98 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Bullfinch, Pyrrhula europcea, Vieill. — A shy but common 

 resident. I rarely go out near Riding Mill without seeing or 

 hearing this bird, and could make sure of shooting a couple of 

 specimens any day I might wish to do so. 



Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra, L.— A winter visitor, of rare and 

 irregular occurrence. It is possible that odd pairs may remain 

 to breed, especially in the fir woods towards Dilston, where it 

 seems to occur oftenest. 



Common Bunting, Emberiza miliaria, L.— Common during 

 the summer months, moving towards the sea in autumn, to swell 

 the flocks which are usually seen there during the winter. 



Yellowhammer, E. citrinella, L. — A common resident. 



Reed Bunting, E. schoeniclus, L. Common during the summer 

 by the Tyne, not often seen elsewhere. 



Snow Bunting, PUctrophanes nivalis, L. — A winter visitant in 

 small numbers, only seen on higher ground, as at Healey, and 

 then usually on or near stone walls. Towards the moors it occurs 

 more frequentl3\ 



Sky Lark, Alaiida arvensis, L. — Common throughout the 

 summer, the majority leaving (for the sea coast?) late in 

 autumn. 



Wood Lark, A. arborea, L. — I have observed this bird but 

 once, in 1876, when a pair nested within a hundred yards of my 

 father's house. 1 had frequent opportunities of watching them 

 and examining the nest, until the young were fledged, when they 

 left. I was in hopes that they might return the next year, but 

 I never saw them again. 



Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, L. — Common. An admirable 

 mimic, imitating the notes of the Swallow, Swift, Sparrow, 

 Chaffinch, Magpie, Cuilew, Redshank, and other birds, including 

 the domestic fowls. 1 have even heard them echo the whistle 

 with which my father's poultry are called to be fed. 



Jay, Garridus glandarius, L. — I cannot agree with Mr. Han- 

 cock's remarks (' Birds of Northumberland and Durham,' 1874, 

 p. 41) on the impending extinction of this species. It is seldom 

 you go out shooting in the woods near Riding Mill without 

 meeting with this bird ; near Healey it is commoner still. I was 

 once trying to stalk what I imagined to be a Carrion Crow, until 

 I found that the note (an exact imitation of that of the Carrion 

 Crow) proceeded from the throat of a Jay, which I watched for 



