Natural History Museum Library H - — — — Jfy, Th *.MTEb P4!ViAY 1937 LONDON NATURALIST ^he {Journal of THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1936. PRICE THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE. PUBLISHED BY THE e* LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, THE LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE, KEPPEL STREET, GOWER STREET, LONDON, W.C.L DATE OF PUBLICATION, 14th MAY 1937. London Natural History Society. Founded 1858. Officers for 1936. Offices in the Society and its Sections are Honorary. Honorary President: Prof. SirF. GOWLAND HOPKINS, O.M., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.S. Honorary Vice-Presidents: E. A. COCKAYNE, M.A., D.M., F.R.G.P., F.R.E.S. ; Prof. M. GREENWOOD, D.Sc., F.R.S., F.R.C.P.; F. J. HANBURY, F.L.S., F.R.E.S.; A. HOLTE MACPHERSON, B.C.L., M.A., F.Z.S; L. B. PROUT, F.R.E.S. ; J. ROSS. President : J, E. S. DALLAS. Vice-Presidents: S. AUSTIN, F.Z.S. ; C. S. BAYNE- W. E. GLEGG, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U, ; Miss C. E. LONGFIELD, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; R. W. ROBBINS ; H. SPOONER. Director of Sectional Organisation: L. J. TREMAYNE, F.Z.S. Treasurer : F. G. DELL, 55 Russell Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. Librarians: R. W. PETHEN and E. MANN. Curators : E. L. KING; M. NIBLETT; L. PARMENTER; L. G, PAYNE; E. B. PINNIGER. Secretaries : General — A. B. HORNBLOWER, 91 Queen’s Road, Buckliurst Hill, Essex. Minuting — H. J. BURKILL, M.A., F.R.G-.S. ; Syllabus — J. B. FOSTER, B.A. ; Publications (and Editor)— G. HOPKINS, The Byron Studios, 8 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.4. Members of Council : R. B. BENSON, M. A,, F.R.E.S. ; D. H. CLANCHY ; W. C. COCKSEDGE ; C. L. COLLENETTE, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S. ; Mrs DALLAS; R. C. HOMES. Lanternists: Miss M. M-. HOSE; Miss F. E. JOHNS ; G. E. MANSER. The Society is affiliated to the British Association for the Advancement of Science; the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies ; the Commons, Open Spaces, and Footpaths Preservation Society; and the Federation of Rambling Clubs. LONDON NATURALIST. PLATE I, 1936. THE HOBBY. ( Pholo . l>u J. E. Roberts, n.Sc. The LONDON NATURALIST ^he [Journal of THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1936. PUBLISHED BY THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, THE LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE KEPPEL STREET, GOWER STREET, LONDON, W.C.l. T. Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath. 1937. CONTENTS. PAGE The Hobby, ... . ... ... . Frontispiece Editorial Notes, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Annual Accounts, 1936, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Council’s Report, 1936, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 Librarians’ Report, 1936, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 Sectional Reports, 1936 : Archaeology, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 Botany, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 Ecology, ... ... . ... ... . ... 12 Entomology, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 Ornithology, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 Plant Galls, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 Ramblers’, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Chingford Branch, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Referees, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 Papers Read to the Society, ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 Publications Exchanged, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 Obituary, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 23 The Land Utilisation Survey of Great Britain, bv L. Dudley Stamp, B.A., D.Sc., F.R.G.S., Director of the Survey, ... 25 London Trades and Industries, bv W. C. Cocksedge, ... ... 30 Archaeological Inspections in 1936, by G. J. B. Fox, ... ... 35 The Use of Photographs as an Addition to Herbarium Sheets, by J. Edward Lousley, ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 40 Note on the Flora of a Bracken Area, bv R. W. Robbins, ... ... 42 Bracken in Richmond Park, bv C. L. Collenette, ... ... ... 44 J J The Limpsfield Common Survey, by L. Parmenter and C. H. R. Thomas, British Butterflies in 1936, by H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S., ... Predacious Flies and Their Prev, by L. Parmenter, F.R.E.S., ... Notes on Dragon Flies, 1936, by E. B. Pinniger, Entomology, by H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S., Plant Gall Records for 1936, by H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S., The Dartford Warbler, by Howard Bentham, ... Some Field Notes on the Hobby, by J. E. Roberts, B.Sc., Starling Roosts of N.E. Surrey, by R. S. R. Fitter, F.Z.S., Recording Mammals, Reptiles and Batrachians, Book Reviews, List of Members, Map of the Limpsfield Common Survey. 46 48 51 54 56 58 62 68 72 76 77 81 5 Editorial Notes. |TN this issue of “ The London Naturalist ” we publish the first fruits of the work of the newly formed Ecological Section. We foresee the day when this thriving youngster will become the hub of our Society, directing and co-ordinating the work of the other Natural History Sections and giving to their labours an even greater value than they have at present attained. We also include an appeal for records of Mammals, Reptiles and Batrachians found within our area. We trust that members will give whole-hearted support to an effort to fill in a notable gap in our re¬ searches. Our thanks are due to Dr Dudley Stamp for his interesting paper on “ The Land Utilisation Survey of Britain.” The maps issued as a result of this survey should prove invaluable to the Naturalist. The Annual Exhibition was held on 18th February and was attended by 201 members and visitors, an increase of 10 on last year. We could wish to see more members sending in exhibits — there were 42 of the latter as against 49 in 1935. More space was found by concentrating the Ornithological exhibits in Room 32, and holding the lectures in the Large Hall. Mr C. L. Collenette has again earned our thanks for his hard work and admirable organization which made the Exhibition so successful. The Ornithological Records are published for the first time as a separate volume under the title of “ The London Bird Report ” (Price 1/6). The large amount of material sent in, by an increasing number of observers, has made this step desirable. THE LONDON NATUKALIST co co «4i CO CO 5 3 0 o 9 9 0 0 9 0 0 1 0 r- C5 hH to c* o tH tH iO © © eo © co oo tH tH tH tH iO GO O tH TH 00 ▼H tH tH O CO 20 4 0 35 4 0 tH ^ LO CO tH 00 ©* CO © tO f- lO f tH o o © «+* o © o oom tH tH tH o o o o o o o © o © o © o o o o o tH eo o* ih 00 c* co ih I- z D o O O < < cc LU z LU a co C*3 05 CO 05 bC cd CO o & d 3 cd fee.: c Li ft S3 o cd •** £3 02 • -»H : ph Oh . to • 05 CO £3 05 . a : x H CO Ph 05 Ph CO cd 05 d £3 «3 >5 Ph be cd •S ® ft £3 ® sh co H 0,-'— CO CO 3 05 05 £3 £ be be cd Bi O Fh “ £ m ° ° £3 Ph ft £3 05 CO 3} 3 o .2 be 3 •pH 3 2 «d Ph £3 o •tH -*H cd pH 05 d 05 fe I CO £3 O 05 O go o (£3 •pH -+-> 3 05 •pH o GO d-H o 05 s ft 33 05 CO be B a 2-2 3 aj co O 05 3! Cw 3 05 >5 Ph CO 0 Ph Oh 3 0 ft PS •H 05 pH 05 3 CO 0 3 3 CO d 3 3 ° Cq iri 3 Ph Ph CO 3 +H cd ft +H o o to d 3 3 CO ft ft cd ft ft M o £H O ft r- O c 05 s >> 3 be os 2 « o !§ 3^ 3 £o s © O r co 3 O 3 2 o 0 Ph Hr 3 co 05 H-H ©5 © Ph £ 03 fe) . CO • • >> ed ^H ::::::: ft : : . 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M 00 © © © O © CM CM f CM tH O o © © 04 CO £ © o © CO CO CO © «* «t* © © © © m m r- in C cj O I- Z D O O o < I— 3 < cc © .5 C/2 fcc cj C o •as & ffl C/3 c I- z D o o o < I c o CO © r-1 CO © © © > o C cc © O © o tc « . c o © .- © 5 r** CD CO CO ct c of o __ 5 in C3 CC ^ ^ Iz I- Z o o « < J, co © © © © £ o © C © W C CO - co o o Cj -4_J CS ^ 3 © t- r- a C/3 o o © LU © © H O > < co tH iO IO © LU © © ©j CO r- c -©> c © £ c3 a. -© CO © o e c$ cj © rt X CC W ©5 c lC C co o o o ^ < t- £ © > oC ^ £ C CD ^ - Cm CD © O «+3 c 2 Cj 5 ^ cj ct ^ p: ^ 7 © © © © © © j - ta Q fci CO CO © © © a £ ® > o z A -t^ CM © © © © o © Z o z w i A £ ca co © C *— s w H H a z a j i-i o o i-i d 'C c cj T3 © < 8 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Council’s Report, 1 936. A STEADY advance has been maintained during 1936 in all the Society’s activities. The newly formed Ecological Section has established itself firmly and is already doing good work, while all the other Sections show excellent progress ; field meetings have been well attended and a great deal of serious individual work has been accom¬ plished. ISo fewer than 60 new names have been added to our Register, and although the attrition has been unusually heavy (42) it still leaves a nett gain of 18. The School and Country Associates show an increase, but the Branch Associates a slight diminution ; under some new ar¬ rangements that are being made at the Branch, however, it is expected that matters here will also show an improvement. The principal features of a well-balanced syllabus were perhaps Mr R. M. Lockley’s Lecture on the Skokholm Observatory, the exception¬ ally fine films shown at the Bacot Memorial Evening, and the Cinema¬ tograph Lecture by Major Buxton, while the Annual Exhibition proved more popular than ever. The whole syllabus, however, was a most at¬ tractive one, and drew an average attendance of 89, the highest we have yet reached. The London Naturalist has more than maintained the high level we have become accustomed to expect in it, and under the aegis of its new Editor we look for it to go from strength to strength. The Librarians have quite a cheerful report to give of the growth of the Library which owes so very much to their self-sacrificing labour ; they would be glad to welcome more borrowers. Finance is healthy, as is shown by the Treasurer’s Report. Once again the records sent in to our official recorders and made at meetings have been good, but not nearly so numerous as the total of those in the Society should warrant; it is greatly to be desired that every active member should send in a Record of any good observation made, so that our total area may be more thoroughly known, and all that transpires in it of a Natural History character faithfully and com¬ pletely recorded. The percentage of observers, even if all of our mem¬ bers record regularly, is very small compared with the vast population resident in our Area, it is highly desirable therefore that more obser¬ vers should join us, and the Council urges every individual to make a special effort to secure at least ONE more recruit for the Society dur¬ ing 1937, and at the same time not fail to make his or her own records of Natural History. A. B. Hornblower, Honorary General Secretary. librarians’ report. 9 Librarians’ Report, 1 936. rpHE Library continues to be of use to many of our members, for dur¬ ing tbe year we hare issued 263 books, manuscripts and other publications. These were borrowed by 53 individual members of the Society, and deal with the various branches of Natural History in the following proportions: — Ornithology 67, Entomology 65, General Natural His¬ tory 59, Reports and Transactions of Kindred Societies 47, Botany 16, Archaeology 4, Biology 4, and Geology 1. Since our last Annual Report, the Library has received a most wel¬ come gift, in the form of an oak book-case. This was generously given to the Society, by our member, Mr R. Marshman TVattson, and it has already proved to be a most useful addition, as our collection of books, etc., continues to maintain a steady increase. During the year, the total additions to the Library amount to 163 books, manuscripts and other publications, these include many valuable books presented by members and friends, and also 51 Reports and Pub¬ lications of Kindred Societies, received in exchange for The London Naturalist. In the Library there is a type-written catalogue, which is kept up to date as far as possible, and the librarians would welcome any en¬ quiries, and also gifts of new books on any branch of natural history. Members are also reminded that one or both Librarians are always to be found in attendance in the Librarv, at the conclusion of each meeting. R. TV. Pethen, E. Mann, Honorary Librarians . Archaeological Section. REPORT FOR 1936. rpHE present membership of the Section is 83, the average attendance at excursions was 20, and at the indoor meetings 31. Ten excur¬ sions were made during the year to churches and places of archaeo¬ logical interest, the excursion to Westerham having been postponed. In accordance with custom, two churches were selected for record, one in each session; Chelsea Old Church and Hendon Parish Church, Middlesex. In each case, records of permanent interest and value were compiled under the supervision of Mr G. J. B. Fox, to whom the Sec¬ tion is deeply indebted for his constant interest in this valuable work. Other churches visited were Enfield, Upminster and Stanford Rivers. In each instance, the rectors were present and courteously received the members of the Section. At Enfield the Rector, Mr Daisley, was the 10 THE LONDON NATURALIST. leader, and in addition to pointing out the many interesting features of his church, kindly allowed us to visit the old world rectory. After¬ wards the Tudor Room, removed from the Old Palace, and Fortescue Lodge, were also inspected. At Upminster, through the kindness of Mr Eynon, we also visited the old smock mill where we had the advan¬ tage of the presence of the former miller. Mr Austin was the leader of the excursion to Stanford Rivers, an out of the way place, where we found a very interesting church, a fine rectory, and a notable garden. Three museums were visited, the New Geological Museum, under the leadership of Mr C. P. Chatwin, F.G.S., and the V. & A. Museum and the British Museum (Iron Age Gallery) under the guidance of the Chairman. Two of the best attended excursions were those to Henry VIPs Chapel, Westminster, and No. 34 Gt. Tower Street, where large^ parties assembled. At Westminster, Mr Bailey described the restorations to the noble Chapel, which now presents a great part of its original appear- ance, gay with colour and reft of the grime of centuries, and in the old house m Gt. Tower Street, where Mr E. Yates, F.S.A., was the guide, members were delighted with the Dickensian atmosphere of old world offices, the prn ate rooms furnished with antiques, and the unbroken tradition of old established businesses. Through the kindness of the housekeeper, members were permitted to ascend to the leads and from this perilous position surveyed a large area of the eastern part of the City. The lectures held under the auspices of the Section were: — “ Nor¬ man Architecture in Middlesex.” by H. E. Chiosso ; “ Henry VII’s Chapel and its recent Restoration,” by Lawrence E. Tanner, F.S.A. ; “ Impressions of Winchester,” by W. Gordon Gould. Lectures given at Sectional meetings were: — “The Romance of Ancient Brasses, by the late W. E. Gawthorp 5 “ The Preservation of Ancient Buildings,” by W. W. Begley, F.R.Hist.S., L.R.I.B.A. ; “ The Catacombs of Rome,” by G. J. B. Fox. The Section has to deplore the death of Mr W. C. Forster, for many years and until recently, its secretary. His last work was to help in the compilation of the Chelsea Record, on which excursion he was present a short time before his passing. Miss A. A eitch has been elected to the Committee. W. C. Cocksedge, Chairman. Celia D. Cocksedge, Secretary. Botanical Section. REPORT FOR 1936. ^JHHE Section arranged three general meetings of botanical interest during the year — the first was addressed by Mr J. H. Burkill, M.A., F.L.S., on the subject of “ Eastern Rain-forests.” The second BOTANICAL SECTION. 11 lecture was delivered by Dr A. B. Rendle, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S., who gave an interesting account of “ Bermuda and its Flora.” The last general meeting of the year was addressed by Dr E. J. Salisbury, his subject being “ The Flora of Southern England.” Of the three ordinary meetings of the Section held during the year, the first included a talk by Miss C. E. Longfield upon the “ East African Flora,” illustrated by means of specimens collected during a tour from Mombasa to Kenya and Uganda. A very successful informal meeting was held in June, when members brought specimens and discussed many points of botanical interest. The third Sectional meeting was a dis¬ cussion upon the subject of ” Problems of Rare Species,” this being opened by Mr R. W. Robbins. The excursion syllabus included eleven outdoor rambles and a visit to Kew Gardens. The special plants which constituted the main ob¬ jectives of a number of the excursions this year were: — Lathyrus hir¬ suties L., Linaria italica , Galanthus nivalis L., Chrysosplenium op- positifolium L., Fritillaria Meleagris L., Lilium Martagon L., and Polypodium Phegopteris L. With the exception of Lathyrus hirsutus, which has now disappeared owing to the ground being grazed by cattle, the plants were found to be flourishing in their old stations, and in the case of Fritillaria in great abundance. The average attendance at the excursions has been 12, and at indoor meetings 23. The Section now has a membership of 143. Herman Spooner, Chairman. G. R. A. Short, Honorary Secretary. REPORT OF THE BOTANICAL CURATOR. The three Botanical Collections, the property of the Society, are still in process of amalgamation. The Hubert S. King Collection is in poor condition and a large per¬ centage of sheets has had to be destroyed. I am, however, pleased to report that an occasional sheet turns up possessing the double merit of being well mounted and unrepresented in the other Collections. This alone makes the weeding out worth while. In the King Collection also there are sheets bearing such well-known names as H. S. Jenner, of Lewes, 1877; J. Boswell Syme, 1869; J. G. Baker, of Kew, 1877 ; H. M. Drummond Hay, 1871. These have been preserved where possible. In some genera there is naturally a tremendous duplication of speci¬ mens, but it will be obvious that where single plants of the same species are collected from all over the country at different seasons, in different years, and at various stages of growth, a more comprehensive and ac¬ curate eye picture of the plant in all its forms is obtained. It would considerably facilitate the work if the Society could obtain the use of a table for the Curator thus obviating the necessity of tres¬ passing too much on the goodwill and necessary work of the Librarians. L. G, Payne, Curator. 12 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Ecological Section. REPORT FOR 1936. ^J^HE papers read to the Section during the year were “ An Intro¬ duction to Ecology,” by Mr L. Parmenter; “ Bird Ecology,” by Mr E. M. Nicholson; “ Bracken,” by Mr R. W. Robbins; and “ The Woodland Bird Community,” by Mr D. Lack. At a general meeting a lecture, “ The Land Utilisation Survey,” was given by Dr L. Dud¬ ley Stamp. The attendance at the sectional meetings averaged 44.5. Three field meetings were held and areas of bracken were studied on these occasions at Richmond Park, Epsom Common, and Limps- field. The average attendance was 11.3. Twenty-six in all attended at least one field meeting, and at least one member of the Committee was present at each field meeting. The Section has a membership of 61 at the close of its first year. Mr G. R. Short kindly acted as the Section’s representative at the annual meeting of the British Ecological Society held at Reading. Mr R. S. R. Fitter, F.Z.S., has undertaken the task of collecting records on the distribution of mammals, reptiles, and batrachians in the Society’s area, and members are cordially invited to assist Mr Fitter in his survey by sending him notes on numbers, habitats, etc. The first results of the study of Bracken and its associated flora and fauna have been filed and are available to members in the Society’s Library. This study is being continued during 1937, and in addition it is hoped to commence surveys of the natural history of suitable localities in the Society’s area. The first area chosen is Limpsfield Common, where Mr Robbins, as leader, will be pleased to welcome assistance on the first Sunday in each month. The Journal of Animal Ecology is circulated to 17 members and the Journal of Ecology to 15 members, and details of these reading circles may be obtained from the Secretary. R. W. Robbins, Chairman. L. Parmenter, Honorary Secretary . Entomological Section. REPORT FOR 1936. gEVEN evening meetings were allotted to the Section during the year, and were filled as follows: — “Some interesting Entomolo¬ gical Books and their Authors,” Mr F. J. Griffin; “The Oxford Uni¬ versity Expedition to Borneo,” Dr B. M. Hobby; Entomological Sound Films by the Gaumont-British Instructional Company (Bacot Memo¬ rial Evening); “ The Migration of British Butterflies,” Mrs K. L. ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION. 13 Grant; “ The Wegener Theory of Continental Drift,” Dr K. G. Blair; “ Our British Orthoptera,” Dr Malcolm Burr. Mr Griffin’s lecture was postponed from the spring to the autumn session on account of the death of His Majesty King George Y. The attendance at the sectional meetings has averaged 38.5. Five excursions were held, to Hayes and Keston Commons, Byfleet, Benfleet, Eynsford, and the Newman butterfly farm at Bexley. Seve¬ ral orders of insects received attention from different members, and the plants met with were also studied, as a useful aid to the entomo¬ logist. Among the insects seen in the field might be mentioned Adopoea lineola (Essex Skipper) and Satyrus galathea (Marbled White) in plenty, and several examples of Strymon w-album (White- letter Hairstreak). Dragonflies included Lestes dryas , Somatochlora metallica , Brachytron pratense and Erythromma najas. The very beautiful dipteron Chrysotoxum octomaculatum was taken at Benfleet. The attendance at excursions has averaged 13.5, an increase of ex¬ actly 50 per cent, on that for the previous year. At the Annual Exhibition on 18tli February entomology occupied a whole table and exhibits were staged by 13 members. The Section has now a membership of 85, giving a net increase of 9 over last year’s figure. For the second year in succession, a presentation of British butter¬ flies, numbering 152 specimens, has been made by the British Museum (Natural History) to supply vacancies in the Society’s collection. The annual review on the butterflies has been compiled by Mr Bur- kill, from reports sent in, and is printed on page 48. The Society’s entomological Referees have been consulted on a num¬ ber of occasions, and specimens of a species of Tipulid sent up by Miss L. M. Frederick from Sullington in Sussex appear to be new to science. Towards the end of the year a scheme wms launched for studying and recording the invertebrate fauna of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Records and specimens have already been received from seve¬ ral members. R. B. Benson, Chairman. C. L. Collenette, Hon. Secretary. Ornithological Section. REPORT FOR 1936. GENERAL. rpHE Section this year provided lecturers at four general meetings of the Society, as well as for one of the lecturettes at the Annual Exhibition. At the general meetings Mr R. M. Lockley told the Society how he runs the Skokliolm Bird Observatory, Mr E. C. Stuart Baker described the evolution of the cuckoo’s egg, illustrating his remarks with an interesting series of eggs, Mr J. E. Roberts spoke on the Birds 14 THE LONDON NATURALIST. of Surrey and showed some fine slides, and Major Anthony Buxton dis¬ played some superlative films of the honey-buzzard, Montagu’s harrier, sparrow-hawk, pochard and red deer. After Mr Lockley’s lecture a col¬ lection towards the expenses of the observatory realised nearly £9 out of an audience of 180. At the Annual Exhibition Mr Roland Green sketched birds in his inimitable way. There were also five Sectional meetings, including one for a discus¬ sion of the work of the Section and another at which two members de¬ scribed to the Section the field work on which they were engaged. It is hoped to make the latter event an annual one. This year Mr G. E. Manser spoke on the birds of Elmers End Sewage Farm, and Mr R. S. R. Fitter on the starling roosts of X.E. Surrey. In February we were again favoured by being allowed to hear the prize-winning essays of the annual Public Schools Essay Competition of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. This year Mr J. Michael Wilson read his 1935 Silver Medal Essay on ,£ The Usefulness of Birds,” and Mr J. E. Sul- man read his 1934 Bronze Medal Essay on “ Wings and their Uses.” In September Mr B. T. Ward gave a most interesting talk on bird- skinning, and in October we were privileged to hear Mr Holte Mac- pherson’s reminiscences of the bird life of Inner London during the past fifty years. The average attendance at sectional meetings was 44. At the Annual Exhibition this year the interesting experiment was tried of allowing the Ornithological Section to occupy the whole of Hall 32, and in view of its success it is likely to be continued. The standard of the exhibits was high, the principal exhibitors and their exhibits being: — Miss C. M. Acland, photographs; E. C. Stuart Baker, cuckoos’ eggs; Roland Green, paintings; R. W. Hale, postage stamps depicting birds ; Miss Hibbert-Ware, little owl investigation (on behalf of the British Trust for Ornithology) ; Miss Lister, swifts and humming-birds ; E. M. Nicholson, map of great crested grebe distribution in Britain; the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, illustrating the Society’s work; and a number of skins, eggs and photographs from the Society’s own collection. The membership of the Section has increased steadilv this vear. and on December 31, 1936, there were 316 members, 17 above the total at the end of 1935. New members amounted to 41. FIELD MEETINGS, 1935. Twenty-four field meetings were held during the year, with an aver¬ age attendance of 16, ranging from 35 to 5. Among the 112 different species identified were the Hawfinch. Rock-Pipit, Willow-Tit, Grass¬ hopper-Warbler. Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Grey Plover. Ruff. Curlew-Sandpiper, Little Stint, and Bar¬ tailed Godwit. The districts visited included the Thames estuarv at High Halstow and the Isle of Grain, the Blackwater Estuary, Waltham¬ stow, Tring. Staines and Ruislip Reservoirs, Slough Sewage Farm, Effingham, Bookham and Arbrook Commons, Epping Forest, Gat-ton Park and Dulwich Wood. ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION. 15 READING CIRCLES. The reading circle for the Journal of Animal Ecology has been handed over to the Ecological Section, but there are eight circles for British Birds which still have some vacancies, and one circle for the Scottish Naturalist. Subscriptions to the British Birds circles are 2/6 annually and to the Scottish Naturalist circle 1/- annually. Completed sets of British Birds may be had for binding at the end of the year. The Reading Circles Secretary, Mrs D. H. Clanchy, will welcome en¬ quiries and newT subscribers. Cynthia Longfield, Chairman. R. S. R. Fitter, Ron. Secretary. CURATOR’S REPORT. The reference collections of the Section received further additions during the year. Dr N. H. Joy donated 26 eggs, Miss E. C. Binley a Spotted Flycatcher’s nest and the deserted eggs, Dr Helen Mackay 25 stereoscopic photographs taken by the late Heer A. Burdet, Messrs P. J. Hanson and G. E. Manser, two Barn Owls, found dead and skinned by the donor and Mr B. T. Ward respectively. Mr W. E. Glegg the skin of a Red-legged Partridge, skinned by Mr P. J. Hanson. Mr C. W. G. Paulson has presented a large Ordnance Survey Map of the Lon¬ don Area (scale, 1 inch = 1 mile) with the 20 mile radius of the Society’s area clearly marked on it. The thanks of the Section are tendered to these members for their gifts. May we remind members that prints of their photographs are welcome as additions to the collections where some of our photographers are as yet unrepresented. L. Parmenter, Hon. Curator. Plant Galls Section. REPORT FOR 1936. rpHE Section has had three dates allotted to it this year for sectional meetings. That on 14th January was spoilt by weather, frost and fog, and clashing with the Verrall Supper, which affected the attend¬ ance. The proposed paper was, therefore, held over for a future date, and those members who were present spent the evening examining and discussing specimens. On 24th March Mr Niblett read a paper deal¬ ing with some South African galls, and on 22nd September Mr Burkill read one on the galls on Umbelliferae. The attendance at these meet¬ ings has averaged 8.33. Nine Outings were planned, but that to Edgware for 9th May was cancelled as the cold weather had retarded the growth of the Oaks so that there was little prospect of finding any specimens. We visited Abbey Wood, 30th May; Ashtead and Epsom, 13th June; Claygate, 27th June; Epsom Downs, 15th August; Ranmore, 12th Sep- 16 THE LONDON NATURALIST. tember; Epping, 19th September; and Edgware, 26th September. The attendance at these Outings has averaged 4 per meeting. The field work was, owing to the unfavourable nature of the weather, hardly up to the previous year, but several interesting species were found, a number of notes were compiled, and records made of various galls and their causers which add considerably to our know¬ ledge of the subject. Particulars of some of these will appear in the notes to be published in the London Naturalist. Others are expected to be dealt with in future papers to the Section. Mr Niblett, the Curator, reports that the collection of pressed speci¬ mens has been maintained in good condition during the year. J. Ross, Chairman. H. J. Burrell, Secretary. Ramblers’ Section. REPORT FOR 1936. ]\INE Rambles have been held; attendance at these has averaged 7. As in other years the rambles have been pleasantly varied, and the districts visited have included Hackhurst Downs, Westerham, Amer- sham, Harmondsworth, The Chilterns, Gerard’s Cross, Keston, and Sevenoaks. In addition, on a sweltering August day a river trip was taken to Greenwich, and in January a visit was paid to the British Museum (Natural History) in conjunction with the Battersea Field Club, when a lecture, entitled “ The Great Game Animals of Africa,” was given by Captain Guy Dollman, B.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. Two Sectional meetings have been held. Early in the year Mr W. J. Foster, LL.B., gave a lecture on “ The Tyrol and Thereabouts,” and in December Mr J. F. Hayward, B.Sc., a lecture on the “ Causes of Scenery.” The Section was responsible for three lectures at General Meetings, viz., “ Memories of Life in the Shetlands by a Native,” by Mr Peter Fraser; “ Rambles in the Wye Valley,” by Mr E. B. Pinniger; and “ A Holiday in Norway,” by Miss B. M. Wheeler. E. L. King, Chairman. J. E. Burgham, Secretary. Chingford Branch. REPORT FOR 1936. rpHE Chingford Branch held eight indoor meetings during the year, and two meetings at local places of interest ; a considerable variety of very interesting subjects were dealt with by the lecturers, to whom the grateful thanks of the Branch are due. The attendance towards the CHINGFORD BRANCH. 17 end of the season showed welcome signs of improvement, over forty mem¬ bers and visitors being present at the October meeting, while other meet¬ ings had a better average than in 1935. An interesting visit was ar¬ ranged to the Walthamstow Borough Museum and other places of in¬ terest nearby. The Branch are greatly indebted to Mrs A. R. Hatley, B.Sc., F.R.G.S., and Mr G. E. Roebuck, F.L.A., for so ably arranging and conducting the excursion. The lectures delivered at indoor meetings were as follows: — “Our Mysterious Universe,” Rev. H. J. Gamble, M.A. ; “Rambling in Ger¬ many,” Mr C. Weeks; “ Among the French Alps,” Mr J. E. S. Dallas; “ Strange Aspects of Nature,” Various Members; “ Nature Notes for the Season,” Messrs J. Ross, J. F. Hayward, B.Sc., and E. B. Pinniger ; “ Local Bird Life,” Mr W: A. Wright; “ Life and Landscape in South- West Ireland,” Mr D. G. Tucker, B.Sc.; “Nature Study in Epping Forest,” Mr L. Parmenter, F.R.E.S. The thanks of the Branch are again due to Miss M. L. Mathieson for the regular provision of wTeather reports, which formed an interesting and useful feature. At the annual business meeting in November Mr E. T. Nicholson was elected Branch Secretary and a Council composed of the Chairman, Branch Secretary, Miss Connoll, and Messrs J. Ross and E. B. Pinniger was elected. The possibility of ecological work in Epping Forest was discussed at the December meeting and suitable plans are under consideration. E. B. Pinniger, Branch Secretary. rjWTE following have kindly consented to act as Referees on questions of identification and for advice in various branches of Natural History. It should be clearly understood that Referees cannot undertake work of an onerous nature, such as the determination of collections. Postage for reply should always be enclosed and a request inserted for the return of the specimens if desired. BOTANY. General. — R. W. Robbins, Bullens Lee, Pains Hill, Limpsfield, Surrey. Genus Bosa. — E. B. Bishop, Lindfield, Marshall Road, Godaiming, Surrey. Umbelliferae. — L. G. Payne, 22 Marksbury Avenue, Richmond, Surrey. Rushes and Sedges. — E. B. Bishop, Lindfield, Marshall Road, Godal- rning, Surrey. Grasses. — R. W. Robbins, Bullens Lee, Pains Hill, Limpsfield, Surrey. Ferns and Horsetails.— L. G. Payne, 22 Marksbury Avenue, Richmond, Surrey. Mosses and Liverworts- — -J. Ross, 23 College Gardens, Chingford, E.4. 18 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Lichens. I. M. Lamb, B.Sc., F.L.S., British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensington, S.W.7. L1 ungi. J. Ramsbottom, O.B.E., M.A., British Museum (Natural His¬ tory), S. Kensington, S.W.7. Mycetozoa.— J. Ross, 23 College Gardens, Chingford, E.4. Medicinal Plants.— G. R. A. Short, 36 Parkside Drive, Edgware, Middlesex. Aquatic Plants. H. J. Jeffery, A.R.C.S., F.L.S., 14 Coppetts Road Muswell Hill, N.10. Algae (including Seaweeds).— A. D. Cotton, O.B.E., F.L.S., Royal Botanic Gardens, Ivew, Surrey. GEOLOGY. John F. Hayward, B.Sc., 17 Iieathcote Grove, Chingford, E.4. MINERALOGY. F. A. Bannister, M.A., 34 Monahan Avenue, Purley, Surrey. PALAEONTOLOGY. E. I. White, Pli.D., F.G.S., British Museum (Natural History), S. Ken¬ sington, S.W.7. IN VERTEBR AT A . Mollusca. J. R. le B. Tomlin, 23 Boscobel Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex. Protozoa, Porifera (Sponges), Coelenterata (Jelly-fish), Sea-anemones and Corals), Vermes, Polyzoa, Brachiopoda, Echinodermata. — M. Bur¬ ton, M.Sc., F.Z.S., British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensing¬ ton, S.W.7. Crustacea. Miss Isabella Gordon, D. Sc., Pli.D., British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensington, S.W.7. Myriapoda (Centipedes and Millepedes). — Vacant. Insecta General.— C. L. Collenette, F.R.E.S., 107 Church Road, The Terrace, Richmond, Surrey. Thysanura (Bristle-tails) and Collembola (Spring-tails). — J. M. Brown, B.Sc., F.R.E.S., 176 Carterknowle Road, Sheffield, 7. Orthoptera (Earwigs, Cockroaches, Locusts, Crickets, etc.). — K. H. Chapman, B.A., British Museum (Natural History), S. Ken¬ sington, S.W.7. Plecoptera (Stone-flies) (Specimens in fluid only). — M. E. Mosely, 43 Lansdowne Crescent, W.1L Psoc-optera (Book-lice, etc.).— D. E. Kimmins, 16 Montrave Road, Penge, S.E.20. Anoplura (Lice). — G. B. Thompson, British Museum (Natural His¬ tory), S. Kensington, S.W.7. Ephemeroptera (May- flies). — D. E. Kimmins, 16 Montrave Road. Penge, S.E.20. Odonata (Dragon-flies).— E. B. Pinniger, 19 Endlebury Road Ching¬ ford, E.4. REFEREES. 19 Thysanoptera (Thrips). — Edward R. Speyer, M.A., Experimental and Research Station, Cheshunt, Herts. Hemiptera (Bugs, Cicadas, Leaf-hoppers, etc.). — W. E. China, M.A., British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensington, S.W.7. Neuroptera (Lace-wings, Ant-lions, Alder and Scorpion-flies, etc.). — D. E. Kimmins, 16 Montrave Road, Penge, S.E.20. Trichoptera (Caddis-flies) ( Specimens expanded only). — M. E. Mosely, 43 Lansdowne Crescent, W.ll. Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). — R. W. Robbins, Bullens Lee, Pains Hill, Limpsfield, Surrey. Coleoptera (Beetles). — K. G. Blair, D.Sc., F.R.E.S., 120 Sunning- fields Road, Hendon, N.W.4. Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps, etc.). — R. B. Benson, M.A., F.R.E.S., British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensington, S.W.7. Diptera (Flies, Gnats and Midges). — L. Par.menter, F.R.E.S., 94 Fairlands Avenue, Thornton Heath, Surrey. Siphonaptera (Fleas). — G. B. Thompson, British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensington, S.W.7. Arachnida (Spiders, Scorpions, Harvesters, Mites, etc.) — E. A. Robins, F.L.S., 19 Casiobury Park Avenue, Watford, Herts. VERTEBRATA. Fishes. — J. R. Norman, F.Z.S., British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensington, S.W.7. Amphibians and Reptiles. — L. G. Payne, 22 Marksbury Avenue, Rich- ,mond, Surrey. Birds: — Distribution and Identjfication. For the Society’s Area, N. of Thames. — The Recorder, R. C. Homes, 17 Park Lawn Avenue, Epsom, Surrey. Outside Society’s Local Area. — The Hon. Secretary of Records Com¬ mittee, R. C. Homes, address as above. British Trust for Ornithology. — The Society’s Representative, R. C. Homes, address as above. Anatomy. — G. Carmichael Low, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.Z.S., M.B.O.TL, 86 Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, W.l. Nests and Eggs. — J. E. Roberts, B.Sc., 24 Warren Drive, Surbiton, Surrey. Mammals. — M. A. C. Hinton, F.R.S., British Museum (Natural His¬ tory), S. Kensington, S.W.7. PLANT GALLS. H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S., 3 Newman’s Court, Cornhill, E.C.3. ECOLOGY. L. Parmenter, F.R.E.S., 94 Fairlands Avenue, Thornton Heath, Surrey. CHEMISTRY. L. Eynon, B.Sc., F.I.C., Fernieigh Hall Lane, Upminster, Essex. 