Reptiles. 2541 



migratory birds may strictly be called passing visitors. Perhaps more 

 should have been added, but the habits of the following four seem to 

 show the characteristics of this class more strongly than any others. 



Ring ouzel (Merula torquata). Dotterel {Charadrius morinellus). 



Wheatear (Saxicola CEnanthe). Common sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucos). 



Ring Ouzel {Merula torquata). Visits this part of the kingdom in 

 the latter part of the autumn and in the spring. At those seasons it 

 may frequently be met with on the hills near Stokenchurch, belonging 

 to the Chiltern range. 



Wheatear {Saxicola CEnanthe). Is common in this neighbourhood 

 in the spring and autumn months, and also occasionally breeds here ; 

 but the great increase of its numbers at the periods of its migrations 

 inclines us to place it among our passing visitors. 



Dotterel {Charadrius morinellus). This species visits us sparingly 

 in the spring and autumn, but is never seen at any other season of the 

 year. 



Common Sandpiper {Totanus hypoleucos). Also appears at the 

 same seasons as the dotterel, but with less regularity, and is occasion- 

 ally found at times which would lead one to suppose that it had bred 

 in the neighbourhood. At the end of July, 1847, we observed a bird 

 of this species settle near a brook, across which there stood a rail 

 about three feet above the water. Instead of rising, as we approached, 

 from the margin of the stream, the sandpiper was, to our astonishment, 

 quietly perched upon the rail, with as much ease as though he had 

 been an Insessorial bird. 



A. & H. Matthews. 



(To be continued). 



Occurrence of the Oviparous Lizard (Lacerta agilis) and the Natterjack (Bufo 

 calamita) near Liverpool — I know not what localities have yielded Lacerta agilis 

 and the Natterjack ; but during a ramble over the sand-hills in this neighbourhood, 

 I to-day captured specimens of both. They were the only Reptilia I saw, and were 

 far from abundant. — Edmund Thomas Higgins ; Southport, near Liverpool, August 5, 

 1849. 



The" Great Sea Serpent. — Mr. J. A. Herriman, commander of the ship Brazilian, 

 now lying near the principal entrance of the London Dock, makes the following 

 curious and interesting statement : — 



" He left the Cape on the 19th of February, running with a strong south-easterly 

 VII 2 E 



