T20 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 



JOHN GRASSHAM. 



Mr. John Grassham — who was one of the oldest and most valued 

 members of the Leeds Naturalists' Club, died on the 23rd February, 

 after a very brief illness culminating in inflammation of the lungs. 

 Born on the 9th November 1818, he had entered upon the 72nd 

 year of his life. His natural history studies, though only begun in 

 middle life, were ably and vigorously pursued, and he got together 

 excellently arranged collections of lepidoptera and birds' eggs, besides 

 numerous mounted examples of interesting birds, which will still 

 be cherished by his family, one of whom at least inherits the 

 paternal interest in the study. He became a member of the Leeds 

 Naturalists' Club in 1872 and was for a long period one of its most 

 active working members ; he was seldom off the council, and often 

 filled the office of vice-president. His kindly genial temperament 

 endeared him to all who had the privilege of his acquaintance, 

 not 'Only among naturalists but in private life and among the Odd 

 Fellows, with whom he long filled the office of Treasurer of his 

 Lodge, and by whom his long and faithful services in that capacity 

 were acknowledged by the presentation of his portrait and a time- 

 piece. His stores of natural history information were of considerable 

 interest and value, and although he published but little himself his 

 knowledge was always freely at the service of his friends. — W. D. R. 



NOTE— BIRDS. 



Stone-Chat at Headingley, Leeds.— On February 24th I saw a Stone-Chat 

 (Pratincola riibicola) near my house. This is the first time I have heard of the occur- 

 rence of this extremely local species so near Leeds. — H. Kmght Horsfield. 



NO TES— MAMMALIA . 



Common Seal at Coatham. — A young Seal ^PIuHa vilnliim) about three 

 feet in length, was shot on Coatham Sands this morning, and exhibited in a tent 

 at Redcar.' — T. H. Nelson, Redcar, 5th March, 1890. 



Badger in Lincolnshire, — On Saturday, the 15th of ALarch, a Kadger 

 was found by John AUett, curled up asleep in a dry ditch in Gayton Fen. 

 It crossed the river Eau into Withern Fen, and was finally taken near .Strubby 

 Church. It weighed 18 lbs. This on the information of Miss Susan Allett. 

 James Eardley Mason, Alford, 24th March, 1890. 



Otters in the North. — Northumberland: A fine dog Otter {Ultra 

 vulgaris), 4 ft. 3 in. long, with a rare dapple coat, killed on the Reed near 

 Coisenside, May 28th, 1886. One hunted on North Tyne above Wark, but not 

 killed, May 30th, 1886. A dog Otter, 20h lbs. in weight, killed on the Devil's 

 Water near Corbridge, September loth, 1889. A fine dog Otter, 24 lbs. in 

 weight, killed on the Tyne near ChoUerton, September i8th, 18S8. Two others 

 killed on the Tyne, 1889. Cumberland: A dog Otter, 21 lbs. in weight, was 

 killed on the Irthing near Lanercost, August 25th, 1885. A dog Otter, 27 lbs. 

 in weight, was killed on the Esk near Netherby, June 1888. Durham: Two 

 Otters seen on the Wear near Cocken Dene, June 28th, 1887. Several seen near to 

 Fatfield in 1887.— J. W. Fawcett, The Grange, Satley, Durham, Oct. 5th, 1889. 



N.-itiiiali.'.t, 



