A HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE 



arrival this bird proceeds to build its nest in 

 creepers or shrubs trained against walls, or on 

 beams or even door-hinges, seeming to prefer 

 the vicinity of human dwellings. 



49. Swallow. Hirundo rustica, Linn. 



A common summer migrant, arriving 

 according to F. B. Whitlock by the Trent 

 valley migration route. Several instances of 

 white or cream-coloured varieties are recorded 

 in the Birds of Staffordshire, p. 64. In 1887 

 many were killed by a sudden fall of tempera- 

 ture in May (Report North Staffs Field Club), 

 and the same thing appears to have taken place 

 on 31 May 1855 (Nat. Hist, of Tutbury, 

 p. 50). 



50. House-Martin. Chelidon urbica (Linn.) 

 A common summer migrant, but decreasing 



in numbers owing chiefly to the persecution 

 to which they are subjected by the house 

 sparrow, which destroys both eggs and young, 

 evicting the rightful owners from their nests. 

 The latest date recorded for the stay of this 

 species with us is 7 November 1891, on 

 which date three were seen at Cheadle (Birds 

 of Staffordshire, p. 65). 



51. Sand-Martin. Cotile riparia (Linn.) 

 Locally, Bank Swallow. 



A common summer visitor, but rather local, 

 varying in numbers according to the accom- 

 modation afforded by gravel and sandpits, river 

 banks and railway cuttings for nesting pur- 

 poses. 



52. Greenfinch. Ligurinus Moris (Linn.) 

 Locally, Green Linnet. 



Resident and abundant throughout the 

 county, flocking in winter, and frequenting 

 fields and stackyards. 



53. Hawfinch. Coccothraustes vulgaris, Pallas. 

 Although formerly regarded as a rare winter 



visitor, the hawfinch has established itself of 

 recent years as a breeding species and now 

 nests regularly in woods and orchards in many 

 parts of the county. Mr. E. Brown (Fauna 

 of Burton, p. 100) seems to have been the 

 first to suspect that it bred with us (1863). 

 At the present time it may be said to be 

 abundant in the Cheadle and Stone districts, 

 and breeds in fair numbers round Eccleshall 

 and Abbots Bromley. In the autumn small 

 flocks frequent gardens and feed on peas, 

 cherries, yew, hawthorn and holly berries. 



54. Goldfinch. Carduelis elegans, Stephens. 

 Locally, Seven-coloured Linnet, Red Linnet. 



A partial migrant formerly abundant but 



becoming rarer every year. It still breeds in 

 a few localities and is not uncommon in the 

 damson orchards of the Dove valley. Flocks 

 appear occasionally in the north of the county 

 during the winter. The seeds of thistles 

 form the principal food of this bird, and its 

 wholesale capture is a serious injury to 

 farmers. 



55. Siskin. Carduelis spinus (Linn.) 



A local winter visitor appearing in flocks 

 which feed on the seeds of the alder (Alnus 

 glutinosa]. Large numbers were observed in 

 Consall Woods, October 1885, and near 

 Trentham, January 1893 (Birds of Staffordshire, 

 p. 67). During hard weather they have been 

 observed feeding on the seeds of spent hops 

 from breweries in the town of Stone. A 

 regular winter visitant at Willoughbridge 

 (Report North Staff's Field Club, 1894, p. 55). 



56. House-Sparrow. Passer domesticus (Linn.) 

 Abundant and resident. Albino and pied 



varieties have frequently been met with (Birds 

 of Staffordshire, p. 70). 



57- Tree-Sparrow. Passer montanus (Linn.) 

 A resident in fair numbers, but local and 

 frequently overlooked from its general resem- 

 blance to the last species. Mr. W. W. 

 Bladen noticed a colony at Stafford Castle in 

 1879, an<1 Mr. E. W. H. Blagg observed a 

 large flock at Rocester, but as a rule it is found 

 in small colonies. 



58. Chaffinch. Fringilla ccelebs, Linn. 

 Locally, Piedfinch, Piedy, Redfinch, Spink or 



Pink. 



A very abundant species, resident and 

 assembling in large flocks in winter. 



59. Brambling. Fringilla montifringilla, Linn. 

 A winter visitant arriving in flocks and 



feeding on beech mast. In severe weather it 

 frequents stack yards in company with other 

 birds. 



60. Linnet. Linota cannabina (Linn.) 

 Locally, Brown Linnet. 



A common resident, especially on downs 

 and heaths. 



[Mealy Redpoll. Linota linaria (Linn.) 

 Included in Mr. Sainter's list without any 

 particulars. Further evidence is necessary 

 before it can be admitted to our list.] 



61. Lesser Redpoll. Linota rufescens (Vieillot) 

 Resident and fairly common in some dis- 

 tricts, nesting regularly near Cheadle, Sandon 

 and in the Dove valley. 



146 



