144 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



The anxious mother of the nurslings had already placed two or 

 three leaves firmly into the structure by the stems, and Mr Sin- 

 clair, on comparing them with those the bird had let fall, found 

 them to be much thicker and therefore better suited for the 

 purpose. 



A very striking variety of the Greenfinch lately came under my 

 observation ; it had the entire plumage of a bright yellow, with 

 the exception of the quill feathers, which were pure white. The 

 specimen was killed near Kilmarnock, and preserved by Mr Oliver 

 Eaton, bird-stuffer there. 



THE HAWFINCH. 



COCCOTHRAVSTES VULOARIS. 



I AM not yet able to record this bird as a west of Scotland 

 species. In the southern and eastern counties it has been traced 

 from Dumfriesshire to East Lothian; thence to Aberdeenshire, 

 BanfFshire, and Caithness, in all of which counties several speci- 

 mens have been obtained. It is supposed to be increasing in 

 many parts of England, and future observers may therefore find it 

 frequenting Scottish districts not yet included among its northern 

 habitats. 



THE GOLDFINCH. 



CARDUELIS ELEGANS. 



Lasair-choille. 



BEING a favourite cage-bird, the Goldfinch is much sought after by 

 those who make it a business to catch these beautiful songsters for 

 the city market. For many winters past I have been surprised 

 at the very large numbers that are sent weekly from Dumfriesshire 

 to Glasgow. Many hundreds must be taken in a season ; and as 

 they are despatched in confined boxes, a great many die before 

 reaching the end of their journey. From being a comparatively 

 common bird, therefore, the Goldfinch is, from this cause alone, 

 now rather a scarce species; and, as cultivation extends, the 

 plants, on the seeds of which they feed, are naturally becoming 

 diminished. Their favourite food late in autumn and winter, as 



