Fortune: Birds requiring Protection in Yorkshire. 83 



Raven. — This species is reduced to an odd pair endeavourin|f 

 to nest, unfortunately without success, the eg-gfs being- invariably 

 taken, like those of the Pereg-rine, even when on the point of 

 hatching-. 



Buzzard. — These birds have not nested in the county for 

 several years ; all their old haunts are deserted. An abso- 

 lutely harmless species, it is a great pity that continual 

 persecution has driven it from the county. If only from 

 a matter of sentiment, it is a cause of deepest reg-ret that we 

 should have to contemplate the disappearance of these three 

 fine birds from our area. I strong-ly appeal to collectors in 

 Yorkshire and elsewhere to stay their hands, and gfive them 

 a chance to ag-ain establish themselves. 



Merlin. — The numbers of this beautiful little hawk have 

 been sadly thinned of late years, both by collectors and g-ame 

 preservers. As the food of these birds consists almost entirely 

 of Meadow Pippits and other small birds, there is no excuse for 

 their destruction by gamekeepers. 



Goldfinch. — This bird is practically exterminated as a York- 

 shire nesting- species. The depredations of bird-catchers in the 

 first place, and eg;g--collectors to a smaller extent, have com- 

 bined to bring; this about. A beautiful and absolutely harmless 

 bird, every protection should be g-iven it for some years. 



Linnet. — The actions of the bird-catchers threaten this 

 species, which happily is yet not vmcommon ; still there are 

 many old haunts which are now deserted, the birds having- been 

 swept away entirely. 



Bullfinch. — This species has had its numbers sadly thinned 

 by the bird-catchers. A year or two ag-o I knew one small 

 plantation that held nine nests full of young- birds, all of which 

 fledg-ed safely. Yet, in spite of this, there has not been a nest 

 in this place since ; every bird was captured. There are many 

 who say the Bullfinch should not be tolerated on account of the 

 harm they do to the gardens, &c. I grant that they cause a 

 certain amount of destruction, yet I am confident that if their 

 habits and movements are studied, and not from one point of 

 view only, it will be found that the good they do at least 

 balances the harm ; in any case, it would be a disgrace to 

 exterminate such a beautiful bird. 



Red pole, Chaffinch, Twite, Siskin. — These species all suff'er 

 from the depredations of the bird-catchers. I am not altogether 

 against anyone possessing cage-birds, but I am strongly 

 opposed to the reckless destruction caused by this nefarious 



1906 March i. 



