276 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xm. 



Large Numbers of Bramblings in Worcestershire. — 

 With reference to the notes already published {antea, pp. 194, 

 221), Mr. T. J. Beeston writes from near Kidderminster that 

 Bramblings are more numerous than for the last twenty-five 

 years. 



Siskins Numerous in Somerset. — Mr. N. G. Hadden 

 writes that a flock of about sixty Siskins {Carduelis spinus) 

 frequented the woods at Porlock from October 1919 to 

 January 1920. The Rev. F. L. Blathwayt informs us that 

 Siskins appear to have been unusually numerous in Somerset 

 and Dorset this winter. 



Little Bustard in Cornwall.- — Mr. R. J. Percy-Thomas 

 records [Field, January 17th, 1920, p. 67) that on January 

 ist, 1920, he received for identification a female Otis tefrax, 

 which had been shot in a field of roots on the Trelawne estate, 

 near Looe, Cornwall. 



LETTER. 



STATUS OF GOLDFINCH IN YORKSHIRE. 



To the Editors of Brittsh Birds. 



Sirs, — In Nelson's Birds of Yorkshire the Gk)ldfinch [Carduelis c. 

 britannica) is stated to be " becoming extremely rare, its decrease 

 in highly farmed neighbourhoods being attributable to the destruction 

 of those plants on whose seeds it usually feeds. . . ." This was 

 written in 1 907. So far as the district immediately around Scarborough 

 is concerned there has, of recent years, been a very marked increase 

 of this bird both as a breeding species and winter visitor, and during 

 last summer (191 9) I was particularly struck by the numbers I saw, 

 both of old and young birds. So far I have no very definite evidence 

 beyond my own observations of any noticeable increase outside the 

 limited area of the Scarborough neighbourhood. It would, perhaps, 

 be of value to the county ornithology if observers in other districts 

 would communicate notes as to the status of the Goldfinch in various 

 parts of the county. I shall be pleased to receive and collate any 

 notes which may be sent to me and to communicate them to British 

 Birds as soon as suf&cient material has come to hand. May I ask 

 for the co-operation of Yorkshire ornithologists in an effort to estabMsh 

 the present status of this charming Little finch ? 



E. Arnold Wallis. 



Fairfield, Newby, Jan., 1920. 



