THE BRAMBLING. 167 



resembles the male Chaffinch in manners, appearance, and 

 plumage, it can scarcely be distinguished at a little distance 

 when feeding amongst them. It likewise resorts to planta- 

 tions, where it feeds upon the beech-mast. Large flocks 

 were seen in the beech woods at Paxton in the autumn 

 of 1874, but they nearly all disappeared when the heavy 

 snow-storm of December of that year came on, only a few 

 remaining about the farm- steadings in the neighbourhood 

 during the severe weather which followed. In 1875 none 

 visited Paxton, in 1876 they were very numerous, in 1877 

 only a few were noticed, and none in 1878. Mr. Kelly men- 

 tions that, at the farm of Pilmore in Lauderdale, Bramblings 

 have been observed feeding among the lint refuse left 

 after thrashing.^ He also records its appearance in winter 

 at Lylestone, Newmills, and Threeburnford near Oxton.^ 

 Mr. Eenton states that it was seen at Fans, on the 10th of 

 January 1881, during hard frost and snow; and Dr. Stuart 

 mentions it as occurring at East Blanerne on the 4th of 

 February of the same year.^ Mr. Lockie writes that it is 

 often noticed about Legerwood, Westruther, and Spottis- 

 woode, and also in the Earlston district, during the winter 

 months. Mr. Hardy notes that it comes to the stackyards 

 at Penmanshiel and Oldcambus in severe weather, but not 

 in large numbers ; and that it is usually ready to resort 

 to a horse-hair " hoop girn " during snow. 



There are several records of the Brambling being seen 

 on migration at the Fame Islands and the Isle of May in 

 autumn and spring, the earliest appearance in autumn 

 which is recorded being at the Fame Islands on the 21st 

 of September 1882, and the latest in spring, at the Isle 

 of May, on the 7th of April 1885. 



1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. vii. p. 303. - Ibid. vol. viii. p. 144. 



3 Ibid. vol. ix. p. 555. 



* Reports on the Migration of Birds, 1879-85. 



