26o BOOTH : I'.IRD-NOTES FROM THK MALHAM DISTRICT. 



{Acrocephalus phrag/nitis) will tell us plainly he prefers our absence to- 

 our company. 



But to return to Malham. On our left, we see the stupendous 

 block of limestone called Malham Cove, from under which the 

 stream liberates itself after running underground from the moor. 

 On the ledges of the steep side hundreds of Jackdaws {Corvus 

 monedula) make their homes, and now and then a Stock Dove 

 {Co/it i/iba a'nas) may be seen coming or going. A mile and a half 

 further on and we are at Gordale Scar. A few pairs of Wheatears 

 {Saxico/a ivnanthe) are sure to attract our attention in the ravine, 

 while all up the sides thousands of Jackdaws make us aware of 

 their presence ; those near the top scarcely looking larger than 

 sparrows. The bushes which grow on the ledges of the rock 

 afford nesting-places for numbers of Ringdoves {Columba pahimbusy 

 and several pairs of Hawks breed on the dizzy heights of the cliffs. 

 I have not been able to identify the species, though doubtless they 

 are Kestrels {Tinnutiatiiis alaudarius). 



After some time spent in meditation at the almost overwhelming 

 boldness of the scene, we commence a stiff climb to reach the moor 

 above, on the skirts of which we are sure to meet with a few pairs 

 of Ring Ouzels {Tit7-diis torquatus). The weird wild notes of the 

 Curlews {Numenius arqualn) and Lapwings ( Vanellus vulgaris) let 

 us know when we are properly on the moor ; and afterwards, as we 

 move towards some marshy spot, the ever-noisy Redshank {Totanus 

 calidris) will join in the chorus. In the spring-time the Snipe 

 {Gallinago ca'/cstis) will cause us to look up and wonder how he 

 makes his 'drumming.' But what a treat to the lover of birds are 

 these wild moor birds' notes I What an air of freedom seems tO' 

 surround us who are so much cooped up in a smoky town ! 



And now we come upon a small party of Dunlins {Tri/iga alpina) 

 changing into summer plumage, either by a stream side or in 

 a swamp. What little beauties they look ! and how tame they are 

 as they trip gaily and nimbly along just before us, and then rise 

 with a kind of shrill whistle. A little later on and we shall see them iiii 

 full summer plumage, either singly or in pairs. Doubtless, they breed 

 here, but we have never seen their nests, although we have been 

 in the breeding-season. But the most handsome bird on the moor 

 is the male Golden \^\ovqv {Charadriiis pli/vialis), with his velvety 

 jet-black breast, as he turns on a tussock to face us, and as we 

 advance, flies, and alternates with his mate in their alarm notes. 

 Now and then a pair of Red Grouse {Lagopiis scoticus) or a pair of 

 Partridges {Perdi.x cinerea) will rise before us. Long before this we 

 shall have caught sight of Malham Tarn, a large expanse of beautiful 



Natur.Tlist, 



