these species are represented: in some instances the decayed stalks and branches seemed absolutely alive with them. Notwithstanding this wonderful profusion each species is rigidly confined to the particular species of Euphorbia, which it infests, and is never found elsewhere or met with under any other circumstances. Now the vast multitude of quaint and grotesque shrubs on which this strange coleopterous fauna exclusively subsists is passing away, gradually but certainly becoming extinct: "Year after year sees portions of the rocky declivities brought into rude cultivation, whilst the constant search which is made after the dead plants for fuel still further operates to direct the axe of the destroyer. Here then," continues Mr. Wollaston, "we have an unmistakeable fact, and one over which it is worth while to pause, not of a single species, but of a whole fauna surely dying out before circumstances which are adverse to its continuance." The species infesting a particular species of Euphorbia pertinaciously refuse to adapt themselves to altered circumstances when that species is destroyed. In two of the islands, Lanzarota and Fuerteventura, Euphorbia canariensis is already extinct, and not one of the species which characterized that plant has migrated to any other; so that in two islands at least the Coleoptera attached to Euphorbia canariensis have become extinct.

In conclusion, I can only express my regret that the utility of a volume so full of deep research, and such profound reflections, should be confined by its very character to the few who combine a knowledge of Entomology with more general and extended information: it is a volume the teachings of which are for the world of science, and not for that limited section of the scientific world which has made the Natural History of Insects its exclusive study.

EDWARD NEWMAN.

'The Natural History of the Tineina.' Vol. VIII., containing Gracilaria, Part I., and Oruix, Part I. By H. T. STAINTON, assisted by J. W. DOUGLAS and Professor FREY. London: Van Voorst, Paternoster Row. 315 pp. letter-press; eight coloured Plates. Price to subscribers 12s. 6d.

In this beautiful volume we have illustrated life-histories of fifteen species of Gracilaria and nine of Ornix. Its appearance "has been retarded, owing to the delay in meeting with the larva of Gracilaria imperiella. The next two volumes will each contain twenty-four

species of the genus Gelechia." The plates leave nothing to be desired, and the work altogether well maintains its character for excellence. An analytical notice will be found in No. 2 of the 'Entomologist.'

EDWARD NEWMAN.

'The Food, Use and Beauty of British CHARLES OTTLEY GROOM NAPIER. 1865. 83 pp. 12mo. Price 3s. 6d.

Birds: an Essay.' By
London: Groombridge.

A TRACT written with the best intention, that of modifying in some degree the senseless destruction of birds which is going on all round us; but a question very naturally arises in the mind, how is such a tract to get into circulation? and how, without getting into circulation, is it to do good? Will the bird-shooters and the bird-poisoners and the sparrow clubs give three and sixpence for a tract that is directly antagonistic not only to the acts and professions, but to the religiously cherished belief in the noxious qualities of birds?

The subjoined paragraph, which I extract entire, states the evil as it exists, and the authors's idea of a remedy :

"The extinction of species in their various haunts, the cliff, the shore, the islet, the grove, the marsh and the mountain, calls for inquiry. First, ought these birds to be extirpated or not? If so, I have argued in vain. If the balance in creation is to be preserved, let man disturb it as little unnecessarily as he can. If birds are ever worth destroying by a sporting population-and every man who carries a gun is in some sense a sportsman-let them not be wantonly molested in the breeding-season. A small tax for the right of shooting birds not commonly considered game, would produce a revenue sufficient for the maintenance of efficient guardians of our feathered tribes, whose great services would thus meet with a tardy acknowledgment. Two shillings and sixpence annually for the privilege of shooting sparrows, not inclusive of the rights of private property, would be sufficient for this."

EDWARD NEWMAN.

A Climbing Rat.-As I was passing by a hawthorn hedge, during one of my walks in the country, my attention was attracted by a nibbling sound coming from the

bushes. On looking I saw a large baru rat in the bush clasping one of the branches, and seemingly as much at home as if he might be a regular visitant there. The bushes were covered with haws, many of which were partially eaten, and some of them had nothing but the stone left. It was these delicacies, doubtless, which had tempted him to perform so unusual a feat. I had a good opportunity of observing him, as he stood perfectly still for a minute or two, intently regarding me with his bead-like eyes. He then ran nimbly to the ground, passing through several bushes in a line with the hedge. I saw the characteristic grayish brown coat and the long ears and tail, which serve to distinguish this from the water rat. I have twice seen it in the same position and the same place.—John Peers.

Notes on the Quadrupeds of Lanarkshire.
By EDWARD R. ALSTON, Esq.

(Continued from Zool. S. S. 61.)

Common Weasel.-On the 8th of January a weasel was caught here which presented a curious appearance. The whole back was quite bare, and the naked parts were covered with a bright scarlet eruption, probably allied to the "red mange" of the canine tribe.

