422 Field Note. 
Herons have decreased, but the Pochards show a slight increase 
over recent years. Only one pair of Shovellers bred here, against 
seven pairs in 1906, probably owing to the greater amount of 
water having flooded out the nesting locality. A pair of Tufted 
Ducks have again been on the Mere all this season. Only three 
pair of Great-crested Grebe remain, and of these only one pair 
reared young, two in number. The increase of boating is un- 
doubtedly responsible for driving away these birds. The Goldfinch 
has not been seen here this year, as has also been the case in some 
other of its usual haunts, but as it has appeared in greater numbers 
thnn usual in some localities, doubtless its appearance is merely a 
question of the local food supply. 
Bemptron.—We have again to congratulate ourselves upon 
the breeding of the Peregrine Falcons, which reared two young 
for the second year in succession. 
The year 1907 has been the most disastrously wet season at 
the cliffs within living memory; an unfortunate factor for climbers, 
but fortunate for the birds. In consequence of the interruption in 
gathering eggs at the right time, many became stale before taken, 
and the third laying was thus postponed until the climbing season 
had terminated, as the interval for relaying, after sitting some 
days, was naturally greater than if the eggs had been taken when 
quite fresh. Most of the eggs of this third laying were hatched 
off in consequence. 
—_ 6 
COLEOPTERA. 
Abundance of Coccinellida.—One result of the swarms 
of Aphides which were so obnoxious last month may now be 
seen in the numbers of Ladybirds maturing. 
Yesterday, while walking from Wath-on-Dearne to Swinton, 
the palings bordering the road-side were literally swarming 
with ladybirds. So far as I could see, there were only two 
species represented, Adalia bipunctata and Coccinella 1ro-punctata, 
the latter in its usually very varied markings. 
A few larve were also to be seen, one of which, much too 
large for either of the above species, was probably Coccinella 
7-punctata. 
Since the autumn of 1884, when, as I well remember, the 
railings and walls in and around West and South Parades, 
Wakefield, were literally alive with these same two species, I 
have never seen so many ladybirds congregated.—E. G. 
Bayrorpb, October 18th, 1907. 
Naturalist, 
