1062 Birds. 



Snow-bunting, Tawny Bunting, Plectrophanes nivalis. This bird 

 appears on our coast in flocks about the end of October, sometimes 

 even earlier. It possesses much of the character of the lark, and re- 

 sembles it in its mode of flight and running. I have shot them in 

 different stages of whiteness ; but, in this neighbourhood, I never saw 

 one completely white, which, I am inclined to think, only takes place 

 in the extreme cold of the more northern regions. The local name of 

 snow-Jlake has been given to it from the patches of white in its plu- 

 mage during winter. It frequents the cliffs along this coast, and the 

 sea-banks by the Tees. Some say it is delicious eating. 



Common Bunting, Ernberiza miliaria. The peculiarity of the bill, 

 especially of the lower mandible, gives it somewhat the appearance 

 of being deformed. 



Black-headed bunting, Ernberiza Schceniclus. 



Yellow Bunting, Ernberiza citrinella. 



Chaffinch, Fringilla ccelebs. This is but a poor songster. It breeds 

 early, and makes a beautiful nest. The male is handsome, and too 

 affectionate to his mate to deserve the title of cmlebs. 



Mountain Finch, Fringilla montifringilla. The brambling, which 

 is the more usual name of this species, a good deal resembles, in its 

 general form and appearance, the Plectrophanes nivalis, particularly 

 in certain states of its plumage. It is rare in this neighbourhood, but 

 is sometimes met with in the winter, and in the early part of spring. 



Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus. A smaller bird, and of a better 

 shape than the house-sparrow. In some years, especially in 1829 

 and 1836, it has been known to breed in the old trees and poplars in 

 this village, (Norton). Mr. Selby mentions (Cat. 262, No. 82) that he 

 has "not been able to trace it further north" than near Newcastle-on- 

 Tyne. Yet it is said to be abundant in North America. 



House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. 



Common Linnet, Linota Cannabina. Very abundant, and varies 

 much in plumage, both in respect of the seasons, and also of age and 

 sex. The F. Linota, Grey Linnet, of my Catalogue (Hist. Stock. 

 8, No. 54), is identical with this bird. 



Lesser Redpoll, Linota linaria. This sweet little linnet is here 

 common, and remains throughout the year ; and, like the preceding, 

 varies greatly in its dress and colour. It is the Linaria flavirostris of 

 Selby's Cat. No. 85. I think it very probable that the L. canescens 

 of Gould (see Eyton's 'Rarer British Birds,' fig. p. 19) and the Mealy 

 Redpoll of Yarrell (i. 508), is the L. borealis of Selby (Cat. 263, No. 

 H6), which is a larger and a stouter-made bird than the present species. 



