TURDIDJE. 21 



The breeding-habits of this species were first observed by Col. ^Montagu 

 in this county. He first met with it in the southern parts of Devon on 

 September 8th, ly02, when several were seen. He found nests, eggs, 

 and young on a large furze common near Kingsbridge, July 16, IbOU {cf. 

 Trans. Linn. Soc. vii. pp. 260, 274, and ix. p. 191). Neither Mr. E. A. S. 

 Elliot nor Mr. 11. P. Nicholls has been able to find it in that neighbour- 

 hood (MS. Notes). In the autumn of 180!) several were noticed by 

 Mr. Comyns at least fifteen miles north of Exeter, amongst furze, one of 

 which was shot and sent to Col. Montagu for examination (Orn. Diet,, 

 Suppl.). Turton and Kingston (1830) state that it was frequent on the 

 borders of Haldon, and had also been noticed near Dawlish. Specimens 

 used to be found in the furze-bushes of Mount liatten almost every year 

 (J. G., Zool. 1878, p. 54). 



It has been observed on Bovey Heath field (W. B.) ; near Ashburton (A. G. C. T.) ; 

 near Chudleigh (W. B. Scott); on Dartmoor (J. B. R.); frequently at and near 

 Plymouth (E. M., E. A. J., and J. Gr.) ; Budleigh-Salterton, June lUth, 1871 (H. S. 

 Pereival, fcle E. P.) ; Branscombe (J. Gr.) ; Lyuae Regis (J. G., J. H. Gr., Jnr., Zool. 

 18<i9, p. l.o99 ; and C'apt. Harder, v. v.). Two specimens were brought to us in tlie 

 flesh which had been shot near Lympstoue, January 14lh, 1874. One was taken by a 

 limed twig at Bovisand on November 7tli, 1874 (Zool. 1875, p. 4370). Two were seen 

 on Mount Batten, Plymouth, November Ist, 1877 (Zool. 1878, p. 54). 



In Pidsley's ' Birds of Devon ' it is stated that " Mr. Mitchell reports he has met 

 with the species in the north of the county " (p. 17). 



This is another species which has spread to the extreme south-west, 

 and although formerly a rare bird in Cornwall, it had become not un- 

 common in the Land's-End district by 1860. (Kodd, ' Eirds of Cornwall.') 



It is likely that a great number of these little birds perished in the 

 severe snow-storms of tho memorable winter of 1880-81. Although we 

 were continually looking after the Dartl'ord Warblers in the furze-brakes 

 of North Devon, we were never successful in meeting with any. In its 

 actions and appearance not a little resembling the Long-tailed Titmouse, 

 which it does not very greatly exceed in size, this tiny frequenter of the 

 furze used to be local, but by no means scarce, in many places on the south 

 coast of Devonshire and Cornwall, and in the latter county Mr. E. H. llodd 

 informed lis (in 1877) that it was yearly becoming more numerous. Tho 

 fir.-^t place where Colonel Montagu observed the Dartford Warbler was in 

 the neighl)Ourhood of Ealniouth, where, in September 1706, ho states t lat 

 he fu'.iiid many on some furzy hills, and noticed them on the same spot 

 until 24th December, when, some heavy snow falling, they disappeared 

 and were never seen again. Tho iJartford Warbler has been sometimes 

 met with in turnip-fields. It is a feeble llier, and can be easily run down 

 and caught. 



Goldcrest, llcfjulas crlstatm (Linn.). 



[Tidley Goldfinch, Dev.] 



llosident, generally distriliuted and common, especially in winter, when 

 its numbers are recruited by immigration, commencing in October. Breeds, 

 usually attaching its nest to a fir-branch. 



