REV. II. A. MACPIIER80N ON HABITS OF THE SERIN FINCH. 473 
Woodwardi occur, including tlie well known butterfly bones. 
The following remains from the Forest-bed at this place have re- 
cently been found : — Two scapulic of Cervus, metacarpal and meta- 
tarsal of Ecpius, a cetacean vertebra, astragalus of Equus, foot 
bones of Elephas, including an astragalus, tibia of Bos, atlas of 
Elephas, lower canine of Ursus spelo’us, and several antlers of 
various species of Cervus. This concludes all of interest which 
I have noted during the present winter. 
VII L 
THE HABITS OF THE SEKIN FINCH 
{SEIUNUS HORTULANUIS). 
By Rev. H. A. Macpherson, M.A. 
Rend -^ist January, 1888 . 
The recent addition of the Serin Finch to the Norfolk list 
suggested to the writer, that a few words upon that species might 
find acceptance with some whoso opportunities of study may have 
been more scanty than his own. In June last search was made 
for Serin Finches in the Rhine valley, about twenty miles north of 
Basle, and not entirely without success. In 1884 the presence of 
this Finch among the gardens of Badenweiler had attracted notice, 
and suggested further research. In 1887 the Serin Finch proved to 
be holding its own among the orchards which cover the hill-sides 
between ^lulhausen and Badenweiler. A lively twittering generally 
first indicated the Serin’s presence, usually perching on a straggling 
spray of some old apple tree, and though restless, and therefore 
difficult to study, the fearlessness displayed was interesting. Thus, 
on June 22nd, a male Serin flew down to a small pool in a half- 
dried water-course, and pitching within arm’s length of two 
washerwomen, proceeded to satisfy his thirst in a leisurely fashion, 
after which ho dashed off to an apple tree and there recommenced 
his twittering song. It was pleasant to meet with these cheery 
little birds at intervals on a hot summer afternoon ; their strong- 
