496 Ornithological Notes, by George Bolam. 



a single specimen, but as that was killed in May or June, it would 

 probably be nesting there. All the nests I have seen were 

 either in crevices in the rocks or stone-work, or in holes in the 

 banks like Sandmartins. The two species, the Common and the 

 Tree, often breed close to one another. The difference between 

 the two is easily distinguished, the former being larger and con- 

 siderably tamer than the latter, which is to look at more like a 

 Eedpole, (but of course larger) ; there is too a good deal of 

 difference in their notes. 



Goldfinch {Fringilla Carduelis). — A pair of these, now com- 

 paratively rare, birds frequented a small plantation near Kim- 

 merston, during the winter of 1877 ; they disappeared about the 

 beginning of March, 1878. 



Siskin {Fringilla Spinus). — On the 13th April, 1877, I came 

 upon a flock of some fifty or sixty of these lively birds in a small 

 plantation near Langleyford. They are not uncommon in that 

 locality during the winter months, seeming to prefer the low 

 alder trees, growing on the hill sides, to almost any other kind 

 of wood. 



Twite {Fringilla Montium). — I found a nest of this species on 

 the sea banks south of Spittal, on the 23rd of May, 1877 ; it con- 

 tained only one egg and was built in a clump of heather, three 

 or four inches above the ground. Fearing lest it should be des- 

 troyed by some of the numerous passers by, I took the egg, and 

 of course no more were laid. Though these birds are common 

 enough in winter, this is the first time I have seen the nest in 

 the district. Mr Hancock, however, in his " Birds of Northum- 

 berland and Durham " says- " they are not uncommon, breeding 

 on the heather in the wild and uncultivated parts of both 

 counties." 



Yellow Wagtail {Motacilla flava). — I saw one of these birds 

 in a marshy field near Goswick, in June, 1878; it was by no 

 means shy, and several times allowed me to approach quite close 

 to it, though it did not seem to be nesting there. 



Pied Flycatcher {Muscicapa atricapilla). — There was a nest of 

 this species near to Weetwood Hall, in the summer of 187 — , 

 placed in a tree-root, standing on a very steep bank near the 

 river ; it contained, when found, 4 young ones about half grown, 

 and an addled egg. 



Quail {Cotumix vulgaris). — A couple of Quails were exhibited 



