336 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



* Chaffinch, Fringilla Calebs, Linn. — Kesident and common. 

 Mr. Brooke writes : — " Where do the males go at this season 

 (mid-winter) of the year ? I often see flocks — up to a hundred 

 or more — of hen birds during the winter and early spring, but no 

 males." I have noticed the same thing, year after year, about 

 Dublin ; but, to my surprise, I observed in my sheltered valley 

 on the Donegal coast, that cock Chaffinches were very common 

 this winter ; there were no hens about. The subject is discussed 

 in Prof. Newton's ' Yarrell,' and there appears to be no conclusion 

 arrived at, except that the sexes separate for the winter in most 

 cases. This fact has been observed by many writers, including 

 Linnaeus. 



*Lesser Redpoll, Linota rufescens, Vieillot. — Frequent in 

 summer, and breeds in several districts. I have noted them in 

 May settling themselves about Glenalla in small flocks, and 

 scattering to breed. About Rathmullan and Carrablagh they 

 are also frequent in summer. In winter these birds come to 

 roost, with several other species, every night in the plantations 

 round my house at Carrablagh, where there is the best shelter 

 for several miles. " Very common about Killybegs in the breeding 

 season. Have known four nests in the hedgerows along the first 

 mile of the Donegal road from here, in the same season" (A. B.). 



*House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Linn. — This bird has, 

 I am thankful to say, scarcely penetrated into Fanet. I have 

 never seen a Sparrow at Carrablagh, nor I think at Glenalla. 

 There are, however, a few at Doaghbeg (north of Carrablagh), 

 and one or two other places in Fanet. It is pleasant to reside 

 in a place where, from year's end to year's end, the chatter of the 

 Sparrow is never heard. About Bathmullan and other villages 

 Sparrows abound, but not so numerously as elsewhere in Ireland. 

 At Glen, west from Mulroy Water, I saw a white Sparrow in 

 October, 1888. 



Tree Sparrow, P. montanus, Linn. — " A pair were found, as 

 if breeding, on Aranmore Island, County Donegal, by Mr. H. M. 

 Wallis, in May, 1886 (Zool. 1886, p. 489)." 



^Greenfinch, Coccothraustes chloris, Linn. — Abundant in 

 summer. Not so common in winter in Fanet. " Gregarious in 

 winter at Killybegs" (A. B.). 



Hawfinch, C. vulgaris, Stephens. — One was captured at 

 Lough Eske many years ago in winter, and kept in confinement 



