34 



Lower Austria. The late Mr. E. Seidensacher informed me that it arrives in Styria in flocks in 

 the autumn, and winters there also, but he has not known it to breed there. Dr. Kriiper says 

 that it is common in Greece in the autumn and winter, and it is not uncommon during the 

 breeding-season in the mountains. It is numerous in Turkey, and is resident in Southern 

 Russia and the countries bordering the Black Sea, collecting (as elsewhere) in vast flocks in the 

 winter, at which season they wander over the steppes. According to Dr. Kriiper it is numerous 

 in winter in Asia Minor, and some remain to breed in the mountains ; and Lord Lilford sends 

 me the following note respecting its occurrence in the Archipelago: — "This was one of the very 

 few species of birds met with in a short ramble on the east coast of the island of Scarpanto, off 

 which we lay wind-bound in my yacht for two days, May 25th and 26th, 1875. I have no 

 doubt that it occurs in Cyprus ; but we did not obtain any specimens in that island." Canon 

 Tristram, who met with it in Palestine, says that there it " consorts with the Snow-Finch in 

 great numbers in summer, building its nest on the ground in tufts of alpine plants on Hermon, 

 where we found its eggs in June, but descending in winter to the hills of Central Palestine, 

 where it roams through the open country in large flocks as in England." It is found in North- 

 east Africa, being, Captain Shelley writes (B. of Egypt, p. 154), "a common winter visitant to 

 Lower Egypt, where it remains until the end of February." He adds, "I have never metwith 

 it above Cairo ; but it probably ranges into Nubia, as it is mentioned by Blasius as occurring in 

 Abyssinia." In North-west Africa, however, it is resident; for Loche says that it is very 

 abundant in Algeria in winter, and that many remain to breed. Mr. C. F. Tyrwhitt-Drake 

 includes it in his list of the birds of Tangier and Eastern Morocco ; and, according to Colonel 

 Irby, Favier says that it is " abundant around Tangier, many being resident and nesting (from 

 March to June). They are mostly migratory, and cross to Europe in March and April, returning 

 in large flocks during September and October." It also inhabits the Canaries and Madeira, 

 where it is, Mr. Godman says, abundant ; but it is not found in the Azores. Dr. C. Bolle also 

 writes (J. f. O. 1857, p. 317) that it is extremely numerous on Fuerteventura, Teneriffe, and 

 Canaria, and breeds there. 



To the eastward it is found as far as Turkestan. De Filippi observed it in the plains 

 around Demavend ; and Mr. .Blanford says that it is " very common at high elevations on the 

 Elburz, and less so on the higher hills in Southern Persia, apparently descending to lower eleva- 

 tions in winter. On the Elburz Mountains in August I found the young birds by themselves in 

 large flocks." 



I do not find it recorded from anywhere in Western India ; but it is stated by Dr. Severtzoff 

 to be resident in the north-eastern, south-eastern, and north-western portions of Turkestan, but 

 is only found in the south-western portion in winter. It breeds there up to an altitude of 

 10,000 feet. According to Pallas it is never met with in Siberia. Bonaparte describes a bird 

 under the name of Linota fringillirostris (Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 539) as found in Central Asia, 

 which appears to me to be nothing but the present species. 



This, one of our most beautiful and lively birds, is at all seasons fond of the society of 

 others of its own species, with which it usually lives in the greatest harmony ; and one frequently 

 finds several pairs breeding close to each other. Though peaceable and quiet, it is by no means 

 stupid, but sprightly and active in its movements ; and when in the vicinity of man, it is wary and 



