This is found most plentifully in the higher districts of the county; but in severe winters, large flocks of them descend to the lower grounds.
Fringilla borealis [The Mealy Redpole]. A rare species.
Fringilla montium [The Twite].
Another mountain as well as sea-shore rocky species. It is the most elegant of all our linnets.
Loxia pyrrhula [The Bullfinch].
This is another prize for the trapper. But great numbers are annually destroyed by gardeners and nurserymen, who believe that they are destructive. Yet their principal food consists of insects; and insects are also the chief food for their young. I hope a better day will arrive for these lovely little birds, when they will be cherished and encouraged rather than hated and destroyed. The bullfinch is easily taught to whistle, or to “pipe” familiar tunes.
Loxia curvivostra [The Crossbill].
This bird is on the increase. They nest with us, and have done so for some years. There is a great diversity of colour and size amongst them.
Loxia pytiopsittacus [Parrot Crossbill].
While walking one morning round the Whinhill, and just as I reached the south side, I was rather surprised at hearing the voice of what I knew to be a stranger. On looking to a low, bare wall, about three or four yards in front of me, I beheld, in all his pride and beauty, a male parrot crossbill. This is the only instance, to my knowledge, of its existence amongst us.