136 On Birds in North Northumberland, by T. H. Gibb. 



these recreant birds again draw in to their old homes, for the 

 purpose of nidification. During the winter evenings, large flocks 

 may be seen passing the breeding place in Hulne Park without 

 recognition, en route for the west, and on the following morning 

 may be observed repassing it in the same way, as they hie on to 

 their day's foraging ground. 



Mountain Finch (Fringilla montifringilla) and Snow Bunting 

 (Emberiza nivalis) arrived here at their accustomed time, but not 

 in such large numbers as I have sometimes seen, yet the flocks 

 in some localities were large, and enlivened the scene not a little 

 by their erratic yet pleasing movements. 



Long-tailed Titmouse (Parus caudatus). — Deep in some of our 

 secluded woods, I have observed a few flocks of these tiny items 

 in our fauna, rollicking and chattering and climbing and flutter- 

 ing in every conceivable position, amid the upper branches of 

 the forest giants, as they hurried along in their search for in- 

 sect life ; whilst, as is usual, several members of the inquisitive 

 and pert little Blue Tit (P. cceruleus) accompanied them in their 

 course. 



Greater Titmouse (Parus major). — This bird is now seldom 

 seen. Not many years ago they were, if not abundant, at least 

 often to be met with ; but I have not observed a single specimen 

 for many months. The Cole Tit (P. ater) is also, I think, less 

 numerous ; but indeed the same thing may be said of many of 

 our feathered favourites such as the 



Gold-Finch (Frigilla Carduelis), Siskin (T. Spinus), Eed- 

 Start {Motacilla Phcenicurus), Whinchat (M. Rubetra), Wheat- 

 ear (M. (Enanthe), and the Pied -Wagtail (If. Yarretti), in all of 

 which I regret to say a marked diminution in their numbers has 

 taken place. Doubtless drainage and the reclaiming of waste 

 lands has much to do with this ; and to such an extent have these 

 things acted upon the natural economy of some of our indigenous 

 birds, that their appearance now is hailed as the advent of a rara 

 avis. 



The Jay ( Corvus glandarius) and the Magpie ( C. pica) and many 

 of our Falcons are now almost things of the past ; but their de- 

 population may be attributed in a great measure to other causes, 

 namely to the indiscriminate, and I may say ruthless, slaughter 

 by gamekeepers. En passant, might we not question the wisdom 

 of the wholesale destruction of our rapacious birds ; and ask at 

 the same time if the alarming increase in the number of rats — 



