231 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT MALTON. 
THE field excursions of the Union for the present year were 
commenced at Malton, where a moderate number of members, 
including the President; Mr..W. N. Cheesman J.P.; F.L:S., 
spent the Easter week-end, having headquarters at Wheelgate 
House. 
Neither Malton, nor its immediate vicinity, have claimed 
the attention of the members of the Union very much in the 
past, and it was to some extent a little unfortunate that Spring 
was so tardy in its development, as the many places visited dis- 
played ample scope for more interesting results than were 
obtained. However, the charm of the walks were many and 
varied and there was always something to call for attention 
and discussion, while the lectures in the evenings were an 
additional aid to the happiness of the meeting. 
On Saturday morning, a brief time was spent in the local 
museum, examining the objects of interest, which are, however, 
not seen to advantage. It is intended after the war to house 
the collections in a more suitable building, already purchased 
for the Malton Naturalists’ Society by Sir Walter Strickland. 
At noon, the party, which was greatty increased in numbers 
by members from York, Scarborough, Malton, Leeds and 
Bradford, trained to Rillington, walked across the fields 
to Scampston, in order to accept the very cordial invita- 
tion of Mr. W. H. St. Quintin J.P., D.L., a past-President 
of the Union, to visit his gardens and aviaries. Mr. St. Quintin 
welcomed the party, and he conducted one of the three groups 
into which it was divided. The weather being favourable, 
the visit proved a source of great pleasure and profit. The 
magnificent aviaries cover a large extent of ground and although 
the birds have absolute freedom of movement, the almost 
entire absence of timidity was very marked, and this gave ample 
opportunity of noting the many beauties of the birds at close 
quarters. Moreover, being in their best nuptial garb, the 
wonderful variety and blending, and in some cases, most 
gorgeous coloration of the birds, was seen to advantage. 
Ornithologists in general are much indebted to Mr. St. Quintin 
for the scientific manner in which his aviaries are conducted, 
much knowledge as to the habits of many species of birds 
having been gained. The botanical members enjoyed their 
visit immensely, for among the many plants in blossom were 
some of the rarer British Alpines, as Asarum europeum 
(Asarabacca), Cardamine bulbifera (Coralwort), and Anemone 
apennina (Mountain Anemone). The inspection of the Orchid 
houses also proved attractive. 
On Sunday, the morning was spent in a visit to Welham 
Park, near which were examined some lake deposits. From 


1916 July 1. 
