UNDER THE GENERAL EDITORSHIP OF W. R. HUGHES, F.L.S.
Introduction.
It is believed that this is the first attempt to give a connected account of the Zoology of the neighbourhood of Birmingham, although the Botany of the District has long attracted diligent and enthusiastic workers. The subject, however, has not been neglected, and past and present members of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, and other naturalists, have from time to time made public, in the Midland Naturalist and elsewhere, their observations on the more important classes of the animal kingdom. Some of the classes in the sub-kingdoms, Protozoa, Coelenterata, Vermes, and Arthropoda (it is to be regretted) have been almost entirely neglected.
The limited amount of space allotted to Zoology in the present volume and the limited amount of time at the disposal of the contributors have prevented the presentation of complete lists in all the divisions selected, although the Editor believes that the various papers now submitted furnish—so far as they go—a very fair, if not an exhaustive account of our local fauna. It would have been desirable to have discussed, more fully than is done by the various contributors, the question of the Geographical distribution of animals in the district, but this question, for the reasons above stated, must be left until another occasion. The division of the Microscopic Fauna has been made somewhat arbitrarily, in order to meet local circumstances. It is hoped that at some future time these papers may be extended, and become the foundation for a complete record of the Zoology of the district.
Without any invidious comparison, the Editor may say that, in the domain of local zoology, by far the most systematic study has been that devoted during many years by Mr. Thomas Bolton, F.R.M.S., to the microscopic fauna of the neighbourhood. The number of new species which this able and industrious naturalist has added to science, probably equals if not exceeds that of the discoveries recorded in any other part of England during the time Mr. Bolton has been an observer. Moreover, his novel and successful method of disseminating these organisms among microscopists, has contributed largely to scientific knowledge, not only in England, but on the Continent, and even in America.
Although not coming within the category of the local fauna, very fine collections of the classes ECHINODERMATA and CRUSTACEA have been made by Mr. G. Sherriff Tye, of Richmond Road, Handsworth, who will be happy to show the same to members of the British Association. His excellent collection of MOLLUSCA, many of which are noticed in this volume, will also be on view.
The Entomological collection made by Mr. W. G. Blatch—the work of a lifetime—many specimens of which are referred to in this volume, will similarly be on view, on application to Mr. Blatch, at Green Lane, Small Heath. It is right to state that this naturalist has added very many new species to the fauna of the district. The Coleoptera occurring in the Midlands will be exhibited by Mr. Blatch in Bingley Hall.
The collection of local fishes taken by members of the Birmingham and Midland Piscatorial Association (established in 1879) of which Mr. James Gregory is Honorary Secretary, contains some very handsome and well-mounted specimens which may ordinarily be seen in the Society’s Room, at the Grand Hotel, on application to Mr. Field, the proprietor. The collection for the present forms part of the Exhibition in Bingley Hall. It should be mentioned that this Association has done good work in stocking the River Trent with about 35,000 Trout fry (Salmo fario) during the last few years.
The Editor offers no apology for mentioning the exceptionally fine Ornithological collection of Mr. R. W. Chase, President of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society. The collection comprises, in sequence, the eggs, and the birds in various stages of growth towards maturity. The specimens are mounted so as to show instructively the surroundings of the various birds as seen in their natural habitats. Mr. Chase will be happy to show his collection to members of the British Association, on application at his residence, Southfield, 7, Edgbaston Road, Edgbaston.
Although Birmingham is nearly the central part of England, and thus farthest removed from the sea, it may not be uninteresting to state that some attention has been given to Marine Zoology, the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society having several times made excursions to parts of the coast for the purpose of dredging specimens. The PENNATULIDA, dredged by the Society, at Oban, in 1881, were described by Professor A. Milnes Marshall, M.D., D.Sc., F.R.S., and Mr. W. P. Marshall, M.I.C.E., in a Report, with illustrations by the authors, published in the “Midland Naturalist” for 1882, which gained the Darwin Gold Medal, awarded by the Midland Union of Natural History Societies, at the sixth annual meeting, held at Tamworth, in 1883. The specimens may be seen in the annexe of the Exhibition, at Bingley Hall.
The limit of radius of about twenty miles round Birmingham, including parts of the counties of Warwick, Worcester, and Stafford, chosen by the botanists who have contributed to the present work, has been generally accepted by the zoologists except in the division of the Mollusca, which is mainly confined to a radius of twelve miles, as fixed by local Conchologists several years ago. Some latitude has however been allowed, to meet exceptional cases, necessitated by the wider range of animals as compared with that of plants.
The thanks of the Editor are due to the various local contributors, and especially to Mr. E. de Hamel, late President of the Tamworth Natural History Society, for his kind co-operation in furnishing the chapter on Mammals and Reptiles. In strict order of classification, the division of Reptiles should have followed that of Birds, but for convenience in the present arrangement it has not been thought desirable to separate this chapter.
Chapter I.
Mammals and Reptiles.
BY E. DE HAMEL.
I.—MAMMALS.
The district around Birmingham is admirably suited for our native animals, abounding as it does with fertile and well-watered valleys, wild moorlands, and extensive woods; on the other hand, its large population renders the prolonged existence of individual and striking rarities well-nigh impossible.
The value of the matter contained in this chapter has been much enhanced by the personal observations of many of the best Midland naturalists.
Cheiroptera.
Adopting the late Professor Bell’s classification of British quadrupeds and reptiles, the Bats come first under consideration; and out of the fourteen species described by him, no fewer than nine are to be found in this district. The Noctule or Great Bat, Scotophilus noctula, is the largest of our British species, and is characterised by its lofty flight. There is a colony of these Bats in the roof of Cliff Hall, near Kingsbury, and another in a hollow of a lime tree in the Moat House Avenue, Tamworth. The Hairy-armed Bat, S. Leisleri, which has a zig-zag flight, occurs on the Warwickshire Avon. The Common Bat, or Flittermouse, S. pipistrellus, is often seen flying near buildings in broad daylight, and secretes itself in crevices. The Reddish-grey Bat, Vespertilio nattereri, is found in roofs of churches and similar buildings. Daubenton’s Bat, V. Daubentonii, flies close to the surface of water, and has been seen flying both at mid-day and dusk over the River Anker at Tamworth, and is abundant at Stratford-on-Avon; it hides in trees and buildings. The Whiskered Bat, V. mystacinus, frequents the sheltered side of high hedges, and secretes itself in any convenient chink. The Long-eared Bat, Plecotus auritus, possesses ears nearly as long as its head and body combined, and is generally distributed; it collects in clusters under tiled roofs and in church towers. The Barbastelle Bat, Barbastellus Daubentonii, is not uncommon in Warwickshire; it flutters lazily round moving objects, and hides in crevices. The last local species is the Lesser Horse-shoe Bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros, which is gregarious, and haunts roofs of houses; it is easily distinguished by its curious nasal appendage.
Insectivora.
The Hedgehog, Erinaceus EuropÆus, common everywhere, hibernates in a nest of leaves. The Mole, Talpa EuropÆa; abundant, pied and light coloured varieties plentiful. The Common Shrew, Sorex vulgaris, often, found dead on pathways. The Water Shrew, S. fodiens, is more rare, but has been found near Tamworth, at Great Barr, and in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The Lesser Shrew, S. pygmÆus, is omitted, as it is now generally considered to be but a variety of S. fodiens.
Carnivora.
The Badger or Brock, Meles taxus, whilst rare, is very equally distributed over the district. On April 14th, 1877, one was obtained in the Foxhole Hill, in Bentley Big wood, near Atherstone; a female and three young ones were taken alive in the spring of 1884, in a wood, near Croxall; there are some more badgers in the same wood this year, 1886. In March, 1885, a single one was captured at Bentley, near Redditch; the keeper at Beaudesert reports that they are still plentiful on Cannock Chase. The Otter, Lutra vulgaris, like the Badger, though rare, still frequently occurs in the Midlands, especially on the rivers Anker, Tame, and Trent, and their tributaries; as well as the Warwickshire Avon. On the Tame, a few years since, a female Otter and brood of young ones was seen several times swimming near an osier bed in the Cliff meadows; another was shot when crossing the river at the back of Broad Island, near Tamworth; two young ones were killed in a hay field, close by Hopwas Wood; and a large Otter was found in a brook at Wigginton, a mile from the river, and destroyed after a desperate encounter; still another was seen trotting along the banks of the Tame, close by the town of Tamworth; while the largest Otter known to have been taken in the river Avon was captured on the first of June, 1886, at its junction with the river Arrow; it weighed 28lbs. The Weasel, Mustela vulgaris, and the Stoat, M. erminea, are both plentiful. The Polecat or Fitchet, M. putorius, is becoming decidedly rare, only three having been recorded in the district during the last few years; the first of these occurred at Alvecote Wood, the second at Hints, in the neighbourhood of Tamworth, and the third at Merivale, near Atherstone. The Pine Marten, Martes abietum, although believed now to be absolutely extinct in the Midlands, used to be found in Needwood Forest, and a specimen taken many years ago near Rugeley is now in the possession of Mr. R. W. Chase. The Fox, Vulpes vulgaris, being strictly preserved, is sufficiently abundant.
Rodentia.
The Squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, is thinly distributed, and may occasionally be seen in most of the large woods, as for instance, those in Sutton, Hagley, and Arbury Parks, where the dreys are built on the forked branches of the trees. The Dormouse, Myoxus avellanarius, is also rare, but is occasionally met with by hedgers, when dressing fences. As it is semi-gregarious, when one is found more may be expected. The nest is built of grass, compact, globular, about five inches in diameter, with the entrance near the base. A nest was taken at Cofton Reservoir, near Barnt Green, in April, 1885. The Harvest Mouse, Mus minutus, is the smallest of our quadrupeds, building a small round and firm nest among the ears of corn, or stems of reeds. It is generally distributed, and has been taken near Stratford-on-Avon, Merivale and Atherstone. The long-tailed Field Mouse, M. sylvaticus, is plentiful, and often turned up by the spade or plough. The Common Mouse, M. musculus, abundant in buildings. The Black Rat, M. rattus, although rare, is still to be found in small colonies, generally in the cellars of large towns, where it is comparatively secure from the attacks of its greatest enemy and destroyer, the Brown Rat. A single recent example has been taken within the last six months at New Parks, near Leicester, and is now in the possession of Mr. F. T. Mott. The rarity of the occurrence justifies this record, although the locality is outside the radius agreed upon. The Brown Rat, M. decumanus is abundant in both buildings and hedgerows. The Water Vole, Arvicola amphibius, better known as the Water Rat, is common on all the streams of the Midlands. The common Field-Vole, A. agrestis, is plentiful in the meadows, where their nests are frequently exposed by the mowers. The Red Field or Bank-Vole, A. glareolus, is much more rare and distinguished from the last species, by its rich chestnut fur; several of these were taken at Belvoir Castle, in July, 1885. The Hare, Lepus timidus, and the Rabbit, L. cuniculus, have been greatly reduced in numbers since the passing of the Hares and Rabbits Bill in 1881.
