1 66 Among the Birds in Northern Shires. 



regularity with which this bird returns to certain 

 winter quarters. For years and years we ha\-e 

 known flocks to arrive in November — practically 

 about the same time as the migratory Chaffinches — 

 and take up their quarters in certain woods and 

 shrubberies, where they used nightly to roost 

 throughout the winter, spending the day on the sur- 

 rounding open fields. Redwings also frequented 

 the same places in similar large companies, the 

 natural inference being that all these birds were from 

 the same continental localities, and followed the same 

 route inland from the coast, although the latter birds 

 were always the first to appear towards the end of 

 October. The Bullfinch we have always with us, 

 but in small and apparently decreasing numbers. 

 For this the rascally bird-catcher is largely to blame. 

 To the naturalist there are few more irritating per- 

 sons than a bird-catcher. We would sooner tolerate 

 a shooter, for he at least kills the bird and has done 

 with it, and the discharge of his gun at intervals 

 makes the birds alert and wary. But the bird- 

 catcher by his sly insinuating methods will carry off 

 a dozen birds where a gunner might not get more 

 than one. He is at his nefarious business early and 

 late in a certain spot so long as he knows a single 

 bird worth catching remains in it. His nets close 

 upon all birds alike — birds he prizes and birds he 

 cares nothing about, cocks and hens and young 



