72 BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
in our littoral parishes. rpferred to by 
I am still at a loss to know what bird is referred to oy 
many of my correspondents J^-^^^ 
oa ''pnTYimon" not uncommon, rare, ui<x^^ 
progress. 
THE BRITISH GOLDFINCH. 
Carduelis elegam britannicus, Hartert. 
Localnames-GOLDIB; Goldflinch; Gouldspihk: Gool- 
DIE ; GOWDSPINK. 
" The gowdspink woes in gentle note, 
. C^e hre.ti:*he:;, my spousa. dame'- 
A thexne jj^* P^^.* ^1m.-" Return of Sprin,." 
A rather scarce and local resident. 
Formerly the Goldfinch was abundant in the county 
Srt Gray writing of the bird about 1870 says : For 