Ruminantia.
The Red Deer, Cervus elaphus, as recently as 1800, roamed wild over Cannock Chase and Needwood Forest, but is now confined to the areas of the large parks, such as Gopsall and Beaudesert. The Fallow Deer, C. dama, formerly existed in thousands on Cannock Chase, and is now the chief ornament of the parks. The Roe Deer, Capreolus caprea, was also common, but has become extinct. The Wild Cattle, Bos taurus, under the fostering care of the Lords Ferrars, at Chartley, near Stafford, still constitute the greatest curiosity among the Midland mammals. Garner, in his history of Staffordshire, relates that these animals at one time roamed free over Needwood Forest, and how, in the thirteenth century, William de Ferrariis enclosed a thousand acres of high-lying moorland, the turf of which is in the same condition now as then, and within this enclosure the animals are maintained in their pristine purity. At the present time this herd consists of about thirty head, comprising three bulls, the oldest aged nine years, a magnificent beast, with deep chest, black muzzle and ears, black-tipped, wide-spreading horns, and forefeet also flecked with black, the prevailing colour being a rich creamy white. So sensitive are these cattle, as the result of their high breeding, that calves unduly handled are forsaken by their mothers; and older beasts, if subjected to forcible restraint, will often, as the keeper put it to the writer, “just wag their tails and die.” When the calves are with them the cows are dangerous to approach.
Pachydermata.
Before leaving the local mammals, the celebrated red breed of Tamworth Pigs, Sus scrofa, deserves mention as one of the best, most useful, and healthy of the many well-known kinds; but there is no reason to suppose that it, any more than the others, can claim descent from the reputed Wild Pigs of Needwood.
II.—REPTILES.
Sauria.
The Sand Lizard, Lacerta agilis, occurs in Leicestershire and Worcestershire, and is to be met with on Cannock Chase and similar localities. The Viviparous Lizard, Zootoca vivipara, is found in Sutton Park, is smaller and more active than the Sand Lizard, and differs from that species inasmuch as the young are born alive.
Saurophidia.
The Blindworm, Anguis fragilis, is not infrequent, specimens have been obtained at Sutton Park, Merivale, Baddesley Ensor, Beaudesert, the Forest of Wyre and Habberley Valley, near Kidderminster.
Ophidia.
The Ringed Snake, Natrix torquata, is seldom seen in the neighbourhood of Tamworth—although on one occasion the occupants of a boat on the river Anker saw one of these snakes glide down the bank and swim towards them—it is common in Merivale Park, occasionally found in Sutton Park, and near Dudley. The Viper or Adder, Pelias berus, our only poisonous reptile, is locally common, but generally rare; a large number were killed in Sutton Park during the summer of 1884; it is plentiful on Chartley Moss, Cannock Chase, and in the Forest of Wyre. The Viper is shorter and thicker than the Common Snake, and easily distinguished by the V shaped marking on the head.
Anoura.
The Common Frog, Rana temporaria, is very abundant, and may be seen in hundreds in the ditches during March. The Common Toad, Bufo vulgaris, is also generally distributed.
Urodela.
The Common Warty-Newt, Triton cristatus, may be found in ponds throughout the district. The Smooth-Newt, Lissotriton punctatus, is a habitant of every clear horsepond, where it can be seen either basking on the bottom, or rising to the surface for air; this species often leaves the water, and hides under stones.
Chapter II.
Birds.
BY R. W. CHASE.
The district surrounding Birmingham does not present any striking or special feature to the ornithologist; but owing to its varied character, comprising as it does hill and dale, with considerable stretches of moorland and a plentiful supply of water, in rivers, reservoirs and pools, it forms haunts particularly attractive to birds.
The number of local species recorded is large, consisting of about sixty residents, forty-two migrants, and eighty occasional and rare visitors; making a total of one hundred and eighty-two species.
The large number of marine or littoral species occurring so far inland is an interesting fact to be noted, and from the records of such species as the Curlew Sandpiper, Turnstone, Ring Dotterel, Common and Arctic Terns, much valuable information might be brought to bear upon some of the knotty problems of migration. It is principally during autumn that such species are noticed, and invariably the examples obtained are immature, or birds of the year.
The classification and synonymy used in this brief summary is in accordance with the fourth edition of “Yarrell’s British Birds.”
Accipitres.
FALCONIDÆ.—Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetus, has occurred at Needwood. White-tailed Eagle, HaliÆtus albicilla, has occurred at Cannock Chase. Osprey, Pandion haliÆtus, very rare; has occurred at Witton, and near Lichfield. Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus, rare visitor; one shot at Olton, near Solihull, in December 1880; it has also occurred at Packington, Water Orton, and Polesworth, near Tamworth. Hobby, F. subbuteo, frequently taken by the birdcatchers in their nets. It has bred in Warwickshire. Merlin, F. Æsalon, not common; more frequently observed in the autumn. Kestrel, F. tinnunculus, common and generally distributed. Sparrow Hawk, Accipiter nisus, common. Kite, Milvus ictinus, has occurred at Polesworth, near Tamworth. Common Buzzard, Buteo vulgaris, an occasional visitor; has occurred at Alcester and Sutton Coldfield. Rough-legged Buzzard, B. lagopus, very rare; twice obtained in the neighbourhood of Coleshill. Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus, very rare; has occurred at Stoneleigh. Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, a rare visitor; has occurred at Alcester. Marsh Harrier, C. Æruginosus, very rare; has been obtained at Elford, near Tamworth.
STRIGIDÆ.—Tawny Owl, Strix aluco, fairly common in wooded districts. Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, fairly abundant and breeds here. Short-eared Owl, A. accipitrinus, an autumn migrant. Barn Owl, Aluco flammeus, abundant.
Passeres.
LANIIDÆ.—Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excubitor, frequently occurs during autumn and winter; it has been taken at Wylde Green, November 14th, 1871, and at Rubery Hill, October 31st, 1881. Red-backed Shrike, L. collurio, generally distributed and breeds here.
MUSCICAPIDÆ.—Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa grisola, a common summer visitor. Pied Flycatcher, M. atricapilla, rare.
ORIOLIDÆ.—Golden Oriole, Oriolus galbula, one was obtained at Barton, near Tamworth.—“Zoologist,” 1871, p. 2639.
CINCLIDÆ.—Dipper, Cinclus aquaticus, very rare in the district; one was shot at Handsworth, January 12th, 1882.
TURDIDÆ.—Missel Thrush, Turdus viscivorus, common and breeds here. Song Thrush, T. musicus, common. Redwing, T. iliacus, winter visitor. Fieldfare, T. pilaris, winter visitor. Blackbird, T. merula, abundant everywhere and increasing. Ring Ouzel, T. torquatus, not common, has occurred at Wylde Green and Gravelly Hill.
SYLVIIDÆ.—Hedge sparrow, Accentor modularis, abundant. Redbreast, Erithacus rubecula, common and resident. Nightingale, Daulias luscinia, not very plentiful throughout the district, but to be found fairly numerous in favoured localities, and breeds here. Bluethroat, Ruticilla suecica, very rare; once occurred near Birmingham, (“Yarrell’s British Birds,” Vol. i., p. 322). Redstart, R. phoenicurus, common summer visitor. Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, and Whinchat, S. rubetra, are to be met with in suitable localities. Wheatear, S. oenanthe, common in spring; generally arrives about the middle of March, Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus streperus, a summer visitor and breeds here. Sedge Warbler, A. schoenobÆnus, plentiful throughout the district. Grasshopper Warbler, A. nÆvius, far from common; has occurred at Barnt Green, Alcester, Sutton, Tamworth; breeds here sparingly. Whitethroat, Sylvia rufa, abundant in summer. Lesser Whitethroat, S. curruca, not so abundant as the previous species. Garden Warbler, S. salicaria, common summer migrant. Blackcap, S. atricapilla, locally distributed. Wood Wren, Phylloscopus sibilatrix, common during summer, especially in the neighbourhood of Selly Oak. Willow Wren, P. trochilus, abundant. Chiffchaff, P. collybita, one of the earliest summer migrants. Golden-crested Wren, Regulus cristatus, frequently breeds here.
TROGLODYTIDÆ.—Wren, Troglodytes parvulus, abundant.
CERTHIIDÆ.—Tree Creeper, Certhia familiaris, common; especially in Sutton Park.
SITTIDÆ.—Nuthatch, Sittia cÆsia, generally to be met with where old trees abound. Aston, Edgbaston, and Sutton Coldfield are localities where it has been observed.
PARIDÆ.—Titmouse, Parus. This genus is well represented, those species which occur being plentiful.
AMPELIDÆ.—Waxwing, Ampelis garrulus, rare; has occurred at irregular intervals; one shot in the grounds of Aston Hall, by a gamekeeper of James Watt, Esq., about the year 1845, and another at Rednal, Jan. 30, 1882.
MOTACILLIDÆ.—Pied Wagtail, Motacilla lugubris, common. Grey Wagtail, M. sulphurea, has been observed several times in full summer plumage, and probably breeds in the district. Yellow Wagtail, M. raii, regular summer migrant. Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis, not rare, but local. Meadow Pipit, A. pratensis, common.
ALAUDIDÆ.—Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis, resident and common. Wood Lark, A. arborea, rare.
