300 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT. 
* Pyrrhula europea. BULLFINCH. 
“A common resident in Wirral” (Br. p. 8) [W.C.| and 
generally throughout the district, e.g. at Ince [R.N.], Comber- 
mere [Lord C.], Edge [C.W,D.], Aldford [R.J.S.], Wrexham 
“some years” [A.D.], Nant-y-firith [R.H.V.K.], Maesmor 
[W.J.K.], Rag [C.H.W.], Colwyn Bay [A.O.W.], Abergele 
[J-H.], Llandyrnog [J.B.], Llandudno, “‘but more numerous to- 
wards the village of Mochdre” [H.T.] Very common at 
Llandulas [L.J.D.] Common in gardens and fir plantations ; 
feeds on buds of plums, and small fruits, groundsel, &c. [T.R.] 
Not very common close round Chester. Often seen on the 
road to Wervin [T.S.P. ] i 
* Loxia curvirostra. CROSSBILL. 
An occasional winter visitor in flocks. Is not included in 
BROCKHOLEs list of the birds of Wirral; but in Mr. CONGREVE’S 
collection there is a specimen shot in the Burton fir woods, 
January, 1839. 
In Delamere Forest Mr. W. J. BEAUMoNT noted the occur- 
rence of a flock of about twenty on January 22nd, 1889 
(Naturalist, Ap., 1889, p. 102); and on and after December 
roth, 1889, Mr. Cookson, Oakmere, shot two adults and five 
immature from’a small flock. (Three of these in Coll. G. M.) 
Of its occurrence in Wales Mr. Ruppy writes—“ You may 
safely put this down as a Denbighshire bird. Besides many 
observed at Palé, I saw several by the side of the canal 
between Llangollen and Berwyn Station in the winter of 
1887-8, when I had to go regularly to superintend the gardens 
at Llantysilio. The favorite food was the seed of the larch, 
but I watched them eating the seeds of the sycamore trees too. 
The birds were fearless; I could almost catch them with my 
hand before they would move. I only knew of one specimen 
in this part before 1887, and have not seen any since.” 
Sir H. B. Ropertson noted several at Nantclwyd, near 
Ruthin, in the same winter, 1887-8. 
Mr. W. J. Kerr says that it occurs at intervals in the 
Maesmor district and that he has shot several. 
Two in Coll. G.M., presented by Mr. J. PowNatL, were shot 
in Bryn Tyrion Woods, near Corwen, February, 1890. 
* Emberiza miliaria. Corn BunrING. 
Though not abundant, this species occurs on the cultivated 
land bordering the coast from the Mersey to the Conway. 
BROCKHOLES says: ‘‘I have never seen this bird here” (in 
Wirral) “in winter. It is here in March, remaining during 
spring and summer. It is common then in places such as 
Wallasey and the enclosed portions of the Dee marshes.” 
Cir... 7.) 
