104 NAMES OF BIRDS IN THE NOUTH-UIDING OF YORKSHIUK. 



The Common Coot, (FuUca atra,) breeds on some of the neighbouring ponds, 

 but specimens are very seldom seen on the river, which is far too rapid to 

 suit their taste, and besides this, is not bordered by those reeds and flags 

 which are always found near the haunts of this species. 



The Little Grebe, (Podiceps minor,) is occasionally observed during winter, 

 but is only a very rare visitor with us. 



The Common Tern, (Sterna hirundo,) and perhaps also the Arctic Tern, 

 [Sterna arctica,) visit us at long intervals, generally before a severe storm, 

 and the same may be said with respect to the Herring Gull, [Larus argent atus.) 



Flocks of the Grey-lag Goose, (Anser Ferus,) pass over the town during 

 the course of their annual migration, at very distant periods, and this I 

 believe to be the only member of the family by whom we are ever visited. 



The Wild Duck, [Anas hoschas,) is abundant during the months of De- 

 cember and January, and the Teal, {Anas crecca,) is not uncommon, but the 

 Wigeon, [Anas Penelope,) and the Pochard, [Anas ferina,) are very seldom 

 observed. 



A specimen of the Tufted Duck, [Anas filigula,) was seen swimming in 

 the river in November, 1853; the person who observed it, considered it to 

 be a young male bird. 



The Ked-breasted Merganser, (Mergus serrator,) is very rare with us; the 

 Goosander, (Mergus merganser,) is somewhat more common; those which are 

 procured are almost invariably females. 



Richmond, March Srd., 18o4. 



ON THE NAMES OF BIRDS 

 IN THE NORTH-RIDING (>F YORKSHIRE. 



BY JOHN H. DAVIE8, ESQ. 



On looking through various lists of the local names of birds, I find that 

 many of the designations employed by the inhabitants of this part of the 

 country, still remain unrecorded. So that perhaps by inserting in "The 

 Naturalist," a list of some of the more remarkable distinctive appellations that 

 come under this head, I may be performing a useful service to some ornithologist, 

 who might otherwise find himself puzzled by the intricacies of our primitive 

 dialect. 



The first given are the ordinary names;' and those following are the names 

 by which the species are known in this part of the country: — 



Kestrel, (Red-backed Hawk.) 

 Sparrow-Hawk, (Perry-Hawk.) 

 White Owl, (Jenny Howlet.) 

 Blue Tit, (Billy Blue-cap.) 



Long-tailed Tit, (Long-tailed Titty- 

 mouse.) 

 Crow, (Dowp.) 

 Hooded Crow, (Blue-backed Crow.) 



