CrRC. No. 73. 



Vertebrate Zoology. 



Mr, William Beaumont (Ashton-under-Lyne) writes as follows : — 

 The district is rather favourable for birds, as they have not been 

 disturbed by much building or very extensive improvements in farming, 

 and the protection given to game on the moorlands is also a protec- 

 tion to the small birds. I have been very much surprised in my 

 rambles to find birds so numerous. The Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and 

 Merlin occur, while the Barn and Tawny Owls and Goatsucker are 

 found in the quieter parts of the district. The Missel Thrush, Song 

 Thrush, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Ring Ouzel, and Dipper are 

 found about the hills, and we have the Wagtails (Yellow and Pied), 

 Stonechat, Whinchat, and Wheatear, all the common warblers, includ- 

 ing the Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, and Willow Wren. Robins, Wrens, 

 and Hedge Sparrows are very common, and the Gold-crest occurs. 

 The Great Tit, Blue Tit, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Yellow 

 Hammer, Black-headed Bunting, and most of the Finches are with us. 

 The Kingfisher, all the Swallows, Starling, Crows, Grouse, Partridge, 

 Moorhen, Coot, Dabchick, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Sandpiper, Land Rail, 

 Water Rail, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Mallard, Teal, and Wigeon have 

 been seen in the neighbourhood, and several casual visitors have been 

 met with. The Red-crested Grebe and Storm Petrel in the possession 

 of the Mossley Naturalists' Society were both caught in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Wharmston. The Ring Ouzel and Wheatear breed 

 freely about the moors : the nest of the former Mr. G. T. Porritt has 

 found more than once at very short distances from the high road near 

 Diggle. 



Of Mammals, the Long-eared and Common Bats, the Fox, Hedge- 

 hog, Polecat, Stoat, Weasel, Mole, Rat, Water and Field Voles, Water 

 and Common Shrews, Hare, and Rabbit inhabit the district ; and of 

 Reptiles the Common Lizard, Blind Worm (rare). Frog, Toad, and 

 Common and Smooth Newts. 



Micro-Zoology and Botany. 



Mr. J. R. Robinson, F.R.M.S. (Mossley), furnishes the following : 

 Some six or seven years ago I, with others, hunted the district 

 through, and the only objects found were a few Hydra viridis at 

 Delph, not met with since. There was a very good microscopist 

 in Uppermill, a Police-sergeant, who was always on the look out for 

 objects in the ponds and ditches, but did not find anything. So far 

 as I know Micro-Zoology and Micro-Botany seem to be a blank in 

 Saddleworth. 



Progrannme of Meetings. 



4-30 p.m. — Meat Tea, 2/- each. Hare and Hounds Inn, Uppermill. 



5-30 p.m. — Sectional Meetings ) In the Lee Street School-room, 



6- o p.m. — General Meetings J Uppermill 



7-7 p.m., 8-48 p.m. — Departure of Trains from Saddleworth Station, 



