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YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT WENTBRIDGE. 
THE abolition of the August Bank holiday resulted in the 
Union’s meeting fixed for Wentbridge being curtailed to 
Saturday, August 5th, only. It was in some respects unfor- 
tunate that this was necessary, Inasmuch as the district planned 
for investigation was the most picturesque portion of the Vale 
through which flows the Went, one of the little known rivers 
of Yorkshire. The inaccessibility of the chosen area was not, 
however, detrimental to the attendance, which was excellent, 
more than half the affiliated Societies being represented, as 
well as most of the Sections. The President of the Union, 
Mr. W. N. Cheesman, J.P., was in attendance. 
Shortly before noon, all assembled at headquarters, and 
under the guidance of Mr. C. A. Cheetham, the time at disposal 
was spent along the right bank of the river to Kirk Smeaton, 
where the celebrated ‘ Crags’ were duly admired, returning 
along the left bank, to the old quarries, finishing in Broc-o’-dale 
Woods, a route which had many charming attractions. 
The sectional reports presented at the close of the excursion 
were interesting, and at their conclusion, an expression of 
thanks was given to Mr. H. J. H. Barton and Lady Rosse for 
permission to visit their estates, and also to Mr. Cheetham 
for making the local arrangements.—W.E.L.W. 
VERTEBRATE ZooL_ocy.—Dr. H. H. Corbett writes :—A 
better inland district for the Vertebrate Section could hardly 
be found than Wentbridge. Woods, crags, copses, upland 
pastures, low lying water meads with dense growth of rank 
herbage, and reed-fringed stream side, supplied abundant 
breeding sites for birds and mammals. But August is perhaps 
the worst time of the year for observing the former, and the 
thick cover rendered the latter practically invisible. It was 
pleasing to find Magpies and Jays fairly abundant. Whinchats 
also were very numerous. The Willow Warbler had just begun 
their second singing season which always occurs before 
the autumnal migration, and a few Whitethroats were to be 
heard ‘ churring.’ All three hirundines were in numbers, but 
Swifts were notable absentees. The most interesting finds 
of the day were among the reptiles, an example of the Common 
Lizard being captured, and one of the Slow Worm being seen. 
It was not ‘slow’ enough, however, to be caught ! 
CONCHOLOGY.—Mr. Greevz Fysher reports :—The weather 
being hot and dry, there were few terrestrial mollusca astir. 
Mr. J. Digby Firth reported seeing Helix aspersa, H. nemoralis, 
H. rufescens, Arion ater and Agriolimax agrestis. The follow- 
ing species from specimens secured under plants on the limestone 
rocks, have been identified by Mr. John W. Taylor, viz :— 
Clausilia laminata, Cl. bidentata, Buliminus obscurus, Helix 
hispida and its var: hispidosa, and Pyramidula rotundata. 
1916 Oct. 1. 

