3632 Birds —Rtptiles. 



turning to the perfect insect. The last season he took two dozen of the larva), all of 

 which came out this year perfect, as his experience had led him to expect. He sup- 

 posed that from some cause they were not infested by a parasite, as were most other 

 Lepidoptera and other insects. 



None of the members present could call to mind any instance in which they had 

 observed a parasite in the larva of the above insect. 



Mr. Harding had seen specimens of Colias Edusa and C. Hyale, that were taken 

 near Reigate this season. 



Some specimens of Harpalyce achatinaria were likewise exhibited by the Presi- 

 dent, some of them with three wings, some with only two ; in all cases the upper wings 

 were perfect, the under wing or wings being entirely wanting, and not a rudiment of 

 them to be seen : in no case had one out of some dozens come out without the upper 

 wings, but a great many without the under. — J. T. N. 



Curious Variety of the Sedge Warbler, (Salicaria Phragmitis). — About a fortnight 

 ago I was shown a very curious variety of the sedge warbler, killed in Sussex. It was 

 a bird of this year, but full grown, and of a uniform light canary-yellow all over, ex- 

 cept that on the top of the head there were a few spots or small streaks of pale olive. 

 — W. F. W. Bird ; 5, King's Road, Bedford Row, August 4, 1852. 



Inquiry respecting the Blackbird supposed to have become white through fright. — 

 Will Mr. Smith allow me to ask, would not the coat of the blackbird mentioned by him 

 (Zool. 3577) most probably have assumed its spotted appearance independently of the 

 fright from the " smashing'' or "crocking,'' at the time of moulting, whether that time 

 had succeeded sooner or later? I am led to ask this question, as it is so common an 

 occurrence to see blackbirds, rooks, and jackdaws with patches of white about them, 

 which generally only remain until moulting. I have had a jackdaw from the nest, 

 which then had a greater portion of white than of black on his feathers ; but no white 

 was visible at the second moult: and a blackbird, which gradually became whiter un- 

 til four years old, when he died. In all probability Mr. Smith's will assume his more 

 naturally coloured dress at the next moult. I trust that gentleman will kindly favour 

 us with a note of this change, should it occur, or any other matter touching the song- 

 ster. I have now in my possession a sparrow and a swallow, both white. — /. Johnson; 

 Parsonage, Denby, Huddersjield, September, 1852. 



Occurrence of a Toad in a Block of Iron Ore. — On Monday last, September 20, 

 while some workmen were engaged in getting iron ore at a place called Paswick, in 

 the North of this county, they came upon a solid lump of ore, which, being heavier 

 than two men could lift, they set to work to break with their picks, when, to their sur- 

 prise, in a cavity near the centre of the stone, they found a toad alive. The cavity 

 was much larger than the toad, being nearly six inches in diameter, and was lined 

 with crystals of what I suppose to be carbonate of lime. The stone was about four 

 yards from the surface of the ground; it is now in the possession of Mr. Haywood, of 

 Derby, by whose men it was found : but unfortunately the toad was not preserved af- 

 ter its death, which took place almost immediately on its exposure to the atmosphere. 

 — John Evans ; Darley Abbey, Derby, September 22, 1852. 



