THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

The Society was founded in 1853. Its activities include the promotion of archaeological
and historical work and of the study of all branches of Natural History within the county;
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NATURAL HISTORY SECTION

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Observations should be sent to the Recorders:

Birds: G. L. Webber, Esq., 66 Southbrook Extension, Swindon.
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Butterflies and Moths: B. W. Weddell, Esq., 39 Victoria Road, Trowbridge.
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£1-00.)
OFFICERS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SECTION, 1973-74

G. L. Webber, Esq. (Chairman)
Arnold Smith, Esq. (Hon. Treasurer)
Mrs. M. J. Rolls (Hon. Secretary)
Mr. and Mrs. P. Toynton (Hon. Meetings Secretaries)
Mrs. Egbert Barnes (Hon. Editor of W.A.M., Part A.)

THE
WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND
NATURAL HISTORY MAGAZINE JEP Md,

23 SEP 1973

VOLUME 68 1973

A aN
I>, Q

PART A: NATURAL HISTORY

CONTENTS

PAGE
Tue Dinosaurs OF WILTSHIRE, by J. B. Delair — - - - - - - - I

AMPHIBIA, REPTILE AND MAMMAL NOTES FOR 1970—1972, compiled by Beatrice
Gillam - - - - - - - - - - - - - a
WILTSHIRE Birp NOoTEs FoR 1972, compiled by G. L. Webber - - - - 10
A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE WEEVILS OF WILTSHIRE, by M. G. Morris - - 19
ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1972, compiled by Bowmont Weddell - - - 25
THE SLOE Puc In WILTSHIRE, by C. de Worms - - - - - - - 28
WILTsHIRE PLANT Notes (33), compiled by Joan Swanborough - - - - 29
Tue Cope or Conpuct, A List oF RARE PLANTS - - - - - - 31
THe WEATHER FOR 1972, by T. E. Rogers - - - - - - - - 32
SHORTER NOTES - - - - - - - - - - - - 33
DoNnaALD GROsE, an appreciation - - - - - - - - - 35

OFFICERS’ REPORTS FOR 1972 - - - - - - - - - - 36

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY HEADLEY BROTHERS LTD
I09 KINGSWAY LONDON WC2B 6PX AND ASHFORD KENT

THE DINOSAURS OF WILTSHIRE

bv I. B. DELAIR

WILTSHIRE ARCHMOLGICAL SOCIETY

NATURAL HISTORY SECTION

It is sixteen years since the ‘ Flora of Wiltshire ’
was published. It is now proposed that a supple-
ment containing all the subsequent Plant Notes up
to 1972 together with several articles of original
botanical work be produced. We feel that many
members will wish to support this publication.

Contributions will be gratefully acknowledged by
Arnold Smith, 49 Clarendon Avenue, Trowbridge,
Wilts.

sritish dinosaurs are
re Isle of Wight all
cerned. Nonetheless,
ie to time, including
10t be inappropriate

, it will be useful to
of the ancient Greek
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dinosaurs were large
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‘xternal appearance,
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ria’ later proved to
Irnithischia. The only
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erefore, essentially a

ired over 170 million
us nearly 100 million
ent of its component
is of this arrangement
lly quadrupedal and
ip (which appears to
-dwelling vertebrates
ch was predominantly
-eating animals of all
ib-groups, the precise
alternative classifica-
‘icacies of Saurischian
956), Romer (1956),
(1969), and Swinton
ation adopted here is

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THE DINOSAURS OF WILTSHIRE
by J. B. DELAIR

Wiltshire is not the county which first springs to mind when British dinosaurs are
mentioned, for Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Sussex, Dorset and, the Isle of Wight all
surpass it as far as numbers and variety of dinosaurian remains are concerned. Nonetheless,
several notable finds of dinosaurs have occurred in Wiltshire from time to time, including
the discovery of unique forms, so that a general review of them may not be inappropriate
here.

Before considering the Wiltshire evidence for these great reptiles, it will be useful to
discuss the proper use of the term “‘dinosaur’”’—a word compounded of the ancient Greek
words Deinos=“‘great” or “terrible”, and Sauros=“‘reptile” or “lizard’’—which has
become firmly but erroneously entrenched in popular imgination as being applicable to
any large prehistoric reptile, terrestrial or marine. Although many dinosaurs were large
and some were terrible, many small forms (some no bigger than modern terrier dogs) also
existed and the greater number were, despite an often forbidding external appearance,
inoffensive plant-eaters. The term “‘dinosaur’’, therefore, is generally inaccurate as a
descriptive term, and, strictly speaking, should only be used in the very widest sense
because the reptiles originally grouped under the heading ‘“‘dinosauria” later proved to
belong to two quite distinct reptilian orders—the Saurischia and the Ornithischia. The only
permissible use of the word “‘dinosaur’’, then, occurs when a brief heading is required to
cover both these orders whenever they are jointly compared with or discussed in relation to
other reptilian and animal groups; the heading “‘dinosauria”’ is, therefore, essentially a
collective term.

Order SAURISCHIA

All the reptilian forms included in this order—which first appeared over 170 million
years ago in Triassic times and persisted until the close of the Cretaceous nearly 100 million
years later—possessed a type of pelvis having a lizard-like arrangement of its component
bones, hence the origin of the name Saurischia. Various modifications of this arrangement
are known, reflecting the fact that some Saurischians were habitually quadrupedal and
that others were habitually bipedal. Of these, the quadrupedal group (which appears to
have been mainly herbivorous, and which include the largest land-dwelling vertebrates
ever known) is called the Sauropodomorpha, while the bipedal group (which was predominantly
carnivorous, and which numbered in its ranks the most fearsome flesh-eating animals of all
time) is known as the Theropoda. Both these groups include further sub-groups, the precise
relationships of each of which have given rise in recent years to several alternative classifica-
tions of more or less equal merit. Readers interested in pursuing the intricacies of Saurischian
classification for themselves should consult the works of Huene (1956), Romer (1956),
Colbert (1964), Charig, Attridge and Crompton (1965), Bonaparte (1969), and Swinton
(1970) listed at the end of this paper; in the meantime, the classification adopted here is
that proposed by Charig et al in 1965.

Sub-order THEROPODA

This sub-order embraces all the known carnivorous Saurischians, of which the earliest
representatives appeared during late Triassic times. These reptiles are assignable to either
of two infra-orders, the Coelurosauria and the Carnosauria—characterized by small and
large forms respectively. Only Carnosaurian remains have so far been found in Wiltshire,
and even these are very fragmentary. Nevertheless, by comparison with more complete

I

Stratigraphical Distribution of Wiltshire Dinosaurs

o
2 z
© ee ee ies S
b/g /8 /8 18 a(S 0/88
SSIS SR SE SECS Zlae
HOmAOOMOMam ape
Megalosaurus bucklandi x x
ss insignis x é
?Megalosaurus sp. x x { Dulane
Nuthetes sp. x
Cetiosaurus sp. x x )
Cardiodon rugulosus x LS d
Bothriospondylus robustus < enrages
pondylu
° suffosus x J
Dacentrurus armatus x |
5 hastiger x
Indet. Stegosaur (species A) x > Stegosauria
6 - (species B) x
» genera <a)

similar remains discovered elsewhere, we know that these Wiltshire Carnosaurs were large,
powerfully built bipedal saurians possessing large skulls equipped with formidable sharp
teeth; that their forelimbs, although clawed, were comparatively diminutive and of limited
use; that locomotion was accomplished by strong hind limbs terminating in heavily clawed
three toed feet; and that the long tail acted as a counterbalance to the rest of the body, the
centre of equilibrium being situated in the pelvis.

In Wiltshire, Carnosaurs are represented by the genera Megalosaurus and, rather doubt-
fully, Nuthetes.

Genus Megalosaurus

Historically, Megalosaurus is the most important of all ‘‘dinosaurs’’ because it was the
first to be scientifically described, an account of the type remains (from the Stonesfield
Slate of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire) being published by Buckland as long ago as 1824.
Buckland, however, did not give his Stonesfield bones a specific name and it was not until
1832 that Meyer (1832: p. 110) bestowed upon them the specific title bucklandi, in honour
of their original describer. Since then, remains of Megalosaurus bucklandi have been reported
from many counties and even from some continental European localities. In Wiltshire it
is represented by a tooth, now preserved in the national collection (no: 39476 BMNH),
from the Forest Marble beds at Stanton, and, according to Phillips (1871: p. 333), by
unspecified remains from the Kimmeridge Clay of Swindon.

The crown of a very large tooth (46388 BMNH), also in the national collection, and
belonging to the related species Megalosaurus insignis, is known from the Kimmeridge Clay
of Foxhangers, near Devizes. It is almost identical with the corresponding part of a tooth
from France figured under that name by Sauvage (1874: pl. v, fig. 1), and is of particular
interest in that it is the only specimen of this species identified from Britain.

Specifically indeterminable Megalosaur remains, not necessarily of Megalosaurus itself,
have also been found in Wiltshire. These include phalangeal bones and an associated
claw (no: 3009, Devizes Museum) from the Kimmeridge Clay of an unnoted locality, and
‘a megalosaurian tooth recorded by Moore from the Upper Purbeck ‘‘pebbly” beds of
Town Gardens (or Great) Quarry, Swindon (Huddleston: 1876).

2

Genus Nuthetes

This is a very small, little-known genus, also recorded from Dorset and Sussex, not
yet certainly established as a true megalosaur but which, on available evidence, seems best
referred to this group. A tooth of JVuthetes is alleged to have occurred at the same horizon
and in the same quarry at Swindon as that yielding the Megalosaurus tooth noted above,
but, like that specimen, is now lost or misplaced (Sylvester-Bradley: 1940).

Sub-order SAUROPODA

Of the two known sub-orders comprising the Sauropodomorpha, only the Sauropoda
has been recorded from Wiltshire, where it is represented by the Jurassic forms Cetiosaurus,
Cardiodon, and Bothriospondylus. As a group, the Sauropoda was characterized by large or
very large secondarily quadrupedal reptiles, by habit herbivorous and almost certainly
amphibious, possessing a relatively short and robust trunk and long, occasionally very long,
neck and tail. Where known, the skull was lightly built and proportionately very small,
the dentition being but feebly developed. The vertebrae were notable for their cavernous
construction, which made them unusually light and, simultaneously, exceptionally strong
for their actual size. Both pairs of limbs were powerfully developed, the hinder pair usually,
but not invariably, being the longer of the two. All the feet, which were plantigrade, were
five toed, some of the digits terminating in blunt claws.

Of the several known Sauropod families, only two, the Cetiosauridae and the Brachio-
sauridae, have so far been recognized in Wiltshire.

Family Cetiosauridae

The principal features of this, geologically the oldest sauropod family, may be sum-
marized as follows: teeth broad, spatulate, and constricted at the base; presacral vertebrae
slightly opisthocoelous; caudal vertebrae amphicoelous or amphiplatyan, except at the
distal end of the series where they possess conical extremities; neural spines simple; pubis
very broad throughout, the ischium being less so.

Genus Cetiosaurus

Although the generic name Ceiiosaurus was not invented until 1841 (Owen: p. 457), a
thigh bone probably of this reptile was figured as early as 1758 (Platt: fig. 19), the genus,
therefore, being one of the very first fossil saurians known to science. Owen, and other
early palacontologists, originally regarded Cetiosaurus as a monstrous crocodile, but later
discoveries conclusively demonstrated the true affinities of the animal. Today, the genus is
known from numerous rather fragmentary remains from the middle Jurassic rocks of
England and Europe so that, even though complete skeletons have yet to be discovered,
our knowledge of it is reasonably complete. Cetzosaurus is distinguished from other Sauropo-
dous genera by the fact that its humerus and femur were of almost equal length, and that the
distally contracted ischium was smaller than the pubis.

The genus is represented in Wiltshire by five associated caudal vertebrae from the lower
Oolite of Malmesbury, which are preserved in the University Museum, Oxford (nos:
J.1631/1-5 OUM). Owing to their low stratigraphical occurrence, these specimens are
among the geologically oldest known British sauroped fossils, and, as such, are of great
interest.

Less certainly referable to Cetiosaurus, but perhaps best recorded under that name, were
the unspecified bones from the Oxford Clay of the railway cutting at Ham Fields, near
Trowbridge, ascribed to this genus by R. N. Mantell (1850: p. 316). The whereabouts of -
these bones is unknown, so there is at present no way by which these remains can be generi-

cally identified.

Genus Cardiodon

In his book ““Odontography”’, Owen (1841a, p. 291) gave the name Cardiodon rugulosus
to some Cetiosaurian teeth, now in the national collection, from the Forest Marble of
Bradford-on-Avon. Since the dentition of Cetiosaurus and other contemporary sauropods is
imperfectly known, and because it is a fact that the shapes and sizes of teeth change in
different parts of sauropod jaws (where the dentitions are fully known), it is arguable
whether the name Cardiodon is validly established. ‘This possibility was raised by Swinton in
1934. (table of British Dinosaurs), when it was suggested that Cardiodon and Cetiosaurus might
be identical. Nonetheless, the teeth named Cardiodon do exhibit differences from the few
that can be confidently assigned to Cetiosaurus (a genus in which the complete dentition is
unknown), thus for the time being it is, perhaps, best to retain Cardiodon as a separate genus.

Family Brachiosauridae

In general characters this family differs from the Cetiosauridae only in that the
vertebrae are more cavernous, that the neural spines—which are sometimes paired—are
more buttressed, and that the forelimbs, which are usually as long as or longer than the
hind-limbs, are comparatively slender. Bothriospondylus is the only representative of this
family recorded from Wiltshire.

Genus Bothriospondylus

This sauropod, evidently of somewhat smaller porportions than Cetiosaurus, is known
only from vertebrae preserved in the national collection. Some of these specimens (nos:
44589-44595 BMNH) were found in the Forest Marble at Bradford-on-Avon, and were
named Bothriospondylus robustus by Owen (1875), who, like Lydekker (1888: pt. i, p. 171),
initially regarded the genus as a megalosaur. The true affinities of these remains, are, how-
ever, now well established and, if they be correctly assigned to the Brachiosauridae, consti-
tute the earliest occurrence yet known of that family. According to Lydekker (1888, pt. i,
p- 170), the cervical vertebrae of Bothriospondylus were probably opisthocoelous, and the
post-cervical vertebrae had centra greatly constricted inferiorly and laterally, with a large
pit-like depression on either side below the neuro-central suture.

Other vertebrae from the Kimmeridge Clay of the “Swindon Brick and Tile Works’’,
adjacent to the Wilts.—Berks. Canal, Swindon, but smaller than those of Bothriospondylus
robustus, were named B. suffosus by Owen (1875: pt. li, p. 15), who again regarded the
animal as a megalosaur. It is highly probable that these vertebrae were the same as the
unspecified remains from the same horizon and locality recorded as Cetiosaurus by Wood-
ward (1895: p. 164) and by Hawkins and Pringle (1923: p. 240), who stated that they had
been obtained from the Rasenia zone of the Kimmeridge Clay in a brickpit near Swindon
railway station. If so, then they should certainly not be referred to Cetiosaurus.

No additional sauropod remains have been recorded from Wiltshire.

Order ORNITHISCHIA

This reptilian order, which was already well established by late Triassic times and
which flourished until the very close of the Cretaceous period, is represented by a variety of
more or less massive quadrupedal and semi-quadrupedal reptiles all possessing a bird-like
arrangment of the pelvic bones. All ornithischians had a beak-like predentary bone at the
anterior end of the lower jaw, for which reason some of the older authorities called the order
the Predentata. The ornithischian fore-limb was always shorter than the hind-limb and, in
the semi-quadrupedal forms, the hand was freely prehensile. Unlike the theropod fore-limb
the ornithischian equivalent was obviously often used for progression in the semi-bipedal
forms, and, of course, continuously so in the quadrupdeal representatives. A deep, laterally
compressed tail of considerable length existed in several genera, suggesting amphibious

4.

habits, while in other forms elaborate defensive armour was present, the owners being in
many instances probably upland dwellers. Some small ornithischians, of alleged arboreal
habits, are also known.

Animals adpated to such a wide range of probable habits inevitably fall into several
distinct groups or sub-orders, of which only the Stegosauria has so far been recorded from
Wiltshire.

Sub-order STEGOSAURIA

All the known members of this sub-order possessed small, elongated skulls lacking
antorbital openings, but with large narial openings situated very far forwards. The teeth—
absent from the premaxillary bone—were compressed laterally and of leaf-like outline,
while the vertebrae were either amphicoelian or amphiplatyan. The short and massive
fore-limb possessed a manus having five short robust digits, while the longer and more
slender hind-limb terminated in feet having small hoof-like ungual phalanges. A well
developed exoskeleton—consisting of dermal plates, scutes, ossicles, and tail spines—was
nearly always present.

