Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union: Annual Report, 1915. 33 
AcTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS.—The following members of the 
Union are known to be either on active service abroad, or have 
enlisted for such service, viz:—Prof. J. H. Priestley, Dr. Ab Kx. 
Dwerryhouse, Dr. E. Amyott, Dr. Wheelton Hind, B.Sc., 
B.G.S.. Mr. CW. Mason; Mr. A. J. Stather, Mr. E. W. Taylor, 
Mr. E. W. Morse, Mr. J. R. Stutley, Mr. H. D. Cheavin, BoRoaMi oe 
F.S.E., and a large number of Associates. 
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY SECTION. 
East -Ripinc Report.—Mr. E. W. Wade writes :—The 
season has been on the whole a good one for the birds. The 
early breeders were late owing to the cold weather in April, and 
as a rule not so prolific as in IQr4 ; while some of the marsh- 
haunting species, e.g. the Sedge Warbler, have been noticeably 
scarce. 
The spring migrants were unusually late in arriving—a 
week to a fortnight behind the date noticed for the previous 
three seasons, with the exception of the Swift, which arrived 
eight days earlier than last year. 
Swallows and Martins have had a good year and their 
numbers have again increased. 
There has been a most marked increase in the number of 
Swifts in Holderness during the last few years. 
The Corncrake has been scarcer than ever before. Except 
in the Beverley district, where four pairs were heard, the bird 
seems to have completely disappeared. 
Partridges have done well on the high ground, but on the 
carr land the wet July caused an epidemic of gapes which killed 
off even old. as well as young birds. On some of the large 
estates Pheasants have not been reared this season, but the 
wild birds have done well. 
The Wild Geese arrived in the Wolds on 21st August, six 
days earlier than last year. 
In the protected area in the Wolds the number of Stone 
Curlews remains stationary, and there is evidence that occa- 
sional birds get shot in the autumn. Only nine birds were 
seen in a flock before migration, and it is to be feared that there 
are too many amateur gunners for them ever to increase. 
An interesting experiment has been tried by Mr. St. Quintin 
in liberating three young Ravens on the Bempton Cliffs. It is 
about fifty years since the birds bred there, and the last breeding 
place has long since disappeared into the sea. On 2nd July 
they were penned on the cliff to get accustomed to their sur- 
roundings, and on 23rd July to rst August were liberated one by 
one. During the first week of September two of them were 
seen feeding on the land. The fact of visitors being excluded 
from the cliffs this year is very much in favour of the birds, and 
1916 Jan. 1. 

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