TAKING PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
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etc., selected for observation should be situated neither in very- 
sheltered, nor, on the other hand, in very exposed positions, and 
should neither be abnormally early nor late in their flowering for 
the district. When from any cause any of the selected plants, 
trees, or shrubs cease to be available, other specimens of the same 
species similarly situated should be observed instead of them. 
2. Watch carefully for the appearance of the first flowers. — A plant, 
etc., is to be considered “ in flower” when the stamens of the first 
blossom on it first become visible. As soon as the date of one plant 
has been secured, watch for the appearance of the next on the list. 
If, unfortunately, the first flowering be missed by a day or two, the 
observer is requested to give the estimated date of first flowering, 
and to place an asterisk against the entry. Should the plant be 
estimated to have been in flower more than four days, no entry at 
all should be made, as the observation would be of no value what¬ 
ever for the purpose of this investigation. 
3. In the case of the hazel the fertile flowers are to be observed. 
They are little bright red flowers which, as a rule, open directly 
after the barren flowers or catkins. 
BIRDS. 
1. Song Thrush (Turdus musicus), first heard. 
2. Swallow ( JETirundo rustica), first seen. 
3. Cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ), first heard. 
4. Nightingale ( Daulius luscinia ), first heard. 
5. Flycatcher ( Musicapa grisola ), first seen. 
6. Swallow ( Hirundo rustica ), last seen. 
Instructions to Observers. 
1. The note of the song thrush must not be mistaken for that 
of the missel thrush, which is generally heard earlier. The notes 
of the missel thrush are less musical and connected. Its strain is 
altogether much shorter, and, being repeated many times in succes¬ 
sion, it wants the variety of that of the song thrush. 
2. The swallow may be distinguished from the house martin 
and sand martin by its back being of an uniform glossy steel-blue, 
almost black, by its long forked tail, and by the dingy white colour 
of its lower parts. The house martin has the rump and lower 
parts pure white, while the sand martin is of a mouse-colour above. 
The swift differs from the swallow in its more rapid flight, the 
peculiar narrowness of its outspread wings, and its general sooty 
colour. 
3. Observers should be on their guard against imitations of the 
well-known note of the cuckoo. 
4. The observer should be certain that it is the nightingale that 
is heard, as the song thrush also often sings late in the evening. 
5. The flycatcher is a little greyish-brown bird fond of sitting 
on a post, rail, or perch, whence it can readily dart off and seize a 
fly, usually returning to its former station. 
