OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS IN MID-WALES. 137 



Linnet, Linota cannabina. The brambles and furze of the 

 slopes near the sea exactly suit this species. Few are to be seen 

 from September to March, so that there is probably a partial 

 migration. 



Hawfinch, Coccothraustes vulgaris. Very rare in Cardigan- 

 shire, but may possibly have bred, for Capt. G. W. Cosens has two 

 which were shot at Ynyshir, Glandovey, about 1868, after they had 

 destroyed a row of peas by biting across nearly every pod. There 

 are two at Gogerddan from the same neighbourhood, in which 

 Sir Pryse Pryse considers that thirty years ago it was not un- 

 common. 



Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs. In 1892 still flocking on March 

 26th; but in 1893, a much earlier season, the nests were nearly 

 built, and one quite ready for eggs, on March 30th. 



Brambling, F. mo?itif ring ilia. Occurs when the first heavy 

 snowfall of the winter brings a rush of migrants along the coast, 

 as on January 9th, 1892 ; January 6th, 1893 ; January 13th, 1895. 

 Bramblings were to be seen in every stack-yard on January ?th, 

 1893, male birds being more numerous. Afemale, with Chaffinches, 

 in the Wye Valley above Rhayader, March 28th, 1892. 



Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus. I have never detected this 

 bird in Western Wales, and am doubtful of its occurrence. Mr. 

 Mathew knows of no instance in Pembrokeshire. There are two 

 at Gogerddan in a case of small birds, all of which are believed to 

 have been obtained there ; and Mr. Hutchings tells me that he 

 has received specimens. 



House Sparrow, P. domesticus. Scarce in the hill districts. 

 I have not seen it about the scattered farms on the upper Towy. 



Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra. Mr. Hutchings remembers a 

 flock of about fifty at Tan-y-bwlch ; this was probably in 1868. 

 About 1879, "greenish birds, with some red about them, in the 

 fir trees," were reported to Capt. G. W. Cosens. One, a red bird, 

 was sent from Machynlleth to be stuffed last winter. 



Bunting, Emberiza miliaria. Local, but in general common 

 near the coast. Extends up the Rheidol Valley as far as patches 

 of arable land are to be found, for on March 29th, 1893, I heard it 

 singing beyond Pont Erwyd. Chiefly absent in winter, returning 

 in February, 



Cirl Bunting, E. cirlus. The recent extension of range by 

 which this species has reached Cardiganshire has been already 



ZOOLOGIST, THIRD SERIES, VOL. XIX. APRIL, 1895. M 



