INTRODUCTION. xli 



once so common among the crags of the Yorkshire fells, being 

 now the rarest of the three, though it is highly gratifying 

 to announce that it succeeded in rearing young during 1906. 

 The elegant little Goldfinch, although widely distributed in 

 the county, is extremely local and nowhere numerous. The 

 Sheld-duck is one of the most local birds which nest in 

 Yorkshire, only two breeding haunts being known. 



Yorkshire Heronries have greatly decreased during the 

 past century. Those now in existence are enumerated when 

 treating of the Heron. 



Of the thirty-two SUMMER VISITANTS, the Nightingale, 

 Reed Warbler, Wryneck, Turtle-Dove, and Stone Curlew 

 reach in Yorkshire the northern limit of their annual distribu- 

 tion during the nesting season. The Wryneck and Turtle- 

 Dove have, however, been known in isolated instances to 

 rear their young in localities further north. 



The local and interesting bird, the Pied Flycatcher, is 

 probably more abundant than in any other British county, its 

 breeding haunts being numerous and widely diffused. 



The Lesser Tern has a single breeding station. It is 

 somewhat singular that Yorkshire, having this species and 

 the Ringed Plover in abundance, should not be able to include 

 among its breeding birds the larger species of Terns, though it 

 is possible they formerly bred at the Teesmouth. 



The fifty-five WINTER VISITANTS do not include many 

 species which merit special mention, but the following are 

 uncommon birds of annual occurrence : The Great Grey 

 Shrike, Shore Lark, and Rough-legged Buzzard. Some 

 birds of this class, as the Hooded Crow, Crossbill, and 

 Short-eared Owl, have in isolated instances been known to 

 breed in the county ; whilst the Tufted Duck may now be 

 classed as breeding regularly. 



None of the twenty-nine BIRDS OF PASSAGE admit of much 

 comment. The Pgymy Curlew, Common and Buffon's Skuas, 

 are amongst the least numerous ; while the Dotterel still 

 visits the county annually as of old, but in gradually decreasing 

 numbers. 



Of the hundred and eighteen OCCASIONAL and ACCIDENTAL 



