Yorkshire Naturalists' Union : Annual Report, H)i/. 35 



never been known there before. As tlie winter progressed, 

 and the arctic severity increased, the position of many species 

 became pitiable. The Red Grouse came down from the 

 moors, in large flocks, quite close to our villages and small 

 towns, and could be easily approached. The Lapwings and 

 Golden Plovers that usually pass the winters in our open 

 fields and valleys, disappeared entirely. On February nth, 

 which might be called the climax, almost all the small birds 

 in the neighbourhood, such as Starlings, Robins, Hedge- 

 Sparrows, Wrens, etc., had congregated at the Ilkley sewage 

 beds ; where also were several Snipe, a score or two of Black- 

 headed Gulls (uncommon visitors in winter) and three Common 

 Gulls. On the same day I put up a flock of at the least sixty 

 frozen-out Mallards from the middle of a dry field. Personally 

 I don't think that several almost semi-domesticated species, 

 such as Blue and Great Tits, House Sparrows, etc., felt the 

 pinch so badly, as they took advantage of the fare provided 

 for them by kindly — but not always prudent — people. As 

 the winter's snows continued until mid-iVpril nesting operations 

 were delayed somewhat, but Rooks were incubating with 

 wreaths of snow around them. The Chiff chaff again nested 

 at Gilstead (S. Longbottom) and another Chiffchaff was reported 

 near Bingley during the nesting season. There is not a single 

 record of the Grasshopper Warbler this season, and Mr. C. A. 

 Cheatham, who had exceptional opportunities for observation 

 at Austwick Moss during the nesting season, failed to note it 

 there — its chief West Riding resort. It has been proved that 

 the Long-tailed Titmouse is again nesting in Upper Wharfedale 

 [Naturalist, IQ17, p. 367). On June 2nd, I paid a special visit to 

 Threshfield in order to lind if the Stonechat was nesting there 

 again {ante 1917, p. 33), but failed to find any at all. However, 

 Mr. Greaves informs me that Mr. D. Sutcliffe saw a pair there - 

 on July i6th, 1917, with three or four young in the nest — 

 evidently a second brood. 



Amongst our summer immigrants it is pleasing to note the 

 reports from many districts that the House Martin has returned 

 this season in its usual abundance, after several years deploring 

 its decrease in numbers. On the other hand several reliable 

 observers, to whom I can also add my testimony, regret the 

 increasing scarcity of the Ring Ouzel on our moorsides. 



Other notes worthy of record are : — ^A Red-breasted 

 Merganser on the river between Steeton and Kildwick, on 

 November 20th, 1916, and a Goosander was also shot about 

 the same time and place (S. Atkinson, per F.H.E.). A Pere- 

 grine Falcon shot at Howarth on September 4th, 1917 (J. 

 Bradley, per R.B.). A House Martin's nest with four young 

 on October 14th, 1917, near Silsden (R. Ellam, per F.H.E.). 

 An Arctic Tern sent to me by the Rector of Bolton Abbey, 



1918 Jan. 1. 