Although fragmentary stegosaur remains occur in late Triassic rocks, this sub-order is
essentially a Jurassic one, numerous material occurring in the upper-Middle and Late
Jurassic formations. As a group, however, stegosaurs did not long survive the adveni of the
Cretaceous period. Two families only are recognized, the Scelidosauridae and the Stego-
sauridae, of which only the second has been found in Wiltshire to date.

Family Stegosauridae

Two stegosaurian genera, Dacentrurus and a unique undescribed form, are known from
Wiltshire. Indications of further indeterminate forms also occur, the known evidence being
unfortunately too fragmentary for classification.

Genus Dacentrurus

In 1874, various associated bones, including a femur having an inner trochanter, were
found in the upper beds of the Kimmeridge Clay in the “Swindon Brick and Tile Com-
pany’s” pit at the foot of Old Swindon Hill, and subsequently deposited in the national
collection. One year later, the specimens (nos: 46013 and 46013a—-s BMNH) were described
by Owen under the name Omosaurus armatus (1875: pt. 1, p. 45). Now a closely similar
reptile, lacking a inner femoral trochanter, was erected on American material two years
later by Marsh (1877), who named the remains Stegosaurus armatus. Some years afterwards,
Marsh (1889) drew attention to the fact that the generic name Omosaurus had been used to
distinguish certain crocodilian fossils before Owen used it for the Swindon stegosaur bones,
whereupon Lydekker (1890: pt. iv, p. 251), following Marsh, transferred the Wiltshire
species to the American Stegosaurus as Stegosaurus armatus, quite oblivious to the fact there
already existed an American species of that name. This meant that two Stegosaurus species
named armatus existed, one characterized by the presence of an inner femoral trochanter,
the other lacking that feature. Recognizing this discrepancy, Lucas later erected the new
generic appellation Dacentrurus for the Swindon species (1902: p. 435), which has ever since
been known as Dacentrurus armatus.

The principal features of this reptile were: four sacral vertebrae only; limb bones solid;
femur with an inner trochanter and much longer than the tibia; humerus only slightly
shorter than the tibia, with a short, thick shaft possessing much expanded extremities;
astragalus anchylosed to the tibia. Foot plantigrade, with five digits. Dermal armour
consisting of free-standing bony plates arranged in two parallel or nearly parallel rows, and
caudal spines in pairs.

A centrum (no: 47329 BMNH) in the national collection, and two dermal spines
(nos: J.1644 and J.1645 OUM) in the Oxford collection, all from the Kimmeridge Clay of
Swindon, also probably belong to this species, which, it may be remarked, is as yet known
only from this county.

A second species of this genus also occurs in Wiltshire. This is Dacentrurus hastiger,
first described and named by Owen (1877: pt. ili, p. 1) on the evidence of some dermal
spines (nos :46320-46322 BMNH) from the Kimmeridge Clay at Wootton-Bassett. Once
again, this species is unique to Wiltshire, although whether a species founded upon such
slender material as detached spines should be regarded as truly valid is presently debatable.

Undescribed Stegosaur (species A)

Four dermal scutes, some reminiscent of those of Polacanthus (a later stegosaur from the
Wealden formation of Sussex and the Isle of Wight) exist in the Oxford collection (nos:
J.1682a—d OUM) and appear to represent an undescribed form. All are from the Kimmer-
idge Clay of Rodbourne.

Undescribed Stegosaur (species B)

A caudal spine of novel shape and proportions, also in the Oxford collection (no:
J.1666 OUM), from the Portland beds at Swindon, exemplifies a second undescribed
stegosaur, apparently having certain affinities with an East African stegosaur called
Kentrurosaurus. A cast of this unique specimen also exists in the collection at Devizes Museum.
The writer hopes on some future occasion to publish a proper description of both it and
the Rodbourne bones just mentioned.

INDETERMINATE ‘“‘DINOSAURS”’

Portions of several large but unidentifiable bones which, from their dimensions or
preserved features, probably represent “dinosaurs” have been found at various Wiltshire
localities. In order to provide as comprehensive a record as possible these are listed below.
j.1664 OUM. A large bone fragment (in Oxford University Museum), from the Kim-

meridge Clay at the site of the Theatre, Swindon.

J-12059 OUM. The distal end of a right scapula, from the same horizon at Swindon.

G.23 SM. A large bone fragment (in Swindon Museum), from the same horizon and
locality.

G.24 SM. Portion of the shaft of an immense limb bone, from the same horizon and
locality.

3010 DM. Portion of a ?fibula (in Devizes Museum), from an unnoted (but probably

Kimmeridgian) horizon and locality.

850-855 DM. Associated fragments of a large limb bone(?), from the Upper Greensand of

Warminster.

SUMMARY

At present, twelve named and two unnamed “‘dinosaurs”’ are certainly known from
Wiltshire, and of these no less than eight (including all the stegosaurs) are unique to the
county. This is a remarkably high percentage, and is a fact which should encourage
further careful exploration of the Mesozoic strata of Wiltshire for additional remains of these
spectacular fossils. That further important finds of “dinosaur” remains have still to be made
in Wiltshire cannot be doubted.

References cited in the text

BONAPARTE, J. 1969. Zool. F. Linn. Soc., 48, pp.
471-480.

BUCKLAND, W. 1824. Trans. Geol. Soc. Lond., (2)
I, Pp. 390.

CHARIG, A. J., ATTRIDGE, J., and CROMP-
TON, A. W. 1965. Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond., 176
(2), pp. 197-221.

6

COLBERT, E. H. 1964. Am. Mus. Novit., 2181,

. I-24.
HAWKINS, H. L., and PRINGLE, J. 1923. Proc.
Geol. Assoc., 34, pp. 223-241.
HUDDLESTONE, W. H. 1876. Proc. Geol.
Assoc. 45 PP- 544-545: F
HUENE, F. VON. 1956. ‘‘Palaontologie und
Phylogenie der Niederen Tetrapoden’’, (Jena).
LUCAS, F. 1902. Science, 16, p. 435.

LYDEKKER, R. 1888. ‘‘Catalogue of the Fossil
Reptilia and Amphibia in the British Museum
(Natural History)’’, vol. i.

LYDEKKER, R. 1890. Ibid., vol. iv (supplement).

MANTELL, R. N. 1850. Quart. 7. Geol. Soc.
Lond., 6, pp. 310-319.

MARSH, O. C. 1877. Am. F. Sci., 3, 14, P- 457-

MEYER, H. VON. 1832. ‘‘Palaeologica’’, p. 110.

OWEN, R. 1841. Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond., 3, p. 457+

OWEN, R. 1841a. ‘“Odontography”’, (London).

OWEN, R. 1875. ‘‘Mesozoic Reptilia’ Mon. Pal.
Soc., pt. ii.

OWEN, R. 1877. Ibid., pt. iii.

PHILLIPS, J. 1871. “‘Geology of Oxford and the
Valley of the Thames’’, (Oxford).

PLATT, J. 1758. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond., L,
(2), PP. 524-527.

ROMER, A. S. 1956. ‘“‘Osteology of the Reptiles”
(Chicago).

SAUVAGE, E. H. 1874. Mém. Géol. Soc. France,
(2), 10, p. 50.

SWINTON, W. E. 1934. ‘The Dinosaurs’’,
(London).

SWINTON, W. E. 1970. Ibid., 2nd edition,
(London).

SYLVESTER-BRADLEY, P. CG. 1940. Proc.
Geol. Assoc., 515 PP. 349-372.

WOODWARD, H. B. 1895. Mem. Geol. Surv.
United Kingdom.

AMPHIBIA, REPTILE AND MAMMAL NOTES 1970—1972
compiled by BEATRICE GILLAM

Insufficient notes on these groups of animals have been received in the past to warrant
their publication. The following, covering three years’ observations, have been compiled
for future record and as an encouragement to readers to submit written notes in subsequent

years.

PELLET ANALYSES

Ween. Predator No. pellets Species of mammal No. Locality
skull present 10 Km. sq.
1970 Barn Owl I Bank Vole 3 SU 06
Short-tailed Field Vole I
1970 =Barn Owl I Common Shrew I SU 06
Pygmy Shrew I
1971 Long-eared Owl 5 Bank Vole 5 SU 06
Wood Mouse I
1971 Short-eared Owl 15 Rabbit I SU 06
Short-tailed Field Vole 8
Wood Mouse II
All the above analysed by DG.
1972 Long-eared Owl 54 Short-tailed Field Vole 2 SU 17
Wood Mouse 6
Analysed by MCNHS.
1972 Barn Owl I Common Shrew I SU 06
Short-tailed Field Vole 3
Analysed by BG.

Records have not been extracted from the monthly bulletins of the Salisbury and

District Natural History Society.

The following abbreviations are used in the text: KAC, Kennet and Avon Canal;

GP, Gravel Pit; SF, Sewage Farm.

AMPHIBIA

Crested Newt (T7iturus cristatus). 1972. Recorded from 3 areas of the KAC east of Devizes.
Common Frog (Rana temporaria). 1972. Tadpoles abundant in the KAC near Semington;
adults recorded from 7 areas of canal east of Devizes and from a small garden pool, Round-
way. 5 Palmer Gardens, Trowbridge in April and 6 Salisbury in Sept. (CEJ).

Common Toad (Bufo bufo). Animals of various ages present each year in a Roundway
garden throughout the summer, where, on 6 July 1970, a large one was observed by the light
of a torch for ? hr. feeding on any invertebrate that came within 6 in. of it. One Spider,
one woodlouse and many earwigs were taken (BG). 1972. Seen in 4 areas of the KAC east
of Devizes, 4 Palmer Gardens, Trowbridge in June and 2 Seend Cleeve in August (CEJ).

REPTILES

Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis). 1971. Several Seend Cleeve, August (CEJ).

Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara). 1972. Two records from the KAC east of Devizes and
3 animals on Crofton lock gates, 4th June (CEJ).

Grass Snake (WNatrix natrix). 1971. One Home Covert, Roundway, 17th March and one,
freshly killed, on Imber road near Bratton, 28th August (BG).

Adder (Vipera berus). 1972. One curled up in the sun Grovely Wood, 5th March (BG).

MAMMALS

The order is that followed in ““The Handbook of British Mammals’’.
Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). 1970. An animal moving very slowly across a road near
Roundway and liable to be run over, was placed in a nest of leaves under a nearby shed.
It had gone by morning, 15-16th Dec. (BG). 1971-72. Droppings regularly found in
gardens Roundway and W. Kington. An animal at W. Kington began hibernating in a
shed but moved after three weeks. Early in 1972 one was found drowned in a pond here
(MB). 1972. An animal heard screaming at 01.00 hrs. in a Devizes garden was found to be
a hedgehog being attacked by a badger, 5th October (RB).
Common Shrew (Sorex araneus). Common in banks and walls W. Kington and frequently
brought in by cats (MB). 1972. Live-trapped Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham, Feb. (AW).
See PELLET ANALYSES.
Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus). 1972. Live-trapped Bradford-on-Avon, June (SJ). See
PELLET ANALYSES.
Water Shrew (Neomys fodiens). 1972. Live-trapped Hardenhuish Brook, Chippenham,
spring (AW). An unconfirmed report for the KAC near Wilcot.
Lesser Horshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). 1968-69. Caught in mist nets while netting
birds for ringing, Christian Malford GP, July-August (JCR).
Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus). 1972. Present in a door-post crack in a new
building Devizes, Oct. (ALS). The number using a summer roost in a porch at Kington
Langley has decreased since 1970. In 1972, only ¢.5 were present for a few days (BG).

Two unidentified species caught by Burmese cat W. Kington. The method of capture
was not observed (MB). Bat droppings found on a bookcase and a series of sooty imprints
of a flying bat on the wallpaper the next day, suggested that a bat had come and gone via
the chimney, Roundway, Sept. (BG).
Common Long-Eared Bat (Plecotus auriius). 1968-71. Caught in mist nets while netting
birds for ringing, Christian Malford GP, July-August (JCR). 1971. One found dead,
Devizes (ALS). 1972. One found dead Durnford, 31st May (ARGU), Seend, 15th July
(RG) and Beckhampton, July (WR).
Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). 1972. Three live-trapped Oxenwood, 3rd March
(CEJ). See PELLET ANALYSES.
Short-Tailed Vole (Microtus agrestis). Common W. Kington (MB). 1970. Animal walked
over observer’s feet Home Covert, Roundway gth June (BG). 1972. Nest under shed floor

Oo
oO

Devizes, Sept. (ALS). One watched climbing a Red Campion plant, biting off the flower
stalk on which it swung so that both fell, and seen eating 2 flowers, Cliffe Pypard Wood,
15th June (BG). See PELLET ANALYSES.
Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius). 1970. Male caught by cat in tributary of the By Brook,
27th April (MF). Skin kept (BG). 1971. One swam from bank of R. Kennet onto a Coot’s
nest in mid-stream and settled down to feed on nest material. When it left, the Coot returned
and began adding fresh material, 4th Sept. (BG). 1972. Widely reported: whole length of
KAC; Bristol Avon 3 localities, Salisbury Avon 2, R. Wylye 6 and By Brook 5 (ST);
R. Thames 2, R. Churn 1 and Aldbourne (NEK); Corsham Lake (JCR) and Bratton
(RC).
Wood Mouse (Afodemus sylvaticus). 1972. Common W. Kington (MB). Live-trapped
Beacon Farm, Oxenwood (CEJ) and Devizes, Sept. (ALS). Regularly feeds on peanuts in
garden shed in winter, Roundway (BG). See PELLET ANALYSES.
Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus). 1972. Bullen Hill Farm, Ashton Common (EGS). Ten
nests in Phragmites, Swindon SF, 1st Nov. No mice or nests found here in previous 20 yrs.
(GLW). One killed by cat Lacock, 27th Dec. (MF). Skin kept (BG).
Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). ?1970. One found hibernating in the closed glove-
box of an unused car in a garage, Calstone (GHDE).
Stoat (Mustela erminea). 1970. One Calstone Mill, 9th April and one hunting hedgerow
Oare, 17th May. During torrential rain one emerged from adjacent wood on to a lawn
Roundway, 25th Sept. (BG). 1972. Present W. Kington; 2 killed by Burmese cat (MB).
Hunting a downland bank Middle Winterslow, 21st March and in a rabbit warren near
Oare, 20th April. Dead animal on road Stanton St. Bernard, 7th August and 3-4 crossing
road, nose to tail, at the same spot the following day (BG). One swimming KAC at New
Mill (HEMK).
Weasel (Mustela nivalis). 1970. One carrying young rabbit along road Patney April
(FM). One Crossing road Wooton Bassett, 1gth July (BG). 1971. One hunting leaf litter
Everleigh Ashes, 1toth Jan., one crossing road Ashton Keynes, 15th July, W. Tytherton,
16th July and Alton Barnes, 11th Sept. Male and female amongst tree fellings, female
repeatedly following the same track to observe the intruder Allington, Devizes, 25th March
(BG). 1972. Female dead on road Stert, 2nd April. Uterus contained 5 well-developed
embryos (DJ). Skin kept (BG). Several roadside sightings W. Kington-Tormarton; one
passed 2 ins. from observer. One killed by Burmese cat (MB). One Seagry, Oct. (RGB).
Two Casterley Camp, 18th Oct. (BG).
Badger (Meles meles). Setts for which details have been obtained number 285. Of these,
180 are in 10 of the 40 Km. squares in the county from which they have been recorded.
The total number is probably over 500. Little idea of the population can be calculated
from a given number of setts but the number of animals is known to be on the decrease in
some parts of the country for a variety of reasons. Road casualties account for a large num-
ber and reports of dead animals killed in this way are required.
- Otter (Lutra lutra). Records have been received from two areas.
Muntjac Deer (Muntiacus reevesi). 1970. Buck Bowood, toth August (JCR). 1971. Few-
mets Potterne Wood, 8th April (BG). Known to be weil distributed across the county in
suitable habitats.
Fallow Deer (Dama dama). 1970. Doe and fawn Bowood, toth August (JCR). 1972. An
animal reported as a Red Deer was probably this species, near Trowbridge (EGS).
Oakhill Wood, Fosbury, March (CEJ). Seen at Upham, May, Savernake Column and
West Woods, Sept. (NEK).
Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus). 1972. Melsome Wood, Jan. (DGB). Two adults and two
kids disturbed by a Rough-legged Buzzard Rushall Down, 1 Jan. (GLW). West Woods.
Sept. (NEK), Angrove Wood (RGB) and regular sightings near Kingston Deverill.

Records also ‘received for Mole, Rabbit, Hare, Grey Squirrel, House Mouse, Brown
Rat and Red Fox.

