42 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 



German examples kept by mule breeders. In the 

 Rhine valley, where the Goldfinch is marvellously 

 well established, and flies about the cottage roofs, 

 in certain localities, with almost the familiarity of 

 the Sparrow, w^e noticed this peculiarity, especially 

 in the adult birds, which were so much engaged in 

 tending their young broods as to permit of a very 

 close examination with our binoculars. 



Genus C H R YS OM I TRI S. 



C. Spinus. Siskin. 



The Siskin is a local winter visitant, haunting 

 the alders by our rivers in variable numbers, chiefly 

 from November to March. 



Since 1879, a few pairs have regularly bred 

 near Longtown, several nests being found by Mr. 

 Plenderleath, thus confirming the suspicions ex- 

 pressed by Mr. T. C. Heysham fifty years previously. 

 Dr. Parker believes that he has seen the Siskin in 

 the extensive fir woods at Muncaster in the breedincj' 

 season. 



Genus LIGURINUS. 



L. Chloris. Greenfinch. 



The Greenfinch is a common resident, plentiful 

 in most parts of the county, but scarce in the south- 

 east, where Mr. Walton has only observed it in a 

 very few instances. Now, as in Dr. Heysham's 

 time, the majority of those that breed w^ith us 

 depart before winter, possibly jDassing the colder 



