BIRDS OF GUERNSEY. 77 



out, at St. George on the 5th of June, and soon 

 after another brood about Mr. De Putron's pond, 

 where they were feeding on the seeds of some 

 thistles which were growing on the rough ground 

 about the pond. I have also seen a few in Alder - 

 ney ; and Captain Hubbach writes me word that the 

 Goldfinch was quite plentiful here (Alderney) in the 

 winter of 1862 and 1863. But he adds" I have 

 not seen one here this year." So probably its 

 numbers are occasionally increased by migratory 

 flocks in the winter. 



Professor Ansted includes the Goldfinch in his 

 list, but marks it as occurring only in Guernsey 

 and Sark. There is no specimen in the Museum. 



69. SISKIN. Carduelis spinus, Linnaeus. French, 

 " Tarin," " Grosbec tarin." The Siskin can only 

 be looked upon as an occasional, accidental visitant 

 indeed, I only know of one instance of its occur- 

 rence, and that is recorded by Mr. Couch at 

 p. 4296 of the ' Zoologist ' for 1875 in the following 

 words : " I have the first recognised specimen of 

 the Siskin ; a boy knocked it down with a stone in 

 an orchard at the Vrangue in September." This 

 communication is dated November, 1874. I have 

 never seen the Siskin in any of the Channel Islands 

 myself, and Mr. MacCulloch writes me word "I 

 have never heard of a Siskin here, but, being 

 migratory, it may occur." I see, however, no 