No records received for Mink, Yellow-necked Mouse and Red Deer.

CONTRIBUTORS

Mrs. R. Barker Le oe as RB F. Mead Es a BS ve FM
D. G. Barnes He ae 56 DGB Js Ga Rollsaie. ae ae oe JCR
Mrs. R. G. Barnes .. se 36 RGB W. Ruttledge - 46 ose WR
Mrs. M. Browne .. iG ae MB E. G. Smith .. Se a ae EGS
R. Cockerton are ve 56 RC A. L. Stonell ods we aA ALS
Wing-Cdr. G. H. D. Evans eee GHDE Mrs. S. Tyler oes ae ae ST
Mrs. M. Foxwell .. aa ae MF Mrs. A. R. G. de Ud Fe sa ARGU
Miss B. Gillam ats 2 a6 BG G. L. Webber Pe is fe GLW
D. Glue Ae ait ae Ne DG Alan Woods .. 25 ae fn AW
Miss R. Goddard .. a on RG Marlborough College

D. James... = eis os DJ Natural History Society . . .. MCNHS
Stephen James ys a aC SJ

C. E. Jennings i 7 a: CEJ Acknowledgement is also made to those
Dr. H. E. M. Kay .. ae .. HEMK who contributed records through the Kennet
N. E. King .. de a3 me NEK and Avon canal survey, 1972.

WILTSHIRE BIRD NOTES FOR 1972

RECORDER: G. L. Webber. RECORDS COMMITTEE: Mrs. R. G. Barnes, M.B.0.u., G. L.
Boyle; E. A. R. Ennion, M.A., M.B.0.U.

The early months of the year were once again mild with virtually no severe weather
and many resident species were nest building quite early. The most interesting bird of this
period was a Rough-legged Buzzard near Rushall early in January. Unfortunately the
spring was long delayed, cool and windy conditions persisting well into June. For the third
consecutive year it was difficult to establish when summer migrants had arrived as they were
remarkably silent except in sheltered localities. Breeding success of smaller passerines
appeared to be generally low with the possible exception of the later breeders.

During the late summer the mainly anti-cyclonic weather with predominantly easterly
winds saw the arrival of at least two Bluethroats and an Aquatic Warbler at the Swindon
SF. Autumn wader records were fewer than usual due in part to the lack of suitable
habitat although many must have overflown the county in the excellent weather.

September produced a flurry of Stork sightings in the Ashton Keynes area and
although most of these may refer to the bird released from Rowde, on one occasion two
birds were seen together.

October saw the addition of a new bird to the Wiltshire list, a Yellow-browed Warbler
being discovered in an observer’s garden in Trowbridge.

During the same month the county shared in the Bearded Tit invasion with records
from Corsham Lake and Swindon SF. Redpolls, Siskins and Bramblings were all prominent
from early October up to the end of the year. A single Twite was present at the Swindon
SF in the November, this being only the second record for the county.

A Black-throated Diver spent a few days in mid December at a Ashton Keynes GP,
there are only three previous records of this species.

Although only two Firecrests were noted during the year I would hope that contribu-
tors to these notes keep an eye open for this species during the breeding season.

A species for which records are diminishing is the Cirl Bunting, until recently it could
generally be found in the eastern parts of the county particularly south of Tidworth. It
would be interesting to know if the paucity of records does represent a real decline in
numbers.

As the Cotswold Water Park continues to expand it is becoming increasingly difficult
to allocate records neatly to either county, some areas are actually divided by the county

ie)

boundary. In this report a sketch map of the major water areas attempts to clarify the
position with regard to the county boundary and provides a means of identifying the various
pits. A full record of water park birds will be published in the Gloucestershire report.

a COTSWOLD WATER PARK

The sketch map above shows the major areas of water in the western part of the Cotswold Water Park.

The map divides the area into five sections, Cerney Wick, South Cerney, Ashton Keynes, Somerford
Keynes and Poole Keynes. Each of the sections has its larger pits or groups of smaller pits numbered.

When observers are supplying records for future reports it is hoped they will identify the pit by the initial
letters of the section concerned followed by the number of the pit.

It is intended to redraw the map periodically to keep pace with developments in the Water Park.

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

T. Andrews ae ae a Ae TA R. Henly Ne ate 56 Sc RH2
Miss J. M. Baker a oe 7 JMB J. Higham AG ee “te 20 JH
Mrs. R. G. Barnes Ba a at RGB R. C. Hodge ae ee ac 50 RCH
Miss S. Bailey .. ae aS ae SB P. J. Horton os are oe St PJH
G. L. Boyle Shc So 60 a GLB A. J. Horner ye ab an a AJH
D. Brotheridge .. hie ae BD DB Re jeyebunte as 5c re Be RJJH
Mrs. J. Stopford-Beale .. ae ar JSB Mrs. I. E. Ingram Bn “fi “ye IEI
E. J. M. Buxton .. te a be EJMB Brig. S. P. M. Kent Bo in .. SPMK
S. Clayton ae am ae sr sc Mrs. V. Lawson .. ate oe - VL
J. G. Cookson .. 56 2a an JGC N. F. McMichael a “ve Sc NFM
Miss B. Cowley .. ais a ss BC B. Macdonald .. 36 o* Wes BM
Miss M. Cobern .. ui an ote MC J. E. Major ai fe bo aS JEM
R. C. Faulkner .. a AG ar RCF D. Mardle or ae oye ai DM
Mrs. E. V. Forbes bi die ae EVF C. Mason se ae bi 56 CM
R. G. Frankum .. we AG ae RGF Marlborough College
D. E. Fry AY ve ae ais DEF Natural History Society .. .. MCNHS
Mrs.I. Gandy .. an BS ae IG Brig. J. R. I. Platt ie Be Si JRIP
Miss B. Gillam .. Fic ke ot BG D. E.M. Peart .. us a .. DEMP
J. R. Govett Ns i te 36 JRG Mrs. F. M. Robertson .. oe = FMR
J.C. Hawkesly .. She oe sis JCH @sRiceis =: BG A ae Ais CR
R. Hayden or ae se nie RH Mrs. M. J. Rolls ae ve a MJR
R. Hudson an He 30 x RH J. G. Rolls ue Bee a Bb JGR
Ter

3+

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS—continued

M. P. Rossiter .. eee Ah ate MPR Mrs: Si Tyler... ee s vi ST
W. Ruttledge.. rr ae zi WR J. Walsh .. A ts ee = JW
A. J. Rycroft a - aaa N. AJR G.L. Webber... oi = sts GLW
D. G. Smith ai # AC sis DGS M. G. Webber .. os Se i MGW
A. Smith = Eh ok: ie AS M. J. Wyatt oye “i tye af MJW
E. G. Smith os ia see et EGS J. R. Woifall Pr a i os JRW
M.-H Smith \2.2 chs we a MHS I. W. Young or ks oe fe IWY
Bentley School .. be a ie BS Lady Young si wie oi i RMY
D. A. Thelwell .. fe “a uss DAT Salisbury Natural History Society .. SNHS
P. Toynton ne ca ap ee PE

Ty

30.
40.

45;

46.

47-
49.

50.

52.

Black-throated Diver. An immature spent at least three days at a gravel pit near
Ashton Keynes. First noted on 16 Dec. (DM); 17 Dec. (BG, GLW, MGW); 18
Dec. (GLB, EGS, MHS). The bird seemed to have difficulty in closing its bill and
may have been injured.

. Red-throated Diver. A single bird noted on several occasions during the winter

months usually on the same gravel pit at Ashton Keynes, last seen 2 Apl. (RCH, CM,
MGW, GLW). One present at Erlestoke Lake from 30 Jan. until 7 Apl. (PT). On the
latter date the bird was seen to be moulting into summer plumage.

. Great Crested Grebe. Noted during the breeding season on all major waters and

breeding attempted at eleven of these. Display noted by birds in full winter plumage
during Dec. (JRG).

. Little Grebe. From records received this species appears to be a little less common.

Does not nest on the larger waters even those with suitable cover.

. Gannet. One found dead near Battery Hill, 25 Jul. (PJH).
. Cormorant. Noted at Ashton Keynes 2, 3 Sep.; 2, 15 Oct.; single birds 17 Sep. and

5 Oct. (BG, GLW, MGW). 4 in flight at Bodenham 29 Dec. (RJJH).

Heron. There were at least 111 occupied nests at 11 heronries these figures compare
favourably with 1971.

White Stork. One spent some time in the Ashton Keynes area during Sep. First noted
at Kent End 6 Sep. by Dr. A. Chapel, also there on 7/8 Sep. Seen by (BM, GLW,
MGW, IWY) 10 Sep. Two were seen feeding together in meadows near the village of
Ashton Keynes, 14 Sep. (Dr. and Mrs. Raynes). Noted at South Cerney and Cerney
Wick 20/22 Sep., both these localities just over the county boundary in Glos.

Sacred Ibis. One seen near Calne, 24 Apl. (RH2). Probably the bird seen later in the
year in the Midlands. Presumably an escape but apparently not local.

Mallard. Maximum counts at some of the larger waters: c. 1300 Bowood Lake, 17
Sep., ¢. 277 Chilton Foliat, 22 Oct., 97 Corsham Lake, 1 Jan. (MJ, and JGR); ¢. 70
Ramsbury Lake, 27 Feb., c. too Wilton Water, 31 Sep. (MCNHS); c. 200 Fonthill
Lake, 12 Nov. (PT).

Teal. This is the second successive year in which numbers of this species have been
extremely low. The largest groups were 21 Corsham Lake, 24 Dec. (MJ and JGR);
20 Fonthill, 15 Oct. (PT). Numbers up to 10 were recorded from most of the usual
waters.

Garganey. A male at Swindon SF, 6 Oct. (RCH).

Gadwall. More records received than last year and the total at Fonthill Lake rose to
46 on 8 Dec. (GLB). Up to 6 at Stourhead (MHS); 5 Chilton Foliat, 9 Jan., 4 Corsham
Lake, 31 Dec. (MJ & JCR); a pair Clarendon Lake, 9 Dec. (DEF, AJH); single male
Wilton Water, 9 Jan. (BG).

Wigeon. The only large flocks were at Clarendon Lake, c. 100 in Feb. and ¢. 150 in
Dec. (DEF, AJH) ; 25 Chilton Foliat, 9 Jan. (MJ & JOR). Quite large numbers, up to
c. 400 use the Cotswold Water Park along the county boundary.

Pintail. Two males at Ashton Keynes, 13 Feb. (BG); 2 males on flood water near
Everleigh, 12 Mar., single male Ashton Keynes, 18 Mar. (GLB). A female at Cole
Park, 26 Sep. (EJMB).

39°

57:
60.

100.

104.

105.

110.

115.

116.

Shoveler. Now regular in small numbers on all waters, largest number 6 at Coate
Water, 22 Jan. (GLW). Breeding suspected at one site and young were reared in the
Cotswold Water Park a few yards from the county boundary.

54. Red-crested Pochard. Female at Coate Water, 29 Mar. (GLW).
. Scaup. A first winter male at Corsham Lake, 8/9 Jan. (MJ & JGR).
. Tufted Duck. Bred at Corsham Lake, Edington Lake and Wilton Water (MJ &

JCR, GLB, MCNHS). Larger counts: ¢c. 230 Chilton Foliat, g Jan. (MJ & JCR);
c. 100 Fonthill Lake, 17 Dec. (PT); c. go Stourhead, 23 Jan. (MHS).

Tufted Duck/Pochard. An unusual duck at Corsham Lake was presumed to be a
hybrid between these two species. Size and jizz of a Tufted but head and neck
resembled that of a female Pochard. (MJ & JGR).

Pochard. No breeding records received. Larger counts: c. 60 Fonthill Lake, 23 Jan.
(SPMK); c. 90 Braydon Pond, 10 Sep. (MJ & JGR); up to 150 Ashton Keynes (BG).
Goldeneye. Regular visitor to Ashton Keynes and other Cotswold Water Park areas
during the winter months. A pair there 26 Mar., 4 brown heads 24 Dec. (MGW,
GLW); other records of single birds (BG, CM, MJ & JCR).

Ruddy Duck. Again only recorded from Corsham Lake, a single male being seen
there 30 Mar., 30 Jun. & 8 Jul. (MJ & JCR).

70. Goosander. An adult male at Corsham Lake, 5 Jan. (JGR).
73. Shelduck. Three at Coate Water, 19 Nov. and a single bird there 1 Jan. (RCH);

single birds at Fonthill Lake, 27 Mar. (SPMK); Calne sand pits, 11 Nov. (AJR).

. Canada Goose. Up to 70 in the Ramsbury area (VCL). Maximum numbers at

Wilton Water 47, 2 Sep. (MCNHS). A nest at Ashton Keynes contained 3 eggs on
16 Apl. (BM, GLW, MGW). Irregular visitor to other parts of the county.

. Bewick’s Swan. Six in water meadows at Britford, 18 Nov. (AJH, DEF); a single

bird at Erlestoke Lake, 31 Dec. (PT).

. Buzzard. Seen regularly throughout the year and there were three definite breeding

records.

. Rough-legged Buzzard. A bird of this species near Rushall, 1 Jan. Full description

submitted, amongst points noted were the dark breast and greyish white tail unmarked
except for dark tip. Watched hovering like a ponderous Kestrel. (BM, GLW, MGW).

. Sparrowhawk. Seen regularly throughout the year but no breeding records received.

From the number of sight records it must be breeding widely either in the county or
nearby.

Hen Harrier. A male in flight Rushall, 9 Jan. and a ringtail at Tilshead, 10 Dec.
(GLB). A male caught a weasel north of the ““Bustard’’, 29 Jan. (BM, GLW, MGW) ;
a female in flight Waterdene Bottom, 26 Feb. (BG); 1 regularly seen in the Clarendon
area Jan./Feb. and 2 in Mar. East Grinstead (SNHS).

Hobby. Two definite breeding records and over twenty sight records some of these
involving juveniles. First noted 7 May (GLB); last date 18 Sep. (BG).

Merlin. Several records of single birds, one in flight Rushall, 1 Jan., a female near
Downton, 29 Jan., a male over Swindon beating steadily into a gale force wind, 27
Oct. (BM, GLW, MGW). One in flight near Tilshead, 27 Feb. (GLB); a male near
Pewsey, 11 Mar. (BG); 1 East Grinstead in Apl. (SNHS).

Kestrel. Six definite breeding records but from the number of sight records this
species must be breeding fairly successfully. Over sixty sight records were received but
many observers just state that the species is common or regular in their area.
Red-legged Partridge. Records from Wishford (DEMP); Allington (BG, JRG);
Wroughton (IWY); Westbury and Edington (GLB); Stanton St. Bernard (BG); -
South Marston (RCH). Seen with chicks, Walkers Hill Jul. (MC).

Partridge. One noted sitting on a six feet high fence for between two and three hours
(CR). Only two large coveys noted c. 20 Fyfield Down (MCNHS); 23 on Bulford
Ranges (GLB).

13

117:

118.
120.

125.

126.
127,

190.
Loo:

135.
140.

145.
147.

148.
150.

I5I.
156.

157.
159.

161.

14

Quail. Few records this year, 1 calling Milk Hill, 29 Jul. (BG); 5 calling Rushall
Down, 16 Jun. (GLB); single birds at Great Cheverell, 14 May (PT); Steeple Ashton,
15 Jul. (MHS) and Dean Bottom, 25 Jul. (MC).

Pheasant. A male lying on its side with one wing raised, apparently sunbathing (JCR).
Water Rail. Seen regularly throughout the county during the winter months. There
were no records for the period Apl./Sep.

Corncrake. Four records, three unfortunately represented by corpses. One heard
calling at Rockley Warren, 4 Jun. (MC); 1 found dead on the plain, 13 May (PT); a
juvenile found dead on the road at Kington St. Michael (GLB); one found dead near
Everleigh early May (RH).

Moorhen. 116 counted at Corsham Lake, 22 Jan. (JCR); 21 noted at Edington Lake,
5 Jan. (GLB).

Coot. Wintering flocks noted; c. 130 Stourhead, 30 Jan. (MHS); ¢. 250 Fonthill
Lake, 12 Nov. (PT); c. 50 Lower Woodford, 6 Feb. (RJJH).

Oystercatcher. A single bird flying over Keevil airfield, 24 Dec. (GLB).

Lapwing. Few large flocks were noted but numbers seem to be well up to normal.
Larger flocks: c. 600 Hawthorn, 6 Aug., c. 1500 Wilsford, 27 Dec. (MJ & JOR);
c. 1000 Stourhead, 23 Jan. (MHS); c. 650 Broadtown, 12 Nov., c. 2000 between
Beckhampton and Broad Hinton, 10 Dec. (BG). Some passage at Trowbridge on 30
Jan. c. 300 passing in 30 minutes (JRG).

