176 
The Countryside. 
•seen and heard Blackcap, Nightingale , Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, 
Yellow Bunting, Barn Owl, Little Uwl, Hawk, Kedstart, Lap- 
wing, Wood-Pigeon, while overhead, both at high and low 
elevations, have passed Swans, Geese, Mallard, etc.; all these 
species have occurred within a short quarter-mile south-east of 
the house, and observation has been of the cursory character 
consequent upon being carried out during duty-walks. The 
list would have been greatly increased if time at my disposal 
had permitted of observation-strolls, and persistent note taking' 
would have greatly increased the interest and pleasure. 
Perhaps, the young birds I have noticed in greatest 
numbers as branchers are : Lesser-Spotted Woodpeckers, Gold- 
finches, Chaffinches, Hedge Accentors, Robins, Blackbirds and 
Thrushes. Linnets also have been everywhere. 
The Grey Shrike nested in a tall Thorn-bush, the nest 
being placed on one of the twiggy lateral arms. The birds 
w^ere conspicuous, and could be seen from my holding (about 
30 yards distant) going to and from the nest ; when hatched the 
clamour of the young for about fourteen days, was very notice- 
able, in fact, the periods of silence were short and infrequent 
from dawn to sunset. 
As regards the adult birds; I have marked with an 
asterisk, those in the above lists which were really numerous; 
those not so marked, while daily met with, were not so plentiful; 
but these few notes must be definitely read as bearing only upon 
the limited, same area trod daily. Even a quarter-mile radius, 
instead of the south-east section of same, would give a much 
larger and more varied list, especially as regards juveniles and 
nests. 
^^"♦-^ 
Correspondence. 
LONG-LIVED FINCHES. 
Sir, — Would it be of any interest to record in B.N. the longevity of 
cock Gouldian Finch ? He has just come to an untimely end by drowning- 
after being in my possession since February, 1912. It seems a long life for 
such a tiny mite; but, I still ha\e a pair of St. Helena Waxbills, a Cordon 
Bleu, and a masked Grassfinch purchased the same time, and a hen Red-headed 
Gouldian Finch procured a year later. 
