86 Mr. Yarrell on the occurrence of some rare British Birds, 



found in the parish of Horsey, about twelve miles from Yarmouth, 

 in Norfolk. The nest is placed near the ground, being sustained 

 only an inch or two above the surface by the strength of the stems 

 of the coarse grass upon which it is fixed : it is composed entirely 

 of dried bents, the finer ones forming the lining, and others in- 

 creasing in substance make up the exterior. The eggs were four 

 in number in each nest, rather smaller than those of Parus 

 rnajor^ and less pointed ; white, and sparingly marked with pale 

 red irregular lines or scratches. Having obtained nests and eggs, 

 the collector was requested to procure some young birds if possi- 

 ble, and in a few weeks, three, apparently belonging to the same 

 brood, w ere sent up. 



Emberiza cirlus^ Linn. The Cirl Bunting was this year seen 

 in several instances near Brading, in the Isle of Wight. Two 

 nests with eggs were found, and a third containing young birds. 

 The old ones were observed to feed constantly on the berries of 

 the Woody Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)^ and a paste made 

 of this berry, wheat flour, and fine gravel, proved excellent food 

 for the young birds, which were reared without difficulty, and 

 are now in high health. Several old and young birds of both 

 sexes were also obtained by shooting. 



Fringilla Cocothraustes^ Temra. Loxia Cocothraustes^ Linn. 

 The Hawfinch. A pair of these birds bred this summer near 

 Windsor. The nest was not found, but the visits of the young 

 birds to a garden excited attention, and part of the brood was 

 obtained. 



Charadrius Cantianus, Lath. The Kentish Plover. Two 

 specimens of this very rare species have been shot on the coast of 

 Norfolk, both young birds of the year. The original description 

 of this British bird will be found in the second supplementary 

 volume of Dr. Latham's Synopsis, page 316. 



Montague considered this bird only a variety of the Ring 

 Plover (Ch. hiaticuld). Having now a young one of each 

 species before me, killed about the same time, and previous to 

 the first moult of either, I shall briefly point out those difieren- 



