FORTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT, FOR igo8. 
9 
April being quite as bad. The severe snow storms at the end of 
that month caused a great deal of destruction amongst the eggs 
of certain birds. Grouse did not suffer as much as one might 
have expected ; indeed, on some moors, record seasons have 
been experienced. Partridges have varied considerably, some 
districts being quite up to the average, whilst others were very 
much below. 
Corn Crakes have, in most districts, been very scarce, but 
in the Harrogate area, they have been more plentiful than for 
many years. In one small field no fewer than three nests were 
found. Many of the migrants were exceptionally scarce, Whin- 
chats being especially so in the Harrogate district. Spotted Fly- 
catchers were unusually late in arriving, but eventually came in 
greater numbers than ever. Pied Flycatchers appear to have 
nearly missed us altogether ; they were extremely rare in Bolton 
Woods, where several pairs are usually to be found nesting. 
Some of the Swifts lingered well into September, though the main 
body left about the middle of August. House Martins continue 
to increase slightly. An interesting event occurred at Starbeck, 
where three White Swallows and two of normal plumage were 
hatched in one nest. The white ones were seen daily on the wing, 
until the time for their departure. It will be interesting to note 
if they return in 1909. It is, however, quite possible that the bird 
reported as shot at Otley, may have been one of them. A visitor 
to Ilkley reported in The Field " that he had observed Sand 
Grouse and a Black Stork in the district. It is quite possible, in 
the face of subsequent records of the Sand Grouse in the county, 
and other parts of England, that he was correct in the first in- 
stance, but it is extremely doubtful with regard to the Black 
Stork especially as it was only seen upon the wing " heading for 
Hornsea." 
The latter end of October witnessed a great migration of 
birds, and for many nights quantities of Redwings, Waders, etc. 
were passing continually. During this month also, three Fork- 
tail Petrels were picked up, one at Barnsley, one at Doncaster, 
and one at Flamborough, in the East Riding ; pointing to a 
passage of these birds. 
No specially rare bird except the Sand Grouse, has been re- 
corded for the Riding. One fact deserves notice, viz., the ex- 
tremely late nesting of many species of birds. , Numbers of nests 
were found with eggs and young right into October ; a King- 
fisher rearing its young at Bentham in the middle of that month 
is specially noticeable. Swallows had fresh eggs at the end of 
September, and two swallows were seen at Knaresborough on 
November- 20th. 