20 THE LONDON NATURALIST. RIGHTS OF WAY, FIELD PATHS, Etc. Sir Lawrence Chubb, 71 Eccleston Square, Westminster, S.W.l. Papers Read to the Society. WE wish to offer our grateful thanks to those visitors who, by com¬ ing to lecture to us, have added so much to our enjoyment. Jan. 7 — “ Norman Architecture in Middlesex,” . H. E. Chiosso. ,, 21—“ Eastern Rain Forests,” . I. H. Burkill, M.A., F.L.S. Feb. 4— “ Memories of Life in the Shetlands by a Native,” Peter Fraser. ,, 18 — Annual Exhibition. (1) “ Sketching Wild Birds,” . Roland Green. (2) Rambles in the Wye \ alley,” . E. B. Pmniger. Mar. 3 — “ The Oxford University Expedition to Borneo,” B. M. Hobby, M.A., F.R.E.S., Ph.D. ,, 17—“ Running a Migratory Bird Observatory,” ... R. M. Lockley. April 7 — Bacot Memorial Evening. Entomological Sound Films by the Gaumont-British Coy. ,, 21 — “ Bermuda and its Flora,” Dr A. B. Rendle, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S. May 5— Henry VII’s Chapel and its recent Restoration, L. E. Tanner, F.S.A. 19 — “ The Evolution of the Cuckoo’s Egg,” E. C. Stuart Baker, O.B.E., J.P., M.B.O.U. June 9 — “ The Wegener Theory of Continental Drift,” K. G. Blair, D.Sc., F.R.E.S. i ,, 23—“ Notes on some Surrey Birds,” . J. E. Roberts, B.Sc. Sept. 15— “ A Holiday in Norway,” . Miss E. M. Wheeler. Oct. 6 — “ Impressions of Winchester,” . W. Gordon Gould. Nov. 3— “ The Land Utilisation Survey,” ... L. Dudley Stamp, D.Sc. ,, 17 — “ More Broadland Birds,” ... Major Anthony Buxton, D.S.O. Dec. 1 — Annual General Meeting. President’s Address: “ Some Anglo-Saxon Churches.” 3 5 15 — “ The Flora of Southern England,” E. J. Salisbury, F.R.S., D.Sc. PAPERS READ AT SECTIONAL MEETINGS. Jan. 14 — Plant Galls. “ Galls on Umbelliferae .” H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S. Feb. 2— Ornithology. Prize-Winning Essays in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Public School Competition. “ Wings and their Uses,” . J. E. Sulman and J. M. Wilson. ,, 25— Ramblers. “ Tyrol and Thereabouts,” W. J. Foster, LL.B. PAPERS READ TO THE SOCIETY. 21 Mar. 10 — Botany. “ East African Flora,” Miss C. E. Longfield, F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ,, 24 — Plant Galls. “ Some Notes on South African Galls,” M. Niblett. April 14 — Ecology. “ An Introduction to Ecology,” L. Parmenter, F.R.E.S. ,, 28 — Entomology. “ The Migration of British Butterflies,” Mrs K. L. Grant, F.R.E.S. May 12 — Ecology. “ Bird Ecology,” . E. M. Nicholson, M.B.O.U. ,, 26 — Archaeology. ” The Romance of Ancient Brasses,” Walter E. Gawthorp, F.S.A. (Scot.). June 16 — Ecology. “ Bracken,” and Discussion on Ecological Section’s Work,” . R. W. Robbins. ,, 30 — Botany. “ Notes and Observations by Members.” July 14 — Ornithology. Discussion on the work of the Section. Sept. 1 — Ornithology. Hints on Bird Skinning, . B. T. Ward. ,, 8 — Ornithology. (1) “ The Starling Roosts of N.E. Surrey,” R. S. R. Fitter, F.Z.S. (2) “ The Birds of Elmers End Sewage Farm,” G. E. Manser. ,, 22 — Plant Galls. “ Galls on TJ mb elli ferae ,” H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S. ,, 29 — Botany. Discussion, opened by Mr R. W. Robbins. Oct. 13 — Entomology. 11 Some Interesting Entomological Books and their Authors,” . F. J. Griffin, A.L.A. ,, 27 — Ornithology. “ Reminiscences of London Birds in the past Half Century,” A. Holte Macpherson, B.C.L., M.A., F.Z.S. Nov. 10 — Archaeology. “ The Preservation of Ancient Buildings,” W. W. Begley, F.R.Hist.S. ,, 24 — Entomology. “ Our British Orthoptera,” Malcolm Burr, D.Sc., F.R.E.S. Dec. 6 — Archaeology. “ The Catacombs of Rome,” ... G. J. B. Fox. ,, 22 — Ecology. “ The Woodland Bird Community,” D. Lack, M.B.O.U. ,, 29 — Ramblers. C£ The Causes of Scenery,” J. F. Hayward, B.Sc. 22 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Publications Exchanged. The London Naturalist is sent to the following Societies and Institu¬ tions from whom we receive publications in exchange : Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club. Carlisle Natural History Society. Cardiff Naturalists’ Society. Cambridge Bird Club. Cheltenham College Natural History Society. Christ’s Hospital Natural History Society. Coventry Natural History and Scientific Society. Croydon Natural History Society. Entomological Society of the South of England. Eton College Natural History Society. Essex Field Club. Felsted School Scientific Society. La Societe Guernesiaise. Hampstead Scientific Society. Hastings and St Leonards’ Natural History Society. Hertfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club. Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society. Marlborough College Natural History Society. Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society. North Western Naturalist. Oxford Ornithological Society. Rugby School Natural History Society. South London Entomological and Natural History Society. Torquay Natural History Society. Vasculum. University of California. New York College of Agriculture. University of Michigan. Smithsonian Institute. Lloyd Library, Cincinnati. Entomological Society of Ontario. American Midland Naturalist. Entomological Society of Russia. Society of Nature Study of Russia. Junta pare Ampliacion de Estudios, Madrid. Italian Ornithological Review. Royal University Library of Upsala. Vetaeskaps, Acadamien, Stockholm. Bureau of Government Laboratories, Manila. Academie Malgache, Madagascar. Natural History Museum, Vienna. Ohara Institute for Agricultural Research, Japan, OBITUARY. 23 Obituary. THE REV. CHARLES RICH NELSON BURROWS. By the death of the Rev. Charles Rich Nelson Burrows on 28tli Octo¬ ber 1936, at the age of 85, Entomology — in particular Lepidopterology — — has lost an outstanding figure and our Society one of its few remain¬ ing links with the period of Tutt and Chapman. From his early childhood Burrows was devoted to the pursuit of Entomology, but his youth was clouded by ill health. A few years in Natal, however, from about the time of his coming-of-age until 1875, seem to have worked wonders for him physically and also brought his name into some prominence as a collector of Lepidoptera ; the collec¬ tion which he made was presented to the British Museum, and an ac¬ count of the species, and even genera, “ new to science ” which we owe to his diligence may be seen in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History , series 4, vol. 16, December 1875. Changing his life work from chemistry to the service of the Church, he was ordained in 1878, and after some experience of a London curacy at Haggerston, he received the living of Rainham, and, later (from 1898 up to the time of his retirement at the age of 83) that of Mucking, near Stanford-le-Hope. Burrows joined the City of London Entomological and Natural His¬ tory Society early in 1894. Like so many entomologists of the period, he'received great encouragement from the late J. W. Tutt, and was soon busy in working out life-histories, some of which — for instance, those of the beautiful Emerald Moths (Hemitheinae) — were published in The Entomologists’ Eecord. Later he became a world-renowned specialist on the Psychidae, on which group he continued to publish articles in the same journal up to the year 1933. From that date until the time of his death he was hopelessly crippled with arthritis, but he retained his mental vigour to the last. Our Society honoured him — and itself — by electing him a Vice-President on the union of the two bodies out of which it grew, and when, about ten years ago, he found it necessary to sever his official connection, he was made an honorary member. Another important branch of his Entomological activities must not be left unmentioned, especially as it is the one for which the present writer owes him an incalculable debt of gratitude. A first-rate micro- scopist and clever draftsman, he threw himself con amore into the study of the genitalia of the Lepidoptera, collaborated with Mr F. N. Pierce in the preparation of that author’s monograph on “ The Geni¬ talia of the British Geometridae,” and for many years thereafter placed his services unstintingly at the disposal of fellow-workers who brought to him their problems and their needs in this branch of research. His extreme caution and refusal to theorise from the facts which he was able to demonstrate sometimes seemed almost like a rebuff to those who were keen to tabulate results ; but one can see that they were essentially 24 THE LONDON NATURALIST. of greater value than the too hasty generalisations which tempt other types of mind. Mr Burrows’ collections and manuscripts have been placed in good hands fiom the point of view of their prospective utilisation in the advancement of the science which he served so devotedly; for this he had always been most solicitous. And now it is for us who honour his memory to take up the torch. “ Quasi cursores vitai lampada tradunt.” L. B. P. WILLIAM CONNOR FORSTER. My acquaintance commenced in 1921 when W. C. F. joined the St Paul s Eeclesiological Society ; this fact led to my becoming a member of the London Natural History Society (Archaeological Section) in 1928. At that time about half a dozen members compiled the “ Records ” of that Section ; that number dwindled to two, and, finally, with the pass¬ ing away of Forster, to one; his last contribution was read in Chelsea Old Church on 4th April 1936. He possessed that great gift, humour, and he made great use of it ; his was a very reserved disposition — little of his past life or of his present actions was revealed, even in our day¬ long excursions; he was philosophically-minded and attended lectures on that subject. These facts may account for his habit of sitting alone in public gardens and parks ; but monotony was avoided by attendance at a bridge club. Anxiety as to his health and the result of visits to doctors reduced him to a nervous condition. He and I had frequently met in the Reading Room of the British Museum, but the easily acces¬ sible Kensington Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum now claimed him. The end of his mortal life was abrupt — did his spirit carry away his accumulated knowledge into another sphere? Who knows ? G. J. B. F. THE LAND UTILISATION SURVEY. 25 The Land Utilisation Survey of Great Britain.* By L. Dudley Stamp, B.A., D.Sc., F.R.G.S., Director of the Survey. rp HE British public enjoys a great advantage in the possession of a magnificent series of large scale official maps. Few countries can boast a complete series on so large a scale as 6 inches to one mile — issued for the whole of England, Wales and Scotland — still less of the 25-inch maps published for a large part. Similarly the well-known one-inch maps, in their successive editions, bear comparison with simi¬ lar maps of other countries. Yet in certain particulars the informa¬ tion given on our Ordnance Survey Maps is strictly limited. In par¬ ticular this is so concerning the use which is made of the land. On the six-inch and one-inch maps woodland or forest is indicated, and on the one-inch maps there is usually a faint indication — more clearly on the maps of Scotland — of the more extensive tracts of moorand. Yet the naturalist may well be disappointed that the indications of natural and semi-natural vegetation are so limited. Further, owing to the exigencies of national economy, the revision of the detailed sur¬ veys has been seriously delayed, and in many counties the six-inch maps are more than a quarter of a century old. There is no official map on any scale whatsoever in which a distinction is shown between farm land regularly ploughed and grass land, so that the one-inch map has no hint of the vast differences between the wide ploughed land of Nor¬ folk and the close, well-hedged grass land of the Midland shires. It was in part to remedy this state of affairs that the Land Utilisa¬ tion Survey of Britain undertook its task of a national stocktaking of land use. The Survey came into existence in October 1930 and had as its primary aim the recording of the existing use of every acre of land in England, Wales, and Scotland. The work was carried out on a county basis, entirely by volunteers under a volunteer organiser. The counties of England were surveyed mainly in 1931, 1932, and 1933; Scotland and Wales in 1932 and 1933. Nearly all counties were surveyed in a single year. The volunteers were drawn mainly from universities, colleges and schools, and the enthusiasm for the work was unbounded. In many counties the Direc¬ tor of Education was the organiser, and the work was blessed by suc¬ cessive Ministers of Education as well as by the other Government de¬ partments concerned. The work consisted of filling in the necessary details on the six-inch maps — of which 20,000 sheets are needed to cover the country. The work has been financed throughout by private donations and by grants from the Rockefeller Research Fund of the London School of Economics and from the Pilgrim Trust. The completion of the publication of the 26 THE LONDON NATURALIST. results depends entirely on the sales of maps and reports to the public and on donations. THE SCHEME OF LAND CLASSIFICATION. The land is divided into six main categories and a number of sub¬ divisions as follows : — (1) Forest and Woodland (Symbol F, colour dark green). Forest and woodland is marked on the six-inch maps but the Land Utilisation Surveyors had to check all areas for changes — destruction or new planting. The woodland was then recorded in four sub-categories. Fa. High forest, big trees sufficiently close for their crowns to touch. Each area was recorded as Fa. c (coniferous), Fa. d (deciduous), or Fa. m (mixed), and usually the chief species noted and new plantations recorded as such where the wood¬ land was for amenity purposes (e.g., around parks) and not intended for the supply of timber the symbol was underlined thus, Fa. c. Fb. Coppice, or coppice with standards, woodland that is cut over every few years for fencing posts, poles, etc. (Fb. c, Fb. d, Fb. m). Fc. Scrub or uneconomic woodland, small bushes or trees unfit for cutting except perhaps as local firewood. Fd. Forest, cut down and not replanted. The present use (usually H) was stated. (2) Meadowland and permanent grassland (symbol M, colour light green). Care was taken not to include rotation pasture. (3) Arable or crop land, including rotation grass and fallow (symbol A, colour brown). In many cases the crops growing were marked MG where they were really distinct from ordinary arable land. (4) Heathland, moorland, commons, rough pasture (symbol H, colour yellow). Swamps and marshland, often used as rough pasture, are included here, and it is obvious that most of this category is natural or semi-natural vegetation. (5) Gardens, etc. (symbol G, colour purple). Houses with gardens sufficiently large to grow vegetables, fruit and flowers were in¬ cluded here and marked G. Allotments, being regarded as gar¬ dens at a distance from the workers’ houses, were also coloured purple but usually called “ allotments.” Orchards were also coloured purple but marked 0, and nurseries N. (6) Land agriculturally unproductive (symbol W, colour red). This included buildings, yards, mines, cemeteries, waste land, and closely spaced housing — all ground of which the soil was not pro¬ ductively used. A special note stating the character of all exten¬ sive areas marked W was given. The above was the classification used on the 6-inch field maps, and is accordingly shown on the map and photostat file. For purposes of publication on the coloured one-inch maps, the classification was simplified as follows: — THE LAND UTILISATION SURVEY. 27 (1) Forest and Woodland — dark green. (a) Coniferous ) (b) Deciduous \ shown by the appropriate tree symbol in black. (c) Mixed ) (d) New plantations (since the date of the Ordnance Survey re¬ vision) shown in dark green without the tree symbol. Poor scrubland and cut-over areas are recorded as heathland or rough pasture. (2) Meadowland and permanent grass — light green. On some maps grassland in parks is separately shown, and by reference to con¬ tours it is possible to distinguish between riverside meadows and hill or downland pasture. (3) Arable land — brown. On those maps where there are important osier beds, which are ploughed periodically, they are shown by a brown ruling. (4) Heathland, moorland, rough pasture, etc. — yellow. (a) Heathland, moorland and commons — shown in yellow with the appropriate heath symbol faintly in black. (b) Marsh pastures — shown in yellow with the marsh symbol in black. (c) Reverted land, formerly improved, shown in plain yellow. (d) Cut-over woodland, shown in yellow with the tree symbol in black. (5) Gardens — purple. (a) Older housing areas (up to the date of the Ordnance Survey revision) have the black housing symbols. (b) New housing areas are shown in plain purple. (6) Orchards — purple ruling. (a) Older orchards with the black orchard symbol. (b) Newer orchards without the orchard symbol. (7) Nurseries — shown separately on some maps with a different purple ruling. (8) Land agriculturally unproductive — red. (a) Land covered with buildings — with buildings in black. (b) Land agriculturally unproductive by reason of use, e.g., ceme¬ teries, railway sidings, tip heaps, quarries, etc. — nature indi¬ cated by names. (c) Land derelict or new industrial areas — plain red. (d) Land completely waterlogged — red with marsh symbol (e.g., around Norfolk broads). THE RECORDS MADE BY THE SURVEY. The field work of the Land Utilisation Survey is recorded on about 20,000 sheets of the six-inch maps. On these every field or parcel of land is lettered in accordance with the scheme outlined above. A very large number of sheets are coloured in addition and include on the margins or elsewhere notes and comments. This collection of field maps forms the “ raw material ” of the Survey. Most of the maps have been scrutinised by the county organisers before being sent to headquarters and in some cases checked or revised, 28 THE LONDON NATURALIST. On receipt each field sheet is stamped and dated and then sent to the Photostat Department for a negative photostat to be made on a slightly reduced scale. Thus there is a duplicate record immediately available in case of loss. Some surveyors have asked for the original sheets to be returned to them and thus the photostat file becomes the Survey’s only record. One by one the counties are being dealt with. The field sheets are first scrutinised for obvious imperfections, then each sheet is matched with its four neighbours for a “ marginal check ” — actually a very severe test statistically since each field on the margins is cut in two and separately recorded by at least two surveyors. In most cases the sheets are taken out in the field and tested, further by traverses by motor car. Invaluable help in this work has been given by members of the staffs of our universities — especially of Departments of Geo¬ graphy — and by post-graduate students. Former students of my own, headed by the ever present enthusiastic leadership of the Organising Secretary, Mr E. C. Willatts, B.Sc.(Econ.), have been greatly to the fore in this work. The field sheets are then ready for reduction to the scale of one inch to one mile. This work is carried out by my head¬ quarters staff of twelve or fourteen, and sometimes at local centres (e.g., University College, Southampton; University College, Notting¬ ham; University of Birmingham; Birkbeck College, London; Queen Mary College, London; Armstrong College, Newcastle, etc.). Doubt¬ ful points arise, these are left and are made the object of special jour¬ neys over the area before the one-inch manuscript sheet is passed as complete and ready for publication. Each one-inch sheet — the outline edition of the “ Popular ” Series of Ordnance Maps — includes 90 to 100 field sheets, and the whole country is covered by 235 of these sheets. It takes an assistant about 6 or 8 weeks — or even 12 weeks — to com¬ plete one. Two-thirds of the country has now (January 1937) been completed in this way. The coloured one-inch maps are then ready for publication. The first maps were printed by the Ordnance Survey but the demands thus made on the senior draughtsmen at Southampton threatened to inter¬ fere with regular work and the maps are now printed by Messrs G. W. Bacon & Co., Ltd., and published by the Land Utilisation Survey under Special Licence from H.M. Stationery Office. The three base plates — outline, water, and contours are provided by the Ordnance Survey. Each coloured map costs £100 to £120 to produce and publication depends on donations for the purpose, on advance orders or guaran¬ tees, and on the likelihood of good public sales. Fifty sheets were on sale by the end of 1936, the first two maps having been issued in Janu¬ ary 1933, and both reprinted by 1936. Thus one main permanent record of the Survey will be the coloured one-inch maps. Much as these maps show, they can be made to reveal more by de¬ tailed study and analysis in relation to other facts available. This is the object of the General Report, being prepared in about 87 parts, THE LAND UTILISATION SURVEY. 29 one for each county. Those who have been entrusted with the prepara¬ tion of the County Reports all have an intimate personal knowledge, frequently by birth and residence, of the county concerned and have the adequate training evidenced by a sound University degree or other professional qualifications. The Reports follow a general model, in which the physical background is studied and the existing utilisation of the land analysed, but one in which ample latitude is allowed for special studies to be introduced. Amongst these special studies those of changes in land use, evidenced by comparison with old maps and records, is regarded as of first importance. It is hoped that in some of the Reports at least an ecological survey will be included. THE LAND UTILISATION SURVEY’S MAPS AND THEIR USE. Naturally the question is often asked, what is the use of the maps of the Land Utilisation Survey? In the first place the maps have all the detail of the Popular Edition of the one-inch Ordnance maps — the representation of railways, roads, tracks, footpaths, buildings, villages and towns, also the same detail of water and contours — and in addition show the mosaic of field pattern and land use much as it would appear if one were flying over the country in an aeroplane, except that the mosaic is in colour. Thus the maps may be commended for use for all purposes for which one-inch Ordnance maps at present serve. It seems hardly necessary to stress the special importance of these maps to the field naturalist. The stretches of natural or semi-natural vegetation stand out in their distinctive yellow colour and more especi¬ ally in closely settled areas the value of these patches is emphasised. For some purposes, it is urged that the maps will rapidly become out of date. Whilst the rate of change is not as rapid as seems to be popu¬ larly believed, the maps will assume a special interest for the plant and animal ecologist in enabling him to trace changes. Whilst it is often asserted that vast stretches of the breckland of Norfolk and Suf¬ folk have been untouched by man, old maps fortunately existing show that nearly all has at some time been under the plough. In the same way it is hoped that the Land Utilisation maps will form a milestone in the study of changes. For other purposes, they form a base map. One might hope that a plant ecologist would visit every yellow patch and so change a land use map to a vegetation cover map. The naturalist should also be interested in the true planning of land — the utilisation of the surface of Britain for all its inhabitants ; the demarcation (based on adequate knowledge) of nature reserves and study areas. A study of the existing position, as shown on the maps, is a prelude to all such work. In general, the aim of the Land Utilisation Survey is to arouse the interest of the people of Britain in their one great heritage, the land, that they may use and enjoy it with intelligence and pleasure. ‘Summary of a paper read before the London Natural History Society, Tues¬ day, November 3rd, 1936. 30 THE LONDON NATUKALIST. London Trades and Industries. By W. C. Cocksedge. J^IBRARIES of books have been written upon the above subject and it is obvious, that within the compass of a short article, one can only indicate lines of investigation which may commend themselves, to those who are interested in such studies. Fortunately, there is a growing realisation that archaeology is not a mere museum pursuit but must be supplemented by a wide and extensive acquaintance with other branches of knowledge. The student must strive to project him¬ self into the conditions of life in former ages and in different environ¬ ments and in this endeavour, economic history is naturally of prime importance. In considering the arts and crafts of London in former times, one must bear in mind some fundamental differences which divide the Mid¬ dle Ages from the present day. In that period, wealth, population and commerce were concentrated in London almost to the exclu¬ sion of the rest of the kingdom. In days when the mean® of com¬ munication were incredibly bad, necessities were usually produced on the spot and London was, perforce, the chief seat of industry in the British Isles, in spite of the fact that it was not in some respects, well situated for the purpose. Raw materials which had to come from a distance were usually transported by sea and this gave London an advantage, being far and away the most important port. Its proximity to the Continent was also serviceable for the importation of such foods, luxuries and manufactures as were not produced at home. One must bear in mind that roads, as we know them, were practically non-existent, even the Roman roads had gradually decayed and were seldom repaired and other highroads were unmetalled tracks which pur¬ sued an uncertain course over the unenclosed countryside, becoming difficult to follow where the trains of packhorses or troops of armed men had broken from the direct path in their endeavour to find a cleaner way. Under these conditions, transport by land was a matter of great difficulty. Repair of roads and building of bridges was usually left to individual enterprise and mediaeval wills often contained bequests for this purpose. Nevertheless, a good deal of internal traffic existed, mainly in connection with the primary English trade, that of wool and its manufactures. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of this trade in mediaeval days, English wool being in continuous demand on the Continent. It was the subject of a long series of sumptuary and other laws, designed to encourage the fabrication of cloth in this country. Most of these, of course, failed in their purpose and the export of wool went on, the woven materials coming in from the Con¬ tinent. As early as the twelfth century, Flemish weavers were brought to Pembrokeshire in order to promote the textile industry, and Henry II instituted the Cloth Fair in the churchyard of the Priory of S. Bar- LONDON TRADES. 31 tholomew and granted to the citizens of London, the exclusive privilege of exporting cloth. This manufacture was chiefly concentrated in the small towns of East Anglia and the West of England, in the vicinity of the great sheepwalks. From here, it was conveyed either by sea or by trains of packhorses to London. To this industry, we owe such surnames as Walker, Fuller, Dyer, Webster and Webb, attesting by their very com¬ monness, the numbers engaged in it. Tncidentallv, the study of sur- names throws much light on the occupations of our ancestors. Generally speaking, however, the concentration of manufacture at the site where the raw materials were found was largely a growth of the industrial revolution of the eighteenth century and in the Middle Ages it was not very apparent. In most cases, the crafts and indus¬ tries were carried on in London even when the raw material could only be produced at a distance. A glance at the list of the Livery Com¬ panies of London, nearly eighty in number, will indicate some of the trades which flourished in the City and will also throw some light upon another feature of .mediaeval craftsmanship, the jealous demarcation between different trades. Thus, we see that even the Bowyers and Fletchers had separate guilds. There were, of course, a few other centres of industry and one calls to mind the importance of Norwich, York and Coventry. Alabaster carving, an important industry at that time, having a considerable export, was concentrated at Nottingham, although there was probably a School in London. The artistic crafts, so far as they were not monas¬ tic, were particularly established in London and, to some extent, the tradition has not been broken. Even to-day, in certain trades, the description “ London made ” indicates an article of which quality rather than price is the desideratum. This leads one to speak of the concentration of particular trades in certain districts and even streets of a mediaeval city and their long continued association therewith, even in some cases, to the present day. The reason for this, in so far as it is not a long story, is often self- evident and space will not admit of amplification. It is, however, a piquant study for the enquiring antiquary and although perhaps, the cult of “ has beens ” and “ survivals ” is worn a bit threadbare, it has much archaeological value. We are all familiar with Bread Street and Milk Street in the City of London and many other instances of this kind could easily be quoted. Another consideration to be kept in mind is that, in spite of the foregoing remarks, there was little bulk concentration of industry in the absence of large scale organisation and the lack of power driven machinery. Everything except milling was perforce done by hand ; windmills, even, were not of early introduction, reliance being placed on watermills for grinding corn. About the time of Queen Elizabeth, water and windmills were first utilised for operating diverse sorts of machinery and the valley of the Wandle in particular became the seat of various manufactures. In the Middle Ages, however, the home was the workshop and the operative erected his loom in his garret or worked 32 THE LONDON NATURALIST. his forge in a cellar or outhouse. It was indeed in the art of metal working that the London crafts¬ man was supreme. Bell-founding, armouring, smithing, gold and sil¬ ver working, the making of jewellery, were carried to perfection. Tin and copper were brought from Cornwall, lead from Derbyshire and the Mendips, iron from the Forest of Dean and the Sussex Weald. Nevertheless, a good deal of semi-raw material was imported. Thus, the monumental brasses, which abound in our old churches, were en¬ graved on brass plates shipped from Cologne and other Continental cities and it must be admitted that the Continent was then in advance of Britain in metallurgical processes. Much of the trade of London was naturally concerned with the pro¬ vision of food for its dense population. It is not usually realised what a haphazard business this must have been. Plenty and dearth were accepted as the normal state of affairs and wars and bad seasons brought the poorer people almost to famine. Sugar for sweetening and preserving was unknown and the cuisine was, therefore, of a sour and highly seasoned character. There was no means of keeping perishable food good except by salting and pickling and much of the food con¬ sumed in off seasons must have been of a very unattractive and un¬ palatable nature. The Day-books of the Corporation of London abound in regulations for safeguarding the food supplies of the City and re¬ cord the drastic and often appropriate punishments meted out to of¬ fenders. Among the many troubles of mediaeval life was the absence of any effectual system of banking, and wealth was chiefly represented by actual coin or gold and silver plate which placed the owner in con¬ stant fear of robbers. However, the common people probably never handled more than a few groats. Wheat was grown around London although the local supply could hardly have satisfied the needs of the inhabitants. The western parts of Middlesex were specially noted for grain in the days of Queen Eliza¬ beth, and Norden records that her table was furnished with “ man- chet ” made from wheat grown about Heston. Dairy farming was car¬ ried on in the moist meadows of Westminster and Paddington, but there were some farms close to the walls. One of these farms had be¬ longed to the nunnery of S. Clare in the Minories, and Stow records that he had in his youth fetched many a halfpenny worth of milk and never had less than three ale pints for a halfpenny in the summer nor less than one ale quart for a halfpenny in winter, always hot from the kine, as the same was milked and strained. This farm was owned or leased by one Goodman, who gave his name to the compact district lying between Whitechapel and the River, long known as Goodman’s Fields. Cattle and sheep were driven in from long distances and housed in laystalls before slaughter. These were principally situated round Smithfield or the Smooth Field where in earlier times the nobles held their tournaments. There were also laystalls in Aldgate, where an in¬ teresting survival may be seen in the row of old butchers’ shops on the south side of that street. Close by, in the centre of the street, a hay LONDON TEADES. 33 market was held until a few years ago when the lessening demand for fodder and the obstruction which it caused put an end to this relic of the past. Fish was caught in the Thames or brought by water to Billingsgate, and although it is now nearly all rail-borne and the market is incon¬ veniently situated for this traffic, all suggestions as to its removal have been turned down. In mediaeval days, much fish was, of course, salted or cured, and the stock fishmonger plied his trade separately from the wet fishmonger. The impossibility of keeping flesh or fish without curing caused a great demand for salt, oil, vinegar and other condi¬ ments. For centuries, foreign trade was practically a monopoly of the Hanseatic League, which had its depot in the Steelyard. Eliza¬ beth, however, rather autocratically destroyed its supremacy and the growing demand for pepper and spices had much to do with the pira¬ tical exploits of her seamen and the foundation of our Eastern trade. About the same time, the Muscovy Company was formed for the impor¬ tation of the products of Eastern Europe — what are termed Norway goods by Pepys. For the most part, these comprised commodities neces¬ sary for the shipbuilding industry including large quantities of flax for weaving canvas. In early days, there was a large area of gardens within the walls and a certain amount of fruit and greenstuff was doubtless grown but as conditions became more secure, the market garden industry flour¬ ished in the nearby country. There were large gardens particularly in Chelsea and Fulham, of which the Chelsea Physic Garden is an in¬ teresting survival. Tradescant in the seventeenth century had a herb garden in Lambeth. Beer was naturally the commonest beverage, and malting and brew¬ ing were in early days widely diffused trades. There were three hun¬ dred brewers in the City and its liberties in 1419. After the Middle Ages, big breweries such as Thrale’s in Southwark were established and London, in spite of the competition of provincial towns, still possesses breweries of first class importance. Breweries require hops and these, being brought to London by the Old Kent Road, the trade settled down in the Borough where it still remains. A surprising amount of wine was drunk in the Middle Ages, being brought chiefly from France, So important was this trade that a particular district in Thames St. was styled the Vintry. In earlier times most of the buildings in London were built of wood and principally of oak, which was obtained from the great forests of the home counties. Fir timber did not exist near London of course, and it was not until the time of the Stuarts that it was imported from the Baltic and New England. What stone was used probably came from Caen, as water was the only means of transport for such a heavy material. The mediaeval walls of London were of brickwork raised upon the Roman foundations, although this material was not much used in building until later days. During the last two or three cen¬ turies brickmaking was carried out round London to such an extent that large areas, both east and west, have been entirely denuded of 34 THE LONDON NATURALIST. their capping of brick earth. Small brickyards were very plentiful in the suburbs within living memory and some are probably still in oper¬ ation. 