THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



201 



but at other times they come in vast flocks. Sometimes they associate 

 with Yellowhammers and Chaffinches. 



Abroad this is one of the commonest birds in the north of Europe in 

 summer, and in winter is found as far south as Algeria. In Asia it has been 

 met with on the Himalayas, and as far east as China. 



Nest- — The Brambling breeds in Norway and Lapland, building a nest 

 very similar to that of the Chaffinch. It is usually placed in a small fir, from 

 six to ten feet from the ground, and is composed of fine straw and bents, 

 mixed with moss, lichen, and pieces of wasps' nests, and lined with fine bents, 

 and feathers of the Willow Grouse. Instances are recorded of this bird hav- 

 ing bred in Britain, but there seems to be no substantial proof that such is 

 the case. 



Eggs — Erom four to six eggs is the usual number, though sometimes as 

 many as seven have been found in one nest. Mr. Wheelwright says " The 

 eggs are very like those of the Chaffinch, but generally a trifle smaller, darker 

 in the ground colour, and the purple lines and dots more coloured/' — 

 (" Spring and Summer in Lapland/' p. 298.) Mr. Bond informs me that he 

 has seen eggs similar to the pale blue eggs of the Chaffinch. 



A DAY AT LLANGOLLEN. 



By R. WILDING. 



(Read before the members of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.) 



Ever since April 1884, when together with Dr. Ellis, Dr. Dixon, and Mr. 

 J . H. Smedley, I had such a pleasant and successful day at Llangollen, I 

 have longed to repeat the visit. But it was not until Good Friday, April 

 3rd— for which day another of our Society's excursions was arranged — that 

 I was able to do so. Lepidoptera is decidedly scarce so early in the year, 

 and this probably accounts for the fact that Dr. Ellis and myself were the 

 only members who elected to go. Although Lepidopterists, our chief object 

 was to search for mountain Coleoptera, of which many good species were 

 known to occur on the high moors which surround and give such a charm to 

 the " Yale of Llangollen/' I need scarcely say how anxiously we looked for 

 a fine day. If working flat country is disagreeable in wet weather, working 

 mountainous country under similar circumstances is next to impossible. On 

 this score, however, we had no cause to complain, a bitterly cold and frosty 

 morning preceding one of the grandest spring days. 



We left Birkenhead at 7.25, and after a smart run, reached Llangollen at 



