Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/306

1472 almost to a bird; flocks also from more northern localities pass southwards.

Skylark, Alauda arvensis. The remarks upon the pipit will also apply to the skylark. In particular seasons, however, when large masses of snow have accumulated northwards, we have numerous flocks of larks from that quarter which continue with us some time, and seem so famished with hunger that they come into our gardens to feed on cabbages and greens.

The Common Bunting, Emberiza milaria. The greater part of our buntings leave us as soon as the corn harvest is finished, but re- turn in February or March.

Black-headed Bunting, Emberiza schœniclus. Most leave after the breeding, and return as spring advances.

Goldfinch, Fringilla carduelis. After the breeding season most of our goldfinches leave us, and return towards April. I believe that those in spring outnumber those in winter by at least ten to one.

Siskin, Fringilla spinus. Visits us in small flocks at uncertain in- tervals.

Stockdove, Columba Œnas. Is resident the year round in certain numbers, but a remarkable circumstance attends this bird's history. In the autumn stockdoves visit Donnington Park by thousands, feed on the acorns, and after staying a few weeks, until the best of them are gone, take their departure. This takes place annually.

Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis. Visit us in severe winters in flocks, but at uncertain intervals.

Common Snipe, Scolopax gallinago. Comes down from its nor- thern breeding grounds to our neighbourhood about Michaelmas. Many remain the summer through, but have never been known to breed.

Wild Duck, Anas boschas. Some remain here the whole year, but these are augmented in numbers by others which come in winter from other quarters ; parties keep coming and going, according to the tem- perature of the weather, till March.

Wigeon, Anas Penelope, Teal, Anas crecca. Never breed ; parties reach us most winters in hard weather.