Yorkshire Naturalists at Knar eshoro ugh. 
184 
observed which were apparently Arion ater var. castanea and 
Limax arborum. The total number of species observed was 
twenty-five, consisting of five slugs, seventeen land and three 
freshwater shells. 
Vertebrate Zoology. — Mr. Riley Fortune writes : — 
During the week end 50 species of birds, 8 mammals, 6 fishes 
and 2 amphibians were observed. We naturally expected 
that the genial weather would have resulted in the appearance 
of a number of summer migrants. To our great disappoint- 
ment this was not the case only very few species have been 
seen or heard. During the last excursion of the Union to 
Bilton and Scotton Banks, the feature of the day was the great 
numbers of Chiff-chaffs. They were singing on all sides. This 
year only one bird was heard, though in no subsequent year 
have we had anything like the number of Chiff-chaffs on the 
Nidd Banks. The other migrants seen were a single Sand- 
piper and that one, strange to relate, upon a bank where I 
have known a Sandpiper’s nest almost every year for at least 
twenty years. Several Swallows and Sandmartins, one House 
Martin and Wheatear were seen. The Cuckoo was reported 
to have been heard once, but as the date is exceptionally 
early for this district, I am afraid it must have been uttered 
through human agency.* 
Several newly arrived Pied Wagtails were seen and also 
numerous Grey Wagtails in lovely plumage. Two nests of 
the latter were noted. There were several Dippers and King- 
fishers. Jays were both seen and heard, as were also the 
Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. The sibulous note 
of the Gold Crest was heard several times, as was that of the 
Tree Creeper. Only two species of birds of prey, the Kestrel 
and Sparrow Hawk, were noted. On the lake at Plumpton 
were several pairs of Waterhens, Coots, Mallards and Little 
Grebes. On the whole, the outing was very pleasant. 
On the banks of the lake at Plumpton we came across the 
remains of a Pike and traces of the Otter which had been feed- 
ing upon it ; several times pike were noted on the feed, and the 
small fry were much in evidence leaping out of the water in 
their efforts to escape their enemy. Usually, a large number 
of Toads are to be seen spawning in this lake, but on the date 
of our visit only two were seen, and several strings of ova. 
Arachnid a. — Mr. Wm. Falconer writes : — 
The localities investigated included, Friday, Crag Top and 
Abbey Plain (x) and Grimbald’s Crag (2) ; Saturday, when 
Mr. Winter accompanied the party, the right bank of the 
Nidd, below the lower bridge, thence on through Birkham 
* Cuckoos arrived in some numbers in the district on April 20th, 
which is three or four days earlier than usual. 
Naturalist, 