Little Ringed Plover. Regular in the Cotswold Water Park area, did not breed in the
county this year.

Golden Plover. Majority of flocks rather smaller than usual. The last record of the
spring was a flock of c. 300 comprising both southern and northern forms, 30 Mar.
(MHS, EGS). First noted in autumn Stourhead and Cotswold Water Park, 10 Sep.
(MHS, IWY). Larger flocks: c. 1000 Wroughton, 22 Feb. (IWY); c. 500 Stourhead,

Jan./Mar., Nov./Dec. (MHS, EGS); c. 150 Tytherington, 27 Dec. (GLB); c. 200
Ashton Keynes, 12 Dec. (GLW, MGW); c. 50 Westwood near Bradford, 12 Jan.
JRG).

vee Mainly small numbers reported and there were no breeding records. 25 were
seen at Lacock, 23 Jan. (JCGR). Display noted at Standlynch (SNHS).

Jack Snipe. Records were received from only three sites. Swindon SF., 3, 30 Sep., 5,
7 Oct., 8, 28 Oct., 9, 12 Nov., 3 still present 26 Nov. (CM, RCH, GLW, MGW).
Lacock GP., 4, 1 Jan., 6, 23 Jan., 1, 26 Feb., 1, 4 Oct. (MJ & JCR); 1 at Great Bed-
wyn, 3 Jan. (MCNHS).

Woodcock. Noted roding at Savernake and Warminster (MCNHS, MHS, EGS).
Present at Erlestoke and Franchises Woods in winter (RJJH, PT).

Curlew. Display noted at a new site in the north west of the county (CR). Noted
regularly at Landford during Aug. in small parties up to 11 in number (RJJH).
Whimbrel. ‘Two on Bulford Ranges, 4 Jun. (GLB).

Green Sandpiper. Winter records from Swindon SF., Hill Deverill and Landford
(GLB, RCH, DAT, PT, GLW). Maximum at Swindon SF. 5.

Wood Sandpiper. A single bird at Longbridge Deverell, 27 Aug. (MHS).
Common Sandpiper. Several early spring records that may refer to overwintering
birds, 1 Longbridge Deverell, 13 Feb. (MHS); Great Bedwyn, 20 Mar. (MCNHS);
Coate Water, 31 Mar. (GLW, MGW). Main passage appeared to be during the last
week of Apl. Up to 7 at Coate during the autumn and the latest date was 1 at Swindon
SF., 1 Oct. (GLW, MGW).

Redshank. Display noted at two sites but no definite breeding records (SPMK, PT).
Four pairs noted at Everleigh in spring (EGS, MHS, PT).

.Greenshank. Several sight records all in autumn, 3 Christian Malford, 3 Aug.

(MJ & JGR); 1 Longbridge Deverell, 27 Aug. (EGS, MHS). The following were seen
at Swindon SF., 1, 20 Aug., 1, 23 Aug., 3, 28/29 Aug., 1, 2 Sep. (CM, RCH, GLW,
MGW). A single bird at Ashton Keynes, 17 Sep. (GLW, MGW).

178.

184.

200.

274.

Dunlin. Two on gravel flash at Kent end from 17 Dec. until the end of the year
(GLW, MGW).

Ruff. One at Swindon SF., 29 Aug. and 1 at Ashton Keynes, 17 Sep. (BM, GLW,
MGW).

. Stone Curlew. Only two breeding records (BG, GLW, MGW). A very few sight

records (GLB, RJJH, SPMK).

Great Black-backed Gull. An adult near Salisbury, 28 Nov. (JGR).

Lesser Black-backed Gull. Regular in the north and west of the county but appar-
ently uncommon in the south. Up to 350 at Swindon SF. (GLW); c. 140 Great
Cheverell, 3 Mar. (PT); ¢. 150 Seend, 25 Jan. (JGR); ¢. 140 Maiden Bradley, 15 Oct.
(MHS); a single bird at Steeple Langford, 13 May (RJJH).

Herring Gull. Numbers higher than in recent years. Regular at Swindon SF. up to
60 (GLW); c. 100 Great Cheverell (PT); 60 Beanacre, 50 Lacock, 30 Corsham Lake,
30 Seend, c. 60 West Lavington (JCR).

. Sandwich Tern. One present at Steeple Langford GP., 20 May (DEF, AJH). This

was the only tern reported this year.

. Wood Pigeon. c. 1000 Wilsford, 30 Jan. (JGR); c. 600 Standlynch Down, 29 Feb.

(RJJED.

. Turtle Dove. First noted Steeple Ashton, 2 May (EGS, MHS); general by mid May.

Last date Hilperton, 9 Oct. (EGS, MHS).
Collared Dove. A flock of c. 100 Wadswick (JGR).

. Cuckoo. First noted g Apl. Allington (SNHS). Several observers commented that

numbers were lower than in previous year. A hepatic female seen at Wilton (DEMP).
Last date 30 Sep., Steeple Ashton (EGS, MHS).

. Barn Owl. Only three records indicating breeding (BG, JEM, DEMP). Fewer sight

records than in the past two years, an unwelcome situation when this species was
apparently increasing.

. Little Owl. Widely reported and at least seven pairs reared young. Probably little

change in status.

Tawny Owl. Two definite breeding records, apparently little change in status.
Long-eared Owl. Three sight records (BG, MCNHS, SPMK). One pair known to
have bred (RH).

. Short-eared Owl. Fewer records than usual, 1 at Devils Den, 23 Feb., 1 Fyfield

Down, 9 Dec. (MCNHS); 1 Everleigh, 23 Mar. (SPMK).

. Nightjar. Noted near Warminster in suitable breeding habitat (GLB, MHS, EGS) ;

song heard at Somerford Common 14 Jul. and a male displaying there 16 Jul. (G@LW,
MGW). One seen at Porton, 31 Aug. (SNHS).

. Swift. A general movement apparently took place 30 Apl./1 May as the majority of

early records refer to this period. Very poor breeding season in the Swindon area few
young reared. Last date 1 at Swindon, 11 Sep. (GLW, MGW).

. Kingfisher. A good number of sight records and at least three pairs known to have

bred.

. Green Woodpecker. More sight records than in recent years and one definite breed-

ing record. Slowly increasing its numbers and returning to areas previously occupied.

. Great Spotted Woodpecker. A large number of sight records many of these relating

to juveniles. A common visitor to bird tables especially in well wooded districts.

. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Pairs at Coate Water, Little Durnford, Corsham and

Great Cheverell (RCH, DEF, AJH, CM, PT, JCR). Sight records of single birds
Landford, Franchises Wood, Britford, Wilton, Axford and Rabley (DEMP, DAT,
MC, RJJH).

Swallow. Earliest date 31 Mar. Coate Water, Standlynch and Imber (GLW,
SNHS, EGS, MHS). Majority of spring records were in the period 6/14 Apl. Only one
roost reported c. 400 at Christian Malford, 2 Sep. (JCR). Still wide spread up to 14
Oct., last date 22 Oct. Upavon (SPMK).

4)

276:

277.

281.

293.

204.
295.

296.
208.
300.

302.

304.
QI.
BOL
318.

320.

16

House Martin. Earliest date 1 Apl. Grittleton (MJW). Spring passage was rather
protracted, birds not generally distributed until early May. Breeding success appeared
to be rather low and young were still being fed in the nest during the second week of
Oct. Records were frequent up to the 10 Oct., last date 27 Oct. 11 over Swindon
(GLW, MGW).

Sand Martin. Fewer records than usual the earliest date, 31 Mar., Coate Water
(BM, GLW, MGW). c. 50 pairs bred at Calne sand pits (MJ & JGR); a small colony
discovered at Edington this seems to be a new site (PT). Latest date 24 Sep., Corsham
Lake (MJ & JCR).

Hooded Crow. One feeding with other corvids on plough near East Knoyle, 6 Apl.
(MPR).

Willow Tit. Rather fewer records this year and only one definite breeding record,
Semley (JEM). The other records for the south of the county occured only in the
winter months (RJJH, DAT). Would seem to be commoner in the north and east of
the county.

Long-tailed Tit. Extremely common, flocks of up to 30 seen during the autumn.
Bearded Tit. A single female at Corsham Lake, 30 Sep. (JGR); a pair at Swindon
SF., 6 Oct. (RCH); a single male there, 7 Oct. (GM, GLW, MGW). A party of 6 at
the SF., 8 Oct., 2 males and 4 females (RCH). Finally a pair were again present at the
same site, 18 Nov. (GLW, MGW).

Nuthatch. Only ten sight records but five definite breeding records (MCNHS,
RJJH, CR, JCR).

Tree Creeper. One noted sunbathing on lawn at Seagry, 12 Jul. (RGB).

Dipper. Present in breeding haunts on the Bybrook (BS), Stratford Tony and
Bishopstone (DEMP, RMY). A new breeding site reported this year (JSB). One seen
on R. Kennet near Littlecote in Mar. (SB).

Fieldfare. Last in spring c. 50 Chisenbury Clump, 22 Apl. (SPMK). First in autumn
Steeple Ashton, 26 Sep. (EGS, MHS). Generally early arrival and birds recorded
throughout the county by 15 Oct.

Redwing. Last in spring Chippenham, 5 Apl. (TA). First in autumn Nettleton, 24
Sep. (CR). Distributed throughout the county by 6 Oct., rather earlier than usual.
Wheatear. First in spring Westbury Downs, 27 Mar. (GLB). No marked spring
passage or breeding records. Last in autumn near Wansdyke, 15 Oct. (MC).
Stonechat. Regular in autumn and winter months and one possible breeding record.
Most records from downland areas and Swindon SF.

Whinchat. No marked spring passage, first date Chippenham, 3 May (TA). Bred in
at least four areas (GLB, BG, SPMK, GLW). General passage during Sep. and early
Oct. Last date 2 at Swindon SF., 7 Oct. (CGM).

Redstart. First noted Marlborough, 30 Apl. (MCNHS). Several singing males
located in late May but no proven breeding records. Several late Aug. and early Sep.
records. Latest date Swindon SF., 7 Oct. (GLW, MGW).

. Black Redstart. Only two records, a male near Tilshead, 27 Feb. (GLB), at same site

where one was recorded in 1971. Possibly same bird at Tisbury, 7 Mar. (SNHS).

. Nightingale. Very few records, either a decrease in numbers or the cold spring

inhibited song.

. Bluethroat. A female seen at Swindon SF., 28 Aug. and trapped late on the same

day (RCH, GLW, MGW, BM). On the 13 Sep. a male of the race L.s.cyanecula seen
at edge of a reed bed at the same site (RCH). This bird was also noted 30 Sep. and
briefly 7 Oct. (GLW). Also seen by (CM) on this latter date. These are only the
second and third records for the county.

. Grasshopper Warbler. Much less in evidence this year, several observers commen-

ted on lack of song. First noted Somerford Common and Marlborough, 27 Ap!.
(IWY, MCNHS).

328.

333:

33%

343-

346.
347:
348.
354-

356.

357-
360.

364.
365.

366.

376.

379:
380.

381.

Aquatic Warbler. A bird of this species at Swindon SF., 30 Sep./1 Oct., full descrip-
tive notes supplied and the record accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee.
(EGS, MHS, GLW).

Reed Warbler. Very few records this year, first noted Bowood Lake, 20 Apl. (GLB,
EGS, MHS). 12 pairs bred at Corsham Lake, 2 pairs Christian Malford (MJ & JCR).
c. 20 pairs bred at Coate Water (GLW). Last seen 16 Sep. Corsham Lake (JCR).
2 pairs noted at a new breeding site in the Wylye Valley (SJT).

Sedge Warbler. No early records, c. 7 pairs bred at Coate Water (GLW); 3 pairs at
Corsham Lake, 2 pairs Christian Malford (MJ & JGR); several pairs along canal at
Great Bedwyn (MCNHS). Last in autumn Corsham Lake, 3 Sep. (MJ & JCR).
Blackcap. Overwintering birds were recorded at Beckhampton, a female Dec.
(WR); Devizes, a male Nov./Dec. (BG); Swindon, a female Feb./Mar. (CM);
Trowbridge, a male Jan. (EGS, MHS); Ludwell, Jan. (RH); Corsham, Jan. (DGS).
Singing males were widespread by the second week of Apl.

Garden Warbler. First record Chippenham, 1 May (TA), Few records received and
the last date 3 Sep., Westbury (MHS).

Whitethroat. Still extremely scarce, more singing males but apparently few females.
First noted 13 Apl. Corsham (CR) and last seen Steeple Ashton, 25 Sep. (EGS).
Lesser Whitethroat. Not as many records as usual, first noted 21 Apl. Chippenham
and last seen there 24 Sep. (TA).

Willow Warbler. Singing at Erlestoke 31 Mar. (MJ &JCR). A nest retrieved by a
dog was found to contain uninjured young, the nest was replaced and the young
successfully fledged. (RGB). Last noted, 1 trapped at Christian Malford (MJ & JGR).
Chiffchaff. First noted Clarendon and Upavon, 14 Mar. (DEF, AJH, SPMK).
Generally distributed by 25 Mar. Latest date Corsham Lake, 7 Oct. (MJ & JCR).
Wood Warbler. Very few records, singing near Devizes 7/10 May (BG); Franchises
Wood and Hamptworth Wood in Jun. (RJJH); Savernake, Jun. (MCNHS).
Yellow-browed Warbler. A bird of this species watched at close range in observers
garden at Trowbridge, 19 Oct. (JRG). A full description was submitted and amongst
points noted were, small size and very active behaviour. Double whitish wing bars,
prominent creamy supercillary stripe. This is the first record of this species for the
county.

Goldcrest. Very numerous in all suitable localities throughout the county.
Firecrest. Two records, one at Odstock in Jan. and the other at Savernake, 18 Mar.
(SNHS)

Spotted Flycatcher. First noted 30 Apl. Grittleton (MJW). Rather scarce this year
and main body late in arriving. Last seen Landford, 2 Oct. (RJJH). A pair took over
a deserted Chaffinch nest containing 2 eggs and laid 3 of their own. The nest was finally
deserted (EJ MB).

Tree Pipit. Recorded from many suitable localities, earliest record 23 Apl. Great
Cheverell (PT).

Water Pipit. A male in full breeding plumage feeding in a water cress bed at Hill
Deverill, 29 Mar. (GLB).

Pied/White Wagtail. There were four records of Motacilla a. alba, 1 Westbury, 6 Apl.,
1 Everleigh, 1 May, 2 males Coate Water, 25 Mar., 2 males Lacock, 28 Apl. (GLB,
GLW, MGW, JGR). Roosts of Motacilla alba were located at Lacock c. 200, Christian
Malford c. 150, Corsham Lake c. 60 (MJ & JGR); on two buildings in Devizes c. 100
(BG) ; at least 150 in Pressed Steel Fisher workshops Swindon (DB).

Grey Wagtail. Noted breeding near Semley beside a slow muddy stream (JEM);
also bred some distance from water near [ford in an ornamental garden urn (JRG).
Regular on faster rivers during the breeding season and more general in the winter
months.

T7

382.

384.

389.

390.
391.
392.
393-
394.

396.

397-

404.
407.

408.

410.

421.

