244 Yorkshire Naturalists at Filey. 



an upturned tub in place of a chair. On the roll-call being- 

 called it was found that eighteen societies were represented. 

 Reports of the work accomplished were given by the various 

 oflficers, particulars appearing below. A vote of condolence with 

 the family of the late Samuel Chadwick, F.G.S., formerly of 

 Malton, was passed. Thanks were tendered to those who had 

 assisted in the excursion, and to the president for his services. 

 Three new members were elected. 



A few remained in the district the following day, examining 

 the chalk in the vicinity of Flamborough. 



For the vertebrate section Mr. Riley Fortune reports that 

 the principal attraction was the birds at Speeton and Bempton, 

 but unfortunately a dense sea ' fret' which prevailed all the time 

 prevented a fair view being obtained. From enquiries made of 

 the ' dimmers ' we learn that the birds are later than usual in 

 laying this year, and that they appear to start later every season. 

 The usual species are in strong force, and it is particularly 

 gratifying to find that the beautiful Kittiwake is steadily in- 

 creasing in numbers. A good many Starling's (which seem 

 to be at home everywhere) were feeding their young in the 

 cliffs. 



A few members visited the cliffs on Tuesday, and were 

 rewarded by having a fine day. They were greatly interested 

 in seeing the Herring Gulls on the look out for eggs. These 

 robbers sailed along the face of the cliff", and directly they 

 'spotted' an egg impaled it upon their beaks and flew out to sea 

 with it. They then dropped it, and dived and secured it, and 

 then enjoved the fruits of their 'commandeering' expedition. 



Tree Pipits were exceptionally numerous, and about the 

 gorse and bramble bushes on the cliff top south of Filey 

 warblers were very abundant. Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats 

 especiallv so. The Swallow tribe was very scarce, but this 

 seems to be the case all over the county. Swifts, however, are 

 plentiful. It may be interesting to note that in a shed visited 

 north of Filey no fewer than fourteen pairs of birds had their 

 temporary home, and fourteen nests, containing either egg^s or 

 3^oung, were built therein. A pair of Starlings had, as usual, built 

 their nest in the bulb of the pump used for watering the engines 

 in Filey Station, and their young were just about ready to fly. 



To the south of Filey is a charming ravine known as 

 Hunmanbv Gap. A narrow footpath runs the whole length 

 of this, and the Thrushes had converted the path into perfect 

 shambles. It was literally strewn with broken snail shells, and 



Naturalist, 



