iS) 
“TI 
H 
FIELD NOTES. 
BIRDS. 
Bird Notes from Hebden Bridge.—It was aoe that 
a pair of Stonechats, which were first observed at Jumble Hole 
in October, and then removed to Withens Reservoir, two or 
three miles away, would stay to nest, but they have not been 
seen here since February 20th. During the last two years the 
Corn Bunting has become very scarce, and I have not detected 
a single bird this year. A fine male Shelduck was killed at 
Withens Reservoir on March 24th (see The Naturalist, May 
1916, p. 173). Spring and summer migrants were observed as 
follows; Ring Ousel, March 26th; Wheatear, April 2nd; 
Cuckoo, April 21st ; Willow Wren, Swallow, April 22nd ; Sand- 
piper, April 24th; Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, 
April 29th ; House Martin, Sand Martin, Redstart, April 3oth ; 
Swift, May 8th; Landrail, May 12th; Spotted Flycatcher, 
May 13th; Wood Wren, May r4th ; Garden Warbler, May 
30th; Blackcap, May 28th; Nightjar, late May. Landrails 
fie been far less numerous then usual, and the Common 
Whitethroat, which has been decreasing the last two or three 
‘years, has not been noted at all. It is the first time for many 
years that it has altogether failed. Contrary to the general 
custom, the Blackcap, judging from singing males, has out- 
numbered the Garden Warbler. The Golden-Crested Wren 
has nested and is probably doing so annually now. Although 
the nest of the Redshank has not yet been found there is little 
reason to doubt the breeding of the birds at more than one 
place. Tawny and Long-eared Owls are now thoroughly 
established. A very few years ago they were rarities here. 
The Dunlin still maintains its breeding numbers, but Black- 
headed Gulls have either begun to nest in undiscovered 
quarters or bred more sparingly than for many years. Less 
than a score of adults were counted at the largest settlement, 
where there were only a few nests, and the report from the 
other ground suggests that they have missed altogether, 
though there were a large number of adult birds there in early 
spring. The old breeding ground is under water, which is 
higher than usual at this time of year. During the last day 
or two in June a Lesser Black-back Gull frequented the 
reservoir.—WALTER GREAVES. 
7O% 


The Selborvne Magazine for June contains a well-illustrated article 
on the ‘ Fungiof Bare Pine Woods,’ by Somerville Hastings. 
In The Scottish Naturalist for June, Mr. W. E. Collinge writes :— On 
the Specific Identity of the Wood-louse, Oniscus fossoy Koch.’ 
Wild Life for June contains the following notes :—‘ Nature in the 
Arctic’; ‘ The Chough,’ by Oswald J. Wilkinson ; ‘ The British Shrews,’ 
by Lionel E. Adams : “Whitethroats—A Busy Pair,’ by A. M. C. Nicholl 
and J. H. Franklin ; ‘Sexual Selection in Birds,’ by Edmund Selous. 
1916 Aug. 1. 