425:

Yellow Wagtail. Fewer records than usual, first seen Salisbury, 11 Apl. (RJJH).
Distinctly uncommon in some of its regular breeding haunts. At least 2 pairs bred at
Stratford, a new area (DEF, AJH). Latest date Chippenham, 24 Sep. (TA).
Great Grey Shrike. ‘The Great Bedwyn bird reported in 1971 was last seen early in
Mar. (JGC, JW). Probably the same bird reappeared at Crofton, 31 Sep. (MCNHS)
and was present into Dec. (JGC). What was probably a bird of this species seen briefly
near West Woods in Dec. (MC).
Starling. Seven noted anting together at Seagry, placing ants under wing (RGB). A
pair mating at Trowbridge, 20 Feb. (GLB).
Rose Coloured Starling. An adult feeding in a garden at Bishopstone, 23 Jul. (SC).
Hawfinch. One in flight Barton Down, 23 Jan. (BM, GLW, MGW).
Greenfinch. Male feeding female with peanuts, 11 Jan. (AS).
Goldfinch. One noted at bird table Trowbridge, 29 Nov. (AS).
Siskin. A great number of records, seen regularly at Landford Manor during Jan.,
Feb., Nov. and Dec. in numbers up to ¢. 50 (DAT); Fonthill c. 25, 23 Jan. (SPMK);
Hilmarton c. 30, 26 Feb. (WR); Barford Down c. 50, 7 Mar. (RJJH); up to c. 30
Bowood (BS, JGR); ¢c. 10 Clarendon to Feb., c. 20, 18 Nov. (DEF, AJH); 11 Fonthill,
17 Dec., 16 Erlestoke, 23 Dec. (PT); 15 Lacock, 23 Jan. (MJ & JCR). Smaller flocks
were seen in other areas and pairs were noted during the breeding season in a suitable
breeding habitat. (MCNHS).
Twite. A single bird with other finches at Swindon SF., 9 Dec. (GLW). Points noted
included, a small buffish darkly streaked finch with a pinkish rump. Faint dirty white
wing bar and in flight primaries and secondaries and outer tail feathers narrowly
fringed white. Bill straw coloured. Call note heard.
Redpoll. Several records of small parties and c. 150 were seen at Clarendon, 15 Dec.
(DEF, AJH); c. 60 Swindon SF., 26 Nov. (BM, MGW, GLW). There were no
breeding records.
Crossbill. Three records, c. 60 at Clarendon, 16 Sep. (DEF, AJH); 1 Landford
Manor, 24 Nov. (DAT); 1 near Shrewton, 22 Oct. (GLB).
Chaffinch. A juvenile was watched being fed by a Mistle Thrush at Seagry. The
chaffinch was perched on the roof ridge of a building, it finally overbalanced and fell
when the thrush tried to push in an extremely large beakful. The two species had
nested in adjacent apple trees in the garden (RGB).
Brambling. Spring flocks were mainly small with the exception of c. 40 Bowood, 12
Mar., c. 50 Wishford, 14 Mar. (JGR); ¢. 60 Erlestoke, 24 Jan. (PT). The latest spring
date, 26 Mar. (GLW). Autumn records were numerous several referring to quite large
flocks, c. 300 Stourhead, 29 Oct. (MHS); ¢. 150 Wilton, 12/25 Nov. (DEMP); c. 200
Highpost, 26 Dec. (DEF, AJH).
Corn Bunting. c. 20 on power cables near Tilshead, 9 Jan. (GLB) ; c. 200 feeding ina
loose flock on newly ploughed land near Rockley, 14 May (GLW, MGW); ¢. 30 near
Stanton St. Bernard, 26 Feb. (BG). One singing on Milk Hill near the highest point
of the county. Noted roosting with Chaffinches in Roundway Hill Covert, Dec. (BG).
Reed Bunting. Two records of birds on downland far from water in May, most
ee breeding (GLB, GLW). c. 50 roosting Corsham Lake, Nov./Dec. (MJ &
R).
Tree Sparrow. Not many winter records the days of the large flocks appear to have
Fon) c. 40 feeding on spilt grain at Stanton St. Bernard (BG); c. 40 Whitley (MJ &
RINGING REPORT FOR 1972
Roderick C. Faulkner

1972 saw a slight increase in Wiltshire ringing totals (2094 free flying and 538 nestlings)

but saw also the removal abroad of one active ringer. The continuing low totals probably
reflect the ever increasing costs of ringing equipment, thus restricting activity.

18

The following ringers have submitted information and their initials may appear in the

text:
E. J. M. Buxton EJMB Dr. S. Tyler & P. Smith T&S
R. F. Coomber RFC Job. Avaiiviler JLAT
D. E. Fry & A. J. Horner FE &H P. Toynton Ey
F. J. Hulbert FJH G. L. Webber GLW
J. J. Latham JJL M. J. Wyatt MJW
M. J. & J. C. Rolls R&R I. W. Young IWY

List of Selected Recoveries of Birds Ringed in Wiltshire
Pull = nestlings; 1Y = first year; FG = full grown; Ad = adult; X = found dead;
V = found and released; M = male.

SWALLOW 1Y
JB 51165 xX
STARLING 1Y
CA 70214 V
GOLDFINCH 1Y
JJ 76294. Vv
SEDGE WARBLER FG
JG 46940 Vv
GREENFINCH Ad.m.

BN 44029 Vv

BLACKBIRD Ad.m
96646 X Vv
BLACKBIRD Ad.m
96697 X xX
ROBIN Ad.

HR 04868 V
REED WARBLER Ad.
AS 73754 Vv
CHAFFINCH

AS 49253 V
Ww

Ad.m.

Lacock

Morannes, Maine et Loire, France
Chippenham SF.

Corsham Lake (Roost)

Swindon SF.

Brownsea, Island Poole, Dorset
Wilton, Salisbury

Freemans Marsh, Hungerford, Berks.

Recovery of Bird Ringed outside Wiltshire

Sway Hants.
Cole Park, Malmesbury

Interesting Local Recoveries

Cole Park, Malmesbury
Cole Park
Cole Park
Cole Park
Cole Park
Cole Park
Corsham Lake
Corsham Lake
Cole Park
Cole Park
Cole Park

18.8.70 R&R
29.4.72
3.11.63 JLAT
18.5.71 R&R
18.11.72 GLW
15.12.72 gokm SSW
8.5.71
7.5-72 35km NW

29.12.71 EJMB
9.4.72 99km NWW

16.4.65 EJMB

8.8.72
17.8.66 EJMB

2.4.72
23.12.68 EJMB
20.9.72
25.565 R&R
2377.72

7.6.65 EJMB

5.8.72
25.11.72

A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE WEEVILS
OF WILTSHIRE (COLEOPTERA, GCURCULIONOIDEA)

by M. G. MORRIS

Monks Wood Experimental Station (The Nature Conservancy), Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon

Wiltshire has been badly neglected by coleopterists. This is very surprising, not only
because the county contains much fine collecting country, particularly on the Chalk, but
also because it includes the reputed sites for three extremely rare British weevils recorded
by Sidebotham during the nineteenth century. The occurrence of these three species,

19

Lixus elongatus, Sibinia pellucens and Baris chlorizans, is mentioned by Fowler (1891). These
records, and a negligible number of others, would constitute our entire meagre knowledge
of the weevils of Wiltshire were it not for the excellent list of species compiled for the
Marlborough district by successive generations of the boys of Marlborough College.
Inspired by the famous lepidopterist Edward Meyrick a steady stream of records, beginning
with Meyrick’s own list (1874), has appeared in the pages of the annual Report of the Marl-
borough College Natural History Society. In 1939 the anonymous Handlist of the Coleoptera of the
Marlborough district (ro miles radius) was published. This, together with a number of more
recent records, is a most useful account of the weevils, and other beetles, of the area.
Valuable though the Handlist is, however, it covers only a small part of Wiltshire. Unfor-
tunately, too, its existence is almost unknown to coleopterists as a whole, a matter of
concern since many rare or otherwise interesting species are recorded in its pages.

For some years I have been interested in compiling records of the distribution of
weevils in Britain, using the vice-county system (Dandy, 1969) which divides Wiltshire
into two recording areas. The Marlborough College records are mostly from sites in the
northern vice-county (V.C.7), leaving the southern vice-county (V.C.8) as practically
unknown territory. Since 1965 I have recorded weevils from various parts of Wiltshire, but
particularly from V.C.8. Many species were taken in samples of the fauna of chalk grassland
collected during the course of my work for the Nature Conservancy. Consequently, this
habitat has been more thoroughly studied than any other. There can be no doubt that
more species remain to be discovered in Wiltshire. Woodland, the few areas of heathland,
and particularly marshes and waterside habitats can be expected to yield interesting
additions to the Wiltshire weevil fauna if they are worked in the future. The present
undoubtedly incomplete list is published for several reasons. First, no general account of
the weevils of the county has appeared; it is hoped that this attempt at a comprehensive list
will be of interest to entomologists and perhaps other naturalists. Secondly, it is hoped to
publish shortly maps of the distribution of British weevils as shown by published records;
thus the new vice-county records included here need to appear in print. Thirdly, publication
of an interim account may stimulate coleopterists to greater activity in what is certainly a
very rich county entomologically.

All lists of species tend to be lengthy and to occupy valuable space in journals and
reports. In order to be as concise as possible I have omitted nearly all dates and methods of
capture. Most weevils are to be found as adults in spring and early summer after over-
wintering and again in autumn when the new generation becomes adult. The season of
occurrence, however, is governed in many species by the time of appearance of those plant
structures in which the larvae feed. Thus, adults of many species of Dorytomus, which feed
as larvae in catkins of Salicaceae, are usually found in winter and very early spring, before
and during mating and egg-laying, and again in May and June after emergence from the
pupal stage. Generally, however, most weevils may be found throughout spring, summer
and autumn, and indeed often in winter too, so that dates of capture are not usually of
great significance. Adult weevils occur most frequently, but by no means invariably, on
their foodplants. They are often collected, however, by indiscriminate methods such as
‘general beating’ of trees and shrubs or ‘general sweeping’ of herbaceous vegetation. Instead
of listing these often very uninformative methods of capture I have included a very brief
note of the larval feeding biology of each species, in the hope that this will be of somewhat
- greater interest. Much remains to be done in working out the details of larval biology for
many species, and not all the details are entirely reliable. Quite frequently larval foodplants
vary from region to region and details of the biology may also differ slightly from place to
place and time to time. In cases where I have been uncertain of the larval habits I have used
the most comprehensive account of weevil feeding biology available (Scherf, 1964), but
have supplemented his work with both published and unpublished information. Details of
scolytid biology are based on Duffy (1953).

; Only quite a small number of sites has been visited, and the location of each one is
included in most cases only the first time it is mentioned, for the sake of brevity. Several

20

Wiltshire sites have the same name; for instance there is more than one Thorny Down. Of
these the only one referred to in this account is that included in the experimental range of
the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton. The Whitesheet Hill of these notes is the
down near Mere and not the one near Berwick St. John. Localities are listed by vice-county,
NORTH being V.C.7 and SOUTH V.C.8. An asterisk indicates a spcies not previously
recorded from Wiltshire. As far as possible the names of weevils, and the order in which
they appear, are those of Kloet & Hincks (1945). Names of plants follow Clapham et al.
(1962).

It is a pleasure to acknowledge the help I have received, when visiting Wiltshire, from
the staff of the South region of the Nature Conservancy. I am especially indebted to Mr.
Noel King for assistance when recording from the Wiltshire sites he knows so well. Many
landowners and occupiers have readily given me permission to collect weevils on their
property. I owe a particular debt of gratitude to the authorities at the Chemical Defence
Establishment, Porton, especially Mr. Bruce Whatley, for facilities to collect and record on
the Experimental Range there.

KLOET, G. S. & HINCKS, W. D., 1945. A check

References cited in the text
list of British Insects, Kloet & Hincks, Stockport.

ANON., 1882. Entomological Section—Coleoptera,

Rep. Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc., 30, (1881):
131-5.

ANON., 1939. Handlist of the Coleoptera of the
Marlborough district (10 miles radius), Rep.
Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc., 87, (1938):

54-86.

BUCK, F. D., 1956. Wiltshire Coleoptera, Ento-
mologist’s mon. Mag., 92: 360.

CLAPHAM, A. R.., TUTIN, T. G. and WAR-
BURG, E. F., 1962, Flora of the British Isles
(2nd ed.), C.U.P., Cambridge.

DANDY, J. E., 1969. Watsonian Vice-counties of Great
Britain, Ray Society, London.

DUFFY, E. A. J., 1953. Coleoptera Scolytidae and
Platypodidae, Handk Ident. Br. Insects V (15):
I-20.

FOWLER, W. W., 1891. The Coleoptera of the
British Islands 5, L. Reeve & Co., London.
HISLOP, R., 1871. Notes on Wiltshire Coleoptera,

Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 7: 229-30.

HOLMES, J. R. S. & TENNANT, P. L., 1947.
Insect list, Rep. Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc.,
95 (1946): 19-21. ;

URST, C. P., 1927. Natural History notes round
Great Bedwyn, Wilts. archaeol. nat. Hist. Mag.,

44: 23-9.

KEYS, J. H., 1903. Some northern and hill-country
Coleoptera of the Plymouth district, Rep.
Trans. Plymouth Instn., 13: 239-45.

KNIGHT, J. D. S., 1940. Insect list: Coleoptera,
Rep. Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc., 88, (1939) :

23.

MEYRICK, E., 1874. Entomological Report.
Coleoptera, Rep. Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc.,
g (1873): 41-9. ; :

MEYRICK, E., 1902. Entomological Section—
Coleoptera, Rep. Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc.,
50 (1901): 69.

MEYRICK, E., 1906. List of Coleoptera of the
district, Rep. Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc., 545
(1905) : 76-96 ae

MORRIS, M. G., 1968a. Ceuthorhynchus unguicularis
Thomson (Col., Curculionidae) in Wiltshire
and Suffolk, Entomologist’ mon. Mag., 104: 45.

MORRIS, M. G., 1968b. What is the usual food-
plant of Apion waltoni Stephens (Col., Apioni-
dae) in Britain? Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 104:

95:

RYE, E. C., 1865. Coleoptera, Entomologist’s Annual,
1865, p. 75-

SCHERF, H., 1964. Die Entwicklungsstadien der
Mitteleuropaischen Curculioniden (Morpho-
logie, Bionomie, Okologie), Abh. senckenb.
naturforsch. Ges., 506: 1-335.

SIDEBOTHAM, J., 1868. Localities for Mesites
tardii, Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 5: 99.

WILLIAMSON, K. & CGOWIN, W. S., 1941.
Some Wiltshire insects, Entomologist 74:174-6.

ATTELABIDAE

Lasiorhynchites cavifrons (Gyll.), larvae in young twigs of Quercus spp. NORTH: Marlborough
district (Anon., 1939).

Caenorhinus tomentosus (Gyll.), larvae in leaf buds of Salix spp. NORTH: Bedwyn Common
(Holmes & Tennant, 1947).

C. germanicus (Herbst), larvae in ‘ringed’ stems and petioles of herbaceous Rosaceae.
NORTH: Marlborough district (Wernham) (Anon., 1939).

*C. aeneovirens (Marsh.), larvae in buds of Quercus spp. SOUTH: Whiteparish Common.

C. aequatus (L.), larvae in fruits of Crataegus spp. NORTH: Marlborough district (Savernake

Forest) (Anon, 1939). SOUTH: Thorny Down, Porton Range.

21

<

Rhynchites caeruleus (Deg.), larvae in ‘ringed’ twigs of Crataegus and Malus spp. NORTH:
West Woods, Marlborough (Holmes & Tennant, 1947).

Deporaus betulae (L.), larvae in leaf-rolls on Betula, Alnus and Corylus spp. NORTH: Marl-
borough district (Pumphrey’s Wood) (Anon., 1939); Fyfield Down National Nature
Reserve, nr. Marlborough. SOUTH: Stockton Down, nr. Chilmark; Thorny Down.

Apoderus coryli ((L.), larvae in leaf-rolls on Corylus avellana. NORTH: Marlborough district
(Ramsbury; West Woods) (Anon., 1939).

APIONIDAE

Apion violaceum Kirby, larvae in stems of Rumex spp. NORTH: Marlborough district
(Anon., 1939); Savernake Forest; Fyfield Down N.N.R., Silbury Hill, nr. Avebury.
SOUTH: Salisbury.

A. hydrolapathi (Marsh.), larvae probably in stems of Rumex hydrolapathum and probably
other Rumex spp. NORTH: Marlborough district (Manton) (Anon., 1939); Gopher
Wood, Huish.

A. curtirostre Germ., larvae in stems of Rumex acetosa and R. acetosella agg. Marlborough dist-
rict (Combe Farm) (Anon., 1939); Fyfield Down N.N.R.; Roundway Camp, nr.
Devizes (Buck, 1956); Silbury Hill, SOUTH: Martin Down [Hants]; Rox Hill,
Lake; Old Sarum; Prescombe Down, nr. Swallowcliffe.

A. aeneum (F.), larvae in stems of Malva sylvestris. NORTH: Marlborough district (Anon.,
1939). SOUTH: Wylye; Barford St. Martin, nr. Wilton.

*A. radiolus Kirby, larvae in stems of Malva sylvestris and other Malvaceae. SOUTH:
Wylye; Barford St. Martin.

A. rufirostre (F.), larvae in seed-heads of Malva sylvestris. NORTH: Marlborough district
(Anon., 1939). SOUTH: Wylye Barford St. Martin.

A. ulicis (Forst.), larvae in pods of Ulex europaeus. NORTH: Marlborough district (Gran-
ham Hill) (Anon., 1939). Savernake Forest; Fyfield Down N.N.R. SOUTH: Stockton
Wood, nr. Chilmark; Brimsdown Hill, nr. Maiden Bradley; Prescombe Down;
Chirton Gorse, Salisbury Plain; Whiteparish Common.

A. miniatum Germ., larvae on Rumex spp., apparently in roots, stems and midribs of leaves.
NORTH: Marlborough district (Anon., 1939). SOUTH: Wylye.

A. haematodes Kirby (A. frumentarium (Payk.)), larvae in petioles and midribs of Rumex
acetosella agg. NORTH: Marlborough district (Anon., 1939).

