GOLDFINCH. ras 
tion by bird-catchers has been instrumental in further 
reducing its numbers. Immigrants are occasionally 
seen in winter in districts where the bird is extinct as 
a breeding species. 
Even so long ago as 1864, the Goldfinch was appar- 
ently rare in Wirral, for the late C. S. Gregson considered 
the occurrence of a nest at Bidston as worthy of note. 
Brockholes, writing ten years later, described the bird 
as a scarce resident, and added that bird-catchers told 
him a good many visited Wirral in autumn? It is 
doubtful whether the bird now nests in Wirral, although 
Mr. W. E. Sharp sometimes sees flocks in winter in the 
neighbourhood of Ledsham.* 
The Rev. C. Wolley-Dod states that the Goldfinch 
still breeds, although but sparingly, in the gardens at 
Edge Hall, Malpas, where it is abundant in the winter. 
Elsewhere in West Cheshire it is rare, but has been 
noted at Ince, Manley, the Dee Cop, Saltney, and 
Combermere.? Mr. John Platt, who has eggs from 
Shavington-cum-Gresty, informs us that in that locality 
the Goldfinch was formerly common, but is now rare 
owing to the depredations of Nantwich bird-catchers. 
In Mid Cheshire the Goldfinch is now seldom met 
with in the summer. Mr. 8. Radcliffe informs us that 
he saw a nest in 1892 in an apple-tree at Holmes 
Chapel, and that Mr. John Moss of Ashton-under-Lyne 
possesses a nest which was taken at Mobberley in 1890. 
Mr. K. H. Jones writes us that in July 1895 two birds 
were obtained at Plumbley. In the valley of the 
Bollin, near Bowdon, the bird is still taken, although 
very rarely, by bird-catchers in winter. We have seen 
it there in hard weather, feeding with Linnets on the 
1 Smith, op. cit. p. 245. 
2 Brockholes, op. cit. p. 8. 3 Dobie, op. cit. p. 297. 
