Talbot : The Bmm of Wakefield. 



Rat's Wagtail (Motacilla Rayi) — 



Breeds regularly in all this neighbourhood. The earliest date 

 upon which I have observed the arrival of this migrant is on the 

 4th April. 



ANTHIDiE. 

 Tree Pipit {Anthus arhoreus) — 



Breeds with us, and is moderately well distributed in this 

 locality. The earliest period I have noticed its arrival here is 

 the 9th April, This bird may easily be mistaken for the 

 Meadow Pipit, but with the aid of a field-glass a careful observer 

 will at once see that it is larger in size, and longer from bill to 

 tail ; it is also of a lighter colour than the Meadow Pipit. 



For a description of the eggs of this bird, which varies very 

 much, see my notes in the N aUiralists' Recorder, for April, 187o. 

 Mr. Lister, of Barnsley, who has watched these birds, favours 

 me with the following observations : 



" During a morning walk by the Canal in ClifFwood, April 

 18th, 1853, I was greeted by the musical strains of the Willow 

 Wren, a week later than last year, and soon after by the more 

 loud and dashing notes of the Tree Pipit. The strains of the 

 Meadow Pipit, our winter resident, were heard from the near 

 fields in fine contrast to its kindred bird of the woods and trees. 



{To he continued). 



ON THE SEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF FERNB 

 AND 'KO^^m.—iConcludecl) 



By James Bagnall, Birmingham. 



This continued upward and downward pressure on the tissue of the 

 archegone causes it to become torn away at the base, the upper 

 part of the archegonia, being carried upwards by the growing fruit 

 rudiment, forms the Calyptra, the lower part is left surrounding the 

 base of the rudiment, forming a sheath, and is termed the Vaginula. 

 When the fruit-stalk has attained its full length, near the top a small 

 opaque spot may be seen, this increases in size, until at length the 

 capsule or fruit is formed ; within this, in due time, the spores are 

 developed, and, when fully ripened, are dispersed by the falling away 

 of the lid or operculum in some cases, or by the splitting of, or rotting 

 away of the cap&ule in others. 



