90 ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. By G. BOLAM 



Not far from the same place there was a flock of about 

 twenty Twites, Linota flavirostris (Linn.), feeding upon a 

 stubble field, in close proximity to a flock of many hundreds 

 of Starlings. Being close to the sea, and generally free 

 from snow during winter, and being besides much addicted 

 to ranches and other weeds, this field is always a favourite 

 resort of Twites, Linnets, Larks, et hoc genus omne, and well 

 worthy of a visit by the ornithologist. It was here that 

 the Lapland Buntings occurred in 1893, and I have also 

 seen Shore Larks in the same field. 



Hooded Crow. Corvus comix, Linn. 



On 3rd April 1898, there were five or six pairs of these 

 birds frequenting Detchant Wood, and one pair at least had 

 intentions of remaining there, for I watched them for some 

 time carrying sticks about in their bills, and they were 

 evidently building a nest not far off. On 24th May three 

 individuals were observed feeding upon the sands at Budle 

 Bay. 



Yellow Wagtail. Motacilla rati (Bonaparte.) 



On 6th May 1898, one of these beautiful birds sat for 

 some minutes, preening its feathers, on the garden hedge in 

 front of my house at Haggerston Mead, and within four or 

 five yards of me. It was in fine plumage, and three or 

 four times uttered its call-note, " se-leep, se-leep," as it sat; 

 about an hour later I saw it flying high over the house, 

 and it did not appear again. 



On 8th May 1899, I saw another fine example feeding on 

 the grass fields near the Lough, at Holy Island. It was 

 quite as tame as the last, but also appeared to be only a 

 bird on passage, and was not seen afterwards. Mr Leyland 

 tells me that he has seen the Yellow Wagtail occasionally 

 about the artificial lake that he has formed at Haggerston, 

 and it is in the neighbourhood of such a place that we 

 may one of these days hope to find this species remaining 

 to nest with us. 



