402 BANFFSHIRE FAUNA. APPENDIX. 



FRINGILLA COCCOTHRAUSTES [The Hawfinch]. 

 A rare bird with us. 



FRINGILLA CIRIS [The Painted Finch]. 



A migratory species. Only one specimen has been seen. 



FRINGILLA CARDTJELIS [The Goldfinch]. 



These birds have in a great measure been captured by the bird- 

 catchers. (See p. 270.) 



FRINGILLA SPINUS [The Siskin]. 



Fewer than before. They have been thinned by the bird-catchers. 

 A tamable bird. 



FRINGILLA CANNABINA [The Linnet]. 



There is no house bird that possesses so many names as this one. 

 It is the rose lintie so long as it retains its red breast ; but 

 when that is gone or wanting, it is then the gray lintie, the 

 whin lintie, the brown lintie, and so on. Cultivation is driving 

 the linties away, by tearing down every whin, knoll, and brae, 

 where it is possible for the plough and spade to work their way. 



FRINGILLA LINARIA [The Lesser Redpole]. 



This is found most plentifully in the higher districts of the 

 county ; but in severe winters, large flocks of them descend to 

 the lower grounds. 



FRINGILLA BOREALIS [The Mealy Eedpole], A rare species. 



FRINGILLA MONTIUM [The Twite]. 



Another mountain as well as sea-shore rocky species. It is the 

 most elegant of all our linnets. 



LoxiA PYRRHULA [The Bullfinch]. 



This is another prize for the trapper. But great numbers are 

 annually destroyed by gardeners and nurserymen, who believe 

 that they are destructive. Yet their principal food consists of 

 insects ; and insects are also the chief food for their young. I 

 hope a better day will arrive for these lovely little birds, when 

 they will be cherished and encouraged rather than hated and 

 destroyed. The bullfinch is easily taught to whistle, or to 

 "pipe" familiar tunes. 



LOXIA CURVIVOSTRA [The Crossbill]. 



This bird is on the increase. They nest with us, and have done 

 so for some years. There is a great diversity of colour and 

 size amongst them. 



LOXIA PYTIOPSITTACUS [Parrot Crossbill]. 



While walking one morning round the Whinhill, and just as I 

 reached the south side, I was rather surprised at hearing the 

 voice of what I knew to be a stranger. On looking to a low, 

 bare Avail, about three or four yards in front of me, I beheld, 

 in all his pride and beauty, a male parrot crossbill. This is 

 the only instance, to my knowledge, of its existence amongst 