4 uel, such a vital necessity for the dense community, was obtained liom the surrounding woods and forests, and the insistent demand for charcoal hastened their disappearance. In Elizabethan days the char¬ coal burners of Croydon who got their raw material from the great North T\ ood were a race apart, and contemporary literature abounds in allusions to their griminess and uncouth manners. Coal was brought bj sea from Newcastle, and was not loved by our ancestors who ful¬ minated against “ sea-coal ” or <£ pit-coal ” in vain. I he abundance of oak timber round London, as well as the needs of commerce and defence, created a very extensive shipbuilding industry which was chiefly carried on in Rotherhithe and Deptford. Readers of Pepys’ Diary will remember his constant jaunts to the shipyards where he often in his customary way combined business with pleasure. Even when iron ships were first built the industry clung to the Thames, the “ Great Eastern having been built at Millwall. In fact, this trade, after great vicissitudes, has only disappeared within recent years. In latei days, the large scale industries of London were tanning, cabinetmaking and silk weaving. The business of tanning was concen¬ trated in Bermondsey where tidal ditches, connecting with the Thames, supplied the water and washed away the foul offal. Although there is probably little tanning done in Bermondsey nowadays, the leather busi¬ ness still flourishes, but the associated trade of bootmaking, once cen¬ tred near the Elephant and Castle, has migrated to Northampton. The cabinetmaking trade is still a very important and peculiarly London business. Although the bigger factories have shown a tendency to move outwards, there are still a great number of workshops in Shoreditch and Finsbury and many homeworkers, chiefly Jewish, are engaged in turning, wood carving, and similar crafts. Perhaps the greatest skilled industry of London, however, was that of silk weaving. Introduced three centuries ago by French Protestant refugees, it gave employment to a vast number of people in Spital- fields and Bethnal Green where, from dawn to dusk, the rattle of the handlooms in the garrets filled the air. At one time in the eighteenth century, there are said to have been 17,000 handlooms in the East End of London, and 50,000 persons dependant on the industry. During the nineteenth century, owing to the importation of machine-made silks from France and the unorganized state of the craft, the trade steadily declined, causing a vast amount of destitution and wretchedness. At length, b} the time of the Great TV ar, the industry had virtually dis¬ appeared, although it is not yet absolutely extinct as there are said to be six hand loom weavers still working in Bethnal Green. In recent years a great change has been taking place in the indus¬ tries of this country. Owing to various causes, of which the introduc¬ tion of electric power is not the least, they are once again less confined to the localities where their raw materials are derived. Many indus- tiies also are entirely novel and London has attracted a fair share of ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSPECTIONS . 35 them. It may be that in days to come, archaeologists will take as much pleasure in tracing their inception and growth as they do to-day in studying the records of former trades and crafts. Archaeological Inspections in 1936. By G. J. B. Fox. CHELSEA PARISH CHURCH (ALL SAINTS), visited 4th April 1936. “^HELSEA” appears in a variety of forms, the earliest appear to be “ Cealchytlie ” and “ Celchyth,” the meaning being a “ hithe ” where chalk or lime wras landed; the manor of “ Cealchylle ” men¬ tioned in a charter of Edward the Confessor is probably not Chelsea in Middlesex. The locality was apparently of importance in Saxon times as Councils were held, and documents dated, here between 785 and 899. A church probably existed, but may have been destroyed by Danes from Fulham in 879. Westminster Abbey claimed the Manor under a charter from Edward the Confessor, and in 1157 Pope Adrian IV (Nicholas Breakspear) con¬ firmed that grant ; in 1230 a dispute arose between the Rector and the Abbot concerning the tithe of salmon from the Thames ; in 1290 Pope Nicholas IV granted relaxation to penitents in the Church on All Saints Day; in 1300 the Rector, Reginald de St Albans, held the bene¬ fice conjointly with two other benefices and a canonry in Southwark; in 1379 a licence was issued to permit ordinations to be held in the church. The original dedication was all Hallows as shown in Margery Lynde’s will of 1484, and in a certificate by the Bishop of London in 1531 ; probably the change to St Luke was made by Dr Adam Littleton (rector, 1669-1694) as a compliment to Dr Baldwin Harney, a generous benefactor to the church in 1670 ; the patronal festival was held on All Hallows Day. The plan of the church showed a chancel (c. 1290) with N. and S. chapels (NIVc), and nave; in 1667/74 the latter and the three E. arches were rebuilt and a W. tower; alterations and restorations were made at various times; also in 1919/24 and 1929/31. The church “ contains many remarkable and various memorials of its parishioners.” The Chancel: — The E. end was encased in brick in 1667/74; a gal¬ lery running N. and S. was put up in 1698, and removed 1832; in 1816 the stone tracery in the E. window was replaced by wooden mullions; these gave way to stone in 1857 ; the roof has been lowered, cutting off the head of the E. window — probably originally a triplet of lancets; a XIIIc. double piscina in the S. wall, found in 1857, had been halved when a doorway was inserted, perhaps in late XVIIc., one basin, drain, and groove remain; a XIVc. aumbry, containing one or two stones from a lancet in the N. end of the E. wall, was also exposed; the plaster ceiling was removed 1908 / 10 ; there are no remains of screen or rood ; 36 THE LONDON NATURALIST. an entry of 1644 in MSS. in the Chelsea Public Librarj7 runs, “ for taking down the cross, 3s ” — this may refer to the rood; the rood-light is mentioned in the Lynde will of 1484 ; the altar table is XVIIc., oak, surrounded on three sides by wrnoden railing (minute of 1629 refers to “ railing about the Communion table ”); the reredos dates from 1857, when a B.L. inscription, temp. Chas. I, Jesus Christ, to-day, yesterday, and the same forever,” was found. Monuments : — Edmund lord Bray (1539) and son, John lord Bray (1557); table tomb with indents of figures, two shields; modern inscrip¬ tion, in modern recess (1857) ; originally in centre of chancel but re¬ moved 1819. In floor opposite is indent of brass of perhalps a XVc. rector. Thomas Hungerford (1581) and wife, Ursula (Sandes), in two bays ; figures of man, wife, two sons, one daughter, three shields, by Gerard Johnson. Tablet to Adam Littleton, rector 1669-1694, chap¬ lain to Chas II, headmaster of Westminster School. Sir Thomas More — the original monument was erected in 1532 in memory of his first wife ; perhaps his body was buried in this church after his execution in 1535, but his head is in the Roper vault at St Dunstan’s, Canter¬ bury; the monument was restored in 1644 and reconstructed in 1833; the Latin inscription, composed by More, was replaced by a copy in 1833; a blank occurs after “ homicidis;” in the draft he sent to Eras¬ mus it was filled by “ herecticisque,” but the latter objected to the word; there are three shields of arms (More, three moorcocks). Richard Jervoise (1563), below arch to the N. chapel, in form of a triumphal arch, unique in England, reset in XVIIIc. ; a shield of arms, crests and a panel with inscription ; the original design may have included a table-tomb and figure; part of the base was found in 1909 in step of doorway to vestry. Baldwin Harney, M.D., D.D. (1676), with shield. Lucy Smith and Ann Wilton (1781), a tablet by their father, J. Wil¬ ton, who designed the Sloane monument in the churchyard. In floor between chancel and N. chapel is indent of brass, perhaps of John de Shordych and wife (1407), or of Sir Henry Waver and wife, Christine (1470). N. Chapel (Lawrence Chapel, Lady Chapel): — This chapel was at¬ tached to the Manor House in Lawrence Street ; it was purchased by the Rev. R. H. Davies in 1894 for £250, and presented to the Church Trustees. The S. arch fell, as stated on the N. pier, “ This Pier was Rebuilt in the Year 1784;” the E. half was rebuilt, and the remainder supported by the Jervoise monument which had stood free; a squint opened up in 1857 points towards the High Altar; the E. window is modern, and alongside it, on the N. side, is a niche, probably for a statue of the Virgin (a light before “ Our Lady the Pvte ” is men¬ tioned in the Lynde will); in the N. wall were three windows, now blocked or converted into doorways. Monuments: — Thomas Lawrence (1593) by Gerard Johnson, figures of man and wife, children, and two babes, on a cushion; Sir John Lawrence (1638), second son and heir of above; a tablet and shields; Sara Colvile (1631), daughter of Thomas Lawrence, wife of Richard Colvile ; the figure with uplifted hands rises from a cracked coffin; inscription and three shields, by J. & M. Christ- ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSPECTIONS. 37 mas (similar monuments are at Tver, Steane and St Giles, Cripplegat-e). S. Chapel (the “ Lady More Chapel” in 1549); altered by Sir Thomas More, the date 1528 appears on the E. capital of the N. arch; it was attached to his house, had various owners, and ultimately was purchased by the Rev. Davies and presented to the Church Trustees in 1874; the N. arch has stone capitals designed by Holbein (P.S.A. 2nd Series, Vol. xvii), showing the More arms, sword and sceptre, taper, etc., and a missal; roof of two bays with XIVc. tiebeam ; a second beam is against the E. wall; the E. and S. windows have early XVIc. splays and rerearches, fitted with late XVIIc. roundheaded windows; XIVc. glass, from the N.E. window of N. chapel is refixed in the S.E. window; the W. arch is similar to the W. arch of the N. Chapel; the funeral helm on the E. wall is c. 1530 and bears the Dacre crest. Monuments: — Sir Robert Stanley (1632), son-in-law of Sir Arthur Gorges; by Edward Marshall; a. sarcophagus with three pedestals sup¬ porting an urn and two figures of Justice and Fortitude, busts of a man and two children. Jane (Guyldeford), wife of John Dudley, duke of Northumberland (1555); badly mutilated, it was similar to Chau¬ cer’s monument in Westminster Abbey (1556), and was set in a recess with space for a chantry priest (a similar monument is also at Gilston in Herts) ; three brasses and two fillets ; one of her sons married Lady Jane Grey. Brasses to Sir Arthur Gorges (1625), Arthur Gorges (1668), and his wife, Mary (Bunning), and marble slabs from two monuments once at E. end of the S. aisle, but demolished in 1815 to provide space for pews; these brasses were found in 1832, and fixed on the S. side of the N. wall. (Sir Arthur was cousin of Sir W. Raleigh, and a friend of Spenser, his grandson Arthur owned the More property, including the Chapel) ; the arms of Gorges impale those of Clinton. The Nave: — Perhaps part of old W. wall remains in the E. wall of the tower; width greater than length; W. gallery rebuilt 1857-58, as shown by an inscription; it had been “ beautified ” in 1677, when per¬ haps the N. and S. lobbies were added; the oak pulpit, XVIIc., was a three-decker with canopy, dismantled and moved in 1832, new stem and stairs added in 1908/9; the figure of St Luke, formerly on the canopy and carved by Fletcher, servant to Dr Harney, is now on a bracket on the S. pier of the chancel arch; over the latter are the Royal Arms on canvas, 1800; Regimental Colours presented to Chelsea Volun¬ teers in 1800 and 1804, placed here in 1814. There are also nine hatch¬ ments to Cadogan, Cremorne, etc., families. N. side: — Monuments to Charles Cheyne, viscount Newhaven (1698), and his first wife, Jane (Cavendish), 1669, and daughter, Katharine ; by Paolo Bernini in Rome (1672); the lady, looking W., reclines on a sarcophagus; the iron rail¬ ings are probably local work. (Lady Jane Cheyne was donor of lead and wood for the roof, Cheyne walk was named from her husband, and Cheyne Row in 1708 from their son, William; the bodies lie probably in a vault beneath the altar in the Lady Chapel.) Richard Guildford (1680), and two wives, erected 1709, a benefactor of the poor. The pew E. of the Cheyne monument has a XVIIc. panel, perhaps from the clerk’s desk in the three-decker pulpit. The font of white marble was 38 THE LONDON NATURALIST. presented in 1673 by Ed. Bringhurst, and its oak cover was rescued from the tower in 1908. S. side, below the westernmost window, are five chained books, given by Sir Hans Sloane (d. 1753), i.e., the Vinegar Bible (1717), 1st and 3rd vols. of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (1684), and a Prayer Book (1683); the chains are XIXc., and the case is 1857-58; in floor near the above is slab to Francis Thomas (1770), director of the Chelsea China works in Lawrence Street ; in blocked doorway is diminu¬ tive brass to Sir Humfray Peshall, Bt. (1650), probably a forgery con¬ nected with an attempt to revive the baronetcy in 1771 ; E. of this door¬ way is a recess probably for a fireplace. Monument to Gregory Fiennes, lord Dacre of the South (1594), and his wife, Anne (Sackville), 1595, by Nicholas Johnson; probably it was removed from the W. end of the S. chapel, as the E. section of the railing is modern; an infant daughter lies on the base; repaired in 1926. Lady Dacre is commemorated by the Emanuel Hospital (demolished in 1892) and School in Westminster. The Tower: — 1774; in five stages, marked by string-courses; stair tur¬ ret at N.W. angle ; a cupola, removed in 1815, held the Ashburnham bell, now in the basement, presented by the Hon. William Ashburnham in gratitude for escape from drowning in 1679 ; the brick arch to the nave may conceal an earlier arch. HENDON PARISH CHURCH (ST MARY) visited 12th September 1936. “ Heandunae ” appears in Eadred’s Charter of 947; the meaning of this place name is given as “ high hill or down,” not 11 poor hill.” Grants were made by Offa to Westminster Abbey by Dunstan in 959 and 970, and confirmed by Edward the Confessor in 1047 and 1066 (the authenticity of these charters, however, has been questioned). In Domesday Book (1086) the entry is: — “ Manerium. Handone, tenet abbas Sancti Petri . . . Ibi presbyter habet i uirgatam ...” but there is no mention of a church. In 1157 possession of the church of “ Hendune ” was confirmed to the Abbey. After the dissolution of Westminster Abbey the manor and the advowson were granted in 1542 towards the endowment of the bishop¬ ric of Westminster ; it -was surrendered to the Crown in 1550 ; re¬ granted by Edward VI to Sir William Herbert (an inventory of the contents of the manor house is printed in Mid. and Herts. N. and Q., i, p. 116) ... in 1756 David Garrick purchased the manor and advow¬ son, and presented his nephew, Carrington Garrick, to the living in 1776. On the map in Sir Montagu Sharpe’s Middlesex in British, Roman and Saxon Times (1932) Hendon is marked by a +, signifying that the parish as mother church is situated upon the line of the Roman Survey, and probably occupies the site of a compitum or village chapel ; this may have survived as a Christian Church in compliance with Pope Gregory’s order. A Saxon Church of wood may have followed, replaced later by a Norman building influenced by Westminster Abbey (its foundations below the old chancel were found in 1930); in ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSPECTIONS . 39 early XIIIc. another chancel was built and a nave; later a N. chapel. N. and S. aisles, and a W. tower were added. The old chancel retains remains of XIIIc. work; in each E. angle are a shaft and a capital of a blind arcade (as exists at Coulsdon Church); in the E. wall are jambs of lancet windows and traces of colour; on the S. side is the jamb of a XYc. window and remains of a piscina; a three-liglit window was inserted in the E. wall in accord¬ ance with the terms of John Ware’s will of 1409; a reredos of 1410 was destroyed at the Reformation; the recess was later 4 ‘ sentenced ” with a b.l. quotation from the Prayer Book, temp. Elizabeth or James I. In 1827 a S. aisle was added and galleries erected in it, in the N. chapel, and in the chancel itself, to provide increased accom¬ modation ; in that year the chancel arch was removed ; in 1904 the roof was coloured; further alterations followed in 1930. The old nave has three bays ; the arcades have octagonal pillars and pointed arches of two orders, the N. arcade being probably the older ; the clerestory windows on the S. side look into the later nave; the upper rood-loft doorway remains; the roof is low-pitched with tiebeams, plaster has been removed from it, and the colouring is XIXc. The N. chapel was perhaps enlarged in XYIc. ; its E. wall is coter¬ minous with that of the chancel ; the width is greater than that of the N. aisle of the nave. The N. aisle has a long unpierced portion of the N. wall, W. of the doorway; the later window towards the E. cuts into the Royal Arms of James I; at the W. end was the Whichcote Mortuary Chapel, but in 1774 converted into a vestrv, as indicated on a tablet affixed to the N.W. respond; it was separated by an iron railing; the plaster was removed from the roof in 1915. In 1915 restoration and enlargement of the church took place under the direction of Mr Temple Moore; the old S. aisle was removed and replaced by a new choir and nave with a S. aisle, porch and vestries; the XIVc. S. doorway was rebuilt in the new S. wall; an internal but- tress marks the line of the old S. wall; the old W. wall retains part of a window; in the E. wall of the S. porch is rebuilt part of the E. window of the old S. aisle. The XIIc. font is the finest in the county ; its sides show arcades with petalled flowers, etc., the square bowl is supported on a central pillar and four angle shafts (two of which are 1930 date) ; in 1815 it was painted to imitate the colour of the pews ; the cover is of oak, apparently Jacobean. No old glass remains; the E. window of the new chancel is a war memorial; the glass in the E. window of the old chancel was inserted in 1895 and 1930. The tower (XVc.) is situated at the W. end of the old nave; of three storeys with stair turret ; the E. arch has continuous mouldings without capitals ; the W. window is partly blocked ; the copper vane shows the Lamb and Flag, but has no connection with the Templars; it dates from 1784 and cost twelve guineas ; there are six bells ; the battlements are XIXc. 40 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Brasses : — Indent in slab in old chancel of a brass with figures of man and wife, inscription, and the Virgin and Child (XVc.) ; on N. wall of N. chapel, a brass to John Downner, wife and son (1530); on N. side of old chancel arch brass to Richard Marsh (1615), wife and two children ; on S. side of old chancel arch brass to Robert Nuttinge (1618) ; on wall of N. aisle in marble frame brass to William Nicoll (1644), citizen and grocer, with arms. Other brasses have disappeared. A recent one is to Sir Simon Raffles, founder of Singapore, on S. side of aisle of the old chancel (1826). Monuments (numerous) ; the most important and finest in the county is to Sir Jeremy Whichcote (1677), of Flemish marble nearly 8 feet long, carved with inscription, arms, etc. ; this was found face- downwards in 1830 ; probably it had been removed from the mortuary chapel at the W. end of the N. aisle. He was governor of the Fleet prison during the Commonwealth. On the N. wall of the N. chapel, a monument to Sir William Rawlinson, one of the three keepers of the Great Seal (1705) ; the box of the Seal is shown. Reference should be made to an illustrated guide (on sale in the church) by Mr F. C. Eeles, containing, inter adia , a copy of the In¬ ventory of the Church Ornaments in 1552. The U se of Photographs as an Addition to Herbarium Sheets. By J. Edward Lousley. fpHE old-fashioned “ Hortus Siccus,” consisting solely of dried material, possesses many drawbacks as a record of the living plant. It is true that the experienced botanist is able to reconstruct a surprisingly accurate picture of the plant as it grew from good Herbarium material, but in most cases the details of which that pic¬ ture is composed can only be ascertained after the most careful ex¬ amination and as a result of long experience. It has, therefore, be¬ come customary for most botanists to make additions to their herbarium sheets, such as: — (a) Flowers and other parts pressed out separately from various angles and mounted apart from the main specimen, e.g., the “ lips ” of Orchids; (b) Packets of fruits and seeds, often “ air-dried ” to avoid distortion from pressure, to facilitate examination without destruction of the mounted specimen ; (c) Sketches, best done in Indian ink, and illustrations such as those sold as post-cards at the Natural History Museum, or plates from odd or cheap volumes of botanical works ; (d) Descriptions or notes cut out from Botanical Exchange Club Reports or elsewhere ; (e) References to published work dealing with material from the same or other locali¬ ties. The ecology of the plant has largely been neglected by the com¬ pilers of Herbaria, though German collectors have for many years been accustomed to adding long lists of the species with which it was asso- AN ADDITION TO HERBARIUM SHEETS. 41 ciated to their labels. A modern herbarium in the hands of a pri¬ vate individual should thus serve as a “ filing system ” of all the in¬ formation which he is likely to require about his plants, and should faithfully reflect his knowledge and interests. If the record of the plants is to be made as complete as possible the use of photography is indispensable. The writer endeavours to obtain at least three photographs of everjT species — one to show the general habitat ( where the plant grows), another to show the plants with which it is associated (special ecology and habit), and one “ close up ” to show the shape of the flowers and other details which are distorted by pressing. Some¬ times it is necessary to take several “ detail ” photographs of various parts of the plant, and, if necessary, these may be taken up to twice the natural size, and enlargements made from the negatives to an even greater magnification. The advantages of the addition of photographs to Herbarium sheets may be summarised as follows : — (1) Reduction in possible damage to native flora. — While it is not conceded that the collection of specimens by scientific botanists has been a factor of any great importance in the diminution of rare species, yet it is generally agreed that certain plant collectors in the past have gathered more examples of rarities than is advisable. In many cases this has been prompted by the collectors’ passion to “ make up a sheet ” — the incentive for which is entirely removed when it is pos¬ sible to fill up the blank spaces with photographs. (2) The shape and arrangement of floicers ( and other parts ) and the markings on them can be clearly demonstrated. — These characters are usually difficult, sometimes impossible, to make out from dried material as they are destroyed or distorted by pressure. Photo- graps of the flowers of such genera as Orchis, Calamintha, and TJtri- cularia often show differences at a glance which could only otherwise be ascertained by the most careful examination of dried specimens. Especially is this the case in the Dactylorcliids, where the markings on the lip become obscured by colour changes in drying. (3) The Habit of the plant can be shown. — In the case of many genera of large-sized plants, such as TJlmus , Populus , Rubus , etc., the whole plant cannot possibly be preserved for the herbarium, and photographs often supply valuable characters. The Elms are excel¬ lent examples of this, as typical examples of most of the British segre¬ gates can be distinguished readily by the outline of the tree, the angle at which the branches leave the stem, and the trunk and suckers. In such trees as TJlmus stricta , x TJ . Hollandica, and x TJ . vegeta these characters are of quite as much, if not greater, importance than those exhibited by the usual herbarium material. (4) The Habitat of the plant can be exhibited. — Apart from the interest of having a photograph of the spot where the plant was collected, such illustrations have a verv real scientific value. From them the botanist can obtain an accurate idea of the influence of the habitat on the form of the species which grows there. Such general 42 THE LONDON NATURALIST. views are often useful for marking the exact locality of rare plants, the precise station being marked thereon with a cross. In this way a permanent record of the exact locality is obtained which is less sub¬ ject to error than a marked map in areas such as parts of Scotland where there are few cartographical landmarks. (5) Something of the Ecology of the plant can he shown. — From a “ close-up ” habitat photograph it can be seen with which other species the plant was associated, and thus the compilation of lists of these species is unnecessary. Furthermore, such features as the type of rock on which a plant is to be found, or the shelter it receives from other vegetation, are often clear. It will be noticed that plant- photographers are often also good ecologists owing to the fact that in taking their photographs, and in the subsequent periodical re¬ examination of them, they have the intimate details of the habitat firmly impressed in their memories. The writer makes a practice of always selecting his material for pressing from the actual plant photographed. In the case of critical species this is absolutely essential; in all cases it is desirable, as un¬ less one can be absolutely certain that the photograph shows the ap¬ pearance of a given individual when growing, it cannot be used in combination with dried material for descriptive purposes without ultimate confusion resulting. Herbarium sheets with photographs attached were exhibited at the Exhibition of this Society on February 2nd, 1937. These were selected with the special object of illustrating the above points from material collected during 1936. The writer has now about 500 of the rarer British species mounted in this way, and the series is constantly being added to. The apparatus required need not be expensive — excellent “ habitat ” photographs can be obtained even with a “ Box Brownie,” which will even take “ close-ups ” if a “ portrait attachment ” is acquired — though naturally a focussing camera is necessary for the best results. It is to be hoped that other members will add to the interest and value of their collections in this way. Note on the Flora of a Bracken Area on Ep som Common and Surrey. By R. W. Robbins. June 21st, 1936, some members of the newly-formed Ecological Section examined a selected area of about 100 by 200 yards on Epsom Common, covered with Bracken, and made lists of plants and animals found. Our members are nearly all novices in this branch of natural history, a fact which has encouraged me to hope that they may find some interest in the following simple study made on that occasion. THE FLORA OF A BRACKEN AREA. 43 Plants noted on and at side of a narrow path crossing the area from N. to S. from about 20 yards W. of the N.E. corner to the S.E. corner. Sections of 20 paces. 1st 20. 2nd. 3rd. 4th. 5th. 6th. Galium saxatile. Heath Bedstraw . + + + + (12 paces) Festuca pratensis. Grass . + + + + + + Deschampsia caespitosa. Grass . + - - - — — Holcus lanatus. Grass . + + + + - — Rumex acetosa. Sorrel . + + + + + + Potentilla erecta. Tormentil . . + + + + — + Anthoxanthum odoratum. Grass . + + — — * — — Flex europaeus. Gorse . + + — — — — Carduus ? palustris. Thistle . . + — — — — — Stellaria graminea. Stitchwort . + — — — + — Pteris aquilina. Bracken . + + + + + + Crataegus monogyna. Hawthorn . . + — — — + — Genista anglica. Petty Whin . + — — — — — Ranunculus repens. Buttercup . + — — — — — Car ex hirta. Sedge . . — + — — — — Lotus uliginosus. Bird’s-foot Trefoil . — + — — — — Luzula campestris. Meadow Woodrush . — + + + + — Teucrium Scorodonia. Wood Sage . — + + + + + Stellaria media. Chickweed . — — + — — — Agrostis canina. Grass . — — + + + — Poa pratensis. Grass . — — + — — — Achillea Millefolium. Yarrow . — — — + — + Holcus mollis. Grass . — — — + + + Lonicera Periclymenum. Honeysuckle ...... — — — — + — Rubus carpinifolius. Bramble . — — — — + — Stellaria holostea. Stitchwort . — — — — + + Viola Riviniana. Wood Violet . — — — — + + Serratula tinctoria. SavT Wort . . — — — — + + Epilobium ? sp. Willow-herb . — — — — + — Veronica officinalis. Speedwell . — — — — — + Hieracium pilosella. Hawkweed . — — — — — + Poa annua. Annual Meadow Grass . — — — — — + Pimpinella Saxifraga. Burnet Saxifrage ... - - - - - + Total species, 33 14 12 10 11 16 14 The plants are noted in the order in which they were observed. Section 1 was rather clam]-) clayey soil, with gorse and hawthorn. Section 2 less so. Sections 3 and 4 were drier, mainly bracken. In sec¬ tions 5 and 6 the woodland character is more pronounced. Section 6 in¬ cluded the grass verge of a well-used path. The woodland species Teucrium Scorodonia, Lonicera , and Viola Ttiviniana will be noticed. The replacement of Holcus lanatus by Holcus mollis is interesting. These closely allied grasses rarely occupy the same ground. The local plant Serratula tinctoria is sylvestral, preferring open woodlands. R. W. R, 44 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Bracken in Richmond Park. By C. L. COLLENETTE. JN many areas of the British Isles bracken is regarded as a pest, oust¬ ing the heather in some districts and swallowing up grazing land in others. In Richmond Park, to the naturalist and lover of scenery, its preservation is all-important. Accounts of the park written in the latter half of the last century frequently speak of the difficulty of forcing a way through the high bracken, and one plant was mentioned as being 8 ft. 7 in. in height. At the present time the most robust growth is but little more than waist high, and I have reason to think that it is still slowly deteriorat¬ ing. The bracken was noticeably poor in 1935, when the exceptionally late frost of 17th May blackened and withered all the first shoots. It is somewhat difficult to account for this general diminution of height. The great majority of the plants escape any trampling and breakage during their period of growth. The cutting of some areas by the park authorities for stable litter is probably harmless, as it is not done until September or October. However, much traffic takes place over the ground after the fronds have withered, and growth is notice¬ ably weakest where the traffic is greatest. An area traversed daily by a herd of deer during the winter, in going to a place where they are fed, shows unmistakable signs of their passage. In one of the plantations a heavy cart made some half-dozen journeys over bracken during the winter, and the wheel tracks were indicated by weakened growth for two seasons. Inside the plantations bracken is usually affected by shade from trees, but in one or two areas where this is not the case the growth is magnificent. It is therefore probably the hardening of the ground and the weakening of the roots and young shoots by pressure which causes the deterioration. Much of the bird-life of the park is dependent on a sturdy and exten¬ sive growth of bracken. With the exception of the two rushes, J uncus communis and J uncus glaucus, which flourish in the damper areas, bracken is the only plant affording ground cover which is not grazed by the deer. Apart from the shelter afforded them at all seasons, those birds that nest on the ground are almost completely dependent on the withered bracken of the previous year for nesting cover, and such species as Stonechat and Whinchat, Woodlark, Tree and Meadow Pipit, Yellow and Reed Bunting would almost completely disappear if deprived of its protection. These birds do not nest in the plantations, and even the Pheasant, which remains in thicker cover for most of the year, appears to favour the open bracken for nesting, possibly in an endeavour to escape from foxes. Deer do not graze on bracken. Probably very few people who use the park realize the influence of these animals on the general appearance of the unenclosed areas. They have been present for at least 300 years in the park, but have never existed on Ham or Petersham Commons, The BRACKEN IN RICHMOND PARK. 45 difference between the open areas of the park and the thick bushy growth of the commons is very striking, as the deer will permit no seedlings of bushes or trees to survive in the open park. As an experiment, 1 planted several shoots of sallow in a moist spot sheltered by bracken near the Pen Ponds; buds developed and leaves appeared, but in a few weeks all had been nibbled off by the deer. Bracken is dependent on a humus originating largely from its own decayed fronds. This humus is sometimes removed by the park autho¬ rities, down to the underlying clay or gravel, for use in other places. It is interesting to note the fate of the depleted areas. In one spot in the open, where the humus was removed to a depth of six to nine inches three years ago, the first colonizer was the alien, Galinsoga parvi- flora. This has now largely disappeared, and its place has been taken by a sparse growth of grass, clumps of Juncus glaucus and J. communis, and a few seedlings of Gorse. In another place, a rather drier depleted area has been colonized chiefly by thistles and nettles, with a few plants of Juncus glaucus. In both cases bracken has so far not re¬ appeared. In a third spot, where some humus was removed in May 1932, but the sub-soil was not reached, bracken has reasserted itself to almost as great a height as before. In the plantations, entirely different conditions prevail. Seedlings of birch find great difficulty in obtaining lodgment among thick bracken, but a very slight disturbance of the surface layer gives them their op¬ portunity. A certain beaten path through bracken made by badgers and rabbits, very rarely trodden by man, is bordered on each margin by young birches, which have failed in the harder ground at the centre of 'the track, but succeeded where it is slightly less trampled. Old established badger earths in the park always have their covering of Rhododendron. In places where new entrances have been made by the animals outside the bushes, seedlings of Rhododendron soon appear in the disturbed soil, indicating how the older earths have acquired their covering. In the early part of 1932, an area of old bracken in a plantation was dug out for some nine inches down to the underlying gravel. At the present time (October 1936) hundreds of seedlings of JRhododendron ponticum are in possession, with a few plants of Juncus. In another place in the same plantation, where the humus was removed perhaps 8 or 10 years ago, a very thick growth of young Birches has sprung up, with a few Rhododendrons and an occasional very sickly plant of bracken. Apart from man’s activities, bracken is gradually disappearing in the plantations before the Rhododendron and other species. The picturesque aspect of bracken in the open park hardly needs mention. In the spring the young fronds add much to the beauty of the scene, in a dry summer the plants remain fresh and green after the grass has turned brown, and in the autumn the withering fronds have a beauty all their own. It is to be hoped that the remaining areas of bracken will long be preserved in Richmond Park, as an aid to its beauty and wild life. 46 THE LONDON NATURALIST. The Limpsfield Common Survey. By L. Parmenter and C. H. R. Thomas. rpHE Ecological Section lias commenced a survey of the fauna and flora of that part of Limpsfield Common, Surrey, lying between long. 0° O' 15" E., and 0° 2' 5" E., and lat. 51° 14' 5" N., and 51° 15' 35" N. The area is just over 200 acres, which consists of a greensand common with gorse, bracken, heather-and-grasslands, several trees, thickets, and small wooded patches, and a 19 acre wood of oak, holly, and beech. There are also a few permanent pools and old sand-pits. The whole is bounded by fences or hedges. To enable the distribution of the fauna and flora to be recorded it has been considered advisable to sub-divide the area, and to give each sub-division a name. These sub-divisions and their boundaries are shown in the accompanying map, and are as follows: — A. Andrews Heath. — Fenced on three sides, and bounded on the fourth by a footpath running N.E.-S.W. B. Wildshaw Heath. — East of the above footpath. Fenced on N. side. Bounded on whole of S. side by wooded area, and on E. side by sand-pit and a path running S.E. from a white post on southern edge of sand-pit to Wolfs Hill Road. C. South Border Wood. — A narrow belt of trees lying along the south border of Wildshaw Heath. D. West Heath Sand-pit. — An excavated area between Wildshaw and St Michael’s Heaths. E. St Michael’s Heath. — The remaining portion of West Heath lying to the N.E. of the sand-pit. Bounded upon its eastern side by trees and Wolfs Hill Road, and on its western side by trees and fence. E. a. North Border Wood. — Wooded strips lying to the N. and W. of St Michael’s Heath. F. Sallow Pool Wood. — Small wood surrounding the pool which we shall call the Sallow Pool. G. Triple Wood. — Small wood divided into three parts by two roads which come together at this point. H. Wolfs Hill Wood. — A rather thin wood, triangular in shape, fenced on two sides, S. and E., and bounded to the west by Wolfs Hill Road. The S. Western corner touches the South Border Wood, but is divided from it by a footpath. The whole area from Andrews Heath to the narrow neck below the Church Missionaries’ School is known as West Heath. K. Happy Valley. — The valley lying south of New Road, fenced on western and southern boundaries, and separated from Central Heath by the Half Mile Footpath which runs right across the com¬ mon, from Lovelands Heath to the S.W. corner of Ridlands Wood. Happy Valley is divided into areas North (a), and South (b) by a path running up the centre. THE L1MPSF1ELD COMMON' SURVEY. 