Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/32

6 writes: "I have been a great deal on the hills at all seasons without seeing or hearing the Twite. Moreover, I have often looked for it upon the mountains of North Wales, but without success." Personally I have failed to meet with the Twite in Cardiganshire, even in localities which appeared extremely well suited to it. Mr. G.H. Caton-Haigh has not come across it in Merionethshire. As regards Carnarvonshire, Mr. O.V. Aplin, when on the mountain called Yr Eifi, or The Rivals, north of Pwllheli, noticed one or two birds which he judged to be Twites from their note. He states that Mr. Coward saw flocks on The Rivals and Cam Madryn (Zool. 1900, p. 493). I have no information from the Berwyn mountains, where the heather-grown grouse-moors furnish much likely ground. The evidence thus favours the view that the Twite ranges into North Wales, but does not reach the central or southern hill-districts of the Principality.

The Hawfinch Capt. Swainson characterizes as a rare resident in Breconshire. He writes: "I know of two instances of its nesting here (at Brecon). About three years ago small flocks attacked the peas in July, and on two occasions several were shot."

The Wryneck is described as "very rare" in Breconshire. Capt. Swainson says, "I am acquainted with its cry, which I have heard here only once, eleven years ago." Mr. F.T. Feilden has heard the note of the Wryneck at Three Cocks Junction.

With reference to the Kite in Breconshire, Capt. Swainson writes as follows:—

"Still a resident, but very rare. It is difficult to estimate the number of pairs, as they change their nesting places from year to year, but I should be inclined to think that there are about two pairs left. I myself have not seen bird or nest for seven years. Formerly the Kite used to breed yearly near Aberbran, about five miles west from Brecon (Zool. 1889, p. 226). In 1894 a pair of Buzzards took possession of the wood and nested, and the Kites were not to be found, but in 1895 they returned. There is in a Brecon collection a clutch of three eggs taken from this wood. There are five or six places in the county where the Kite occasionally nests or tries to. I have heard on pretty good authority that a pair brought off a brood