Field Notes. 301 
BIRDS. 
Early Reference to the Plover in Yorkshire.—I have 
recently obtained a small 4to volume entitled ‘ Newes out of 
York-shire: or An Accovnt of a Iovrney, in the trve Discovery 
of a soueraigne Minerall, Medicinal! Water, in the West-Riding 
of York-shire, neere an ancient Towne called Knaresborough, not 
inferiour to the Spain Germany. Also a taste of other Minerall 
Waters of seuerall natures adioyning, by M.S.’ {Michael 
Stanhope]. This work was written ‘this summer 1626.’ On 
page 3 we learn ‘It is (as I am credibly enformed) about 50 
yeres since first notice was taken of a Spring (in the West-riding 
of Yorke-shire, neere a Towne called Knaresborough) called 
at this day by the countrey people, 7wit-well, it seemes for no 
other cause, but that those birdes (being our greene Plouer) doe 
vsually haunt the place.’ On page 4: ‘ This Twit-well (I feare 
the poorenesse of the name, hath not a little disaduantag’d it) 
hath beene most grosly neglected, as if it were a place onlye 
worth the notice of that silly bird.”*—T. SHEPPARD. 
A new West Riding Heronry.—A new heronry is being 
formed in extreme upper Wharfedale, where no heronry is 
known to have ever existed anywhere near. The birds were 
first noticed to frequent Kirkgill Wood, near Hubberholme, 
in the year 1913. In 1914 there were two nests, and this year 
three pairs have safely nested. Fortunately it is situated on 
the estate of Miss Crompton Stansfield, of Buckden, to whom 
I am indebted for several interesting details, and this lady 
has given strict instructions to her gamekeeper not to allow 
the birds to be interfered with, or annoyed in any way. The 
Heron and its eggs are protected all the year round in the 
West Riding, and the Wild Birds’ and Eggs’ Protection Acts 
Committee of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union is prepared 
to take proceedings against offenders. I feel quite sure that 
this new heronry is an off-shoot from the old-established one 
at Eshton, in Airedale. On the Eshton estate tree-felling has 
been going on for several years. Herons, like Rooks, do not 
like trees being cut down in the vicinity of their nests, even 
though scrupulous care be taken not to fell a tree that contains 
a nest—H. B. Bootu. 
—:0:— 
MOSSES. 
Tortula cernua Lindb., near Leeds.— At the June 
meeting of the Leeds Naturalists’ Club, a discussion centred on 
a luxuriant growth of Leptobryum pyriforme Wils., and its 
habitat—a lime debris—which had attracted attention during 
a ramble to Aberford on the previous Saturday. Mr. Chris. 
Cheetham suggested the likelihood of such a station harbouring 
* This referred to the Tewit well which is still much used at Harrogate. 
1915 Sept. 1. 
