NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
3 
Malvern Hills. — We liave received the welcome news that 
for the time being, at least, the threatened injury to the Malvern 
Hills, by a railroad, has been averted. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
448. Notonecta glauca in London. — .Although thi.c insect can fly 
pretty well, I think it hardly probable that the specimens seen by Mr. Johnson 
(No. 441) at Claphain Junction could have come from Wimbledon Common, 
even with a favourable wind. Is it not more likely that they came from the River 
Wandle or from ponds on Clapham Common or Wandsworth Common ? 
C. Nicholson. 
449. Ducks. — The deciease of ducks of different kinds during the last ten 
years is very marked in this locality ; and the reason is a puzzle. Mallards, 
Gadwall, and Teal rarely drop into our decoy. The Gadwall has almost 
deserted its “home” on Narford Lake, where it was introduced some years 
ago, and whence it spread over this part of Kngland. Some say that during the 
breeding season abroad, ducks are more harassed every year. Others think that 
the increase of our population causes greater persecution than ever. This latter 
reason is not sufficient to account for the decrease about here. Perhaps the small 
downfall of rain of late years may have deprived them of many of their haunts. 
Another reason may be the ever-increasing numbers of rats. 
Soulhacre, Swaffham. Edmund Thos. Dauiieny. 
450. A Faithful Sheep Dog. — Some fresh evidence of our canine 
friends’ intelligence is always coming to light. In a recent issue of The Rural 
World the story of a shepherd’s faithful dog is told. One night a North of 
England shepherd brought in his flocks and hurried to his cottage to have his 
supper. But he missed the dog which usually followed him of an evening for her 
own food. The man thought it rather strange, but made no search for the dog 
that night. When the shepherd went down to the corrals next morning he found 
the gate open, and his dog standing guard over the sheep. In his haste the night 
before he had forgotten to close the gate, but the dog had noticed how remiss 
her master had been and remained at her post throughout the night, though she 
suffered from the pangs of hunger and thirst. 
Cauonbury. ChaS. E. J. Hanneit. 
451. American Gooseberry Mildew. — The Board of Agriculture and 
Fisheries have received information that the American Gooseberry Mildew 
(Spheerolheca mors-uva) has been discovered in more than one place in England, 
and as there is reason to believe that the disease, in at least one case, is of some 
years’ standing, they think it desirable to warn all fruit-growers, nurserymen, 
gardeners, and other growers of gooseberries of the dangers involved. The 
disease, which is termed American, owing to the extensive damage it has done in 
America, is of a very serious character, and has rendered the culture of goose- 
berries unprofitable and practically impossible wherever it has appeared . 
The mildew generally becomes visible during the last half of May or the first 
half of June, when it appears in the form of “ glistering frost-like spots ” on the 
fruit on the lower part of the bush, where there is usually dense shade. It then 
spreads to the leaves and tender shoots. In its earlier stages it has a cobwebby 
appearance, which soon becomes white and powdery from the development of the 
light conidial spores. Later in the season the leaves and other parts affected 
turn a rusty brown. The fungus prevents the berry from growing, and the fruit 
becomes worthless. All during the summer, therefore, the disease can easily be 
detected, and the bushes can be dealt with according to the extent of the disease. 
But during the winter the disease remains dormant and will not spread from 
plant to plant. During this period, however, it can be conveyed from one 
district to another in bushes and stocks. It is clear that enormous and irrC' 
parable mischief may be done in this way, and it is the duty of all nurserymen to 
take precautions, not only for their own sake, but for the sake of the locality in 
which they live. 
The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, therefore, urge all nurserymen and 
market gardeners who intend to buy bushes or stocks of Ribes aureum, whether 
