CHAFFINCH AND GREENFINCH 109 



not yet been found within our actual bounds. 

 A large flock which stayed two days with us last 

 autumn brought with them as companions some 

 siskins, an interesting arrival as constituting 

 what seems to be a first record for the faunal 

 area. A charming resident which appears to be 

 increasing with us is the bullfinch, although it is 

 to be confessed that the gardeners have reason 

 to give him a somewhat cold welcome. His 

 Gaelic name is ' corcan-coille,' i.e. * little bull of 

 the wood,' corcan being the diminutive of core, 

 1 a fairy bull, a water-bull,' Here we have again 

 the same idea as in our English bull-rush, bull- 

 frog, bull-trout, to name only a few examples. 



On the moor edges we find the twite or moun- 

 tain linnet, conspicuous with his yellow bill, and 

 in more cultivated districts the corn bunting and 

 the yellow hammer, both somewhat infrequent; 

 while by water side and alder copse the black- 

 headed bunting is easily distinguishable in 

 sombre head-dress and white cravat. 



Now and again a passing flock of cross-bills 

 have visited us. Most people know the touching 

 legend of how this bird acquired his red-stained 

 breast and twisted beak in striving to withdraw 

 the cruel nails from the Cross. The skylark 

 sings to us on our little golf course as he does to 

 more favoured mortals in the Lothians, Fife or 



