38 CLARKE: THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



the nest being composed of heather, grass and rushes. 



In 1808 the species is cited by Graves as inhabiting 

 Cleveland; Mr. Leyland in 1828 mentions it in his list of Halifax 

 birds; Mr. Allis in 1844 gives it as sometimes visiting the moors 

 near Sheffield, rarely near Hebden Bridge, and not uncommon 

 near Doncaster, Mr. II. Reid informing him that 14 years before 

 that date seven or eight were obtained in a season from Hatfield 

 Moor and Car Side. 



In October 1849 one was shot at Wassand near Hornsea, 

 by the keeper, in the presence of Sir Wm. Milner, Bart. ; recorded 

 by Dr. B. R. Morris in the Zoologist (1850, p. 2649). 



A fine female is said by Mr. Wm. Talbot, in his list of 

 Wakefield birds, to have been found in a rabbit trap at Cudworth 

 near Barnsley in April 1869; this he saw in the flesh. 



On the 13th of October, 187 1, a young male was shot near 

 Beverley, and recorded in the Zoologist (187 1, p. 2847) by Mr. 

 W. W. Boulton, with the remark that it was " quite a rare and 

 unlooked for occurrence." 



Mr. A. Clapham of Scarborough informs me that he possesses 

 an almost black specimen, shot at Wassand in February or March, 

 1872, and that he saw another from the same place, a splendid 

 bird, black with a rufous head. 



In September 1877 one was shot near Pocklington 

 (Naturalist, 1878, p. 112). 



emeus CYANEUS (L.) 

 Hen Harrier. 



A casual visitant. 



This species is now only a very occasional visitor to our 

 extensive moors and unenclosed lands; although we can hardly 

 doubt that the Hen Harrier formerly bred annually on the 

 extensive and wide spreading tracts of suitable country to be 



Trans. Y.N.U., 1878 (pub. 1880) Series B 



