Thk Zoologist — June, 1871. 2637 



their scissors-like bill, holding the cone up with one foot, in the 

 manner of a parrot. 



Bullfinch. — Resident, but leather uncommon. 



Grosbeak. — This is a fine but rare species, seen mostly in the 

 winter, but sometimes staying to breed. Mr. Edwards says that he 

 has noticed it through most of the plantations round Great Malvern, 

 but especially at the Firs. It has also been seen near the Wells, 

 where its nest had been once found. It is a shy bird, so that it is 

 not easy to watch its habits, but it has a curious alarm-note that 

 may attract the attention of the observer. I have seen specimens 

 in the winter season brought to Worcester Market. 



Greenfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrow. — As constant 

 residents require only mention. Of the saucy sparrow it may be 

 remarked that in summer his services in destroying insects may 

 insure him respect ; but he is such a determined breeder that the 

 flocks congregating in the autumn, ready to seize corn or whatever 

 they can, require to be thinned, though not entirely destroyed. The 

 numbers that may assemble in one place is shown by a statement 

 I copied in January, 1859, that a Sparrow Club at Twyning, near 

 Tewkesbury, had in that month destroyed 2270 of this bird. In 

 February, 1856, I observed that 880 sparrows had been killed at 

 Leigh. If sparrows will neglect the Malthusian principle they 

 must take the consequence. 



Tree Sparrow. — Resident, but local. Observed in the parish of 

 Leigh. 



Bramhling or Mountain Finch. — Quite a common bird about 

 Malvern all through the winter months, and Mr. Edwards says it 

 makes its appearance in November. 



Siskin. — The siskin appears in a list of birds "found in the 

 neighbourhood of Worcester," but Mr. Edwards has not noticed 

 it, though it is probably a winter visitant. Mr. Cecil Smith men- 

 tions it as "occasionally numerous" in Somersetshire, and says 

 that " its stay is also somewhat regulated by the crop of alder-seeds 

 which are then to be found, and which form its principal food 

 during the winter, and in search of which it may be seen climbing 

 the slenderest twigs of the alder-bushes, sometimes in small com- 

 panies of its own kind, and sometimes mixed up with tits and 

 lesser redpolls." Alders are plentiful enough in the Malvern 

 district. 



SECOND SERIES — VOL. VI. 2 G 



