194- Mr. W. C. Tait on the Birds of Portugal. 



Carvalho is of opinion that they should be exterminated. 

 The cork-tree is a favourite one for their nests. 



I have not observed the Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus, in 

 Portugal. 



81. Petronia STULTA. " Pardal franccz/' Oporto ; '^' Par- 

 dal da India/' " Pardal Girio/' Melres ; " Piriz," Bragan9a 

 and Ribatejo ; " Pardaloca franceza/'' Abrantes. 



The Rock Sparrow is resident and, on the Avhole, com- 

 mon, but local, being almost rare iu the neighbourhood of 

 Oporto. I have seen it at S. Joao da Foz, Villarinho, and 

 some other localities in spring and summer. At Melres, 

 Ovar, Abrantes, &c. it is common. Dr. Carvalho informs 

 me that it is not rare at Coimbra. Its peculiar note, Avhence 

 its local name " Piriz,'' attracts attention when otherwise it 

 might escape notice, as it has a habit of sitting quietly on a 

 branch for a considerable time. 



82. Feingillac(elebs, Linn. ^^Pintalhao," Vieira, Arcos, 

 Valen9a, Recarei ; " Pimpalhao," Sto. Thyrso, Fafe, and Alto 

 Minho; " Chincalhao,'' Penafiel, Melres, and Caldas do Gerez; 

 " Chopim,'' Foz do Douro ; " Pimpim,'' Caudal, Foz do Douro 

 and Esmoriz; '^ Tentilhao,-" Abrantes, Lamego, Villar cha 

 da Maia, Coimbra, Caldas d'Aregos. 



The Chaffinch is an abundant resident, and in October and 

 November flocks arrive near the sea-coast on the passage 

 south. Early in February it begins to sing, continuing till 

 about the middle of July, recommencing in September and 

 lasting throughout October if the weather be fine ; I have 

 heard it as late as November 27th. On a summer visit to 

 England, I remarked that the song of the Chaffinch in 

 Derbyshire is very different from that of the Oporto bird — 

 quite a distinct dialect, as it were. The dialectic differences 

 in the songs of some birds have already been noticed by 

 Prof. Alfred Newton. 



83. Fringilla MONTiFRiNGiLLA, Linn. "Tentilhao mon- 

 tez,'' Coimbra Museum. 



The Brambliug sometimes appears in winter amongst the 

 flocks of Chaffinches. 



