NOTES ON BIRDS. 



33 



* So much does the song of our goldfinch resemble that of the European species, that, 

 whilst in France and England, I have frequently thought, and with pleasure thought, 

 that they were the notes of one of our own birds which I heard.' " Vol. L page 12. Note. 



The following remarks on colour will be found to accord pretty 

 nearly with the excellent paper communicated to us by Mr. Blyth, 

 in a preceding page. In remarking on what Wilson tells us of the 

 American goldfinch, changing in autumn from a rich yellow to an 

 olive-green, the black spot of the head taking the same olive tint, Sir 

 William says, 



" These changes take place in the common siskin of this country ; indeed changes, 

 and in many cases similar to those alluded to, are common, according to season, 

 among our Fringillidae. The common chaffinch loses the pale grey of his forehead, 

 which becomes a deep bluish purple ; the head and back of the brambling, or mountain 

 finch, become a deep glossy black: and the forehead and breasts of different linnets, 

 from a russet brown, assume a rich and beautiful crimson. They are chiefly produced 

 by the falling off of the ends of the plumelets of each feather, which before concealed 

 the richer tints of its lower parts ; at other times, by the entire change of colour. The 

 tint itself is always much increased in beauty and gloss as the season for its display 

 advances: at its termination the general moult commences, when the feathers are re- 

 placed with their new elongated tips of a more sombre hue, which no doubt adds to 

 the heat of the winter clothing, and remain until warmer weather and desires pro- 

 mote their dispersion." Vol. I. page 15. Note. 



The next we shall give is a pretty bit, as a painter would call it, of 

 personal observation. Speaking of the nut-hatches of America and 

 Europe, he says, 



" I had lately an opportunity of observing a nest of our own native species, which 

 had been taken young. They became remarkably tame ; and, when released from 

 their cage, would run all over their owner in all directions, up or down his body and 

 limbs, poking their bills into seams and holes, as if in search of food upon some old 

 and rent tree, and uttering, during the time, a plaintive cry. W hen running up or 

 down, they rest upon the back part of the whole tarsus, and make, great use, as a sup- 

 port of what may be called the real heel, and never use the tail. Theii bills are com- 

 paratively strong, and the power they possess of using them great ; equal apparently 

 to that of a woodpecker of like size. They breed in hollow trees, and produce a rather 

 numerous brood. The male attends carefully during the time. When roosting they 

 sleep with the head and back downwards, in the manner of several titmice." Vol. I. 

 page 37. Note. 



We really wonder that a naturalist of such general good taste as our 

 author, should continue to use the very inappropriate popular name 

 mouse and mice for those pretty little birds, the Tits. The objection- 

 able term again occurs in another note, recording an interesting habit 

 which must be familiar to every field-observer. 



" It is curious," says Sir William, " to remark the similarity, as it were, in the 

 feeling and disposition of some species. In this country, during the winter, when the 

 VOL. 1. NO. I. 1833. D 



