79 



Brambling (F.ingilla inontefringUla).—X large flock of these pretty 

 birds occurred in the winter of 1866, near Eywood. Numbers were taken in 

 nets at night in the shrubberies there. I kept a, pair in a cage for some time, 

 but from some cause the male bird lost nearly all the feathers off the head 

 and back. 



Their note is harsh and disagreeable, and their appetite insatiable. 



Tree Sparrow (Fr'mgilla monUina) —Numbers of these bii'ds breed in the 

 holes of pollard willows on the banks of the Arrow. 



Hawfinch {Frinf/illa coccotkraustes).— The Hawfinch is occasionally seen 

 in this part of the county in winter. 



One specimen came into my possession about five years ago. 



Siskin (FringiUa s;jin«s).— Flocks of Siskins associate with lesser Ked- 

 poles, or "Izzard Linnets" as they are called in this district, on the alder 

 bushes, near Kington, in winter. 



Crossbill (Loxia curvirodra).— These birds are apparently more abun- 

 dant lately. Eight or nine adxilts, principally males, were unfortunately shot 

 near Kington in May last. 



I have not yet been successful in finding a nest, but as specimens have 

 been seen and obtained in Slay, July, August, October, and during Winter 

 it is pretty conclusive that they are residents in this part. 



I have brought four specimens, not very good ones, to show, one an adult 

 female, shot in July last year, three others a male, female, and young one, 

 shot in August, 18CG. 



A nest containing three eggs, which resemble those of the greenfinch, 

 was found last year in the beginning of June about four miles from Bedford 

 (see "Science Gossip" for December, 1868). 



These birds are early breeders in Norway and Sweden, nesting generally 

 in March, eggs being rarely found so late as April, 



The fact of these birds being in flocks in May and the instance of a nest 

 with eggs in June show them to be late breeders with us which is curious. 



Eaven {Gorvus corax). — A pair of Ravens have bred for many years on 

 Stanner Eocks, near Kington, but I have been unable as yet to obtain their eggs, 

 from the difijculty of reaching the nest. 



In August last year I saw three or four young ravens near the rabbit 

 warren on Wai)Iey, near Titley. 



Some years ago one of the old birds at Stanner was shot in the breeding 

 season, the other left the rocks and returned in a few hours with a new mate. 



This pair always leave Slanner in the early part of the autumn, accom- 

 panied by their young brood, returning in about three weeks alone. 



Gieat Spotted Woodpecker (Picus majoi). — A" few specimens of this 

 Woodpecker have come under my notice, chiefly from Radnorshiie. 



On the 16th of June last two young birds fully fledged were taken from 

 a nest at Knill, in this county, and brought to me. I fed them for three days 

 upon yolk of egg and lean beef, when they commenced to feed themselves, and 



