52 A CATALOGUE OF THE BIRDS 



36. Mountain PrNCii. F. montieeingilla, Ldnnceus. 



Fringilla montifringiUa, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, 

 I., 251. 



„ ,, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 



512. 



A winter visitant, and frequently occurring in considerable 

 numbers, preferring tbe neigbbourhood of beech trees. 



The summer plumage of this species differs considerably from 

 that of the winter. This change is in consequence of the pale 

 margias of the feathers being worn off, so that the head and 

 back become black, which is the colour of the central part of the 

 feathers. 



45. CARDUELIS, Brisson. 



37. GoLDEiKOH. C. elegans, Stephens. 



Fring. carduelis, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 265. 

 Carduelis elegans, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 538. 



This must be considered as a casual visitant in our district, 

 being met with only occasionally in autumn and winter. I have 

 seen it only on two or three occasions. 



46. CHRYSOMITRIS, Boie. 



38. SiSEiN. C. spiNus, {LinncBUs.) 



Fringilla spinxhs, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, 1., 261. 

 Carduelis. ,, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 544. 



A resident : not uncommon during winter. On the 5th of 

 March, 1833, I saw a flock of about thirty at By well on the 

 Tyne, several of which were shot, and are in my collection. On 

 the 6th of July, 1848, Mr. Thomas Eobson met with a flock, 

 near Swalwell, on the Derwent. 



The nest of a Siskin, with four eggs, was taken by Mr, J. 

 Dale, May 7th, 1848, near Brancepcth, Durham: it was placed 

 near the top of a spruce fir. This is, I believe, the only instance 

 known of the Siskin breeding in ouv district. It is usually a 



