2636 The Zoologist— June, 1871. 



Hedgesparrow. — A common resident. 



Common Pied Wagtail. — This bird, which is common and widely 

 dispersed, is now staled to be different to Motacilla alba of Linneus, 

 and has been designated M. Yarrellii, in honour of Mr. Yarrell, 

 the author of the * History of British Birds.' 



Gray Wagtail. — The handsomest of the family, and not common. 

 Mostly seen by running water. 



Yellow Wagtail. — A spring visitant, frequenting ploughed fields. 



Meadow Pipit. — A resident, but not common. 



Tree Pipit. — Mr. Blyth has stated that the titlark "abounds 

 everywhere in the enclosed fields and pear orchards, uttering its 

 pleasing song commonly from the summit of a tree, then perhaps 

 rising in the air and singing as it descends slowly to the ground, 

 again soaring to a moderate height, and singing as it returns 

 sailing to its perch on the tree." 



Sky Lark and Wood Lark. — Both resident, as well as the 

 five species of tits, which, being of general occurrence, need 

 no further remark. Parus major is less common than the others. 

 The nest of the longlailed tit is often brought for sale to Worcester 

 Market. 



Bunting, Blackheaded Bunting and Yellow Bunting. — All 

 resident; the blackheaded bunting seen only in watery places in 

 the lower country. 



Girl Bunting. — Of rarer occurrence; on the information of Mr. 

 Blyth, "has been seen on the Herefordshire side of the Beacon, 

 and also at the Link." 



Crossbill. — This curious bird is only now seen occasionally, but 

 formerly it would seem that its visits were more frequent, as in an 

 old History of Birds, published in the last century, it is said that 

 crossbills visit the orchards of Worcestershire and Herefordshire in 

 great numbers, destroying the apples for the sake of their enclosed 

 kernels, and hence the bird received the name of " shell-apple." 

 It has recently appeared at Great Malvern, for Mr. Edwards thus 

 writes: — "Last year (1869) crossbills made their appearance in 

 great numbers, and I had them from all parts of the neighbourhood. 

 In front of ray house is an Arbor-vita) tree, which was covered 

 with cones, and this proved a favourite resort for them to feed on 

 the seeds. I noticed that they remained about Malvern from 

 January to April." I once had a pair in a cage for some time, and 

 it was very curious to perceive how they broke into a fir-cone with 



