112 
FlUNGILLID.E. 
open window without the smallest sign of fear, although the 
room was almost constantly occupied by the cottager and his 
family, and continuing their care until the young were fully 
hedged. 
I have ventured to note down the above details, at the risk 
of undue prolixity, in the hope that they may prove not un- 
interesting to some whose oj)portunities for observing the 
IMountain Linnet in a wild state have been less favourable 
than my own. 
THE BULLFINCH. 
PyTTlmla vulgaris. 
I saw a female Bullfinch at Halligarth on the 16th October 
1863. It was afterwards shot, and came into my possession. 
For some days previously south and south-east winds had pre- 
vailed, but not of sufficient strength to account for the presence 
of such an unexpected visitor. Messrs Baikie and Heddle 
record the capture of one in Orkney in 1809 ; but I can hear 
of no other Shetland example than the above-mentioned. 
THE COMMON CBOSSBILL. 
Loxia cuTvirostra. 
The gradual increase in the number of Crossbills visiting 
most parts of the British islands has long been observed, and 
the Shetlands offer no exception to the rule. As recently as 
1844, it was considered a rare straggler ; but since that time, 
and in proportion to the growth of the young trees, it has been 
seen with increasing frequency and in larger numbers. During 
my residence in Unst, not a year passed without its appearance, 
often in large flocks, from the middle of May even until so 
late as the middle of December. The frequent occurrence of 
young birds in May and June tends to confirm the belief that 
this species is a very early breeder. The Crosshills almost 
