Yorkshire Naturalist Union, Vertebrate Section. 83 
At the evening meeting Mr. Bolam’s ‘ Notes on a Visit to 
South Wales,’ were read by the Secretary. 
The chief value of the paper naturally lay in the observations 
of the Kite, but several other points of general ornithological 
interest are worthy of note. 
A striking scarcity of the Lapwing and Corncrake, both 
formerly abundant, was attributed to the Fox by a game- 
keeper acquaintance, whose judgement however, may have been 
alittle warped. During a spell of wet weather at the beginning 
of May, the writer had observed on two separate occasions 
and in two localities, an interesting feature of the Cuckoo not 
generally known. On each occasion the birds were seen to 
survey the ground from a low branch and then drop into the 
grass, out of which they dragged, much after the manner of the 
Thrush, a fairly large earth-worm. When the worm’s resistance 
had been overcome, it was taken crosswise in the bill, given a 
not very forcible bite, and forthwith swallowed. 
The staple food of this bird is stated in practically all text 
books to consist of caterpillars, and it probably has caused many 
field naturalists to question how, when and where these are 
to be obtained in the early days and weeks of the summer 
visit. The foregoing may offer a simple explanation. 
The present precarious footing of the Kite in the Princi- 
pality is difficult to explain, as within living memory the species 
was fairly common in some localities and received no more 
attention than the numerous Buzzards do now. In recent times 
the human element has undoubtedly contributed to the re- 
duction. The most serious natural enemy is the Carrion Crow, 
which abounds there and is found nesting in close proximity 
to every Kite’s nest, upon which it wages war. Curiously 
enough the Kite suffers much in comparison with the Buzzard 
in repelling the attacks of this Crow, and a similar contrast 
was noted in the hunting abilities of the two, the Buzzard 
being much bolder and more energetic. The nesting habits 
and food of both birds were detailed, as were those of the 
Raven. 
Several rather rare species of smaller birds were observed 
in good numbers, such as the Woodlark, Pied Flycatcher, 
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and Longtailed Tit. 
Polecats are still fairly common, but the Marten is apparently 
extinct. 
With reference to the Longtailed Skua obtained at Withen’s 
Reservoir in June, 1914, as reported in The Naturalist for 
September, Mr. Pollard commented upon the unusual instance 
of this species appearing on the Spring migration, and announced 
that Mr. Parkin, who stuffed the specimen, had identified | it 
as a female with well developed ovaries. 
Mr. F. H. Edmondson gave a most interesting paper, 
1915 Feb, 1. 
