214 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Cffritspoitkiitc. 
A Bird’s Nest in a Letter Box. —During this summer a linnet 
built a nest in a private letter box, belonging to Mr. J. M. Downing 
Dowles, Salop, and laid seven eggs. She appeared not to be disturbed 
by the dropping in of the letters, but the postman having discovered 
the nest took them to the house for a time. The bird hatched her eggs 
in July, and several did well, leaving the nest when able to fly.— 
A. H. A. 
In the “Midland Natur.4list” for August, page 190, under the 
head of “ Reports of Societies,” I am reported as having exhibited 
Brachypodium cristatum; this should have been Brachypodium pinnatum. 
And on page 191, last line, Carex axillaris, from the only Warwickshire 
locality, should read from the only South Warwickshire locality. I find 
this plant in three North Warwickshire stations. With regard to 
Mr. W, H. Wilkinson’s exhibit reported on page 191, I may explain 
that the specimens were even more interesting than they seem in the 
report, as in these the ordinary petals were not merely replaced by 
petals of a green colour, but were replaced by the ordinary green 
leaflets, having the well-developed midrib and serrated margins of 
these organs. —J. E. Bagnall. 
Pond Life. —We occasionally hear of the paucity of Natural History 
objects round the neighbourhood of Birmingham. Now I think that 
as regards the study of “Pond Life,” as it is generally denominated, 
that character is not deserved, for in my opinion the fault lies in not 
looking quite close enough. I have been engaged in this fascinating 
study only about three years or so, yet I may venture to say that 
my list of finds would be a tolerably long one for a “ beginner,” con¬ 
sisting of nearly all the Polyzoa and the Hydrozoa ; also Rotifera, Algae, 
Infusoria, etc., not excepting the much-sought-for Amoeba. Only the 
other day I found in enormous quantity Melicerta ringens. Although 
we know it is common it is but rarely, I should think, as in this case, 
found so plentifully. Close by was found that comparatively new 
rioscule, Floscularia regalis, mentioned by Dr. Hudson in the “ Midland 
Naturalist” for 1882, page 252 ; also on the same weed were F, ornata 
and F. prohoscidea, and in the same pool F. ambigua, CEcistes, Amoeba, 
Brachionus, and many other less rare forms. I may say the pool was 
a dirty one, and also very unpromising to look at. I mention this just 
to show that what is required is more perseverance, such as the late 
President of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical 
Society says in his address “knows no obstacles and heeds no rebuffs.” 
—E. H. Wagstapf, 1, Waterworks Road, Edgbaston. 
LiMNiEA GLABRA (Muller).—Some eighteen years ago I found this 
local species very common in a ditch at Sparkhill; two years after I 
found it moderately common at Acocks Green in a small grassy pond. 
Mr. James Hopkins later on found a single specimen in a pond at 
Harborne. Since that time Conchologists have become more numerous 
in Birmingham. Can any of these supply fresh localities for this 
local species, also furnish a list of the species associated with it?— 
Wm. Nelson. 
