14 NOTES — ORNITHOLOGY. 



Dimlington, and their matrix also was similar); W. Topley, F.R.S., 

 ' The Work of the Geological Survey in Northumberland and Durham' 

 (this was an excellent synopsis of the geology of these two counties, 

 with special references to the igneous rocks of the Cheviots, and the 

 intrusive basaltic rocks known as sills and dykes) ; R. Tiddeman, 

 F.G.S., ' On concurrent Faulting and Deposit, Craven, Yorkshire, 

 with a note on Carboniferous Reefs' (he described the Craven faults, 

 and speaking of the breccias found at the base of the limestone, 

 suggested they were reefs formed on a slowly-subsiding sea-bottom). 

 The above are a few brief notes upon a small portion only of the 

 papers read in merely one section. If we contemplate the amount 

 of research and labour contained in the whole of the sectional papers, 

 we must be impressed with the wonderful amount and valuable nature 

 of the work the members of the British Association yearly accomplish. 



NOTES— ORNITHOLOG V. 



Redbreasted Flycatcher at Scarborough. — An immature Redbreasted 

 Flycatcher {J/iisthapa parva) was obtained by Mr. John Morley, at Scarborough, 

 on October 23rd ; it was in a wood amongst beech trees, and was observed to 

 fly from its perch at intervals after flies, the white feathers in its tail being then 

 very conspicuous. Mr. ^lorley adds that the wood was swarming with Golden- 

 crested Wrens, and also Woodcocks, which had evidently just arrived. The bird 

 has been to London for comparison, and its identity fully established, as I took it 

 to the Zoological Society for that purpose ; it was too much shot to distinguish 

 the sex. — J. H. Gurney, Jun., Keswick Hall, Norwich, November 28th, 1889. 



This Yorkshire example is the seventh specimen and sixth occurrence known 

 for Britain.— W. E.G. 



'■'■ Mnscicapa parva turns up here (Heligoland) almost every autumn late in 

 October, and, wonderful as it should seem, during the first half of November. 

 It is a (juiet bird that with you, amongst all your trees and shrubs, easily might 

 escape notice. — Heinrich G.\tke, per John Cordeaux, 13th December, 1889. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker near Alford. — An adult female of the Great 

 Spotted Woodpecker {Dcudyocopiis tnajor L. ) was brought to me on the 26th 

 November, having been shot the previous day at Ailby by Mr. S. Lonsdale. — 

 Jas. Eardlev Mason, The Sycamores, Alford, Line, 29th November, 1889. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker at Liversedge, Yorkshire. — A Great 

 Spotted Woodpecker (Dciuhoiopux inajoi- L. ) was shot on the Sth of November 

 at Liversedge by Mr. Joseph Woodcock. The Rev. William Fowler, who showed 

 it to me in the flesh, said that he believed it to be the first that had occurred in 

 that neighbourhood. It was a fine specimen, and the crimson occipital crest 

 showed that it was a male. — E. P. KxuBLEY, Staveley Rectory, Leeds, Nov. i6th. 



Flamborough Bird-Notes. — Innumerable quantities of birds have arrived 

 on our coast for the last few days. Thursday, Oct. 17th! I saw scores of flocks of 

 Larks (Alaiuia at-censis) making for the Headland ; also several flocks of Crows 

 and Jackdaws {Corviis moiicduUi). Unfortunately for some of them, the storm 

 of Saturday night and Sunday overtook them, and before reaching the land they 

 perished in the sea ; others, striking the clifts, fell to the bottom dead, and were 

 seen by scores washing about in the surf At present the storm is raging, with 

 the barometer at 29 "50, and a strong easterly wind blowing, which has brought 

 over several Woodcocks {Scolopa.x rusticola). Ring-ouzels {^Turdus tonjuatus), 

 Gold-crested Wrens (Keguiiis iristatus), Redstarts {Kiiticilla fhanicuriis), etc., 

 the Great CJrey Shrike {Laniits e.xadntor) and one Shorelark {Otocorys alpestris). 

 — Matthew Bailey, Flamborough, October 23rd, 18S9. 



Naturalist, 