EMBERIZIDÆ.—Snow bunting, Plectrophanes nivalis, rare; has occurred at Harborne. Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus, generally to be met with in suitable localities. Yellow Bunting, E. citrinella, abundant. Bunting, E. miliaria, frequent.
FRINGILLIDÆ.—Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, common. Brambling, F. montifringilla, occasionally occurs in the winter. Tree sparrow, Passer montanus, very local in distribution. House Sparrow, P. domesticus, abundant everywhere. Hawfinch, Coccothraustes vulgaris, more plentiful than formerly; now breeds regularly in the district. Greenfinch, C. chloris, common. Goldfinch, Carduelis elegans, scarce. Siskin, C. spinus, occasionally occurs in the winter. Lesser Redpoll, Linota rufescens, common and resident. Linnet, L. cannabina, common and resident. Bullfinch, Pyrrhula europÆa, generally distributed throughout the district. Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra, rare; a pair were shot in Aston Park about 1845; it has also occurred at Solihull and Wylde Green.
STURNIDÆ.—Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, abundant and resident.
CORVIDÆ.—Crow, Corvus corone, not rare. Grey crow, C. cornix, mostly noticed during winter; the nest of this species was taken in Sutton Park, May, 1883. Rook, C. frugilegus, abundant and increasing. Jackdaw, C. monedula, common. Magpie, Pica rustica, common in localities not strictly preserved. Jay, Garrulus glandarius, common in large woods.
HIRUNDINIDÆ.—Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Martin, Chelidon urbica, and the Sand Martin, Cotyle riparia, are all common summer visitors.
PicariÆ.
CYPSELIDÆ.—Swift, Cypselus apus, summer visitor, rather local.
CAPRIMULGIDÆ.—Night-jar, Caprimulgus europÆus, generally distributed; frequenting woods adjoining heaths; especially plentiful in Sutton Park.
CUCULIDÆ.—Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, summer migrant.
UPUPIDÆ.—Hoopoe, Upupa epops, an accidental visitor; has been shot at Witton, Quinton, Oscott, and Baddesley near Tamworth.
ALCEDINIDÆ.—Kingfisher, Alcedo ispida, fairly numerous; to be met with on most of the rivers and brooks.
PICIDÆ.—Green Woodpecker, Gecinus viridis, not common, but breeds. Greater spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopus major, scarce. Lesser spotted Woodpecker, D. minor, often obtained, but by no means common. Wryneck, Jynx torquilla, summer migrant, rather local in distribution.
ColumbÆ.
COLUMBIDÆ.—Ring Dove, Columba palumbus, common. Stock Dove, C. oenas, not numerous, but often met with. Turtle Dove, Turtur communis, occurs in considerable numbers and breeds here.
Pterocletes.
PTEROCLIDÆ.—Pallas’ Sand Grouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus, very rare; has occurred in Staffordshire; also at Swinfen near Tamworth. (“Zoologist,” 1873, p. 3,801).
GallinÆ.
TETRAONIDÆ.—Black grouse, Tetrao urogallus, formerly common, now nearly extinct; a brace shot in Sutton Park, October, 1871. Red grouse, Lagopus scoticus, very rare.
PHASIANIDÆ.—Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, common in preserves. Partridge, Perdix cinerea, common. Red-legged partridge, Caccabis rufa, occasionally met with; has been shot at Ladbrook, and Great Barr. Quail, Coturnix communis, rare; has been obtained near Tamworth.
FulicariÆ.
RALLIDÆ.—Land Rail, Crex pratensis, common summer migrant. Spotted Crake, Porzana maruetta, occurs more frequently in autumn; the nest has been taken in Sutton Park. Water rail, Rallus aquaticus, more rare than formerly. Moor Hen, Gallinula chloropus, common. Common Coot, Fulica atra not rare.
Alectorides.
OTIDIDÆ.—Little Bustard, Otis tetrax, once at Thickthorn, near Tamworth.
LimicolÆ.
CHARADRIIDÆ.—Cream-coloured Courser, Cursorius gallicus, has been obtained at Yoxall. Dotterel, Eudromias morinellus, very rare; has occurred at Cannock Chase 1875, and at Perry Barr, 1882. Ringed Plover, Ægialitis hiaticula, rare; occasionally met with in autumn. Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis, rare. Lapwing, Vanellus vulgaris, common and resident. Turnstone, Strepsilas interpres, very rare. Oyster-catcher, HÆmatopus ostralegus, has been obtained at Yoxall.
SCOLOPACIDÆ.—Red-necked Phalarope, Phalaropus hyperboreus, has occurred once at Tamworth. Woodcock, Scolopax rusticula, rare. Great Snipe, Gallinago major, one obtained at Polesworth and another is said to have been seen in Sutton Park(?). Common Snipe, G. coelestis, winter visitor; breeds here in small numbers. Jack Snipe, G. gallinula, winter visitor; not numerous. Dunlin, Tringa alpina, very rare; has occurred at Small Heath. Curlew Sandpiper, T. subarquata, rare; a small flock seen in the neighbourhood of Barnt Green in September, 1885. Ruff, Machetes pugnax, very rare; once occurred at Sutton Coldfield. Bartram’s Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda, once near Warwick, on October 31st, 1851 (Zool. pp. 3,330, 3,388, 4,254). Common Sandpiper, Totanus hypoleucus, summer visitor; it is probable this species breeds in the district. Wood Sandpiper, T. glareola, very rare, once occurred at the Sewage Farm. Green Sandpiper, T. ochropus, has occurred at Packington, near Tamworth. Redshank, T. calidris, rare; has occurred at the Sewage Farms; also at Sutton Coldfield and near Tamworth. Greenshank, T. canescens, occasional visitor in autumn; has occurred at Castle Bromwich. Curlew, Numenius arquata, rare; has occurred at Great Barr and Polesworth.
GaviÆ.
LARIDÆ.—Black Tern, Hydrochelidon nigra, often occurs in spring and autumn. Sandwich Tern, Sterna cantiaca, occasional visitor; more frequently observed towards autumn. Common Tern, Sterna fluviatilis, often observed during spring and autumn migration; chiefly birds of the year during the latter period. Arctic Tern, S. macrura, the same remarks apply to this species as to S. fluviatilis. Sabine’s Gull, Xema sabinii, once occurred near Coleshill, in October, 1883. Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus, not rare; frequently met with during spring on some of the large reservoirs. Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus, rare; has been shot at Bromsgrove and Handsworth. Great Black-backed Gull, L. marinus, once occurred at Shustoke, September 20th, 1874. Large Gulls are often observed passing over, which probably belong to this species. Common Gull, L. canus, rare, has been shot near Alcester. Kittiwake Gull, Rissa tridactyla, rare; occasionally seen during winter. Pomatorhine Skua, Stercorarius pomatorhinus, very rare; considering the unusual number of Skuas that appeared during the autumn of 1879, it is rather surprising that more examples were not noticed in this district, very few being shot. Buffon’s Skua, S. parasiticus; an immature bird was shot on Lichfield Racecourse in October 1874.
Tubinares.
PROCELLARIIDÆ.—Manx Shearwater, Puffinus anglorum; an immature bird was picked up exhausted in the Chandos road in this town, September 5th, 1880. Forked-tailed Petrel, Cymochorea leucorrhoa, very rare. One picked up September 4th, 1883, dead in a yard, in Guildford street in this town, and subsequently recorded in the local papers as Procellaria pelagica. Stormy Petrel, P. pelagica, has occurred too many times to particularize each instance.
Pygopodes.
ALCIDÆ.—Little Auk, Mergulus alle, very rare; several instances are on record of its occurrence in the district, one was obtained in November, 1863. Puffin, Fratercula arctica; one picked up in Broad street in this town, in an exhausted condition, 1884.
COLYMBIDÆ.—Great Northern Diver, Colymbus glacialis, very rare; one was obtained at Tipton, January 8th, 1877.
PODICIPEDIDÆ.—Great crested Grebe, Podiceps cristatus, generally distributed throughout the district, and far from rare; breeds regularly at Sutton Coldfield, Little Aston, and Barnt Green. Sclavonian Grebe, P. auritus; one shot at Sutton Coldfield, in December, 1868. Little Grebe, P. fluviatilis, not rare; breeds sparingly in suitable localities; small flocks or families are often observed during the autumn and winter, especially on the river Tame.
Steganopodes.
PELECANIDÆ.—Common Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, a rare occasional visitor. Shag, P. graculus, very rare; has occurred twice in the neighbourhood of King’s Norton, also near Tamworth. The Gannet, Sula bassana, one taken exhausted in a field of potatoes near Tamworth.
Herodiones.
ARDEIDÆ.—Common Heron, Ardea cinerea, generally to be met with. There are several Heronries in the county of Warwick. Little Egret, Ardea garzetta, said to have been obtained at Sutton Coldfield, many years ago. Night heron, Nycticorax griseus, one obtained near Alcester. Common Bittern, Botaurus stellaris, more rare than formerly; a great many examples have been obtained from time to time, especially in the neighbourhood of Sutton Coldfield.
OdontoglossÆ.
PHŒNICOPTERIDÆ.—Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus; one stated to have been shot in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton, but probably an escaped bird.
Anseres.
ANATIDÆ.—Brent Goose, Bernicla brenta, scarce; two shot at King’s Norton, October 24th, 1882, during stormy weather; has also been obtained near Tamworth. Flocks of geese are often observed passing overhead, but of course it is impossible to determine to what species they belong. Canada Goose, B. canadensis, has been shot several times in the district, whether escaped specimens or not, it is difficult to say, as this species is often kept in a semi-wild state. Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, is to be found upon many large pools and ornamental waters; breeds here plentifully. Polish Swan, C. immutabilis, once occurred at Earlswood reservoir. Ruddy Sheld-Duck, Tadorna casarca, has been shot at Nechells, also at Yardley Wood; probably escaped birds. Common Sheld-Duck, T. cornuta, rare visitor. A magnificent male was shot at Hawkesbury, near Coventry, in 1881. Mallard, Anas boscas, plentiful on some pools; breeds throughout the district. Gadwall, A. strepera, very rare; one shot near Lichfield in December, 1873. Shoveller, Spatula clypeata, formerly bred in Staffordshire, but very scarce of late years; one shot at Sutton Coldfield, in 1867. Teal, Querquedula crecca, sparingly met with, a few pairs breed in the district; the nest has several times been taken in Sutton Park. Widgeon, Mareca penelope, winter visitor; often seen in large flocks upon the reservoirs and pools during severe weather. Scaup, Fuligula marila, has occurred once at Wichnor near Tamworth. Pochard, F. ferina, rare; has been shot near Tamworth. Tufted Duck, F. cristata, very rare; a male was shot in Aston Park many years ago, by a gamekeeper of James Watt, Esq. Golden Eye, Clangula glaucion, one shot near Tamworth. Goosander, Mergus merganser, an accidental visitor in winter; specimens obtained are generally either immature birds or females. Red-breasted Merganser, M. serrator, very scarce; only young birds have been obtained. Smew, M. albellus, very rare. A female was shot on the canal at Selly Oak, about fifteen years ago. Another example of this species was obtained at Elford, near Tamworth.
