FRIXG1LLID.E. 69 



in the town of Barnstaple. We once killed sis or eight Twites out of a 

 tlock near Earn^taple. There was a specimen from xiorth Devon in the 

 collection of the late Mr. Cecil Smith. 



This common frequenter of moors in the North of England and Scotland, 

 where it is well known as the " Heather Lintie," is far from a common 

 autumnal migrant to the South-west Counties. It has, however, occurred 

 to us in the winter in salt marshes, both in Devon and Somerset, and also 

 on high ground in North Devon. Its longer tail and the rufous patch 

 upon the upper tail-coverts easil)' distinguish it from the Common Linnet, 

 as well as its yellow beak, and it never, like the other Linnets, assumes 

 any crimson patch upon the breast or forehead. 



It is so rare in Cornwall that ]\Ir. llodd knew of only one example, 

 which was procured in the neighbourhood of Penzance. In Dorset, also, 

 it has very rarely been obtained. 



Sabfamily LOXIINjE. 



Bullfllicll. Pyrrhula euTO])ma^ Vieill. 

 [Hoop, Budfinch, Bud-picker, Coal-hood : D-v.'l 



Resident, and numerous in some localities, throughout the county. 

 Breeds. 



A frequenter during the summer and autumn months of thick woodland 

 lanes and of copses, the Bullfinch, although generally dispersed, is seldom 

 seen, being of shy and retiring habits. Towards the close of the winter 

 and in the early spring it, however, approaches our residences, and then 

 with mischievous intent. There is no bird whoso appearance in the garden 

 more justly excites the fears of the gardener, for a pair of Bullfinches, if 

 uninterrupted, will steadily work through all his fruit-trees, returning day 

 after day to their assault upon the buds, and Avill only desert the garden and 

 seek another when there are no more left to devour. At this time, with 

 the aid of a hen bird to call and a trap-cage, they are most easily canglit, 

 and we have captured upwards of thirty in our small garden in this way 

 in a single winter. Some kind-hearted people, in their desire to defend the 

 Bullfinch, have stated that it only devours buds infested by insects, and in 

 doing so commits no injury; but a ready answer is at hand in the fact 

 that at the time of the year when the Bullfinch attacks the fruit-trees, 

 there are no gruljs as yet developed in the buds, and that it is the tender 

 heart, of a perfect blossom-bud, as we have ourselves over and again dis- 

 covered after shooting a Bullfinch in the very act of jnlfering, and then 

 examining its gizzard, which tlie bird is making its food. In the parish 

 books of Dulverton we have read that more than a hundred years ago so 

 mucli as 'M. was i)aid for every " Ifoop " brought in, and tliis liigh price 

 IS proof of the estimation in wliicli the bird was held as a ]ierpetrator of 

 mischief. lu captivity Bullfinches can bo easily tamed and taught many 



