63 



GENUS CHRYSOMITRIS. 



SISKIN. 



Chrysomiteis spinus (Linnaeus). 



A winter visitor : the only instance in which it is 

 reported to have bred being that recorded by Yarrell (3rd 

 edit.), who says: "Mr. Howitt of Lancaster sent me 

 word that large flocks containing several hundred birds 

 have been seen there during the winter ; a few remained 

 in the summer of 1836 to breed ; six pair of old birds 

 were seen about, and later in the season several young 

 ones." It appears also to be now much less plentiful in 

 winter than it was twenty years ago, and the same 

 statement is made from all parts of the county — that 

 it is occasionally seen and shot, but that it is of increas- 

 ing rarity. It is most usually seen consorting with 

 flocks of the Lesser Redpoll. 



[" Seen each winter in Livese}^ and Balderston, in 

 small flocks, seldom exceeding 20, feeding on seeds of 

 the alder."— R. J. H.] 



GENUS LIGUEINUS. 



GREENFINCH. 



LiGURiNus cHLORis (Linufeus). 



Local Names — Green Linnet, Gree)ihull. 



Resident and common, breeding numerously through- 

 out the county. In the more exposed districts it is 