Chapter III.
Fishes and Mollusca.
BY G. SHERRIFF TYE.
I.—FISHES.
The waters within easy reach of Birmingham afford to those interested in the Natural History of Fishes excellent opportunities for study, and are much resorted to by anglers. To those who do not incline to the study of fish or fishing, it will probably be a matter of surprise to know the abundance and excellence of the individuals, and the variety of species occurring within an hour’s walk of the centre of our town. Of the river Tame, a well-known angler states: “In my opinion this is a remarkable little river; in three and a half miles it contains in abundance at least ten species of fish, viz., trout, pike, chub, tench, perch, roach, rudd, dace, gudgeon, minnow, all of which, except the pike, attain to a size equal to any in rivers or pools within a hundred miles of Birmingham.” Large fish are not so common now as formerly, but probably this river will recover, and attain its wonted excellence, when the “Black Country” sewerage works are completed.
The river Cole is a fine trout stream. The river Blythe, Coleshill, is an excellent stream, especially for eels. The river Trent with its tributaries, the Anker, Tame, and Mease, is celebrated for many species of fish, and is a great resort of anglers. Earlswood and the Corporation reservoirs, the pools at Sutton Coldfield, Great Barr Park, King’s Norton, Barnt Green, and many others are all well stocked with fish, and will render fine examples to all who seek them.
The writer’s thanks are cordially rendered to members of the Birmingham Piscatorial Association and to other gentlemen for valuable information, kindly given, respecting the localities and habitats of Fishes. The weights of the largest specimens recorded, have all been verified by the anglers who have taken them.
The classification adopted in this paper is that of “Yarrell’s British Fishes,” second edition, 1841.
The number of local species recorded is thirty-three.
Acanthopterygii.
Perch, Perca fluviatilis, accommodates itself to either river or pool, the former producing the cleanest and handsomest fish. It has been taken of fine size, 4½ lbs., Rotton Park Reservoir; 3½ lbs., Tardebigg; 3 lbs., Rotton Park Reservoir; 2 lbs. to 3 lbs. from Old Soho Pool, now the site of a Railway Wharf.
Ruffe, Acerina vulgaris, not uncommon, river Trent, Alrewas. The writer has taken a number from a pool near Wednesbury.
Miller’s Thumb, Cottus gobio, is to be met with in most of our little rivulets, lurking under stones.
The Rough-tailed three-spined Stickleback, Gasterosteus trachurus; ubiquitous. The males in the breeding season are resplendent in scarlet and green, and fight for supremacy. It is remarkable with what ease individuals accommodate themselves to sea water. The Smooth-tailed Stickleback, G. leiurus; the Short-spined Stickleback, G. brachycentus; the Four-spined Stickleback, G. spinulosus and the Ten-spined Stickleback, G. pungitius; although not so common as G. trachurus, are all found in ditches communicating with the river Anker, at Tamworth.
Abdominal Malacopterygii.
Carp, Cyprinus carpio. The writer has had one of large size from Plants Brook Reservoir, 7½ lbs., and has seen a larger one in the pool. The largest recorded was from Sandwell Pool, 12 lbs.
Crucian Carp, C. carassius, is not uncommon; the writer has seen numbers of them taken from small cattle pits on a farm in Warwickshire. It is a pretty and hardy species in an aquarium.
Gold Carp, C. auratus, the well known “gold-fish,” used to breed in a pool at West Bromwich, into which warm water from an engine flowed, but it is not found there now.
Barbel, Barbus vulgaris, is found in abundance in the River Trent, but in general size not to be compared with those taken in the Thames. River Trent, 7½ lbs. and 8 lbs.
Gudgeon, Gobio fluviatilis, in streams fairly common, also in canals, but rare in pools. Earlswood Reservoir.
Tench, Tinca vulgaris, not uncommon; of large size at Handsworth, Sutton Coldfield, and near Barnt Green, in pools; plentiful at the latter place, rivers Tame, Anker, &c.; 3 lbs. Edgbaston Pool. It is one of the easiest fishes to keep in confinement. A golden variety of this species is bred in the private pools of gentlemen in this country, it is said to have been introduced from Germany. Fine specimens were to be seen at the recent Fisheries Exhibition in London.
Bream, Abramis brama, in the larger rivers. When this species assembles, after an overnight’s baiting, it may often be taken in great numbers. 5 lbs. River Trent. The writer has known a few hours’ fishing in a Warwickshire stream to yield sufficient fine fishes of this species to fill a hamper as much as a couple of men could carry.
Roach, Leuciscus rutilus, occurs very commonly and of large size; old Soho Pool, 3 lbs. weight, a truly noble fish; Sharpley Reservoir, 2 lbs.
Dace, Leuciscus vulgaris, River Trent, 14 ozs.
Chub, Leuciscus cephalus, River Tame, 5½ lbs. 5 lbs. and many approaching that weight.
Rudd or Red-eye, Leuciscus erythropthalmus. In the River Tame.
Bleak, Leuciscus alburnus. In streams and in Earlswood Reservoir. A friend remarks, “I have taken this species in Earlswood Reservoir, and Gudgeon also, the only instance I have met with where these two river fish have occurred in a pool.” They were probably bred from escaped bait.
Minnow, Leuciscus phoxinus, common in many streams.
Loach, Cobitis barbatula, is found in streamlets in many places. The writer has taken it at Handsworth. It is said to be delicate food.
The Spined-Loach, Botia tÆnia, is rarer than the preceding. It has been taken in the Rivers Anker and Tame at Tamworth.
Pike, Esox lucius, is found in large pools and rivers. 26 lbs.; 25 lbs. 6 oz., Earlswood Reservoir; 23 lbs., Middleton Pool; 22 lbs. 6 oz., Pebble Mill Pool; 12 and 13 lbs., Sutton Park. The writer could relate many instances of the voracity of the Pike, and incidents of sport,—one must suffice. A Pike was hooked near some floodgates in the Tame, and on taking out the hook he found that it had gone through a Water-Shrew, which the fish had just taken, and still held in its mouth.
Salmon, the king of British fishes, Salmo salar, comes legitimately within our radius of twenty miles. It has been taken from the Eel traps in the River Tame at Tamworth; in the River Trent at Yoxall; and in the River Severn at Bewdley. At the last mentioned place a specimen weighing 40 lbs. has been captured.
Common Trout, S. fario, Bourne Brook, Fazeley, 7 lbs.; River Tame, 5½ lbs., 4 lbs. several, and many below that weight; River Trent, 4 lbs. 2 ozs.; River Cole, Packington.
Lochleven Trout, S. Levenensis. In April, 1884, the Water Department of the Corporation of Birmingham stocked their new reservoir (90 acres) at Shustoke with 3,000 of this fish. The reservoir at Witton was stocked with 2,000 fish at the same time. They were yearlings, about 3 inches long, and are now (August, 1886) from 2 lbs. to 3¼ lbs. in weight. These reservoirs will therefore in a few years be good places for this species of Trout.
Grayling, Thymallus vulgaris, River Trent, Shenstone, 2 lbs.; Alrewas, 17 ozs.; Bourne Brook, Fazeley.
Subbrachial Malacopterygii.
The Burbot, Lota vulgaris, the only British species of the family of the GadidÆ that lives permanently in fresh water, is found in the River Anker at Tamworth, the largest fish recorded being 5 lbs.; 3 lbs. 2 ozs.
Apodal Malacopterygii.
The Sharp-nosed Eel, Anguilla acutirostris, and the Broad-nosed Eel, Anguilla latirostris. In rivers and pools generally. Fine specimens of A. acutirostris are taken in the River Blythe, some weighing 4 lbs. each. The third species of Eel mentioned by Yarrell, the Snig, A. mediorostris, occurs with the two others in the Worcestershire Avon, and doubtless finds its way into the Arrow and other tributary streams. It differs from the two preceding species, being much smaller, individuals rarely exceeding half a pound each; and in its habit of roving and feeding by day. It is of superior flavour to its congeners. The Snig may easily be distinguished by the first five cervical vertebrÆ, which are smooth and free from spinous processes, always present in the sharp-nosed and broad-nosed Eels.
Chondropterygii.
Lampern or river Lamprey, Petromyzon fluviatilis. In the River Trent, and also the Tame and in streamlets, Sutton Park, &c.
II.—MOLLUSCA.
The district around Birmingham is an excellent field for terrestrial and fluviatile Mollusca. Within a circle of twelve miles radius, which includes a portion of the Counties of Warwick, Stafford, and Worcester, can be found fifty per cent. of the species and varieties enumerated in Dr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys’ “British Conchology.” No special quality of soil or geological condition is required for the existence of Molluscs; whatever the nature of the ground may be, some species or other will reward the searcher. The number of terrestrial species is usually the greatest where limestone is present; indeed some species do not seem able to maintain their existence away from it, e.g., Helix ericetorum, H. virgata, H. arbustorum, and Cyclostoma elegans. The still beautiful grounds of Dudley Castle were once “happy hunting grounds” for the collectors of Mollusca, but the smoke of a thousand fires has cast a baleful influence over the locality. The dead shells of species, once abundant, are conclusive evidence that the Molluscan fauna do not now enjoy a congenial atmosphere in that neighbourhood. Helix arbustorum, may, notwithstanding, still be found there, its nearest proximity to Birmingham.
