Original Jlrticles. 



YOEKSHIRE ORNITHOLOGICAL XOTES FOE 1878. 



Wm. Eagle Clap.ke. 



Blackbird, March lOth. — At Blackhill I observed an exceedingly 

 beautiful pied specimen of tbis species, the shoulders and back of 

 the neck being liberally dashed with pure white. 



Dipper, April 16th. — My friend Mr. Harrison found a nest con- 

 taining four young birds — an early date for young ones. 



Swallow, April 21st. — I observed this species for the first time this 

 season. 



Sandpiper, April 22nd. — This migrant had arrived on the Nidd. 



Stockdove, April 22nd. — I found a nest, with two eggs slightly 

 incubated, in a hollow tree at Wilstrop. 



Redshank and Snipe, April 27th. — These species breeding on Stren- 

 sall Common, where I obtained their eggs. 



Grasshoppee Warbler, April 27th. — I observed this species on 

 Strensall Common, where I have no doubt it breeds. 



Teal, April 28th. — A family party, consistiug of a parent bird and 

 nine young ones, on one of the lagoons on Strensall Common. On 

 observing us the old bird conducted the youug to a small rushy 

 island, and then took flight. Wishing to examine the young, 

 three of us waded to the island, thinking we should have no 

 difficulty in finding them, as the island was very small, and was 

 situate in the centre of the lagoon ; but although we searched it 

 thoroughly our efforts were all in vain. Where they got to we 

 could never tell. 



Cuckoo, April 28th. — One heard at Crossgates. 



Golden Plover and Curlew, May 4th. — Four nests of each of 

 these species, containing 30 eggs, were found by my friends and 

 myself on the moors above Ilkley. 



Grasshopper Warbler and Wren, May 4th. — I observed both 

 these species quite on the moors — rather an unusual locality. 



Ring-ouzel, May 4th. — A nest ready for eggs among the heather on 

 the moors above Ilkley. This nest a week afterwards contained 

 five eggs. 



N. S., Vol. iv., July, 1879. 



