BIRDS 35 



66. — TWITE. Carduelis flavirostris flavirostris (L.). 



Occiirs on moors and mountains from autumn to spring ; rarely in summer. 



In his Wild Life in Wales Mr. G. Bolam claims to have discovered 

 two nests near Bala in May, 1905, but I cannot help thinking 

 from his description and photograph of the nest that he was 

 mistaken as to the species, A railway embankment is a most 

 unlikely spot for a Twite's nest. 



67.— BULLFINCH. Pyrrhula pyrrhula jtileata McGilliv. 

 Resident ; common in wooded country throughout the district^ 



68. — CROSSBILL. Loxia curvirostra curvirostra L. 



Winter migrant, occurring irregularly, chiefly in the eastern half of the 

 district ; rare in the west, especially in Anglesey ; sometimes occurs in 

 summer, but very rarely breeds. 



Dr. C. L. Williams reports it at Holywell in 1902. The remark- 

 able invasion of Crossbills in 1909 penetrated even as far as 

 the west coast. From September 28th to the end of February, 

 1910, flocks of eight or ten frequented the neighbourhood of 

 Llangollen, and a similar flock was seen feeding on larches at 

 Dolgelley by Mr. Ruddy, 18th November, 1909. 



69.— CORN BUNTING. Emberiza calandra calandra h. 



Resident ; abundant near the west coast, especially in Anglesey ; less 

 numerous near north coast ; rare inland. 



Mr. King observed a pair with fully fledged young near Bangor 

 at the end of May, 1910 — a very early date for this late-breed- 

 ing bird. On the other hand, Mi-. R. D. Williams found a nest 

 at Aberffraw with four fresh eggs, 22nd July, 1909. Mr. C. 

 Oldham remarks that this Bunting deserts hleyn in autumn, 

 but is then still numerous in Anglesey, though less so than in 

 spring. Dr. C. L. Williams reports a small flock, 3rd January, 

 1904, at Holywell, where he had not previously seen the species. 



70.— YELLOW BUNTING. Emberiza citrindla citmidla L. 



Resident and more or less numerous throughout the district. 



Mr. C. Oldham states in British Birds, VIII., 196, that in Lleyn 

 the Yellowhammer is called Gwas-y-neidr — Adder's servant — 

 in allusion to the serpent-like marks on the eggs. With further 



