1938 - The Vasculum

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R. glauca groups turning up. The bulk of the population appertained to the R. canina and R.
dumetorum groups. Of the former the representatives were var. fallens, var. mucronulata,
var. sylvularum, var. adscita and of the latter, var. urbica., var. gabrielis and var.
semiglabra. In addition, I was exceedingly pleased to add to my knowledge of the R.
tomentella fraternity by collecting var. caryophvllacea, var. decipiens, and var. obtusifolia.
The only other form taken was the denticulata variety of R. subcanina.- J.W. H. H.
The Corn Cockle (Lychnis Githago) and the Corn Bluebottle (Centaurea Cyanus) in our
Counties.
Recently, whilst in the North of Scotland, I noticed cornfields full of the Corn
Bluebottle whilst my colleague, Mr. W. A. Clark, reported that he had found the Corn Cockle
abundant on the Isle of Coll. For at least 25 years I have not seen the latter locally, although
it used to occur freely in the Team Valley. In the case of the Corn Bluebottle I have only seen
it casually of recent years, the last occasion being near Rushyford during the present summer.
As I am greatly interested in the rise and fall of these cornfield weeds, reports on the subject
of the above plants and others would be welcomed from readers.-J. W. H. H.
The Carline Thistle at Birtley.
Just before the war I noticed this plant in some quantity here on slag heaps and,
although it has not spread, it has greatly increased in numbers. It is, of course, favoured by
the lime on the heaps. Does it occur on similar heaps elsewhere?-J. W. H. H.
A Strange Bird at Craster, Northumberland.
Early in November last it was reported to me that a strange bird was daily to be
seen in a turnip field on Craster South Farm. I took little notice of these reports until on
November 19th I went over to investigate when I saw the bird for myself, though under
conditions which made it impossible for me to identify it. On the 21st I saw the bird again. It
rose from the turnips about 60 yards from me in a clear bright light so that I was well able to
see its form and colouring while in flight. Except that it was a species which I had never
previously met with, I was still unable to identify it. Most unfortunately, owing to the cover
of the turnip shaws, it was never possible to get a glimpse of the bird on the ground. On the
night of November 21st there was a frost, which knocked over the shaws; the loss of this
cover must have alarmed the bird for it was never seen again. I wrote out a detailed account
of the bird's appearance at the time I saw it and I have compared this with descriptions and
illustrations in Bird Books, and I have come to the conclusion that the bird I saw could only
have been a Little Bustard, Otis tetrax L. However, without further proof, it cannot be
accepted as a definite record.
Here is a brief description of the bird:-Size approximately that of a mallard, but
wings longer and narrower; very distinctive whistling flight, which begins directly the bird
leaves the ground: when seen on the wing at