hemselves
on the mind, and Great Barugh, though more picturesque than either of
these, is chiefly interesting on account of its past.

Normanby lies on the dead level of the plain, and is watered by the Seven,
that flows between high embankments throughout most of its course after
leaving the high ground at Sinnington.

Salton lies a little to the west and is interesting on account of its
beautiful little Norman church. The cottages are situated on a patch of
green, and the whole place has a cheerful and tidy appearance.

At Kirby Misperton there is a very green pond by the church, and the
remains of the stocks may still be seen by the pretty rose-covered cottage
that contains the post-office. Many of the cottages were rebuilt between
1857 and 1877, the dates being conspicuous on their big gables.

CHAPTER XIV

_Concerning the Zoology of the Forest and Vale_

The great expanses of wild moorland, the deep, heavily wooded valleys, and
the rich and well-watered level country included in the scope of this book
would lead one to expect much of the zoology of the Pickering district,
and one is not disappointed. That the wild life is ample and interesting
will be seen from the following notes on the rarer varieties which Mr
Oxley Grabham of the York Museum has kindly put together.

On THE MOORS _the Curlew, the Golden Plover_, and the _Merlin_ nest
regularly together with other more common species.

In THE WOODS _the Woodcock, Pied Flycatcher_, and _Wood Wren_, together
with the _Green_ and _the Great Spotted Woodpeckers_, breed by no means
uncommonly.

In THE MARSHY AND LOW-LYING LANDS _the Snipe_ and _the Redshank_ find
congenial breeding quarters.

Many rarities have been obtained in the district such as _the Kite, the
Great Plover, the Smew_, and _the Golden Eagle_, and numerous varieties of
wildfowl during the winter months. I have seen large flocks of
_Crossbills_ and _Bramblings_ hunting for food in the severe weather, and
occasionally a small flock of _Waxwings_ appears in the district.

There is a well-protected _Heronry_ in the neighbourhood, and these fine
handsome birds may frequently be seen in the vicinity of the Costa, a
stream famous for the size and quality of its _Trout_ and _Grayling_.

From a sporting point of view there are few better districts in the north
of Yorkshire. _Grouse_ are abundant on the moors, and there is some most
excellent _Partridge_ ground at hand, whilst certain of the