Much of our zoological literature is scattered through periodicals and other works, which are expensive and not easy of access, and, in consequence, some difficulty is often experienced in classification, and in the determination of species. These remarks are made as an apology for any short-comings in this first attempt at a Fauna, the materials for which must always be receiving additions, and thus it can never be perfect. Much as I may feel on my own account, I must not dilate upon its imperfections, in justice to several industrious workers who have kindly assisted. Whilst dredging, the Rev. H. H. Higgins, Messrs. Webster, Samuel Archer, Marratt, and Cameron, afforded the greatest help; without their efforts much of the information relative to the creatures in the neighbouring waters could not have been obtained. The last-named gentleman undertook, single-handed, the not over agreeable or safe duty of dredging the Mersey. The entomologists of the district, almost without exception, especially Messrs. Brockholes, Warrington, Diggles, Almond, and other industrious investigators, have kindly supplied abundant facts with reference to Lepidoptera. This is the only order of Insecta which has been classified and named, as yet, for publication: Mr. Cameron, however, has a large supply of local Coleoptera, which we hope will be arranged ere long, and a list of them published. The Rev. H. H. Higgins also has commenced researches amongst Diptera and Hymenoptera, from which we may reasonably hope to have good results. The labours of Mr. Price, of Birkenhead, cannot be mentioned in terms of sufficient praise; his discoveries, not only locally but elsewhere, have secured him a high reputation; he also has been liberal with information. The name of Mr. R. Tudor, of Bootle, must always be associated with the zoology of the neighbourhood as the original discoverer of many species. Mr. W. H. Weightman has been good enough to contribute by his researches amongst Entomostraca. Mr. W. Webster's intimate knowledge of birds, mollusca, &c. has been freely imparted, and of much assistance. I am much indebted to the talented authors of the "British Nudibranchiate Mollusca;" to Mr. Alder, for correspondence always prompt and valuable; and to Mr. Hancock, for the very faithful drawing of "Antiopa Hyalina," a coloured engraving of which, by Mr. Tuffin West, forms part of the volume. To Drs. Dickinson and Inman, Messrs. Parke, Whitehead, N. Cooke, and others, my thanks are due for useful contributions or advice. It is a reasonable expectation that further investigations by those gentlemen who have hitherto followed natural history pursuits, may add sufficient for a large appendix to the present instalment at some future time. The physical conditions of a neighbourhood of course modify and determine the character of the animal and vegetable productions on its surface and in its waters. I refer with pleasure to the excellent chapter upon the physical geography of the district, which is suitably placed as a preliminary to Dr. Dickinson's Flora; the remarks therein contained are equally applicable to the present object. ANIMALIA. SUB KINGDOM VERTEBRATA. CLASS 1.-MAMMALIA. Order CHEIROPTERA-BATS. Family VESPERTILIONIDE. Genus VESPERTILIO. VESPERTILIO NOCTULA-NOCTULE. Mr. Mather, taxidermist, of Williamson-square, remembers having stuffed specimens, taken from Birkenhead Abbey, many years ago, before the additional building; once or twice also from other localities. If now in the neighbourhood it is very scarce. VESPERTILIO PIPISTRELLUS. Common Bat, Flitter-mouse, Pipistrelle. The most common bat of the district. A living specimen was given to me so late in the year as the month of December, 1852. VESPERTILIO DAUBENTONII. Daubenton's Bat. Taken by Mr. Nicholas Cooke from a hollow tree in Delamere Forest. He was out with a party of entomologists, and caught nine out of two or three dozen, which were disturbed in their lurking place. A specimen was sent to the British Museum, and there named. PLECOTUS AURITUS. Genus PLECOTUS. Long-eared Bat. Almost equally common during the warm months. Family RHINOLOPHIDE. Genus RHINOLOPHUS. RHINOLOPHUS HIPPOSIDEROS. Lesser horse-shoe bat. One from Storeton quarry, stuffed by Mr. Mather, 20 years ago. One killed in a sand-hole at Poole Hall Farm, adjoining Hooton, five years ago.-Mr. Grace. I can hear of instances of their capture, many years back, at Oxton Hill, also at Caldy and Moston Hall. LUTRA VULGARIS. Family MUSTELIDE. Genus LUTRA. Common Otter. Has been seen within a few years back in the Chester and Ellesmere Canal, and in Stanney Mill Brook, which is an arm of the Gowey River.—Mr. Grace. Also in the Alt, near Sephton, ten or twelve years ago.-Mr. Mather. Occasionally found in Wirral and Lancashire; formerly common. A specimen was partially tamed by Mr. Grace, of Whitby Hall, and lived with his ferrets. MUSTELA FURO. The Ferret Weasel. Kept, where required, for hunting purposes. Genus MARTES. MARTES FOINA. Common Marten. Beech Marten. Twelve or fifteen years ago a "Marten Cat" was killed by John Robinson, one of the Marquis of Westminster's keepers, in the Township of Whitby.Mr. Grace. Another, caught about Hooton, was sent fifteen years ago by the late Sir Thomas Stanley to Mr. Mather for stuffing. VULPES VULGARIS. Common Fox. Not so strictly preserved for hunting as formerly, and therefore not now abundant. Family PHOCIDE. Genus PHOCA. PHOCA VITULINA. Common Seal. Sea Calf. There are instances of their occasional capture in the Dee, Mersey, and neigh. bouring parts of the coast. Sparingly in the neighbourhood.--Mr. Mather. Mr. Brockholes has seen it in Prenton Wood. Everywhere. Too common. MUS RATTUS. Black Rat. Abundant on shipboard; occasional stragglers ashore. MUS DECUMANUS. Brown Rat. Norway Rat. Common nuisances. |