288 Zoological Society. 



which appears in April, remaining only a few days apparently on its 

 route to breeding-places farther north. It is never seen at any otiier 

 period of the year, though considered by authors as a winter visitor. 

 Several examples of the Hoopoe, and one specimen of the Roller, 

 have been shot in the neighbourhood. The stomach of the latter 

 was filled with the elytra and other remains of a species of Curculio. 

 Of the Water Ouzel or Dipper it is stated that, when flying down a 

 stream it drops into the water and dives under any rails laid across 

 from bank to bank, rather than fly over them, rising on the opposite 

 side and pursuing its course. The nest of this bird is occasionally 

 seen so placed under a projecting ledge that a fall of water was con- 

 stantly rolling over it, thus rendering it secure from any attacks : 

 the birds entering by the sides of the fall. 



" The Redwing has been seen as late as May; these birds are re- 

 markable for a peculiar cry uttered when disturbed and about to take 

 flight. 



" The Hooded Crow has been known to breed near Scarborough 

 on two or three occasions. In one instance, a female Hooded Crow 

 was observed to pair with a Carrion Crow on a large tree at Hack- 

 ness, where they succeeded in rearing their young. The Carrion 

 Crow was shot by the gamekeeper, but the following year the 

 Hooded Crow returned with a new mate of the same sable hue as the 

 former one to her old nest. The carrion and young crows were 

 again all shot ; the old female by her vigilance escaped all the ef- 

 forts of the keepers to destroy her, and a third time returned with 

 & fresh mate ; she was not however again so successful, but was 

 «hot, and is now preserved in the Scarborough Museum. The young 

 birds varied, some resembling the Hooded and others the Carrion 

 Crow in their plumage. 



" The Great or Thick-kneed Plovers breed on the fallows, and often, 

 startle the midnight traveller by their shrill and ominous whistle. 

 This is supposed to be the note so beautifully alluded to by Sir 

 Walter Scott iu his poem of The Lady of the Lake, 



* And in the Plover's shrilly strain 

 The signal whistle's heard again.' 



for it certainly sounds more like a human note than that of a bird. 



** The Rough-legged Buzzard breeds occasionally in a precipitous 

 dell near Hackness. A marked female returned the following year 

 with a new mate to her former favourite haunt. 



"* Three species of the genus Lestris, the Glaucous Gull, Little 

 Gull, Great Northern Diver, Little Auk, and Long -tailed Duck are 

 obtained generally during the prevalenceofstrongnorth-easterly winds. 

 Temminck's Tringa and the Olivaceous Gallinule have been killed near 

 Scarborough. The Sanderling visits the shore in May and Septem- 

 ber. Good sport is sometimes gained at Woodcock-shooting in March, 

 when from any cause these birds are prevented continuing their 

 journey northward. In one or two instances a Woodcock has been 

 seen there as late as June." 

 August23, 1836. — Thomas Bell, Esq., in the Chair. — Inconsequence 



