1921.] Birds of Alderney. 423 



Passer domesticus. The Houso-Sparrow. 



A common residdit. Its numbei-s appear to x'omain con- 

 stant throughout the year. Less numerous than in most 

 parts of England. 



Fringilla ccelebs. The Chaffinch. 



A resident breeding here, but its numbers are greatly 

 increased during the winter months by migration. 



Mr. Eagle Clarke, who visited the island in September, 

 1898, for about a week, considered it decidedly uncommon — 

 a mistake due doubtless to his short stay, when possibly the 

 main body was on one of its periodical visits to the French 

 coast. 



Acanthis cannabina. The Linnet. 



A common resident. Its numbers are increased during 

 the winter months by migration^ and as a bird of passage it 

 is in some years extremely numerous for a few days or 

 weeks, according to circumstances, most probably the weather 

 conditions. In the spring of 11)19, from the 1st to the 5th 

 of May, after a continuance of ver}^ cold north winds, large 

 flocks were present on the island. I estimated these flocks 

 to contain many thousands of individuals. 



Pyrrhula pyrrhula pileata. The British Bullfinch. 



A scarce resident, at least one pair breeding here, and I 

 have occasionally met with it at irregular intervals in both 

 summer and winter. At times it appears to be entirely 

 absent, probably visiting the French coast. This is the only 

 record I can find of the occurrence of the Bullfinch in 

 Alderney, and the inhabitants do not appear to have noticed 

 it. As I write (7th of July, 1920) a family of recently 

 fledged young ones are not far away, the nest, which I found 

 wdth eggs in the middle of May, having fortunately escaped 

 the attention of the boys. 



Emberiza calandra. The Corn-Bunting. 

 L. has shot five on the island, one in the autumn of each 

 of the following years :— 1892, 1893, 1894, 1896, and 1911. 



SEK. XI. VOL. Ill, 2 F 



