104 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



MAMMALIA. 



The Dormouse in Cardiganshire. — I was not aware of the occur- 

 rence of this little animal (Muscardinus avellanarius) in the Aberystwyth 

 district until the 16th of June last, when I found, in a furze-bush, a 

 nest, much like a Wren's nest, but more nearly spherical, and had a 

 good view of the occupant, as it emerged upon my inserting a finger. 

 I shortly afterwards found a similar nest in a locality some three miles 

 distant, so it is quite possible that this species may be not uncommon 

 in North Cardiganshire. — J. H. Saltek (University College, Aberyst- 

 wyth). 



AVES. 



Variety of the Hawfinch. — A very pretty variety of the Hawfinch 

 (Coccothraustes vulgaris) was shot at Bramford, near Ipswich, about 

 Feb. 8th. It is an adult male, having the wings and tail nearly white, 

 the back pale cinnamon-brown, and the throat-patch sooty grey. I 

 have only seen one other variety of this species, and this was in the 

 collection of the late Mr. F. Bond. — Julian G. Tuck (Tostock Eectory, 

 Bury St. Edmunds). 



The Status of the Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans) in Britain (cf. ante, 

 pp. 23 and 70). 



Brecon. — A fairly common resident, nesting sparingly all over the 

 lowlands of the county, and occurring in small flocks on waste lands 

 in autumn and winter. The district adjoining the north shore of 

 Llangorse Lake is a favourite haunt in summer. — E. A. Swainson 

 (Woodside, Brecon). 



Denbighshire. — Common as a breeding species all up the Ceiriog 

 Valley and adjacent country. 



Carnarvonshire. — Sparsely distributed in the Lleyn peninsula, and 

 resident. 



West Cheshire. — A few odd birds frequent the Dee Cop in hard 

 weather every year. Bare in summer. — S. G. Cummings (King's 

 Buildings, Chester). 



Somerset (Western District). — Resident, not uncommon, assembling 



