236 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT HARROGATE. 



At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Bunker, having to catch a 

 train, vacated the chair in favour of the Rev. R. A. Summerfield, B.A., 

 Vicar of North Stainley, near Ripon, who called upon the sectional 

 officers to deliver their respective reports. 



For the Vertebrate Section, which was represented on the ground 

 by its president (Thos. Bunker) and one of its secretaries (Edgar R. 

 Waite, Leeds), as well as by the Rev. E. P. Knubley, M.A., Mr. Riley 

 Fortune, and others, Mr. Waite reported that the excursion, so far as 

 this section was concerned, had not been productive of such good 

 results as was anticipated, judging from the contributions to the 

 excursion -programme. All the members attending the excursion, 

 with the exception of the geologists, left Harrogate Station at 11.20, 

 Mr. Riley Fortune leading the zoologists, while the botanists were 

 under the guidance of Mr. Naughton. The united party proceeded 

 across the Stray, down Paley's Lane to Hookstone Wood, where they 

 divided. A Greenfinch's nest was found, composed for the most 

 part of rabbit's fur. Mr. Fortune now led his party through 

 1 Paradise ' to the Crimple Beck ; large numbers of Sand Martins 

 were breeding in the bank, and their nests were inspected ; some 

 contained newly-laid eggs and others young birds ready for flight. 

 Fullwith Mill and the Bleach Works were successively reached, and 

 after a walk of about four miles the party entered Rudding Park. 

 Here a Squirrel was seen, and chase was given to a young Sparrow- 

 hawk, which was discovered sitting on a mass of brushwood ; it led 

 the naturalists by short flights from tree to tree, and finally escaped 

 into the wood. This little incident caused a delay of about ten 

 minutes, and Sir Percy Radcliffe's butler was seen making for the 

 party. A halt was called, and the members were informed that 

 although not at home, Sir Percy wished that they should be enter- 

 tained to lunch. Watches were consulted, and it was found that time 

 was too short to enable the party to reach Plumpton as was 

 originally intended, so it was decided to accept Sir Percy's kind 

 invitation. Afterwards, a vote of thanks was passed to him for his 

 hospitality and opportunity given for inspecting the birds and other 

 objects of natural history in his collection. The mammals seen 

 during the day were the Mole, Squirrel, Water and Field Voles, 

 Hare, and Rabbit. Forty-three birds were either seen or heard, 

 15 being migrants, while 28 were residents. The following is the 

 complete list : — Missel and Song Thrushes, Blackbird, Whinchat, 

 Redstart, Redbreast, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff, Willow and Sedge 

 Warblers, Hedge Accentor, Dipper, Great, Coal, and Blue Tits, Wren, 

 Pied and Grey Wagtails, Meadow Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Swallow, 

 House and Sand Martins, Greenfinch, Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, 



Naturalist, 



