Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/467

Rh Linota cannabina. Linnet.—Much lesss common than formerly, but the partial disappearance of whin-covers may to some extent account for their comparative scarcity.

L. flavirostris. Twite.—Even more striking in its scarcity as compared with former years, and more unaccountably so than the last species.

Loxia curvirostra. Crossbill.—A pair were seen last May or June (1899) in Upper Wharfedale, but I cannot ascertain that any nest was actually found, although it is probable it may have occurred in the beautiful pine-woods which abound there.

Sturnus vulgaris. Starling.—A few more appear to winter with us than formerly, although much more abundant both in winter and summer in some years than others. It often leaves its breeding haunts where it can be observed in colonies without any apparent reason. Mr. Forrest, in 'The Zoologist' (ante, p. 140), remarks:—"Careful observation has convinced me that a very large proportion of Starlings, perhaps one-half, rear only one brood in the year." In this district it is practically single-brooded. A few may not improbably have two broods in one season, but such instances are rare. A good many are sometimes seen in flocks when others are breeding, and have been for some time, but, as the season advances, gradually disappear, perhaps to breed in higher latitudes; and it may be more apparent than real that a good many "never breed at all." I have been asked if three Starlings occasionally feed the young belonging to one nest; one person here stoutly maintains he has repeatedly had ocular demonstration of the fact. Although it is not at all an uncommon thing to see three birds about one nest, I have never once been satisfied that more than two ever engaged in feeding the young.

Dendrocopus major. Great Spotted Woodpecker.—Has been more than usually common of late years; whilst the Green Woodpecker, on the other hand, has become much scarcer—indeed, I have not observed a single specimen for some years.

D. minor. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.—A very rare visitant. One, however, was seen in Bingley Wood last May, and the keeper thinks it may be breeding, as he saw it again only the other day. It is about twenty years since last record for this district.

Cuculus canorus. Cuckoo.—During the past year (1899), and up to the present, the only species of birds which have come to my knowledge in the nests of which the Cuckoo has deposited its eggs are the Meadow-Pipit and Whinchat. It seldom lays its egg or eggs in any other species except these two in this district. I recently found a young Cuckoo nearly fully fledged in the nest of a Titlark. One of my sons observed that the foster-parents were feeding it chiefly upon the heath-moth. A good many years ago, on a heathy waste near here, I watched a Cuckoo come repeatedly to the nest