CiRCLl AR 244] 
Mammals. — Mr. Riley Fortune, F.Z.S , writes: — There are very feu- 
records of the smaller mammals of the district and information respecting them^ 
arrd of the Bats in particular, would be welcome. The I'ox is common, and the 
Otter fairly so. The Badger also occurs. Of the smaller mammals I have seen 
the Water Vole, Field Vole, Bank Vole, Common and Water Shrev\s, Long- 
tailed Field Mouse, Weasel and Stoat. 
Birds. — The district is rich in bird life, and in the neighbourhood the 
Peregrine Falcon still breeds, and also the Kaven. Both Sparrow Hawk and 
Kestrel are plentiful. On the moors may be seen the Merlin, and the usual 
moorland species, including the Dunlin. Sunbiggan Tarn is the home of the 
Black-headed Gull, and on the moors surrounding the Redshank occurs The 
Mallard nests here, also the Teal, and the W'ater Rail and Short-eared Owl have 
also nested in the immediate vicinity. Near Musgrave there is a Heronry of 
considerable size, and as the nests are mostly in low trees, they are handy for 
observation. On the banks of the streams the Dipper, Kingfisher and Grey 
Wagtail are plentiful ; the Yellow Wagtail seems to have a partiality to the 
railway embankments. Amongst the nesting species may be mentioned the 
Lesser Redpoll, Pied Flycatcher, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 
Creeper, Tawny and Long-eared Owls, Wheatear and Ring Ouzel. 
Fishes.— Trout are abundant, and Grayling also in some parts, where 
they are considered a nuisance. I have also seen the Minnow, Loach and River 
Bullhead. Salmon and Sea Trout are also found in the neighbourhood in their 
season. 
Reptiles and Amphibians. — The only members of these groups I 
have seen are Adder, Lizard, Frog, Toad, and Great Crested Newt. 
ENTOMOLOGY. —The Entomological Section will probably be officially 
represented. 
Coleoptena. — The Coleoptera Committee will be officially represented 
by Mr. L. Thompson, F.E.S., who writes : — No systematic investigations 
have been made of the Beetles of this district, but Carabus nitens, Dianous 
ccrnilescens and Stcnus giittida occur in the neighbourhood of Keld. Most inter- 
esting work, however, can be done at this time of the year amongst the 
moorland and mountain species of N.W. Yorkshire, especially in the families 
Carabidu and Dytiscidcr. 
ARACHNIDA.— The Arachnida Committee will be officially represented 
by Mr. W. P. Winter, B.Sc. 
Mr. W. Falconer writes: — Many years ago Mr. F. O. P. Cambridge 
investigated the lower portions of the Eden Valley (" Araneidea of Cumberland 
and the Lake District," Naturalist, January, 1S95, pp. '29-48), and no doubt many 
of the same species will again be observed. The neighbourhood of Kirkby 
Stephen in the Upper Valley was not visited, but there is much favourable 
ground on both the Westmoreland and Yorkshire sides of the border. The 
nearest records, but from a different geological formation, and at a different 
season of the yeir, were made during the visit of the Union to Tebay last year 
{Naturalist, October, 1912, pp. 304-5). Upwards of 20 miles N.W. of Kirkby 
Stephen is the noted Newtown Moss, near Penrith, where so many rare spiders 
occur, viz. : — Taranucmts sftosus Camb., Bathyphantes setiger F. O. P. Cb., Mengea 
ivarburtonii Camb., Ceratinella scabrosa Camb., Araeoncus crassiceps, Westr., 
Thanatus striatus C. L. Koch, Sitticus cancis Westr., and others. 
Programme of Meetings on Whit-Monday. 
4-1.5 p.m , Meat Tea, 1/9 each. 
4-45 p.m., Sectional Meetings. 
5-0 p.m.. General Meeting. 
The Chair will be taken by the President of the Union. 
Trains.— From Kirkby Stephen : Leeds, Bradford, &c.. 5-40 and 5-54 p.m. 
Y'ork, 5 21 p.m. 
NOTICES. 
The next Excursion of the Union will be to Burnsall 
on Saturday, 7th June. 
In order that an early account of the excursion may appear in the 
"Naturalist," notes and reports should be forwarded before May 20th, to 
W. E. L. Wattam, 30 Towngate, Newsome, Huddersfield. 
