CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. (.._>7 



patches on the sides of its face, somewhat resembling the old ' Dundreary ' whiskers 

 of years ago, hence the name ' bearded ' Titmouse. 



A few years ago some pairs of these species were brought to Hornsea Mere and let 

 loose anions? the reeds in the hope that they would establish themselves, and give 

 an added charm to the fauna of the district. From reports which were received it 

 seemed clear that for a year or two they did actually survive and nest around the 

 Mere, but their numbers grew fewer and fewer, and eventually the species disappeared 



altogether. 



The third sanctuary to which I refer is that of the famous 



Flamborough Headland. 

 Standing on the high cliffs at Bempton one can see, to the north Filey, snugly 

 sheltered in Filey Bay, with the treacherous Brig to the right; and on a fine day 

 Scarborough, with its castle-crowned hill, appears on the sky-line beyond Filey 

 cliffs. Immediately to the south are the Flamborough Lighthouse and the cave- 

 worn cliffs ; beyond, Bridlington Bay and Bridlington ; and in the dim distance can 

 be seen the low cliffs of the interesting district of Holderness. In front is the North 

 Sea the brilliant blue waters of which are washing the cliff foot, over 400 feet below ; 

 in some places the se'a never recedes from it. Quite apart from their charming 

 surroundings, the cliffs themselves cannot but strike the visitor with awe and wonder. 

 At Bempton and Speeton they rise in a perpendicular wall: indeed, in some parts 

 are overhanging, to a height of nearly 450 feet, They consist of pure chalk, the 

 brilliant whiteness of which is softened by time, and the whole effect is enhanced by 

 the appearance, here and there, of streaks of green, where vegetation has found a 



But' apart from the sea, the scenery and the surroundings, the birds of Bempton 

 cliffs are world-famous. . 



The ledges and crannies on that great, wall of rock are crowded with myriads ot 

 sea-fowl. These can easily be seen, particularly with the aid of a field-glass, their 

 dark colour contrasting we'll with the background formed by the chalk. An enormous 

 multitude, row upon row, tier upon tier, can be identified. In addition to those on 

 the ledges, which are occupied in domestic affairs, the air is alive with the croaking 

 and screeching of tens of thousands of them ; and the surface of the water deep down 

 below is dotted with floating birds. At times the sound made by this whirl of feathered 

 life is almost deafening. , . 



Here at Flamborough we have one of the principal breedmg grounds of sea-towl 

 in the British Isles ; and every visitor to the cliffs must be impressed by the 

 extraordinary profusion of bird life which occurs. The chief occupant is the 

 Guillemot, a quaint bird in brow and white, harlequin fashion ; the Razorbi 11 and 

 Puffin also occur in numbers, while more rarely the Kittiwake, Herring Gull and 

 Cormorant can be identified. In recent years the Fulmar Petrel has joined the throng : 

 Kestrels, Carrion Crows and Jackdaws are there also, and, as might be expected, ttinye 

 well. Among smaller birds, the Stock Dove, Rock Dove, Pipit, and House Martin 

 share with their larger confreres the hospitality which these cliffs afford. 



The Guillemot is unquestionably the main item in the calendar on r-lamborough 

 Headland. It arrives on the cliffs in May, and soon after begins to take its place on 

 the ledges and lay its eggs and bring forth its young, finally quitting the neighbourhood 

 about the end of Auglt, Only one egg is laid by each bird, and Lit ■ remarkable 

 for being almost the largest egg, in comparison with the size of the bird, that is kno n, 

 weighing on an average a quarter of a pound, or one-eighth of the weight o* the 1,1 

 This egg is markedly pear-shaped, and its inability to roll prevents it from f albng 

 off the cliffs, being placed, as so many of them are on exceedingly narrow ledges, 

 many of which slope seawards. But the shape of the egg is of l.ttle moment com- 

 pared with its colouring and decoration. In no other area is such a variety* nwrkmg 

 to be met with as in the Guillemots' eggs on Flamborough Headland. Ihey can be 

 obtained in almost every possible shade of green, blue, red, purple, or brown, and they 

 are marked by blotches, streaks, pencillings, or in other ways to a degree win, h 

 can only be appreciated by an examination of the specimens themselves No two 

 eggs are exactly the same, consequently here of all places can the question of variation 

 be investigated. There are definite types of eggs, most of which can be secured at a 

 very small cost. Collectors, however, in order to add uncommon forms to their series, 

 contest for any unusual colouring or marking, and an exceptionally good egg 

 consequently realises a high price. 



