NOTES AND QUERIES, 197 



almost unknown as a breeding species, and is much commoner in 

 some parts further east and even north. 



From my limited knowledge of the nesting-habits of the Lesser 

 Whitethroat I have always thought it affects not the thickest foliage, 

 as Newton states, but the more open country lanes and gardens. 



Speaking of the Sparrow in its economic aspect, Newton opines 

 that if a fair investigation could be carried out the conclusion would 

 be unfavourable to the Sparrow — a conclusion which would probably 

 be endorsed by most ornithologists. It should, however, in fairness be 

 stated that the Sparrow is almost exclusively insectivorous during 

 the summer months — particularly is it passionately fond of the 

 "daddy-long-legs," whose larvae are so destructive to the roots of 

 grasses. Indeed, when they are to be obtained, its young are mostly 

 fed on these insects, and no other British bird conduces so largely to 

 keeping them within reasonable limits. — E. P. Butterfield. 



GASTBOPODA. 



Notes on Land Mollusca in Wiltshire in 1916.— Feb. 13th. — 

 Fovant, near Dinton. The South Downs near here are very 

 encouraging places to work on, mollusca being very numerous ; the 

 chalky nature of the land, I think, contributes largely to this. The 

 most abundant species is Helix virgata. This species is so numerous 

 that as one walks over the hills it is sometimes impossible to tread 

 without crushing many individuals. Both in size and markings I 

 find H. virgata varies considerably. Bound the umbilicus the 

 reddish-brown stripes are often interrupted in such a manner as to 

 form patterns and give the shell a chequered appearance. Helix 

 rotundata, H. ericetum, H. aspersa, and IT. nemoralis (var. hybrida), I 

 also found on the northern slopes of the Downs to-day ; also 

 H. arbustorum and hispida, only I am rather doubtful as to the 

 exact identity of these two species. Feb. Ylth. — As I walked down 

 one of the lanes near Sutton Mandeville this afternoon I thought the 

 decaying vegetation on the banks looked a likely spot, so I raked 

 over the dead leaves in some places, and found several specimens of 

 Zonites glabra, Clausilia rugosa, and Vitrina pellucida. The latter 

 were very delicate and quite transparent, and I found considerable 

 difficulty in removing the animals from their shells. Feb. 19th. — 

 To-day I found a C. rugosa clinging to the moss on an old Boman 

 wall on Sutton Down. Feb. 20th. — Two cast-off shells of Cyclostoma 

 elegans on a bank near Teffont Ewyas. March 13th. — Deep snow 

 has prevented any collecting this last few days ; but to-day I was 



