BIRDS OF THE BRISTOL DISTRICT. 363 



Lark, was captured by a birdcatcher in the neighbourhood in 1873, 

 and exposed for sale with Yellowhammers ; it was, I believe, 

 purchased for a shilling, and given to the Zoological Gardens, in 

 whose aviary it is still retained. 



In the JEmherizidce we have one rare winter visitor, the Snow 

 Bunting, which has been shot at Avonmouth ; the Cirl Bunting, 

 occurs occasionally. The Fringillidce are very well represented. 

 The Brambling is local; also the Tree Sparrow. Haw Finches 

 have these last two or three winters been more abundant, remaining 

 till late in the spring. Many breed here ; at Henbury, and near 

 Almondsbury, nests and eggs have been taken. The Mountain 

 Linnet is a rarity; as also the Crossbill; both have occurred at 

 Leigh and Henbury. We have another rarity in the family 

 Sturnidm^ the *' Rose-coloured Pastor:" this has been once shot in 

 the vicinity. The Corvidce all belong to us with the exception of 

 the Chough. The Hooded Crow and the Eaven are both rare. 

 The families forming the group of Seansores call for no special 

 remarks, except the occurrence of the Hoopoe some years since, 

 both Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are uncommon. 

 Another rare straggler, the Bee Eater, visited Stapleton a few years 

 ago. Several specimens were seen by Mr. G. Harding frequenting 

 the beehives in his grounds, three of which were shot by him. 



The Kingfisher may be found in several parts of the neighbour- 

 hood. The Hirundinidos and CaprimulgidcB are each represented 

 by the generally distributed species known almost everywhere : 

 so also with the Columhidoe and Phasianidoe. Two species of the 

 Tetraonidce, the Black and Bed Grouse, have been shot, but of 

 great rarity. The Quail is another rare visitant. The Charadriidm 

 and Ardeidoe families are not numerous, the commoner species only 

 have hitherto been noticed, with the exception of the Bittern, 

 which has been shot near Portishead and Clevedon. Amongst 

 the Scolopacidce too we number but a few, the Green Sandpiper 

 perhaps being the rarest. The Whimbrel, Bartailed Godwit, 

 and Eedshank are occasional visitors. The Spotted Crake and 

 Grey Phalarope are rare members of the next two families, 



