BIRDS OF SOUTH-EAST NORTHUMBERLAND. 309 



olive with large dark brown streaks ; lesser wing-coverts brownish 

 olive, quills and greater coverts dark olive-brown, the former 

 edged by greenish yellow ; tail dark brown, the inner webs of 

 the two outer feathers white ; feet pale yellow ; breast greyish 

 white with darker streaks on flanks. 



[Rustic Bunting {E. rustica).] — Mr. Duncan informs me 

 that he saw one alive which had been caught near Seaton 

 Sluice. He drew the attention of the late Canon Tristram to it, 

 who, after examining it, confirmed his statement that it belonged 

 to this species. Mr. Duncan compared it with a skin from 

 Japan, where it is a numerous migrant, and it was proved to be 

 an adult male. This was in the autumn of the year 1904, and 

 the bird was afterwards exhibited at the Crystal Palace Cage- 

 Bird Show in January, 1905 (c/. Zool. 1905, p. 279 ; Brit. Birds 

 (additions since 1899), vol. i. p. 249). As some doubt has 

 been evinced that the bird was caught at Seaton Sluice, I 

 have included it in brackets. It was in the possession of a 

 Mr. Slack, living at Winlaton, when Mr. Duncan examined it 

 in December, 1904, and was a healthy bird in perfect plumage. 

 Mr. Duncan examined it again in May, 1905, when he compared 

 it with the skin from Japan, and with which it corresponded 

 exactly. I am not aware what has become of the bird. 



Reed-Bunting {E. schoeniclus). — This bird is not uncommon, 

 and breeds occasionally in Briar Dene. In early spring I have 

 seen as many as ten of these birds together there. In winter 

 they mix with flocks of Linnets and Yellowhammers. 



Snow-Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis). — An occasional winter 

 visitant, formerly common, but owing to its constant persecution 

 it haunts other shores. The first authenticated individual I can 

 find is one which C. H. M. Adamson mentions in his ' Scraps ' 

 as being shot by him at Hartley as early as Sept. 2lBt in 1836. 

 The local names are " Snowflake," " Snow-flight," and " Snow- 

 fleck." 



Starling {Sturnus vulgaris). — A very common species both as 

 a resident and migrant. Large numbers arrive from the Con- 

 tinent in autumn and depart again in spring. My brother 

 procured a bird of this species on Jan. 31st, 1903, with an 

 abnormally long and broad beak. Possibly it was a bird which 

 had strayed from the Faeroes, where these birds have large 



