192 Mr. W. C. Tait on the Birds of Portugal. 



The Goldfinch is common all over Portugal, especially in 

 the localities where there are plenty of thistles, as about 

 Peniche. In the beginning of October, and up to the end of 

 the first week of December, the birds move southwards in 

 small flocks, flying in the morning up till about 11 o'clock, 

 especially with an easterly wind. The chief migration is in 

 November, and near the sea-coast. The bird-catchers obtain 

 large numbers during their passage by the aid of limed twigs 

 and a good call-bird. The return north in the spring takes 

 place from the middle of JNIareh and lasts about a fortnight ; 

 a far shorter time than the autumn migration. On the 

 spring migration Goldfinches prefer a mild south, or better 

 still, an east wind. Their flight on spring migration is said 

 to last from 7 to 10 a.m., and their line of flight is then not 

 so near the coast as in the autumn. Many of the Gold- 

 finches taken by the Oporto bird-catchers are afterwards 

 sold to the sailors of English vessels. 



76. Chrysomitris spinus (Linn.) . '' Canario da Fran9a,'' 

 Foz do Douro; '^^ Freirinha,'" Oporto. 



The Siskins arrive on the autumn migration with the Gold- 

 finches in November and December, but they are not seen 

 every winter, although during others they are almost com- 

 mon. They are well known to the bird-catchers, as they are 

 occasionally caught on the limed twigs set for Goldfinches. 

 Dr. CarvalliO has seen them at Coimbra. 



77. Serinus hortulAxVUs. " Serzino," general name ; 

 " Cerezino,'' Melres ; '' Riscada," Villar Cha da Maia ; " Mil- 

 heira," Caldas d'Aregos ; " Milheiio galante,'^ Recarei ; 

 " Chamariz,^^ Coimbra Museum ; '' Serin,^' Galicia. 



Serin Finches are more abundant in spring and summer, 

 many of them migrating southwards in the autumn at the 

 same time as the Goldfinches, and northw^ards in the spring, 

 but a few remain through the winter, at all events near the 

 sea-coast. They begin to sing in the middle of February, 

 stop for a short time in August and the beginning of Sep- 

 tember, recommence in this last month, and continue till the 

 beginning of November. 



