A LIST OF BIRDS IN THE TOWNSHIP OF SCARCROFT. 



By W. H. Hay. 



ScAECROFT is a Tillage about six and three-quarter miles north of 

 Leeds ; it is a well Tvooded district, intersected by numerous streams, 



and contains several large ponds and mill-dams — making the district 



one of great interest to the ornithologist. 



Kestrel [Falco tinnunculus) — I have only seen a few pairs of this 

 hawk during all the years I hare worked the district. 



Sparrow Hawk {Accipiter Nisus). — Equally scarce as the kestrel. A 

 pair occasionally breeds in the woods, but are generally shot by 

 the keepers before the young can fly. 



Barn Owl (Strix Jlammea) and Tawny Owl {Syrnium aluco). — These 

 birds are now almost extinct in the Scarcroft district, owing to the 

 enmity of keepers and farmers. 



Spotted Flycatcher [Muscicapa grisola). — I am happy to say that of 

 late years this bird has become more frequent. 



Missel Thrush {Turdus viscivorus), Storm Cock. — Common in all 

 parts of the township. 



Song Thrush (Turdus musicus), Throstle. — Equally common with the 

 last named. 



Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), Felfer. — A winter visitant arriving in the 

 district about the middle of October, departing end of March or 

 beginning of April. Numerous. 



Red-wing {Turdus iliacus). — This bird is often confounded by the 

 country lads with the missel thrush. I have been told time after 

 time that the Redwing was building in such a place, but I need 

 scarcely add that the news was false. Plentiful. 



Blackbird {Turdus merula). — A common bird in the township. 

 During the past severe winter of 1878-9 I noticed that the black- 

 bird stood the cold and was in better condition at Christmas than 

 either the fieldfare or redwing. 



Hedge Sparrow {Accentor modular is). — A very common bird in this 

 district, one of our earliest breeders. 



Robin {Eyrthaca ruhecola), Robin Redbreast. — This bold little 

 favourite is moderately abundant; it is also an early breeder. 



