198



Allen Silver,



House Sparrow .—Many pairs, apparently thrice brooded.

Ousted many Martins as usual.


Tree Sparrow .—Occurs in usual places ; saw several on some

old willows recently, but have not been where I could see the big

winter flocks that usually occur on the Suffolk and Essex borders.


Greenfinch .—Prevalent everywhere, many strong broods about.

Nested close into Suburbia. South Wales specimens differ slightly

in notes from those in East Anglia. Cannot see where this bird claims

close relationship to Coccothraustes vulgaris (Hawfinch).


Siskin .—Came quite close to town in North Kent in winter of

1917-18. Have heard nothing from Scotland.


Goldfinch .—In its proper places has apparently kept up its

numbers in at least twelve counties, for the last twenty-five years.

Saw large numbers in Hunts, Beds, Carnarvon, and it was breeding in

village streets and small gardens in East Anglia as usual, and in all

the parks I passed, there favouring the chestnut. Saw a really big

departure flock in 1916 about to leave a South Coast point. This flock

I saw collect in a short jieriod, and when I disturbed them the last

time I saw them feeding on flat thistles in closely nibbled grass ; the

company must have numbered between 300 and 500 birds. If one is

there at the right time and spot one can annually see flocks nearly as

large, if not quite, but not for long.


Redpoll .—It may be imagination, but seems to have increased

the last ten years as a breeder. Breeding birds passed over my garden

and alighted on my aviaries daily this summer. Saw it nesting in

Surrey suburbs. Prevalent in all its own country haunts that were

visited, and saw as many as four breeding cocks in one cemetery later

with their broods.


Mealy Redpoll .—Plenty of “ intermediates ” were noticeable,

but was unable to gauge anything as to last winter’s migrant birds of

the larger and whiter forms. This and the former species can be graded

right up to the giant white and pink type, and they feed each other,

sing, and behave absolutely similarly. Am by no means satisfied as

to wide differences [apart from subspecific variation] in Redpolls.

Aviculturists should interbreed and test for ready fertility in order to

settle how far apart Redpolls really are. As far as I can judge from



