258 



EASTERN TURTLE DOVE IN YORKSHIRE. 



JAMES BACKHOUSE, Jun., F.Z.S.. M.B.O.U., 

 Hon. Curator in Ornithology to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society's Museum, ] 'ori: 



Early last autumn (October 23rd), a specimen of the Eastern Turtle 

 Dove {Turtur orientalis) found its way, amongst other interesting 

 birds, to Scarborough, and was captured near to that town by a local 

 gunner and preserved by Mr. Head. 



The bird has since come into my possession and was forwarded 

 for identification to Mr. Seebohm, who writes (April 9th, 1890) : — 



' The Pigeon is a bird in first plumage of Turttir orientalis^ and 

 is probably a wild bird, as it has occurred more than once in 

 Scandinavia. ... It is a most interesting addition to the list of 

 accidental visitors to England.' 



Although the specimen in question was kindly exhibited for me 

 by Mr. Seebohm at a meeting of the Zoological Society, held on 

 May 6th, it is only right that its occurrence should be noted in 

 the pages of ' The Naturalist ' as a new Yorkshire bird. 



[It is of interest to add that by Mr. Backhouse's kindness 

 this specimen now forms part of the collection in the York 

 Museum. — Ed.]. --— 



NO TE^ ORNITHOL OGV. 



Remarkable Swallows' Nests at Wilstrop, near York. — Visiting at 

 Wilstrop Hall, near York, a short time ago, Mr. John Harrison drew my attention 

 to several nests built under the eaves of his house. ]!y the aid of a ladder I was 

 iible to inspect them more closely. There were five nests in all, three of which 

 were Martins' {Chelidon iirbica) and two were Swallows' {Hirttttdo rustica). The 

 Martins' nests were not remarkable, being built as usual close under, and touching 

 the spout, with the entrance in the side. The swallows' nests were noteworthy 

 inasmuch as they were built against the wall unsupported by any ledi^e whatever. 

 The upper part of the nest, which was characteristically open, was about two inches 

 below the spout. I may add that usual nesting-places for the .Swallow were not 

 wanting, for Mr. Harrison took me into one of his many sheds and showed me six 

 Swallows' nests. Four of them were placed on a beam, but curiously enough the 

 ■other two were built against the inner wall of the shed, and quite a foot below the 

 angle of the roof. — Edgar R. Waite, The Museum, Leeds, 22nd August. 1890. 



NO TES— FISHES. 

 Three-Bearded Rockling off Whitby. — A very fine example of the 

 Three-bearded Rockling or Gade [Motella iricirrata) was caught yesterday by 

 ii fisherman, on a line, about six miles off Whitby. It measures 18 inches in length 

 and 8 inches in girth behind the pectoral fins, and is the first I remember of that 

 size being captured off here on a hook. It has been preserved by Mr. J. H. 

 Wilson for the Whitby Museum. — Thos. Stei>he\son, i, Haggersgate, Whitby, 

 28th June, 1890. 



Anchovy on the Coast of the North-West of England. — Although 

 the Anchovy (Engrau/is cncrasicho/us) has been obtained on many parts of the 

 British coast, it has not hitherto been reported from the shores of the North-West 

 of England. I am, therefore, glad to be able to record that about twenty speci- 

 mens of the Anchovy were captured near .Silloth, June 27th, 1890. — H. A. 

 Maci'HEKSON, Carlisle. 



Naturalist, 



