FRINGILLID^E. 109 



some time ago. I give the extract verbatim, from 

 my note-book : 



'Upon the evening of the loth of March, 1867, at 

 a little past eight o'clock, a bird flew into a room in 

 this house, at Eton, through the open window : I 

 found that it was a Brambling. It is a curious thing 

 for one of these little birds to fly straight into a room 

 at night, and I am inclined to think that it had been 

 caged before, as it made no effort to escape, although 

 there were no signs upon its plumage to justify the 

 supposition that it had been kept in confinement. 

 It is now in a cage, and apparently in excellent 

 health.' 



Bramblings often resort in winter to Langley Park, 

 near Slough, and they have been observed at Beacons- 

 field and Fulmer, and on the Chiltern Hills. 



SISKIN (Cardiielis spinus). Arrives here towards 

 the end of November from the north, and remains 

 with us throughout the winter months, taking its 

 leave as spring returns. 



During severe winters it is more plentiful than in 

 mild ones, and in some seasons it comes in immense 

 flocks, while in others very few are to be seen. Many 

 are taken by professional birdcatchers in the vicinity 

 of Eton and Windsor every season. It is a tame- 

 able and very active bird, forming an attractive addi- 

 tion to an aviary. It is sometimes seen in flocks, 

 consorting with linnets and other small birds. Mr. 

 Sharpe writes me word that this species is not 