A. minimum Herbst, larvae inquilines in sawfly galls (of Pontania spp.) on Salix spp. NORTH:
Marlborough district (Ramsbury) (Anon., 1939).

*A. pallipes Kirby, larvae in stems of Mercurialis perennis. NORTH: Fyfield Down N.N.R.
SOUTH: Happy Valley, Porton Ranges.

A. urticarium (Herbst), larvae in stems of Urtica dioica. NORTH: Marlborough district
(Anon., 1939).

*A. atomarium Kirby, larvae in galls on stems of Thymus spp. NORTH: Walker’s Hill,
Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve, nr. Alton Priors. SOUTH: Brimsdown Hill;
Whitesheet Hill, nr. Mere; Prescombe Down; Porton Range; Cotley Hill, nr. Heytes-
bury; Knapp Down, nr. Broad Chalke; Knighton Hill, nr. Stoke Farthing; Steeple
Langford Cow Down, Steeple Langford; Trow Down, nr. Berwick St. John.

* A. seniculus Kirby, larvae in stems of Trifolium spp. NORTH: Hackpen Hill, nr. Marl-
borough; Fyfield Down N.N.R.; Pewsey Downs N.N.R.; Oldbury Castle, nr. Cherhill.
SOUTH: Cotley Hill; Brimsdown Hill; Camp Down, nr. Salisbury; Bulford Down,
Bulford; Knapp Down; Knighton Hill; Parsonage Down, nr. Winterbourne Stoke;
Starveall Down, nr. Codford St. Mary; Steeple Langford Cow Down; Stratford Tony
Down, Stratford Tony; Trow Down; Woodminton Down, nr. Bowerchalke; White-
sheet Hill; Wylye Down; Martin Down.

*A. pubescens Kirby, larvae in stem-bases of Trifolium spp. SOUTH: Wylye Down.

22

A. onopordi Kirby, larvae in stems of various Compositae. NORTH: Marlborough (Anon.,
1939); Windmill Hill, nr. Avebury; Pewsey Downs N.N.R. SOUTH: Bagshot (Anon.,
1939); Little Woodbury, nr. Salisbury; Stockton Down; Old Sarum; Cotley Hill;
Fore Hill, nr. West Lavington; Porton Range; Starveall Down.

A. carduorum Kirby, larvae in stems of “‘thistles’? (Cirsium and Carduus spp.). NORTH:
Marlborough district (Anon., 1939); Gopher Wood; Fyfield Down N.N.R.; Pewsey
Downs N.N.R. SOUTH: Chirton Gorse; Cotley Hill; Fore Hill; Whitesheet Hill;
Yarnbury Castle, nr. Wylye.

A. hookert Kirby, larvae in seed-heads of Tripleurospermum maritimum. NORTH: Marl-
borough district (Anon., 1939). SOUTH: Little Woodbury; Prescombe Down;
Compton Chamberlayne.

A. ebeninum Kirby, larvae probably in stems of Lotus pedunculatus. NORTH: Marlborough
district (Anon., 1939).

*A. meliloti Kirby, larvae in stems of Melzlotus spp. NORTH: Clouts Wood, Wroughton,
nr. Swindon.

A. waltoni Steph., larvae almost certainly on Hippocrepis comosa, feeding site unknown
NORTH: Morgan’s Hill; Pewsey Downs N.N.R. (Morris, 1968b). SOUTH: Bratton
Castle; Yarnbury Castle; Whitesheet Hill (Morris, 1968b) ; Fore Hill; Bulford Down;
Cotley Hill; Knighton Hill; Prescombe Down; Woodminton Down; Starveall Down;
Steeple Langford Cow Down; Stratford Tony Down; Trow Down; Wylye Down.

A. loti Kirby, larvae in pods of Lotus corniculatus. NORTH: Marlborough district (Anon.,
1939) ; Clout’s Wood; Fyfield Down N.N.R.; Gopher Wood; Morgan’s Hill; Oldbury
Castle; Pewsey Downs N.N.R. SOUTH: Brimsdown Hill; Bulford Down; Camp
Down; Cotley Hill; Bratton Castle; Knapp Down; Knighton Hill; Parsonage Down,
Prescombe Down; Redhorn Hill, nr. Urchfont; Starveall Down; Steeple Langford
Cow Down; Stockton Down; Stratford Tony Down; Trow Down; Yarnbury Castle;
Porton Range; Martin Down.

*A. tenue Kirby, larvae in stems of Medicago and Trifolium spp. NORTH: Clout’s Wood;
Pewsey Downs N.N.R. SOUTH: Brimsdown Hill; Cotley Hill; Knapp Down,
Knighton Hill; Prescombe Down; Redhorn Hill; Stratford Tony Down; Whitesheet
Hill; Woodminton Down.

A. striatum Kirby, larvae in shoots of Sarothamnus, and probably also of Ulex and perhaps
Genista spp. NORTH: Marlborough district (Anon., 1939). SOUTH: Collingbourne
Wood (Anon., 1939) ; Brimsdown Hill.

A. immune Kirby, larvae in shoots of Sarothamnus scoparius and Genista tinctoria. NORTH:
Marlborough district (Martinsell) (Anon., 1939).

*A. platalea Germ., larvae probably in stems of Vicia and Lathyrus spp. NORTH: Morgan’s
Hill. SOUTH: Woodminton Down.

A. pisi F., larvae in vegetative buds of several papilionaceous species. NORTH: Marl-
borough Downs (Knight, 1940); Fyfield Down N.N.R. SOUTH: Camp Down;
Knapp Down; Prescombe Down; Stratford Tony Down.

A. aethiops Herbst, larvae in stems of Vicia spp. NORTH: Marlborough district (Ramsbury)
(Anon., 1939).

*A. spencei Kirby, larvae almost certainly on species of Lathyrus and Vicia but feeding site
not known. NORTH: Windmill Hill.

A. punctigerum (Payk.), Vicia sepium is probably the main foodplant but the larvae are
unknown. NORTH: Marlborough district (Love’s Wood, West Woods) (Anon.,
1939); Clout’s Wood.

*A. vorax Herbst, larvae almost certainly on various Papilionaceae. SOUTH: Happy
Valley, Porton Range.

*A. ononis Kirby, larvae in pods of Ononis spp. SOUTH: Bratton Castle; Bulford Down;
Camp Down; Cotley Hill; Little Durnford, nr. Salisbury; Parsonage Down; Starveall
Down; Steeple Langford Cow Down; Stratford Tony Down.

*A. viciae (Payk.), larvae in pods of Vicia spp. NORTH: Windmill Hill. SOUTH: Bulford
Down; Redhorn Hill.

A. ervi Kirby, larvae in pods of Lathyrus pratensis and perhaps other Papilionaceae. NORTH:
Marlborough district (Wernham) (Anon., 1939); Hackpen Hill; Clout’s Wood;
Gopher Wood. SOUTH: Bratton Castle; Broadchalke, nr. Wilton; Camp Down;
Redhorn Hill; Stockton Down.

A. subulatum Kirby, larvae in pods of Lathyrus pratensis. NORTH: Marlborough district
(Anon., 1939); Clout’s Wood. SOUTH: Knighton Hill; Orcheston Down, Salisbury
Plain.

A. craccae (L.), larvae in pods of Vicia and Lathyrus spp. NORTH: Marlborough district
(Anon., 1939).

A. pomonae (F.), larvae in pods of Vicia and Lathyrus spp. NORTH: Marlborough district
(Savernake Forest). SOUTH: Bagshot (Anon., 1939).

A. virens Herbst, larvae in stems of Trifolium repens. NORTH: Marlborough district (Anon.,
1939); Gopher Wood. SOUTH: Camp Down; Cotley Hill; Knapp Down; Knighton
Hill; Parsonage Down; Prescombe Down; Starveall Down; Stratford Tony Down;
Tidworth Pennings; Trow Down; Woodminton Down; Wylye Down.

A. dichroum Bed. (A. flavipes (Payk.)), larvae in seedheads of Trifolium repens. NORTH:
Marlborough district (West Woods); Fyfield Down N.N.R.; Morgan’s Hill; Pewsey
Downs N.N.R. SOUTH: Bulford Down; Knapp Down; Knighton Hill; Little Wood-
bury; Parsonage Down; Prescombe Down; Porton Range; Starveall Down; Steeple
Langford Cow Down; Stratford ‘Tony Down; Woodminton Down; Wylye Down.

A. nigritarse Kirby, larvae probably in seedheads of Trifolium spp. NORTH: Marlborough
district (Anon., 1939). SOUTH: Cotley Hill; Redhorn Hill.

* A, filirostre Kirby, larvae unknown, possibly on Medicago spp. SOUTH: Brimsdown Hill;
Cotley Hill; Knapp Down; Knighton Hill; Porton Range; Stratford Tony Down.

*A. aestivum Germ., larvae in flowerheads of Trifolium spp. NORTH: Oldbury Castle.
SOUTH: Bulford Down; Camp Down; Knighton Hill; Porton Range; Stratford
Tony Down; Tidworth Pennings; Wylye Down.

A. apricans Herbst, larvae in flowerheads of Trifolium pratense and probably other Trifolium
spp. NORTH: Marlborough district (Anon., 1939); Clout’s Wood; Gopher Wood;
Hackpen Hill; Morgan’s Hill; Oldbury Castle; Pewsey Downs N.N.R. SOUTH:
Bratton Castle; Brimsdown Hill; Camp Down; Cotley Hill; Knapp Down; Knighton
Hill; Martin Down; Parsonage Down; Redhorn Hill; Starveall Down; Steeple
Langford Cow Down; Stratford Tony Down; Tidworth Pennings; Trow Down;
Woodminton Down; Wylye Down.

A. varipes Germ., larvae in flowerheads of Trifolium spp. SOUTH: Folly Farm (Malborough
district; Knight, 1940); Knighton Hill; Parsonage Down.

A. assimile Kirby, larvae in flowerheads of Trifolium pratense and probably other Trifolium
spp. The record of this generally common species from the Marlborough district
(Anon., 1939) should possibly refer to A. ononicola. NORTH: Clout’s Wood; Fyfield
Down N.N.R.; Monkton Down; Morgan’s Hill; Oldbury Castle; Pewsey Downs
N.N.R.; Roundway Camp (Buck, 1956). SOUTH: Bratton Castle; Brimsdown Hill;
Camp Down; Cotley Hill; Knapp Down; Knighton Hill; Little Woodbury; Parsonage
Down; Porton Range; Redhorn Hill; Starveall Down; Steeple Langford Cow Down;
Woodminton Down; Wylye Down.

A. ononicola Bach, larvae in pods of Ononis spp. NORTH: Marlborough district (Wernham;
Bedwyn) (Anon., 1939).

A. difforme Ahrens. It is uncertain whether Trifolium or Polygonum spp. are the hosts of this
species. NORTH: Marlborough district (Gore Copse) (Anon., 1939).

To be concluded

24

ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT FOR 1972

Recorder BOWMONT WEDDELL

Assisted by DAVID BROTHERIDGE, PHILIP HORTON, B.Sc.,
and ALAN STONELL

Few indeed will find a good word to say about the past season. It surely was the
worst ever. At no point was there any promise. Possibly a succession of mild wet winters
was the main contributory cause, for it is damp, rather than extreme cold, that kills insects.

After a bitterly cold and wet spell, March brought a short burst of activity when the
hibernators were tempted out in fair strength. However, April and May were wet and cold,
while June was also disappointing.

No immigrants were reported at all, though some few must have arrived, for very
scattered sightings of the Red Admiral and Painted Lady were recorded in Autumn. One
of the latter appeared on our Buddlea, and none of the former, which is abundant in normal
years. Even the natives, Peacock and Tortoiseshell were scarce. ‘The only one which seems
to be holding on to the ground gained in the last few years is the Holly Blue. It was note-
worthy that after a very late start, both Meadow Browns and Chalkhill Blues were still on
the wing on November ist (GGL).

Moths continue to be observed almost exclusively by means of the mercury vapour
lamp or the ultraviolet tube. This means has no doubt revealed many species previously
unknown in a certain district. At the same time there is more satisfaction in studying insects
in their natural environment and training our eyes to penetrate their protective camouflage.

We have often expressed the hope that some of the other orders of insects should
receive attention, so it is with considerable satisfaction that we welcome a report from Mr.
Philip Horton, on the order Orthoptera, which appears below.

Thanks again for all the interest and trouble so many observers go to keep us posted.

Contributors

DB Mr. David Brotheridge, Wroughton

RB Mrs. Barnes, Seagry

EJMB Mr. John Buxton, Malmesbury

JN Mr. John Newton, visiting Somerford Common
MC Marlborough College N.H.S.

FM Mr. Frank Mead, Devizes

BG Miss Beatrice Gillam, Devizes

JNK Lt. Col. J. N. Kirkaldy, W. Lavington

PC Mr. Philip Cleverly, Bromham
*MHC Mr. Mark Heath, Chippenham

PH Mr. Philip Horton, Urchfont

BC Miss Barbara Cowley, Seend

BW Mr. B. W. Weddell, Trowbridge

KM Mr. Keith Moore, ‘Trowbridge

CGL Major Gen. C. G. Lipscomb, C.B.E., Crockerton
HGP Mr. H. G. Phelps, Crockerton

CMRP Mr. C. M. R. Pitman, Salisbury

SNHS Salisbury & District N.H.S.

JBH Mr. J. B. Hindley, Swallowcliffe

*This contributor’s name was regrettably omitted from the list of contributors in the
1971 report, and the Moths records shown against MH should have been to the credit of
this contributor.

25

Large White

Marbled White
Meadow Brown

Cinnabar

Garden Carpet
Brimstone Moth

Small White
Orange Tip
Grayling

Purple Emperor
Red Admiral

Painted Lady

Comma

Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Marsh Fritillary

PHENOLOGICAL REPORT

Average
Date
25°4
25°6
15°6
19°5
29°4
12°5

Pieris rapae

Anthocharis cardamines

Eumenis semele

Apatura iris

Vanessa atalanta

V. cardui

Polygonia c-album
Clossiana euphrosyne
Euphydryas aurinea

Duke of Burgundy Fritillary Hamearis lucina

White-letter Hairstreak
Silver-studded Blue

Common Blue
Adonis Blue

Holly Blue

Eyed Hawk
Death’s Head Hawk

Privet Hawk

Pine Hawk
Humming-bird Hawk
Great Prominent

Buff Arches

Figure of Eighty

Black Arches

Small Eggar

Buff Footman

Wood Leopard
Garden Dart

Heart and Club

Plain Clay

Green Arches

Hedge Gothic

Small Wainscot

Large Clouded Brindle
Small Angleshades
Small Dotted Buff
Small Yellow Underwing

26

Strymonidia w-album
Plebejus argus

Polyommatus icarus
Lysandra bellargus

Celastrina argiolus

Smerinthus ocellata
Acherontia atropos

Sphinx ligustre
Ayloicus pinastri
Macroglossam stellatarum
Notodonta trepida
Habrosyne pyritoides
Tethea ocularis
Lymantria monacha
Eriogaster lanestris
Etlema deplana
Keuzera pyrina
Euxoa nigricans
Agrotis clavis
Amathes depuncta
Anaplectoides prasina
Tholera cespitis
Arenostola pygima
Apamea epomidion
Euplexia lucipara
Petilampa minima
Panemeria tenebrata

1972
Emergence Difference
355 ae
dna —12
28-6 —13
236 —34
22°5 —23
22°5 —10

MC 22°3 Early record

MC 10-5 EJMB1-5 FM2°5

MC 10°8 PH 21-7 24°8

CGL 24:7 FM 26-:7—2°8

MC 6-7 SNHS 16:7 JNK 7 BG

19-10 All single sightings

MC 18-7 SNHS 16-7 EJMB 7-10

EJMB 21-10 FM 12°8

MC 30-6

CMRP Larvae plentiful 2-4 MC
17°6 BW 15-6

BW 15:6

EJMB 28-7 FM 23-7

MC 16-7 Quite a rarity in the
north of the county

MC 20:-6

BW 26-6 PH 26-9 Bratton Both
broods very scarce

SNHS 9-4 Abundant FM 2°5 2-9
MC 2:5 EJMB 22-5 BG 25-4
22°9

MC 15:6

SNHS 2 Larvae pupated 20-10
Spring emergence hoped for.

