Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/438

404 working, with other Passeres, southward along the sand-hills. Local, "Green Linnet."

Coccothraustes vulgaris. Hawfinch.—F. Visits us in uncertain numbers every winter. Have every reason to believe a pair tried to nest in a market-garden a few years ago, but were killed by a birdcatcher.

Carduelis elegans. Goldfinch.—L.L. Owing to incessant persecution by birdcatchers has so diminished of late years as to become almost a rarity with us. A hybrid between Goldfinch and Linnet netted at Acle, Sept. 4th, 1899.

Chrysomitris spinus. Siskin.—C. An uncertain autumn visitor, sometimes arriving in great numbers.

Serinus hortulanus. Serin Finch.—R. A male example shot at Yarmouth, June 13th, 1885; another netted on North Denes, Feb. 5th, 1887. A pair, April 1st, 1897 (Nor. N.S.).

Passer domesticus. House-Sparrow.—C. A great number repair all through the autumn to a clump of trees near St. Nicholas Church towards sunset, and chirp in chorus half an hour, making a great uproar, after which they disperse to their sleeping-quarters. Very destructive in villages around at harvest-time. One passed me within arm's length on Jan. 17th, 1881, coming from over sea with tired-out Twites, Linnets, &c. I am informed that during immigration some occasionally alight on lightships. My informant, an intelligent lightsman, on my suggesting he may possibly have mistaken Tree-Sparrows, distinctly referred to them as "House"-Sparrows, which he knew from P. montanus.

P. montanus. Tree-Sparrow.—F.C. Nests in the neighbourhood; I have found its nest under a tile in cart-shed. Have observed it arrive in October, alighting on sand-hills to rest after a tiring flight across seas.

Fringilla cœlebs. Chaffinch.—C. Great numbers arrive in autumn, many often perishing. Have observed it industriously feeding in winter on the seeds of Astor tripolium. The separation of the sexes is noticeable. Local, "Spink."

F. montifringilla. Brambling.—C. In some winters abundant. Winter of 1885–86 very numerous; again in 1894–95. Many dozens were caught by one birdcatcher who baited a certain meadow. Mr. J.H. Gurney (Nor. N.S. vol. iv. p. 278) refers to