126 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



Though both breed commonly in this country, I 

 have never noticed them to pair. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in the 

 neighbourhood of Brighton, in April, 1870. 



BRAMBLING. (SPRING.) 



Case 148. 



The present species is only a winter visitor to the 

 British Islands ; a few, however, remain as late as 

 April, and often assume the full summer plumage 

 before they take their departure. 



In the summer of 1866, while fishing on the Eiver 

 Lyon, in Perthshire, I had occasion to climb a beech 

 tree to release the line which had become entangled in 

 the branches, and while so engaged a female Brambling 

 was disturbed from her nest, containing three eggs, 

 which was placed close to the stem of the tree. As I 

 was anxious to procure the young I left her, and on 

 again visiting the spot in about a fortnight the nest 

 was empty, and, judging by its appearance, I should 

 be of opinion that the young birds had been dragged 

 out by a cat. 



This is the only instance I have ever known of the 

 Brambling attempting to rear its young in Great 

 Britain. 



The specimens in the case were shot near Falmer, 

 in Sussex, in April, 1875. 



KITE. (IMMATUEE.) 



Case 149. 



The specimens, which were shot in Perthshire, in 

 1878, shew the plumage of the young birds as 



