160 



The Naturalist. 



the fishbones which the female has ejected whilst sitting is 

 something fearful. It is among the earliest breeders. I have 

 found its nest, containing young, on the 23rd of April. In the 

 winter of 1873-4 they might be seen daily by a small reservoir 

 inside the prison, where they were carefully protected by Captain 

 Armytage, the governor. I am glad to say that they are again 

 visiting the same place. 



HIRUNDINID^. 



Swallow {Hirimdo rustica) — 



This favourite bird, whose coming is noted by almost every one, 

 breeds plentifully with us. It may be seen gliding over the 

 waters of the Oalder at Kirkthorp and Thornes several days 

 earlier than at any other place in this district. My earliest date 

 of its arrival is the 4th of April, and its latest departure the 17th 

 of October. 



Martin {Hwundo urbica) — 



The number frequenting this district has gradually decreased 

 since 1862. In that year I observed sixteen nests built in the 

 blank windows of the chapel inside the prison. The house 

 sparrows, which are constant residents, kept up a continual 

 battle with their visiting brethren, and many were the attempts 

 to drive the whole colony away in order that the former might 

 possess themselves of the snugly-built nests ; after several years 

 warfare the martins gave way, and it is now five years since the 

 last brood was seen in the prison. Last year there was a marked 

 falling off in the number visiting us ; at Dirtcar, where they have 

 usually built freely, I could only find nine nests. The times of 

 arrival and departure are the same as those of the swallow. 



Sand Martin (^Hirundo riparid) — 



Is much more plentiful than either of the two last ; it breeds on 

 the banks of the Oalder, and very abundantly in the gravel pits 

 near Woolley and in the stone quarries at Woolley Edge. I 

 have seen them skimming over the Dam at Woolley in such large 

 numbers that it seemed almost impossible for them to avoid 

 coming into collision. My earliest note of its arrival is the 3rd 

 of April and its latest departure the 14th of October. 



Swift {Oyp^dm apus) — 



Formerly bred plentifully in the town and neighbourhood, but 

 during the last nine years it has gradually decreased in numbers, 



