Yorkshire Naturalists' Union : Annual Report, 1920. 39 



MAMMALS, AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES AND 

 FISHES COMMITTEE. 



Mr. S. H. Smith writes : — This Committee has been re -organised, and 

 it is hoped that members will put forth renewed efforts in making more 

 complete the existing records for the county. All the early records 

 cannot be traced, and if anyone possesses notes or books that should 

 be in the hands of this Committee will they please communicate with the 

 Convener. The most interesting item to report is the capture of a 

 Barbestelle Bat (female) at Helmsley. (See Mr. Booth's note in The 

 Naturalist for December). Mr. H. B. Booth reports that four Foxes 

 (two old and two cubs) and a Badger were taken at Bransley Falls, four 

 or five miles from the centre of Leeds, by two men in one morning [vide 

 Yorkshire Postoi October 12th, 1920). Badgers are increasing in numbers 

 in Upper Wharf edale. (See report of Yorkshire Naturalists' Union 

 excursion to Skipton.) All the known Badger colonies appear to be in 

 a thriving condition. This is due mainly to the kindly preservation by 

 friendly landowners. At the Kirkham excursion it was stated that two 

 old established colonies were still in a very healthy condition. The same 

 species has fared well at Kilnwick Percy, Allerton Park and Acaster, 

 five being observed at the latter place, and I believe that two were killed 

 by hounds. 



Mr. W. H. St. Quintin reports that a male Pine Marten was trapped 

 on June ist at Barmston, six miles south of Bridlington, by Geo. Allison, 

 gamekeeper to Mrs. Wickham-Boynton. 



Otters are common in all their usual haunts. Mr. E. W. Taylor 

 informs me that Mr. C. F. Procter and he saw a Pipistrelle Bat flying 

 over a pond at North Cave on December 12th, 1919, between two and 

 four p.m., the weather was very mild at the time, and may account for 

 the unusual appearance of this species in the depth of winter. 



Mr. F. Vear reports that Viper's have been exceedingly numerous on 

 Skipwith Common this year, more being killed than for many past years. 



Grass Snakes appear to be steadily increasing and extending their 

 range in Holderness, chiefly along the course of the agricultural drains 

 in the neighbourhood of Kelsey Hill, which appears to be the centre of 

 their distribution. The Palmated Newt appears to be a steadily decreas- 

 ing species. 



WILD BIRDS AND EGGS PROTECTION 

 COMMITTEE. 



Mr. Johnson Wilkinson writes : — 



Green Plovers. — It is satisfactory to know the East Riding County 

 Council has passed an order similar to that of the West Riding County 

 Council for the protection all the year for both birds and eggs. The 

 following County Boroughs have likewise applied for an order, viz. : — 

 Barnsley, Bradford, Dewsbury, Sheffield and Wakefield. 



North Riding. — Young Falcons have again hatched and flown. 



Bempton. — Climbers have had a good season. No Falcons have laid 

 this year. Fulmars again visited the Cliffs, but no eggs have been seen. 



Hornsea Mere. — Unfortunately four dead Grebes (starved specimens) 

 were picked up during the month of June, but many young Grebes got 

 away. Tufted Ducks and Pochards about as usual. 



Spurn. — Unfortunately a very large tide and heavy seas during the 

 month of June washed away a number of eggs between Chalk Bank and 

 Spurn. The Terns, however, laid again on the same ground and reared 

 their young safely. Posters had to be put up in prominent places for 

 protection ; afterwards there were no complaints of any sort. 



Stone Curlews. — -Very satisfactory year for hatching ; many young 

 birds seen, but not many nests found. 



1921 Jan. 1 