Among the noticeable species of the district may be mentioned Testacella Haliotidea, found in the garden of a florist at Redditch; Succinea virescens, (Morelet) = S. putris var. vitrea (Jeffreys), which the writer has taken near Plants Brook Reservoir; Zonites glaber, found near Solihull; Helix Cantiana,[62] Henley-in-Arden; H. virgata, Grafton, near Alcester; Balia perversa, Fenny Compton, Northamptonshire. The three last named species are outside the twelve miles radius.
Conchifera.
The Midlands are rich in fluviatile forms, nearly all the known British species occur. Those worth noting among the SphÆriidÆ are—SphÆrium corneum, var. Scaldiana, Acock’s Green; S. corneum, var. flavescens, Plants Brook; S. rivicola and S. ovale, Acock’s Green and Rushall Canal. S. lacustre is not uncommon, and is found abundantly in a pond at Handsworth.
The Pisidia are well represented, four out of our five species occurring. It is curious that the large form Pisidium amnicum has not hitherto been taken in the district. The writer took P. roseum[63] from several ponds at Meriden in 1885-6.
The UnionidÆ are extremely plentiful, and the two species Unio tumidus and U. pictorum attain to an immense size. In the writer’s cabinet are examples of U. pictorum of the following dimensions—2¹/16 in. × 5¹/16, 2¹/16 in. × 5¼, 2³/16 in. × 5¼, some of them weighing nearly 4 ounces avoirdupois; and of U. tumidus, 25/16 in. × 4¾, 2? in. × 4?, 2¾ in. × 5, the weight of some examples reaching nearly 6 ounces avoirdupois. These are probably the finest shells of their kind ever taken anywhere. Anodonta cygnea is common, and its varieties incrassata, Zellensis, pallida, and rostrata occur. A. anatina, and the varieties radiata and ventricosa are found; handsome shells of the latter occur at Barr Park and in the river Blythe at Coleshill. Dreissena polymorpha is commonly distributed.
Gasteropoda.
In the order Pectinibranchiata, Neritina fluviatilis, the only representative in England of a genus of world-wide distribution, has occurred in the river Tame at Aston, but the writer believes is not now to be found there. One of our two species of PaludinidÆ, Paludina vivipara,[64] Bythinia tentaculata, B. Leachii, and Valvata piscinalis make up the list of operculate water snails.
Among the LimnÆidÆ examples of the following genera occur. In the genus Planorbis we find all the species except Planorbis lineatus, excluding of course P. dilatatus (Gould), which only occurs at Manchester, having been introduced on cotton from America. The epiphragm formed by P. spirorbis, in summer, when the solar heat has dried up its habitat, is a singular item of its economy. It is supposed that this habit enabled P. dilatatus to reach our shores. Physa hypnorum and P. fontinalis are both represented; they are charming inhabitants of an aquarium, their habit of thread spinning,[65] especially in the young state, makes them lively creatures; the lobed mantle of P. fontinalis, nearly enclosing the shell, gives a peculiar character to the animal.
Of the six species of LimnÆa[66] which occur, it will not be needful to mention more than one, which is the rarest with us, viz.: LimnÆa glabra. Both species of Ancylus are moderately common.
Of terrestrial Mollusca we enumerate the following LimacidÆ—Arion ater, A. hortensis, Limax marginatus, L. flavus, L. agrestis, L. arborum, L. maximus, and as before said one of the TestacellidÆ viz., T. Haliotidea. Among the HelicidÆ of course the common kinds are all present. Of the genus Zonites we have the following species: Zonites cellarius, Z. glaber, Z. alliarius, and its var. viridula, Z. nitidulus, Z. purus, and its var. margaritacea, Z. radiatulus, Z. nitidus, Z. excavatus (one only, at Knowle), Z. crystallinus. Among the smaller species of Helix, attention may be called to the following: H. aculeata, a minute spiny coronet; H. pygmÆa, the smallest of known Helices; Helix fusca, taken in two localities only, at Knowle and Selly Oak. Of the four species of Pupa found in Britain, two only occur, Pupa umbilicata and P. marginata. Of the latter species a colony of the white variety has been found inhabiting a wall at Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire. Only two out of our eleven species of Vertigo have occurred, viz.: Vertigo edentula and its variety columella, and V. pygmÆa. Two ClausiliÆ are found, Clausilia laminata and C. rugosa. It is somewhat singular that of the four species inhabiting this country the last named is ubiquitous, while C. Rolphii and C. biplicata are local. The writer has taken the rare albino form of C. rugosa, at Selly Oak. That exquisite shell, Cochlicopa tridens, var. crystallina, has been taken in three places; the type is largely distributed in our neighbourhood, whereas in others it is rare, while C. lubrica is widespread in England. Achatina acicula, dead shells only, Dudley Castle. Carychium minimum is commonly distributed.
In giving this outline of the Molluscan Fauna of our neighbourhood, the writer has called attention to the valuable papers on Embryology by Professor E. Ray Lankester, as shedding great light on the affinities of the Mollusca with other groups.
Chapter IV.
Insects.
BY W. G. BLATCH.
The neighbourhood of Birmingham, and in fact the Midland district generally, has never been considered particularly rich in either the number or variety of its insect productions, and it is a fact that a collection of Midland species, of whatever order, shows very wide gaps, both in genera and species, when compared with one formed in the east or south of England. Nevertheless, the Midland Counties are not entirely barren in this respect, and a catalogue of the insects known to occur within a radius of twenty miles of Birmingham would be a very respectable one. During the last few years a large number of very interesting species have been discovered, and there can be no doubt that with more workers and greater enthusiasm considerable additions would continue to be made. By extending the radius somewhat our list would embrace a good array of species which seem to be peculiar to the Midlands, such as Bembidium adustum, Eutheia clavata, Euplectus nubigena, Teredus nitidus, Macronychus quadrituberculatus, Hylecoetus dermestoides, Tropideres sepicola, BagÖus diglyptus, Notodonta bicolor, &c., &c. At any rate these insects have not hitherto been detected in any other British localities. It is much to be regretted that local entomology suffers greatly from two untoward circumstances, viz., the lack of students and the want of a carefully compiled list of species of the several orders. The publication of a catalogue of local insects as far as our present knowledge extends, would undoubtedly tend to stimulate the intelligent pursuit of this study, and it seems surprising that such an important work has not long ago been undertaken by the Natural History Societies of the district.
Having regard to the limited space allowed for this paper its object will, perhaps, best be secured by giving as full a list as possible, of the rarer and more interesting species belonging to the two most popular orders, viz., the Coleoptera and the Lepidoptera, together with some of the localities in which they occur. With few exceptions the references will be to insects which inhabit the twenty miles radius, a wider range being taken only in specially interesting cases, but even then it will be impossible to give anything like an adequate idea of the beetles, butterflies, and moths of the district.
To prevent the possibility of error it should be stated that the nomenclature adopted is (for the beetles) that of the “Catalogue of British Coleoptera, by Matthews and Fowler, 1883,” and (for the butterflies and moths) “Synonymic List of British Lepidoptera, by Richard South, 1884.”
Coleoptera.
This order is well represented; certain localities in the district are favourable to their existence and economy, and many rarities occur. Only one Cicindela (Cicindela campestris) inhabits our district and that is generally distributed and plentiful, especially in sandy places. The curious and elegant Cychrus rostratus is often found under stones and loose bark at Dudley and Bewdley, and the handsome Carabus nitens and its congener C. arvensis, may be taken on Cannock Chase, both species being now very scarce. Elaphrus riparius and E. cupreus occur not uncommonly in wet and boggy places. Notiophilus substriatus (generally a sea-side species) may be found occasionally on Cannock Chase, and so also may the curious Nebria livida. This latter beetle was first discovered on the Chase by Mr. J. T. Harris, and the writer has verified its occurrence there many times. It is a remarkable fact that this is the only known instance of this species inhabiting an inland locality—its head quarters being at Bridlington Quay and two or three other parts of the north-east coast—it lives in the argillaceous cliffs, and on Cannock Chase it is met with in a similar formation.
Of the curious genus Dyschirius two species only appear to have settled in our neighbourhood, viz., D. Æneus and D. globosus, both occur at Bewdley and on Cannock Chase—the latter also at Coleshill and Sutton Park.
The genus Bembidium is well represented, 33 of the 50 British species and varieties being taken in the Birmingham district. A few may be named: B. rufescens, under bark and in damp places; B. quinquestriatum, on walls at Smallheath and Olton; B. Mannerheimii, Knowle, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; B. articulatum, Knowle, Bewdley; B. nigricorne, Cannock Chase; B. monticola, Bewdley; B. Stephensi, Sutton Park; B. prasinum, Bewdley. In this connection the writer may perhaps be allowed to refer to the finding by himself of B. adustum in large numbers at Tewkesbury. This species was previously represented only by a very few old specimens, and had not been found for more than 40 years, until he had the pleasure of re-establishing it.
Patrobus assimilis is found sparingly on Cannock Chase; Trechus discus, T. micros and T. secalis, are plentiful in the river banks at Bewdley; T. micros occasionally turns up at Smallheath amongst bones placed in the garden as a trap for HomalotÆ; T. obtusus has occurred at Bewdley and Cannock Chase, and in the latter locality the writer once found a few examples of the rare T. rubens.
The important genus Pterostichus has many representatives: P. versicolor, at Solihull, Sutton Park, and Cannock Chase; P. lepidus, Cannock Chase; P. picimanus and P. anthracinus, Bewdley; P. minor, Coleshill and Cannock Chase; Platyderus ruficollis seems to be generally distributed, but scarce. Amara fulva may frequently be taken under stones in sandy places at Sutton Park, Cannock Chase, and Bewdley; A. consularis at Sutton Park and Hopwas Wood; A. spinipes, at Dudley and Bewdley; A. patricia, Cannock Chase; A. acuminata, Sutton Park; A. lunicollis, Small Heath, Sutton, Cannock Chase, and Bewdley; A. continua, A. communis, and A. ovata, at Knowle, Coleshill, and Bewdley.
