286 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



a pair in 1832, but did not obtain them ; my register of this bird informs 

 me a specimen was killed at the Low Moor Iron Works near Bradford 

 (before referred to), which is now in the possession of a gentleman at 

 Leeds. Another was killed at Skircoat Moor, near Halifax, in 1840 

 (also before referred to), and I know another killed at Ecclesfield 

 [Eccleshill (?)] near Bradford, by Mr. H. Greaves, 9th April 1840, 

 the last a female specimen. Arthur Strickland says he has known 

 several instances of this bird being killed in the east part of this county ; 

 of those two are in his collection, and there are others preserved in that 

 neighbourhood ; one was taken while alighting on a boat in the Bay 

 (Bridlington Bay) ; he has no doubt this bird would breed in this 

 county, but it is too conspicuous and attractive to escape persecution 

 on arriving here. 



This illustrious stranger is an inhabitant of Asia and 

 northern Africa, migrating from the shores of the Mediterranean 

 into Continental Europe, and wandering thence to this country. 

 It has occurred in Yorkshire as a casual visitant in spring 

 and autumn, the earliest records dating back to 1783. From 

 that period down to the present day it has appeared at 

 irregular intervals, generally singly, and chiefly on the coast ; 

 one was mentioned by Allis as being taken on board a boat 

 in Bridlington Bay, though numerous instances might be 

 cited of its appearance in almost every district of the county. 



The late J. Cordeaux stated, in his " Birds of the Humber 

 District," 1899, p. 16, that fifty years ago it was known 

 to have occurred annually at Flamborough in spring. 



On two occasions it would appear that a small flight had 

 arrived on our shores, viz. in 1783 (Tunst. MS.) and, in 1836, 

 when a flock was noticed at Saltburn, and several were 

 obtained, two of which are in the Upsall collection (Turton 

 MS.). 



The total number of occurrences as chronicled, or otherwise 

 brought to my notice, amount to fifty-eight, representing, 

 as nearly as can be estimated at this lapse of time, at least 

 seventy individuals ; too great a number to particularise.* 



* In'^the Zoologist (1850, p. 2768), J. Gray recorded "a consider- 

 able number of Hoopoes, during a winter storm at the Teesmouth, 

 several being shot." This is, doubtless, a mistake, for in all probability 

 the birds were Hoopers (Whoopers) or Wild Swans ; much more likely 

 visitants, than Hoopoes, to the Teesmouth, during a winter storm. 



