YORKSHIRE NATURALlSls' UNION AT LOWTHORPK. 205 



time was available in which to endeavour to ascertain its fauna. 

 The ground traversed was chiefly woodland, and as the trees were 

 well into leaf many birds were hidden and it was frequently only 

 by their note or song that their presence could be detected. 

 Mr. St. Quintin's gamekeeper, who was with the section for a 

 short time, pointed out some large ponds which he said had 

 sometimes in winter as many as 300 wild ducks upon them ; 

 unfortunately he was unable to si)ecify what species were to be 

 met with although he said there were several kinds. It was soon 

 evident that all was not to be plain sailing, for the ground became 

 very boggy and few of the members escaped without sinking below 

 the boot-tops. However, 'nothing venture, nothing gain,' and 

 having once got wet it was no great trial to go in again and 

 again. With respect to the birds a fair number was met with, 

 but this would in all probability have been increased, had the 

 ground traversed been of a more diversified nature. Many 

 woodland birds, such as Thrushes and Warblers, were numerous, 

 but the only Tits seen were the Blue and the Long-tailed 

 Tits. A tall Spruce-fir was climbed to ascertain the nature of 

 a little nest discovered among the topmost branches and some 

 surprise was manifested when it was announced to be a Hedge 

 Accentor's. In one place where the bog drained itself into a small 

 pond nests of both Water-hen and Coot were found containing eggs, 

 and one member was decidedly wet before he had satisfied his 

 curiosity. After a long tramp the little party emerged from the 

 wood and took to the fields, where other species were added to the 

 list, including three Buntings, the Yellow, the rarer ' Common,' and 

 the still rarer Reed Bunting. On nearing the Beck the Spotted 

 flycatcher was seen pursuing the vocation from which it takes its 

 name, and the Swallow, Martin, Sand Martin, and Swift were also 

 entomologising up and down the stream. On reaching Brace Bridge 

 some little time was spent to advantage in the neighbourhood. 

 A move was at length made for head-quarters, the majority of the 

 section walking on to Lowthorpe, and taking train for Driffield, 

 where they were joined shortly afterwards by the remainder, who had 

 preferred walking and passed through Nafterton on their way. 



The following is the complete list of Vertebrates recorded. 

 The list of birds — 42 in all — included 27 resident and 15 migram 

 species. The asterisks * denote that eggs and the daggers t that 

 young birds were observed. 



Mammals. Birds. 



Short-tailed un Field Vole. *t Missel 1 brush. 



Rabbit. *t Song Tl.rush. 



July 1890. 



