294 



Field Note. 



it is 2 inches wide, and i^ inches deep. The hole 

 for the handle is i^ inch across on each side. It weighs 9 oz. 



A hammer-head of somewhat unusual type is illustrated in 

 fig. 2. This was recently found at Bempton, and the aperture 

 for the haft is remarkably well drilled, being perfectly circular, 

 and well polished inside. Its shape can best be ascertained from 

 the photograph. The material is a very hard quartzite, 

 probably a beach boulder. It is ■2\ inches long, \\ inch wide 

 at the widest part, i^ inch in thickness, the hole for the handle 

 being /oths of an inch across, slightly narrowing towards the 

 centre. It weighs 7 oz. 



Perhaps the most remarkable of the series, however, is the 

 specimen shewn in fig. i, which was found at Hotham. It is 

 made of polished flint. The specimen is interesting, as it 

 has not been perforated in the ordinary way by boring, the 

 nature of the material of course making such a feat well-nigh 

 impossible. What has happened is that the early hammer- 

 maker has selected a large slab of flint, which has had a 

 natural hole or flaw through it, and the hammer-head has been 

 worked round the hole. It is 3 inches long, 2.\ inches wide, 2 

 inches deep, and weighs gj ounces. The only other perforated 

 hammer of this material of which I have any knowledge is 

 also an East Yorkshire specimen, in the collection of Mr. 

 Thomas Boynton, F.S.A. It is not of Yorkshire flint, but is 

 made from one of the tougher travelled flints such as occur 

 in the glacial clay of East Yorkshire. 



Quick Nest= Building by Blackbirds. — In preparation 

 for the camp of the East Lancashire Royal Engineers at Ben 

 Rhydding, a quantity of timber (for fuel, etc.) was carted from 

 the railway station on to the camp-field, on Thursday, May 

 27th. Short of two days later, on Saturday morning, May 

 29th, this pile contained a Blackbird's nest, with one egg in it. 

 This pair of birds would probably have to build another hurried 

 nest, as the wood was quickly put into use with the arrival of 

 the regiment on the latter date. — H. B. Booth, Ben Rhydding. 



As a supplement to Mr. Booth's note, I may mention the 

 case of a Mistle Thrush, which came under my notice several 

 years ago. A nest of this species was to be found regularly 

 year after year in a forked branch of a certain tree. Visiting 

 the tree one Sunday, there was not the slightest signs of a nest. 

 On the fohowing Saturday the usual place contained a nest and 

 four eggs. — R. Fortune. 



Naturalist 



