174 



The NATURALiST*. 



resembling that of the meadow-pipit. The contents of all the crops 

 and gizzards examined were com_posed of one description of food, which 

 at sight appeared to be small coiled shells of a mollusc, but on examin- 

 ation with a lens they proved to be seeds, probably of some marine 

 plant, and perhaps those of Zostera. I saw the birds for the last time 

 on the 20th of March, on which day they most probably departed, for 

 they were not seen afterwards. I regret to say that no less than 

 thirty-three specimens were obtained, and a carefully compiled list of 

 these showed that the males predominated to the extent of five to one. 

 The majority were immature males, which, so far as I could perceive,, 

 were indistinguishable from the females. - • 



At Easington, on the 20th of March, I saw a rough-legged buzzard 

 flying leisurely along the coast-line, pursued by almost a dozen grey 

 crows. 



In a remote locality among the north fells, on the 26th of March, I 

 was much gratified to observe a common buzzard sailing over the 

 craggy haunts that once knew this bird so well, but from which it is 

 now so utterly banished, that I doubt if the county can boast of 

 possessing more than a single pair nesting annually. 



On the 29th of March I visited a raven's nest. This species hasr 

 lately become very scarce in the county, although we possess such an 

 extensive fell-range on the north-west, and stupendous clifi's on our 

 sea-board, both of which, and our larger woods too, once harboured 

 ravens in some numbers. Now, only two or three pairs are known to 

 me as nesting. I fear that a very few years will suffice to see the 

 raven erased from the list of resident Yorkshire birds. The nest 

 alluded to contained five eggs, and was placed in an angle of a cliff, 

 about 20 feet from the top, and with a sheer drop of 200 feet below. 

 The date was late far this species to be eommeneing incubation, but 

 the pair had set their hearts on a site on the other side of the fell, 

 from which they were driven at the last moment by a pair of 

 peregrines which appeared upon the scene, and pitched upon their nest 

 as suitable for their own purposes. The young ravens were hatched 

 ©n the 11th of Apri]. 



On the 14th of April I again visited the ravens' locality, in response 

 to a missive from my friend informing me that the peregrine was* 

 sitting, and the pair were playing ''old gooseberry with his grouse, 

 and must be destroyed, and I might have the eggs. I did all I could 

 to have the old bird spared, but it was of no avail ; grouse were almost 

 the only birds at hand, and my friend could not afford the quantum 

 requisite to feed so hungry a family. Accompanied by my friend and 



