2702 The Zoologist — August, 1871. 



the flat boggy ground for breeding, where they make a large nest 

 of moss, and lay from three to four eggs, varying in colour: their 

 eggs are much sought after by the country people for eating, and 

 the birds are much persecuted, as they occasionally prey on the 

 grouse. When the young birds are reared from the nest they 

 make great pets, being very hardy. 



Herring Gull. — Common along the shore. 



Gray Phalarope. — Occasionally one obtained wounded at the 



shore. 



J. Brunton. 



Miscellaneous Rural Notes for 1870. By George Roberts. 



(Concluded from Zool. S. S. 3677.) 



May. 



22 {continued). On the grassy slopes, near Smeaton, I gathered 

 the purple milkvetch in fine flower. The cracks in the Clio's are 

 lined with rue fern, pellitory, and in some places the rock rose ; 

 the two latter were in flower. The barberry, thorn, spindle, horse 

 chestnut, white briony and hoary plantain were also in flower. 

 At the foot of one of the crags, facing the south, I noticed one or 

 two white hedge roses fully expanded — an early date for the 

 flowering of this shrub. On the above date the small heath, the 

 orange tip, the wood argus, and other butterflies were on the wing. 

 The longtailed titmouse, the tree creeper, the garden and blackcap 

 warblers inhabit the woods, and in the holes and cracks in the 

 rocks, starlings and jackdaws had nests. A half-sober lime-burner 

 told us that Smeaton jackdaws are known all over the world, but 

 he was unable to tell us how they acquired this "world-wide 

 reputation." In the drains at Askern the lake mud shell, which is 

 commonly kept in the aquarium, and the stream valve-shell are 

 found — the latter abundant. Among the beetles observed or 

 captured were Chrysomela staphyla3a, and the small, but very 

 handsome, lemon-coloured ladybird {Coccinella 22-punctata). 



23. (Heard song of pied flycatcher : it slightly resembles the 

 note of the redstart. Noticed three or four of these birds at 

 Hovingham during May and June. — P. I.) 



26. (First noticed Mayflies.— P. /.) 



29. Observed ten-spotted ladybirds on the gooseberry bushes. 

 A pair of swallows that nest annually in a shed here appeared. 



