106 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



colonised completely failed in their object, and the 

 only conclusion arrived at was that the bird had been 

 a native, time out of mind. 



Passer montanus, Tree-Sparrow. — This bird is a 

 fairly common resident, and nests chiefly in the inacces- 

 sible crevices on the face of the great chasms known 

 as the Reevas. To these safe retreats the birds retire to 

 roost all the year round. There does not appear to be 

 any evidence in favour of the bird being regarded as 

 either an autumn visitor or passing migrant. It is an 

 extremely wary species, and, though quite unmolested, 

 is most difficult to approach. 



Fringilla ccelebs. Chaffinch. — Common as bird of 

 double passage, some of the autumn visitors remaining 

 through the winter. 



The earliest record for its appearance on the spring 

 migration is for 22nd March. It passes throughout 

 April and until the second week in May, often in con- 

 siderable numbers. Stragglers occur later, and have 

 been observed down to 8th June. 



Has appeared on its return in autumn as early as 

 3rd September, but the passages southwards do not 

 set in, in earnest, until the fourth week of that month, 

 and are in full swing until mid-November. Both males 

 and females appear in company in the flocks that arrive 

 in the autumn. 



Fringilla montifringilla, Brambling. — An abun- 

 dant visitor during both passages, some of the autumn 

 birds remaining for the winter. 



Appears in spring on its way north from 8th April, 

 and occurs in considerable numbers until about i8th 

 May, but has been observed as late as 6th June. The 

 birds seen during May have either donned, or are 



