Field Notes. 403 
Rinc Ouzet.——This bird is fairly common in the district, and 
should have been met with by the members of the Union. On 
May 27th a nest with four young was found near Ramsdale 
Beck, a short distance from the Whitby and Scarbro’ highroad. 
Wutncuat.—Was also very late in arriving in this part ot 
Yorkshire. May 11th appears to be the earliest date recorded. 
Many did not come to us till much later. 
TREE CREEPER.—This is by no means common. Odd birds 
are to be found in suitable localities. 
STONECHAT.—It is so thinly distributed over this locality that 
it might easily escape observation during a short visit.—THos. 
STEPHENSON, Whitby, September 17th, 1907. 
An ancient Blackbird.—It may be interesting to record the 
death of an old blackbird which has just taken place in 
Harrogate. He was captured by his owner 15 years and 
7 months ago, and as he would be at least a month old when 
caught, he has reached the ripe age of nearly 16 years. For 
five years he was clothed in the normal plumage of his kind, 
but after the fifth moult white feathers began to appear, 
increasing in numbers after every moult, until at the time of his 
death a considerable portion of his plumage was white. 
—R. Fortune, Harrogate. 
—:0:— 
FISHES. 
Fishes at Whitby.—The following species were obtained 
during September at Whitby :— 
Sept. 25th.—Ballan Wrasse, Zabrus maculatus, weighing 
2} lbs. was taken off and brought into Whitby. 
Sept. 26th.—A large Porbeagle or Beaumaris Shark, Zamna 
cornubica, a male, measuring from end of nose to end of caudal 
fin 7 ft. 6 ins., and estimated to weigh about 3 cwt., was taken 
off Saltburn by John Dryden in the herring nets of the coble 
‘Ann Elizabeth,’ W Y 184, and brought into Whitby, where it 
was exhibited. One net was completely spoiled. 
Sept. 26th.—A fine example of Garfish or Sea Pike, Bila 
vulgaris, measuring from end of jaw to end of caudal fin 27 ins., 
called locally Swordfish. 
Sept. 27th.—A large specimen of Great Weever or Sting- 
bull, Zrachinus draco, measuring 16 ins. in length and weighing 
1 lb., was taken off, and brought into, Whitby. 
Sept. 28th.—A small Sunfish, Or¢hagoréscus mola, measuring 
1907 November tr. 
