XXX YORKSHIRE— VERTEBRATE FAUNA. 



are that the tall cliffs of Flamborough and Cleveland would com- 

 pensate Yorkshire for any disadvantage caused by the less promi- 

 nent outline of the county, and that the high lights of Whitby 

 and Flamborough would be amongst the first seen by immigrants 

 coming from the east. 



The presence of rare American ducks and waders on the 

 eastern shores of Britain has been accounted for by the supposi- 

 tion that they cross the Atlantic at high latitudes, and striking 

 Norway follow the general trend of its coast-line. Reaching its 

 southern termination they would endeavour to cross the sea in 

 the same general direction — one which lands them in Norfolk or 

 Yorkshire. 



MAMMALIA. 



An analysis of the list shows that of the seventy-two recog- 

 nised British species forty-nine are recorded as occurring now or 

 formerly in Yorkshire, including fourteen, marine and thirty-five 

 terrestrial forms. 



Of the terrestrial species, three — the Wild Cat, the Roe Deer, 

 and Wild White Cattle — are now extinct, though surviving in 

 other parts of Britain. Four others — the Marten, Polecat, Badger, 

 and Black Rat — which were formerly very abundant, have greatly 

 decreased in number, and the first-named may be considered 

 practically extinct. The Black Rat survives only in sea-port 

 towns, where its numbers are to some extent kept up by importa- 

 tions. The Badger may — and probably will — long continue to 

 linger in small numbers in the secluded dells among the oolitic 

 rocks on the southern slopes of the Cleveland hills, where — though 

 very local — it is not uncommon. 



Three Bats — the Hairy-armed, Reddish-grey, and Whiskered 

 — are reported from single localities only, and in the case of the 

 two former upwards of forty years have elapsed since they were 

 recorded. 



The Fallow Deer is included in the list, but can hardly be 

 considered as entitled to a place in the Yorkshire fauna, as it is 

 known only in parks, and there is no evidence to show that it was 