Stoat or Ermine.-I am indebted to my friend Mr. R. Gray, Secretary of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, for the following interesting anecdote of this species. Writing on the 17th of January, he says:"A few days ago I got from a keeper in this neighbourhood (Kirrimuir, Forfarshire) a very good illustration of the rapacity of this species. He was walking across some fields near the town, when his attention was drawn by a ploughman to the erratic flight of a duck overhead. Keeping his eye on the bird, which at first was wheeling in curious gyrations high in the air, he waited till it neared the marsh, where he stood, and shot it, when, to his surprise, he found a stoat clinging to its neck. The little brute at once ran off on being disturbed, but a shot from the other barrel checked his flight, and I have now both the duck and ermine in my possession. The bird is a female mallard, and its bloodthirsty assailant is pure white, except the face, which is of the usual reddish brown. I intend exhibiting the pair at an early mecting of our Society. Instances like this have been already recorded of both the ermine and weasel, but it is sometimes difficult to get the occurrence authenticated; in the present case it is fortunate I was on the spot."

Bank Vole. Since my notice of the occurrence of Arvicola pratensis in Scotland was written (Zool. S. S. 9) several more examples

have been taken, all of which were caught in common mouse-traps in the garden, where the species appears to be even more plentiful than the field vole. These repeated captures of an animal hitherto unrecorded in Scotland made me begin to doubt whether I had not made some mistake as to the species; accordingly I forwarded a specimen to Professor Bell, who has been kind enough to examine it carefully, and he informs me that it is undoubtedly the bank vole; "the colour, the proportions and the loose hairiness of the tail, all agree with A. pratensis, and differ from the common species." Mr. Wheelwright ("The Old Bushman"), states, in his Ten Years in Sweden,' that this species is found in Scandinavia as far north as the Arctic Circle, so it seems not unlikely that it may be more common in Scotland than in England. Besides the distinctive marks already mentioned (Zool. S. S. 10) the fur of A. pratensis is much smoother and glossier than that of the field vole, and in all the specimens taken here there is a little fine white fur behind each ear, only visible when these organs are erected. The shade of chestnut on the head and back varies much; in some it is hardly brighter than in a small and unusually red example of A. agrestis sent me from Sussex by your correspondent, Mr. Jeffery; in one individual it deepens almost to black towards the root of the tail. In another specimen the white of the lower parts is slightly tinged with yellow. The tail is always uniform in thickness throughout its length, and ends in a tuft of hair; it becomes more slender in dried specimens. In size there is not much variety, but the males are slightly larger than their mates. The following are the average measurements of those taken here:

It is perhaps worthy of notice that this species has been found abundantly in gardens, both here and in Derbyshire (Zool. 9016).

Stockbriggs, Lesmahagow, February, 1866.

EDWARD R. ALSTON.

Ornithological Notes from Shropshire. By JOHN ROCKE, Esq.

(Continued from Zool. S. S. 84.)

Gray Lag Goose (Anser ferus).-Whatever may have been the distribution of this goose over the county formerly, I consider it now to be quite one of our rarest visitants. It has, however, been occasionally met with, though I am not aware of any very recent capture. I believe it is seldom met with in the present day, even in those parts of England that most abound in wildfowl.

Bean Goose (A. Segetum). A flock of eight of these birds were continually seen in this district in the very severe winter of 1861, and three of them fell to the gun of the Oakly Park keeper, but were not preserved. I have seen several other instances of their occurrence, perhaps more frequently than that of any other of our Anatidæ.

Pinkfooted Goose (A. phoenicopus).—This rare bird has been killed once in this county, near Hodnet.

Whitefronted Goose (A. albifrons).-Not uncommon, especially in hard winters, though I believe all this class of birds is becoming much less numerous (if we except the lower part of the River Severn) than heretofore.

Bernicle Goose (A. leucopsis).-Very rare, but occasionally met with in the winter.

Brent Goose (A. torquatus).-Equally rare with the preceding bird. Mr. John Shaw mentions one example killed in January, 1861, as occurring near Shrewsbury, recorded at Zool. 7388.

Egyptian Goose (A. Egyptiacus).-A few specimens have been obtained at intervals, more particularly on the River Severn. I had a good example once myself, killed near Shrewsbury, which did not exhibit the least signs of having been domesticated, or of having escaped from confinement.

Canada Goose (A. canadensis).-This bird has been for so many years a constant occupant of our various ornamental meres and ponds that I think it can now scarcely be looked upon as a straggler. Instances of its capture in various parts of the county have of course been very numerous.

Hooper (Cygnus ferus). Few winters pass without specimens of this fine bird being obtained on the Severn and its tributaries.

Bewick's Swan (C. Bewickii) —By no means rare in the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury in hard winters. I possess a good bird, killed

SECOND SERIES-VOL. I.

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