The Zoologist — August, 1867. 877 



Scarlet Bullfinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) in Sussex P — During a recent visit to 

 Lewes I had the pleasure of examining a most beautiful collection of British birds, 

 the property of Mr. Thomas Monk, of that town. The birds were all stuffed by that 

 excellent taxidermist, Swaysland, of Brighton, and amongst them were many of our 

 rarest visitors: the genus Authus was represented by six, Motacilla by five and the 

 family Emberizida? by seven species. Amongst ihem was a finch which specially 

 attracted my attention : Mr. Monk called it the " unknown finch." The appearance 

 of this bird was something like a very large linnet (Linaria cannabina), but with a beak 

 much larger, and in colour reminding me more of the young green linnet ; in fact, it 

 looked like a hybrid between the two species. It could scarcely, however, be a hybrid, 

 because several have been taken near Brighton in different years, and it is also very 

 improbable that two such common species would hybridize in a state of nature; the 

 puzzle therefore was, what species could it be? I considered it must be a European 

 bird, and probably, from occurring every autumn, a migratory species, not very rarely 

 met with on the Continent. It might also be expected to be a young bird, for it 

 rarely happens that stragglers are old birds; the latter during their passage follow the 

 course known to them by previous experience, but, on the other hand, young birds 

 when deprived by accident or otherwise of the guidance of their mature parents often 

 stray in their migrations from the direct course. I feel therefore certain, in my own 

 mind, looking at the general structure and size of the specimen, that it is the Fringilla 

 incerta of Risso, which is no other than the scarlet bullfinch (Carpodacus erythrinus of 

 Gray and others). Had the bird ever occurred in the adult plumage, I doubt not but 

 that it would long ago have been known as an occasional visitor to this country, but 

 the birdcatcbers have always supposed it a hybrid, and attached therefore but little 

 importance to the capture. If my supposition be correct it affords another illustration 

 of the fact that immature specimens present much better evidences of affinity than 

 mature ; even the young goldfinch is not very unlike a young linnet. — J. Jenner Weir; 

 6, Haddo Villas, Blackheath, S.E., July 10, 1867. 



PS. I placed my communication on the subject of Carpodacus erythrinus in my 

 pocket, with a view to leave it at Devonshire Street, but on my way called at a bird- 

 dealer's: he produced a bird, such as, he said, he " never saw before." What was my 

 surprise when my eyes rested on another specimen of the species or hybrid adverted to ! 

 This specimen had been in captivity three months ; it differed from the Lewes speci- 

 men in having the front of the head and the breast of a bright golden colour, as if the 

 nuptial rosy tint of L. cannabina had been reproduced in the hybrid. The bird was 

 smaller than the green linnet; the tail resembled the latter bird in colour and the beak 

 in shape. I can well imagine such a bird being called Chlorospiza incerta, as it was 

 by Buonaparte : my opinion, however, is somewhat shaken, and I know not whether to 

 consider the birds under consideration hybrids or not. The subject is an interesting 

 one, and should, I think, be investigated. — /. /. W. . 



Magpie with a Yellow Beak. — I may mention with regard to this bird, which 

 seems to have excited a little interest in the ' Zoologist,' that both Mr. Young and 

 myself observed that the yellow colour appeared to be very bright and distinct. Had 

 the bird been simply feasting on eggs I scarcely think that the whole of the black on 

 the bill would have been so regularly and universally concealed. This is of course 

 mere supposition on my part. At the same lime I consider that your correspondent 

 Mr. Beckwith (S. S. 826) is right when he considers it an unlikely ciicumstauce that 



