Gibbs : Yorkshire Naturalists' Union at Masham. 17 



many years, A few years ago these birds, which are the first 

 to suffer from severe weather, got so reduced in numbers by 

 successive severe winters that for a year or two after their 

 nests were few and far between. The Spotted Flycatcher and 

 Redstart were fairly plentiful. Up near the edge of the moor 

 many Blackbirds were accompanied by several of their near 

 relations, the Ring-Ousel, some of them just beginning- to show 

 their white neckties. Many Red Grouse, too, had joined this 

 party, evidently having the same object in view — to enjoy the 

 glorious feast of cranberries spread out before them. Several of 

 the semi-rare birds were observed. Glimpses were caught 

 of the Kingfisher as he flashed down the stream, showing his 

 rainbow hues ; the Dipper, with his tail and beak looking up- 

 wards, bobbed on the stones in mid-stream ; Mr. and Mrs. 

 Bullfinch with their family, looking very bright and beautiful 

 amongst the hazel bowers ; the Green Woodpecker was heard, 

 and its borings seen in many of the trees ; and a young Cuckoo 

 was receiving food from its little foster-mother, the Willow- 

 Wren. The Carrion-Crow, Magpie, Sparrow-Hawk, Kestrel, 

 of these only odd specimens were seen. During the day in all 

 fifty-five kinds of birds were noted ; this was considerably above 

 the average number seen on these excursions. 



The Mammalia had five representatives on the list, all 

 common. Six kinds of Fish were seen, also common. 



Mr. W. Denison Roebuck, who represented the Conchological 

 Section in the absence of its officers, writes that in consequence 

 of the dryness of the ground traversed the number of mollusca 

 observed was not great. Mr. Edwin Hawkesworth commenced 

 the work on Saturday, 3rd August, when he collected several 

 specimens within small compass in a dampish spot in Swinton 

 Park. These having been submitted to Mr. Wm. Nelson, 

 proved to consist of the following species : — 



Hyalinia alliaria. One, young". Helix rotundata. Two. 



Hyalinia pura. One, dead. Pupa umbilicata. One. 



Hyalinia radiatula. One, dead. do. var. albina. One. 



Hyalinia jcrystallina. Three. Planorbis albus. Two. 



The collecting on Monday, 5th August, yielded but few 

 species. Mr. Roebuck worked down Colsterdale towards 

 Masham, found Agriolimax agrestis at Gollinglith Foot, Arion 

 circumscriptus near Healey, a broken fragment of Helix aspersa 

 in a rubbish-heap at Healey, a single tiny specimen of Ancylus 

 fluviatilis in the river Burn at Healey (the only one found after 

 close and prolonged search), several examples of Helix hispida 



1902 January i. B 



