50 
NATURE NOTES 
as their chance of straggling here always is, without more exten- 
sive observations. 
As will be seen, the above few remarks have been made 
with more especial reference to the Midland counties, and even 
in cases of these no very definite ideas as to dates of nidification 
and arrival have so far been obtained. 
In offering the above general idea of the nature of the sub- 
ject and its possibilities when linked with many other data 
of an interesting nature, such as periods of moulting and 
roosting, to the general run of readers, many of whom may not 
be particularly interested in birds, the writer has done so with 
the object of kindling some interest in their minds in the branch 
of science called ornithology, so that even the most careless 
observers might add their quota to its history, or some addition 
to our present knowledge of it, even be it in the most trifling 
details, e.g., measurements of birds, their eggs, or nests, details 
as to colour, structure, and so on. 
It is to solicit the help of these undergraduates in the science 
of bird-life, as well as that of “ old hands ” of course, that this 
paper has been written. 
Briefly then, will those who have the time and opportunity 
— which the writer, with present work of an entirely different 
nature, cannot spare — to devote to the elucidation of these 
points, kindly help by sending such notes as they may think 
are interesting ? This will considerably advance a project the 
writer has in view of obtaining enough material for a more 
comprehensive work on the migration and nidification of our 
British birds than, owing to the lack of data and want of co- 
operation, it has as yet been found possible to attempt. Such 
communications should be addressed to the writer as under. 
A. R. Hokwood, 
Leicester Corporation Museum. Sub-Curator. 
NOTES ON A TRIP TO MOUNT ARTHUR. 
NE day early in April last, a small but select party of 
three, all lovers of birds in their bush haunts, left 
Launceston by an early train for Lilydale, on the 
way east. The morning was clear and frosty, the air 
exhilarating in the extreme, betokening a glorious day. 
Leaving Lilydale station about ten o’clock, we took the 
road winding through the little township, and then began to 
ascend the foot-hills of the mountain. At this preliminary stage 
the sun began to put forth his strength, and we were compelled 
to call an occasional halt to rest upon a convenient log by the 
