I lO 
The Scottish Naturalist. 
as at Lauder in 1873 and 1874, and on Tweedside in 1875. All 
occurrences of late years have been in winter. 
Siskin (fihrysomitris spinus). Not uncommon in winter and 
early spring, especially in the hill valleys, where it frequents the 
small alder plantations for weeks at a time. Mr. John Thomson 
states that he has found a nest at Stobo, in Peeblesshire. 
[Bist. Ber. Nat. Club, xi., p. 553.] 
Greenfinch {Liguri7ius chloris). Common. 
House Sparrow {Passer domesticus). Common. 
Tree Sparrow {Passer montanus). Certainly breeds on the 
lower reaches of the Tweed and along the Northumberland coast. 
I believe it will be found to do so near the higher reaches also, 
though no record of the nest exists at present for that countryside, 
as far as I am aware. 
Chaffinch {FringUla ccelebs). Very common, extending far 
up the hill valleys. Nests containing eggs with blue ground 
colour are not uncommonly found. 
Brambling {FringUla montifringilla). Common in winter as 
a rule, and if anything more so in the hilly country, though not 
on the highest hills. 
Linnet {Lmota cannabina). Abundant in gorse covers and 
similar places in the breeding season, but by no means common 
everywhere. 
Lesser Redpoll {Linota 7'ujescens). Occurs at times near 
Jedburgh, Lauder, and Stobo, probably also elsewhere. It 
may occasionally breed near these parts, but evidence is at present 
wanting. 
Twite {Linota flavirostris). According to the late A. 
Brotherston of Kelso, this species may be found in summer in 
the Bizzle ravine on Cheviot. I have never observed it there my- 
self ; but the spot is very suitable, and I have no doubt tliat 
excellent observer was quite correct in his statement. It is also 
said to be found in some numbers at Bowhill in Selkirkshire, and 
again at Peebles. This points to a range extending from St. 
Maiy's Loch and the Moffat Hills to Berwickshire, where it is 
occasionally met with on the Lammermuirs ; but it cannot be 
called a common bird in the district, and is decidedly less plenti- 
ful than in portions of Yorkshire and other counties farther 
south, or even than in the south of Northumberland, at the other 
end of the Cheviot range. 