47 L. Lovelands Heath. — That part of the common N. of New Road and E. of Wolfs Road, and separated from Pebble Hill to the N.E. by a footpath. The fourth side is fenced. This heath is also divided into two parts, North (a), and South (b), by the Half Mile Footpath. M. Pebble Hill. — This area is actually the N.E. extremity of Love- lands Heath, but is given a separate name owing to the different char¬ acter of its vegetation. A footpath divides it from Lovelands Heath North. N. Central Heath. — Bounded by New Road, Edenbridge Road, Paines Hill Road, and Half Mile Footpath. It is divided into North (a) and South (b) by a footpath running E. and W. P. Links Pit. — An old excavation about 100 yards by 50 yards lying at the northern point of Links Heath. Contains a pool which shall be known as Links Pit Pool. Q. Central Copse. — A small group of trees lying between Happy Valley South and Central Heath South. R. Links Heath. — A triangular area bounded upon its eastern side by Edenbridge Road, to the W. by Paines Hill Road and fences, and S. by fences. The whole divided into two sections, North (a) and South (b), by the Half Mile Footpath. S. Ballards Shaw Heath. — Open ground lying along the western border of Ridlands Wood. Divided from Golf Course South by a foot¬ path running N. and S. T. Ridlands Wood. — A fair-sized wood, filling the whole of the S. Eastern extremity of the common. It is fenced upon three sides. Be¬ yond the eastern fence, and separated from the main wood by it, is a strip which though not actually within our boundaries is part of Ridlands Wood, and, therefore, is marked upon the map as Ridlands Wood — Outer Strip — T (a). U. Golf Course. — Lies to the E., and runs almost the whole length of, the Edenbridge Road. Bounded to the N. by the Westerham Road. It is divided into two areas, North (a) and South (b), by an imaginary line running E. from the crossroads above Links Pit, to a patch of marshy ground ; and by a strip of woodland, U (c), which shall be named Golf Course Wood. V. Playing Fields. — This area lies in the angle formed by Grub Street and the Westerham Road, S. and E. of the British Legion Club, and N. and E. of the school. It shall be confined to plain grassland only, and, therefore, makes its own boundaries to the N. and W. W. Hook wood. — Wooded area at the N. Eastern extremity of the common, bounded N., E. and S. by fences and to the W. by Grub Street, and a sunken road at the N.W. corner. There is at its S.W. end a clearing which can usefully be given a separate name, therefore W. (a) shall be the Hookwood Clearing. X. North Wood. — Wooded area lying on the slope which skirts the northern boundaries of the common. It stretches from the quarry to the sunken road. Y. The Quarry. — A small, disused quarry, partly overgrown with grass and bushes. It lies at the N. Western extremity of the common. 48 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Z. Quarry Heath. — The remainder of the common land in this N. Western corner, N. of the Oxted-Westerham Road. It is a rather dis¬ jointed area, and is divided roughly into two sections, (a) the Upper Quarry Heath is a small area above and E. of the quarry, which could not be placed under North Wood, or Playing Fields. And (b) the Lower Quarry Heath, which is a mixed area running along the main roads, S. from the quarry to the crossroads, then uphill to a point a little below the New Inn Pond. POOLS. There are five pools on the common which appear normally to be permanent. These are: — Sallow Pool. — In Sallow Pool Wood, West Heath. Links Pit Pool. — In Links Pit, North Links Heath. New Inn Pond. — By the side of the road, at the top of the hill, N.E. corner of Pebble Hill area. Hookwood Pool. — Close to the boundary fence, on the eastern side of Hookwood. Club Pool.— On the North Wood side of the British Legion Club. Additional copies of the map may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary, L. Parmenter, 94 Fairlands Avenue, Thornton Heath, Surrey. Price, Id each, 12 for 6d, postal tube and stamp, 2d extra. British Butterflies in 1 936. By H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S. CONSIDERING that the past year was hardly one that could be re- ^ garded as a favourable one for Lepidopterists it is very gratifying to be able to record that more members and friends have replied to my enquiries and have sent me particulars of the various species seen, and for this kindness I would ask them to accept my thanks. Among those to whom I am indebted are Miss E. M. Gibson, Miss C. E. Longfield, and Miss E. M. Miller, and Messrs 0. A. Alexander, G. A. Barclay, H. M. Burkill, E. A. Cockayne, G. F. Crowther, R. C. Cyriax, J. E. S. Dallas, J. C. Eales White, R. S. R. Fitter, W. J. Fordham, W. E. Gaze, G. H. Heath, C. E. S. Hick, R. Hilliard, N. H. Joy, W. J. Kaye, C. Mellows, C. Nicholson, L. Parmenter, E. B. Pinniger, W. B. Pratt, R. W. Robbins, St John’s School, Leatherliead, L. J. Tremayne, Brig. Gen. B. Tulloch, G. Waller, and E. H. Wattson. The cold spring seems to have had the effect of causing several species to be late in appearing and several collectors looked for them in vain at the usual time, but I am inclined to think that the weather had reduced the numbers of many species considerably. Little evidence of butterfly migration has come to hand. Vanessa cardui L. was only sparingly reported, and Colias croceus Fourcroy only occurred in any numbers across one part of Western England. B1UTI8H BUTTERFLIES. 49 The order and nomenclature in these notes are those given in the Royal Entomological Society’s list published three years ago. Danaus plexippus L. Mr Nicholson records that one was reported from near The Lizard, Cornwall, three others in Hampshire and two more in Devon. Pararge egeria L. Generally common in the west, and plentiful in Northamptonshire (E.M.G.). A few records from other districts. P. megera L., generally common, but not so in all places. Erebia epiphron Knoch. Mr Mellows searched without success for it in a Scotch locality. E. aethiops Esp., fairly common late August, Raasay Island (G.A.B.), and at Forres (E.A.C.). Satyrus galathea L., very plentiful in various districts. Eumenis semele L., fairly common where recorded, but none seen near Truro (C.N.). Maniola tithonus L., generally common. M. jurtina L., in large numbers nearly everywhere, and showing a consider¬ able range of variation, light coloured forms being very noticeable at times. Coenonympha pamphilus L., generally common, but not so everywhere. C. tullia Muller, not recorded by anyone. Aphantopus hyperanthus L., generally common, but Gen. Tulloch states he never saw one. Argynnis selene Scliiff., not many records, only common in two dis¬ tricts. A. euphrosyne L., fairly common in places. A. aglaia L., seen in small numbers by several observers, but very common in Swinley Forest (C.E.H.). I saw several at Church Stretton in July. A. cydippe L., only a few records from observers except Mr Hick, who says it was very common in Swinley Forest, and Dr Cockayne, who found it fairly common in Surrey. A. paphia L. seems to have been in about the usual numbers in places. No one has recorded Euphyd/ryas aurinia Rott. or Melitaea cinxia L., but M. atlialia Rott. was seen plentifully in three places in Essex by three correspondents. Vanessa atalanta L., though scarce in the spring seems to have been seen in greater numbers later on than of recent years, being very abun¬ dant in places. V . cardui L., none seen by eight observers, one only seen by six, and a few by others, except near Truro where there were more than usual (C.N.). Aglais urticae L., in greater numbers as a rule than for several years. Nymphalis 2>olychloros L., said to be increasing, but records are scanty. N. io L., very erratic, but seems to have been more often seen in many places than of late years. I found the larvae abun¬ dant in Shropshire in July. Polygonia c.-album L., reported from Whit- stable to Truro, and it is spreading northwards, though it does not seem to have been so common in many of the localities as in 1935. St John’s School record several seen in their playing fields at Leatherhead. Mr Nicholson reports a number observed in Cornwall. Apatura iris L. Miss Gibson beat five larvae and successfully reared imagines. Limeni- tis Camilla L., common in several localities in the south, but perhaps not up to the numbers of 1934 and 1935. Hamearis lucina L%, reported from Ranmore Common (St John’s), which seems to be an extension eastwards from the well-known habitats, and from further towards the south-west of Surrey (C.E.H.). 50 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Cupid o minimus L. Mr Kaye says commoner than usual, and St John's School seem to have seen a good number. Plebejus argus L., locally common, but also scarce in some known localities. Aricia agestis Schiff., very few records. Polyomrnatus icarus Rott., generally common. Lysandra coridon Poda., very erratic, abundant in places, very few in others. L. bellargus Rott., common near Lewes (R.S.R.F.), but rather scarce elsewhere. Lycaenopsis argiolus L., generally scarce, but larvae abundant on Ivy buds in Norfolk in September (C.M.). Lycaena phloeas L., only a few seen by most observers, but Mr Hick and St John’s re¬ port numbers met with in the spring. L. dispar Haw., doing well in its haunts (E.M.G., C.M., G.A.B.). Calophrys rubi L., a few here and there. Thecla betulae L., a few records from S.W. Surrey. T. quercus L., a few in Wales (B.T.), other records from Sussex, Berks, and Surrey. Strymon w.-album Knoch., reported from Herts, Norfolk, and Essex by several observers. Leptidea sinapis L., a good year in the Midlands, fair to scarce else¬ where. Pieris brassicae L. seems to have been generally scarce in the early part of the year and then to have been remarkably abundant in a few districts where cabbages were eaten to ribbons. Mr Kaye was one of the sufferers but ten miles away from him I did not see a single larva on our vegetables. In Cornwall both broods were common (C.N.). P. rapae L., usually below normal numbers, but locally plentiful. P. napi L., much below average in most districts, but common here and there. Euchloe cardamines L., fairly common, but late in appearing. Colins hyale L., only reported from Dorset. C. croceus Fourcroy, a good brood seen Co. Cork (C.M.). Several taken by St John’s. Odd specimens reported from Surrey, Berks, and Wilts, but the insect was fair to abundant in Dorset, Devon, West Somerset and Cornwall, and reached South Wales. Mr Nicholson watched one lay an egg on Trifo¬ lium minus. He secured this and bred out a female on 20th September. Yar. helice Hb., one in West Somerset (G.W.). Gonepteryx rhamni L., plentiful in the spring with resultant ova and larvae. I bred up a num¬ ber and found males to be much more numerous than females. Though very few of my larvae were stung the numbers of insects reported later on were much below the spring records. Papilio machaon L., fairly plentiful in its haunts. Erynnis tages L., common in a few places, only small numbers noted in others. Syrichtus malvae L., fairly common where recorded. Adopaea sylvestris Poda., common in many places. A. lineola Ochs., seen in some quantities by the Entomological Section in Essex on 19tli July. Hesperia comma L., fairly common in places. Ochlodes venata Bremer & Grey., later than usual. Then common. PREDACIOUS FLIES. 51 Predacious Flies and Their Prey. By L. Parmenter, F.R.E.S. rpHE fact that some species of flies feed upon other insects has been known for many years; Asilidae, Empididae, some Anthomviidae and Cordyluridae, and species of other families having been recorded with the habit. The methods of capture and related biology of the Asilidae have been described by, amongst others, D. Melin and B. M. Hobby. It was the writings of these two naturalists that led me to collect Diptera with their prey, a fascinating study to be commenced in almost any hedgerow, etc., in the warmer months. The captors and victims listed below were taken by myself with the exception of the two obtained by Messrs H. J. Burkill and G. Waller. Help in identification of the prey has been kindly given by Messrs R. L. Coe, J. E. Collin and Drs K. G. Blair, M. Burr and F. W. Edwards, to whom my thanks are due. I am also indebted to Dr B. M. Hobby for assistance in the preparation of this paper. All the specimens have been presented to the Hope Department of Entomology, Oxford Univer¬ sity Museum, where there is a very extensive collection of predatory insects and their prey. In the following list the sex of the captor precedes the name of the prey. PREY OF DIOCTRIA OELANDICA L. (ASILIDAE). (1 9) DIPT., EMPIDIDAE. 9. Empis grisea Fin., 9 (det. J.E.C.), Ranmore Common, Surrey, 23/6/35. PREY OF PHILONICUS ALBICEPS MG. (ASILIDAE). (1 9) DIPT., SYRPHIDAE. 9. Chilosia intonsa Loew, U, Lelant, Cornwall, on bare sand of towans, 28/8/36. PREY OF ASILUS CRABRONIFORMIS L. (ASILIDAE). (4 9 9) ORTH., ACRIDIIDAE. 2 9 9- Chorthippus bicolor L., 2 9 9 (det. M.B.), Lelant, Cornwall, on grass track of towans, 28/8/36. COL., STAPH YLINIDAE . 9. Philonthus aeneus Rossi, (det. K.G.B.), Lelant, Cornwall, on towans, 28/8/36. DIPT., TACHINIDAE. 9- Sarcophaga carnaria L., <$ , Lelant, Cornwall, on towans, 28/8/36. 52 THE LONDON NATURALIST. PREY OF NEOITAMUS CYANURUS LOEW (ASILIDAE). (1 3, 19) DIPT., TIPULIDAE. 3- Pachyrrhina ambeculosa Mg., 3 (det. F.W.E.), Bodmin district, Cornwall, 20/8/36. 9. Tipula cava Ried., 3 (det. F.W.E.), Oxshott, Surrey, on bracken, 11/7/36. PREY OF EMPIS TESSELLATA F. (EMPIDIDAE). (6 3 3) DIPT., BIBIONIDAE. 2 3 3' Dilophus femoratus Mg., 2 33, Cuckmere Valley, Sussex, on hawthorn blossom, 28/5/36. TIPULIDAE. 3- Pachyrrhina maculosa Mg., 3 (det. F.W.E.), Patcham, Sussex, 25/5/36. EMPIDIDAE. 3. Pachymeria femorata F., 3, Patcham, Sussex, 25/5/36. SYRPHIDAE. 3' Syritta pipiens L., 3, Polegate, Sussex, 30/5/36. CORDYLURIDAE. 3 . Scatophaga stercoraria L., $, Polegate, Sussex, 30/5/36. PREY OF EMPIS LIVID A L. (EMPIDIDAE). (1 3) DIPT., DOLICHOPODIDAE. 3- Dolichopus aeneus De Geer, 3 (det. J.E.C.), Mitcham Common, Surrey, 7/7/36. PREY OF PACHYMERIA FEMORATA F. (EMPIDIDAE). (1 9) DIPT., BIBIONIDAE. 9 (in cop. with 3). Dilophus femoratus Mg., 3, Patcham, Sussex, 25/5/36. PREY OF SCATOPHAGA STERCORARIA L. (CORDYLURIDAE). (11 3 3, 15 9 9) DIPT., BIBIONIDAE. 1 cf, 3 9 9- Dilophus femoratus Mg., 4 3 3, Patcham, Sussex, hedge- bank, on umbellifers, 24/5/36. 2 3 3- Dilophus femoratus Mg., 2 3 3, Patcham, Sussex, 25/5/36. 4 3 3, 29 9- Dilophus femoratus Mg., 6 3 3, Patcham, Sussex, 27/5/36. 9- Dilophus femoratus Mg., 3, Cuckmere Valley, Sussex, 28/5/36. 9. Dilophus femoratus Mg., 3, Patcham, Sussex, 31/5/36. RH AGIONID AE . 9. Bhagio lineola F., 3, Bodmin, Cornwall, 20/8/36. PREDACIOUS FLIES. 53 EMPIDIDAE. 9. Empis caudatula Loew, 3 (det. J.E.C.), Patcham, Sussex, 25/5/36. SYRPHIDAE. 3. Platychirus albimanus F., 9 (det. L.P.), Beckenham, Kent, 14/6/36, Gr. Waller. 9. Platychirus scutatus Mg., 3, Mitcham Common, Surrey, 26/7/36. 9. Melanostoma mellinum L., 9, Bodmin, Cornwall, 20/8/36. ANTHOMYIIDAE. 3. Pegohylemyia fugax Mg., 3 (det. J.E.C.), Patcham, Sussex, 29/5/36. 9. Pegohylemyia fugax Mg., 3 (det. J.E.C.), Polegate, Sussex, 30/5/36. 9. Pegohylemyia sp., 9, Patcham, Sussex, 24/5/36. 9. Erioischia ( Hylemyia ) brassicae Bouche, 3 (det. J.E.C.), Patcham, Sussex, 29/5/36. 3 . Hylemyiu variata Fin., 3 (det. J.E.C.), Shropshire, early October 1936, H. J. Burkill. CORDYLURIDAE. 3 . Scatophaga stercoraria L., 9, Beddington, Surrey, at sewage farm, 2/6/35. CHLOROPIDAE. 9. Melanum ( Capnoptera ) lateralis Hal., 9 (det. R.L.C.), Bodmin, Cornwall, 18/8/36. PREY OF SCATOPHAGA MACULIPES ZETT. (CORDYLURIDAE). (1 6) DIPT., EMPIDIDAE. 3. Hilara quadyrivittata Mg., 3 (det. J.E.C.), Patcham, Sussex, 25/5/36. NOTES. Asilus crabroniformis L. The Grasshoppers were caught in the air while leaping. The flies were seen crouching on the grass tracks on the fixed dunes or towans, sometimes on short stumps of dead thistles, etc. From these places they made their “ capture darts ” and longer, pro¬ specting flights. One individual, without prey, allowed me to touch it with the net, moving only a few inches each time it was touched before finally flying away. It may have been digesting a heavy meal for several others of the species were very wary. On the other hand it may have been “ playing possum.” The captor of the beetle dropped on to its side when the net was placed over it, still clasping the prey and re¬ maining motionless, apparently dead, for several seconds before sud¬ denly flying up, producing a loud buzzing sound. Empis tessellata L., E. livida L., and Pachymeria femorata F. In some species of Empididae, the male captures prey and transfers it to the female during the act of mating. In these species, females never capture prey themselves, and so single insects observed with prey are always males, 54 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Scatophaga stercoraria L. In the above list, only six examples with prey are recorded on 27th May 1936, but at least 20 others were noted with the same prey, Dilophus femoratus, which was particularly abun¬ dant on umbellifers in the hedgerows at this time. When hunting, the Dung-flv would crouch on a leaf with the tip of the abdomen almost touching it and the head held high ; movement of prey was recognised at a distance of at least nine inches and the Dung-fly rotated itself, always facing the intended victim. Prey was caught by means of a “ capture dart ” of 1 to 2 inches. REFERENCES. The following papers may be consulted for further references: — Carpenter, G. D. Hale. 1935. Courtship and Allied Problems in In¬ sects. Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent ., 2 (2), 115-135. Hobby, B. M. 1931. British species of Asilidae (Diptera) and their Prey. Trans. Ent. Soc. S. Engl., 1930 (6), 1-42. - 1931. Prey of Dung-flies (Diptera, Cordyluridae). Trans. Ent. Soc. S. Engl., 7, 35-9. - 1932. Local Abundance as a Factor Governing Prey-selection by Predacious Insects. Proc. Ent. Soc. Bond., 6, 87. - 1934. Predacious Diptera and their Prey. J. Ent . Soc. S. Engl., 1 (2), 35-9. Melin, D. 1923. Contributions to the knowledge of the Biology, Meta¬ morphosis and Distribution of the Swedish Asilids. Zool. Bidrag. Uppsala, 8, 1-317. Poulton, E. B. 1907. Predaceous Insects and their Prey. Trans. Ent. Soc. Bond., 1906, 323-409. Notes on Dragonflies, 1936. By E. B. PlNNIGER. rpHE depressing weather conditions prevailing in 1936 seem to have had an adverse effect on insect life, in consequence the early species were noted even later than usual and in rather depleted numbers. All the usual species were seen during the year, but nothing of great sig¬ nificance was recorded in the London area. I should like to express my thanks to Miss C. E. Longfield and Mr L. Parmenter, who sent in records enabling me to extend the scope of the year’s summary. The first species seen, Ischnura elegans Van der Lind., I noted at the Wake Valley Pond in Epping Forest on May 17th, a week later, on May 24th, Pyrrhosoma nymphula Sulz. and Cordulia aenea L. were seen flying in the same area. The same day Coenagrion puella L., Enal- lagma cyathig erum Charp. and I. elegans were noted at Leigh farm pond, near Burgess Hill, Sussex, and on the 28th C. puella and I. elegans were reported as abundant in the Cuckmere Valley, Sussex, NOTES ON DRAGONFLIES. 55 Near Polegate, on May 30th, two examples of Libellula quadrimacu- lata L., what appeared to be Brachytron pratense Mull, and C. puella, were seen (L.P.). I first saw Lestes sponsa Hans, on 30th May when it was flying with P. nymphula in some numbers in the New Forest. The weather at this time, little sunshine, low temperature, strong winds and rain, was very unsuited to Dragonflies and may have ac¬ counted for the apparent scarcity of Libellula depressa L., of which very few individuals were seen. June was a more productive month, and most of the usual summer species were seen in Epping Forest. At Byfleet, on the 28th, fifteen species and one variety were identified, in addition to most of the species already mentioned. Orthetrum coeru- lescens Fabr., Somatochlora metallica Van der Lind., Brachytron pra¬ tense Mull., Anax imperator Leach, Agrion virgo L., A. splendens Haw., Erythromma najas Hans., Platycnemis pennipes Pall., also var. lactea and Coenagrion pulchellum Van der Lind, were seen. The occurrence of A. virgo and A. splendens over the same area of water is unusual. A. splendens and P. pennipes were both abundant on the River Roding between Abridge and Chigwell, Essex. At Beddington, Surrey, on July 7th, A. imperator two examples, Sympetrum striolatum Charp. two examples, 1. elegans abundant, E. cyathigerum . several, C. puella several, and Orthetrum cancellatum L. two specimens, were seen. The same district on 26th July again pro¬ duced two or more 0. cancellatum with I. elegans and E. cyathigerum (L.P.). A visit to the salt marshes of the River Thames on 12tli July resulted in a short but very interesting list of insects. Lestes clryas Kirby was flying in considerable numbers, this insect, which was for¬ merly considered a great rarity, also occurred near Southend, and was seen in numbers at Burnham, Essex, in July. S. striolatum , Sympet¬ rum sanguineum Mull, and I. elegans were seen at Benfleet on July 12th. This locality was again visited on July 19th, when, in addition, A. imperator, C. puella and E. cyathigerum were seen. During the lat¬ ter part of July and early August Aeschna cyanea Mull, and Aeschna . grandis L. appeared on the wing in Epping Forest. Ae. cyanea was seen in Swaledale, Yorkshire, on the 16th August, and either this species or Ae. juncea L. was seen on the 21st in Eskdale, Cumberland, together with Ae. mixta Latr. The English Lake District seemed very poor in Dragonfly fauna at this season, which is rather surprising as the character of the country seems well suited to the order. In the south at Bodmin, Cornwall, several A. virgo, a few S. striolatum, and at least four Cordulegaster boltonii Don. were seen on the 20th August, and on the 27th, at St Ertli, Cornwall, a few S. striolatum, several I. elegans, three C. boltonii, two 0. coerulescens and several E. cyathi¬ gerum were seen. At Carbis Bay, Cornwall, on 28th, a specimen of C. boltonii was noted (L.P.). At Godstone, Surrey, on the 6th September, Ae. cyanea was seen (L.P.), and I noted Ae. mixta on the 13th September in Epping Forest. This species was also seen on the beach and cliffs at Sandown and Shank- lin, Isle of Wight, during August. On September 18th, in Bucking¬ hamshire, quantities of Ae. juncea were hawking up and down a lake 56 THE LONDON NATURALIST. shore and large shallow gravel pit where there were also several Ae. cyanea , Ae. gra/ndis and S. striolatum, mostly in cop. or ovipositing, were very numerous. One female Ae. grandis was ovipositing on a rotten submerged plank, the same species was very common on the Grand Junction Canal not far from the pit (C.E.L.). On the 4th of October, at Beddington, Surrey, five examples of S. striolatum, four of Ae. cyanea (two caught in fingers though they had been flying strongly a moment before) were seen (L.P.). At Ruislip Reservoir, Middlesex, on October 11th, two males and one female Ae. cyanea were flying, one female was picked up covered with hoar frost and quite numb, many S. striolatum were also flying at the same time, both species were seen as late as October 25th in the Chess Valley (C.E.L.). In Epping Forest Ae. grandis, Ae. cyanea and S. striolatum lingered in decreasing numbers until the end of October. Entomology. A FEW ADDITIONAL NOTES. By H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S. jy/£ANY of my Butterfly correspondents have sent in notes regarding moths and other insects. While most of the observers record butterflies as being generally below the average numbers in 1936 sev¬ eral say that moths were frequently abundant at sugar though light was often a failure. Migration seems to have been responsible for the large numbers of Plusia gamma L. that were recorded. I have received notes on this species from many correspondents, and from these notes I have ex¬ tracted the following which seem to sum up the general impressions. Night of June 20, in vast numbers on a bush of Abelia triflora, 78 being counted in one square yard, while the whole bush was equally well covered. Haywards Heath (C. W. M. Praed). June 27. Many worn specimens near Corfe Castle, Dorset (G. H. Heath). June, speci¬ ally abundant, particularly on the coast, Hampshire (Miss Gibson). June 18, sudden appearance of swarms, Berks (C. E. S. Hick). June 20 and 21. Sudden incursion at Epsom and Ewell (R. S. R. Fitter). June 18, in large numbers, Limpsfield (R. W. Robbins). June, plentiful in garden at Fetcham and also on the heather near Coldharbour and Leith Hill (H.J.B.). From these probably came the later swarms noticed in August though there may well have been a second invasion which was noticed in places, viz.: — August 22. Swarmed near Dunge- ness (Dr N. H. Joy). Abundant, especially in Somerset (G. Waller). Dr Fordham quotes Mr T. Hyde Parker of Reighton, near Filey. “Last Saturday (August 29) we had a wonderful visitation of P. gamma moths here. Every garden in Reighton, Hunmanby, and Filey seemed of a sudden absolutely full of them.” ENTOMOLOGY. 57 Brigadier General Tullocli also found them abnormally common in June and August, but he considers they were of local origin and were brought out by two spells of warmer weather, and were not migrants. Another species that seemed more than usually common was Plogo- phora meticulosa L., and it has been suggested to me that this was due to migration. Mr E. A. Aris reported another instance of the enormous numbers of Stilpnotia salicis L. covering Poplar trees so densely as to whiten them completely in a similar manner to the occurrence he observed a few years ago. Mr Mellows remarks that Agrotis obscura Brli. (ravida Hb.) turned up at sugar in considerable numbers, and that it was another good year for Orthosia ocellaris Bkh., while Endromis versicolor L. (Scotch form) and Nyssia laponaria B. were plentiful. Mr Hick found Conistra rubiginosa F. commoner than usual on Sallow, and from a pairing bred up a good series. Stigmonota pallifrontana Z. A few years ago we had the pleasure of collecting larvae of this species and breeding them up, from a place on the side of the Hog’s Back, near Guildford. On 8th August I visited the spot only to find that its food plant, Astragalus glycyphyllos L., had almost died out, and only three small plants remained with no seed pods. As the larvae feed inside the pods there was no food for them, and I am afraid that unless the moth has been found elsewhere in Surrey in the last three or four years it will have to be removed from the Sur¬ rey list as this locality seemed to be the only one in the county. Major J. C. Eales White considers that the season was bad for most injects. He noted that the marriage flights of Ants were of short dura¬ tion, which seemed to show that there were fewer insects to indulge in that ceremony, probably a result of the unfavourable weather in the first half of the year. At Fetcham we saw many Queen Wasps in the spring, but very few broods seem to have been reared. The Small Earwig, Labia minor L., was more plentiful than I have seen it previously, and on three evenings about sunset I passed through swarms extending for some four hundred yards, near Fetcham Pond. On two occasions they were in the air with a small species of Ant. The wings look very white when in use, and when the Earwigs were caught the wings were folded so quickly that my friends were hard to convince that I had caught the right insects. 58 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Plant Gall Records for 1936. Compiled by H. J. Burkill, M.A., F.R.G.S. A LITTLE correction has to be made for last year’s notes where in paragraph 2 the words “British Museum” should be altered to “a Berlin museum.” The insects had been sent to Germany for identifica¬ tion. For this past year the weather was not as suitable for outdoor work as could be wished, but nevertheless a good deal of recording was done and several interesting finds were reported. The following are selected from the lists for the year. CYNIPIDAE. In the spring the Oak Galls were irregular, but some districts had a good supply of the agamic forms, especially of Biorrhiza pallida Oliv. The autumn forms, however, were generally plentiful. The official visit to Lessness Abbey Wood enabled us to get a number of Andricus amenti Gir. and another species on the catkins which has not yet been satis¬ factorily determined. It was also found on Ranmore Common and at Bookham a few days later. Biplolepis folii L., T). divisa Htg., T>. disticha Htg., and D. agama Htg. were seen in greater numbers than usual. The three Common Spangles were abundant, and Neuroterus fumipennis Htg. was locally plentiful, especially in one lane on the Mendips where it was in thou¬ sands on some small Oaks. Trigonaspis renum Gir. was seen in good numbers in various places. Neuroterus aprilinus Gir. was found at Effingham on 3rd May just as the flies were emerging. Others were obtained later on elsewhere. The still unidentified bud gall was again found on Coldharbour Common, but attempts to breed the insects once more failed, and we are no nearer the determination of the species. Andricus furunculus Beijk. was gathered in Abbey Wood. I bred flies from three galls of B. pallida , obtaining 31 males and 25 females, all of which were winged. Papavcr Bhoeas L. again was almost free from galls of Aulcux papa- veris Perris, but Tragopogon minus Mill, was frequently galled by Aula- cidea Pigeoti Kieff. Centaurea scabiosa L. had good clumps of Isocolus scabiosae Gir. and some good examples of I. fitehi Kieff., but only a small number of I. rogenhoferi Waclitl. were noted. TENTHREDINIDAE. Sawflies seemed to be in greater numbers than the last time we dealt with them, and galls of Pontania proxima Lepel, P. pedunculi Htg., P. salicis Christ, and P. viminalis Htg. were seen plentifully in places, while Euura venusta Zadd., E. ater Jur., E. saliceti Fall., and E. testa- ceipes Zadd. were met with. PLANT GALL RECORDS. 59 COLEOPTERA. Very few Beetles have been recorded this year, but Saperda popul- nea L. was in evidence frequently, one tree of Salix caprea L. on Hack- hurst Downs being very heavily galled. Pyrus malus L. was found with many flower buds swollen by the larvae of Anthonomus pomorum L., near Broadmoor, Surrey. LEPIDOPTERA. Salix cinerea L., at Coopersale Common, bore galls of Graph olitha servilleana Dup. in small numbers. Pteris aquilina L. was noticed near Broadmoor early in June swol¬ len and twisted in the stem with a gallery running into the aborted part. Some of these galleries were empty, but many others contained the larvae of a Tortrix, one to each gall. Attempts to rear the insect failed. More of these galls were seen in Shropshire in October. It was thought formerly that these galls were possibly due to some Cynipid species, but apparently this impression was incorrect. CECIDOMYIDAE. Tilia vulgaris Hayne. (1) Oligotrophus hartigi Liebel, frequent in Surrey, Shropshire and Somerset. (2) Galls resembling those of Perrisia thomasia/na Kieff., but with dirty white instead of red larvae, Shrop¬ shire. Acer campestre L. Atrichosema aceris Kieff. This was searched for regularly but only one specimen was found. Some twenty years ago the species was plentiful but now it is rarely reported. Cytisus scoparius Link. Perrisia tubicola Kieff. Shropshire. Pubus idaeus L. (1) Almost spherical swellings on the stem. Hack- hurst Downs, and Deerleap Wood. (2) Lasioptera rubi Heeger. Epp- ing. Sorbus aucuparia L. Flower buds attacked and swollen by white larvae of a Midge. Possibly Houard’s 2907. Abbey Wood. Similar buds were found on Bookham Common, but they contained three species of larvae which have not been identified. Pyrus malus L. Perrisia mali Kieff. Surrey and Somerset. Scabiosa arvensis L. Perrisia scabiosae Kieff. Somerset. Pimpinella saxifraga L. Galls of Schizomyia pimpinellae F. Loew, Contarinia traili Kieff. and Lasioptera carophila F. Loew were scarce, as were most species of Midge galls on TJ mb ellif erae this year. Achillea millefolium L. The new galls referred to in the last two reports were again found at Fetcham. Ligustrum vulgar e L. Flower buds enlarged and remaining closed. Contain larvae of a yellow ochre to orange colour. Seen in various places. Nepeta hederacea Trev. Perrisia glechomae Kieff. Somerset. Salix aurita x cinerea. Phabdophaga nervorum Kieff. Somerset. S. caprea L. Midge gall in petiole of leaf, Larva pale yellow with bright head. Bookham Common, 60 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Betula alba L. (1) Orange red larva in swelling on mid rib. Stan- more. (2) Similar gall bnt containing orange red and white larvae. Stanmore. Mol inia caerulea Moench. Oligotrophus ventricolus Rubs. Somerset. THRIPSIDAE. Lathyrus pratensis L. A mass of this plant found near Westcott with many leaves rolled upwards by Odontothrips phaleratus Halliday. This is new to our lists. Tamus communis L. Swollen unopened flower buds. Thrips tamii- cola. Shropshire. PSYLLIDAE. Juncus squarrosus L. Livia juncorum Latr. Shropshire. Urtica dioica L. Trioza urticae L. Seen sparingly in Surrey, Somerset and Shropshire. APHIDIDAE. Populus nigra L. Galls of Pemphigus affinis Koch were seen in several places, while those of P. populi Courchet, added to the British list in 1929, were again noticed in Shropshire. ERIOPHYIDAE. Viola lutea Huds. Eriophyes violae Nal. Galled plants were found in Shropshire in July and also at the end of September. Stellaria media Vill. Eriopliyes atrichus Nal. Bookham. Aesculus hippoccistanum L. Eriophyes hippocastani Fockeu. Shrop¬ shire. Tilia cordata Mill. Eriophyes sp., in tufts of hairs between the veins on the under surface of the leaves. Shropshire. Ornithopus perpusillus L. Eriophyes sp. This unidentified species of mite was searched for in July without success on the hillside where it was abundant in 1929, but where it had killed off its host plant by pre¬ venting the formation of seed so that it was not to be seen in 1930, and only a few plants could then be found. This year the plant had re¬ gained a considerable amount of its former abundance, but in July no galls wTere discovered. At the end of September I was once more in Shropshire and I searched the hillside, finding between 20 and 30 galled plants. The plant is abundant on other hillsides, but close searching failed to discover any further galls in these places. Pyrus malus L. Eriophyes sp. This mite recorded before from Shropshire as rolling the margins of the leaves upwards was again found in July in some quantity, and it had spread to other trees near to its main host. It was also seen plentifully some miles away from Church Stretton along the Watling Street. Lonicera periclymenum L. Eriophyes xylostei Can. Again found in Shropshire, but in small numbers owing to severe pruning of the hedges in Watling Street. PLANT GALL RECORDS. 61 J uglans regia L. (1) Eriophyes tristriatus Nal. Somerset. (2) Axil¬ lary tufts of hairs among which ova of Eriophyes sp. were seen, but no living mites found in October. Somerset. Populus tremula L. Eriophyes dispar Nal. This species used to occur near Claygate but the trees were cut down and I had not seen the gall for years until Mr Niblett sent me some for identification this summer. He had obtained them from Dr Bull, of Sandhurst, Kent, who was desirous of having them named. Gentiana amarella L. Eriophyes kerneri Nal. In some quantity near Dorking. Taxus haccata L. Eriophyes psilaspis Nal. Galled buds found at Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset, in October. NEMATODA. Not much in evidence though the wetter summer seemed as if it should be favourable to their existence. Ilypochaeris radicata L. on Epsom Downs in August was heavily attacked by Eelworms. Viola lutea Huds., gathered in Shropshire for the Eriophyid galls, was found on teasing out for the microscope to contain a number of Eelworms provided with a long bristle at the tail end. These were sub¬ mitted to South Kensington and there declared to be probably a species of internal parasite attacking horses. On 29th September, I was able to gather more Violas on the same hillside. I tubed these in spirit in three lots — (1) V. lutea galled by Eriophyes , (2) V. lutea without such galls, and (3) V. Biviniana Reiclib., which was growing on the same ground mixed with the V. lutea. Later on these were examined. Wash¬ ing the leaves and scraping the surface without breaking the tissues provided Eriophyes from No. 1, but no Eelworms. Nothing at all was found from Nos. 2 and 3. The specimens were next teased out and tested. Eelworms and Mites were found in No. 1, but again nothing was found from the others. Is it a coincidence that these two forms of parasites were found in one series of hosts, or can we assume that there existed some state in the plants that made them attractive to the two forms, some state that was more suitable for their existence and of which they were taking advantage? Dissection of the Dogfish. By Whitehouse and Grove. (The Univer¬ sity Tutorial Press, Ltd.; 3/-.) We welcome this book, which is quite up to the high standard of its predecessors by the same writers. It contains all the essential information on the subject, set out in a readable and practical manner, and we can confidently recommend it to all students of Biology. The preliminary advice is particularly valuable to the beginner. P. W. H. 62 THE LONDON NATURALIST. The Dartford Warbler. Sylvia undata dartfordiensis. By Howard Bentham. J FIRST became acquainted with this rare and somewhat elusive little W arbler in the autumn of 1906, when I met with a solitary bird in a certain locality not very far from one of its old breeding places. The following year I visited the district in May with the hope of be¬ ing able to study the breeding habits of the bird, and was fortunate in discovering a nesting haunt on a tract of wild, gorse and heather-clad country at a spot about three miles from the place where I had seen the bird the previous October. The observations upon which this article is based were made chiefly in the locality referred to, and extended over a period of eight years, during which time I lost no opportunity of studying the habits of the species at all times of the year. The Dartford Warbler has been described by many waiters as a shy and excessively skulking species. 