Badister sodalis is to be had at Dudley and Bewdley. All the species of Calathus occur, and Taphria nivalis, a closely allied beetle, turns up now and again, singly, at Small Heath, Knowle, Bewdley, and Trench Woods. The Anchomeni are fairly well represented, and it seems very likely that additional species may yet be added to our local list. The following may be selected as most worthy of notice: Anchomenus oblongus, Bewdley; A. atratus, Coleshill, Cannock Chase, and Bewdley. A single Lebia chlorocephala was captured in hedge rubbish near Acock’s Green. Dromius quadrisignatus is a Sutton Park species, being found rarely under bark of Oak trees. Blechrus maurus, which seems decidedly out of its reckoning in a Midland locality, has been taken at Bewdley and Leamington. All the species of Metabletus occur, and are pretty generally distributed. Cymindis vaporariorum inhabits Cannock Chase, where it may be found lurking under the heather and loose stones, but is not abundant. In the same locality the curious Miscodera arctica may, in some seasons, be met with in plenty. Two species of ChlÆnius occur, viz.: C. vestitus at Bewdley, and C. nigricornis at Cannock Chase. Of the extensive genus Harpalus, the following species may be cited, it being understood that several of the commoner forms exist here in great abundance. H. puncticollis, Dudley and Bewdley; H. griseus, Cannock Chase; H. tardus, Sutton Park and Bewdley. The pretty little Acupalpus exiguus and v. luridus may be obtained by searching the Sphagnum on the margin of Coleshill Pool. All the Bradycelli, except B. placidus and B. collaris, are plentiful in the district, and in certain spots, such as Cannock Chase, they are extremely abundant. Anisodactylus binotatus occurs on Cannock Chase, but is not often to be found.
The water beetles are pretty numerously represented in the district generally, the best localities for them being Coleshill, Sutton Park, Cannock Chase, and Bewdley. It must suffice to mention a few of the rarer or more striking kinds, e.g., Brychius elevatus, at Yardley and Knowle; Haliplus cinereus, at Knowle; Hydroporus septentrionalis, Bewdley; H. marginatus, Knowle; H. picipes, Cannock Chase; H. lepidus, Knowle, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; H. duodecimpustulatus, Bewdley; H. assimilis, Sutton Park, Knowle, Cannock Chase; H. dorsalis, Yardley, Knowle; H. marginatus, Knowle; H. nigrita, Knowle, Bewdley; H. monticola, Cannock Chase; H. neglectus, Cannock Chase; H. umbrosus, Knowle; H. augustatus, Knowle; Ilybius ater, Knowle, Cannock Chase; I. guttiger, Coleshill; Agabus Solieri, Knowle; A. affinis, Sutton Park; Gyrinus caspius, Hopwas; Hydrobius picicrus, Knowle; Laccobius sinuatus, Knowle; L. alutaceus, Knowle; L. minutus, Cannock Chase; L. bipunctatus, Cannock Chase; Limnebius nitidus, Knowle, Bewdley; L. picinus, Knowle; ChÆtarthria seminulum, Cannock Chase; Helophorus Æqualis, Bewdley; H. Mulsanti, Bewdley; Hydrochus augustatus, Knowle; HydrÆna palustris, Bewdley; H. nigrita, Knowle, Bewdley; H. atricapilla, Knowle; the rare Leptinus testaceus has been taken at Needwood in the nests of wild bees. Agathidium nigripenne Sutton Park; A. lÆvigatum, Knowle, Dudley; A. atrum, Yardley, Sutton Park, Cannock Chase; A. seminulum, Coleshill, Knowle, Cannock Chase; A. varians, Knowle; A. rotundatum, Cannock Chase; A. convexum, Hopwas Wood; Amphicyllis globus, Bewdley; Leoides orbicularis, Cannock Chase; Anisotoma picea, Cannock Chase; A. litura, Knowle.
Several of the Burying Beetles—Necrophorus and Silpha—occur generally in the district, as also do many of the CholevÆ. Colons are conspicuous by their absence—only two species having put in an appearance, viz: Colon dentipes, Knowle; and C. brunneum, Knowle. The interesting groups of ScydmÆnidÆ and PselaphidÆ are remarkably well represented, but room can be found for only a few of the rarer species: e.g., ScydmÆnus exilis, Sutton Park, Hopwas Wood, Cannock Chase, Bewdley; S. angulatus, Cannock Chase; S. hirticollis, Sutton Park; Eutheia plicata, Budden Wood, E. Schaumii, Smallheath, Knowle; E. ScydmÆnoides, Knowle (abundantly); E. clavata, new to Britain, discovered by the writer in Sherwood Forest; Bryaxis impressa, Coleshill; Euplectus punctatus, Knowle, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; E. nigricans, throughout the district; E. nanus, Edgbaston, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; E. bicolor, Sutton Park, Hopwas Wood, Cannock Chase, Bewdley; E. nubigena, a very distinct species, new to Britain, discovered by the writer in Sherwood Forest in 1885.
The Brachelytra have not had much attention paid to them in the Midlands, the group being a very large one, and the species mostly difficult to determine. These insects are plentiful in the district and many rare forms occur. A few only, comparatively, can be here specified:—Ischnoglossa corticina, Olton, Sutton Park, Old Hill; Thiasophila angulata, Hopwas Wood, Bewdley (Ants’ Nests); Dinarda Markelii, Bewdley (in Ants’ Nests); Atemeles emarginatus, Bewdley (in Ants’ Nests); Ilyobates nigricollis, Callicerus obscurus, C. rigidicornis, Knowle; Tachyusa scitula, Bewdley; Ocyusa maura, Coleshill; O. picina, Sutton Park, Bewdley; Oxypoda exoleta, Smallheath, O. recondita, Budden Wood (Ants’ Nests, Formica rufa); O. sericea, new to Britain, Smallheath, Edgbaston, Knowle.
In the genus Homalota there are 160 British species, of which the writer has, up to the present, found 93 in the Birmingham district. The following may be noted: H. currax and H. insecta, Bewdley; H. pavens, Smallheath; H. eximia, Bewdley (previously only found on banks of Scotch rivers); H. luteipes, Bewdley; H. sylvicola, Coleshill, Cannock Chase, Bewdley; H. monticola, Smallheath; H. curtipennis, Sutton Park; H. autumnalis, Knowle, Old Hill, Bewdley, Middleton, near Tamworth; Gymnusa brevicollis and G. variegata occur on Cannock Chase, the latter also at Sutton Park; Megacronus inclinans may be found at Bewdley, and M. cingulatus at Sutton Park and Cannock Chase; Staphylinus latebricola (in Ants’ Nests), at Sutton Park and Bewdley; Philonthus fulvipes, Sutton Park; Ancyrophorus homalinus, Bewdley; Trogophloeus halophilus, Hopwas Wood(!); Deleaster dichrous and var. adustus, Bewdley; Geodromicus nigrita, Bewdley; Deliphrum tectum, Knowle; Acidota crenata, Coleshill; A. cruentata, Sutton Park; Coryphium augusticolle, Sutton Park, Knowle, Hopwas; Homalium Allardi, Smallheath; H. punctipenne, Edgbaston, Sutton Park, Knowle, Bewdley; H. deplanatum, Knowle, Cannock Chase; H. brevicorne, Knowle; H. gracilicorne, Sutton Park, Hopwas Wood; H. salicis, Sherwood Forest; Phloeocharis subtilissima and Prognatha quadricornis, Sutton Park, Needwood.
Many of the TrichopterygidÆ are found in profusion, including a good number of rare species. Ptinella testacea, P. denticollis, P. aptera, and P. angustula, are all plentiful in various parts of the district, from Smallheath and Knowle to Cannock Chase and Bewdley Forest. Pteryx suturalis is also generally distributed and fairly abundant. Several good species of Trichopteryx occur in hot-beds at Knowle and Edgbaston, and also on the river banks at Bewdley. Millidium trisulcatum sometimes swarms in one spot at Knowle. Ptenidium Gressneri, a new British species, may be mentioned as having been captured in 1885 at Sherwood Forest. Triplax russica abounds on Cannock Chase, and T. Ænea may be taken sparingly at Needwood. The very rare Teredus nitidus, after being lost sight of for nearly 50 years, was again found in Sherwood Forest by the writer in 1884 and 1885. Myrmetes piceus, Hopwas Wood, Bewdley; Gnathoncus rotundatus, Cannock Chase; var. punctulatus, Knowle; AbrÆus granulum, Salford Priors; Plegaderus dissectus, Cannock Chase, Salford Priors; EpurÆa augustula, Sutton Park; Cryptarcha strigata and C. imperialis, Knowle; Rhizophagus: nine of the species occur in the neighbourhood of Birmingham, and the tenth, R. coeruleipennis has been taken at Matlock; Thymalus limbatus, Cannock Chase; PsammÆchus bipunctatus, Coleshill, Sutton Park; Antherophagus nigricornis, Bewdley; A. silaceus, Marston Green, Bewdley; A. pallens, Solihull, Bewdley; Myrmecoxenus, vaporariorum, Edgbaston, Knowle; Scaphidium quadrimaculatum may be taken at Cannock Chase and Bewdley; Diphyllus lunatus, in the same localities and also near Knowle; Byrrhus fasciatus and B. dorsalis, at Cannock Chase; Georyssus pygmÆus, Bewdley. The remarkable beetle, Macronychus quadrituberculatus, should be included in this list, its only British habitat being the river Dove, near Burton-on-Trent.
Coming now to the Lamellicornia, the following species may be noted: Lucanus cervus, Bewdley; Dorcus parallelopipedus, Bewdley, Cannock Chase, Salford Priors; Aphodius tesselatus and A. porcus, Sutton Park; Ammoecius brevis, Bewdley (banks of Severn); Trox sabulosus and T. scaber, Bewdley and Cannock Chase; Hoplia philanthus, Bewdley, Knowle, &c. Of the Serricornia, a few examples may be given: e.g., Agrilus augustatus and A. laticornis, Bewdley; the brilliant Trachys troglodytes, quite a Southern species, which the writer has on several occasions captured in an old pasture at Knowle; Elater coccinatus, Sherwood; E. pomorum, Cannock Chase; E. balteatus, Coleshill, Sutton Park, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; AthÖus rhombeus, Sherwood; Corymbites pectinicornis, C. cupreus, and var. Æruginosus, C. Æneus, Knowle, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; Sericosomus brunneus and v. fugax, Cannock Chase; Hydrocyphon deflexicollis, Bewdley; Scirtes hemisphÆricus, Cannock Chase; Lampyris noctiluca is spread over the whole district, but is most abundant in Bewdley Forest; Malachius Æneus is found at Knowle, and Haplocnemus impressus at Sutton Park; Clerus formicarius occurs at Salford Priors; Hylecoetus dermestoides and Sphindus dubius at Cannock Chase and Sherwood Forest; Niptus crenatus and Hedobia imperialis occur at Knowle.
