Yorkshire Naturalists' Union : Annual Report, 1913. 25 
in many parts were small. These birds appear to be losing 
ground almost every year. 
In The Naturalist Mr. H. B. Booth records a decrease 
in the number of Starlings in Airedale and Wharfedale. Other 
observers in various parts of the county confirm this. In the 
Harrogate district it was not apparent at first, but very careful 
observation kept since Mr. Booth’s note appeared certainly 
showed there is a decrease, but not a very large one. Mr. St. 
Quintin records cases of Starlings suffering from gapes at 
Scampston. Many records of unusual occurrences have appeared 
in The Naturalist. 
The East Riding. — Mr. E. W. Wade writes: — The Long- 
eared Owl bred very sparingly again on our heavy clay lands, and 
at a later date than the average, seeming to confirm the writer's 
conjecture that continuous wet weather, by exterminating the 
mice, tends to restrict the fertility of this species. 
The Turdidae and Corvidae were rather later in breeding than 
in 1912, the latter laying full clutches. A Redshank’s nest was 
observed on 16th April containing four eggs — an early date for 
this part of the county. 
Six swallows were observed near Driffield on 27th March, 
an exceptionally early date, the bulk of the species not appearing 
till 18th April. On 22nd and 27th April there was a rush of 
migrant Willow Warblers, and on 19th and 25th April of Yellow 
Wagtails. Swifts and Swallows were distinctly below the 
average. The Sedge-warbler has been unusually abundant. 
Reed-warblers had commenced laying on 20th May. 
An exceptional feature of the season has been the scarcity 
of nesting Starlings, not more than ten per cent, of the usual 
numbers breeding. The birds were packing in large flocks by 
the third week of May, when they should have been busy feeding 
young. 
Exhaustive inquiries as to the disappearance of the Corn- 
crake show that, generally speaking, the scarcity of this bird 
dates back to a period eight to fifteen years ago. It shares with 
the Whinchat the distinction of being a vanishing race. There 
is strong reason for supposing that the Grey Wagtail and Grass- 
hopper-warbler nested in Holderness. A pair of the former 
was observed frequently all the spring, and the latter was in 
song for three weeks. 
Partridges have again been a disappointment. The young 
birds hatched well — a covey was observed as early as 20th May- 
but in most places dwindled down to very small numbers. 
The Stone Curlew shows a slight increase in the protected 
area on the Wolds. 
The Ringed Plover, as a result of the protection at Spurn, 
has extended its breeding range right up the coast. 
In spite of the strictest watching, the Great Crested Grebe 
1914 Jan. 1. 
