102 
FKINGILLID^. 
of Bimess, in shooting at some twites in the autumn of 1858, 
accidentally winged one of these birds, and brought it home 
with him. Thus comfortably provided for, it soon became a 
most docile and interesting pet, living for many years to cheer 
its kind master and mistress with its sprightly song. The 
next specimen was shot in 1862, also by Mr Edmondston, under 
precisely similar circumstances; but no more were seen until 
October 28, 1864, as mentioned above. Since then, except in 
the year 1867, they have appeared regularly every autumn, and 
are now fairly on the Shetland list. Although wild during the 
day, the Greenfinches become much more familiar about sunset, 
then permitting a very near approach, and after dark being the 
easiest of all birds to catch with a lantern, — a method which 
I often employed when wishing to procure specimens for draw- 
ing or for comparison with as little destruction to life as 
possible. Even when the night is not very dark, it is easy for 
one person alone to take small birds by hand from the branches 
upon which they are roosting. It is only necessary to turn 
the light of the lantern among the trees, wallv up briskly when 
a bird is seen, keeping the light full upon it, and then, as soon 
as within arm’s reach, to suddenly lower the lantern with one 
hand, and with the other liand snatcli the dazzled and bewil- 
dered bird from its perch. The finches and redwings submit 
very quietly, but the impudent sparrows try hard to revenge 
themselves upon the fingers of their captors. One drawback, 
however, to this way of catching birds is, that when they be- 
come alarmed and take flight, they are apt to injure themselves 
by dashing either against the branches or the dark garden walls. 
In 1869, on Octol)er 5th, the wind blowing steadily from the 
north-west, we had an arrival of greenfinches, chaffinches (male 
and female), bramblings, and redwings; and with the help of 
the lantern I caught as many as I liked, sometimes taking as 
many as thirty of a night. The largest capture I ever made 
in this manner, but it was a very extraordinary one, was in 
March 1871, when a very wet and stormy night had crowded 
the branches with birds. The bag was as follows : — 
