xxxvi YORKSHIRE— VERTEBRATE FAUNA. 



been known in isolated instances to rear their young in localities 

 further north. 



That local and interesting bird the Pied Flycatcher is probably 

 more abundant than in any other British county ; its breeding- 

 haunts being numerous and widely diffused. 



The Lesser Tern has a single breeding-station, but it is a 

 matter for regret that the species, fast decreasing in numbers, 

 owing to persecution, bids fair to be classed among the extinct 

 birds at no very distant period. It is somewhat singular that 

 Yorkshire, having this species and the Ringed Plover in abundance, 

 should not be able to include among its breeding birds the larger 

 species of Terns and the Oyster-catcher ; nor can it be ascertained 

 that these birds ever did frequent its shores for such a purpose. 



The Thirty-seven Winter Visitants do not include many 

 species which merit special mention, but the following are uncom- 

 mon birds of annual occurrence : — The Great Grey Shrike, Shore- 

 Lark, and Rough-legged Buzzard. The last-named and some 

 other birds of this class, as the Redwing, Hooded Crow, Crossbill, 

 Short-eared Owl, and Tufted Duck, have in isolated instances been 

 known to breed in the county. 



None of the Seventeen Periodical Visitants admit of 

 much comment. The Pygmy Curlew, Common and Pomerine 

 Skuas, are amongst the least numerous ; while the Dotterel still 

 visits the county annually as of old, but in gradually decreasing 

 numbers. Its periodical visits are alluded to in the Northumberland 

 Household Book, wherein (in 1512) it is set forth that 'at principal 

 feestes . . . Dotterells to be bought for my Lord when 

 thay ar in season and to be at ]d. a pece.' Formerly the Osprey 

 was of this class, ami occurred regularly in the county every 

 spring and autumn on its passage to and from its Scottish breed- 

 ing-haunts, where it is now almost unknown. 



Of the fifty-eight Casual Visitants the Dartford Warbler 

 finds just within the extreme southern boundary of the county 

 the most advanced of its northern outposts — at a locality in which 

 on one occasion its nest and eggs w^ere found. 



The Bearded Reedling, Crested Titmouse, Ortolan Bunting, 

 Chough, and Golden Eagle are noticeable as of exceptionally 

 rare occurrence. 



