BY GEORGE CLAYTON ATKINSON, ESQ. 115 



was, I think, fourteen days behind the average of the last eight 

 years. Barometer steady ; mean height 80-049. 



May. — Oak leaf out on 1st; strawberries in garden in flower 

 on 3rd ; white-thorn on 16th; Gloire-de-Dijon rose on cold wall 

 on 16th. A fine month; the temperature on the 18th being 81°, 

 which is higher than I remember it in May. Barometer remark- 

 ably steady; mean height 30*013. 



For many years during May and June, a few Dotterel used to 

 be shot on the Town Moor at Newcastle ; calling as it appeared 

 on their way to the Borrowdale mountains to breed. The drain- 

 age of the Moor, and other things, have thinned their numbers 

 from year to year. They were usually sold at Mr. Pape's shop. 

 This year, 1864, he tells me he has had none, and in 1863 only 

 one. Ten or twelve years since, I used to buy them of him 

 for 9d. a-piece ; but the feathers being much in request for dress- 

 iug trout-flies, he has sold them of late years, at 2/6 each. 



June. — Pine month, with very little variation in the barometer. 

 Poses very fine, and foliage of all kinds luxuriant. Barometer 

 very steady ; mean height 30-263. 



July. — Very fine month — especially during latter half; the 

 former part being chill with E. wind. Barometer steady ; mean 

 height 29-970. 



August. — Pine month. Drought much complained of through- 

 out the greater part of England, and on the Continent ; it has 

 been dry here, but not exceedingly so. Hay is scanty, but very 

 good and ivell got in; it is worth £7 per ton. Grouse are fine 

 and pretty abundant ; they are selling at 5/ a brace in Newcastle. 

 Salmon has been fairly abundant, and selling, once or twice, 

 as low as lOd. per lb. A great number of grilse have been in 

 the Tyne this summer; very few in 1863. Apples, pears, and 

 apricots, abundant and good. The vicissitudes of temperature 

 this month have been remarkable, ranging between 80° and 31°. 

 Barometer again steady ; mean height 30-044. 



September. — A fine month, though rain fell on twenty-five 

 days in succession, in very small amount, however. Corn har- 

 vest good ; wheat harvest better than usual ; oats not so abundant. 

 Barometer steady but wavering; mean height 29-817. 



