SOME BIRD PROBLEMS 87 



D. Is there any truth in the statement that, unless young 

 Rooks are shot each year at, or near, a Rookery, and their numbers 

 thus reduced, the birds will forsake even a long-tenanted haunt ? 



To the large family Fringittidce the Finches belong, the first 

 of which the Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) is one of the commonest 

 species. My observations lead 'me to conclude that this species 

 often NESTS in small colonies, more especially in the neighbour- 

 hood of farms. Is this colonising nesting habit borne out by 

 the observations of other ornithologists, and, if so, why has 

 this interesting habit been developed ? 



The Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is something 

 of a puzzle, in so far as it has developed a positive genius for 

 leading an elusive and solitary existence. Apparently this 

 species has not been subjected to any special persecution. " At 

 all events," as Horace Hutchinson says, " it has been free enough 

 of persecution since it selected this Island for its habitation. It 

 has been far too clever for the ordinary Briton to succeed in 

 harassing it." To what then is its craftiness in eluding pursuit, 

 or detection, to be attributed ? Its wariness and skill in hiding 

 pertinently reminds me of a different type of bird, the Wryneck 

 (lynx torquilla) which, in spite of its giving voice persistently, 

 and thus disclosing its whereabouts, is one of the most difficult 

 birds to locate with which I am acquainted. 



The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is very fond of pluck- 

 ing Primrose blossoms in woods and elsewhere during Spring, 

 the flowers being nipped off near the base of the corolla tube. 

 The blossoms are not carried away, nor eaten. A suggestion 

 has been made that the bird carries out this practice because it 

 is fond of the nectar, which it is able to remove after severing 

 the blossom. Is this so ? 



The specific name of the Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) in- 

 dicates that this species BELONGS TO THE MOUNTAINS. The bird 

 is generally overlooked owing to confusion with its commoner 

 relative, last under review, but is quite a familiar bird when the 

 points of distinction are recognised. It is certainly not a bird 

 of the mountains. I have a note concerning this species that the 

 clutch of dark eggs invariably contains one light-coloured variety. 

 Can any reason be assigned for this ? The light egg is easily 

 distinguished from the remainder as they are invariably very 

 dark. I find also that this species is very partial to nesting 

 boxes put up in woods, and always builds an open nest therein, 

 whereas Passer domesticus constructs an arched structure when 



