VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE BLACKPOOL DISTRICT 129 



Reptiles and Amphibians. 



These number 11. A Loggerhead Turtle was caught in the Lune in 

 October, 1927. 



The Slow-Worm has occurred at Carnforth, Silverdale, Garstang, St. 

 Michaels-on-Wyre and (this year) at Salwick. The Common Lizard is 

 numerous and widely distributed among the sand-dunes and hedgerows. 

 Records of the Ring Snake and Viper are few. The former has occurred at 

 Garstang, Longridge and Preston, and Mr. H. W. Robinson reports it as not 

 uncommon in the neighbourhood of Silverdale. The Viper has been seen at 

 Cockerham, but is more frequent on the mosses further north. 



All three British Newts are found. The Palmated Newt has been reported 

 from Garstang, and may exist elsewhere locally as it is not always distinguished 

 from the Smooth Newt. The Natterjack Toad (still common on the Formby 

 dunes) is a rarity in the Blackpool district. It is found at Cockerham, however, 

 and there is an old record for Mytton on the county border. 



References. 

 The Birds of Lancashire by F. S. Mitchell. 2nd edit, by Howard Saunders. 1892. 

 Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee. Annual Reports. 1914-1934. 

 Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Committee. Check List with Key References to above. 1930. 

 The Birds of St. Michaels-on-Wyre by H. P. H. (Privately Printed). 1924. 

 The Birds of the Ribble Estuary by J. R. Charnley and W. H. Heathcote. 1910. 

 Miscellaneous Notes by H. W. Robinson and others in The Zoologist, Field, British 

 Birds, &c. 



XX. 



THE LAKE DISTRICT 



I. INTRODUCTION. 



Short geological and biological notices of the Lake District are included in 

 this survey, because the district will be visited by many members during the 

 Blackpool Meeting, and also because it is unlikely to find a place in any other 

 survey in this series. 



The district is unique in England in respect both of its physical characters 

 and of the widespread esteem which its manifold natural beauties inspire. 

 Let those be threatened, by whatever form of economic development — 

 whether inappropriate building, road-widening, mineral working, over- 

 orderly afforestation, or the expansion of lakes by damming for the water supply 

 of distant towns, as at Thirlmere and Haweswater — and at once powerful 

 expressions of public opinion are evoked in defence of the district. That 

 defence has not yet been fully assured by means of adequate public control, 

 but there has been definite movement towards this end, and very many people 

 would gladly see the district ultimately conserved as a national park. 



