218 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
Family Corvip. 
Somersetshire appears to claim all the nine species 
of Corvide at present included in the British list. 
CuoueH, F'regilus graculus. The present species 
appears to be almost or entirely extinct in this 
county: the well-known sign of the “ Three 
Choughs” at Yeovil would perhaps lead one to sup- 
pose that these birds had at one time been common 
in that neighbourhood: they have certainly now 
ceased to exist there, and have I believe generally 
throughout the county, * except a few partially tame 
ones kept by Sir Alexander Hood at St. Audries. 
In the beginning of April in this year (1868) a pair 
of these birds made their appearance on Mr. Bisset’s 
lawn at Bagborough, close by the Quantock Hills, 
and seemed disposed to build in the church-tower 
close by, as they were seen about there for 
three or four days: had they not unfortunately been 
shot they in all probability would have done so, 
more especially as there are no Jackdaws there to 
molest them, they having all been destroyed by the 
predecessor of the keeper who shot the Choughs. 
* Thave lately been informed that until a very few years 
ago these birds bred regularly on the cliffs near Minehead, 
but that one year their nests were destroyed by some masons 
who were employed about the harbour works, since which 
time the birds have never returned to their old quarters. 