1 have met with individual birds which certainly possessed both these characteristics to a marked de¬ gree, but I am of the opinion that these traits have been somewhat ex¬ aggerated. During the prevalence of cold or windy weather in winter, the birds certainty skulk a great deal amongst thick undergrowth, and will seldom reveal their presence unless forcibly driven out of their re¬ treats. On calm and sunny winter days they are certainty not so much in evidence as during the nesting season, but if the necessary caution be exercised by the observer, the little birds will readily ascend to some prominent position, and display very little alarm at the presence of an intruder. On favourable days in winter, I have on many occasions, without taking any pains to conceal myself, experienced no difficulty in cautiously approaching birds to within distances varying from ten to twenty feet, and in following them from bush to bush without causing them any appreciable alarm. During the breeding season, influenced by anxiety for the welfare of their eggs or young, Dartford Warblers become bolder than at other times of the year, but are inclined to become somewhat secretive on very windy days, unless the nest or young are closely approached, when they will quickly overcome a natural inclination to seek shelter from the buf¬ feting of the wind, appearing upon the tops of the gorse or heather with head-featliers raised and tail held almost at right angles to the body, as they utter a harsh chaa of protest. The Dartford Warbler possesses a short but sweet song, which bears some resemblance to that of the Stonechat, and it is not marred by harsh utterances which so often characterise the song of the Whitethroat. The notes are usually delivered from the top of a gorse bush or bunch of tall heather, less frequently while the performer is fluttering in the air. I have heard the bird singing in every month of the year except December, January and February, but much less frequently from the early part THE HARTFORD WARBLER. 63 of August to November than during the preceding five months. There is very little decline in song after the young are hatched, for the task of feeding the nestlings falls chiefly upon the female. This species is not such a persistent singer as the Whitethroat, for even when weather conditions are apparently very favourable, the birds will remain silent often for many consecutive hours during the long summer days. Nesting operations begin early in April, but there appears to be con¬ siderable individual variation in the time of commencement, according to my rather limited experience, and further observations on this point are desirable. The earliest nest I have found contained the full set of eggs on or about April 8th, but in the case of the latest pair to commence nesting the clutch was not completed until about May 19th. The majority of the nineteen nests of the first brood 1 have examined contained com¬ pleted clutches of eggs between May 1st and loth. Only seven nests contained the full complement of eggs during April, and of these only one bird had finished laying before the second half of the month. The Hartford Warbler is double-brooded, and second batches of eggs are usually produced about the second half of June. Fledglings have been found in the nest in early August, and I have myself on two occa¬ sions during the first week of that month seen adults feeding young which had obviously quite recently vacated the nest. Very late broods may, however, be due to earlier attempts at rearing a family having failed, for the Dartford Warbler sometimes has many set-backs during the breeding season, of which I shall have more to say hereafter. The number of eggs varies from three to five. Four is perhaps the most usual number. I have seen only three nests containing five eggs or young. Most, if not all, the earlier writers have stated that in this country the nest is always placed in dense gorse bushes. In the locality where I have studied the breeding habits of the Dartford Warbler, the birds show a most decided preference for heather which is sufficiently tall and thick to afford adequate concealment for their home. I have seen four nests built in thin heather providing little concealment, and three in gorse of no great density. When built in heather, those nests which I have examined were usually near groups of furze bushes, but I have found several concealed in heather in moorland country entirely devoid of gorse, with the exception of a few solitary bushes growing at very wide intervals. The presence of groups of gorse bushes near nests placed in heather furnishes some protection from the wind, and this fact may have some influence upon the birds when selecting a site. The species prefers a nesting place on the slopes of the hills, but nests may be found occasionally on their more wind-swept summits. I have never known this Warbler to resort to very dense gorse-coverts for nesting purposes, and although these exist in the neighbourhood, the birds appear to avoid them at all times of the year. The Dartford Warbler’s home is usually more compactly built than most nests of the Whitethroat, and those which I have found were placed at varying heights between 6 and 12 inches from the ground. 64 THE LONDON NATURALIST. The outward materials generally consist of fine grass, a few small heather-stalks, a little moss, spiders’ cocoons, and a few feathers. The spiders’ cocoons are mostly woven into the edge of the cup, and no doubt serve to strengthen it. A few pieces of dwarf furze are used in the con¬ struction of some nests. One nest I examined was composed outwardly entirely of heather-stalks and spiders’ cocoons ; another contained a great deal of moss; and a third a large number of feathers. The lining usually consists of fine grass, a little horsehair, and a few feathers and rootlets. One nest I found was lined entirely with dry grass, in another fibrous roots composed most of the inner materials. A very unusual lining was formed by the stalks of a moss-like plant with the seed-heads attached. These stalks must have been conveyed for a distance of at least four hundred yards, as there were no plants of this description growing nearer the nest. Where the birds are sufficiently numerous, numbers of pairs breed within a comparatively limited area. A few pairs nest in isolated posi¬ tions, but these situations are the exception proving the rule. The young, when nearing the end of the nestling period, are quick to take alarm if the nest is approached very closely. On such occa¬ sions, unless great caution is exercised, they will invariably scramble out of the nest and drop to the ground, threading their way through the heather with marvellous rapidity, finally concealing themselves amongst the thickest undergrowth, where their dark brown upper parts harmonise with the natural surroundings to such an extent that the greatest care is necessary in order to avoid treading upon them. I have twice observed adults feigning injury when the young were very closely approached. On one occasion this was practised by the male, and in the other instance by the female. The Dartford Warbler is an extremely sedentary species, and is rarely found far from its nesting haunts, its movements in autumn and winter being almost entirely of a very local nature. A bird seen by myself on Limpsfield Common. Surrey, on 25th April, 1908, was un¬ doubtedly a wanderer. This Warbler is subject to considerable fluctua¬ tion in numbers. There are unfortunately often many factors which contribute to its decline. A very severe winter will reduce the number of birds to almost vanishing point. The species has been considered extinct in two localities known to me, but after a short lapse of time the birds were found again in their old haunts, although in sadly re¬ duced numbers. Considering the sedentary nature of the species, and the fact that adverse weather conditions would probably produce equally disastrous results in other localities, it is improbable that these two haunts were re-colonised from other districts. I conclude that in both areas a few pairs contrived to survive, but were overlooked by the ob¬ servers who reported their extinction, a very pardonable oversight, for it would indeed require an army of ardent ornithologists to explore thoroughly every square yard of possible territory extending over thousands of acres. My attention has been called to the breeding of one pair in 1936 in an old nesting area previously untenanted for many years, and at a THE DARTEORD WARBLER. 65 considerable distance from tbe nearest established colony, but in the light of our present knowledge such an occurrence must be regarded as exceptional. During recent years especially, heath-fires have undoubtedly had disastrous effects upon the Dartford Warbler, and a further reduction in numbers is sometimes caused by late frosts which account for the death of many nestlings. Military manoeuvres over the nesting-grounds during the breeding season, and the attentions of collectors are also contributory factors in a reduction in numbers. I have not found the female Dartford Warbler a difficult bird to photograph, but the male presents comparatively few opportunities of being portrayed. I do not think this is due to shyness, for at other times the male is usually the less wary bird. I now propose to narrate my experiences in the case of two Dartford Warblers which I have photographed at the nest, having selected those birds which displayed the most interesting behaviour. A nest which I discovered during a few days’ stay spent on the breeding ground contained young which I judged to be about a day old, but as at this stage it would have been unwise to expose the chicks to the hot sun, I decided not to attempt photography until a week later. On the occasion of mv second visit I found the chicks well feathered, and having erected the camera about nine feet from the nest and covered most of the hide with heather, I withdrew to a distant hill¬ side, hoping that if the birds were not disturbed too much they would more quickly become accustomed to the appearance of the hiding tent. I was unable to watch the movements of the birds from mv resting place, as this was too far from the nest, but after the lapse of an hour I decided to enter the tent and await developments. My action caused both birds to scold unceasingly near the nest for about ten minutes. The male then departed, but the female continued at frequent intervals to express her alarm while I remained inside the tent, coming into the heather close to the nest at least a dozen times. On four occasions I thought that she would muster enough courage to feed the young, as she was so close to the nest as to cause the nestlings to rear their heads and open their bills in anticipation of receiving the long delayed re¬ freshment, but my hopes were not fulfilled. At the expiration of an hour, I vacated my cramped quarters to partake of lunch, and allow the bird to feed her young while I was absent. During the next hour I spent beneath the hide, the hen gradually gained confidence, visiting the nest eight times. The first time she arrived without warning, coming through the dense heather at the back of the nest, which I had purposely placed there with the object of in¬ ducing the bird to alight on the exposed edge of the nest nearest the camera. The bird appeared to cling to the side of the nest, just get¬ ting her head sufficiently above the rim of the cup to feed the young, which action she accomplished in the brief space of two or three seconds, departing by the way she had come. Her second visit was even more brief, the bird merely poking her head through the heather 66 THE LONDON NATURALIST. behind the nest and instantly withdrawing it. During the third and fourth visits she gained more confidence, coming on to the nest and feeding the young, but her movements were very rapid and excessively nervous. Towards the close of my hour of confinement, the bird became a little more venturesome, uttering the alarm-note less often when nearing the hide, most of her earlier approaches having been announc'd by five or ten minutes of scolding before her courage rose sufficiently to enable her to tend the young. On two of these later occasions the nest was cleaned out after the young had been fed. The male never attempted to feed the nestlings, but remained near the nest at times, occasionally indulging in short bursts of song. Aftei taking ten minutes exercise on the hilltop above the nest, 1 spent a final hour in exposing plates and making observations, and duiing this period the female fed the young at least twenty times. Three journeys were made to the nest within the space of half a minute, but usually greater intervals followed each visit. The food was often too much crushed to allow me to determine its nature, but catei pillars, moths and spiders formed a large portion of the bill of fare. The next day, having erected and concealed the camera, I entered the hide at once. The female returned to the nest almost immediately, and although rather nervous at first, expressing her alarm by frequent scolding, she very quickly became bolder, and during the two hours I remained in hiding fed the young so many times that I made no at¬ tempt to record the number of visits. On emerging from the hide for a rest, I was greatly concerned on discovering that the military had arrived upon the spot, and were evi¬ dently about to carry out manoeuvres in the immediate vicinity of the nest. My fears were soon realised, for the troops, after dismounting, spread out over the valley and surrounding hilltops, and the peaceful scene was quickly transformed into one of noise and commotion. I decided to leave the camera in position and mount guard close to the nest, and my action probably saved the young from destruction, for shortly after I commenced my watch six field-guns, each drawn by four horses, were dragged up the hillside, passing within fifteen yards of the nest. While I was sitting beside the hiding-tent, the female Dartford arbler appeared near the nest to which she seemed anxious to return, and I consequently entered the hide again with the intention of observ¬ ing her behaviour. The military remained for an hour, and much to my astonishment, the bird treated their presence with almost complete unconcern, continuing to feed the young at frequent intervals through¬ out the noisy proceedings. The constant passing of soldiers on either side of the nest, and the shouting of orders from the hilltop about a hundred yards above it failed to daunt the devoted bird. On one oc¬ casion the Dartford Warbler was engaged in feeding her young when two field-guns were fired, and although I found the noise momentarily deafening, the bird merely gave a slight jump, and then continued to THE DAKTFOliD WAHBLEll. 67 tend her chicks. I should mention that during the three hours I spent at the nest, the male failed to appear upon the scene. I have on many occasions while engaged in photographing observed that if a nest is placed near a frequented roadway or track, birds quickly become accustomed to the presence of the camera and operator. The behaviour of this Dartford Warbler was the more remarkable on account of the nest being situated at a spot remote from any highway or used track, and I very much question whether anyone had passed within half a mile of the nesting site before my appearance upon the common. My experiences were unparalleled while I was photographing an¬ other member of the species in the company of the late Richard Kear- ton and my wife. This bird, a female, was rather shy during the earlier stages of photography, but gained confidence much more quickly than any other Dartford Warbler I have studied at the nest. We spent about three hours in portraying the bird, and two of the three nearly fully fledged young were then placed upon a dead fir-twig, which had been fixed in the ground close to the nest, the remaining young bird being temporarily accommodated within my camera-case. We then withdrew to a distance of about ten feet from the nest, did not attempt any concealment, but remained absolutely still. The bird soon returned, at once alighted on the improvised perch and fed the nestlings, which she continued to tend at frequent intervals. After each visit Ivearton moved a little nearer to the chicks, but as his closer approach was unheeded by the adult on her return, although finally he was within eighteen inches of the young, he then tried the experi¬ ment of placing one of the nestlings in the palm of his hand, and a few minutes afterwards we had the pleasure of seeing the fearless bird alight unhesitatingly upon his wrist. This experiment was repeated by my wife and myself with equal success. I then held one of the young in my hand, which I raised to within nine inches of my face and on a level with my eyes. The parent bird shortly reappeared, and immediately flew' on to my hand and fed the nestling. The following day this Dartford Warbler had not lost any of her confidence, and fed two of her young while they were reposing in Kear- ton’s hat, which was placed upon his head. On another occasion the bird alighted on my back while I was engaged in placing one of the nestlings in position upon the fir-twig for the purpose of obtaining a photograph. The bold behaviour of these two Dartford Warblers was in marked contrast to that of another female I attempted to photograph without success. This bird was so shy that in spite of hours of patient en¬ deavour on my part, she refused to face the ordeal of the camera, although the nest contained well-grown young. 68 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Some Field Notes on The Hobby. By J. E. Roberts, B.Sc. QF the four British falcons, Merlin, Peregrine, Kestrel and Hobby. the last is the rarest and perhaps the most fascinating to study. It is said to be the speediest of British birds and it is certainly a thrill¬ ing sight to see a Hobby going “ all out.” Knowledge of the habits of the bird is still scanty in some respects and so these notes may be of interest. Before entering into the subject I wish to acknowledge my indebted¬ ness to Messrs F. & J. Mayer and Mr G. Crawford for help in obtain¬ ing the observations which make this article possible. I will not enter into a detailed description of the bird itself, for this can be obtained from any authority on the subject, but will’con- centrate on observations made chiefly during two years’ intensive study in which some dozen nests have been found and prolonged observation made at two. The Hobby is a summer visitor which arrives about the middle of April, rarely lingering after the beginning of October. It winters in Africa and Asia though instances have occurred of birds wintering in southern Europe. One unfortunate bird ringed by us in Wiltshire on August 9th, 1936, as a nestling, was recovered in the Landes district of S. France in the late autumn. Like other migrants the birds return to the same haunt in successive years. We have thus learnt to recog¬ nise some individual birds by their eggs. One interesting find in 1936 was the nest of a Hobby whose eggs were recognised as those of a bird which had not been seen since 1931. She had returned to the old wood after an interval of five years. The species is confined to the southern and western counties of Eng¬ land (except Devon and Cornwall), becoming rare in the midlands where, however, some do breed. Northamptonshire has been said to be the headquarters of the species but 1 wonder if this is true to-day, I doubt it. The Hobby is essentially a bird of the woodland though in my ex¬ perience it favours broken woodland and lines of trees rather than big areas of wood. Here it is a companion of the Kestrel, and it is with this bird that it is most likely to be confused. The Hobby is probably overlooked in consequence. In flight the Hobby looks rather like a large Swift, in fact when sui roundings have not given the idea of size I have been momentarily confused by a Swift on more than one occasion when seeking the Hobby. Of course a good view revealing white throat, streaked breast and chest¬ nut abdomen will give no room for doubt but at a distance the Hobby m flight can readil\ be distinguished from the Kestrel by its shorter tail, longer wings and, if colour can be seen, general slate appearance, instead of brown. The birds aie most active in the early morning and evening, but when nesting this habit is somewhat modified. The call consists of a THE HOBBY. 69 “ chitter,” while the alarm note can be imitated very closely by placing the tip of the tongue lightly at the base of the upper front teeth and expelling the breath in as rapid jerks as possible. This note is shriller than the “ Kee-kee-kee-kee ” of the Kestrel, and one soon learns to distinguish the two. The female also makes a wailing cry when she meets the male with food. The food of the Hobby consists of beetles, dragonflies and small birds, such as Larks, Pipits, Starlings, etc. ; most of the victims being taken on the wing. I think Starlings form a more considerable portion of the diet than is supposed. Several times I have seen a Hobby stoop at a flock of Starlings, and young Starlings (birds of the year) formed the staple diet of the young Hobby we had under observation. Like other birds of prey it has its plucking place — often a tree stump where feathers and pellets may be found. Thus it will be seen that the bird is harmless to the game preserves though I have reason to know that it suffers as c£ a hawk ” at the gun of ignorant gamekeepers (alas too common). The Hobby makes no nest of its own but lays its eggs in the deserted nest of some other bird, the Carrion Crow for preference. Its favourite choice is a Crow’s nest in the top of a Scots Pine, or it may choose a nest out on a bough, but it must be in such a position that the bird can launch itself into the air with ease. Some writers say that the favourite trees of the Hobbv are the Elm and the Pine ; I feel con- vinced that the latter is the favourite, but that they may use the former if Crows’ nests in Pines are not available in the locality. The Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain told me that hedgerow Elms are used in the mid¬ lands. Our knowledge is of the southern counties, and of over fifty occupied nests seen not one was in a deciduous tree though Crows’ nests in such trees were available. All but three were in Pines, two of the exceptions being in Spruce and one in a Larch, and all were in old Crows’ nests save two which were in the disused nests of a Magpie and a Rook (Rookery of some 20 nests). Some pairs seem always to choose old Crows’ nests, while others choose nests of the year, some remove the lining while others do not. Squirrels’ dreys are said to be used occasionally. The nests seen by us varied in height from 10 feet to 60 feet (in the Larch), the one shown in the illustration was at a height of 35 feet in a Spruce. No branches have been removed so that the picture shows the open nature of the nest, permitting of a hasty retirement of the bird. Sometimes two, usually three, and rarely four (seen by us twice) eggs are laid, probably at intervals of a day or two between each. There is some variation but laying usually begins about mid- June, and incubation begins in a half-hearted way with the laying of the first egg, the bird seeming to crouch over the eggs but not really settling down to brood seriously. One brood is reared, but if disaster overtakes the first set of eggs a second clutch is laid. The eggs are usually distin¬ guishable from those of the Kestrel in that the markings are more of a suffusion and there is a yellowish tinge about them, When first laid 70 THE LONDON NATURALIST. they are a beautiful shade but as they become rubbed they become more and more yellow. The behaviour of birds at the nest varies greatly. Usually the cock, circling above the wood on motionless wings, with now and then a rapid winnowing, will call off the hen and they may circle high above the trees together, returning again and again to see if the intruder has departed. TV hen we ringed the young in the larch tree the parent bird flew several times within 6 feet of the head of the ringer, scream¬ ing angrily, while another bird always disappeared silently at our ap¬ proach even when she had young, and did not reappear. Not once did we hear a cry and were nearly deceived into believing that she was not interested in that particular spinney. Another pair were so tame that when the nest was visited they flew into a nearby tree and stayed there. The bird 1 tried to photograph in 1935 was very shy indeed, and I had to give up the attempt after securing one exposure for fear she would desert (she safely reared two young ones). The one photo¬ graphed in 1936 (see illustrations) was just the opposite — as tame as a hen. TVe concentrated on this bird, and observations were made each week-end from the time the eggs were laid until the young flew. It must be pointed out here that the presence of the hide may have made some difference to the habits of the birds, but this I doubt, for the hide was in a spruce about 20 feet from that containing the nest, and as the tree had a dense top the structure was well concealed. The bird took no notice of it from the first, in fact, I should think the appalling weather conditions affected her domestic affairs more. The first set of eggs must have come to grief or been taken, for the nest contained two fresh eggs on Sunday, June 28th. On the follow¬ ing Saturday, July 4th, it contained three eggs. Let us assume that this egg was laid on Monday or Tuesday (June 29th or 30th), thus allow¬ ing an interval of one or two days. Unfortunately, two eggs were taken and one small youngster was in the nest on Saturday, August 1st ; it had the egg-tooth still much in evidence, and we judged it to be not more than two days old. If the last egg was the one which had hatched it gives a minimum incubation period of 31 days. This is probably abnormal, for tracks showed that army manoeuvres may have caused the bird to keep from the nest. Authorities give 28 days as the incubation period. This youngster left the nest on the morning of Sunday, August 30th, so assuming the chick was two days old when we found it this gives a fledgling period of 32 days. During the whole time that the nest was under observation the cock bird took no share in incubation. Sometimes he accompanied the hen back to the nest, but did not alight for more than a second or so. I do not think the hide influenced his behaviour, for he spent some time one afternoon perched on top of it! The hen went off for food when incubating but when the young one was small and she brooded it, food was brought by the cock. Usually she called and he would reply when he came with the kill. She would slip off screaming and the “ handing over ” would take place LONDON NATURALIST. PLATE I I , U.m. HEN ON THE NEST. (Photo, by .7. E. Roberts, R.Sc.) THE HOBBY. 71 in a nearby tree to the accompaniment of much screaming by both birds; the cock’s scream did not seem so shrill but more “scratchy.” Twice, however (once in 1935 and at this nest in 1936) we saw the prey “ handed over ” in the air by means of “ the pass ” in the manner of a Harrier. The prey was brought headless to the nest, held in one talon and at first the chick was fed on tit-bits but later allowed to fend for itself. Young Starlings of the year were its staple diet, but a few Skylarks and at least one Swift were given and feathers of Star¬ ling and Swift were found at the plucking post. At first the young was fed possibly three times a day but except in the very early stages almost certainly only once. Once the hide was occupied continu¬ ously for 28 hours, and during this time it was not fed once. During the period of incubation it was interesting to watch a Woodpigeon sitting on 2 eggs in a nest about 10 feet below that of the Hobby. A gale threw out the Pigeon’s eggs and also damaged the surviving egg of the Hobby. She had been sitting so long by this time that we felt certain the egg was addled, and we gave up all hope the week-end before it hatched when we found it damaged. It may be mentioned that during incubation the eggs were turned at intervals varying from | to 1 hour or so. This led us to try an interesting experiment. We scoured the dis¬ trict trying to find another nest containing preferably hard-set eggs. We failed to do so, and took a young bird about a fortnight old and transferred it to “ our ” nest, removed the egg, and watched results. The old bird returned and viewed this newcomer for a few moments, then flew off screaming, but returned in a couple of minutes, and settled down to brood it cheerfully. It nibbled at her beak, but she seemed to have no sense aroused to feed it. This makes an interest¬ ing spculation — what arouses in the parent bird’s mind the desire to feed young ? The experiment was not carried on long enough to be decisive as we feared for the well-being of so rare a youngster. It was with her for about two hours and during this time she never left it. We patched up the hole in the egg (the membrane had not been torn and the contents filled about two-thirds of the egg) with stamp paper, replaced it in the nest, and then took the young one home — it sat up in my hand and preened itself on the way ! On our return the occupant of the hide reported that the bird returned and snuggled down on her patched egg as if nothing had happened. Yet some people say birds can even count ! Very much to our surprise, although ap¬ parently several days overdue, the egg had hatched when we came the following week-end. At first the young bird had almost white down, the iris pale blue (in the adult it is yellow), the beak was bluish and translucent and carried the white chalky egg-tooth. When a little more than a fort¬ night old the down was slate-grey but there was a warm hint about it as quills were beginning to show feather at the tips. Wings were very long and tail quills, which were very blue, were well developed and just feathering at tip. Beak was well developed and slate-blue, iris still blue, legs yellow. Feathers of shanks already developing and 72 THE LONDON NATURALIST. barred; in fact, these were the most advanced of all the feathers. There was only a suspicion of feathering on the back. This was the last time I was able to examine the bird. One curious trick noticed repeatedly in the hen Hobby was that in flight it would close its wings and shake its body rapidly, almost in the nature of a shudder, then fly on. In conclusion, our opinion as to status is that the species is not so numerous in the areas we know as it was formerly, i.e., about ten years ago. The Starling Roosts of N.E. Surrey. By R. S. R. Fitter, F.Z.S. rpHIS does not pretend to be more than a series of rough and pre¬ liminary notes on the starling roosts and foraging grounds of Londonward Surrey during the past ten years, set down in the hope that others may be encouraged to make the picture more complete. The chief investigations hitherto carried out have been E. M. Nichol¬ son’s survey of the roosts of the London area in 1925-26 and B. J. Marples’s all-England census of starling roosts in 1932-33, by the latter of which especially I have been greatly helped in the compilation of this paper. The area covered by the present survey consists of all that part of the geographical county of Surrey which lies north of the escarpment of the North Downs and east of the Wey Valley, and, except for some of the land which lies between the Mole and the Wey, is all within the twenty-mile radius of St Paul’s Cathedral. Kent and Middlesex are only considered where they form the feeding-grounds for Surrey roosts or provide the roosts for Surrey feeding-grounds. The roosts in the built-up parts of London may be considered first. In 1932-33 there were only three south of the river, all in trees and of no great size. These were in Southwark Park (300-400 on December 9), Guy’s Hospital (“ some hundreds in August-September ”), and Kipling St. Recreation Ground, the last-named being very small and perhaps only a place of assembly. The boundary of the foraging area served by these roosts appeared to be roughly Charlton-Eltham-Syden- ham-Brixton-V auxhall. This is confirmed by flight-lines into London from Eltham (E.M.N., 1933) and Lower Sydenham (L.P., 1928), against which must be set the S.S.W. flight-line of Catford and Lewisham star¬ lings (R.C.H., 1932). E.M.N. surmised that there were not more than 5000 birds all told in this area, and perhaps as few as 1000, even though possibly some minor roosts remained to be located. When the small acreage of open spaces within this highly built-up area is considered, the small starling population is not really surprising. The contrast with the huge starling population in Central London north of the river, which draws its birds from the playing-field belt of Middlesex, is most marked. STARLING ROOSTS. 73 The starlings of S.W. London go north of the Thames to roost in Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, and St James’s Park. These roosts draw their population from Battersea Park, Clap- ham, Tooting Bee and Wandsworth Commons and from the Wimble- don-Richmond-Kew-Barnes area, as well as from parts of Middlesex with which we are not concerned here. E.M.N. thought that there were rather more birds coming in from this direction in 1932-33 than in 1925-26. Battersea Park is used as an assembling place for birds coming in from the S.W. ; in 1898 W. H. Hudson described a large autumn roost in Battersea Park, which was then the most important of the Central London roosts. There had been a big increase of star¬ lings using it since 1895, but at the beginning of October they used to disappear and presumably roost in the country. It will be noted that none of the starlings from South London that roost in Central London feed more than two or three miles from the Thames, although some of them feed as much as nine miles from their roost. The situation in the Thames Valley above Kingston is rather ob¬ scure. Probably the roost is a shifting one that is sometimes in Surrey and sometimes in Middlesex. T.H.H. reported a large roost near Molesev in December 1929 that was taking birds from the Sun- bury, Hampton, and Whitton districts, but on December 1931 J.P.H. found a roost at Littleton Reservoir, which presumably served the same district. In June 1935 I observed a southerly flight-line at Hampton Court which may have been going to the Horsley roost. The roost at East Horsley was noted in the Marples census, and was said to have been occupied for at least three years. P.H.T.H. found no birds there in January 1933, but in March 1936 R.C.H. saw about 500 birds assembling at Horsley, which were probably going to it. Starlings appear to come into this roost from all sides, and in the N. from as far away as Chertsey and Addlestone (P.A.D.H. in winter 1932-33; R.S.R.F. in September 1936). As already mentioned, starlings may come from around Hampton Court, and it seems likely that the Brooklands or New Haw Sewage Farm is within its feeding range. In the winter of 1934-35 there was a large eastward flight of starlings over Epsom in the mornings, which probably represented the morning exodus of the Horsley starlings to the east. There is some reason to believe that after the break-up of the Cheam Warren roost in November 1934 starlings which had been flying into Cheam from the W went to Horsley instead; certainly there was a small westward movement of starlings from Epsom Sewage Farm in December 1934, where previously there had been an eastward drift. In the Marples census a roost was reported at Jayes Park, Ockley, which had been in existence for the past ten years and was said to draw starlings through the Mole gap from Mickleham and perhaps beyond. Against this may be set the record of a party of about 100 birds which were seen flying E. at Mickleham in November 1934 by myself and R.C.H. It is when we reach the area that lies between Croydon and Wimble¬ don, roughly the upper valleys of the Wandle and the Hogsmill, that 74 THE LONDON NATURALIST. the position becomes most uncertain. At least four roosts are known to hare been used in this area during the past ten years, but it is by no means certain that their foraging areas are identical. There is first an autumn roost in osiers at Epsom Sewage Farm, which was reported by T.H.H. to be “ very large ” in August 1929, and which was said to be still there in the autumn of 1936. It is possible that it is now only an assembly place, but if it is a roost it is probable that it is frequented only by the birds that feed on the farm, and these do not number more than 1000. In October 1934, however, birds flew into Epsom Sewage Farm from the N.W. and then flew on to the Cheam Warren roost in company with birds that were already feed¬ ing on the farm, and reference has already been made to the wes¬ terly movement in December 1934. The second of these Wandle-Hogsmill roosts was at Ruxley Corner on the Ewell-Tolworth road (A240) in a dense thicket of hawthorn. This was a winter roost and was frequented by at least 10,000 star¬ lings, most of which came from Beddington Sewage Farm, seven miles away, but some, probably, from Epsom, Ewell, Carshalton, and Sutton Sewage Farms. In March 1933 the birds congregated in the trees on the N., S. and E. sides of the roost and were constantly flying in from the W. At this time the roost was stated to have been occupied for “ at least ten years,” a figure that occurs suspiciously often in these estimates of the age of a starling-roost. In the summer of 1934 the wood was “ developed ” by builders and the roost was thereafter for¬ saken. The third roost in this area was the one at Cheam Warren, the old game preserve of Nonsuch Park about half a mile S. of Cheam Village, which is llj acres in extent and consists of hawthorn, bramble, elder and elms. The starlings roosted in the elms, which were 15 to 20 feet high. This was an autumn roost and was said bv P.H.T.H. to have been used regularly since 1924 and probably earlier (a local resident said it had been “ known for generations ”), but in the middle of August 1936 it had been desertod. According to P.W.E.C. a few birds frequented it in July 1936. The apparent reason for the desertion is that building operations have commenced, though in August 1936 only one house was actually being erected. When the roost was in full use it was used by upwards of 10,000 birds, and was regularly forsaken in the middle of November. The bulk of its in¬ habitants came from Beddington Sewage Farm, but fair numbers came in from all points of the N.E. and N.W. quadrants, and a few from the two southern quadrants. There is some evidence that the roost has been occasionally used in the wintor months, at any rate as an assembling place, by small parties of starlings. The fourth roost in this area is a winter roost at the south end of the Croham Valley between Shirley and Selsdon. This is also a spinney of scrub hawthorn and also receives most of its starlings from Beddington Sewage Farm. Birds seem to come in from all other points of the compass except S.E. and the foraging area probably in¬ cludes parts of Kent, such as Elmers End Sewage Farm (G.E.M., 1936). STARLING ROOSTS. 