23 
or two cases settled by the two species sharing a hole between 
them—the martins’ nests being placed at the very extremity of 
the hole, and the sparrows’ about midway from the entrance. 
Mr Gray has examined two cream-coloured varieties of this 
species in the possession of Mr John Jamieson, Ardrossan. 
THE GREENFINCH (Coccothraustes chloris). 
Permanently resident, and generally distributed. During the 
autumn months very large flocks of these birds congregate in fields 
adjoining the sea-coast, and feed upon the seeds of various plants, 
also upon left grain. Swarms of them are seen on the mounds of 
chaff visible here and there along the shore, the record of visits of 
itinerant threshing machines. Sparrow-hawks and other birds of 
prey often stoop into the midst of these multitudes, and carry a 
bird to the nearest rock, where it is plucked and devoured. Dur- 
ing this process the linnets re-assemble on the chaff, and are again 
pounced upon, the hawk, in this second instance, flying off to a 
distance with his victim. 
Mr Eaton has in his possession a specimen of the green linnet 
of a pure bright yellow, with the quill feathers entirely white. 
THE GOLDFINCH (Carduelis elegans). 
There can be no doubt that the great improvements effected in 
the agriculture of the two counties have materially lessened the 
number of goldfinches throughout the country. Its favourite 
food is the seed of plants now carefully destroyed by the husband- 
man, so that the bird’s haunts are, for the most part, now con- 
fined to glens penetrating some distance into the uplands, where 
these plants are yet tolerated, or where their growth is not a 
hindrance to profitable farming. 
THE SISKIN (Carduelis spinus). 
Although we have not yet taken the nest of this bird in either 
of the counties, we are inclined to think it may yet be found. It 
breeds in the adjoining county of Kirkcudbright. Siskins are 
captured by the country bird catchers in small numbers, chiefly 
during the autumn season. As a rule, these birds are much 
commoner in the eastern counties. 
