138 A. F. CROSSMAN NOTES ON BIRDS 



Hotjse-Maetin {Chelido7i urhica). — Mr. Rivers informs me that 

 he saw young house-martins in the nest at Bishop's Stortford as 

 late as October 2nd. 



Hawfinch {Coccothraustes vuJqaris). — This bird was again 

 plentiful in the neighbourhood of Berkhamsted, and Mr. Rivers 

 reports that it nested in the neighbourhood of Sawbiidgeworth. 

 Mr. A. Sainsbuiy Verey informs me that it nests regularly near 

 Heronsgate, fi'equenting orchards at that time and preferring apple 

 or pear trees to nest in. Mr. Spary also states that this bird is not 

 uncommon in the neighbourhood of St. Albans. 



Goldfinch (Carduelis elepans). — This bird is on the increase in 

 the neighbourhood of Berkhamsted, and Mr. Rivers reports its 

 occurrence frequently near Sawbiidgeworth. 



Siskin {Chrysomitris sptnus). — Mr. Rivers informs me that he 

 saw siskins on several occasions at Sawbiidgeworth in the early 

 part of the year, and Mr. Lewis reports the occurrence of this 

 species at "West End, Essendon, near Hatfield, on March 29th. 

 Mr. Spary writes to me that in the seventies this bird used to visit 

 the neighbourhood of Welwyn in large numbers in the winter, 

 feeding on the cones of the alder-trees there. Mr. Sainsbury 

 Verey also tells me that he has observed this species on two 

 occasions near Heronsgate, and that it used formerly to be common 

 at Elstree Reservoir and also at St. Margarets, near Ware. I am 

 informed by Mr. Harold Proctor that the siskin often comes in the 

 winter to Hunton Bridge, at which time of the year Mr. M. R. 

 Pryor also sees them at "VVeston Manor. 



Mealy Redpoll [Acanthis Imaria). — Mr. Verey writes to me 

 that in the winter of 1861 he caught a pair of these birds near 

 St. Albans. 



Lesser Redpoll [Acanthis riifescens). — Early in the year 

 Mr. Rivers saw birds of this species near Sawbiidgeworth, and 

 eventually, on July 15th, he saw a pair of them feeding their 

 fledged young on a plum-tree in his gi'ounds. Mr. "Westell also 

 infonns me that a nest of this species was found near Sopwell by 

 a boy who caught the old bird. This bird Mr. "Westell has since 

 seen, and has no doubt whatever about its history. These two 

 records of this species nesting in Hertfordshire are very interesting, 

 inasmuch as they are at present the only two instances that I know, 

 although, probably, the bird nests comparatively often with us. 

 Mr. Sainsbury Verey tells me that the lesser redpoll is a regular 

 visitor to Heronsgate, arriving about the middle of September 

 and often staying till June. Mr. Spaiy also tells me that he has 

 occasionally seen this species near St. Albans. 



Crossbill [Loxia curvirosira). — Mr. Rivers informs me that 

 some crossbills were shot during January in a small larch wood 

 at Tharbies Eann, near Sawbiidgeworth. He also states that on 

 August 26th he saw a dull-green crossbill feeding on an Austrian 

 pine at Sawbiidgeworth. l)uring the first three months of last 

 year I continually saw parties of these birds near Berkhamsted, 

 where 1 saw some again in September and the two following 



