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NATURAL HISTORY RECORD BUREAU (1908): 

 THE MUSEUM, CARLISLE. 



By D. Losh Thorpe & LiNNiEus E. Hope, Keepers of the Records. 



Many notes continue to be sent in to the Bureau, and though 

 the number of contributors is not large — that is to be expected — 

 a knowledge sufficient to enable an observer to identify at sight 

 our local fauna, either mammal, bird, reptile, or fish, is not to 

 be gained in a few hours. The tendency in some quarters to 

 accept nature notes and records unreservedy has nothing to re- 

 commend it, but is greatly to be deprecated. 



The majority of our records naturally relate to ornithology, 

 birds being perhaps the most attractive class to the nature 

 student, and many interesting notes are herewith given. 



We are glad to note that the Cumberland County Council, 

 realizing the need for a more detailed order respecting the pro- 

 tection of the smaller wild birds, has curtailed the season during 

 which these birds may be caught, and also given protection to 

 their eggs. We also note with satisfaction that the charming 

 but now somewhat rare Goldfinch is placed under complete pro- 

 tection (neither bird or egg may be taken at any season), and 

 that birdcatching is prohibited on Sundays. 



A most interesting feature of bird-life occurred in the early 

 months of the year, following a spell of fairly seasonable weather 

 in March and early April, during which many of our resident 

 birds paired, and some few summer migrants arrived. Winter 

 again set in on April 24th, when we had four inches of snow 

 followed with frost for several days, with cold east and north- 

 east winds. 



On April 24th we had the unusual phenomenon of Swallows 

 flitting over the snow-covered ground, and young Thrushes hop- 

 ping amongst the snow. During the night of April 23rd 

 eighteen to twenty degrees of frost were registered, and at 

 Head's Nook two nests of young Thrushes were reported to be 

 frozen to death. 



With the approach of May the wind changed, and the weather 



