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120 THE ZOOLOGIST 
former years. The Sky-Lark here is utterly devoid of song. In these 
days I never see it soaring aloft to sing. A short time ago I watched 
a Sky-Lark sitting on a post. He fluttered his wings and tried to 
sing, but the effort resulted in complete failure. This absence of 
song amongst the birds has been noticeable here for the past two or 
three years at least. I should like to know if the same circumstances 
have been observed in other districts.” 
In the ‘ Bradford Scientific Journal’ (January, 1912), Mr. George 
Bolam gives a description of the ‘‘ Fish Poisoning in the Wharfe on 
the 15th October, 1911.” ‘One photograph represents the heap of 
dead fish collected by the keepers from the river, and was taken at 
Mr. Lancaster’s farm on the Bow Beck on the 16th, when, as he 
informed me, it contained in all 1054 fish (no more were added after- 
wards), vzz. 1003 Trout, 30 Grayling, 12 Hels, and 9 Barbel. The two 
largest of the latter were each about 31 in. long, and weighed together, 
I was told, close upon 18 lb. They have been preserved by the 
Ilkley Angling Club. Two of the next largest Barbel (perhaps 4 or 
5 lb. apiece) are represented in the second photograph, and, having 
been given to me by Mr. Lancaster when the fish were about to be 
buried, have been presented one to Ilkley, and the other to Keighley 
Museum. 790 Trout collected on the Sunday, 15th October, weighed 
together, approximately, 14 cwt., the largest not exceeding about 
lb. 213 were added to the heap next morning in my presence, but 
not weighed ; they, however, did not run large. Some of these were 
brought by the Denton keeper, and no more were afterwards collected. 
The largest Grayling would be about 14 lb. 
“The poisoning arose from an escape of ammoniacal liquors from 
the gasworks, owing, I believe, to some repairing or relaying of pipes. 
This had been finding its way into the river for three or four days 
before any harm was done to the fish, though no doubt it must have 
been stronger or escaping in greater quantity on the night of the 
14th, when the mischief arose; but for several days previously the 
smell from the drain mouth had been very bad, highly objectionable 
to those dwelling near it, as well as to anyone having occasion to pass 
that way, and offensive to the nose for a considerable distance. No 
ill effects were noticed until Sunday morning, the 15th, when large 
numbers of dead and dying Trout were observable.” 

