82 



The Naturalist. 



Richardson's Skua (Lestris Richardsonii) — 



In 1849 one was shot at Horbury by Mr. Firth, and it was called 

 by him the Black-toed Gull, which I find is a local name, 

 according to Morris, for this bird ; another was shot by the same 

 person, and sent to Mr. Wright to be stuffed, who named it the 

 Black Gull, and who from his knowledge of the bird appeared to 

 have had specimens previously in his possession ; a third was shot 

 at Kirkthorp dam, by Mr. J. Hartley in February, 1863, and on 

 the 3rd of September of the present year one was killed by Mr. 

 Jewison, near Lockhouse, Kirkthorp. 



Storm Petrel (Tkalassidroma procellaria) — 



This harbinger of foul weather, and sailor's dread, was shot at 

 Bilham 'fishpond in 1845, by Mr. Parkin, the gamekeeper. I saw 

 it, prior to its being returned to Bilham House, in the hands of 

 Mr. Hugh Beid, of Doncaster, to whom it had been sent to be 

 * preserved. 



In concluding my list with this bird of ill omen, I hope it will not 

 be regarded as an augiiry of disastel: to the winged fowl which have 

 hitherto frequented this district. I have no doubt that as the study of 

 Natural History advances it will tend to promote the preservation of 

 our feathered friends, and I trust that in the course of years many 

 birds which have been driven from our woods will again be hailed as 

 welcome visitors. 



In compiling this list of the Birds of Wakefield and the district, I 

 have not attempted to give any description of the birds or their 

 habits, but I have in most instances simply transcribed from my 

 diary, in which, from a keen sympathy with the denizens of the air, I 

 have carefully stored my observations in ornithology for many years. 



Although we are not in the neighbourhood of any forests, nor can 

 we boast of many large woods in the district, yet it is abundantly clear 

 that we are favourably situated for birds, as is shown by the number 

 of rare specimens which have from time to time been found in this 

 locality. Some of the woods — especially BuUcliffe, Haw Park, New 

 Park Spring, and Bushcliffe — are remarkably rich in summer warblers, 

 whilst in a less degree Newland, Nostell, Hickleton, and WooUey are 

 favourite resorts of singing birds. All these places, with the exception 

 of Newland, which is towards the east, are on the south of Wakefield ; 

 in the west we have Newhall and Bank Woods, which are famous in 

 winter for woodcocks ; towards the north there is but little cover, and 

 therefore scanty attraction to our feathered pets. 



