299 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT STAMFORD 
BRIDGE, 
(PLATE XV.). 
TYPICALLY rural are the surroundings of the historical village 
of Stamford Bridge which the Union had chosen for the oc- 
casion of their two hundred and forty-sixth meeting. The 
attendance was particularly good, fourteen of the affiliated 
‘Societies being represented. Though not offering any striking 
geological features, the geologists under the able guidance of 
Mr. J. W. Stather, F.G.S., journeyed to High Catton and there 
examined sections of the morainic materials well exposed in 
several gravel pits. For the general body of naturalists there 
was much favourable working ground, and with Mr. S. H. 
Smith as guide, they spent a profitable time along the left bank 
of the River Derwent, in Aldby Park, and particularly in 
Buttercrambe Woods. Headquarters were at the Bay Horse 
Hotel, where, after tea, the usual meeting was held, with the 
President of the Union, Mr. Harold Wager, F.R.S., occupying 
the chair. Sectional reports were given, and thanks accorded 
to Major W. H. Collins for permission to visit his estate, to the 
guides, and to Mr. Wm. Hewett for making the local arrange- 
ments. 
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY.—Mr. Sydney H. Smith writes :— 
Mr. George Hall, the head-keeper on the Aldby Park estate, 
accompanied us, and assisted admirably in helping to make the 
excursion most successful. He informed me that on June 4th 
and 5th he saw a rough legged buzzard in Buttercrambe Wood. 
It was feeding upon the caterpillars of the oak-eggar moth 
that were dropping in large numbers from an oak tree. This 
is contrary to all accepted information as to the food of this 
species. Mr. Hall is very familiar with these birds, having shot 
them on the moors at Grantley. It was pleasing to hear 
that the buzzard left the neighbourhood without molestation. 
Attempts were made to obtain photographs of the fine herd of 
fallow deer in Aldby Park, but without much success. There 
were several newly-born fawns. The following is a list of 
the species observed upon the excursion :— 
Mammals.—Fallow Deer (an introduced species), Fox, 
Otter, Stoat, Weasel, Hedgehog, Brown Rat, Water Vole, Hare, 
Rabbit, Mole, Squirrel, Short-Tailed Field Vole, Noctule and 
Pipistrelle Bat. 
Birds.—In the brick pits near the village were the Coot, 
Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Willow Wren. The 
marshy ground below ‘ Battle Flatts’ affords a harbourage 
for Redshank, Green Plover, etc. In the woods and adjoining 
district were Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Redbreast, 
1913 Aug. I. 
