303 



were exhibited in the coarse of the eveniDg. Mr. Symonds had obtained them 

 from a little rivulet on the property of Col. Soudamore, of Kentchurch. They 

 had hatched unusually early this year— that is in 72 days instead of from 90 

 to 100 days, as was more usual. This was probably due to the mild weather 

 that had succeeded January's frost.] 



The President-Elect, after briefly acknowledging the toast, then read 

 the following paper. 



A NOTICE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF CROSSBILLS (i.oxia 

 cuRviROSTRis) BREEDING IN HEREFORDSHIRE. 



To ike President of the Woolhope Club, 



Dear Sir, — I have great pleasure in sending you the following part culars 

 respecting the Crossbills exhibited at Builth. 



I have obtained four specimens during the month of August, which were 

 all shot within half a mile of Kington. The tirst was isilled on the 3rd of 

 August, and is evidently a bird of the year, beiug of small size, with the bill 

 only slightly crossed, and having plumage of a greenish brown with only a 

 slight tinge of yellow on the lower part of the back. 



The next I obtained was killed on the 18th of August, and is a female, 

 the whole of the body plumage being tinged with yellow. On the 22nd, I 

 for the first time saw the birds myself, and obtained two males, the body 

 plumage being orange red. There can, I think, be little or no doubt of their 

 having bred in this neighbourhood during the past season, as from the fact of 

 one beiug a young bird, they could not have migrated from any great distance, 



I may state that they were rather numerous, and I therefore hope they 

 may remain and breed here next spring, when I shall do my best to observe 

 their nesting habits and obtain eggs. 



The trees they frequent are the Scotch fir and larch, but seem to prefer 

 the former. They are by no means shy birds, and on being shot at will fly 

 but a short distance. They fly from tree to tree with the body carried in a 

 vertical position, but I cannot say anything about their position in a more 

 er tended flight. 