MC 11-7 Scarce for several years

SNHS 30-7

SNHS 26-9 JBH 1-7

MC 9:6

MHC 25-7

MG 13-7

MHC Abundant at Birds Marsh

SNHS Larval Webs 1-7

MHC 26-8

KM 28-7

JN 12:7

BW 21:6MC7-6

BW 7-7 Very rare in South

KM 4-7

MC 18-7

MHCG 27-8

JN 14°7

MC 5:7

MC 18-6

MC 22-6

Marbled Vert
Sycamore Dagger
Chamomile Shark
Red Sword-grass
Common Sprawler
Deep Brown Rustic
Mother Shipton
Blackneck

Blood Vein

Clay Triple-lines
Streamer Carpet
Pretty Chalk Carpet
Small Phoenix
Blue-bordered Carpet
Yellow Waved Carpet
Bordered Pug
Clouded Border
White-pinion Spotted
Orange Thorn

Lunar Thorn

Oak Beauty
Pale Oak Beauty

Species

Meconema thalassinum (Degeer)

Oak Bush Cricket

Tettigonia viridissima (L)

Great Green Bush Cricket

Decticus verrucivorus (L)
Wart-biter

Cryphia muralis
Apatele acerts
Cucullia chamomillae
AXylena vetusta
Brachionycha sphinx
Aporophyla lutulenta
Euclidimera mi
Lygephila pastinum
Calothysanis amata
Cosymbia linearia
Anticlea derwata
Melanthia procellata
Ecliptopera silaceata
Plemyria rubiginata
Hydrelia flammeolaria
Eupithecia succenturiata
Lomaspilis marginata
Bapta bimaculata
Angerona prunaria

Selenia lunaria
Biston strataria

Pseudoboarmia punctinalis

MHC 20-8

SNHS 12:5

SNHS 6:5

CMRP 9:4 on Sallow
DB 1°11

DB 9:10

MC 5-7 EJMB 12-6

JN 12°7

BW 25-9 Unusual 2nd brood
MHCG 22:8

MHC 12-4

MCG 28-6

MHC 23:8

JN 14°7

MHC 5:8

BW 8:8

MHC 3°5

MCG 22°5

MC 11-6 A scarce insect in t

north of the county

BW 17-6

KM 24-3

MC 11°7

ORTHOPTERA RECORDS 1972

BUSH CRICKETS (Tettigoniidae)

Location

Oakfrith Wood,

Oliver’s Castle
Lamb Down

Near Calne

The Bottom, Urchfont

Pholidoptera griseoaptera (Degeer)
Dark Bush Cricket

Metrioptera brachyptera (L)
Bog Bush Cricket

Leptophyes punctatissima (Bosc)
Speckled Bush Cricket

he

Recorder Date

PJH Sept. 1972
PJH PRAT

PJH 5.9.72
PJHJLM — (August 1971)
PJH JLM ~— (August 1971)

15.8.72

Heard in most areas of tall vegetation and hedgerows
throughout Wiltshire during Sept.
BG

Bratton
Urchfont Village
Gutch Common
Blackmoor Copse

PJH
PJH
PJH

Dundas Aqueduct &
most banks along the
Kennet and Avon Canal PJH

Hamptworth Common PJH 24.8.72
JLM (Sept. 1971)
The Bottom, Urchfont PJH (August 1971)

277,

GRASSHOPPERS (Acrididae)

Species Location Recorder Date
Stenobothrus lineatus (Panzer) Calstone Down JLM PJH = (August 1971)
Stripe-winged Grasshopper Starveall Down JLM PJH = (August 1971)
Prescombe Down JEM PJH > “(Sepet:. 1975)
Whitesheet Hill PJH 6.9.72
Below Stonehill Copse JLMPJH — 24.8.72
Longdean Bottom JLM PJH | °26.9.72
Pewsey Downs PJH 19.9.72
Cheverell Down JLM PJH ~— 28.8.72
Omocestus viridulus (L) Probably in all above sites but only definitely recorded
Common Green Grasshopper from:
Calstone Down
Whitesheet Hill Dates and recorders
Stonehill & Longdean as above
Pewsey Downs
Omocestus rufipes (Zetterstedt) Great Ridge JLM PJH ~~ 26.9.72
Woodland Grasshopper The Bottom, Urchfont PJH (Sept. 1971)
Whiteparish Common PJH 30.7272

Chorthippus brunneus (Thunberg) Common on almost every down and on waste places.
Common Field Grasshopper Occured in all sites with lneatus.

Chorthippus parallelus (Zetterstedt)
Meadow Grasshopper as above

Myrmeleotettix maculatus
(Thunberg) Below Stonehill Copse JLM PJH ~~ 26.9.72
Mottled Grasshopper

Contributors :
BG Miss B. Gillam
JIM Dr. J. L. Mason
PJH Mr. P. J. Horton

THE SLOE PUG, Chloroclystis chloérata Mabille (LEP.
GEOMETRIDAE) IN WILTSHIRE

On a warm evening in the last week of April in 1944 I bicycled out from Salisbury to
Clarendon Park where a few days earlier I had seen a fine bank of blackthorn in full bloom.
I intended to see what moths the blossoms attracted, but working with a torch was some-
what hazardous in the war period. As soon as I started beating the flowers, I noticed in my
tray several small stumpy larvae, nearly white in colour, with a short pink stripe running
down the back. ‘These I collected up, and in about a month’s time they duly produced five
small moths which I considered to be the fairly common Green Pug (Chloroclystts rectangulata
Linn). They were then incorporated in my series of this species, where they remained without
further thought until 1972. In 1971, Mr. E. C. Pelham Clinton of the Royal Scottish
_ Museum in Edinburgh, bred out two specimens of a Pug which he also beat in the larval
state from sloe blossom. He at once recognized them as a closely allied species. This was
Chloroclystis chloérata Mabille, not previously recorded in Great Britain. In April 1972 I, like

ray
20

many others, also obtained larvae from the sloe which produced this new Pug moth. When
I came to compare these 1972 specimens with the short series I had obtained in 1944. they
seemed to be exactly similar. The authorities in the Natural History Museum ia South
Kensington also confirmed that my 1944 insects were in fact this new species which has
since been named the Sloe Pug. Little did I imagine that those small larvae I beat on that
evening in 1944 was a species new to the British Isles, and of course to Wiltshire as well.
They had remained unrecognized in my collection for 28 years, and since then a few others
have also turned up in old collections. This little insect has proved to be widespread on
banks of blackthorn in southern and south-east England, and in several counties north of
the Thames. It is well-known on the Continent, and especially in Denmark where Mr.
Knud Juul well depicts the moth and its larva in ‘““Nordens Eupithecien”. What further
surprises await us among our Lepidoptera ?
BARON DE WORMS,
Three Oaks, Woking, Surrey

April, 1973

WILTSHIRE PLANT NOTES (33)
Compiled by JOAN SWANBOROUGH
(All records for 1972 unless otherwise stated)

- Ophioglossum vulgatum L. Adder’s ‘Tongue. 2. Hill Wood. Mrs. B. Sheppard. 6. Near Everleigh.
P. Horton

Adonis annua L. Pheasant’s Eye. 5. Near Brickworth Garage. Miss Occomore. (1971).

Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. Oregon Grape. 10. Tollard Royal. Mrs. R. Hinton. (1971).

Lepidium campestre (L.) Field Pepperwort. 2. Canal Bank, Seend. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

Nasturtium microphyllum (Boenn.) Reichb. Brown leaved Watercress. 1. Canal at Martin-
slade. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

Sisymbrium altissimum L. (S. pannonicum Jacq.) Tall Rocket. 2. Langley Burrell. Mrs.
J. Swanborough.

Silene noctiflora L. Night-flowering Catchfly. 5. Twenty-four plants at edge of cornfield on
S. side of A 36 from Pepperbox Hill. A. Grinstead. (1971).

Dianthus barbatus L. Sweet William. 2. Roach Wood, Compton Bassett, far from habitation.
Miss B. Gillam.

Montia perfoliata (Willd.) Howell (Claytonia perfoliata Donn ex Willd.) 2. Persistent weed in
College gardens at Lackham. O. Menhennick.

Linum usitatissimum L. Cultivated Flax. 2. Malmesbury Road, Chippenham. Mrs. 7.
Swanborough.

Impatiens parviflora DC. Small-flowered Balsam. 2. Large area colonized in Bellevedere
Woods, Devizes. Miss B. Gillam.

Staphylea pinnata L. 2. Bellevedere Woods, Devizes, probably bird sown. Miss B. Gillam.

Galega officinalis L. Goat’s Rue. 2. Mill Lane, Broughton Gifford. Mrs. B. Sheppard. (1971).

Vicia sylvatica L. Wood Vetch. 1. Oakfrith Wood. P. Horton.

Lathyrus aphaca L. Yellow Vetchling. 8. Battlesbury, Warminster. Mrs. E. Curtis.

Lathyrus nissolia L. Grass Vetchling. 2. On ex W.D. hut site, near Brown’s Folly. Miss B.
Gillam.

Scorpiurus muricatus L. subsp. muricatus var. sulcatus (L.) Fiori. Alien. 5. Vetch-like plant with
pale orange flowers. Garden at Clarendon. C. M. R. Pitman. Det. J. E. Lousley. (1971).

Rubus caesius L. Dewberry. 2. Canal bank, Seend. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

Chyrsosplenium alternifolium L. Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage. 9. Semley. Mrs. R. Hinton.

(1971).

Torilts arvensis (Huds) Link. Spreading Hedge Parsley. 1. Roadside bank, Bratton. Mrs. 7.
Swanborough. Det. Brit. Mus.

Cannabis sativa L. Hemp. 5. One male plant on the outskirts of Newton Toney. Miss D. O.
Cole. (1971).

Juglans regia L. Walnut. 2. Avon bank near Reybridge. Mrs. B. Sheppard. (1971).

Amsinckia menziesii (Lehm.) Nels. & Macbr. Casual. 2. Bromham. 7. Sexton. Det. Brit. Mus.

Pentaglottis sempervirens (L.) Tausch. Evergreen Alkanet. 5. Brickworth Corner. E. G. Gange.
(1971). 2. Mill Lane, Broughton Gifford. Mrs. B. Sheppard. (1971).

Lycium halimifolium. Mill. Duke of Argyll’s Tea-tree. Alien. 2. Field wall at Sandridge. Mrs.
B. Sheppard.

Datura stramonum L. Thorn Apple. 2. Garden at Broughton Gifford. Mrs. B. Sheppard.
(1971).

Verbascum virgatum Stokes. Twiggy or Large-flowered Mullein. 5. Porton Ranges. 5S.
Calliway. (1971).

Veronica montana L. Mountain Speedwell. 2. Privetts Wood, Box. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

Veronica catenata F. W. Pennell. 2. Dry pond at Shaw. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

Mentha smithiana R. A. Graham (M. aquatica x arvensis x spicata) Red Mint. 5. Out-
skirts of Newton Toney. Miss A. M. Hutchinson. (1971).

Mentha x gentilis L. (Mentha arvensis spicata) var. gracilis (Sole) Fraser. 2. Langley Burrell.
Mrs. 7. Swanborough. Det. Brit. Mus.

Campanula persicifolia L. Peach-leaved Bellflower. 7. Little Durnford. Mrs. F. D. Richards.
Det. D. McClintock. (1971).

Petasites japonicus (Sieb. & Zucc.) F. Schmidt. Creamy Butterbur. Casual. Garden escape.
1. Erlestoke. P. Horton.

Inula helenium L. Elecampane. 3. Roadside, Shaw. P. Horton.

Anthemis cotula. L. Stinking Chamomile. 2. Canal tow-path near Seend Park Farm. Mrs. B.
Sheppard.

Matricaria recutita L. Wild Chamomile. 2. Field at Mill Lane, Broughton Gifford. Mrs. B.
Sheppard. (1971).

Circium dissectum (L.) Hill. Meadow Thistle. 1. Lydeway. P. Horton.

Centaurea cyanus L. Cornflower. 2. Langley Burrell. Lower Swinley. Mrs. 7. Swannorough.

Cicerbita macrophylla (Willd.) Wallr. Blue Sow-thistle. 9. Salisbury Race Course. Miss D. M.
Wear. (1971).

Meracium maculatum Sm. 5. One plant Hawks Grove. 10. Abundant on old railway track,
Downton. P. 7. Wormald. Det. P. Sell. (1971).

Meracium strumosum (W. R. Linton) A. Ley. 10. Old railway track, Downton. P. J. Wormald
Det. P. Sell. (1971).

EMeracium eboracense Pugsl. 5. Local in Hawks Grove. P. 7. Wormald. Det. P. Sell. (1971).

Meracium perpropinquum (Zahn) Druce. 5. Common in Hawks Grove. P. 7. Wormald. Det.
P. Sell. (1971).

Mieracium auranticum L. Fox & Cubs. 10. Alongside Odstock Road. Miss D. M. Wear. (1971).

Potamogeton lucens L. Shining Pondweed. 1. Canal, near Seend. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

Potamogeton friesu. Rupr. Flat-stalked Pondweed. 1. Canal, near Seend. Mrs. B. Sheppard.
Det. J. E. Dandy.

Potamogeton tricoides Cham. & Schlecht. 1. Canal, near Seend. Mrs. B. Sheppard. Det. J. E.
Dandy.

Potamogeton crispus L. Curled Pondweed. 1. Canal, near Seend. Mrs. B. Sheppard. Det. J. E.
Dandy.

Juncus acutiflorus Hoffm. Sharp Flowered Rush. 3. Red Lodge. P. Horton.

Luzula sylvatica (Huds.) Gaud. Great Woodrush. 1. Oakfrith Wood. P. Horton.

Allium oleraceum L. Field Garlic. 2. Bridle path near Weavern Valley. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

. Crocus purpureus Weston. Purple Crocus. 2. Field near Folly Lane, Shaw. Mrs. B. Sheppard.

Orchis ustulata L. Burnt Orchid. 8. Cheverell Down. Form with pure white flowers. Miss B.

Gillam.

30

Orchis ustulata L. Burnt Orchid. 8. Near the Bustard. P. Horton. 8. Park Bottom. P. Horton.

Orchis morio L. Green-winged Orchid. 8. Orcheston Down. P. Horton. 10. Lower slopes of
Martin Down. Mrs. M. P. Wood. (1971).

Orchis praetermissa (Druce). Common Marsh Orchid. 7. Coate. Miss B. Gillam.

Lemna gibba L. Gibbous Duckweed. 1. Canal at Seend Cleeve. Mrs. B. Sheppard. (1971).

Festulolium loliacium (Huds.) P. Fourn. Hybrid Fescue. 2. Bridle tow-path between Martin-
slade and Seend. Mrs. B. Sheppard. 2. Langley Burrell. Mrs. 7. Swanborough.

Phalaris canariensis L. Canary Grass. 2. Langley Burrell. Mrs. 7. Swanborough.

Phalaris tuberosa L. 7. Large colony on derelict ground, Rampart Road, Salisbury, 1971.
Site destroyed 1972. C. M. R. Pitman. Mrs. M. P. Wood. Det. A. Melderis. (1971).

THE CODE OF CONDUCT; A LIST OF RARE PLANTS

During 1970, members of the Botanical Society of the British Isles (B.S.B.I.) were
circulated with a document entitled ‘A Code of Conduct for the Conservation of Flowering
Plants and Ferns’. This ‘Code’ of conduct, which was subsequently in great demand from
other bodies and individuals, attempted to present a series of rules which, it was felt, should
govern the behaviour of members of the Society with respect to Plant Conservation and, in
particular, rarities. Under the first heading in the Code, ‘Collecting’, the following was
stated: ‘Members will not pick or collect any material of nationally rare species as defined
in a list published by the Society.’

And in a footnote:

‘This will be published in an early number of the journal Watsonia and may be subject
to amendment from time to time.’ The purpose of this paper is to publish the list of rare
plants.

RARE PLANTS OF WILTSHIRE INCLUDED IN THE LIST

Daphne mezereum
Cyclamen hederifolium
Melampyrum arvense
Leucojum aestivum
Eimantoglossum hircinum
Carex filiformis

Circium tuberosum

31

THE WEATHER FOR 1972
by T. E. ROGERS

Month Temperature Rainfall Sunshine

J O O ==

18 = O m

M a ale ae ate

A Ce Sea O

M — © —

J ma a O =

J O O O

A . ae x

S ape = O

O ole ey O

N O O ae

D lat, alate O
Totals for 1972 8+78°C 815-0 mm. 1,351 hours

(47°8 °F) (32-1 inches)

Yearly average figures 8-78 830-7 mm. 1,425 hours

(Marlborough) : (47°8°F) (32°7 inches)
N.B. In all three columns: © signifies ‘average’; — means ‘distinctly below average’;

—-— means ‘very much below average’. The + and + + signs have comparable positive
meanings.

Although 1972 was the driest year in London since records began 32 years ago, this
was by no means true of the whole country and in Marlborough, despite a very dry spell in
late summer and autumn, the rainfall was only marginally below average. It was, in fact,
wetter than any of the previous three years. Looked at as a whole, 1972 was a remarkably
unexceptional year, but the overall statistics do conceal one or two points of interest.

