2 1 8 
NATURE NOTES. 
as well as for the mind. In this most unconventional educa- 
tional establishment not only are the windows filled with flowers 
and climbing plants, but birds of various kinds are hanging in 
spacious cages ; and when we were there two or three parrots 
were walking about — quite as much at home as the pupils them- 
selves. Probably this development of Selbornian views would 
not be practicable in many places ; but we can at least make 
our school-rooms bright with pictures of birds and beasts and 
flowers, and by these means, if properly employed, awaken 
sympathy and interest in the objects these represent. 
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF BIRDS IN 1791. 
AVING lately been occupied in looking through the 
early volumes of the Linnean Transactions, I have found 
in vol. iv. (1798) an interesting table contributed by 
Mr. Markwick, recording for a series of years the 
result of his observations on our British migratory birds. 
Thinking it of interest, I have copied out his remarks for the 
year 1791, exactly a century ago; and I cannot help thinking 
that a similar table for the present year might be made out by 
contributions from some of your readers who live in the South 
of England and have made notes of the arrival and departure 
of the birds mentioned. Mr. Win. Markwick, F.L.S., made his 
catalogue in the county of Sussex. It is noticeable that he does 
not allude to either the wood wren ( Motacilla sibilatrix) or to the 
chiff chaff. In a paper read to the Linnean Society in Novem- 
ber, 1792, Mr. Lamb gives a description of “ a new species of 
warbler called the wood wren, observed in May, 1792.” He 
speaks of it as undoubtedly a new species in England, and adds 
that it is larger than the Motacilla Trochilus. Evidently, there- 
fore, Mr. Markwick was, at any rate in 1791, unacquainted with 
this graceful little bird. In order to ascertain whether the 
season of 1791 was in any way remarkable as to weather, which 
might influence the movements of the birds, I have searched 
Horace Walpole’s letters, and from the subjoined remarks it 
may, I think, be gathered that there was no great dissimilarity 
from our present climate. 
On February 26th he says, “ I went out yesterday to take 
the air, but was soon driven back by rain and sleet, which soon 
ripened to a tempest of rain and snow, and continued all night.” 
On the 28th : “ We have scarce had one day without every variety 
of bad weather, with a momentary leaf-gold of sun.” A sharp 
winter must have merged into a fine spring, for on April 18th he 
writes, “England never saw such a spring since it was fifteen 
years old. The warmth, blossoms and verdure are unparalleled.” 
"But on June 14th his tone is changed, when in his letter to Miss 
Berry he reproaches her with having been “ the death of our 
