Calendar of Natural Phenomena. 4727 



impossible, during that time, to mark the progress of vegetable life. 

 Indeed, animal life has scarcely advanced, and for some days even the 

 robin has been silent; but to-day (February 1st), after two days' in- 

 cessant snow and a night of uncommon severity, the robin and the 

 wren are singing briskly, and they are also joined by the harsh but 

 new voice of the bunting (Emberiza miliaria). The river (Thames) 

 is to-day, in many parts, frozen over. A friend shot close by, and 

 submitted to my inspection, two female examples of the scaup duck 

 (Fuligula marila), a truly oceanic species, which is not common, and 

 is still more rarely found so far from the sea. 



February, 1855. 



1. Bunting {Emberiza miliaria), song commences. 

 Scaup Ducks (Fuligula marila) shot. 



2. Large flocks of Wild Geese (Anser segetum) appear. 

 Hedge Accentor (Accentor modularis), song commences. 



3. Fieldfares (Tardus pilaris) and Redwings (T. iliac us) migrate 



further South. 



4. Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) shot on the banks of the Thames. 



5. Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis), laughing note commences. 

 Primrose (Primula vulgaris), leaves appear. 



6. Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) flowers. 



Corn Mary gold (Chrysanthemum Segetum) flowers. 



7. Scarlet Peziza (P. coccinea) appears. 



10. Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus), red berries appear. 

 17. Hoopers or Whistling Swans (Cygnusferus) visit us. 



20. Ring Dove (Columba palumbus) coos. 



21. Partridges (Perdix cinerea) pair. 



22. Yew (Taxus baccata) flowers. 



23. Japan Quince (Cydonia japonic a) leafs. 



N.B. After a smart fall of snow this morning the frost broke up. 



24. Yellowhammer (Emberiza Jlava), song commences. 

 Winter Aconite (Helleborus hyemalis) flowers. 



25. Chaffinch (Fringilla ccelebs), song commences. 

 Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) leaves his winter retreat. 

 Gnats [Culices and Chironomi) appear in clouds. 



Thrush (Turdus musicus) resumes his song, after seven weeks' 



intermission. 

 White or Barn Owl (Strix fiammea) screeches. 



26. Skylark (Alauda arvensis), song commences. 



Hoopers or Whistling Swans (Cygnusferus) return northwards. 



