RETROSPECTIVE REMARKS. 



173 



1833, — i( I am now inclined to think that these birds will not be of a 

 distinct species, but only extra-sized specimens of the female of Lin. 

 minor." Having myself examined a considerable number of greater 

 red-poles, both British and from the neighbourhood of Lake Ontario, 

 I feel no hesitation in saying that they are a distinct species. I have 

 seen them in every state of plumage which is observable in the common 

 red-pole ; both males and females, — some of the former having beau- 

 tiful red breasts ; I have invariably observed the whitish or stone colour 

 edgings on the plumage of the upper parts, which give them a charac- 

 teristic appearance, quite different from that of the common red-pole; 

 and, lastly, I have never noticed any remarkable variation of size, nor 

 other approximation to the common species, which, were it a mere 

 variety, we might reasonably expect to find. In its wild state, I am 

 informed by the bird-catchers that it associates much with the gold- 

 finch. Its song I am unacquainted with, — but its usual call-note 

 resembles that of the lesser red-pole. 



Before quitting this subject, let me guard the inquirer against a very 

 common source of error, by means of which many naturalists have been 

 misled. The greater red-pole, being generally a rare bird, is unknown 

 to a great many dealers, who, when asked for a stone red-pole, will 

 often endeavour to sell a fine male of the common species under that 

 name, thereby causing the purchaser, naturally enough, to suppose the 

 two species to be identical. From this practice it probably came to 

 pass that in all our works on British ornithology the provincial name 

 titlark is affixed to the Antlius pratensis, instead of to the A, arboreus; 

 the former species being universally known to dealers and others, in 

 every state of plumage, by the name pipit lark. The common red-pole 

 is thus often fraudulently sold under the name of stone red-pole, which 

 probably occasioned Mr. Selby to say, in his description of the former, 

 " that it is frequently taken by the bird-catchers, by whom it is called 

 the stone red-pole." Those who know the genuine stone red-pole will 

 be at no loss to recognise the appositeness of its provincial name. 



Chaffinches of both sexes remain plentiful in this part of Surrey 

 throughout the winter: the females congregate in large flocks, and 

 frequent the open country ; whilst the males mostly continue solitary, 

 and are chiefly found in gardens, and other places in the immediate 

 vicinity of houses. 



A few black-caps, babi^ards, sedge- warblers, grey- flycatchers, and 

 wry-necks, usually linger in the south of England until the last week 



VOL. IJ. — NO. IV. A A 



