50 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xm. 



Some were flying about in family parties on June i2tli, 

 several broods had not then left the nest, and one in the lime- 

 kiln had not left by the 23rd. The first flock (about three 

 families) was seen at roosting time on the 13th, after which 

 date the flocks gradually increased in size and remained 

 more or less together throughout the day. A good deal of 

 their feeding was done amongst the tidal rocks on the west 

 coast, and many went to roost in the low, sandy cliff round the 

 west baj^ 



In September, although birds were taken at the lantern on 

 the 3rd/4th and 6th /7th, the numbers present from the 

 3rd to the 15th showed little fluctuation. There was a slight 

 increase on the 5th and another on the 8th, but otherwise 

 the numbers were pretty much those of the summer popula- 

 tion, and many young birds had not yet completed their 

 autumn moult. There were several large flocks, that fed 

 in the fields and went to roost at night after characteristic 

 evolutions in the osier beds, besides many odd birds that kept 

 about the farm buildings. During this time also one large 

 flock was always present round the lighthouse buildings. 

 This flock, as well as a good many of the others, disappeared 

 during the night of the I5th'i6th. Two nights later a con- 

 siderable number of new birds came in and were found in the 

 early morning flying about in small flocks in an aimless 

 and unsettled manner, and constantly perching on the roofs 

 of the farms, boathouses and the stays of the lighthouse flag- 

 staff. These birds had all passed on before noon, but their 

 departure was not witnessed. A similar increase on a smaller 

 scale was noticed on the morning of the 21st, and these new- 

 comers likewise passed on before midday. 



The Hawfinch {Coccothraustes c. coccothraustes) . 



Once recorded from the lighthouse, a single bird on Decem- 

 ber 2ist/22nd, 1913. 



The Greenfinch {Chloris ch. chloris). 



Greenfinches are mentioned {B. A . Migration Report, 1884) 

 by the lightkeeper as being present amongst flocks of small 

 birds (Larks, Linnets etc.) seen during the day on Septem- 

 ber 20th. 



The British Goldfinch {Carduelis c. britannica) . 



Once recorded from the light, a single bird on October 

 29th/30th, 1910, also recorded by Mr. Aplin, May 23rd to 

 24th, 1901, " at least one pair and I believe more." None 

 were seen bj^ Mr. Coward or by myself. 



