Yorkshire Naturalists at Hariwod Dale. 



i8r 



Mr. Kenneth MacLean, Secretary for Vertebrate Zoology^ 

 writes : — 



It is no easy matter, especially in the neig-hbourhood of 

 Scarboroug-h on a fine Whit Monday, to get beyond the region 

 of ginger beer bottles, orange peel, and sandwich papers, those 

 inevitable signs of the excursionist. On the 23rd, however, we 

 managed to get a quiet, uninterrupted ramble through a 

 beautiful country. 



In passing through the woods I came across an old tree 

 bearing the marks of the Woodpecker's strong beak. Whilst 

 examining these marks the old bird, in its beautiful green dress 

 and red cap, darted with a wild laugh-like whistle from a hole 

 higher up the tree ; no doubt it had, or contemplated having, 

 eggs at the bottom of the excavation. 



A little further on I saw a pair of Carrion Crows showing 

 signs of agitation and annoyance, and in a Larch tree I spied 

 their nest. Whilst climbing up a young bird fluttered out on 

 the branches, and on reaching the nest I found three more just 

 ready to fly. In examining the nest I found a quantity of 

 broken Snail shells, the contents of which had no doubt helped 

 to produce the plump condition of the young Crows. As I was 

 coming down the tree I thought to myself what useful members 

 of society these Crows must be ; but, alas, when I reached the 

 bottom my thoughts were disturbed by the discovery of an egg 

 shell, the contents of which had evidently followed or preceded 

 the Snails down the young birds' throats. 



The Wood Wren we found in abundance, its merry twitter 

 was heard on every side. The Bullfinch seemed to be more 

 plentiful than in most places. 



A pair of Jays were in a state of great excitement, evidently 

 considering me a dangerous character to be in the neighbour- 

 hood of their nest, which, however, I could not find. 



The nest of the Golden-crested Wren, containing nine eggs, 

 was also seen, tied under the end of a Spruce branch ; and the 

 Pied Flycatcher, a very interesting bird, was observed during 

 the day. 



Fifty-eight different kinds of birds were seen during the 

 excursion. Fifty of these I saw myself, and others I got from 

 a list kindly handed to me by Mr. M. Gyngell :- — 



Starling-. J^-V- Common Bunting-. 



Rook. Jackdaw. Bullfinch. 



Carrion Crow. Sky Lark. Lesser Redpoll. 



Magpie Yellow Bunting-. Linnet. 



1904 June 3. 



