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CLAPHAM: ITS GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 



The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union held its 212th meeting 

 at Clapham, during the week-end commencing September 5th. 

 There was a very good attendance, and every attention had 

 been paid to the local arrangements by Mr. W. Robinson, the 

 divisional secretary. On account of the nature of the district, 

 the part}' was naturally largely geological, and was exception- 

 ally fortunate in securing the services of the veteran geologist. 

 Prof. T. Mc Kenny Hughes, F.R.S., as leader. His presence 

 added great interest to the excursion. 



At the evening meeting, held at the headquarters on 

 September 5th, Mr. G. T. Porritt occupied the chair. Thirteen 

 afai^ated societies were represented. Votes of thanks to the 

 landowners and leaders were passed, and reports on the work 

 accomplished were given by Messrs. Booth, Roebuck, Porritt, 

 Waterfall and Hawkesworth. 



For Vertebrate Zoology, Messrs. W. H. Parkin and H. 

 B. Booth report that their section was well represented — 

 eight ornithologists being present. As there had been con- 

 siderable discussion in the columns of a Yorkshire weekty paper, 

 respecting the status of the Stonechat in the Clapham district ,- 

 and very divergent views had been expressed, a thorough 

 search was made for the bird in the most suitable places. 

 The party worked in two sections. One section searched Clap- 

 ham Common and its neighbourhood, eventually working 

 round to Austwick Moss ; the other worked the south side 

 of the railway line ; but both parties reported that not a Stone- 

 chat had been seen. The total number of species identified 

 on the Saturday was forty-six, to which four mammals and four 

 birds were added b}'' some members who remained over the 

 week-end. There were in all seven mam.mals, forty-five birds 

 (including nine lingering summer visitors), one amphibian, and 

 one fish. In addition, one or two species of bats were common 

 in Clapham village, but could not be correctly identified. 



Perhaps the most interesting bird seen was a Common Gull 

 {Larus canus) — a by no means common bird in most parts of 

 the West Riding. Flocks of Lesser Redpolls were numerous^ 

 and occasionally were intermingled with a few Linnets and 

 Twites. Several Herons were seen. Snipe were very abundant 

 at Austwick Moss ; a ' whisp ' of eight birds rising from one 

 small pool, and fourteen from another. 



190S December i. ■ 



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