144 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



Hawfinch {Coccotkraustes vulgaris). 



This bird is so extremely rare on the Borders 

 (unrecorded hitherto as breeding - in Northumberland), 

 that the following - notes, extending over a period of years 

 — for which I am indebted to Miss Taylor of Chipchase 

 Castle, Northumberland — have special value and are 

 quoted in extenso :■ — -" I had not noticed Hawfinches 

 previous to 1901, but in the middle of July of that 

 year, saw fully-fledged young - in the garden at Chip- 

 chase, and on searching", found the nest in an old 

 apple-tree, 8 feet from the ground. In 1902, a nest was 

 built in the top branches of a pear-tree at 10 feet, 

 completed the third week in May ; but, being dis- 

 turbed by a gardener when four egg's had been laid, was 

 deserted. 



" During the two following years, no hawfinches were 

 observed at Chipchase, though I carefully watched for 

 them. 



"In 1905, I did not find nest till the young were nearly 

 full-fledged, in the last week of July. It was built in the 

 top branches of a golden yew in a shrubbery near the 

 g'arden — a much thicker situation than any of those 

 previously found. Until I got a very close view, I could 

 not be certain that the parents were hawfinches. Nest 

 Sh feet from ground, five young - birds. 



"In 1906, the hawfinches built in the top branches of 

 a pear-tree, 10 feet from ground. Nest commenced May 

 1 8th, six eggs laid May 28th. Hen killed on nest by a 

 cat on the 29th, and since the 30th the cock bird has not 

 been seen." 



This last nest I examined in situ. It was loosely 

 constructed of thin dark twigs, almost as slight as that 



