THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



83 



As regards the question whether the parent moths of these specimens could 

 Lave paired with typical Trifolii previously, I would point out that it is 

 almost beyond the bounds of reasonable probability that this should have 

 been the case with four pairs, and I have only met with one entomologist 

 nrho even suggests the idea, but, as it had been suggested, it was alluded to 

 in the paper referred to. It is very questionable whether any moths except 

 those that have the power of " calling " very strongly developed, pair more 

 than once. 



The probable cause of this degenerate form of Trifolii I must defer till a 

 future note. — C. A. Briggs, 55, Lincoln's Inn Fields. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



A Mouse in a Hedge Sparrow's Nest. — The other day, as I was 

 walking along the leafless hedges, I saw an old hedge sparrow's nest. Think- 

 ing there was nothing in it, I put my stick through it, when, much to my 

 surprise, out jumped a mouse, and sat on one of the larger branches watch- 

 ing me, its little breast heaving with excitement. It remained motionless, 

 till, thinking I could catch it, I made a step forward, but before I could 

 stretch out my hand it ran down the branches, and disappeared among the 

 grass and herbage at the bottom of the hedge. I then examined the nest, 

 and found it had covered the top over, and evidently had intended using it 

 as a dwelling place. I repaired the damage I had done as well as I could, 

 hoping it would return to its rather curious resting place. The nest would 

 be about five feet from the ground. Is it at all a common occurrence for a 

 mouse to utilize a bird's nest in this way? — A. A die Dalglish, Glasgow. 



Sturgeon at Hartlepool. — A fine Sturgeon was brought to the Fish 

 Quay, Hartlepool, on Wednesday, Feb. 29th. It measured 7 ft. 4in. in length, 

 and weighed over 8 stone. It was bought for £3 5s. by a local fishmonger 

 and sent to Darlington. — John E. Robson, Hartlepool. 



Dispar in the New Forest. — Referring to Mr. A. E. Hall's communi- 

 cation in the current issue of the Young Naturalist, I may state that whilst 

 staying in the New Forest, during the summer of 1886, I liberated a con- 

 siderable number of Liparis dispar, all perfect insects, male and female. 

 It would be unwise to positively affirm that this circumstance and the capture 

 recorded by Mr. Hall has the relationship of cause and effect, but very 

 naturally I suspect this to be the case. I may add that in 1887, I again 

 released the greater portion of a large brood of both sexes, and in due time I 

 hope to hear something of their progeny. I am informed that Dispar is 