75 It has been occupied at least since the winter of 1934-35, and it is possible that it partly replaces a roost that was somewhere in the Caterham Valley in 1929-30, when there was a flight-line to the S. over Selsdon Bird Sanctuary (L.P.). These birds and others reported from Thornton Heath by L.P. in 1930 as flying S. could not have been going to the Merstham roost, as no birds came into that roost from the N. Small parties flying W. from Westerham and Brasted in Kent in December 1930 may have been going either to the Merstham roost or to the supposed roost in the Caterham Valley. The principal feeding ground for starlings in the Wandle Valley is Beddington Sewage Farm with the adjacent area of Waddon Marsh; probably something like 5000 starlings feed here in the day-time. So far as can be ascertained the Beddington starlings used to go to the Cheam Warren roost in the autumn up to 1936, when they deserted it for a roost which has not yet been located ; it is known that they were not at the Croham Valley roost in the autumn of 1936. In the winter they went to the Ruxlev Corner roost until building operations in the summer of 1934 made it unsuitable, when they removed to the Cro¬ ham Valley. It is very remarkable that birds which were accustomed to roost seven miles to the W. of their feeding ground should remove to a place three or four miles to the S.E. An additional complication is that a small roost was reported from Carshalton in the winter of 1934-35, but it is not clear whether it was not merely an assembly ground, and more information about it is required. It is not possible to give so connected an account of the move¬ ments of starlings in the western or Hogsmill half of the area. Some, at least, of the birds appeared to be using the Horsley roost, but while this paper was being written (December 1936) I observed a flight¬ line to the S. over Thirtyacres Barn, which rather conflicts with this idea. In this sector considerably more field work will be necessary before any conclusion can be expressed. In 1932-33 there had been an autumn roost for over 20 years in the trees at the corner of the main Brighton Road and Station Road, Merstham. Birds flew into it from all sides except the N. Possible flight-lines towards this roost were observed at Westerham and Brasted in Kent in December 1930 and at Banstead in December 1934. Some of its inhabitants probably feed on Redhill Sewage Farm during the day. Where these birds go in the winter is not known. BIBLIOGRAPHY. E. M. Nicholson’s 1925-26 survey has not been published, but an account of B. J. Marples’s 1932-33 census appeared in the Journal of Animal Ecology. KEY TO INITIALS. P.W.E.C. — P. W. E. Currie. J.P.H. — J. P. Hardiman. T.H.H. — T. H. Harrisson. P.H.T.H. — P. H. T. Hartley. P.A.D.H. — P. A. D. Hollom. R.C.H. — R. C. Homes. G.E.M. — G. E. Manser. E.M.N. — E. M. Nicholson, 76 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Recording Mammals, Reptiles, and Batrachians. f pHE mammalia, reptilia, and batrachia are orders of the animal kingdom that have hitherto been rather neglected in the work of the London Natural History Society, probably because they were not sufficiently important to merit a section of their own and yet fell outside the spheres of action of the other sections. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the fauna of our area cannot be complete until these three orders are investigated, so that on the formation of the Ecolo¬ gical Section, one of whose aims is to promote the study of those branches of natural history not covered by the other sections, it was decided to remedy this shortcoming by starting to keep records of mammals, reptiles, and batrachians, with a view to ascertaining their present status within the Society’s area. There are 54 mammals, including the grey squirrel, 6 reptiles, and 9 batrachians, including three introduced species of frogs and toads, given by Edward Step (. Animal Life of the British Isles, p. 179) as occurring in the British Isles, of which, so far as is at present known approximately 36 mammals, 5 reptiles, and 6 batrachians occur or have occurred since 1900 inside the Society’s area with its 20-mile radius from St Paul’s. The year 1900 is chosen as a dividing line, partly because it marks the boundary between the 19th and 20th cen¬ turies and partly because the excellent accounts of the status of mammals, reptiles, and batrachians in the Victoria County Histories have already7 summarised the records up to that date, and to do so again would be unnecessary duplication. Unfortunately, several very interesting beasts, such as the polecat and pine-marten, disappeared in our area some ten or fifteen years before the end of the century , but in any case isolated occurrences, even of a once common species, are of comparatively small ecological interest. What we do want to know is something more about the exact status of the commoner beasts, like the rabbit, mole, hedgehog, frog or toad, which everybody knows are common in the rural areas and scarcer as you get towards Inner London, but about which hardly any¬ body can give any precise information. About the bats in particular scarcely anything is known, owing to the difficulty of identifying them on the wing at night. Authentic records of bats, especially if identi¬ fied at their roosting places or in the castings of birds of prey, will be especially welcome. It is hoped, then, that all members of the Society, and any non-members who may read this notice, will co-operate by sending in any records they may have of mammals, reptiles, or batrachians, however trivial or unimportant they may seem to be, to the undersigned, R. S. R. Fitter, F.Z.S., Becorder . BOOK REVIEW S . 77 Book Reviews. Songs of Wild Birds. By E. M. Nicholson and Ludwig Koch. (Witherby; pp. 216, with two gramophone records; 15/-.) This is a book which is indispensable to the field ornithologist, in¬ valuable to the bird-lover, and worthy to be possessed by everybody who enjoys a country ramble. It is unique in being the only book yet published in this country, outside the specialised realm of linguistics, that uses sound images to illustrate its text, and the precedent is to be commended to publishers in other spheres. Herr Koch recorded bird song in Germany before he came to Eng¬ land to co-operate with Mr Nicholson, the Parlophone Company and the authorities at Whipsnade in producing what are by far the best records of bird song that have yet been made over here. The two re¬ cords that accompany Songs of Wild Birds contain the songs of the nightingale, cuckoo, woodpigeon, turtle-dove, blackbird, song-thrush, robin, wren, hedge-sparrow, great tit, willow-wren, green and pied woodpeckers, whitethroat and chaffinch, with the house-sparrow, chiffchaff and stock-dove occasionally interrupting. Though there are some notable absentees whom we should like to hear, the blackcap, woodlark and wood-wren for example, we must recognise the limita¬ tions of space and be grateful for the eighteen songs we have got. The records are particularly valuable for those who are never quite certain of the difference, say, between the songs of the blackbird and song-thrush, for they can now turn on at will the merle’s melodious flutings and compare them with the full-throated periods of the mavis. For those who know their songs well the records are equally delight¬ ful, for they can now hear at any time of the year, at their own fire¬ side, what formerly it was only possible to hear in an all too short springtide. It must not, however, be thought that the book is just put in to explain the records. It stands on its own feet as a valuable contribu¬ tion to ornithological science. Mr E. M. Nicholson maintains the high standard he has accustomed his readers to expect of him, and provides both a disquisition on the why and wherefore of bird song, which states concisely the extent of and gaps in our knowledge about bird song, and an extremely useful manual of the songs of 83 species, which should be of enormous help to beginners in the field. There is also a chart showing the approximate times of year at which our song-birds may be heard, which is of great value to all lovers of birds. It is to be hoped that this book will stimulate some intensive field work on the problems, and Mr Nicholson shows how many there are, that remain to be solved, and that Mr Nicholson himself will continue his researches and tell us more about the obscurer aspects of bird song. E. S. E. F. 73 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Birdlovers’ Manuals (H. F. & G. Witherby, Ltd.; 5/- each) — How to know British Birds , by Norman H. Joy; Every Garden a Bird Sanctuary, by E. L. Turner; Birds of the Green Belt, by R. M. Lockley. These three little books, the first by one of our members, the other two by well-known writers on ornithological subjects, are, each in its way, excellent contributions to our ever-growing list of bird books. Dr Joy approaches the subject of bird identification solely from the yiew-point of the field worker, leaving out all the museum data so useless in a practical field book. I do not see what the author gains by altering the sequence of the Orders, with the exception of moving up the Pigeons, Game birds and Rails. The others seem best to me where classification has placed them. It is nothing new to recognise that most birds can only be identified in the wild by their shape, habits or some outstanding pattern in their plumage, or that the colours in the field so often look very different to those of the museum specimen at close quarters, but it is decidedly useful to have a handy little oook which takes particular notice of these facts. The illustrations of characteristic attitudes are a welcome innovation, but I still re¬ gret the misleading discrepancies in the comparative sizes of the dif¬ ferent species, more especially those on the same or opposite pages. Surely a Wren scarcely smaller than a Dipper, and a Blackbird twice as small, is unnecessarily puzzling for a beginner, in spite of the cor¬ rect size stated in inches, under each plate. The more advanced orni¬ thologist will have many “ points ” of identification different to those of Dr Joy, but no two bird watchers will see the same bird in an iden¬ tical way, and the methods in this little book should be of the greatest help to many a beginner. Miss Turner’s little book should be welcome to all those birdlovers who have a suburban garden, even if nothing larger, and who do not keep a cat. The first two chapters are of somewhat dismal reading, but from then onwards we get many a practical hint for encouraging our feathered friends, to say nothing of much information on their habits. Country gardens, woodland and marsh sanctuaries of all sizes, are dealt with, and drinking and bathing, feeding and nesting boxes are all given chapters. To many of our members who do not live far enough from London to benefit from the illuminating instructions in chapters 3 to 5, there are many suggestions in 6 to 8 capable of being adapted to the smallest plot of ground or even a window-sill. A use¬ ful list of suitable foods, and another of the best shrubs, from the birds’ point of view, to plant in the garden, bring a thoroughly helpful book to an end. I must confess to a slight feeling of irritation when first I read the title of Mr Lockley ’s book. What did a Pembrokeshire man know of our birds? But on reading the handsome acknowledgment to our So¬ ciety for a great deal of his information, and the paragraph in which he says he does not pretend to have personally examined all the ground the book deals with, I was prepared to forgive him and enjoy this little volume. The book covers ground very much further out than the book reviews. 79 Green Belt proper, and encloses places which may normally be within an hour's run from London, but which many of us hope will never need to be scheduled as London’s “ lungs.” However, the title has its appeal, and the country dealt with is all much visited by Londoners and London’s visitors, and it is largely for the latter that the little book is written. And there is no gainsajdng that Mr Lockley has a most engaging way of writing of both birds and countryside. He places before us facts that may not previously have occurred to us as of any great importance, or points of behaviour we had probably taken too much for granted, and all in a delightful style. Indeed, he has made a most readable book, which covers the various types of birds and habi¬ tats in a reasonably comprehensive fashion, and from which most of us will get both information and enjoyment. C. E. L. Bird Migration. By A. Landsborough Thomson. (H. F. & G. Witherby, Ltd.; 5/-.) This book provides a brief summary of the various aspects of bird migration, and, as may be expected from Mr Landsborough Thomson, it gives a very clear account of the subject. Being designed mainly for beginners, it is concerned more with the general nature of migra¬ tion than practical details, but, while it serves this purpose admirably, at the same time the explanation of some points is so lucid that the book can be recommended to all students of the subject. In particu¬ lar, the description of the differences between general dispersal, dis¬ persal with a directional trend and true migration, the discussion on migration along a broad front as distinct from definite routes, the explanation of abmigration, and the distinction between the usefulness and the causes of migration, are sections which can be thoroughly re¬ commended. While a fuller account of the subject is to be found in the author’s previous work ( Problems of Bird Migration 5 1926), the pre¬ sent volume provides a very useful introduction by the acknowledged expert on the subject to the various problems involved. R. C. H. The Best of White’s Selbarne. Selected and Edited by F. B. Kirkman. (Thomas Nelson & Sons, Ltd.; 3/6.) It is always pleasant to welcome a new edition of Gilbert White, and The Best of White’s Selborne makes a delightful introduction to this lovable classic and should cause those who hitherto have been afraid to tackle the whole book to rush off to beg, borrow, or steal the Natural History of Selborne. A short introduction and “ Chrono¬ logy of Gilbert White ” tells something of the man and the carefully made selections introduce the newcomer to his work. The book is plentifully illustrated with line drawings by A. W. Seaby and others. G. H. 8(J THF LONDON NATUR4IJST. Singing in the Wilderness, a salute to John James Audubon. By Donald Culross Peattie. (George Allen & Unwin. Ltd.; 7/6.) This is a most unusual biography of one naturalist by another, or is it something of an autobiography of the living partner P In its freshness, poetic fancies and yet scientific truth, it resembles a Hudson or a Delamain and is wholly enchanting. Mr Peattie does not so much record the life of the great pioneer ornithological artist, as re¬ call the unusual setting in which that genius worked, and conjure for us the very spirit that created those animated bird portraits. Per¬ haps a knowledge and appreciation of the American wilderness ren¬ ders an added charm to the narrative for the reviewer, but those who have never left England's shores cannot but be the richer for reading this fascinating book. It is a real poem of the wilderness, savouring of its odours, singing of its trees, but, best of all, filled with the call of the birds. C. E. L. A Pocket Book of British Wild Flowers. By C. A. Hall, F.R.M.S. (A. & C. Black, Ltd.; 5/-.) Lineal descendants of Anne Pratt's classic book on Wild Flowers must be legion. Here is one with the advantage that the species men¬ tioned are arranged in botanical sequence. These are mainly representatives of the larger orders, serving as types of the flowers a beginner is most likely to meet. The salient botanical features and general habits of each are accu¬ rately given, and the 48 coloured illustrations by the late C. F. Xewall reach a very high standard. They gain by the inclusion of inset draw¬ ings of various details of flowers, fruit, etc. The title may suggest that this is a reference book where all species of flowering plants are mentioned. It is, in fact, an introduction to the better known types only, but as such serves its purpose exceed¬ ingly well. J. E. S. D. Field Studies in Ecology. By R. Bracher. (Arrowsmith; 2/6.) The authoress is lecturer in Botany in the University of Bristol. As her preface states, the book is based on her lectures and field work undertaken bv her students. The book will have a greater appeal to teachers of Botany than amateur naturalists, but will certainly be of great interest to the latter. The technicalities of the subject are com¬ bined with outdoor studies, and are presented in a refreshing picture of the work that can be undertaken in the field in studying how plants live. The reader is first introduced to plant communities and associa¬ tions. Then there follows a useful synopsis of British plant communi¬ ties. The remainder of the book, the larger portion, is devoted to methods of field work, inexpensive equipment for the student, and suggestions for lines of study. The book is nicely pioduced, and con¬ cludes with a brief bibliography and an index. L. P. LIST OF MEMBERS. 81 List of Members. (Corrected up to 9tli April 1937.) It is particularly requested that Members will inform the Secretary as soon as possible of any change of address. Honorary President : Prof. Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, O.M., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.S. Honorary Vice-Presidents : Sir Lawrence Chubb. Prof. M. Greenwood, D.Sc., F.R.S., F.R.C.P. F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S., F.R.E.S. A. Holte Macpherson, B.C.L., M.A., F.Z.S. L. B. Prout, F.R.E.S. J. Ross. Honorary Members: 1933 Bryce, E. J., Nelson Road, Killara, Sydney, N.S.W. (Zoo.) 1927 Le Souef, A. S., C.M.Z.S., R.A.O.U., Taronga Zoological Park Trust, Sydney, Australia. 1899 Massey, Herbert, M.B.O.U., F.R.E.S., Ivy Lea, Burnage, Dids- bury, Manchester. (Lep., Orn., Ool.) Members s 1927 Aldred, Miss K. V., 5 Ladbroke Court, Ladbroke Gardens, Not- ting Hill, W.ll. (Arch., Orn.) 1922 Aldred, Miss M., Flat 5, 21 Ladbroke Gardens, Notting Hill, W.ll. (Orn.) 1928 Alexander, O. A., 35 Ellington Road, Hounslow, Middlesex. (Ent.) 1937 Alston, A. H. G., B.A., F.L.S., British Museum (Natural His¬ tory), Cromwell Road, S.W.7. (Bot.) 1932 Angell, Miss K. W., at 104 Broxholm Road, West Norwood, S.E.27. (Orn., Ent., R., Ecol., Bot., PI. G.) 1932 Arbon, Mrs J. A., Brookside, Eversley Park Road, Winchmore Hill, N.21. (Arch.) 1925 Archbould, R. S., Forest Way, Loughton, Essex. (Orn.) 1915 Aris, E. A., F.Z.S., 9 Oak Avenue, Priory Road, Hornsey, N.8. (Lep.) 1932 Arnold, Miss W., 43 The Quadrant, Wimbledon, S.W.19. (Orn.) 1937 Austin, H. W., 19 Bell Moor, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Orn.) 1892 Austin, S., F.Z.S., 43 Darenth Road, Stamford Hill, N.16. (Orn., Arch., R., Ecol., Bot.) 1931 Axford, W. G., Surgeon Rear Admiral, C.B., F.L.S., 5 King Edward Mansions, 212a Shaftesbury Avenue, W.C.2. (Bot.) 1931 Back, Dr Marjorie, 16 Daisy Lane, Fulham, S.W.6. (Bot., Orn.) 1934 Baggaley, W., 12 Ashridge Close, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex. (Orn., R.) Baggallay, Miss J., 55 Ridgway Place, Wimbledon, S.W.19. (Orn.) 1929 82 THE LONDON NATURALIST. 1929 *Bagnall, R. S., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., 9 York Place, Edinburgh. (PL G. , Ent., Bot.) 1927 Baily, Miss A. R., F.Z.S., Cressex Lodge, Binfield, Berks. (Arch., Bot., Orn., Ent., PI. G., R.) 1924 *Baker, E. C. Stuart, J.P., O.B.E., F.Z.S., F.L.S., M.B.O.U., H. F.A.O.U., 6 Harold Road, Upper Norwood, S.E.19. (Orn.) 1934 Banks, H., 172 Cromwell Road, Hounslow, Middlesex. (Bot., Orn.) 1927 Barclay-Smith, Miss P., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Park Lodge, Hervey Road, Blackheath, S.E.3. (Orn.) 1926 Barnes, Mrs E. C., M.B.O.U., Hungerdown, Seagry, Wilts. (Orn., Bot.? Ecol.) 1936 Barnett, Mrs L. L., 50 Prince’s Square, W.2. (Ent., PI. G.) 1933 Bastian, Miss S., 83 Gower Street, W.C.l. 1903 *Battley, Mrs, 47 Gordon Road, Ealing, W.5. 1932 Bayliss, C. V., 14 Conan Mansions, West Kensington, W.14. (Arch.) 1915 Bayne, Charles S., Room 303, Salisbury House, Salisbury Square, E.C.4. (Orn., Ecol.) 1934 Becher-Bingliam, E., 141 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, S.E.24. (Ent., Orn.) 1931 Becher-Bingham, N. F., 141 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, S.E.24. (Orn., Ent.) 1936 Beckwith, Major W. M., D.S.O., 59 Albert Hall Mansions, S.W.7. (Orn.) 1934 Be nham, Miss E. K., la Queensberry Place, S. Kensington, S.W.7. (Bot., Orn.) 1926 Benn, Miss A., 68 South Esk Road, Forest Gate, E.7. (Orn., Ent,, PI. G., Ecol.) 1929 *Benson, R, B., M.A., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S., British Museum (Natural History), South Kensington, S.W.7. (Bot., Orn., Ent., esp. Sawflies, Ecol., R., PI. G.) 1932 Bentham, C. H., Eotlien, Epsom Lane, Tadwortli, Surrey. (Orn.) 1932 Binley, Miss E. M., 197 Camberwell Grove, Camberwell, S.E.5. (Orn., R.) 1935 Birnie, Miss V. M. 0., 23 Hillway, Highgate, N.6. (Orn., R.) 1932 Blackmore, A., 6 Doughty Street, W.C.l. (Bot.) 1930 Blair, K. G., D.Sc., F.R.E.S., 120 Sunningfields Road, Hendon, N.W.4. (Ent.) 1937 Blake, F. W., 16 Lindsey Road, Worcester Park, Surrey. (Orn.) 1933 Bomford, Miss N., 13 Theobald’s Road, W.C.l. (Orn., R.) 1933 Bonus, Miss A., 28a Nevern Place. Earl’s Court, S.W.5. (Orn.) 1933 Booth, H. P., B.A., 5 Snow Hill, E.C.l. (Orn.) 1937 Boss, Miss E. F. M., 15 Orford Road, Walthamstow, E.17. (Orn., Bot.) 1936 Bostock, Miss M. W., L.L.A., 77 West Cromwell Road, Earl’s Court, S.W.5. (Bot., Ecol., PI. G.) 1933 Bowtell, J. J., Tudor House, Lynton Road, Thorpe Bay, Essex. LIST OF MEMBERS. 83 1934 Boys, M. V., Ridgeway House, 73 Friern Lane, Friern Barnet, N.20. (Orn.) 1904 Bradley, S. W., 1 Lucton’s Avenue, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. (Bot., Ent., Orn.) 1932 Braitkwaite, Miss D. M., 18 Warren Road, Chingford, E.4. (Orn.) 1902 Braithwaite, J. 0., 18 Warren Road, Chingford, E.4. (Micr., Bot., Ent.) 1910 Braithwaite, Miss N. A., 18 Warren Road, Chingford, E.4. 1933 Brazil, Miss F., Penby, Marslialswick Lane, St Albans, Herts. (Orn.) 1930 Brend, Wm. A., M.A., M.D., B.Sc., 14 Bolingbroke Grove, Bat¬ tersea, S.W.ll. (Arch., Orn., R.) 1937 Brinton, R. E. B., 68 Woodstock Avenue, Golder’s Green, N.W. 11. (Orn., Bot., Icht.) 1933 Bromley, Miss B., 18 John Street, W.C.l. (Orn., R.) 1937 Broome, Miss E. B., 15 Orford Road, Walthamstow, E.17. (Bot., Orn.) 1916 Brown, A., F.Z.S., 44 Ravensdale Road, Stamford Hill, N.16. (Orn., Arch., Geol., R.) 1937 Brown, Miss B. E., 11 Earl’s Terrace, Kensington, W.8. 1936 Brown, E. C., M.Sc. (Lond.), 120 Durlston Road, Kingston-on- Thames, Surrey. (Bot., Ecol.) 1933 Brown, Miss M. M., 104 Edenbridge Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex. (Orn., Ent., Bot.) 1926 Browne, Miss C. H., 219 Harlesden Road, N.W. 10. (R., Arch., Bot.) 1936 Buchan, J. F., 1 Gordon Street, W.C.l. (Bot., Orn.) 1930 Burgliam, Miss J. E., 39 Queen’s Court, Hampstead Way, N.W. 11. (Orn., R.) 1915 Burkill, H. J., M.A., F.R.G.S., 3 Newman’s Court, Cornhill, E.C.3. (PI. G., Lep., Bot., Geol., Orn., R., Ecol.) 1933 Burton, M., M.Sc., F.Z.S., 25 Wellesley Road, Twickenham, Middlesex. (Porifera, Orn.) 1937 Butlin, J. H., 90 East Sheen Avenue, Mortlake, S.W.14. (Orn.) 1935 Butterworth, Miss M. H., Dyer’s Lane, Putney, S.W.15. (Orn., Bot., Ecol.) 1932 Caiger-Smith, Miss J., 23 Hornton Street, Kensington, W.8. (Orn.) 1928 *Campbell, J. M. H., M.D., 47 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (Orn., R.) 1912 Capleton, A., The Hawthorns, Monkham’s Drive, Woodford Green, Essex. (Mam., Orn., R., Bot.) 1926 Carr, Miss A. N., 7 Cambridge Road, Watford, Herts. (Orn., R.) 1936 Carrington, L. I., The Grey Cottage, Chipstead, Surrey. (Orn.) L933 Carter, J. S., Pli.D., M.Sc., F.I.C., 26 St John’s Road, Golders Green, N.W. 11. (Orn.) 1932 Castell, C. P., 52 Graham Road, Wimbledon, S.W.19. (Bot., Geol., Ecol.) 1936 Cawkell, E. M., 135 George Lane, Lewisham, S.E.13. (Orn.) 84 1936 1930 1931 1927 1927 1934 1934 1935 1935 1929 1904 1925 1929 1907 1932 1933 1936 1934 1936 1914 1937 1904 1934 1928 1932 1936 1931 1927 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Chandler, K. R., 33 Granville Road, Limpsfield, Surrey. (Orn., Ecol.) Chandler, S. E., D.Sc., F.L.S., 59 Anerley Park, Penge, S.E.20. (Bot.) Chubb, Sir Lawrence, 71 Eccleston Square, S.W.l. (R.) Clanclij-, Mrs B. L., Trebah, Cranbourne Drive, Pinner, Middle¬ sex. (R., Orn.) Clanchy, D. H., Trebah, Cranbourne Drive, Pinner, Middlesex. (R., Orn., Ecol.) Clark, J. T., Five Oaks, Ninham’s Wood, Farnborough, Kent. (Orn.) Clarke, Mrs M. A., 49 King’s Road, Chingford, E.4. (Orn.) Clarke, Miss M. I., 178 Hoppers Road, Winchmore Hill, N.21. (Orn., Bot., Arch., R.) Clerk-Rattray, Miss E., 45 Westbourne Gardens, W.2. (Bot., Orn.) Coates, Miss N. H., Woodhouse, Beaumont Road, Wimbledon Park, S.W.19. (Orn., Bot.) Cockayne, E. A., M.A., D.M., F.R.C.P., F.R.E.S., 116 West- bourne Terrace, Paddington, W.2. (Lep., Biol.) Cocksedge, W. C., 6 Aldersmead Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orn., Arch., Bot., Ecol.) Cocksedge, Mrs, 6 Aldersmead Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Arch., Bot., Ecol.) Collenette, C. L., F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., 107 Church Road, Rich¬ mond, Surrey. (Ent., Orn., Bot., Ecol.) Collenette, Mrs C. L., 107 Church Road, Richmond, Surrey. (Orn.) Collett, G. W., 84 Jermvn Street, S.W.l. (Orn., Ecol., R., Bot.) Collett, R. L., 12 Hereford Mansions, W.2. (Orn.) Codings, Mrs M., 36 Alfriston Road, Battersea, S.W.ll. (Ent., R.) Colyer, W. L., 8 The Mount, New Malden, Surrey. (Orn.) Connoll, Miss E., 68a High Road, S. Woodford, E.18. (Orn.) Cooke, H. O. P., Lamorna, Redruth, Cornwall. (Ent., Orn.) Cooke, Rev. P. H., B.A., 19 Hainthorpe Road, West Norwood, S^E.27. (Bot., Arch.) Coon, F. A. H., 7 Grenville Mansions, Hunter Street, W.C.l. (Orn.) Cox, Miss L. E., 72 Corringham Road, Golders Green, N.W.ll. (Bot.) Creighton, Miss M. B., 78 Highview Avenue, Edgware, Mid¬ dlesex. (Bot., Biol., PI. G.) Crompton, Miss C. E., Pioneer Club, 12 Cavendish Place, W.l. (Arch., Orn.) Crook, W. M., F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., 6 St Andrew’s Place, Regent’s Park, N.W.l. (Orn.) Cross-Rose, F., Kenmore, 20 Woolstone Road, Forest Hill, S.E.23. (Orn.) LIST OF MEMBERS. 85 1892 Culpin, Millais, M.D., F.R.C.S., 12 Park Village East, N.W.l. (Biol.) 1930 Cunningham, J., M.B.O.U., Drinagh, Kensington Road, Knocke, Belfast. (Orn.) 1936 Currie, P. W. E., 102 Burdon Lane, Belmont, Sutton, Surrey. (Orn.) 1892 Cyriax, R. C., 23 Aberdare Gardens, West Hampstead, N.W.6. (Arch., Aryan question, Indo-European languages.) 1936 Daffarn, J. D., 20 Woodside Avenue, Highgate, N.6. (Orn.) 1934 Dale, Miss G. R., 33 Cartwright Gardens, W.C.l. (Orn., R.) 1920 ^Dallas, J. E. S., 83 Belsize Lane, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Orn., Bot., Arch., Ecol., R., PI. G.) 1925 ^Dallas, Mrs Rosa F., 83 Belsize Lane, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Arch., Bot., Geol., Orn., Ecol., R.) 1933 Davies, Miss E. B., Graffham, Petworth, Sussex. (Orn., Ent.) 1935 Davies, Miss R. E., 14 Purley Bury Avenue, Sanderstead, Sur¬ rey. (Bot., Orn., Ecol., R.) 1932 Davis, Miss R., 118 College Road, Dulwich, S.E.21. (Orn., R.) 1926 Deane, Miss M. B. H., c/o Westminster Bank Ltd., Tangier, Morocco. (Orn.) 1910 Dell, F. G., 55 Russell Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. (P. L., Micr., Orn., R.) 1932 Denham, R., M.B.O.U., 12 Weymouth Court, 1 Weymouth Street, W.l. (Orn., Ent.) 1933 Doran, F. H., Toddsbrook, Gt. Parndon, Harlow, Essex. (P. L.) 1936 Douglas, Miss M., 30 The Alders, Winchmore Hill, N.21. (Orn., R., Bot.) 1928 Douglas-Smith, Miss K., 19 Thurlow Road, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Arch., Orn., Bot.) 1927 Druce, F., M.A., F.L.S., 60 Burton Court, Chelsea, S.W.3. (Bot.) 1934 Dunkin, W. H., 95 Park Road, West Dulwich, S.E.21. (Orn., R.) 1935 Dunsdon, Miss M., 7a The Parade, Carshalton, Surrey. (Orn.) 1934 Eales-White, Major J. C., T.D., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S., 88 Mount Ararat Road, Richmond, Surrey. (Orn., Ent., Arch.) 1936 Elcome, G. D., 29 Alleyn Park, West Dulwich, S.E.21. (Orn.) 1936 Elcome, J. W., 29 Alleyn Park, West Dulwich, S.E.21. (Orn.) 1936 Ellington, Miss M. L., 3 The Terrace, Richmond Hill, Surrey. (Orn.) 1936 Ellis, W. G., 49 Lordship Road, Stoke Newington, N.16. (Orn.) 1928 Emberson, L. M., African and Eastern (Near East) Ld., P.O. Box No. 17, Baghdad, Iraq. (Orn., Ecol.) 1927 English, Miss F., 8 Dorville Road, Ravenscourt Park, Hammer¬ smith, W.6. (Orn., Bot., Arch., R.) 1907 Eynon, Lewis, B.Sc., F.I.C., Fernleigh, Hall Lane, Upminster. Essex. (Chem.) 1935 Farquharson, A., Le Play House, 35 Gordon Square, W.C.l. (Ecol.) 1936 Ferguson, Miss E., 3 Crossfield Road, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Arch.) 1937 Fernberg, Mrs B., 29 Steele’s Road, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Orn.) 86 THE LONDON NATURALIST. 1927 Fisher, Mrs G. L., 80 Richmond Avenue, Hillingdon, Middlesex. (Arch.) 1934 Fitter, R. S. R., F.Z.S., Springfield, Ewell, Surrey. (Orn., Ecol., Ent.) 1924 Foster, J. B., B.A., 12 Conway Road, Wimbledon, S.W.20. (Orn.) 1935 Foster, Mrs J. B., 12 Conway Road, Wimbledon, S.W.20. 1928 Fox, G. J. B., 45 Stanwick Mansions, West Kensington, W.14. (Arch.) 1932 Franklin, A. W. L., 47 Bedford Gardens, Campden Hill, W.8. (Orn.) 1931 Frederick, Miss L. M., M.Sc., F.Z.S., Whitelands College, West Hill, Putney, S.W.15. (Orn., P. L., Ecol., R.) 1935 French, W. A., Hill Cottage, Loughton, Essex. (Orn., Bot.) 1936 Gardner, D. H. W., Merchant Taylors’ School, Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex. (Orn.) 1936 Garnett, T. R., 14 Barton Street, S.W.l. (Orn.) 1932 Garrido, A. S., 102 Clonmell Road, Tottenham, N.17. (Bot.) 1933 Gaster, H., 26a Lunham Road, Upper Norwood, S.E.19. (Bot., Orn.) 1934 Gawthorne, A. H., 29 Nicoll Road, Harlesden, N.W.10. (Orn.) 1910 Gaze, W. E., 10 The Avenue, Highams Park, Chingford, E.4. (Lep., Bot., Chem.) 1909 Gerrard, V. L. G., Dunster House, Mincing Lane, E.C.3. (Lep.) 1934 Gibson, Miss J., 7 Pembridge Square, W.2. (Orn.) 1936 Gillespie, T. L., Oman Court, Haverstock Hill, N.W.3. (R., Arch.) 1931 Gillett, J. D., F.R.E.S., 1 Beulah Road, Walthamstow, E.17. (Ent., Rept.) 1933 Gillham, E. H., Dilkusha, Coulsdon Road, Nr. Stoneyfield Road, Coulsdon, Surrey. (Orn.) 1910 Glegg, W. E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., 2 Burlington House, King’s Road, Richmond, Surrey. (Orn.) 1934 Godwin, C., 11 Compton Terrace, N.l. (Orn.) 1934 Godwin, Mrs M. L., 11 Compton Terrace, N.l. (Orn.) 1929 Goodfellow, Miss L., Flat 3, 28 John Street, Gray’s Inn, W.C.l. (Orn.) 1930 Goodwin-Vanner, R. E., F.R.S.A., F.R.H.S., Essex Villa, Guild¬ ford, Surrey. (Arch.) 1937 Gosnell, V., Barberry Cottage, Bridge, near Canterbury, Kent. (Orn.) 1934 Gray, Miss J. W., 10 Canford Road, Clapham Common, S.W.ll. (R., Bot.) 1927 Green, Roland, F.Z.S., Ruskin Studio, 7 New Court, Lincoln’s Inn, W.C.2. (Orn.) 1936 Greenwell, W. N., 1 Petersham Road, Petersham, Surrey. (Orn.) 1899 *Greenwood, Prof. M., D.Sc., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., Hillcrest, Church Hill, Loughton, Essex. (Arch., Biol.) 1937 Grice, Mrs F. G., 66 Lefevre Road, Bow, E.3. (Arch.) 1928 Griffin, Miss M., 22 Addison Way, Golders Green, N.W.ll. (Orn.) LIST OF MEMBERS. 87 1920 Grinling, C. H., B.A., 71 Rectory Place, Woolwich, S.E.18. (Bot.) 1937 Guichard, K. M., 54 Myddelton Street, E.C.l. (Ent., Ecol., Bot., Orn.) 1929 Gulliver, Miss M. D., 130 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex. (Orn., R.) 1933 Gunton, L., Lahlglyn, Cross Path, Radlett, Herts. (Orn.) 1932 Hadfield, J., Denecroft, Heath Way, Effingham, Surrey. (Orn., R. ) 1926 Hadfield, Mrs M. H., Denecroft, Heath Way, Effingham, Surrey. (Orn., Bot., R.) 1927 Hale, R. W., 6 Grendon Gardens, Barn Hill, Wembley Park, Middlesex. (Orn.) 1936 Hall, J. B., Nakuru, Bridle Lane, Loudwater, Rickmansworth, Herts. (Orn.) 1903 Hanbury, F. Capel, Westfield. Hoddesdon, Herts. (Lep.) 1906 Hanbury, Frederick J., F.L.S., F.R.E.S., Brockliurst, East Grin- stead, Sussex. (Bot., Lep.) 1897 *Hanson, P. J., Burcroft, Village Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex. (Orn., Arch., R.) 1927 Hardiman, Miss A., Hyron’s Cottage, Woodside Road, Amers- ham, Bucks. (R.) 1921 Hardiman, J. P., C.B.E., B.A., Hyron’s Cottage, Woodside Road, Amersham, Bucks. (Orn., R.) 1935 Harris, A. H., Silton, The Green, Ewell, Surrey. (Orn.) 1933 Harrison, Miss E. E., 44 Alexandra Road, St John’s Wood, N.W.8. (Orn., R.) 1935 Hatch, R. S., 66 Coston’s Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex. (Orn.) 1930 Haworth, Miss F. M., B.Sc., F.Z.S., 9 Carmalt Gardens, Putney, S. W.15. (Zoo., Bot.) 1927 Hayward, Jno. F., B.Sc., 29 Mount Echo Drive, Chingford, E.4. (Geol., Zoo.) 1935 Hearn, Miss D. B., 56 Meadvale Road, Ealing, W.5. (Orn., Bot., Arch., R.) 1933 Hearn, Miss K. L., 56 Meadvale Road, Ealing, W.5. (Orn., R.) 1902 Heath, G. H., M.A., 3 Bolney Court, Portsmouth Road, Surbiton, Surrey. (Lep.) 1935 Henderson, Miss F. E., 35 Ladbroke Gardens, Notting Hill, W.ll. (Orn.) 1934 Henderson, G. A., 12 Chepstow Crescent, Notting Hill, W.ll. (Orn.) 1930 Hick, A. E., 68 Brockswood Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Herts. 1932 Higgins, T. T., F.R.C.S., 34 Harley Street, W.l. (Orn., Ent.) 1936 Hilliard, R., The Moorings, 5 Oakleigh Gardens, Edgware, Mid¬ dlesex. (Ent., Ecol.) 1937 Hohn, E. D., 14 Salt Hill Avenue, Slough, Bucks. (Orn., Ecol.) 1932 Homes, R. C., 17 Park Lawn Avenue, Epsom, Surrey. (Orn., Ecol., R.) 1930 Hopkins, Graham, The Byron Studios Ltd., 8 Farringdon Avenue, E.C.4. (Orn., Ecol.) 88 THE LONDON NATURALIST. 1919 Horn, P. W., Stepney Borough Museum, 77 Whitechapel High Street, E.l. (Orn., Aqua.) 1905 Hornblower, A. B., 91 Queen’s Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. (Api., Arch., Orn., R., Ecol.) 1931 *Hose, Miss M. M., 22 The Avenue, Bickley, Kent. (Orn., Bot., Ent., PI. G., Ecol., R.) 1935 Hosegood, Miss H. B., Lynton Lodge, Dingwall Road, Croydon, Surrey. (Orn.) 1933 House, F. C., 36 Becmead Avenue, Kenton, Middlesex. (Orn., R., Ecol., Bot.) 1910 Howard, D. Lloyd, J.P., F.I.C., F.C.S., Pettits Hall, Chigwell, Essex. (Chem.) 1936 Hunt, Miss C. D. F., 52 St Helen’s Gardens, North Kensington, W.10. (Arch., Bot., Geol., Orn.) 1930 Hutton, Miss R. E., 34 Thorneyhedge Road, Gunnersbury, W.4. (Bot., Zoo.) 1935 Hyde, J. H., 52 Tangier Road, Richmond, Surrey. (Orn., Bot.) 1934 Jackson, Miss N., 43 Casselden Road, Harlesden, N.W.10. (Biol.) 1927 Jeffery, H. J., A.R.C.S., F.L.S., 14 Coppetts Road, Muswell Hill, N.10. (Bot.) 1926 Jehan, Kenneth C., Westminster Bank, 133 Baker Street, W.l. (Bot., Arch.) 1929 Johns, Miss F. E., 40 The Ridgeway, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex. (Orn., R., Bot.) 1933 Johns, Miss L. J., 87 Morley Hill, Enfield, Middlesex. (Arch., Bot., Orn., R., Ecol.) 1931 Johnston, F. J., 19 Connaught Avenue, Chingford, E.4. (Orn.) 1932 Jones, Rodney R. M., Tros-vr-Afon, Penmon, Anglesey. (Orn.) 1899 *Kaye, W. J., F.R.E.S., Chantrey Lodge, Longdown, Guildford, Surrey. (Lep.) 1937 Keith- Johnston, C., Spring Cottage, Sarratt, Nr. Rickmans- worth, Herts. (Orn., Ent.) 1936 Kenworthy, Miss K. M., 45 Palace Court, W.2. (Arch., Bot., Orn.) 1934 Kerr, Mrs H. M., Rait-, 22 Elm Tree Road, St John’s Wood, N.W.8. (Orn., Arch.) 1936 Keywood, K. P., Croft Cottage, Hare Lane, Claygate, Surrey. (Orn., Ent.) 1930 King, Miss C. A., M.D., 152 Harley Street, W.l. (Orn., Arch. R.) 1929 King, E. L., Holkham, 11 Downs View, Isleworth, Middlesex. (Orn., Bot., R.) 1932 King, Mrs E. L., 11 Downs View, Isleworth, Middlesex. (Orn., Bot., R.) 1932 Kirkness, Miss D. S., F.Z.S., 6 Mill Lane, West Hampstead, N.W.6. (Zoo., Bot., Arch.) 1931 Lack, C., 31 Marlborough Place, St John’s Wood, N.W.8. (Orn.) 1928 Lack, H. L., M.D., F.R.C.S., 31 Marlborough Place, St John’s Wood, N.W.8. (Orn.) LIST OF MEMBERS. 