REPORT OF FIELD MEETINGS. 467 



common bird found here is tlie Crossbill ; it seems a very 

 migratory species, and is only seen here in flocks. Its parrot- 

 like actions feeding on the fir trees are very interesting to 

 watch. The Hawfinch nests each year, but does not seem to 

 increase in numbers. Some time ago I secured a specimen 

 of the Mountain Finch, which is not often noted in this 

 neighbourhood. That beautiful bird, the Goldfinch, is also 

 sometimes seen. Other interesting birds that are found 

 include the Reed Bunting, the Redpole, the Woodlark, the 

 Tree Pipit, Redstart, Blackcap, Greater and Lesser White- 

 throat, the Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, the Grasshopper 

 Warbler, the Willow Wren, Chiff-chaff, Tree Creeper, and 

 several species of Wagtails. The Dipper and Sandpiper both 

 breed here. The Fieldfare and Redwing are frequently seen 

 in large flocks during the approach of winter. That delightful 

 little bird, the Gold-crest, is frequently seen nesting, usually 

 in the under part of the branches of the spruce fir. The 

 Titmice are well represented, they include the Great Titmouse, 

 the Blue, the Cole, the Marsh, and the Long-tailed. The nest 

 of the latter is a beautiful structure in the shape of a hollow 

 ball with one and sometimes two openings. A peculiar trait 

 in these birds is that both the male and female use the nest at 

 the same time. The Flycatchers consist of two species, the 

 Spotted and the Pied. The Waxwing has been taken here, 

 but I have not had the pleasure of seeing one. The Swallow 

 tribe are quite numerous, all the familiar species being in 

 evidence. The Nightjar may be seen on summer evenings 

 hawking for flies, moths, and other insects. Among the 

 Columbidae I have only noticed the Ring Dove and the Stock 

 Dove. The Curlew is common, but its lesser counterfeit, the 

 Whimbrel, is seldom seen. The genus Scolopax includes the 

 Woodcock, the Common Snipe, and the Jack Snipe. Several 

 pairs of the former breed here each year ; I have had the 

 good fortune of seeing the parent bird sitting on her nest 

 containing four eggs. The Heron is frequently seen, but I 

 have not heard of it nesting here. The Mallard and Teal are 

 the only Ducks I have noticed. 



K 



