9328 Birds. 
killed in the British Isles, would examine it, and ascertain if he has not got a tawny 
pipit by mistake. The difference between the two species is so well known that I do 
_ not wish to take up your space by mentioning it here. However, I would only say if 
he has any doubt let him compare the hind claw of his bird with Yarrell’s figure, 
p. 388, vol. i., Ist edition. If it does not correspond in length, he may conelude that 
he has not Richard’s pipit, which is extremely rare in Great Britain, even if it has 
ever been killed here, of which I entertain strong doubts. My own belief, which is 
corroborated by the communications of several of our best ornithologists made to my- 
self, is that Anthus rufescens may be met with pretty often on our south coast, and if 
public attention is turned to this bird, others will doubtless be discovered. The par- 
ticular one now in Mr. Swaysland’s possession had apparently been struck by a hawk, 
as there was a wound unhealed under the feathers, of such magnitude as to indicate a 
narrow escape. Yet the bird, which I consider is a male, was in good health and fine 
condition. And here I may remark how nearly the period of the year corresponds in 
each date belonging to the three examples. The first was shot August 17, 1858; the 
second taken September 24, 1862; and the third September 30, 1864: the two last in 
nets. It may be asked, why have none ever been obtained before? To this I reply 
that they probably have been overlooked, and also that of late years a new system has 
prevailed on these downs of catching larks by means of a decoy bird and clap-net—a 
plan long pursued with other kinds, but only recently adopted with larks, which were 
always either shot or taken in a drag-net.—George Dawson Rowley ; 5, Peel Terrace, 
Brighton, October 15, 1864. 
The Mountain Finch.—The mountain finch (Fringilla montifringilla) was seen in 
several flocks last winter in this neighbourhood. A youth, a neighbour of mine, shot 
ten ata shot. They were picking by an oat stack.—J. Ranson; York. 
Swallows.—This year the first swallow was seen here (ten miles west of York) by 
six observers, on the 10th of April, and on the 11th a cat killed one in my neighbour’s 
cow-house. Two were seen on the 13th, and on the 17th they made their appearance 
in the village in considerable numbers; on that day I saw two inspecting their last 
year's nest, in a deserted chimney, where there had been a nest for the last seven years. 
They have left us much earlier than usual, the 10th of October being about the time 
of their departure; but this year I have not seen one for above a week. A gentleman 
in the village, who gives them every encouragement, had a few years ago sixty nests 
on his hind’s house; this year he has not one—Zd.; October 1, 1864. 
Late stay of Swifts.—I received information yesterday from a friend, that two indi- 
viduals of the common swift (Cypselus apus) were seen, during the course of last week, 
flying in an agitated manner over the parish of Brooke, which is situated about eight 
miles south-east of Norwich: one of them has since been shot by the gamekeeper 
residing in that district. This is, I believe, unusually late for the occurrence of this 
species. Two specimens of Hirundo riparia were obtained, in 1861, as late as the 11th 
of November, at Carrow Works, near Norwich: they were young birds of the year.— 
T. E. Gunn ; Norwich, October 11, 1864. 
Scarcity of Swifts and Snipes.—Swifts are certainly much scarcer than they were 
fifty years ago: this I attribute to the increase of young sportsmen, who constantly 
try to improve their aim by shooting these innocent birds during their stay in England. 
The greatest number I have seen lately were near Conway Castle, North Wales, 
where these birds have ample scope, and places to deposit their eggs, out of the reach 
of rats or boys, Taking the country generally, there is certainly a great decrease in 
