ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NORWAY. 291 



never saw more than one pair at a time. Its harsh long-drawn 

 note, something like that of the Greenfinch, which is so often 

 repeated, is in strange contrast to the lively Canary-like chirp of 

 alarm when the nest is approached. The former is uttered by 

 the male when feeding or passing from tree to tree, but he has 

 also a song consisting of a few clear-whistled and somewhat sad 

 notes. The nest much resembles that of the Chaffinch, but is 

 larger. Moss, wool, lichen, grass, and fine shreds of bark are 

 all employed, while the lining consists of feathers, hair, and 

 down. I found it usually placed close to the trunk of a small 

 birch. Eggs were hard-set on May 27th, and in another case 

 the young had left the nest on June 12th. 



The Chaffinch (F. coelebs) was far less common than its con- 

 gener, though not rare. The Siskin (Chrysomitris spinas) and 

 Mealy Kedpoll (A. linaria) were less often to be met with. A 

 nest of the latter, which in the afternoon of May 22nd was only 

 half-built, was beautifully lined with feathers of the Eyper (how 

 these small birds must bless the Kyper !) and contained five 

 eggs on the 27th. The Twite (A. flavirostris) was abundant on 

 all the fells. The House Sparrow (P. domesticus), in small 

 numbers, frequented most of the villages. 



The Yellow Bunting (Emberiza citrinella) occurred commonly, 

 and the Eeed Bunting (E. schceniclus) in suitable localities. 



The Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was not often seen. 



Owing to its seldom being molested the Magpie (Pica rustica) 

 is astonishingly bold, when compared with the shy and wary 

 British bird. It breeds by preference near to dwellings, and 

 frequently places its nest under the gable, or any other part of the 

 roof where it can find support for the bulky structure. 



The only other member of the Corvidce was that most ruth- 

 less of robbers, the Hooded Crow (Corvus comix), which was 

 abundant. 



Only in one instance did I observe a Swift {Cypselus apus). 

 The Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) was fairly often heard and seen. 



I was disappointed in only meeting with the Green Wood- 

 pecker (Gecinus viridis), as in former years, though later in the 

 season I had seen both the Great and Lesser Spotted birds. 



The earliest date on which I heard the Cuckoo (Cucidus 

 canorus) was May 27th, after which it was to be heard night 

 and day in wood and on fell. As in this country, so among 