89 1936 Lamont, Mrs E. H., 49a Netherhall Gardens, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Orn.) 1927 Lane, J. H., 571/3 Commercial Road, E.l. (Chem.) 1932 La Touche, J. N. Digues, M.Inst.C.E., Woodcroft, Baldwin’s Hill, Loughton, Essex. 1932 Le Cocq, L., 17 Highbury Hill, N.5. (R., Orn.) 1930 Ledlie, R. C. B., M.B., B.Sc., F.R.C.S., 64 Harley Street, W.l. (Bot.) 1928 Lee, Miss M., 22 Addison Way, Golders Green, N.W.ll. (Orn.) 1928 Leech, T., 52 Park Avenue, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex. (Bot., Orn.) 1922 Lemon, Mrs M. L., M.B.E., J.P., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey. (Orn.) 1936 Lewis, Miss M., Oaklea, Whitehall Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. (Orn., Bot., Ent., R., Arch.) 1919 Leyton Public Libraries, per the Librarian (E. Sydney, F.L.A.), Central Library, Leyton, E.10. 1927 Lister, Miss G., F.L.S., 871 High Road, Leytonstone, E.ll. (Orn., Bot.) 1926 ^'Littlejohn, H. A., 5 Underne Avenue, Southgate, N.14. (Orn., Bot., R.) 1934 Locket, G. H., M.A., M.Sc., West Hill House, Harrow, Middle¬ sex. (Ent., Ecol.) 1933 Lockyer, T. Norman, LL.B. (Lond.), 12 Wimborne Gardens, West Ealing, W.13. (Arch., Orn., R.) 1926 *Longfield, Miss C. E., F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., 20 Pont Street, S.W.l. (Orn., Ent., Bot., Ecol., R.) 1930 *Low, G. Carmichael, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., 86 Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, W.l. (Orn., Zoo.) 1936 Lucas, Miss M. A., 20 Stanhope Gardens, Highgate, N.6. (Ent., Arch.) 1928 MacAlister, Mrs E., 10 St Alban’s Road, Kensington, W.8. (Orn., Bot.) 1935 McCulloch, G. K., 65 Chester Road, Northwood, Middlesex. (Orn.) 1933 MacDonald, Right Honourable Malcolm J., P.C., M.P., Lossie¬ mouth, Morayshire, N.B. (Orn.) 1935 McDowell, Miss C. M., 43 Montague Road, Richmond, Surrey. (Bot., Orn.) 1932 Mclnnes, Miss J., 5 Longton Avenue, Sydenham, S.E.26. (Orn., Bot.) 1911 Macintosh, Miss I. S., 3 Mayfield Road, Chingford, E.4. (Bot.) 1911 Macintosh, Miss J. D., 3 Mayfield Road, Chingford, E.4. (Bot.) 1929 Mackay, Helen M. M., M.D., F.R.C.P., 28 John Street, Bed¬ ford Row, W.C.l. (Orn.) 1931 McKittrick, Thos. H., Jun., M.B.O.U., Coombe Place, East Grin- stead, Sussex. (Orn.) McKittrick, Mrs T. H., Jun., Coombe Place, East Grinstead, Sussex. (Orn.) 1932 90 THE LONDON NATURALIST. 1932 Mackworth-Praed, C. W., F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S., M.B.O.U., 51 Onslow Gardens, South Kensington, S.W.7. (Orn., Ent.) 1923 *Macpherson, A. Holte, B.C.L., M.A., F.Z.S., 21 Campden Hill Square, W.8. (Orn.) 1929 Maltby, Miss J., Duncliffe, 157 Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orn., Bot., P. L.) 1936 Mann, C. A., 26 Mount Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. (Ent., Arch.) 1923 Mann, E., 10 Frankland Road, S. Chingford, E.4. (P. L., Orn., Ecol.) 1934 Mann, F. R., M.C., Noreena, Ham Common, Surrey. (Orn.) 1934 Manser, G. E., 51 Barnmead Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orn., Bot., Ecol.) 1936 Manson-Bahr, P. H., D.S.O., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., M.B.O.U., F.Z.S., 149 Harley Street, W.l. (Orn.) 1934 *Marchant, Miss R., 76 Witley Court, Woburn Place, W.C.l. (Bot., Arch.) 1929 Marshall, John G., Rye House, Green Lane, New Eltham, S.E.9. (Orn.) 1932 Mason, C. T., 144 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, Middlesex. (Ent., Arch.) 1935 Melluish, W. D., 56 Sunnyfield, Mill Hill, N.W.7. (Orn.) 1931 Millburn, Miss F. C., Calderfield, St George’s Avenue, Northamp¬ ton. (Orn.) 1926 Mitchell, Miss E. A., 52 Parkfield Road, S. Harrow, Middlesex. (Bot.) 1932 Mitchell, Miss M. I., 26 Burlington Road, Osterley, Middlesex. (Bot., Orn.) 1936 Mitford, Capt. Hon. J., 3 Granville Chambers, Granville Place, Orchard Street, W.l. (Orn.) 1934 Moore, F., 122 Sloane Street, S.W.l. (Arch.) 1934 Morgan, D. A. T., Rodneystone, Spring Grove Road, Richmond, Surrey. (Orn., R., Ecol.) 1935 Morris, K. R. S., Ph.D., Farnham House Laboratory, Farnham Royal, near Slough, Bucks. (Ent., Orn., Ecol.) 1934 Munro, Miss M., Furzedown Training College, Welham Road, Tooting, S.W.17. (Orn., Ecol.) 1937 Munro, Miss P. C., 12 The Close, Southgate, N.14. (Orn.) 1928 Murphy, Miss H., L.L.A., 43 Stafford Row, Bow, E.3. (Bot., Orn., Ent., Arch.) 1936 Napper, R. P., 20 Norland Square, Holland Park, W.ll. (Orn.) 1934 Newcombe, Miss P. M., 52 North-way, Golders Green, N.W.ll. (Orn., Bot., R.) 1926 Niblett, Montague, 10 Greenway, Wallington, Surrey. (Ent., PI. G.) 1893 *Nicholson, Miss B., Rotherwood, 49 Danecourt Road, Parkstone, Dorset. (Bot.) 1934 Nicholson, E. M., M.B.O.U., 61 Marsham Street, S.W.l. (Orn., Ecol.) LIST OF MEMBERS. 91 1934 Nicholson, E. T., 321 Brettenham Road, Walthamstow, E.17. (Orn.) 1932 Nicholson, G., Homeland, Basildon Road, Laindon, Essex. (Orn.> 1928 Noel, Miss E. F., 37 Burnham Court, W.2. (Bot., Orn., R., Ent., PI. G.) 1934 Norris, C. A., M.B.O.U., Grassholme, Stratford-on-Avon, War¬ wickshire. (Orn., Ecol.) 1933 Oke, E. E., Tweenways, The Mount, Leatherhead, Surrey. (Orn., Ent., R.) 1926 *01dham, Charles, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Oxfield, Shooters- wav, Berkhamsted, Herts. (Bot., Orn., Conch., Ecol.) 1937 Owen, C. E., 30 Hamilton Road, Harrow, Middlesex. (Orn.) 1929 Page, Miss M. M., 19 Hainthorpe Road, West Norwood, S.E.27. (Orn.) 1925 *Parmenter, L., 94 Fairlands Avenue, Thornton Heath, Surrey. (Ecol., Bot., Ent. (esp. Dipt.), Orn., PI. G.) 1921 Parsons, S. T. T., 89 Holland Park, Notting Hill, W.ll. (Orn.) 1937 Patterson, H. G., 15 Queen’s Gate Gardens, S.W.7. (Orn.) 1933 Paulson, C. W. G., M.B.O.U., c/o John Harkness & Co., Ltd., 69 Great Queen Street, Kingsway, W.C.2. (Orn.) 1922 Payne, C. H., 13 Kidderpore Gardens, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Orn., Arch.) 1930 Payne, E. D. B., 32 Friern Watch Avenue, North Finchley, N.12. (Orn.) 1923 Payne, E. M., Tilgate, Long Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex. (Bot., Orn.) 1923 Payne, L. G., 22 Marksburv Avenue, Richmond, Surrey. (Bot., Ecol.) 1935 Pearce, B. S. K., 74 Ashgrove Road, Goodmayes, Ilford, Essex, (Orn., Bot., Ent.) 1934 Pearson, Miss D. M., St Gabriel’s College, Cormont Road, Cam¬ berwell, S.E.5. (Orn., P. L., Bot., PI. G.) 1932 Pedler, E. G., 78 Richmond Park Road, W.14. (Orn., R.) 1937 Peterken, J. H. G., 73 Forest Drive East, Leytonstone, E.ll. (Orn., Bot.) 1922 Pethen, R. W., 108 Northwold Road, Upper Clapton, E.5. (Orn., Ent., Ecol.) 1931 Pethen, Miss Rita W., 108 Northwold Road, Upper Clapton, E.5. (Orn., Rept.) 1929 Phelan, T. C. E., Sarum, St Andrews Road, Coulsdon, Surrey. (Orn., Bot.) 1932 Phillips, Mrs F. M., 9 Sylvan Hill, Upper Norwood, S.E.19. (Orn.) 1932 Phillips, H. H., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., 9 Sylvan Hill, Upper Nor¬ wood, S.E.19. (Orn.) 1933 Ping, Miss M. L., 172 Falloden Way, Hampstead Garden Suburb, N.W.ll. (Orn., Bot.) 1931 Pinniger, E. B., 19 Endlebury Road. Chingford, E.4. (Ent., Orn.) 1927 Piper, Miss G. E. M., 12 Elms Road, Clapham, S.W.4. (Orn.) 92 THE LONDON NATURALIST. 1925 Poock, S. G., 17 Green Moor Link, Winckmore Hill, N.21. (Orn., Ecol.) 1928 Poole, A. C., 42 The Mall, Ealing, W.5. (Orn., Bot.) 1933 Popple, Miss W. N., 11 Pemberton Gardens, Upper Holloway, N.19. (Orn., R., P. L., Ecol.) 1910 Pratt, W. B., 10 Lion Gate Gardens, Richmond, Surrey. (Lep.) 1892 Prout, L. B., F.R.E.S., 84 Albert Road, Dalston, E.8. (Lep., Biol.) 1929 Purey-Cust, Miss Peggy, 49 West Hill, Higligate, N.6. 1926 Rankin, The Hon. Lady, Royal Court Hotel, Sloane Square, S.W.l. (Orn.) 1934 Ratcliff, P. W7., 12 Barnmead Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orn., Bot., Ecol.) 1934 *Ray, Miss T., 76 Witley Court, Woburn Place, W.C.l. (Bot., Arch.) 1936 Redgrave, G., 57 Ranelagh Gardens Mansions, Hurlingham, S.W.6. (Orn., R.) 1935 Redpath, K., Glanton, Manor Road, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Bucks. (Orn.) 1929 Reed, Miss J. B., 29 Thornton Hill, Wimbledon, S.W.19. (Orn.) 1930 Reeve, Miss E. A., The Penn Club, 9 Tavistock Square, W.C.l. (Bot., Orn., Ent., R.) 1929 Rew, Miss M., 23 Chester Terrace, Regents Park, N.W.l. (Orn.) 1925 Richardson, Arthur, The Lodge, Chantry Lane, London Colney, Herts. (Orn., Ent.) 1928 Richardson, G., 75 WToodbourne Avenue, Streatham, S.W.16. (Bot.) 1892 Robbins, R. W., Bullens Lee, Pains Hill, Limpsfield, Surrey. (Bot., Lep., Orn., Arch., PI. G., Ecol.) 1934 Roberts, J. E., B.Sc., 24 Warren Drive, Surbiton, Surrey. (Orn., Ecol.) 1933 Robinson, G. F. B., Shenley, Manor Green Road, Epsom, Surrey. (Orn., R.) 1933 Robinson, Mrs M. L., Shenley, Manor Green Road, Epsom, Sur¬ rey. (Bot., R.) 1932 Rosevear, D. R., Conservator of Forests, Botanic Gardens, Vic¬ toria, Cameroons. (Ent., Bot.) 1910 *Ross, J., 23 College Gardens, Chingford, E.4. (Bot., PI. G., Orn., Ecol., R.) 1932 Rotter, Miss G. H., Penmon, 2 Park Hill Road, Sidcup, Kent. (Bot., Arch.) 1935 Rowan, J. D., 65 Haydn Avenue, Purley, Surrey. (Orn.) 1931 Rowberry, E. C., 7 Burlington Road, Osterley, Middlesex. (Orn., Ecol.) 1933 Rush, Miss M. M., 22 Hill Rise, Hampstead Garden Suburb, N.W.ll. (Orn., Bot., R.) 1932 Ryan, A. P., 19 Barnsall Street, Chelsea, S.W.3. (Orn.) 1929 Sampson, E. S., 60 Alexandra Road, Epsom, Surrey. (Orn.) LIST OF MEMBERS. 93 1935 Sandeman, P. W., 2 Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, W.2. (Orn.) 1930 Scudamore, Miss M., 23 Marchmont Road, Richmond Hill, Sur¬ rey. 1932 Seton, Sir Malcolm C. C., K.C.B., M.B.O.U., 26 Upper Park Road, Hampstead, N.W.3. (Orn.) 1935 Shill, W. A., 41 Douglas Avenue, Walthamstow, E.17. (Bot.) 1929 Short, G. R. A., 36 Parkside Drive, Edgware, Middlesex. (Bot., Micr., Pharmacognosy, Ecol.) 1936 Silva, Miss A. M. T., Stone Street Farm, Sevenoaks, Kent. (Orn.) 1936 Silva, Miss E. T. T., Stone Street Farm, Sevenoaks, Kent. (Orn.) 1892 Simes, J. A., O.B.E., F.R.E.S., Kingsley Cottage, 75 Queen’s Road, Lougliton, Essex. (Ent.) 1911 Simpson, W., M.B., B.S., D.P.H., The Ivies, 3 Adelaide Road, Andover, Hants. (Arch., Bot., Lep., PI. G., R.) 1934 Skilton, H. W., 9 Stillness Road, Forest Hill, S.E.23. (Orn.) 1933 Skrimshire, Miss E. F., 27 Talbot Road, Highgate, N.6. (Arch., R.) 1933 Skrimshire, E. H. N., F.R.A.I., F.Z.S., 5 The Old Well House, The Grove, Highgate, N.6. (Orn., Arch., R.) 1936 Smart, J., B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.E.S., British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.WL7. (Ent., Orn.) 1892 Smith, A. C., F.R.E.S., 18 Mornington Road, Woodford Green, Essex. (Ent.) 1935 Smith, Miss A. J., 26 Newman Street, W.l. (Orn.) 1892 Smith, C. B., 103 Wood Vale, N.10. (Lep.) 1929 Smith, Mrs H. K., 103 Wood Vale, N.10. 1936 Smith, Miss J., 15 Thornlaw Road, West Norwood, S.E.27. (Orn.) 1933 Smith, Miss L., 17 Highcliffe Gardens, Ilford, Essex. (Arch.) 1934 Smith, R. McKenzie, 124 King’s Avenue, Woodford Green, Essex. (Orn.) 1936 Smith, Miss S. M., 30 The Alders, Winchmore Hill, N.21. (Orn., R., Bot.) 1927 Solly, Miss B. N., 12 Moreton Gardens, Old Brompton Road, Earl’s Court, S.W.5. (Orn.) 1927 Southern, H. N., 67 Holden Road, North Finchley, N.12. (Orn.) 1936 Spencer, M. D., Long Orchard, Cobham, Surrey. (Orn.) 1935 Spinney, G. H., B.A., 4 Overhill Gardens, East Dulwich, S.E.22. (Bot., Arch., Ecol., R.) 1922 Spooner, Herman, 21 Musgrave Crescent, Walham Green, S.W.6. (Bot., Orn., Arch., R., Ecol.) 1936 Springall, R. S., 30 Connaught Avenue, Chingford, E.4. (Orn.) 1934 Statham, Miss M. R., The Willesden General Hospital, N.W.l. (Arch., R.) 1934 Steel, W. O., 16 Upsdell Avenue, Palmers Green, N.13. (Ent., PI. G., Ecol.) 1936 Stephens, H. S., 29 Yale Court, Hampstead, N.W.6. (Orn.) 1936 Stewart, Mrs E., 85 Fortis Green, East Finchley, N.2. 94 THE LONDON NATURALIST. 1936 Stewart, Miss M., 85 Fortis Green, East Finchley, N.2. 1937 Stirling, Lt.-Col. J. A., Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, Sur¬ rey. (Orn.) 1920 *Stowell, H. S., L.R.I.B.A., Pirbright, Torland Road, Hartley, Plymouth. (Arch.) 1933 Sulman, J. E., Crofters, Pine Grove, Totteridge, Herts. (Orn.) 1937 Sumner, Rev. C. L. H., M.A., The Clergy House, 177 East Street, Walworth, S.E.17. (Orn., Bot.) 1927 Swain, A. M., Ledburn, Crescent Drive, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent. (Orn.) 1930 Swayne, F. G., M.A. (Cantab.), M.B., M.B.O.U., Beulah Spa Hotel, Norwood, S.E.19. (Orn.) 1935 Tams, W. H. T., F.R.E.S., British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, S.W.7. (Ent.) 1930 Tassart, Miss 0. F., 36 Alfriston Road, Clapham Common, S.W.ll. (Arch., Orn., PI. G.) 1936 Thomas, C. H. R., 115 Inverness Terrace, W.2. (Ent., Ecol.) 1920 Thomas, Mrs G. E., 9 Talbot Road, Xsleworth, Middlesex. (Orn., R.) 1935 Thompson, Miss F., Ludbrook, Green Lanes, Winchmore Hill, N.21. (Arch., R.) 1927 Thresher, Miss G. A., 34 Henrietta Street, W.C.2. (Arch., Bot., Ent., PL G., R.) 1932 Todd, Miss G. E., 17 Queensborough Terrace, W.2. (Bot., Orn.) 1934 Tours, H., 7 Briar Road, Kenton, Middlesex. 1931 Tours, H. J., 8 Harvard Road, Gunnersbury, W.4. 1892 Tremayne, L. J., F.Z.S., Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, W.C.2. (Bot., Lep., Arch., PI. G., Orn., R.) 1908 Tremayne, Mrs, Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, W.C.2. (Orn., Arch., Bot., R.) 1923 Trench, R. H., Hall Barn Cottage, Beaconsfield, Bucks. (Orn., R.) 1935 Turnham, R., 10 Salisbury Road, Dalston, E.8. (Orn.) 1933 Underhill, D. G., Broadway, Landscape Road, Warlingham, Sur¬ rey. (Ent.) 1931 Underwood, R. A., Greenways, Shoreham Road, Otford, Kent. (Orn.) 1935 van Oostveen, Miss M., 11 Gloucester Walk, Campden Hill, W.8. (Orn., Ent., Ecol.) 1927 Veitch, Miss A., 79 Shirley Gardens, Faircross, Barking, Essex. (Arch.) 1929 Venour, Miss D., 20 Burdenshott Avenue, Richmond, Surrey. (Orn.) 1936 Verrey, Miss D. M., The Warren, Oxshott, Surrey. (Orn.) 1937 Verrey, Miss H. K., The Warren, Oxshott, Surrey. 1933 Vincent, W. G., 154 Winchester Road, Hale End, E.4. (Orn.) 1927 Waller, G., 158 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orn., Ent., Ecol.) 1931 Wallis, Miss P. I., Seven Trees, Ockham Road, East Horsley, Surrey. (Orn., Ecol., R.) LIST OF MEMBERS. 95 1925 Ward, Bernard T., 24 Long Deacon Road, Chingford, E.4. (Arch., Bot., Ent., Orn., PI. G., R., Ecol.) 1937 Ward, F. A. B., M.A., Ph.D., 11 The Close, Southgate, N.14. (Orn., Arch.) 1933 Ward, Miss I. W., 11 The Close, Old Southgate, N.14. (Orn., Icht.) 1933 Ward, Margaret, M.B., Ch.B., Threeways, Jordans, Beaconsfield, Bucks. (Arch., Orn.) 1920 Watkins, Miss H., 12 Connaught Avenue, East Sheen, S.W.14. (Orn., R., Bot.) 1936 Watt, E. C., 13 Park Road, N.W.l. (Orn.) 1926 Watt, Hugh Boyd, F.Z.S., 90 Parliament Hill Mansions, Lissen- den Gardens, N.W.5. (Orn., Ecol., Zoo., Bot.) 1925 *Watt, Mrs Winifred Boyd, M.B.O.U., 90 Parliament Hill Man¬ sions, Lissenden Gardens, N.W.5. (Orn., Arch., Ecol.) 1932 Wattson, Miss C. M., Fairholt, Oakleigh Avenue, Whetstone, N.20. (Orn., Ent.) 1893 Wattson, R. Marshman, 33 Gerard Road, Harrow, Middlesex. (Arch., Ent.) 1928 Weeks, Claude, 7 Ashmount Road, Highgate, N.19. (Orn., Ecol., R. ) 1931 Wheeler, Miss E. M., 28 Hardy Road, Blackheath, S.E.3. (Orn., Bot., Ecol., R.) 1929 Wheeler, E. P., F.R.I.B.A., Park Lodge, Park Road, Sutton, Surrey. (Orn., Arch.) 1935 Whitaker, F. 0., 51 Grosvenor Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey. (Bot., PI. G., R., Ecol.) 1930 Whitbread, R., 6 Meadow Way, Weald Village, Harrow, Middle¬ sex. (Arch.) 1932 Whitbread, Miss W. H. E., 6 Meadow Way, Weald Village, Har¬ row, Middlesex. 1937 White, C. A., 18 Townsend Road, Southall, Middlesex. (Orn.) 1933 White, E. I., Ph.D., F.G.S., Dept, of Geology, British Museum (Natural History), S. Kensington, S.W.7. (Palaeontology, Orn.) 1935 Whitehouse, F. W., Wayside East, Oak Road, Harold Wood, Essex. (Bot.) 1936 Whitgift, M., M.I.E.E., 7 Coulter Road, Hammersmith, W.6. (Arch.) 1934 Wightman, J. S., Wood View, Park Road, Ashtead, Surrey. (Orn.) 1936 Willcox, J. M., Middlesex Hospital Medical School, W.l. (Orn.) 1933 Williams, T. Lloyd, M.A., 6 Howden Road, South Norwood Hill, S. E.25. 1931 Wills, Miss A. M., 294 Footscray Road, New Eltham, S.E.9. (R., Arch.) 1936 Wilson, J. M., Redwing, Townsend Drive, St Albans, Herts. (Orn.) 96 THE LONDON NATURALIST. 1929 Witkerby, H. F., M.B.E., H.F.A.O.U., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Gracious Pond Farm, Ckobkam, Nr. Woking, Surrey. (Orn.) 1935 Woods, Miss C. E. L., Little Ballards, Farley Road, South Croy¬ don, Surrey. (Orn., Ent., Zoo.) 1922 Wright, W. A., 31 Beresford Road, Chingford, E.4. (Orn.) Affiliated Societies. 1936 Tiffin Boys’ School Scientific Society (Natural Science Section). Representative: — F. H. Budden, Tiffin Boys’ School, Kings¬ ton-on-Thames, Surrey. (Ecol.) 1936 Westminster School N.H. Society. Representative: — L. H. Burd, Esq., Westminster School, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, S.W.l. (Orn., Ent., Ecol.) Branch Associates; 1925 Boardman, Stuart, 109 Monkham’s Avenue, Woodford Green, Essex. (Orn., Ent.) 1930 Brightman, Miss A., St Osyth, Hempstead Road, Upper Wal¬ thamstow, E.17. 1928 Culpin, Miss N., 39 Pretoria Road, Chingford, E.4. 1937 Earl, W. J. H., Bancroft’s School, Woodford Green, Essex. (Orn.) 1933 Haines, Miss C. R., 21 Gordon Road, Chingford, E.4. 1920 Hart, Miss H., The Green Farm, Chingford, E.4. 1933 Hayward, P. D;, 2 King’s Green, High Road, Loughton, Essex. (Orn.) 1937 Hiles, Miss I., 50 Drysdale Avenue, Chingford, E.4. 1927 Holland, H., 27 Victoria Road, Chingford, E.4. 1933 Jeffery, Miss P., 64 Larkswood Road, Chingford, E.4. 1936 Lousley, J. E., 7 Penistone Road, Streatham Common, S.W.16. (Bot., Ecol.) 1911 Mathieson, Miss M. L., 7 Crescent Road, Chingford, E.4. (Meteorology.) 1930 Penwarden, Miss C., 39 The Avenue, Chingford, E.4. 1935 Pettit, H. A., 197 Billet Road, Walthamstow, E.17. 1927 Pettit, Mrs S., Colliam, 2 Victoria Road, Chingford, E.4. 1927 Pettit, S., Colham, 2 Victoria Road, Chingford, E.4. v 1932 Pinniger, Mrs, 19 Endlebury Road, Chingford, E.4. 1925 Saul, H. J. B., 4 Buxton Road, Chingford, E.4. 1931 Saunders, M. E., 57 Beresford Road, Chingford, E.4. (Bot.) 1903 Stevenson, H. E., F.C.S., 24 Wilton Grove, Wimbledon, S.W.19. (Chern.) 1935 Stiff, D. F. H., 42 The Glade, Higham’s Park, E.4. (Geol.) 1927 Stopps, W. E., 50 Gordon Road, Chingford, E.4. 1935 Tucker, D. G., 31 Frederica Road, Chingford, E.4. (Orn.) 1927 Unwin, Mrs E., 7 Mount View Road, Chingford, E.4. 1929 Youe, Miss E., 46 Station Road, Chingford, E.4. (Bot.) 1929 1933 1931 1935 1931 1920 1934 1896 1933 1908 1932 1924 1929 1928 1934 1934 1933 1930 1932 1933 1928 1927 1927 1926 1931 LIST OP MEMBERS. 97 Country and Softool Associates: Acland, Miss C. M., M.B.O.U., Walwood, Banstead, Surrey. (Orn.) Ashdown, F. S., The Senior School, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead, Sussex. (PI. G.) Basden, E. B., Budleigh, Farnham Royal, nr. Slough, Bucks. (Dipt., Bot., Ecol.) Bell, Fairfax, M.A., B.M.B.Ch., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., c/o The Director of Medical and Sanitary Services, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika, Central Africa. (Ent., Orn.) Benson, Mrs R. B., Dellfield, Featherbed Lane, Felden, Boxmoor, Herts. (Orn., Bot., R.) Biddiscombe, W., Ward B, Warren Road Hospital, Guildford, Surrey. (Bot.) Biddlecombe, P. E., Sunnyside, Hill View Road, Orpington, Kent. (Arch.) Bishop, E. B., Lindfield, Marshall Road, Godahning, Surrey. (Bot., Arch., PI. G., Orn.) Bonnett, Mrs E. G., The Leper Hospital, Perulia, Behar, India. (Arch., Bot., R.) Bostock, E. D., Alicoombe, Pelham Gardens, Folkestone, Kent. (Lep.) Charles, Capt. R., The Mound, Purbrook, Hants. (Marine Biol.) Collins, Miss Florence, School of Gardening, Clapha.m, near Worthing, Sussex. (Orn.) Correspondent, The, Natural History Society, St John’s School, Leatherhead, Surrey. Cuningham, Miss D. W. M., c/o Major Estell, St Anthony, Praa Sands, Marazion, Cornwall. (Bot., Ent., Orn., PI. G.) Elton, Rt. Hon. Lord, Greenways, Manor Road, Old Head- ington, Oxford. (Orn., Arch., Bot.) Elton, Lady, Greenways, Manor Road, Old Headington, Oxford. (Orn., Arch., Bot.) Ferrier, Miss J. M., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., A.A.O.U., Hemsby Hall, Hemsby, Norfolk. (Orn., Ecol.) Foster, Mrs S., 12 Victoria Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. (Orn.) Frazer, A. D., M.B., Ch.B., 74 St James Street, Nottingham. (PI. G.) Gibson, Miss E. M., Ashcroft, Station Road, Petersfield, Hants. (Lep., Orn.) Harrisson, T. H., M.B.O.U., The Chase, Weeke, Winchester, Hants. (Orn., Ecol.) Harvey, F. B., The Nook, Rhodes Minnis, Elham, nr. Canter¬ bury, Kent. Harvey, J. H., Half Moon Cottage, Preston Cross, Little Book- ham, Surrey. (Bot.) Hibbert-Ware, Miss A., F.L.S., M.B.O.U., Hilary, Girton, Cam¬ bridge. (Orn.) Hine, Mrs S. McDougall, Mayfield, Meopham, Kent. (Orn.) 98 1915 1931 1935 1933 1934 1931 1931 1927 1902 1905 1930 1932 1897 1927 1924 1933 1936 1936 1933 1928 1931 1914 1928 1934 1935 1913 1929 1932 THE LONDON NATURALIST. Hopkins, Prof. Sir F. Gowland, O.M., M.A., M.D., F.B.S., F.R.C.P., 71 Grange Road, Cambridge. (Biochemistry.) Kent, Mrs J . Barton, Sea Spray, Selsey on Sea, Sussex. (Arch.) Leatherdale, D., Tasli, Hawks Hill, Leatherhead, Surrey. (Geol., Bot., Ent., PI. G., R.) Leith, R. F., Albion Chambers, Gloucester. (Orn., Arch.) Mackenzie, P. Z., 8 The Grove, Highgate, N.6 (Orn.) Maud, F. H., St Catherine’s, Wind Hill, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. (Arch.) Maud, Mrs F. H., St Catherine’s, Wind Hill, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. (Arch.) Mellows, C., M.A., F.R.E.S., Alliott House, Bishop’s Stortford College, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts. (Bot., Ent.) Miller. Miss E., The Croft, Rainsford Lane, Chelmsford, Essex. (Lep.) Moore, J. W., F.R.E.S., Middleton Dene, 151 Middleton Hall Road, King’s Norton, Birmingham. (Exotic Lep.) Nicholson, C., Nansgwithick, Tresillian, Truro, Cornwall. (Ent., Bot., Orn., Ast., PI. G.) Oldfield, Miss A. R. (at Dresden), 259 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E.10. (Arch., Bot.) Pike, Oliver, G., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., F.R.P.S., The Bungalow, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. (Orn.) Raikes, Miss D., Hen Ysgol, Bwlch, Breconshire. (Arch., Bot., Orn.) Ridyard, Mrs M. E., Sutterton, Mudford Road, Yeovil, Somerset. Saunders, Miss A. M., St Ann’s, Wray Park Road, Reigate, Surrey. (Bot., PI. G.) Selleck, Miss L., Fernhurst, Telford Road, Farnham, Surrey. (Orn.) Shaw, G. A., 18 Leyburn Grove, Shipley, Yorks. (Bot.) Short, H. G., c/o Mrs Dodd, Berrie Mound, Maryhill Road, Runcorn, Cheshire. (Ent., Api.) Sparkes, Mrs F. M., 4 Loop Road, Kingfield, Woking, Surrey. (Arch., Bot., R.) Spittle, R. J., Alaska, Farnham Road, Farnham Royal, Slough, Bucks. (Col., Orn., Ecol.) Studd, E. F., M.A., B.C.L., F.R.E.S., Exeleigh, Starcross, Devon. (Lep.) Talbot, G., F.R.E.S., Mon Plaisir, Wormley, Surrey. (Lep.) Thomson, W. W., 2 View Road, Highgate, N.6. (Orn.) Tracy, N., The Black Cabin, South Wootton, King’s Lynn, Nor¬ folk. (Orn.) Wilde, Mrs C. L., Lindfield, Marshall Road, Godaiming, Surrey. (Arch., Bot., PI. G.) Willcox, P. H., Emmanuel College, Cambridge. (Ent., Bot.) Williams, A. R., Barclay’s Bank (D.C. & 0.), Haifa, Palestine. (Orn.) LIST or MEMBERS. 99 Note. — The following abbreviations are used in the above lists: — Api., Apiculture ; Aqua., Aquaria ; Arch., Archaeology ; Ast., Astronomy ; Biol., Biology ; Bot., Botany; Chem., Chemistry; Coi., Coleoptera; Conch., Conchology; Dipt., Diptera ; Ecol., Ecology; Ent., Entomology; Ethn., Ethnology; Geol., Geology; Hem., Hemiptera; Hym., Hymenop- tera; Icht., Ichthyology; Lep., Lepidoptera ; Mam., Mammalogy; Micr., Microscopy; Neur., Neuroptera ; Orn., Ornithology; Orth., Orthop- tera ; Ool., Oology; PI. G., Plant Galls; P. L., Pond Life; R., Ramblers’ Section; Rep., Reptilia ; Zoo., Zoology. *Signifies a Life Member. 2 *+ iV jAY 1937 WA P OF- LIMPSFIELD COMHOIN DRAWN FOR. an ECOLOGICAL SURVEY The. London Natural History Society ^ 1937 ~ Ti OXTtO^TST^b A. area A -. . . Andrews heath B . . - - WlLDSHAW HEATH C . . . . South border v/ood D .... WEST HEATH SAlVD-PlT E. . ... St. Michaels heath (a) hoai« bo^bc.* *»oop F . .. . Sallow- Poou wood G .... triple Wood H . . . . Wolfs hill wood K . . . . HAPPX VALLEY. (•).»,» L .... LOveL AN OS HEATH, lo) NoRtw. (b)SouTH M .... Pebble. Hill N .... CENTRAL. HEATH. (a) Worth, (b) South P . . . . L«hks pit Q, . . . . central, copse R . . . - Links herth («> (k)s«k.th. S . ; . . MALLARDS SHAW HEATH T .... -Ridlunds wood C») outer strip *. u .... Golf course, (a) North (i) south GO wood V .... Playing fields W . _ _ . HOOKWOOD fa) Hookwood CLEKRiMb X . . .. North wood Y .... Euapry z. .... Gl.ua RRy HEATH (a) UPPC 'HE SHAM ■ franforc^J Hiver* ' -,v. i ( HaQ y/ vp'b'hr/* i ABBEY f 'L TTCelve don^v^v* Xovest&tk Green St/Wf J*fonlo-n Ipadleyl £H (•/♦Lot 'eetocku^UJP IqTitywfZ J ChaJfhnt'zi Latimer] Sta- xf A\ ''MB ARNE iSia&jqfleld ire pate South? >eald llufli&Sod ml'M erring ^ *! W&ysw frSS^Pk N dr thwoodi ■noDifORii Po re at t%SiH tnroutth- 1 > JVoaJd>tp‘n< Tlreo/' 4'fl^eW.V > y Wall M A J/Wffl .t'Ar EM \onti~* } resMsai Jdaltj rarer Worth j Octejidon MSMUAAff ■ South )j* ►ehemdon/j’ I sg& 1 ITn _ ■ • -i , . * rcelc mouthy inmfton • Park Eferjjn^ton-^ nujfbrtL yisuMP^p VStajqcwell^ // i wdo,'}. Bushy &*3>ai£ .Cray?/ SUTT ' ifo*siQib 5s >5 iLtni.' >dgj 0jn?ternt ;i| 3», y/f*'5j£ 'haJ cQgjjRfafu idKtuiixJ I l IghcBJrnif, Slmlfore V/PflfaKyAi' A> ■J 1 BIRDS IN THE LONDON AREA, 1936. 17 The movement about the 18th January followed a heavy fall of snow, while the dates in February also correspond with the movements of several other species. Grey Plover. Squatarola s. squatarola (L.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, one or two birds from 26th to 30th May (P.A.D.H.). • Turnstone. Arenaria i. interpres (L.). M. Staines Res., one on 24th May with a Sanderling (G.C.L., A.H.M., see also W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 250). Ruff. Philomachus pugnax (L.). H. Watford Sewage Farm, one on 13th September (G.H.). M. Littleton Res., three on 21st September 1935 (W.E.G., op. cit.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, two on 28th March (P.A.D.H.), a male and a female on 10th (D.A.T.M.) and three males on 22nd April (P.A.D.H.). Sanderling. Crocethia alba (Pall.). M. Staines Res., one on 24th May with a Turnstone (G.C.L., A.H.M., see also W.E.G., op. cit.). Dunlin. Calidris alpina (P subspecies). H. Hamper Mill, one on 3rd May (M.T.S.). M. Staines Res., one on 26th April (R.C.H., A.H.M., D.A.T.M.), and three on 14th November (G.C.L.). Westminster, heard flying over on 29th July and 10th September (E.M.N.). S. Barn Elms Res., one on 24th April and 14th May (E.G.P.), two on 15tli July (A.H.M.), one on 6th August (E.G.P.) and 2nd and 9th September (A.H.M.). Beddington, one on 28th April (P.W.R.). Brooklands sewage farm, two on 10th April (D.A.T.M.), two, to three from 14th to 31st May (P.A.D.H.), one to three during August and from 13th to 18th September (R.S.R.F., P.A.D.H., E.G.P.). Curlew-Sandpiper. Calidris testacea (Pall.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, one on 13th (E.G.P.) and three on 14th and 16th September (P.A.D.H.). Little Stint. Calidris minuta (Leisl.). M. Littleton Res., one on 15th and 18th September (W.E.G., op. cit.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, one on 24th and 26tli August (P.A.D.H.), and 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th and 27th September (R.S.R.F., P.A.D.H., E.G.P., see also B.B., xxx, p. 195). Temminck’s Stint. Calidris temminckii (Leisl.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, one on 29th May (P.A.D.H.). The bird Avas flushed and flew off calling, but subsequently good views were obtained and a detailed description taken doAvn in the field (Ed.). 18 THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. Purple Sandpiper. Calidris in. maritima (Briinn.). M. Staines Res., one on 29th (W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 260, G.C.L., A.H.M.) and on 30th November (A.H.M.). Green Sandpiper. Tringa ochropus L. B. Langley Sewage Farm, five on 27th September and 4th October (R.S.R.F.) . Thorney Ford. Colnbrook two on 9th Februarv (C.E.L.). E. Chigwell, one near R. Roding on 23rd February (R.McK.S.), ana one to three from 18th October to the end of the year (R. McK.S., AY. AAV.). Walthamstow Res., one on 28th and 31st March, and 25th April (E.T.N., H.A.P.), and one or two on various dates from August to the end of the year (various observers). H. Hamper Mill, eight on 9th and four on loth August, seven on 5tn and —6th September, two on 1st November. AA atford sewage farm, one on 13tli September. • AYest Hyde, one by R. Colne on 8tli November (G.H.). M. Staines Moor, four on 9th August (G.C.L., A.H.M.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, one to four from 29th July to 24th August, one on 9th (P.A.D.H.) and on 13th September (E.G.P.). Oxted’ one on 20th September (G.AY.C.). Cove aeon Redshank. Tringa t. totanus (L.). M. Betv een Nortlivood and Harefield, two pairs nested but were robbed (G.K.Alc.C.). Edmonton sewage farm, did not breed this year (E.M.). S. Beddington Sewage Farm, nested (G.E.M., P.AY.R.). Brooklands sewage farm, 18 on 28th March, about 25 on 4th, 4 on 7th, 39 on 14th, and 21 on 28th Alay, 25 on lltli and 53 on 14th June’ about 10 on 13tli, and one on 27th July, 5 on 7tli, but only one on 13th, 18th and 31st August, none seen in September (P.A.D.H.). Greenshank. Tringa nebularia (Gunn.). H. Hamper Mill, two on 23rd August, four on 5th, two on 13th, and one on 27th September. Watford sewage farm, six flew over on 26tli September (G.H.). M. Ruislip Res., one on 12th September (G.H.). S. Barn Elms Res., one on 16th August (E.G.P.). Brooklands sewage farm, one on 14th Alay ((P.A.D.H.), two on 2nd (D.A.T.AI., E.G.P.), one from 4tli to 11th and two on 13th and 14th August (P.A.D.H.). Bar-Tailed God wit. Limosa l. lapponica (L.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, one on 4th Alay (P.A.D.H.). Richmond Paik, the remains of a bird of this species picked up near the Penn Ponds were handed in at the bird room in the Natural History Aluseum on the 21st February (C.L.C.). Black-tailed Godwit. Limosa l. limosa (L.). S. Brooklands sewage farm, four on 10th and 11th and one on 13th August (P.A.D.H.). BIRDS IN THE LONDON AREA, 1936. 19 Whimbrel. Numenius p. phoeopus (L.). M. Staines Res., one on 10th May (G.C.L., A.H.M.) and on 5th August (A.H.M.). Common Snipe. Capella g. gcdlinago (L.). H. Hamper Mill gravel-pit, large numbers roosted in October and No¬ vember on the small islands of stones (G.H.). Jack Snipe. Lymnocryptes minimus (Briinn.). E. Chigwell sewage farm, one on 29th November, 6th (W.A.W.) and 27th December (R.Mc.K.S.). H. Watford sewage farm, wintered as usual (G.H.). K. Elmers End sewage farm, one to seven in January and February, and again from October to the end of the year (G.E.M., P.W.R.). M. Ruislip Res., wintered as usual (G.H.). S. Beddington sewage farm, one on 19th January and 10th February, one to five from 23rd September to the end of the year (P.W.R.). Richmond Park, one near the Penn Ponds on 6th October (W.E.G.). W ooDcocK. Scolopax r. rusticola L. K. Hayes, three reported shot during the first week of March and one on 21st November (G.E.M.). M. Bushy Park, one seen by a keeper on 21st November (J.E.R.). Rui¬ slip, last seen winter 1935-6 on 14th March (G.H.). S. Ewell, two on 21st January after severe frost (A.H.H.). Limps- dield district, one on 12th January, 2nd and 8th (K.R.C.) and 16th February (R.W.R.) and 1st March (M.M.H.). One near Titsey on 11th and 15th May (K.R.C.). Wimbledon Common, one on 19th March (R.E.W.). Woldingham, one on 8th November (C.W.G.P.). Black Tern. Chlidonias n. niger (L.). H. Hamper Mill, two stayed for two days in May (M.T.S.). M. Littleton Res., seven seen with Little Gulls on 6th May (W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 250). Staines Res., four on 16th (G.C.L., A.H.M. , D.A.T.M.), one on 19th and two on 27th May (A.H.M.), 21 on 10th, 8 on 11th, 11 on 12th, and 3 on 13th September (A.H.M., see also W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 250). S. Barn Elms Res., one on 25th May and 30th August (E.G.P.), 2nd (A.H.M.),' 6th and 7th (E.G.P.) and 28th September (A.H.M.). Brooklands sewage farm, two arrived at about 7 p.m. on 27th May (P.A.D.H.). Sandwich Tern. Sterna s. sandvicensis Lath. E. Walthamstow Res., one or two on 12th September (W.A.W.). M. Staines Res., one on 16th May (G.C.L., A.H.M.). S. [Limpsfield, four large terns, possibly of this species, were seen flying south at a height of about 400 feet on 19th July (P.M.-B.).] 20 THE LONDON BIHD REPORT. Common Tern. Sterna h. hirundo L. This species has been recorded from several localities on spring and autumn migration. W hile many of the records are undoubtedly correct and have been entered on the files, in other cases distinc¬ tion has not been made between this and the next species. We shall be glad if observers recording Common Tern will state the grounds for identification in order to avoid the possibility of con¬ fusion. None of the notes for 1936 being unusual, they are not included in the present report. Arctic Tern. Sterna macrura Naumann. AI. Littleton Res., of four birds seen on 9tli September one was identi¬ fied as this species (W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 250). Little Tern. Sterna a. albifrons Pall. E. Connaught Water, one on 5th May (J.R.). M. Highgate Ponds, two on 5th May (H.M.R.K., see also B.B., xxx, p. 53, in which, the observer informs us, the date should read 5th and not 6th). Staines Res., two on 22nd May (G. H. Gush, The Field, 20/6/36), and one mature bird on 22nd October (W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 250). S. Beddington, one from 9th to 11th September (P.W.R.). Little Gull. Bar us minutus Pall. M. Littleton Res., a party of five seen with Black Terns on 6th May (W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 250). Herring Gull. Larus a. argentatus Pont. M. Staines Res., in a flock of over 1000 gulls more than 90 per cent, belonged to this species (A.H.M.). Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull. Larus /. fuscus L. River Thames, Hammersmith, seen on various dates from 10th August to 27th September, maximum 15 on 12th August (G.C.L., A.H.M.). Surrey Commercial Docks, two seen with some of the British form on 14th November (W.A.W.). Vauxhall Bridge, one on 24th March (L.P.). British Lesser Black-backed Gull. Larus fuscus graellsii Brehm. River Thames, Hammersmtih, large numbers congregate here at low tide during the autumn migration, and G.C.L. records 277 on 12th August, while on 4tli November there were still as many as 1 4. This date is interesting, as it shows the increasing tendency of this species tu extend its stay in the London area, where in 1936 it was recorded in every month of the year. Great Black-backed Gull. Larus marinus L. River Thames and Barn Elms Res., one or two have been seen on several occasions by various observers. On 14th November W.A.W. saw six between Surrey Commercial Docks and Deptford. BIRDS IN THE LONDON AREA, 1936. 21 E. Walthamstow Res., one on 29th August (W.A.W.). M. Littleton Res., one on 18th August (J.P.H.). Staines Res., one on 2nd February and 19th December (A.H.M.). S. Ewell, five on 19th January (A.H.H.). Limpsfield Common, two flying east on 29th March (L.P.). Kittiwake Gull. Eissa t. tridactyla (L.). E. King George V Res., one very weak bird seen on 14th and one found dead on 21st November (W.A.W.). M. Littleton Res., an adult, apparently injured, on 13th, and one, probably the same, found dead on 21st November. On this date there was also an immature bird, badly oiled. At Staines Res., an adult was found dead on 22nd November (W.E.G., B.B., xxx, p. 260). Razorbill. Alca torda L. M./S. Chiswick Bridge, one swimming in midstream on 13th May flew off towards Barnes (F. R. V. Stringer, per A.H.M.). Land -Rail. Crex crex (L.). H. Watford sewage farm, one on 23rd August (G.H.). K. Beckenham, one reported from a private park from the middle of June to the middle of July (G.E.M., P.W.R.). Water-Rail. Ballus a. aquaiicus L. E. Chigwell sewage farm, one seen on several occasions believed to have been present throughout the year (R.Mc.K.S., W.A.W.). H. Moor Park, one near here on 15th March (G.H.). K. Elmers End sewage farm, one in January and February and on 26th April (G.E.M., P.W.R.). M. Bushy Park, one spent the winter of 1935-6, being last seen on 20th March (J.E.R.). S. Beddington, probably nested (G.E.M., P.W.R.). Reigate, one on 8th February (H.B.). Richmond Park, one picked up dead in good condition on west side of upper Penn Pond on 28th March (D.S.K.). Red-legged Partridge. Alectoris r. rufa (L.). E. Buckhurst Hill, a covey of six on 10th October. Sewardstone, three coveys, two of which were family parties, on 8th August (W.A.W.). Walthamstow Res.,' birds were found dead on the fol¬ lowing dates: — two on 25th April (H.A.P.), one on 9th May (W.A.W.), and on 6th June (H.A.P.). H. Sandy Lodge, two on 2nd May (M.T.S.). K. Westerham, three on 26th January (M.M.H.). M. Staines Res., on 15th March three or four were seen flying over the water, when one alighted and was drowned. Another was found dead on 17th May (W.E.G., B.B., xxx, pp. 39 and 250). The notes for Essex are especially interesting in this connection. On 22 THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. 