280 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



a small stream within two miles of the city, no more than two 

 birds being observed at any one time. Near Thirsk and 

 Northallerton it breeds occasionally, while near Bedale it 

 is not uncommon. In Cleveland it is found from Whitby 

 almost to the source of the Esk, and in the flat plain from 

 the foot of the Cleveland Hills to the coast line it breeds on 

 every suitable beck, though not commonly. About Loftus and 

 Staithes it nests sparingly, and in winter it has been observed 

 in severe weather amongst the boulders strewn at the foot 

 of the sea cliffs. Along the banks of the Tees it is found 

 breeding up to Middleton-in-Teesdale and as far as High 

 Force, while in Swaledale it is reported as a scarce resident 

 from the extremity of the valley at Keld. In the East Riding, 

 during the breeding season, a pair may be found on almost 

 every stream and brooklet, which affords food enough and 

 where the banks are sufficiently high for nesting purposes ; 

 it occasionally nests in a Sand Martin's hole in steep banks 

 bordering a stream. 



There is in autumn a considerable accession to the numbers 

 of our resident birds, chiefly observable in August, September, 

 and October in the coast districts ; this was particularly 

 apparent in 1863-4, ^69, 1873, 1884, 1890, and 1894 ; the 

 earliest date for an over-sea migrant is 4th July 1905, when 

 one was observed, about two miles off Redcar, coming from 

 the north-east and making direct for the land. At the 

 Teesmouth odd birds annually appear near the tidal pools, 

 on the marsh " stells," and along the sea-walls, from July to 

 the following March, in which month the return migration 

 takes place. 



Broadly speaking, the breeding season lasts from April, 

 or even earlier, until August, and as an instance of an early 

 brood may be mentioned a nest with half grown young on 5th 

 May 1897, near the Albert Park, Middlesbrough ; while in 

 the other extreme eggs were found near Keighly as late as 

 August. This bird is very partial to its nesting quarters, 

 and the late Alfred Roberts of Scarborough had three clutches 

 of eggs from one nest in the bank of Scalby Beck, in the same 

 season, 1860 ; the first containing six eggs in May, the second, 