Of the Longicornia, it must suffice to mention the following:—Prionus coriarius, Aston and Cannock Chase; Callidium alni, Knowle; Clytus mysticus, Bewdley; Pachyta collaris and P. octomaculata, Bewdley; Strangalia quadrifasciata, Bewdley and Cannock Chase; S. nigra, Bewdley.
Many of the DonaciÆ are plentiful, perhaps the most interesting local species being D. affinis, which is found at Knowle.
Clythra tridentata and C. quadripunctata inhabit Bewdley Forest, but C. tridentata is very rarely met with. Cryptocephalus coryli, C. punctiger, and C. fulcratus may be beaten out of birches on Cannock Chase, and at Chartley the Scotch species, C. decempunctatus, has been taken.
Salpingus ater is at Knowle, and S. castaneus at Coleshill and Cannock Chase. The curious Notoxus monoceros is abundant at Kidderminster and Bewdley.
Among the Rhynchophora the following may be noted: Platyrhinus latirostris and Anthribus albinus, Salford Priors; Tropideres sepicola, Budden Wood (unique); Choragus Sheppardi, Salford Priors; Apion Hookeri, Knowle and Trench Woods; A. filirostre, Trench Woods; CÆnopsis fissirostris and C. Waltoni, Cannock Chase, also on Hartlebury Common; Cleonus sulcirostris, Erdington; Coeliodes geranii and C. exiguus, Bewdley; Amalus scortillum, Bewdley, Salford Priors; Magdalinus barbicornis, Bewdley; Rhyncolus gracilis, Sherwood Forest is noteworthy; Phioeophthorus rhododactylus, Bewdley; Scolytus destructor, Yardley; S. intricatus and S. rugulosus, Bewdley; Xylocleptes bispinus, Sutton Park and Malvern.
Lepidoptera.
This order has received the lion’s share of attention from local collectors, with the result that a very fair proportion of the British Micro-Lepidoptera has been discovered in the district. The Micro-Lepidoptera have, however, not been looked up with any enthusiasm, and consequently our knowledge of the extent to which these interesting little moths occur about us is extremely limited.
The Rhopalocera include all the common species, and also a few which are always considered desirable by every collector. At Bewdley, Aporia cratÆgi used to be found, and doubtless could yet be obtained if carefully sought for. Leucophasia sinapis flies more or less abundantly at Bewdley Forest and Trench Woods; it has also been occasionally taken in woods near Knowle. Colias edusa always an erratic species, sometimes visits the Midlands, and has been captured at Yardley, Coleshill, Knowle, and other places. C. hyale also turned up once or twice in the district. Gonopteryx rhamni is generally distributed and plentiful. Argynnis selene, A. euphrosyne, A. aglaia, A. adippe, and A. paphia occur near Knowle, and at Bewdley they are all found in great abundance; the variety valesina has likewise been captured in the Forest. MelitÆa aurinia is not rare in certain spots near Knowle and Bewdley. Vanessa C. album may occasionally be seen flying in the streets of Birmingham, especially in the region of Sparkbrook and Moseley. V. polychloros flies at Knowle. V. antiopa has several times been captured at Bewdley; and V. io, V. atalanta, and V. cardui are met with throughout the district.
The occurrence of Limenitis sibylla has not been heard of nearer than Church Stretton, but Apatura iris has been taken in woods not far from Coventry and Leamington. Melanargia galatea is a common butterfly at Salford Priors and Trench Woods. Epinephele hyperanthes is abundant at Bewdley. The southern limit of CÆnonympha typhon appears to be Chartley Moss, where the butterfly (both light and dark forms) is anything but rare. Thecla betulÆ, T. W. album, T. pruni, and T. quercus fly at Trench Woods; T. quercus also near Knowle, at Bewdley, &c.; and T. rubi is extremely plentiful at Sutton Park and Cannock Chase. LycÆna argiolus is found in several localities near Birmingham, but abounds in the Holly Woods at Sutton Park. L. semiargus used to be taken many years since, close to Birmingham, but seems to have become quite extinct.
In the division Heterocera the following list of selected species with localities must suffice to represent the moths of the district:—Acherontia atropos, Knowle, Dudley, Bewdley; Sphinx convolvuli, Birmingham (frequent); S. ligustri, Knowle, Sutton, Bewdley; Deilephila galii and D. livornica, Birmingham (occasional); ChÆrocampa celerio, Birmingham (1868); C. nerii, Birmingham (1869); C. porcellus, Sutton Park; C. elpenor, Solihull, Hockley Heath; Smerinthus ocellatus, S. populi and S. tiliÆ are found throughout the district. Macroglossa stellatarum affects all our localities; M. fuciformis and M. bombyliformis may be found near Knowle.
Ino statices at Olton, Marston Green, Knowle; Zygoena filipendulÆ var. chrysanthemi, Bewdley Forest; Lithosia mesomella, Knowle, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; Euchelia jacobÆÆ used to be found at Saltley; Nemeophila russula and N. plantaginis, Sutton Park, Chartley Moss; Spilosoma fuliginosa, Knowle; S. mendica, Smallheath; Cossus ligniperda, throughout the district; Zeuzera pyrina, Knowle; Heterogenea limacodes, Trench Woods; Leucoma salicis, Knowle; Psilura monacha, Sutton Park; Orgyia gnostigma, Bewdley, Coventry, Cannock Chase; Saturnia pavonia, Sutton Park, Cannock Chase; Drepana sicula, Trench Woods (one larva 1885); D. binaria, near Knowle; Dicranura furcula and D. bifida, near Knowle; Pterostoma palpina, Knowle; Notodonta bicolor, Burntwood, Staffordshire; N. dictÆa, N. dictÆoides, N. dromedarius, N. zizac, N. trimacula, Knowle, Bewdley; Thyatira derasa and T. batis, Knowle, Sutton Park; Asphalia flavicornis, Knowle, Hopwas Wood, Cannock Chase; A. ridens, Hopwas Wood; Acronycta tridens, Knowle (larvÆ on Elm Trees); A. leporina, Knowle; A. aceris, Smallheath; A. alni, Smallheath, Edgbaston, Sutton Park; Nonagria arundinis, Knowle, &c.; Gortyna ochracea, Knowle, Bewdley; Agrotis suffusa, Knowle; A. ripÆ, Bewdley; TriphÆna ianthina, T. fimbria, T. interjecta, Yardley, Knowle, Bewdley, Trench Woods; Amphipyra pyramidea, Knowle; Panolus piniperda, Sutton Park; TÆniocampa gracilis, Yardley, Knowle; Anchocelis lunosa, Kidderminster; Xanthia citrago, X. fulvago, X. circellaris, Knowle; Eremobia ochroleuca, Acock’s Green, Yardley; DianthÆcia cucubali, Sparkbrook, Knowle; Hecatera serena, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster; Polia chi, throughout the district; Aplecta tincta, Knowle, Bewdley; Hadena glauca, Sutton Park, Cannock Chase; Xylocampa areola, Knowle; Calocampa vetusta, C. exoleta, Knowle, Sutton Park; Xylina ornithopus, Knowle; Cucullia verbasci, Knowle, Bewdley; C. chamomillÆ and C. umbratica, Coleshill, Knowle, Dudley; Habrostola tripartita and H. triplasia, Knowle; Plusia interrogationis, Cannock Chase; Anarta myrtilli, Sutton Park, Cannock Chase, Bewdley Forest; Heliaca tenebrata, Sparkbrook, Knowle, Bewdley; Chariclea umbra, Coleshill; Erastria fasciana, Trench Woods; Phytometra viridaria, Knowle, Coleshill, Sutton, Cannock Chase, &c.; Euclidia mi and E. glyphica, Knowle, Bewdley, Trench Woods; Catocala nupta, Knowle, Bewdley, Bromsgrove; Brephos parthenias, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; Epione apiciaria, Knowle; Venilia macularia, Angerona prunaria and Eurymene dolobraria, Bewdley Forest; Pericallia syringaria, Smallheath, Hall Green, Knowle, Bewdley; Selenia lunaria, near Birmingham, Nyssia hispidaria, Sutton Park; Biston hirtaria, Cannock Chase; Amphidasys strataria, Knowle, Sutton Park; Hemerophila abruptaria, Edgbaston, Knowle; Boarmia roboraria, Bewdley, Cannock Chase; B. consortaria, Knowle, Bewdley, Trench Woods; Tephrosia punctularia, Cannock Chase, Trench Woods; Gnophos obscuraria, Bewdley; Pseudoterpna pruniate, Knowle; Geometra papilionaria, Knowle, Bewdley; Phorodesma pustulata, Solihull; Zonosoma porata, Z. pendularia; Erdington, Knowle, Bewdley, Trench Woods; Asthena luteata, A. candidata, A. sylvata, Knowle; A. blomeri, Hoar Cross; Acidalia fumata, Chartley; A. inornata, Chartley, Cannock Chase; Timandra amataria, Knowle; Bapta temerata, Trench Woods; Macaria liturata, Hopwas Wood, Cannock Chase; Bupalis piniaria, Knowle, Sutton Park, Hopwas Wood, Cannock Chase; Minoa murinata, Bewdley Forest; Aspilates strigillaria, Bewdley, Cannock Chase, Chartley; Abraxas sylvata, Hopwas Wood; Eupithecia venosata, Sutton Park, Cannock Chase; Lobophora halterata, Trench Woods; L. viretata, Sutton Park (some seasons very abundant); L. carpinata, Hopwas Wood; Thera variata, Sutton Park, Hopwas Wood, Cannock Chase; Hypsipetes ruberata, H. trifasciata, Solihull, Sutton Park, Bewdley; Melanippe hastata, Knowle, Bewdley; Anticlea sinuata, A. rubidata, A. badiata, A. derivata, Knowle; Camptogramma fluviata, Knowle; Cidaria miata, Knowle; Carsia paludata, var. imbutata, near Birmingham.