January and February were generally dull and unsettled, there being only about half
the usual amount of sunshine for February. Temperatures kept well up to the norm, how-
ever, and there was only one fall of snow and a small one at that, for while places as far
apart as Kent and Yorkshire recorded 20 cms. of snow on January 29th, we escaped with a
mere 1 cm. But the last three days of January, with maximum and minimum temperatures
of 1-8°C (35:2°F) and —11-5°C (11-3°F) respectively, constituted the coolest period of
the whole year.

March began and ended in blustery fashion, with a warmer, drier spell sandwiched
between. March 4th, with a fall of 30-7 mm. (1-21 ins.), was the wettest day of the year,
and the following day brought a sprinkling of snow. However, although the last week of
March was damp it was also warm, and we escaped the blizzards which blocked roads in
Scotland and the North Pennines on the 27th and 28th.

With the storms of March behind us, though, we had a most satisfactory spring, April
being particularly pleasant, and despite cool days in May we had only one air-frost and a

32

very mild one at that. Unfortunately, however, the mercury stubbornly refused to rise
throughout the whole of June, and the mean temperature of 11-0°C (51-8°F) made it the
coldest June in Marlborough since 1916, which was only fractionally cooler. Indeed, the
maximum for the month of 17-5°C (63:5°F), on the 14th, was the lowest we have ever
recorded since the station opened in 1865.

It was not a year for high maxima, the best temperatures being 248°C (76-6°F) and
24°9°C (76-8°F) on the 17th July and 14th August respectively; but August, with its very
low rainfall and long settled spell which lasted from the 9th right through the month, was
by far the best month of the summer, doing much to compensate for a poor June. In fact
it was the driest August since 1947. No rain fell from August 8th to September 8th, and
although 21-5 mm. (0-85 ins.) was recorded on September 8th, the total for the whole
month was only 27-2 mm. (1-07 ins.), well below average. October brought with it a lot
of fog, particularly in the first fortnight, but still no really significant amounts of rain. Our
records show that the 1972 total of 84-1 mm. (3°31 ins.) for the three months August—Octo-
ber was the third driest such period in the last century.

Gales characterized the last two months of the year, with considerable rainfall in the
first half of December, but temperatures kept well up and the year ended quietly.

SHORTER NOTES

VIXEN vulpes vulpes REARING NINE CUBS 1972

The vixen crossed the lane in front of my car on 18th April. This was the first time I
had seen her. She had left a steep wooded bank and was travelling in a north-westerly
direction making for her earth, about 4 mile away. She was very large and fine, in superb
condition, the colour of autumn bracken, with a cream tag. At the time I took her for a
dog fox, solely on account of her size. She must in fact have had her cubs but had not yet
reached full lactation as there was no sign of her being in milk. The farmer, whose land she
had just left, told me that he had seen her several times, always crossing the lane in the
same place.

On 6th May I found the earth, disturbing the vixen with one cub during the search.
Along the top of a steep bank, facing north-west at a height of about 400 ft., there were 12
holes. The whole bank was covered with hawthorn bushes and there were 4 more holes
lower down the bank, under or near bushes. The main earth was in a large bramble patch
below the bushes and, later in the year, after the vegetation had died down, I counted 7
holes. Rough pasture, grazed by cattle, fell away steeply from the bramble patch to the
brook about 200 yds. below. On the west side of the bramble was a large play area, beaten
down by cubs and littered with droppings, old bones and feathers. There were the remains
of meals inside several of the hawthorns and I once found myself sitting on a dead pigeon.
Vixens are not good housekeepers.

On 7th May I waited inside a large hawthorn bush down-wind of the earth and about
3o ft. away from it. After a wait of 14 hours the vixen arrived at 17.45 hours. She came,
carrying a rook, from a wood which holds a rookery, about ? mile west of the earth. She
crossed a lane near a bridge, followed the south side of the brook for roo yds., then came
straight up the bank to the bramble patch. Later I was able to trace her path easily, from
the rookery to the earth, by the trail of feathers along the narrow, well-worn track. As soon
as she arrived the cubs emerged in ones and twos from the bramble until I could see nine.
They were about 6 or 7 weeks old (this would put their age at about 3 or 4 weeks when I
first saw the vixen). All suckled after greeting the vixen with a brief rub of the nose up the
side of her face. However hungry they were as they grew older, I never saw them suckle
without the nose-rub greeting first. Once, a cub in a hurry missed her face as he dashed
round to feed, but returned to give a more satisfactory, though hurried, rub before feeding.

33

The cubs were continually breaking off to play as there was not room for all to feed at once.
The vixen sat on her haunches with her front legs straddled while two cubs suckled from
the front and others from both sides.

I watched them nearly every day for the rest of May from 15.00 hours onwards.
Feeding time varied, probably according to hunting conditions, but was usually between
between 16.00 and 17.00 hours. She always fed them on the lee side of the bramble bush,
for shelter and safety, so that, whichever quarter the wind was in, one could always be
down-wind and have a good view from about go ft. Only once was the vixen aware of my
presence and I have never been able to think of a reason for her awareness. As usual I was
down-wind of her, motionless inside a thick hawthorn bush, but something made her
hesitate as she approached the earth and, instead of following her usual path, she went up
the bank behind me. This took her across my approach path and as soon as she got my
scent she stopped, looked all round without seeing me, then went on up and along the top
of the bank. I do not know how the cubs knew where she had gone, as she made no sound
and they had not seen her, but they all rushed headlong up the bank and out of my sight.
I could hear them feeding and tussling. The vixen left them after about 30 minutes although
presumably she knew that I was there.

The vixen never approached from the east, which is heavily keepered, but nearly
always from the west and very occasionally from the north or south—all country which is
hunted fairly hard during the winter.

By the time the cubs were about 11 weeks old the vixen had to stand for them to suckle.
They were by then taking solid food as well but she still had plenty of milk and, in spite of
all her hard work, she never lost condition. After feeding and playing the cubs dispersed in
ones and twos to sleep. I once looked into one of the holes at the top of the bank and saw
three of them curled up fast asleep just inside.

During the weeks that I watched the family I never saw another adult fox with them.
Although I have a reliable record of a vixen adopting orphaned cubs and rearing nine
including her own, I felt certain that my cubs were all one family, from their likeness to
each other in appearance and size, and from their behaviour with the vixen. The highest
recorded uterine count in vulpes vulpes is 13, and the vixen was well able to rear 9 without
the usual loss of condition. I see no reason to think that they were not all her own cubs.

My last view of the vixen was in early September, after cubbing had started. She was
in the rookery wood ? mile north-west of the earth with some cubs. Hounds killed 4 cubs,
but I saw the vixen slip out of the covert and make for home. She was hunted for a short
distance and then lost. She has not, to my knowledge, been hunted since and I hope that
she has survived to breed again.

It would be interesting to know the largest litter recorded of cubs reared by the wild
European red fox.

RENARDE

BLACK SPECIMENS OF vulpes vulpes

Black foxes are only on record from one covert. Two were seen, by me and others,
during the 1971/72 hunting season, and one during the 72/73 season. I think that they are
probably not truly black. It is more likely that the guard hairs are black, or extremely dark,
and that the underfur is the usual brownish-red, giving the animal a rather rusty black
appearance. The blackness would be intensified in wet weather if the fox was lying up in kale.

Another covert one mile to the south-east used to hold an exceptionally large dog fox
which had the blackish colouring on his neck and shoulders, the rest of him being a
brownish-red. He was in the same territory for four years, by which time he must have been
about six years old. I have not seen him since July 1972 when I watched him at dusk with
his vixen and 4 cubs. He had brought them some food and the cubs were fighting and
squealing over it. Afterwards they all played and I could make out their shapes as they
leaped and rushed about in the failing light, the dog unmistakeable because of his size and
very long legs. He passed the dark shoulder colour on to one cub in this litter.

34

S& *q aav{ |

“IOQUIT JO ISe][IA dy} UT sTeATAANs
jued uapsres jo AdArns [eoruvjoq Fgb1 sry UO UOTIDIg ATOISTF [PANILN 9Y} JO SIOqUIOUT YIM aJIM SITY pu osOIZ) ppeUOg

Black specimens of the rabbit oryctolagus cuniculus are also on record in the second of
these two coverts. I have seen one this year and two last year. They have also been known
for a number of years in a larger wood } mile to the east, but I have not seen them there
myself.

RENARDE

DONALD GROSE

An Appreciation

The death of Mr. J. D. Grose, at the age of 72, in February 1973 removes from
Wiltshire its most distinguished botanist, indeed it would be no disgrace to his predecessors
to say the most eminent botanist that the county ever had. His quiet and self-effacing
manner concealed a unique knowledge of the Wiltshire flora, and it was impossible to visit
any part of the county however unpromising without his finding some hybrid or something
unusual in that locality.

His dedication to the Natural History Section of the Wiltshire Archaeological Society
was extreme, and having been present at the inaugural meeting on 9 October 1946, he
continued to sit on the committee until failing health caused him to give up twenty-five
years later. It may come as a surprise to many members of the Natural History Section
that his first ‘Plant Notes’ under the title ‘Notes on North Wilts Plants’ appeared in the
Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine in December 1937, the corresponding article on South
Wilts being provided by Miss B. Gullick (later Mrs. Welch). In June 1939 he published
Plant Notes for the whole county and continued to do so until 1969 although the issue for
December 1942 was again a combined effort with Mrs. Welch. After the publication of the
Flora in 1957 the Plant Notes became supplements to the Flora and it is hoped that these
will one day be collected and published. Many articles on interesting aspects of botany
appeared in the Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine, some the result of requests from the
Nature Conservancy such as that for Spye Park in June 1954 and Colerne Park in June
1955, but perhaps the most important article of all, in that it caused the Wiltshire County
Council to revise their ideas on spraying roadsides, was his “Treatment of Roadside Verges
in Wiltshire’ published in December 1962 and illustrated with fine photographs by the late
Mr. N. U. Grudgings. It was typical of his methodical approach that in 1947 when he
published a list of botanical references in Saxon Charters, that he should have got an
anglo-saxon dictionary and taught himself the language in order to read the charters, and
the writer remembers well being with him at Imber when he said that he would like to
climb a certain hill to see if there was a spindle tree there. On asking if it was a recent
record he said it was last seen in A.D. 968.

The greatest work and the one by which he will always be remembered was the Flora
of Wiltshire, published in July 1957 and the result of sixteen years of hard work. It has been
said by many authorities that it is the best flora printed in modern times, and there is
certainly no other flora which can compare with the second part on the Vegetation of
Wiltshire. Its appearance was marked by a broadcast which he gave on the BBC. Although
receiving records from others the whole business of checking them and putting them
together was done single handed apart from the help received from his wife. Every five-
kilometre square was visited, even those under military occupation, and all this without
the use of computers or other modern devices of which later floras have made use. Towards
the end a small committee was formed to help with the actual publication of the work, with
Mrs. Ruth Barnes as Secretary followed by Miss Catherine Gurney and lastly Mr. R. E.
Sandell. This relieved him of some of the trouble of arguing with the publishers, and when
the great day came and the first advance copy was received the writer had the great pleasure
of taking it to him. He had to take it by train because petrol was rationed at the time. Mr.
Grose was a jeweller and was selling a wedding ring to an American serviceman, it was
typical of his dedication to whatever matter he had in hand that he refused to look at it
until he had finished doing this.

35

Anyone who has ever been on a botanical expedition with him will have many happy
memories of interesting plants which he showed us, only once was one able to show him
anything he had not seen and that was Cephalanthera rubra over the border in Gloucestershire.

Mr. Grose leaves a widow who was a great a help to him in his work not only on
botanical expeditions but in drawing maps, and a son Donovan who helped to provide
photographs for the Flora.

R.E.S.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS FOR 1972

REPORT OF THE HON. SECRETARY—
BEATRICE GILLAM

Since the 1972 Annual General Meeting, Section membership has increased by twelve.
Mr. E. V. Cleverly has been given the honour of Life Membership.

In February, 1973, the Section suffered a very great loss by the death of Donald Grose
whose name has become synonymous with ““The Flora of Wiltshire”. An appreciation
appears elsewhere.

Arrangements have been made, through the Society’s treasurer, for subscriptions to
be covenanted as from ist January, 1973 when the annual subscription became £1. Mr.
G. A. Wiltshire has undertaken to act as Covenanting Secretary.

The committee has sought ways of reducing the cost and lateness of W.A.M. Part A to
Section members. After consultation with the Society’s publications committee, it was
agreed that the Section’s Hon. Editor should be entirely responsible for its production.
Mr. P. Horton, Mr. A. L. Stonell and Mr. D. Brotheridge have joined Mr. B. W. Wedell in
compiling the Entomological Report.

The Section has been represented on the Calne and Chippenham Rural District
Council’s Environment Protection Committee on which three of its members also serve.
The Section was represented at a meeting called by the Community Council for Wiltshire
to discuss the terms of reference for an ‘Environmental Adviser’ to be appointed by the
Council.

1972 was the fifth and final year of fieldwork in preparation for the production of the
British Trust for Ornithology’s ‘Ornithogical Atlas of Great Britain and Ireland’. Mrs. Ruth
Barnes, as Regional Representative for the Trust, has organized the work, supported by a
very enthusiastic team of Section members. A survey of the wildlife of the Kennet and Avon
canal in Wiltshire was undertaken by a group of members, assisted by officers of the Nature
Conservancy. Some of the results were displayed at the canal Trust’s general meeting in
Devizes. An article was written for inclusion in Nicholson’s ‘Guide to the Waterways—
South-West’.

A working party, elected by the committee, met in January, 1973 to look for ways of
achieving better communication between members, liaison with schools and the diversi-
fication of Section activities in the future.

After seven years as the Section’s very hard-working Chairman, Mr. R. S. Barron
retires at the Annual General Meeting 1973. He has served on the Society’s council and its
finance and house committees. Here he has not only given his sound advice, but has sought
and helped to obtain for the Section—covenanted subscriptions, W.A.M. Part A, library
accommodation at the museum and a fuller understanding of the work of the Section
by the Society. For the last six years, the business of the committee has been carried out
under his wise guidance in the comfort of Hungerdown House. At the close of my term of
office, I should like to express the sincere thanks of the Section to Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Barnes
for their very generous hospitality.

36

JUNIOR SECTION REPORT 1972

1972 started well for the Junior Section with two meetings in January. Pond clearance
at Devizes provided an opportunity to help in some practical conservation work. ‘The Wild
Fowl Trust, Slimbridge was our next visit where an enthusiastic group spent a very cold
but enjoyable day out.

April found us in Bird’s Marsh Wood, Chippenham studying the flora and fauna with
particular emphasis on recording methods. A line transect was made to compare light
intensity with plant distribution. Collections of woodland material was made by some
juniors.

The summer meetings were rather disappointing as only one keen junior attended the
two August meetings, fresh water life at the Bradford-on-Avon canal, and later Downland
School, Devizes. We also had no entries for the Annual Competition.

Many of the main section meetings have been well attended by junior members. The
Dawn Chorus at Erlestoke in May, and Keyhaven Marshes in November attracted keen
bird watching groups.

In conclusion I should like to thank all those who have assisted me throughout the
year or have provided transport.

A. L. STONELL

REPORT OF THE HON. MEETINGS SECRETARIES

During the year 20 outdoor and 7 indoor meetings were held. ‘The summer ones were
generally very poorly attended. Studland Heath and Whiteparish attracted 2 and 4 mem-
bers respectively. Other summer meetings were to Bratton Ranges led by Mr. Bennett, to
Porton Down in torrential rain, to North Wraxall for a walk led by Miss Cardus and to
Fyfield Down for a meeting on snail predation led by Mr. Dowdeswell.

Popular summer outings were to Chippenham for evening bird song, to Roundway to
study moths and to the Kennet and Avon to conduct a survey.

Other well-attended meetings were to Hungerford Marsh led by Mr. and Mrs.
Frankum, Grovely Wood led by Mrs. Balfe, to Wilton Water, and an outing led by Mr.
Barron to see the Mere Fault. Miss Stevenson led a meeting on mosses and Mr. Stonell to
the Kennet and Avon. There was the usual botanical recording at Hazeland Railway, a
Fungus Foray at Longleat and a meeting at Westbury Ponds. The Dawn Chorus was a
complete washout with torrential rain. Keyhaven Marshes, led by David Peart, was the
most popular outing of the year with 33 people.

Indoor meetings were held on Geology, Snail Predation, St. Kilda and Canals and
Conservation. 2 members’ evenings were held.

Our thanks go out to all the leaders of expeditions and to speakers and we hope that
suggestions for further meetings, particularly for summer meetings will be sent to us by
members of the Natural History Section.

37