NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM WHITBY, 
May 1896 to February 1898. 
THOMAS STEPHENSON, 
Vhithy 
MAMMALIA. 
1896 July 17.—Pipistrellus noctula. Noctule Bat. Observed 
flitting about the West Cliff and Coast-Guard Battery. 
Lutra lutra. Otter. One has been observed in Ruswarp 
Dam.—Whitby Times, toth July 1896. 
Putorius ermineus. Stoat. A female was killed on the 
farm occupied by Mr. Spence, near Whitby Abbey. 
Oct.— Vulpes vulpes. Fox. Two sent to Mr. J. H. Wilson to 
be preserved. 
Sciurus vulgaris. Squirrel. One sent to Mr. Wilson 
to be preserved. 
1897 Feb. 6.—Lutra lutra. Otter. An old male, weighing 
20 Ibs., was trapped and killed at Egton Bridge; preserved 
by Mr. J. H. Wilson. 
May 8.—-Plecotus auritus. Long-eared Bat. Captured near 
Sleights. 
July 5.—Lutra lutra. Otter. During the past few weeks two 
or three in Ruswarp Dam have been committing depreda- 
tions on the fish, etc., and on Monday last, Mr, H. K. 
Williamson, of Sleights, succeeded in shooting a fine dog 
specimen, which has been purchased by Dr. English, who 
will have the animal preserved.—Whitby Times, 9th July 
1897. 
July 20.._Lutra Iutra. Otter. Two young ones, male and 
emale, about three-parts grown, the former weighing 
13 lbs., the latter 11 Ibs., were killed near Grosmont}; sent 
to Mr. J. H. Wilson to be preserved. 
July 21.—Phoca vitulina. Seal. About half-past two o'clock 
this morning a fine young example was captured by 
Thomas Henry White, on the sands opposite the West Cliff 
Saloon. White and three other youths had been fishing 
during the night, and were having a walk on the sands, 
when they saw the Seal. After much difficulty the animal 
was caught by White, who threw his coat over it. [t was 
July 1898, : ; ; 
