62 
ILLUSTRATIONS OF 
most of our woods, as is also the shrew mouse, Sorex 
ananeus. The water shrew, aS*. fodiensy is, however, 
either very uncommon or but little observed. — Some 
years ago they used to be seen sporting on the surface 
of a piece of water at the back of Dr. Berkeley's, at 
Cotheridge Court, diving quickly under water if per- 
ceived or disturbed.^ 
Among the Cheiroptera or bats, we have the large 
horse-shoe,^ Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, common 
bat, Vespertillo murinus, great bat, noctula, eared 
bat, Plecotus aurltiis, and a species noticed sporting 
among the Malvern rocks, which is probably bar- 
hastellus. 
Of the pleasing feathered tribes, a considerable 
variety haunt the woods and groves of Worcester- 
shire, and some of the rarer kinds are occasional 
visitants. The summer migratory birds arrive nearly 
in the following order, the first occurring in retired 
places early in March. They are always to be found 
in copses by the side of the Severn and its tribu- 
tary streams earlier than in the open country, as 
they trace the rivers from the coast, and so spread 
themselves over the surrounding district hence 
the diligent observer will often notice them a fortnight 
before they are generally perceived. These are all 
of frequent occurrence, especially in the copses in 
1 I am indebted for this fact to John Walcot, Esq. 
2 This accounts for an observation by Mrs. Charlotte L, E, Perrott, of the 
Chantry, Fladbury, in a communication to our Society on the birds of Worcester- 
shire, who states that several Redstarts were found among the rushes of the Avon, 
an uncommon place for that bird. 
