| 151 
THE 
PROTECTION OF WILD LIFE IN YORKSHIRE. 
R. FORTUNE, F.Z.S. 
(Continued from page 131), 
I am afraid that my review so far, has been somewhat of 
a depressing nature, with the exception of the better news 
relating to the last five species. As a set off we will now 
consider a dozen or so species which have increased considerably 
ingnumbers or are entirely new as nesting species. Swifts not 
only arrive in increased flocks, but show a decided tendency to 
reach this country at an earlier date than formerly. Haw- 
finches are decidedly more numerous throughout the county. 
They are extremely shy birds and not often seen by the casual 
observer. Gardeners profess to dislike them because they eat 
their peas and dest:oy the buds of the fruit trees. They 
certainly do a little damage amongst the peas, but I am 
perfectly sure they never attack the buds. They are very 
fond of the kernels of the holly berries and hawthorn. We had 
to deplore a decrease in our bonny brown Partridge, as a set off 
we find the Red-legged or French Partridge has extended its 
range considerably. It is a very handsome bird, but of no 
great repute by sportsmen. It does not rise so freely or offer 
such sporting shots as the English birds; instead of taking 
wing, it runs away in front of the dogs and beaters, and is only 
with difficulty induced to rise. A keeper last year took me to 
identify a strange nest in his garden. It proved to be a Red- 
leg’s with sixteen eggs, placed under a rhubarb plant. A 
Woodcock’s nest was once considered a great find in Yorkshire, 
but they have spread so rapidly during the last few years that 
they are now found nesting in every part. Asa rule two broods 
arereared. The first eggs being deposited in March, the second 
in Juneor July. Redshanks are without doubt more numerous 
and more widely distributed than formerly. We do not have 
the really large colonies one finds in some localities, but small 
parties are now found resting in practically every portion 
of the county. The remaining species are all water birds, and 
to their habit of nesting in quiet and generally strictly pre- 
served districts, we may account for their increase. 
The Tufted Duck, a sprightly diver, has established himself 
on most of the sheets of freshwater in the county, and breeds 
freely. He is often mistaken for the Golden Eye, a winter 
visitor, which, by the way, is recorded very doubtfully, I 
venture to say, as having nested in the West Riding. A 
young one, in down, was preserved as evidence. Owing to 
the habit of my friend, H. B. Booth, of taking nothing for 
1916 May 1. 
