CiRC, No. 63. 



species. Of land shells thirty-two species, and of slugs seven species 

 have been noted, and there are doubtless various forms still to reward 

 further investigation. The almost uniform geological structure of the 

 district as a whole does not tend to the nourishment of moUuscan 

 life, but the limited outcrops of mountain limestone at How Stean 

 and above Lofthouse impart a new element to the district, the effect 

 of which is seen in the presence of such species as Helix lapicida, 

 If. rupesfris, Balea, and Clai/silia lafuinafa, all of which, as well as 

 other species, are in Nidderdale confined to the calcareous element: 

 in the soil. 



Vertebrate Zoology. 



Mammals. — This class of the fauna has received much attention- 

 and few districts have better lists, especially in bats, one of which, 

 the Lesser Horse-shoe Bat, here finds its northern British range. The 

 mammalian list includes twenty-five species now to be found in the 

 region ; among others the Long-eared Bat, Natterer's Bat, Whiskered 

 Bat, Noctule Bat, Pipistrelle Bat, Shrew, Water Shrew, Otter, Badger,. 

 Squirrel, Dormouse, Long-tailed Field Mouse, Water arid Field Voles, 

 Red Field Vole, &c. The Harvest Mouse is recorded, but it is 

 desirable that further information concerning its occurrence should 

 be obtained. The Marten and the Polecat are among the species of 

 the past, although the latter may still survive. 



Birds. — The avifauna of the upper portion of the Valley of the 

 Nidd is extremely rich in residents and summer visitants, no less 

 than ninety species breeding annually within its limits. This special 

 feature of true ornithic wealth is doubtless due to the great variety of 

 habitat afforded, and also to the secluded nature of the district. But 

 while the region affords almost every description of physical feature, 

 it is wanting in lakes and mountain tarns, and thus many migratory 

 waders and winter visitants among the ducks are absent from the 

 former. The total avifauna, so far as it is known, comprises one 

 hundred and twenty-three species ; of these, sixty-two are residents, 

 twenty-eight are summer visitants, eleven winter visitants, and twenty- 

 three are casual or periodic visitants, and more or less rare. Among 

 the residents the Goldfinch, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Lesser Spotted 

 Woodpecker, Teal, and Woodcock are worthy of mention. Of the 

 summer visitants the more important are the Pied Flycatcher, the 

 Wryneck, and the Dunlin. 



Fishes. — The ichthyology of the upper waters of a mountain river 

 is never rich, and the Nidd appears no exception to the rule. The 

 Bull-head, Minnow, Loach, Trout, Grayling, Eel, and Lampern are 

 all that are known to occur. Mr. Yorke, some few years ago, intro- 

 duced many young Neuchatel Trout into the river about Ramsgill. 



Programme of Meetings. 



4-0 —Tea 2/- each | ^jj ^^ ^^^ YJing's Head Hotel, Pateley 



4-45 — Sectional Meetings V "r 'H 



5-15 — General Meeting ) ^ s • 



