In Memoriam — William Croser Hey. 



213 



' long-leg ' in a village cricket-match not more than 150 yards 

 from the Osprey sitting on an old stag-headed birch tree. I 

 repeatedly saw this bird catching his fish, and noticed how 

 very much a slight rufile of breeze seemed to interfere with his 

 success. On windy days he would have to work hard, flying 

 for a long time without a chance, and then frequently missing 

 his quarry. After a meal he would, from a low ' pitch,' make 

 frequent plunges, one after another, to cleanse his plumage, as 

 I have seen a Kingfisher do for the same purpose. 



3u fIDemoriam, 



WILLIAM CROSER HEY. 

 (1853-1909). 



(plate XII.). 



Our readers will learn, with deep regret, of the death of the 

 Rev. W. C. Hey, which occurred quite suddenly and unex- 

 pectedly at West Ayton on May 19th. Mr. Hey was taken ill 

 on the preceding afternoon at Forge Valley Station, whilst on 

 a botanising excursion. 



He was the son of the late Ven. Archdeacon Hey, Canon 

 Residentiary of York. He received many honours at Oxford, 

 and his first curacy was at Guisborough, where he remained till 

 1879. He then went as curate to his father at St. Olave's, York, 

 and succeeded him in the living in 1883. In 1892 he retired 

 into private hfe, since which date he has lived at West Ayton. 



He was a keen botanist and conchologist, and has con- 

 tributed many papers thereon to this journal and elsewhere. 

 His studies were not confined to these particular branches, 

 however, and geology and the Hymenoptera also received 

 his attention, papers on these subjects being printed by him. 



He was a frequent contributor to this journal, his last note 

 appearing even so recently as in the April number. His writ- 

 ings possessed an exceptionally charming literary style. 



Mr. Hey was of a retiring disposition, and usually went his 

 rambles alone, or in the company of one friend. He now and 

 then attended the excursions of the Yorkshire Naturalists' 

 Union, the last occasion being on the Filey meeting in Whit 

 week-end in 1903. Only a few days before his death we received 

 a letter from him respecting some Hymenoptera he was trying 

 to get for us. 



By his will he leaves -£20, free of duty, to the Yorkshire 

 Naturalists' Union, of which he has been a member since its 

 foundation. T. S. 



1909 June 



