108 fortune: The Protection of Birds tn the West Riding. 
but as they have been moved up and placed amongst the birds 
protected all the year round we cannot complain. 
Schedule B is the most interesting. The birds in this list 
are absolutely protected against everyone all the year round. 
To this Schedule no fewer than twenty-six species have been 
added. The Peregrine Falcon and the Raven, both practically 
extinct as breeding species, have now a chance to regain their 
lost ground. Other nesting species included for the first time 
are the Corn Crake, which, without doubt, has decreased in 
numbers very considerably of late years. The Dotterel, of 
which only about a single pair attempts to nest in the Riding. 
These birds are shot on migration in spring for the purpose 
of obtaining feathers for dressing flies for fishing, but as 
feathers may be obtained from the Starling answering quite as 
well, if not better than those of the Dotterel, it is scandalous 
that the rare bird should be brought under contribution when 
the slaughter of a few Starlings can do no harm. The Black 
Headed Gull, a much maligned species, which observation has 
certainly proved that, in the West Riding at any rate, they 
do no harm, but a great deal of good. I have investigated 
several cases of alleged interference with grouse eggs by this 
bird, but in no case was the bird guilty. The Kittiwake Gull 
is also included. This bird does not nest or frequent the West 
Riding, but occasionally an individual may be blown inland 
from the coast. He may now visit us safely, at least according 
to law. The Hedge Sparrow and Tree Sparrow are bracketted 
together under the head of Sparrows; the first is of course not 
a Sparrow but a Warbler. It is pleasing to know that our 
unassuming little friend has been placed upon the list. The 
gentlemanly Tree Sparrow is such a very local bird, nowhere 
very abundant, that he deserves to receive sanctuary. He may 
be readily distinguished from his vulgar relation by his chestnut 
head, two white bars on the wing, and his more musical note. 
The Spotted Crake and Water Rail, two very rare nesting 
species, may now attend to their household affairs in security. 
Many have been shot every autumn, but this is now prohibited. 
The Stone Curlew, nearly extinct as a nesting bird, may now 
possibly increase in numbers. The Turtle Dove, which is ex- 
tending its range in the county, may now do so in security. 
The Twite, an interesting and very local species, is placed on 
the list for the first time. [ know of one place in the fell district 
where the manager of a local bank, for several mornings in 
succession, sallied out to shoot Twites, killing from twenty 
Naturalist, 
