many of 

 which are slain by idle boys, with large shot thrown from toy 

 "catapults," in the use of which, some of them become so 

 expert as to be able to bring down birds at surprising distances. 

 — Thomas John Bold, Long Benton. 



Euphorbia amygdaloides.- — This species, for which only one 

 locality (near Long Horsley) is recorded in the " New Flora" 

 of Messrs. Baker and Tate, was found last year in a field at 

 Overacres, near Elsdon, by Mr. G. A. Lebour, 



