414 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



but in 1885, we discovered a flourishing colony in certain ivy- 

 covered rocks near the farm of Kiel. This colony is increasing, 

 and a second now occupies the farrnsteadings at Laig (1888). 

 Unfortunately, no such increase can be reported of the small 

 establishment of Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus), — discovered in 

 1884 by Mr. W. Evans as tenanting the ruins of St. Donnan's 

 shrine, — though watched assiduously from year to year. Never- 

 theless it appears to be double-brooded ; we have both examined 

 very young nestlings in mid-July. Here, as elsewhere, we have 

 enjoyed the low, sweet song of the males, which we suspect may 

 sometimes interpair with the House Sparrow, having observed 

 them together in the nesting-season. The seeds of dockweed are 

 eagerly devoured by this species. 



Our earliest date for the fledged young of the Chaffinch is 

 May 25th; in 1886 a bachelor of this species frequented the 

 garden-lawn all summer, leading an idle life in contrast with the 

 energetic labours of paired couples. 



In August, 1887, we met with three examples of the Linnet 

 [Linota cannabina) for the first time, and in 1888 detected the 

 Lesser Redpoll (L. rufescens) among the young timber. The 

 Twite (L. flavirostris) is numerous on the moors, and we have 

 occasionally seen it feeding on ripening heads of dandelion. 



On July 3rd (as already announced, p. 349), our plantations 

 received a visit from a large flight of Crossbills (Loxia curvi- 

 rostra), which first attracted attention by curvetting like a flock of 

 Starlings before our windows. They allowed us to approach 

 closely and observe them through binoculars ; the majority were 

 in female dress, unaccompanied, so far as could be ascertained, by 

 the dark striations that characterise the nest-feathers ; only one 

 or two wore red plumage. 



The birds, when first approached, proved to be feeding on a 

 species of aphis affecting the under surface of the leaves of the 

 elm, and this food was procured by a method which we had not 

 previously observed. Applying both rami of the scissor-like 

 mandibles to sever the stem of an affected leaf, the Crossbill 

 would fly to a bare branch, and holding the divided leaf between 

 the toes of the left foot, proceeded to scoop up " seriatim " 

 the aphides, securing them with the fine points of the bill, assisted 

 by the tongue ; a leaf was no sooner cleared than dropped at 

 our feet. Some apprehension was awakened between 3 and 4 p.m., 



