BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 53 



88. COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS, Stephens. Haw- 



finch. 



An occasional, but rather uncertain winter visitant, 

 yet of more common occurrence during the last ten 

 years. Several specimens during this period have 

 been obtained in East Yorkshire and near Flam- 

 borough Head. It is mentioned in the list of birds 

 found near Croxby Pond on the North Wolds ; and 

 Mr. Alington says he has frequently procured speci- 

 mens from the rectory garden at Swinhope. I have 

 no positive notice of their having bred in this district. 



89. COCCOTHRAUSTES CHLORIS (Linnaeus). Green- 



finch. 

 Provincial. Green Linnet. 



Common and resident throughout the year ; large 

 migratory nocks also come from the north in the 

 autumn, about the middle of October. These resort 

 to the stubbles near the coast, to feed (in company with 

 Linnets and Twites) on the seeds of various weeds, as 

 the common charlock, goose-grass, and knot-grass 

 (Polygonum aviculare}. 



These are principally females and young of the year, 

 with a slight sprinkling of old males. The males, as 

 a rule, keep together in separate flocks; the separation 

 of the sexes, however, in this species during the winter 

 is not so complete as with the Chaffinch. Green- 

 finches are often very late in pairing; and I have seen 



