110 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in point of numbers) M. agrestis, of which I got very few. I have never 

 caught anything but Mus sylvaticus in cold or stormy weather, which tends 

 to show that this species is the hardiest. Since the commencement of the 

 New Year, however, I have hardly had any Bank Voles in the traps, not 

 more than two or three, while Mus sylvaticus is as plentiful as before. 

 Possibly the few nights we had of severe frost may have killed off the less 

 hardy Voles. I have also secured several Shrews, three specimens of Sorex 

 vulgaris, and one of S. pygmaus — Newman Neave (Rainon, near Maccles- 

 field). 



BIRDS. 



The Birds of Derbyshire.—/* propos of the criticism of Mr. Whitlock's 

 book, ' The Birds of Derbyshire,' which appeared in the last number 

 (p. 78], and of the reviewer's remark that he had not found any reference 

 to the most important collection in that county, that of Sir Vauncey Crewe, 

 at Calke Abbey, the author writes to us as follows : — " With regard to the 

 Calke Abbey collection I can only say that the noble owner, for reasons, 

 which were no doubt quite competent, did not find it convenient to allow me 

 an opportunity for inspection. But while I regret the abseuce of Sir 

 Vauncey Crewe's notes, I did not feel called upon to indefinitely postpone 

 its publication on this account alone. Moreover, it is inaccurate to state 

 that no mention is made of the Calke Abbey collection. As an instance, 

 I may quote the case of the Whiskered Tern, perhaps the most interesting 

 of all the accidental visitors to Derbyshire, particulars of which are given 

 on page 218." After referring in some detail to other points in the review 

 with which he is dissatisfied, and which we cannot find room to discuss, he 

 concludes with the remark that if, as the reviewer suggests, there are some 

 who may be able to give additional information relating to the avifauna of 

 the county, he will be very glad to receive their notes or criticism. 



Ornithological Notes from West Surrey. — I send the following notes 

 from my diary for 1893, in case they may prove of interest : — On January 

 3rd Mr. S. A. Davies saw a Bittern, Botaurus stellaris, in the water- 

 meadows at Hurtmore, Godalming. In this month a Pochard, Fuligula 

 ferina, appeared on the River Wey below Godalming, and remained several 

 days. Mallard and Teal were fairly plentiful throughout the frost in the 

 water-meadows. In February a small flock of Lesser Redpolls, Acanthis 

 rufescens, appeared in the alders below Godalming, and three were taken 

 by a local bird-catcher. In March large numbers of Ducks appeared in the 

 water-meadows between Godalming and Shalford. On March 31st Mr. 

 S. A. Davies saw a Buzzard of some species on a common near Elstead, 

 and on April 3rd I went with him to the place and saw a pair of 

 these birds. On April 10th I observed a pair of Geese in a meadow near 

 Catteshall ; they turned out to be Canada Geese which had escaped from 



