NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 289 



or two cases settled by the two species sharing a hole between 

 them — the martins' nests being placed at the very extremity of 

 the hole, and the sparrows' about midway from the entrance. 



Mr Gray has examined two cream-coloured varieties of this 

 species in the possession of Mr John Jamieson, Ardrossan. 



The Greenfinch (Coccothrmistes cliloris). 



Permanently resident, and generally distributed. During the 

 autumn months very large flocks of these birds congregate in fields 

 adjoining the sea-coast, and feed upon the seeds of various. plants, 

 also upon left grain. Swarms of them are seen on the mounds of 

 chaff visible here and there along the shore, the record of visits of 

 itinerant threshing machines. Sparrow-hawks and other birds of 

 prey often stoop into the midst of these multitudes, and carry a 

 bird to the nearest rock, where it is plucked and devoured. Dur- 

 ing this process the linnets re-assemble on the chaflF, and are again 

 pounced ui^on, the hawk, in this second instance, flying off to a 

 distance with his victim. 



Mr Eaton has in his possession a specimen of the green linnet 

 of a pure bright yellow, with the quill feathers entirely white. 



The Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans). 



There can be no doubt that the great improvements effected in 

 the agriculture of the two counties have materially lessened the 

 number of goldfinches throughout the country. Its favourite 

 food is the seed of plants now carefully destroyed by the husband- 

 man, so that the bird's haunts are, for the most part, now con- 

 fined to glens penetrating some distance into the uplands, where 

 these plants are yet tolerated, or where their growth is not a 

 hindrance to profitable farming. 



The Siskin (Carduelis spinus). 



Although we have not yet taken the nest of this bird in either 

 of the counties, we are inclined to think it may yet be found. It 

 breeds in the adjoining county of Kirkcudbright. Siskins are 

 captured by the country bird catchers in small numbers, chiefly 

 during the autumn season. As a rule, these birds are much 

 commoner in the eastern counties. 



