182 FRINGILLIDJi. 



a single pair seems to have been noticed in Heligoland. As 

 to Holland and Belgium there is little to be said, but it is re- 

 corded as of casual occurrence in France and has even been 

 killed so far to the southward as Provence. Its appearance in 

 Italy has also been asserted, but this has to be considered 

 doubtful. Throughout Germany it would seem to have been 

 observed more often, and even to have visited the south of 

 the western part of that country occasionally, yet, however 

 suitable its pine-forests might be, there is no reason to sup- 

 pose that this bird ever abides there. It has been said to 

 shew itself in Germany more frequently of late years than 

 formerly ; but though this may be the case there is insuffi- 

 cient evidence to that effect. Further to the eastward it occurs 

 oftener, and we have G. A. Germann's testimony, first pub- 

 lished in 1815, by Bernhard Meyer, that in the winters of 1790, 

 1793, 1795 and 1805 large flocks came about Dorpat, gener- 

 ally arriving in October and staying till the middle of Decem- 

 ber. It works its way however into Bohemia and Hungary 

 — possibly into Transsylvania also, but of this proof is 

 wanting. It is found almost throughout the whole breadth 

 of the Kussian empire (suitable localities being of course 

 understood) ; but, though its limits to the northward are 

 unquestionably bounded by the fir-forests, its southern range 

 is unknown. It does not seem, however, at any time to cross 

 the open country, and has never been observed in the Hima- 

 layas nor in their prolongation in either direction, and it would 

 appear to become scarcer towards the east, though it is re- 

 corded from Udskoj-Ostrog, Its occurrence in China or Japan 

 cannot be asserted, but there may be a presumption in favour 

 of its occasionally reaching both countries. In North America 

 likewise it is found in the pine-woods from the Pacific to the 

 Atlantic. Here again we may well suppose its northern range 

 to be conterminous with that of the conifers, but how far 

 to the southward it extends is as yet uncertain — Leaven- 

 worth in Kansas seems as yet the lowest point it has reached. 

 The fact however must be noticed that by some Transatlantic as 

 well as European ornithologists the American Pine-Grosbeak 

 is considered to be specifically distinct from our own. In ap- 



