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.