Chapter V.
Microscopic Fauna.
BY THOMAS BOLTON, F.R.M.S.
The writer in drawing up the following summary of the local Microscopic Fauna, knowing how limited a space is allowed, has in several of the families given only the more rare and remarkable species which have come under his own observation. The organisms included in this division are abundant all round Birmingham; in the canals, reservoirs, and rivers, in the swags and catchpits, amongst the spoil heaps of the “Black Country,” and in the numerous clay-pits on the farm lands.
INSECTA.
It is desirable to call attention to the identification of the larvÆ of the Trichopterous insects Agraylea multipunctata and Oxyethira costalis, by Messrs. Kenneth J. Morton and Robert McLachlan. The perfect insects were bred from larvÆ collected in this district, as referred to in the “Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine,” May and June, 1886. So many problems in the life history of insects, having aquatic larvÆ, remain unsolved, that it is desirable that microscopists should pay more attention to this subject.
ARACHNIDA.
The curious Diving-bell Spider, Argyroneta aquatica, is found in the pools at Sutton Park; and a great variety of species of the Water-Mites is generally distributed. Mr W. Saville Kent reports that several specimens received from this district are new to science.
Tardigrada, viz., Macrobiotus Hufelandii, and other species, may be found almost everywhere, if carefully looked for amongst damp moss and decaying algÆ.
CRUSTACEA.
In this class should be mentioned the freshwater Crayfish, Astacus fluviatilis, not of course a microscopic organism; but if it were omitted here it would not appear in any of the other reports. This species is fairly distributed in most of the smaller brooks, in the canals, and larger reservoirs, but is not so abundant or so large as it is on the lime formations round Oxford. Two other large microscopic species of this class, the freshwater Shrimp, Gammarus pulex, and the water Wood-louse, Asellus vulgaris, are always present, the former busy in its office of scavenger in the sandy bottoms of the brooks and ditches, and the latter climbing about, like a monkey, amongst the water weeds, investigating the mass of living and decaying organisms with which the weeds are clothed.
Entomostraca.
The members of this sub-class are also to be found everywhere, but it is desirable to call special attention to the discovery for the first time in Great Britain of the wonderfully transparent Leptodora hyalina, at a visit of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society in 1879, to the Olton Reservoir, near Solihull. It has since been found in many localities, and is very abundant in the summer and autumn in the Warwick Canal and several reservoirs. Hyalodaphnia Kahlbergensis is very generally found with it. Argulus coregoni is found in the Birmingham and Warwick Canal. It had only been discovered in Great Britain previously in the tanks of the Royal Aquarium at Westminster, which, of course, are not used for British fish exclusively. The Fairy-shrimp, Chirocephalus diaphanus, is found in only one locality in the district, near Knowle. A few specimens of the very rare Lynceus acanthocercoides were found near Bewdley, and amongst other local finds may be mentioned Moina rectirostris, Macrothrix roseus, and Ilyocryptus sordidus.
POLYZOA.
These are generally distributed; Alcyonella fungosa, Plumatella repens, Fredericella sultana, and Paludicella Ehrenbergii cover the root-fibres under the banks of the River Avon, at Evesham. Lophopus crystallinus is occasionally found in the brooks to the south west of Birmingham. Cristatella mucedo is often very abundant in the larger reservoirs at Sutton Park, Barnt Green, Olton, &c. Fredericella and Paludicella, have several times been seen in the town water supplied by the Corporation.
ROTIFERA.
The district appears to be very rich in these organisms, and a good number of new species from this locality are enumerated in the admirable Monograph on this family now being published by Dr. C. T. Hudson and Mr. P. H. Gosse. In the five parts already published (July 12th, 1886), they record one hundred and ninety-two species, of which ninety-eight have been found in this district, twenty-two being new species. Of the fifteen FlosculariÆ eight species have been found here, viz., FlosculariÆ regalis (new), F. coronetta, F. ornata, F. cornuta, F. campanulata, F. ambigua, F. calva, and F. mutabilis (new). Stephanoceros Eichhornii may sometimes be seen quite clothing the water weeds in the canals and pools. The always attractive building Wheel-animalcule, Melicerta ringens, is occasionally present in abundance in the canals, rivers, and pools all over the district. The writer has taken Melicerta conifera several times. Melicerta tubicolaria was found by Dr. Hudson in Sutton Park, and has since been found in other localities in this district. Limnias ceratophylli is very generally abundant. Limnias annulatus has been found in two places. Œcistes cystallinus is common, and Œ. intermedius not uncommon. Although beyond the radius, it may be interesting to note that Melicerta Janus, new to England, was taken in one of the Shropshire meres, by the writer on the 23rd of June, 1886. It had only been found in Scotland before, by Mr. Hood, in 1880. The new rotifer, Œcistes umbella, was found by Mr. A. W. Wills, together with the rare Œ. pilula in a pool at Sutton Park. The charming clustered rotifer, Lacinularia socialis, only appears in the hot summer months, but was surprisingly abundant last year in the River Avon at Warwick, literally clothing the weeds with life. This rotifer was in fair abundance a few years back in the Barnt Green Reservoir, and last year in the neighbouring canal. The still more charming free-swimming clustered rotifer, Conochilus volvox, is more generally present, but is not always easy to detect, on account of its transparency and continuous quick movements. The writer has taken this rotifer in the pools at Sutton Park with a muslin net in such abundance as to form quite a jelly at the bottom of the net. He also found a new species, Conochilus dossuarius, in 1884. Of the PhilodinidÆ, the following have been found—Philodina roseola, P. citrina, P. megalotrocha, P. aculeata; Rotifer vulgaris, R. tardus, R. macroceros, R. macrurus; Actinurus Neptunius, Callidina elegans, and Adineta vaga. The rare and pretty little Microdon clavus may be found swimming about in Coleshill pool. Asplanchna, SynchÆta, Polyarthra, and Triarthra, may be netted in enormous numbers in the summer months, especially in all the canals and larger pools, and they occasionally abound in the smaller pools and even in ditches, together with a great variety of the creeping ones, such as Philodina, Rotifer, Notommata, Brachionus, AnurÆa, &c. The wonderful variety of these living together in a small ditch in Sutton Park is reported upon in a short paper read by the writer before the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society in February last, and published in the “Midland Naturalist,” July, 1886. Hydatina senta and Rhinops vitrea may be looked for amongst the Euglena viridis often seen luxuriating in farm yard drainage. The abnormal species, Pedalion mira, was found at Knowle in 1884, in fair abundance. The spiny AnurÆa longispina was found at Olton Reservoir very soon after it was first discovered in America, and it soon afterwards abounded in the town water, and may be found in most large reservoirs.
ANNELIDA, ETC.
Some interesting examples of the OligochÆta have been found in this locality, most of which have been identified by Professor E. Ray Lankester or Mr. E. C. Bousfield, and of these the following are noteworthy—ChÆtogaster limnÆi, and C. diaphanus, Nais hamata, N. lurida, N. appendiculata, and N. barbata; Stylaria parasitica, Dero digitata, D. obtusa, D. Perrieri, D. limosa, and D. crassa; Salvina serpentina, and Ælosoma quaternarium. The Cercaria (the larva of a fluke) which infests the common Water Snail, LimnÆa stagnatis, is occasionally found; also Mesostomum rostratum, Derostomum vorax, Planaria lactea, and Piscicola geometrica.
HYDROZOA.
Both Hydra vulgaris and H. viridis are of course found everywhere. Cordylophora lacustris, which is usually more abundant in brackish water, was found last year in the canal at Hamstead, near Handsworth. The writer has found it in the Stourbridge canal, and in the River Stour. Some years back the writer heard of a canal boat being docked at Dudley Port which was found to be clothed with this Hydrozoon as with velvet.
SPONGIDA.
The freshwater sponges, Spongilla fluviatilis and S. lacustris, are abundant, but no one has taken up the subject in this district, to work out the different species into which this genus is now divided.
INFUSORIA.
When Mr. W. Saville Kent was preparing his manual on this subject, he was supplied with a great variety of specimens from this district, many of which proved to be new ones. The following are worthy of mention: Anthophysa vegetans, Rhipidodendron Huxleyi, Spongomonas intestinalis; various CodosigÆ and other Choano-flagellate monads, including Salpingoeca Boltoni, Kent, (new); Euglena acus; Dinobryon sertularia; Synura uvella; Uroglena volvox (very general); Distigma proteus; Hemidinium nasutum; Peridinium tabulatum; Ceratium longicorne; Nassula ornata; Trachelius ovum; Spirostomum teres, and S. ambiguum; Stentor polymorphus, S. Barretti, S. coeruleus, and S. niger; Folliculina Boltoni, Kent (new.) The writer has found several free swimming Tintinnus, not corresponding with any that Mr. W. Saville Kent enumerates; Didinium nasutum; Trichodina pediculus; Scyphidium Fromentellii; Spirochona gemmipara; Vorticella chlorostigma, and V. monilata; Carchesium polypinum, and C. epistylidis; Zoothamnium arbuscula; Vaginicola tincta; Thuricola folliculata; Cothurnia imberbis; Ophrydium versatile, O. Eichhornii, and O. sessile; Stichotricha remex; Atineta lemnarum, A. grandis, and A. mystacina; Dendrosoma radians.
RHIZOPODA.
The following have been found: Amoeba proteus, A. verrucosa, A. radiosa, and A. villosa; Ouramoeba vorax; Lithamoeba vorax, Lankester (new); Difflugia pyriformis, D. spiralis, and D. corona; Cyphoderia umbella; Arcella vulgaris; Actinophrys sol; Raphidiophrys pallida, and R. elegans; ActinosphÆrium Eichhornii; Acanthocystis chÆtophora; Archerina Boltoni, Lankester (new); Clathrulina elegans, and Biomyxa vagans.