13th May two were seen near Staines Res. (A.H.M.), and one was heard on 28th November (D.A.T.M.). S. Beddington, two on 29th November (L.P.). Limpsfield, five on 5th September (K.R.C.). Special Recording. In co-operation with the British Trust for Ornithology. The Society has continued to supply information to the British Trust on the heronries at Richmond Park and Walthamstow Reser¬ voirs, and the figures obtained are given in the specific notes. Par¬ ticulars of current enquiries cannot be given here but are available on application to the Recorder. We should especially like to draw atten¬ tion to the enquiry relating to Lapwing habitats, as this deals with a species whose economic status is of considerable interest. The report on the special species for 1936 is based on the Society’s records and the following publications. References to counties refer only to those parts which lie within our area. (1) Proceedings and Trans, of Croydon Natural Bistory Society. (2) Transactions of Berts Natural Bistory Society. (3) 1902 — Victoria County Bistory of Surrey (Birds), J. A. Bucknill. (4) 1907 — Notes on the Birds of Kent, R. J. Balston, C. W. Shep¬ herd, and E. Bartlett. (5) 1907 — Birds of Kent, W. J. Davis. (6) 1909 — Bistory of Che Birds of Kent, N. F. Ticehurst. (7) 1910 — Ornithological Notes from a South London Suburb . F. D. Power. (8) 1921-35 — Reports of the Royal Parks Bird Sanctuaries Com¬ mittee. (9) 1924 — Birds of Epping Forest ( L.N. , 1923). (10) 1925 — Birds of Walthamstow Reservoirs ( L.N. , 1924), R. W. Pethen. (11) 1929 — Bistory of the Birds of Essex, W. E. Glegg. (12) 1930 Birds of Middlesex (L.N., 1929), W. E. Glegg. (13) 1931— Birds of the Harrow District (L.N., 1930), T. H. Harris- son. (14) 1932 — Nature Notes of Warlingham and Chelsham, A. Beadell. (15) 1932 — Oxted and Limpsfield (section on birds), R. W. Robbins. (16) 1934— Birds of the Norwood District ( L.N. , 1933), F. G. Swayne. (17) 1935 — Bistory of the Birds of Middlesex, W. E. Glegg. (18) 1934-5 — South-Eastern Bird Reports, edited by R. Whitlock. (19) 1935 — Notes on the Birds of Edmonton Sewage Farm, 1933-4 (L.N., 1934). SPECIAL RECORDING. 23 Grey Wagtail. Motacilla cinerea cinerea Tunst. The Grey Wagtail is mainly a winter visitor to the area, but odd pairs breed with some regularity in a few districts. It is most numerous on passage in October, though migration may be noted as early as July or August. A few spend the winter on most sewage farms and odd birds are found at this season beside many small streams and at the reservoirs. Some observers consider that it is most frequent by run¬ ning water, but there are also many winter notes from sewage culverts, gravel-pits and filter-beds. There are few records of over six at a time hence the occurrence of about twenty at Edmonton sewage farm in October 1933 is of interest. Records in the second half of the win¬ ter are less numerous and the last non-residents are seen in April. In Inner London the species is fairly regular in the parks, but usually only one or two are seen at a time. In Hertfordshire a pair or two breed regularly on the Chess near Chorleywood. while there are also records from near Hamper Mill in 1922 and Cassiobury Park in 1929, and probably 1934. Nesting was suspected in Chalfont Park in 1933, but elsewhere north of the Thames the only note of interest in this connection is of four immature birds at Brent Reservoir, 23/7/33. Ticehurst (6) mentions four nests in Kent in 1904, one at Bexley and three near Sidcup, all in the Cray valley. There is no recent in¬ formation from this district but a pair bred at Elmers End sewage farm in 1934 and 1935 in the grassy bank of a swift-flowing channel. At Beckenham it is reported by a keeper to have bred in 1929, and a male was seen on loth June 1935 : the haunt in this case is a fast-running shallow stream with a pebble bed and also the stones in the middle of a park lake. Breeding is more frequent in the Surrey portion of the area, and. though nests are not recorded every year, this species probably breeds annually at Leatherhead and Godstone and possibly at other localities in the vicinity. At Leatherhead its haunt embraces some old build¬ ings, a stream with a small waterfall, a large pond and water-cress beds, while at Godstone there are a few old mills and several ponds with some small but fast-flowing streams. In 1933 a pair bred at Old Mal¬ den by the Hoggsmill, where it is found to have a preference for mov¬ ing water. A pair with a juvenile were seen at Brooklands sewage farm on 5th July 1931 and a pair at Weybridge on 24th April of that year. There are no swift rocky streams in the area such as form its typical haunts in the west of England, but even there it breeds commonly by mill-streams in flat country and it would seem that it can adapt itself to localities where moving water is found in conjunction with good feeding-grounds. Lesser Redpoll. Carduelis flammea cabaret (P. L. S. Miill.). In the non-breeding season the Lesser Redpoll may be found any¬ where in the area where there are alders and birches, but it is com- 24 THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. moner in some years than in others so that it does not appear every year in suitable localities. The chief habitats in this season are along the wooded banks of streams and on the heath type of common, but it has also been reported from parklands, orchards, gardens, and occa¬ sionally on stubble. At Epsom sewage farm it was seen on sedge in March 1936. When in woodland it is usually to be found near the edges, though on Hampstead Heath it is said to frequent the middle of woods. Observations on feeding refer mostly to birches and alders, but it is by no means confined to these trees and feeding has also been ob¬ served on nettles (14), stubble, pines, hawthorns, groundsel, and mug- wort. There is no doubt, however, that it is most partial to the banks of streams where the birch and alder are predominant. Birds observed on willow and sallow may have been feeding on these trees. With regard to the height at which feeding takes place notes cover a range from the ground at the foot of birches to the topmost branches and no conclusions as to preference can be drawn. Distribution in the breeding-season is very interesting and has al¬ ready been tentatively reviewed in the London Naturalist , 1934, pp. 120-1. From a large number of observations it would seem that this species breeds freely in the Surrey portion of our area, and also in those parts of Kent where there are suitable commons. While com¬ mons where birches are usually to be found are the favourite haunt at this time of year, the nests themselves seem to be more often in bushes than in trees. Nests have been recorded in the area in oak, birch, Austrian pine, hawthorn, furze and privet, but the number of nests actually found is very small in relation to the probable breeding popu¬ lation. In recent years breeding has occurred or been strongly sus¬ pected at Northwood, on Hayes and Heston Commons, at Limpsfield, Tadworth, Ashtead, Sutton, Walton Burgh and Reigate Heaths, on Wimbledon Common, and in other localities. It is probable that nests are frequently in gardens, though for obvious reasons this is difficult to prove. The number of winter visitors fluctuates appreciably and in recent years the species seems to have been most common during the winter of 1934-5. Numbers are highest during the early months of the year, but status is more complicated than that of resident and winter visitor. Ticehurst (6) considered it to be both a summer and a winter immi¬ grant to Kent, and in Ashtead, where observations have been con¬ tinuous over a series of months, it was observed that the winter birds left before the breeding population appeared. In view of these obser¬ vations more information is desirable from breeding localities on its status in spring and autumn before it can be said to what extent indi¬ viduals are resident throughout the year. August and September re¬ cords are not numerous, though on 6/8/34 Mr H. Bentham observed a flock of 30, mostly young birds, on Reigate Heath. The distribu¬ tion of this species is a very interesting one and more observations on its breeding-habitat would be welcome. SPECIAL RECORDING. 25 Little Owl. Athene noctua vidalii A. E. Brehm. Information on this species is very incomplete, but it does not seem to have established itself before the present century. In 1901 a record at Watford was stated to be the third for Hertfordshire (1), and in Middlesex the influence of introductions was first felt about 1909 (17). At the present day it is fairly well distributed, but opinion differs as to whether it is increasing, decreasing, or holding its own. In Epping Forest it is scarce, being only found in small numbers on the outskirts, and evidence points to its being more a bird of parks and farming land than of thick woods. In Surrey it is said by one observer to prefer the elm with the oak as a second favourite, but the choice of tree is probably largely governed by the species available. Thus, in farms, the elm would probably predominate, whereas in parks the oak might be dominant, as in Richmond Park. At Warlingham nesting was recorded in a poplar in 1915, and starling-holes and rabbit-burrows are reported to be used. At Ewell it is said to prefer old deciduous woods, chiefly of oak, elm and beech. The amount of common-land may be responsible for its sparse distribution in some parts of Surrey, for it is not often observed on the typical commons and heaths of this county. Ticehurst (6) mentions it as being partial in Kent to orchards and disused quarries. Breeding has been recorded in apple-trees at Enfield, and this tree is very popular in parts of the country where it is more numerous. Mr K. R. Chandler has supplied some extremely interesting infor¬ mation on this species in the Limpsfield district, where it is generally distributed. The following notes are a summary of his observations. The choice of breeding-habitat is dominated by the necessity for a suit¬ able hole for the eggs, hence old woods and isolated trees are most favoured. Provided that there is a suitable hole, no particular species of tree is used, nests having been found in ash, lime, beech, oak, wal¬ nut and alder. The birds do not appear to roost in the nesting holes outside the breeding-season, and, in fact, have not then been found roosting in holes at all, so that younger woods, in which the trees are without holes, may then be frequented. The species is holding its own in the district, although five were killed by one keeper in the spring of 1936. K.R.C. also notes that, in five clutches totalling fifteen eggs, four eggs were infertile, ten hatched, and the fate of one was unknown. Twelve clutches over a period of years totalled 37 eggs, an average of 3.08. Of seven nesting-sites five were in trees away from woods, and two in woods but only about twenty yards from the edge. Richard C. Homes. 26 THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. The Crossbill: Personal Observations during the Recent Invasion. By J. S. Wightman. UNTIL the recent invasion I had only once seen a Crossbill (Loxia c. curvirostra ) and that one, a female, I unfortunately shot out of a plum-tree which was then in bud. That was at Purley about ten years ago. I thought that to see more of this species I should have to travel at least as far as Norfolk, but such a journey was rendered un¬ necessary, for the Crossbills came here instead. When I heard the news of the invasion I started to visit the most likely fir-woods within easy reach, those around Oxshott being my first choice. Here on September 7th, 1935. I heard a flock, but could not find it. On October 6th a flock of about 20 flew noisily over my head when I was searching woods near Church Cobliam, but they did not stop, nor was I able to come up with them. It was not until a week later, again at Oxshott, that I was able to watch Crossbills at close quarters. This time I came upon a beautiful red male and three females literally gorging in an exceptionally “ fruity ” fir-tree. Their appetites seemed insatiable. Every minute or so a cone would be dropped with the “ flaps ” opened, and straightaway another would be selected and neatly clipped off. This went on for about twenty minutes but finally the male seemed satisfied. At a call from him, like tuit , tuit, the feeding ceased abruptly, and the four hurried away with twitter¬ ing calls. But this was not the hurry of alarm, for all the while we had been standing beneath the tree and quite a crowd of onlookers had collected, as usually happens when anyone gazes upwards for long. The occasion called for a little explanation, during which the birds con¬ tinued to feed unconcernedly. After a lapse of four months, during which time I was in Norway, I again visited the Oxshott woods, and found the signs of feeding very extensive. There was a litter underneath all the best trees which was readily distinguishable from the carpet of cones fallen in the normal course of growth by the lighter shade of brown due to the “ flaps ” being opened and the seeds removed. I think, also, that the Cross¬ bills choose the cones just when they are ripe, still moist and greenish and not the darker brown of the drying stage. On the 12th of March began a period of two months upon every day of which I saw Crossbills, for that day a flock of 10 arrived right at my doorstep. I first came across them in an avenue of firs and poplars. Some of them cut off cones and flew with them into the poplars for consumption ; this I noticed on many occasions. Every morning I watched them in varying numbers never far from my home, until the last one left on May 12th. I have no doubt that several pairs bred in suitable gardens nearby, but I was not successful in ob¬ taining definite proof. On the morning of March 18th I could only THE CROSSBILL. 27 find six of the flock, but these were now in pairs, and the males would frequently stop feeding to utter snatches of song. One pair I saw chasing, no doubt an expression of their ardent love. Of the song (or sub-song) I have written in my notes that it reminded me of a Wood¬ lark in the distance with Crossbills’ call-notes interspersed. I heard much of this song, which was very varied, wild and rambling, and consequently difficult to describe. Invariably it was uttered from the very top of a poplar in preference to a fir. On April 21st I saw a new flock of six feeding together ; they ap¬ peared to be birds of the year, all dull coloured except one, which had a slight orange tinge, and with beaks noticeably undeveloped. From this date until May 12th, when the last bird left, the numbers that I could find varied from one to eight. There was much flying to and fro of individual birds as if there were young to be fed. Outside Ashtead I have notes on Crossbills seen in half a dozen dif¬ ferent localities, in Surrey, Kent and Norfolk. In the latter county on May 22nd I saw a vacated nest and three family parties, of which one, consisting of five birds, was drinking from a roadside puddle. Near Wisley on March 15th I saw several flocks, one of 20 or more, contain¬ ing 6 males, and another of 12 with only one male. Individual birds were also seen, two of them singing from the tops of larches, and one of these two I noticed particularly was a female. On April 5th I heard the song and also a flock calling in flight near Westerham. My greatest success was rather further afield, but still in Surrey; I first paid this favourite haunt of mine a special visit for Crossbills on March 29th. A “ round-up ” resulted in a flock of 20 to 30 and 3 separate pairs, each male singing lustily. The next available day was April 19th. Until 6 o’clock that evening I had seen nothing and not even heard a single Crossbill note, although I had covered much ground in my searching. I shall now quote directly from my notes: — “ Then I saw three Crossbills fly into some trees on the top of a slight rise. As we (I had by chance met Mr C. A. Norris) approached, I heard a new note and decided to investigate. First, using the binoculars, w'e could make out two birds perched on the tops of adjacent trees, the third not being in sight. At about fifty yards they were both revealed as males. A closer approach caused one to fly away, the other con¬ tinuing to call anxiously, turning its head from side to side and flick¬ ing its tail like a Redstart. I was now certain that the third bird must be the female, sitting. We were searching the neighbouring trees when suddenly the alarm note ceased and was followed by a faint twit¬ tering undertone. Norris had the male in sight all the time, and apparently at this moment it dropped down through the branches right to the female on the nest below it. The nest contained four eggs, and I am glad to say that in spite of this and subsequent disturb¬ ances all four hatched and the family was safely reared. While we were at the nest the pair were amazingly tame. They remained in the same small tree even when we climbed it to inspect the nest. The female was on the nest again before Norris reached the ground, and then would not leave until I almost touched it. At one time the pair were perched 28 THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. together so that I could have reached out and touched them both with one hand ; only a camera was lacking. The last time I saw Crossbills was in this same locality on May 24th ; this time two family parties and a flock of 16. Although few nests were found, it seems possible that many pairs bred in this and other parts of Surrey. Notes on a Pied Wagtail Roost. By K. P. Keywood. November 15, 1936, I visited the Black Pond, Esher Common, Surrey , at 4.5 p.m. and observed the arrival of pied wagtails (Motacilla alba yarrellii) in numbers to roost in the reeds. The wind was south-west and strong, and the weather dull, with rain in the air. Taking up a position on the south side of the pond, close to the reed- bed, I saw two birds perched low down in the reeds, which I identified with field glasses as pied wagtails. Birds were arriving singly and in parties ; one or two of the parties were so large that the rush of their wings in the air could be distinctly heard. They were coming from all quarters except the south-west, except for one party of about 100 birds, which came up with the wind. The birds flew in at a height of about 100 feet, and on reaching the reed-bed circled for a moment before diving headlong into the reeds, where they perched low down. Occa¬ sionally birds, on arrival, flew straight into the reeds without any pre¬ liminary fly-round. Now and then odd birds and small parties would fly up from the reeds, just clearing the tops, apparently to find fresh quarters. One party, which appeared to have been startled, flew up with a rush to some height, circled, and returned, splitting up into smaller parties before again perching. The wagtails kept up their musical call continuously. It was impossible to count the birds, but there must have been several thousand of them in the reed-bed. The Black Pond is roughly oval in shape, the long axis running al¬ most due east and west. The northern and southern shores are covered with reeds for some distance out into the water. The wagtails were roosting only on the southern side, no birds being seen to drop into the northern reed-bed, and none being heard there. On the northern side the Common is covered with woodland and scrub birch down to the water’s edge, but on the southern side it is open and marshy, with occasional birch-trees and bushes. When I left the reed-bed at 4.30 p.m. it was almost dark (sunset, 4.12 p.m.), but the birds were still arriving. At 4.35 p.m. my way crossed their line of flight and they could still be heard passing over in the direction of the reed-bed. Owing to the poor visibility, the rapid movement of the birds, and the fact that when they were in the reed-bed they were hidden, I was unable to ascertain whether any species other than pied wagtail were present at the roost. A PIED WAGTAIL ROOST. 29 I visited the Black Pond again in the late afternoon of November 28, 1936. The weather was calm with no wind, and inclined to be misty, with a slight frost. The water in the pond had been drained off. I took up the same position as on November 15 and saw a number of pied wagtails (approximately 20, though possibly others were present, but not seen owing to the poor light) on the mud left exposed, and running along the edges of shallow pools of water. Two or three small parties and a few odd birds arrived and flew on to the mud. None were seen to fly direct into the reeds. Birds came in from the south, south-west and north-west. After a period spent on the mud, they flew into the reeds, where their call-notes could be heard. As on November 15, the reed-bed on the southern side only was used. When I left it was al¬ most dark, and no birds remained on the mud. The number of birds seen and heard on this occasion was very considerably less than on November 15. My next visit to the Black Pond was in the late afternoon of Decem¬ ber 5, 1936. The weather was calm and cool. Few birds were seen or heard, fewer than on November 28. No birds were seen on the mud left by the draining of the pond. Birds were seen to arrive singly or in small parties, mainly from the north, north-east or east, all flying straight into the reeds. They were very quiet after settling, although their call-notes were uttered during flight. As on previous visits, only the reed-bed on the southern side of the pond was used. It is not known how long this roost has been in use, but on several occasions during the last two or three years wagtails have been ob¬ served flying into the reed-bed at dusk, though not in such great numbers. (In view of the interest in the roosting-habits of this species, notes on other roosts in the Society’s area will be welcome. — Ed.) The Green-Sandpiper as a Winter Visitor. By It. McKenzie Smith. PJpHE green-sandpiper ( T ring a ochropus L.) is generally regarded as a passage migrant to the British Isles, and it is comparatively infrequently recorded in the winter months. It is all the more remark¬ able, therefore, to find its occurrence recorded in several successive winters in a locality fast becoming urbanised, less than ten miles from St Paul’s. During the past four years one could be reasonably sure of finding a bird of this species along a stretch of the River Roding near Chigwell in any month from August to December and with less certainty until March, as will be seen by reference to the records printed in the London Naturalist in recent years. It is difficult to see any reason why this locality should be especi¬ ally attractive to the species. The valley is a shallow one running approximately north and south and is not particularly warm or shel- 30 THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. tered. Green-sandpipers have been observed to remain in the district even during prolonged frosts. I have noted that the birds are gener¬ ally to be found feeding along the margin of the stream at points where its bed becomes stony and shallow. The River Roding is subject to rapid rises of level and when the stony places are submerged the birds resort to some shallow settling tanks at a nearby sewage farm or to its effluent stream. Individual birds seem to become attached to particu¬ lar spots and may be found at them repeatedly. It is this fact alone which allows the bird to be observed occasionally at close quarters. In four years of repeated observation there have been only three such occasions. The green-sandpiper is extremely wary and generally rises when the observer is still a hundred yards distant, giving a shrill, clear call which I can only describe as “ Wee - wick-a-wick - wick.” While continuing to call the bird mounts higher and higher in a big circle, and generally flies away out of sight. Some individuals will rise silently and skim along the stream below the level of the banks, thus escaping observation. A different alarm note has also been noticed and seems to indicate extreme urgency. It is given when a bird is surprised at close quarters, and consists of three syllables, thus: — “ Wik-wik-wik.” This is followed by the usual call as the bird rises away from danger. It would be interesting to learn what it is that attracts this very shy bird to an un-secluded, sewage-polluted stream wfflich is not fre¬ quented by other waders with the exception of the common snipe. Arrival and Departure of Migrants, 1936. Compiled by D. A. T. Morgan. In the following table only the earliest and latest dates for each county are given. HOODED CROW. Mar. 22— S. Mitcham Common L.P. April 18 — E. Walthamstow Res. W.A.W. Oct. 28— S. Barnes .... SISKIN. A.H.B. Mar. 10— s. Richmond Park W.L.C. April 15 — M. Highgate Woods J.D.D. Nov. 10— s. Richmond Park W.E.G. Dec. 5 — M. Uxbridge . A.H.M. BRAMBLING. Mar. 8— K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. „ 15— H. Watford S.F . G.H. ,, 23— M. Primrose Hill . M.R. April 14 — E. Chingford . W.A.W. ,, 23— S'. Beddington . P.W.R. Oct. 15— S. Headley . J.S.W. Nov. 1 — E. Knighton Wood W.A.W. „ 15— K. Biggin Hill . K.R.C. 17— M. Bushy Park . J.E.R. TREE PIPIT. April l— S. Wimbledon Common R.E.W. ,, 10 — K. Bexley Heath ... G.E.M. „ 12— E. Chigwell . R.Mc.K.S. „ 18— M. Ruislip Res . G.H. Aug. 20— S. Limpsfield . K.R.C. ,, 23— M. Ruislip Common ... G.H. Sept. 5 — E. King George V Res. W.A.W. ,, 5— E. Walthamstow Res. R.W.P. YELLOW WAGTAIL. Mar. 24 — M. Hampton . W.E.G. April 2— S. Barn Elms Res. E.G.P. ,, 11— H. St Albans . S.A. ,, 12 — K. Beckenham G.E.M. , P.W.R. 13— E. King George Y Res. W.A.W. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF MIGRANTS. 31 Sept. 12 — M. Ruislip Res . .... G.H. „ 27— K. Beckenham G.E.M. , P.W.R. Oct. 4— B. Langley S.F. ... R.S.R.F. ,, 4— S. Barn Elms Res . E.G.P. .i 10 — E. Walthamstow Res. E.M., R.W.P., W.A.W. WHITE WAGTAIL. Mar. 15 — H. Watford S.F. ... . G.H. „ 22— K. Elmers End G.E.M.. , P.W.R. ,, 28— S. Beddington S.F. P.W.R. April 15 — M. Staines Res . . A.H.M. „ 25— E. King George V Res. W.A.W. RED-BACKED SHRIKE. May 3— M. Staines Res . . A.H.M. 4— S. Ham Common .. . W.N.G. ,, 10 — K. Beckenham . . P.W.R. ,, 17 — Epping Forest W.A.W., E.M. Aug. 2 — E. Buckhurst Hill W.A.W. , 9 — H. Totteridge . . J.D.D. „ 20 — S. Tadworth . .... H.B. „ 30— K. Beckenham . . G.E.M. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. May 3 — E. Knighton Wood W.A.W. 5— H. Totteridge . .. J.E.S. ,, 8 — S. Richmond Park W.L.C. ,, 10 — K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. „ 12— M. Kensington Gardens G.C.L. Aug. 23 — H. Watford . R.W.P. Sept. 5— E. Epping Forest . J.R. „ 17— M. Bushy Park ... .. J.E.R. „ 21— S. Tadworth . .... H.B. „ 28— K. Beckenham . . G.E.M. CHIFFCHAFF. Mar. 19 — S'. Wimbledon Common R.E.W. ,, 21 — M. Ruislip Common G.H. ,, 22— H. Hamper Mill . G.H. ,, 22— K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. ,, 22 — E. Knighton Wood R.McK.S., W.A.W. Sept. 16 — M. Hampstead . K.D.S. „ 16— M. Mill Hill . W.D.M. ,, 19— E. Sewardstone ... W.A.W. Oct. 1— S. Barn Elms Res. E.G.P. ,, 5 — K. Blackheath . E.M.W. WILLOW WARBLER. Mar. 22— S. Fetcham . H.J.B. ,, 28— M. Northwood . G.H. ,, 28— K. Hayes Common D.A.T.M. 31 — E. Epping Forest ... P.D.H. Sept. 21— S. „ 26— H. „ 27— K. Oct. 10— E. „ 11— M. Tadworth . H.B. Watford S.F . G.H. Beckenham . G.E.M. Knighton Wood W.A.W. Mill Hill . W.D.M. WOOD WARBLER. April 20 — S. Wimbledon Common J.B. ,, 24— M. Staines Res. ... A.H.M. ,, 26 — E. Epping Forest .. .... J.R. May 3 — K. Farnborough ... M.M.H. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. April 26 — S. Epsom . R.S.R.F. „ 26— S. Bookham . G.W.C. May 13 — M. Ruislip . ... G.H. REED WARBLER. April 26 — K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. May 3 — E. Chigwell . W.A.W. ,, 10— M. Harefield . ... G.H. Aug. 16 — E. Chigwell S.F. W.A.W. Sept. 20 — K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. SEDGE WARBLER. April 16 — E. Chigwell S.F. ... W.A.W. „ 23— S. Beddington . P.W.R. ,, 24 K. Beckenham . G.E.M. ,, 28— M. Kensington Gardens G.C.L. , E.G.P. „ 28— M. Ruislip Res . ... G.H. Sept. 1 — M. Ruislip Res . .... G.H. ,, 13 — H. Hamper Mill ... ... G.H. ,, 23— S. Beddington . P.W.R. Oct. 4— K. Beckenham . G.E.M. GARDEN WARBLER. April 3— E. Epping Forest W.A.W. ,, 20— S. Wimbledon . .... J.B. „ 26— K. Hayes Common M.M.H. May 3— M. Mill Hill . W.D.M. Aug. 28 — E. Epping Forest . . J.R. Sept. 6 — M. Scratch Wood BLACKCAP. W.D.M. Mar. 31 — M. Bushy Park . . J.E.R. April 5— S. Redhill . J.S.W. „ 5— K. Keston . G.W.C. „ 12— E. Knighton Wood R.McK.S., W.A.W. Aug. 19— E. Knighton Wood W.A.W. Sept. 12— M. Staines Res. ... A.H.M. ,, 23 — S. Wimbledon . R.E.W. WHITETHROAT. April 20 — S. Wimbledon . .... J.B. ,, 26 — E. Knighton Wood W.A.W. „ 26— K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. „ 26— M. Northwood . ... G.H. 32 THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. Sept. 9— E. Epping Forest . . J.R. > j 10— K. Beckenham . P.W.R. » > 12— M. Ruislip Common G.H. > j 26— S. Wimbledon . A.R.W. ) 9 26— S. Titsey . . K.R.C. LESSER WHITETHROAT. April 13 — K. Downe . G.E.M. 1 9 26— S. Tadworth . .... H.B. 1 9 28— E. Epping Forest . . J.R. i y 29— M. Northwood . .... G.H. 9 9 29— M. Staines Res . A.H.M. Aug. 9— E. Buckhurst Hill W.A.W. 9 9 16— S. Ewell . A.H.H. 9 9 23— M. Ruislip Common . ... G.H. FIELDFARE. Mar. 22— E. Walthamstow Res. R.W.P. 9 i 20— M. Harefield . ... G.H. 9 9 29— H. Colne Valley ... .... G.H. April 19 — K. Beckenham . G.E.M. 9 9 23— S. Beddington . P.W.R. Oct. 30— S. Richmond Park R.E.W. Nov. 10— M. Bushy Park .... . J.E.R. 9 9 19— E. Epping Forest .... J.R. 9 9 29— K. Beckenham . G.E.M. REDWING. Mar. 26— S. Richmond Park H.R.H. » > 28— M. Northwood . ... G.H. 9 9 28— H. Watford S.F. ... .... G.H. 9 9 29— K. Beckenham . G.E.M. Oct. 10— s. Headley . J.S.W. 9 9 10— S. Walton Heath . ... H.B. 9 9 11— E. Chigwell S.F. W.A.W., R.Mc.K.S. 9 9 18— M. Bushy Park . . J.E.R. 9 9 25— K. Hayes . G.E.M. WHEATEAR. Mar. 28— M. Regents Park . ... M.R. 99 28— S. Barn Elms . . G.C.L. April 9— K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. 9 9 13— E. King George V Res. W.A.W. Sept. 12— E. Walthamstow Res. W.A.W. 9 9 26— M. Edmonton S.F. ... E.M. 9 9 27— K. Elmers End G.E.M., P.W.R. Oct. 15— S. Wimbledon . R.E.W. WHINCHAT. April 14— M. Regents Park ... ... M.R. 26— E. Chigwell S.F. W.A.W. 9 9 26— K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. 99 28— S. Beddington . P.W.R. Sept. 12— M. Scratch Wood W.D.M. „ 13— E. Chigwell S.F. W.A.W. ,, 23— S. Beddington . P.W.R. ,, 27— K. Beckenham G.E.M., P.W.R. REDSTART. Mar. 27— S. Richmond Park M.H.B. April 11— E. Epping Forest D.A.T.M. ,, 20— M. Regents Park . M.R. Sept. 2— K. Hayes . A.J.R. ,, 5 — S. Richmond Park E.G.P. ,, 13— H. Totteridge . W.D.M. ,, 14— E. Epping Forest . J.R. „ 17— M. Bushy Park . J.E.R. NIGHTINGALE. April 10— S. Epsom R.C.H., J.S.W. „ 23— E. Epping Forest ... P.D.H. ,, 24— M. Northwood . G.H. ,, 25— H. Oxhey . G.H. SWALLOW. April 8— S. Ewell Downs ... A.H.H. ,, 9— M. Highgate . J.D.D. ,, 13— E. King George V Res. W.A.W. ,, 18— H. Hamper Mill ... M.T.S. ,, 18— K. Downe . G.E.M. Oct. 4 — K. Beckenham . G.E.M. ,, 11— E. Chigwell S.F. W.A.W. ,, 24 — S'. Limpsfield . K.R.C. Nov. 1 — M. Ruislip . G.H. HOUSE MARTIN. April 18 — S. Gatton Park H.J.B., R.S.R.F. ,, 25 — H. Hamper Mill . G.H. ,, 25— E. King George Y Res. W.A.W. Oct. 8— M. Staines Res . G.D.E. ,, 11 — S. Tadworth . H.B. ,, 24— E. Chingford . W.A.W. SAND MARTIN. April 4— E. King George V Res. E.M., W.A.W. ,, 14— S. Barn Elms . E.G.P. ,, 19 — M. Staines Res . G.C.L. Sept. 13— H. Hamper Mill . G.H. „ 13— E. Chigwell S.F. W.A.W. „ 23— S. Beddington S.F. P.W.R. Oct. 4 — K. Elmers End G.E.M., P.W.R. ,, 8 — M. Staines Res . G.D.E. SWIFT. April 26 — M. Staines Res . A.H.M. „ 26 — S. Barn Elms Res. D.A.T.M. ,, 30— E. Walthamstow Res. R.W.P. ARKIVAL AND DEPARTURE OE MIGRANTS. 33 Aug. 15— E. King George V Res. Nov. 1 — M. Staines Res . .. G.C.L. W.A.W. „ 21 — E. King George V Res., J 5 30 — K. Beckenham . G.E.M. W.A.W. Sept. 11— S. Beddington . P.W.R. „ 21— E. Walthamstow Res. y y 12— M. Staines Res . A.H.M. E.T.N. , H.A.P. NIGHTJAR. SMEW. May 9 — S. Esher Common K.P.K. Mar. 1— H. Hamper Mill .. . G.H. 14— M. Northwood . ... G.H. ,, 25 — S. Lonsdale Road Res. 5 J 16— H. Bishops Wood ... G.H. E.G.P. Aug. 25— M. Northwood . ... G.H. Nov. 28— S. Molesey Res. . P.A.D.H. Dec. 27— E. Walthamstow Res. WRYNECK. E.T.N. , H.A.P. Mar. 31— S. Ashtead . J.S.W. .. 27— M. Staines Res. ... A.H.M. May 6— M. Staines Res . A.H.M. Aug. 15— S. Epsom S.F. ... R.S.R.F. TURTLEDOVE. CUCKOO. May 6— S'. Leatherhead ... . H.J.B. April 12— S. Limpsfield . K.R.C. „ 10— K. Beckenham . P.W.R. J 5 17— E. Epping Forest . ... E.M. ,, 10— M. Ruislip . .... G.H. > > 19— M. Mill Hill . W.D.M. ,, 17— E. Epping Forest W.A.W. Aug. 4— M. Regents Park ... ... M.R. Sept. 5 — E. Sewardstone ... W.A.W. j > 23— H. Sandy Lodge ... .... G.H. Oct. 10— S. Ashtead . . J.S.W. Sept. 7— S'. Richmond Park E.G.P. COMMON SANDPIPER. GOLDENEYE. April 13 — K. Beckenham Mar. 7— S. Molesey Res. P.A.D.H. G.E.M. , , P.W.R. April 29 — M. Staines Res. ... A.H.M. „ 18— M. Ruislip Res . . G.H. Sept. 26— E. Walthamstow Res. „ 19— S. Barn Elms Res E.T.N., H.A.P. G.C.L. , E.G.P. Oct. 3— M. Ruislip . ... G.H. „ 28— H. Hamper Mill .. . M.T.S. > > 14— S. Molesey Res. ... A.H.M. Sept. 26 — H. Watford S.F. .. .... G.H. ,, 26— H. Hamper Mill .. .... G.H. GOOSANDER. Oct. 4— S. Barn Elms Res, . E.G.P. April 5— M. Staines Res . . G.C.L. ,, 11— M. Staines Res. s > 14— S. Barn Elms Res. E.G.P. G.C.L., A.H.M. y y 18— E. Walthamstow Res. ,, 17— E. King George V Res. E.T.N. W.A.W. BIRD FURNITURE. NCST I N G J30X F0I{ SWALLOWS. (copyright) . - __ — - - - — _ ■:=z=X mff FRONT Vie W - OWE SIDE OCCUPIED HAH$ IV 3HFD5, OUTHOUSES, PORCHES, ETC. 3/3 each (post 6d). Three for 10/9 (post free). We specialise in all types of BIRD FEEDING DEVICES, NESTING BOXES, &c. Also Gifts of special in¬ terest to Nature Lovers Illustrated “NATURE-GIFT” Catalogue sent on request. BIRD BATHS (in Wood), from 6/6. ARTIFICIAL STONE, - from 9/6. NOVELTY BIRD SOAP. (Sketches by Roland Green, F.Z.S.). BIRD NOTEPAPER. BIRD BOOKS. BIRD RINGS (and Traps for ‘‘ Ringing” purposes). LANTERN SLIDES, Quite New— SWALLOW NESTING BOX, made to instructions of ‘‘ The Zoo Man ” Obtainable only from “NATURE-GIFTS” DEPARTMENT 11. THE GREENRIGG WORKS, WOODFORD GREEN, ESSEX 34 \ THE LONDON BIRD REPORT. Bird Ringing, 1936. By R. W. Hale. rpHE Society’s returns under the British Birds Marking Scheme for the year show a further decrease, but this is due rather to lack of opportunity than to lack of enthusiasm on the part of our ringers. 354 birds of 38 species were ringed and this compares with 482 birds of 30 species in 1935. The following table shows the results of the twelve ringers who took part in the work. Name of Rmger. Nestlings. Trapped. Total. S. Boardman . G. A. Buckland . C. L. Collenette . J. E. S. Dallas . R. S. R. Fitter . ... R. C. Homes . R. M. Jones . H. M. Office of Works E. G. Pedler- . H. Pettit . . Miss E. Silva . J. M. Wilson . 1935 figures 13 11 24 12 — 12 4 11 15 5 — 5 41 2 43 1 — 1 47 12 59 — 8 8 8 — 8 6 3 9 17 1 18 122 30 152 276 78 354 292 190 482 The most numerous species ringed were : — Song Thrush . 66 Starling . 37 Blackbird . 56 Common Tern . 23 Special mention should be made of four Hobbies included in this year’s returns. We welcome four new ringers — Miss E. Silva and Messrs R. S. R. Fitter, H. Pettit, and J. M. Wilson. The Bird Ringing Secretary — R. W. Hale, 6 Grendon Gardens, Wembley Park, Middlesex — will be glad to hear from any member interested in ringing. There is a small charge of 9d for each packet of 20 rings. RECOVERIES OF RINGED BIRDS. The following recoveries of birds included in the Society’s returns have been published in British Birds since the last list was compiled: — Tufted Duck. Nyroca futigula (L.). 1. AA.8344, ringed 17/1/34 as an adult in St James’s Park, London, by H.M. Office of Works, and recovered at Walthamstow (Essex) in July 1935. 2. Black-headed Gull. Lotus r. ridibundus L. RR.255, ringed 21/6/27 as a nestling at the Colne Estuary (Essex) by W. E. Glegg, and recovered on the River Blackwater (Essex), 12/4/36. PRESENTED 2 4 MAY 1937 BIRD- LOVERS’ MANUALS H. F. & G. WITHERBY Ltd., 326 High Holborn, London, W.C.1 SONGS OF WILD BIRDS By E. M. NICHOLSON and LUDWIG KOCH. Introduction by JULIAN HUXLEY. With 18 Plates , of which 8 are in Colour. Mr E. M. Nicholson, well-known to bird-lovers as the author of How Birds Live, The Art of Bird Watching , etc., has written for this work the most fascinating, complete and trustworthy account ot bird-song yet available. It includes chapters explaining what bird-song is and why birds sing, descriptions of all British bird-songs, a calendar showing at a glance when each song may be heard ; a full programme of the songs on the two double-sided gramophone records (which play for nearly a quarter of an hour) and pictures of every bird whose song is reproduced. Two Double-Sided 10-inch Gramophone Records of the Actual Songs of 1 5 British Birds. TEXT— PICTURES-SOUND and Chart of Bird-Song. Records not sold separately. 15/- net boxed. BIRDS OF THE GREEN BELT By R. M. LOCKLEY. 5/- net. BIRD MIGRATION By A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON. 5/- net. HOW TO KNOW BRITISH BIRDS By N. H. JOY, 300 Illustrations. Second Impression. 5/- net. EVERY GARDEN A BIRD SANCTUARY By E. L. TURNER, Second Impression. 5/- net. 9