In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 



295 



and on looking up they saw a halo of feathers in the air, and lying* 

 panting on the ground were a cock and hen Greenfinch, which soon 

 expired from the crash with which they had flown against the glass, 

 and are now perpetuated in their juvenile collection. 



Pijrrhula Vulgaris. " The Bullfinch. 33 Perhaps the most beautiful 

 of all our small birds ; nothing being able to eclipse the softness with 

 which the black, grey, white, and rosy-pink of the cock bird are 

 blended together. Like the dog among the quadrupeds, whose bad 

 name only fits him for a halter, so I am afraid the poor Bullfinch, 

 anyhow by the gardener, is thought only fit for shot. I am afraid 

 he does commit depredations and shorten the existence of many a 

 tender shoot ; nevertheless, may his single plaintive whistle often 

 be heard amongst us, and his charming plumage still frequently be 

 seen, for no one can well pass by him without pausing to admire his 

 lovely dress. 



Pyrrhula Enucfeator. " The Pine Bullfinch/'' An exceeding great 

 rarity in the South of England. Hart informs me that he remem- 

 bers well one of these birds occurring in the Christchurch district 

 some years back, and passing through their hands for preservation. 

 He remembers the occurrence of it as being a great rarity, but he 

 did not make a note of it at the time, and therefore could give me 

 no further information about it. 



Loxia Curvirostra. " The Crossbill." This quaint bird is not of 

 every-day occurrence, but when it does visit us it often occurs in 

 considerable numbers, and from its active and restless habits is sure 

 to be noticed. I have a nice pair in my collection which were killed 

 amongst many others near Devizes in 1861, and I have numerous 

 notices of their appearance from various quarters. Mr. Baker tells 

 me that a large flock of these birds visited that neighbourhood in 

 the winter of 1868-9, when numerous specimens were secured. Mr. 

 James Sinton had a group of six or seven of them mounted under a 

 shade, forming a very striking group. About six years ago many 

 were brought in to King, of Warminster, from the Stourton district, 

 and T. Powell, Esq., of Hurdcott, writes me word that a good many 

 of these birds were shot by his uncle in a plantation of Scotch and 

 spruce fir, some time back. Champion says that he knows them, 



