Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union: Annual Report, 1910. 39 
however, arrived about their usual time, with the special excep- 
tion of the Swift, which, for some unexplained cause, was 
unusually late. At Harrogate they did not put in an appearance 
until May 17th, unprecedentedly late, the 6th of May being their 
average time of arrival. 
In many districts the cold weather affected the nesting 
of Partridges very considerably, many unfertile eggs being found, 
and a number of young birds dying off after hatching. Yet, 
strange to say, wild Pheasants have done very well, and almost 
a record season has been experienced as far as Grouse are con- 
cerned; on the Bolton Abbey shooting, 5170 brace were brought 
to the bag, the largest total for over ten years. 
Red-legged Partridges continue to increase in the district 
stretching from about two miles south of Harrogate to beyond 
Church Fenton. 
Goldfinches are reported as nesting in one or two fresh locali- 
ties ; as also are Hawfinches, showing a steady increase in both 
species. The Great Crested Grebe and Tufted Ducks continue to 
increase as resident breeding species. 
Many Fieldfares lingered until a late date in May. A very 
large flock numbering some hundreds of birds was seen in the 
Hawes district on May 7th, and large numbers passed through 
the district on May Ist. 
The autumn migration, although setting in rather late, 
appears to have been a strong movement. Hundreds of Red- 
wings and Waders were passing over every night from the middle 
to the end of October. 
In the Harrogate district and other parts of the West Riding, 
unusual numbers of Kestrels have been observed during October 
and November, several being seen on the wing at one time. 
Magpies. too, are unusually numerous. Both these, as far as the 
numbers are concerned, may be regarded as migrants in the 
district. Hooded Crows are more numerous than they have 
been for many years. 
An immature Gannet was obtained near Wetherby on October 
2oth, and another one seen at the same time. The first bird has 
been added to the collection at the Cartwright Hall Museum, 
Bradford. The stormy. weather prevailing about this date had, 
no doubt, driven these birds inland. 
With reference to the great immigration of Crossbills into 
this county in 1909, careful search has been made, especially in 
Airdale and Wharfedale, to see if any remained to nest in the 
West Riding, but no authentic case has been noted nor birds seen. 
Several Crossbills were seen in the Nidd Valley near Harro- 
gate, on November 22nd, evidently newly arrived birds. On the 
same date twenty Wild Swans were seen on Fewston Reservoir. 
A flock of twenty-five Wild Geese passed over Harrogate on 
November 13th. Mr. Booth reports that a Little Auk was 
Igtr Jan. i. 
