Reports of Societies. 



171 



doubt commend itself to all young naturalists, for whose instruction and 

 benefit it was chiefly read and published. 



Obituary.— We regret to have to record the death of the well-known 

 Yorkshire botanist, Mr. William Mudd, who has long been a labourer of 

 no mean attainments among the cryptogams. 



Barnsley Naturalists' Society. — Meetings April 29th and May 

 13th, Mr. T. Lister presiding. — This is usually a period of great interest 

 in marking the arrivals of spring migrants, but owing to the severe 

 season they are late in making their appearance, with a few exceptions. 

 Mr. W. Talbot of Wakefield reports the wheatear our first spring visitor, 

 March 22, and three sand martins on the Calder April 5 ; also the yellow 

 or Ray's wagtail, all from five to eight days before their average time. 

 But the most exceptionally early was the wood warbler April 8th, due 

 May 3 (not yet heard in our woods). Mr. S. Tomlinson, of New Park 

 Spring, observed the chifi'-chafi" April 1, and Mr. Lister saw and heard it 

 in Greenfoot-lane April 5 ; on same day Mr. J. Matthews of Clayton- 

 west saw the wheatear. The cuckoo was seen by Mr. Senior, Tyer's- 

 hill, April 7, and by the president in same neighbourhood on Good 

 Friday, and three willow warblers same time. None of the above birds 

 sang, owing to the cold. The first song of the cuckoo was reported April 

 17th at Rockley. The swallow was seen by Mr. Barker near Old Mill, 

 April 17th, by Mr. W. Carrington April 19th, by Mr. Lister and others 

 on several succeeding days ; the house martin seen by Mr. Alderson at 

 Swithern April 21 ; the whinchat seen in Clifi" Wood same date. It was 

 seen by Mr. Tomlinson April 17 ; he records the tree pipit April 21, the 

 grasshopper warbler 22nd, the black-cap warbler 23rd, the redstart 25th 

 April. Mr. H. Garland of Wood Hall saw the swallow April I7th, and 

 the whitethroat April 22nd. Mr. J. Smith reported Ray's wagtail April 

 8th, and the tree pipit April 15th ; the lesser whitethroat was seen April 

 28th ; Mr. E. Watson of Darfield saw the grey flycatcher in his garden 

 April 23 ; he also saw the snow-bunting (a winter visitant not yet gone to 

 the north). He also recorded the sandpiper April 25. The most choice 

 records are two pairs of pied flycatchers seen by Mr. H. Teasdale on the 

 2Tid and 3rd May, near Clarke's colliery, a new locality. Wentworth 

 Castle, and sometimes Cannon Hall have been frequented by this beau- 

 tiful bird. Last and best, the nightingale was reported May 1st ; Mr. 

 Lister had the pleasure of hearing it on the 3rd, though a cold day. 

 Several flowers were laid on the table and examined, and the dates given. 



Bradford Naturalists' Society. — Meeting April 16th, Mr. Firth in 

 the chair. — Mr. Brook read a paper on " The cultivation of Ferns." The 

 lecturer gave the composition of the necessary soil, and thoroughly 

 explained the treatment essential to success, especially in raising them 

 from spores, various young ferns being shown in the pots just as they 



