46 THE BIRDS OF DORSET. 



of its flight, which was from right to left. Observ- 

 ing this, I dismounted, and found the poor bird 

 senseless, but without a feather displaced or a limb 

 injured. It was probably only stunned, but of this 

 I could not wait to assure myself. 



GOLDFINCH. Carduelis elegans, Stephens. 



Yarrell, ii. p. 117; Dresser, iii. p. 527; Ibis List, p. 47; 

 Fringilla carduelis, Harting, p. 27 ; Seebohm, ii. p. 87 ; 

 Pulteney's List, p. 12. 



A resident species ; frequenting gardens, shrub- 

 beries, and orchards, and resorting in autumn to 

 the open downs and commons to feed on the thistle- 

 seed. Small flocks may then be seen passing along 

 with jerky flight, and sharp, quickly-repeated call- 

 notes. Since the Wild Birds Preservation Act came 

 into force, I am glad to note that Goldfinches have 

 become more numerous. Several small flocks visited 

 the downs of Whatcombe in the autumn of 1887. 



SISKIN. Carduelis spinus, (L.) 



Yarrell, ii. p. 126; Fringilla spinus, Harting, p. 27; Seebohm, 

 ii. p. 92; Pulteney's List, p. 12; Chrysomitris spinus, 

 Dresser, iii. p. 541 ; Ibis List, p. 48. 



The Siskin is a winter visitant, and one of the 

 rarest of our Finches. Pulteney says it has been 

 seen in the neighbourhoods of Hanford and Bland- 

 ford, but is more frequent on the eastern side of the 

 county. A flight of these little birds arrived near 

 Ensbury in January 1 848 (J. H. Austen) ; a pair 

 brought to Mr. Thompson were shot near Wey- 

 mouth, October 18, 1872 ; one was shot at Lodmoor, 



