4592 Birds. 



' Transactions of the Entomological Society of London? New Series. 

 Vol. III., Part 3. Demy 8vo., 48 pp. letter-press; 2 plates. 

 Price 2s. 6d. London : Longman. 1855. 



This part contains the following papers : — 



' Descriptions of four New Species of Beetles belonging to the 

 Family Paussidse.' By J. O. Westwood, Esq., F.L.S., &c. 



1 On some of the Difficulties of Entomological Students, as exem- 

 plified by recent experience in the genus Elachista.' By H. T. 

 Stainton, Esq. 



' Description of a New Genus of Coleopterous Insects inhabiting 

 the Interior of Ants' Nests in Brazil.' By J. O. Westwood, Esq., 

 F.L.S., &c. 



' Essay on the Genera and Species of British Formicidae.' By 

 Frederick Smith, Esq. 



This is a valuable and interesting part, and one which will be par- 

 ticularly acceptable to the British Entomologist. 



Birds in the Neighbourhood of Blackheath in 1854. — The following indigenous 

 birds commenced their song in this order: — 



Robin, Erythaca rubecula, Jan. 1. Yellowhammer, Emberizaflava, Feb. 26. 



Thrush, Turdus musicus, Feb. 5. Greenfinch, Coccothraustes chloris, Feb. 28. 



Chaffinch, Fringilla ccekbs, Feb. 6. Bunting, Emberiza miliaria, March 3. 



Wren, Troglodytes Europceus, Feb. 7. Blackbird, Turdus merula, March 5. 

 Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis, Feb. 12. 



Some of these birds were rather late in commencing their song, owing perhaps to 

 the very severe weather at the beginning of the year. The redbreast sang bravely 

 through all the winter frost and snow : of the rest, the chaffinch and wren commenced 

 with a weak ditty something like the autumnal song, while the others were tolerably 

 " strong in song " from the first. 



Summer Birds of Passage, with the dates of their appearance. 



Chiff-chaff, Sylvia hippolais, April 3. Love Lane, Lee. 



Willow Warbler, Sylvia trochilus, April 10. Elmstead. 



Tit Lark, Anthus arboreus, April 11. Plumstead. 



Blackcap, Curruca alricapilla, April 11. Plumstead Common. 



Redstart, Phcenicura ruticilla, April 13. Greenwich Park. 



Whitethroiit, Curruca cinerea, April 14. Annerlcy. 



Wry Deck, Yunx torquilla, April 15. Abbey Wood. 



