72 Mr. n. M. Wallis on the Birds 



fouud them nesting under unapproachable cornices at various 

 points along the Valle de Ara in Spain, from 7000 to 7500 

 feet above sea-level. 



40. Cahduelis elegans^ Stepli. 



We met with the Goldfinch at Arreus in the pleasant 

 Vallee d' Azun (2800 feet) on May 28th, and again at Argeles- 



Vieuzac. 



41. Chrysomitrts citrinella (Linn.). 



In the Valle de Ara in early June a pair of Citril Finches 

 "were our daily visitors, occasionally perching upon the gable 

 or upon the hurdles o£ the sheep-fold, and permitting one to 

 approach within seven or eight yards while they picked 

 dandelions to pieces close to the door of our hut; the male 

 constantly uttering his thin metallic chirrup, like the chink 

 of small silver coins. They seemed to l)e nesting close at 

 hand, and were the only sociable species in the valley ; 

 Robins, Thrushes, and Wrens alike keeping to impenetrable 

 Cover. 



42. Serinus hortulanus, Koch. 



On May 26tli I found a Serin sitting upon three eggs in a 

 conifer beside the highroad near Eaux-Bonnes. This nest 

 is very small and flat, was placed some 15 feet from the 

 ground upon the fork of a horizontal limb, was quite invisible 

 from below, and at one yard^s distance seemed only a chance 

 accumulation of needles. The outer wall is of dry roots ; 

 the cup is of horse- and cow-hair, with two Woodcock 

 feathers. The eggs resemble a Goldfinches, but are smaller. 

 When first found the hen was sitting ; she left the eggs at 

 the call of her mate, who summoned her to be fed with a 

 prolonged delicate trill. When I ascended the tree an hour 

 later he was sitting, and sat very close. I mention these details 

 as I found the nest very difficult to discover, although the birds 

 abound in every orchard, square, and garden throughout the 

 Pyrenees, from the hotel grounds at Eaux-Bonnes up to the 

 high timber in the Cirque de Gavaruie at the extreme limit 

 of forest-growth, say 6000 feet, where I found a deserted 

 nest with one egg. 



