A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE 55. Greenfinch. Ligurinus Morn (Linn.). Locally, Green Linnet. A very common resident in all parts of the county where hedgerows and trees are to be found. Mr. J. Whitaker has two cinnamon- coloured birds from the Ashbourne district. 56. Hawfinch. Coccothraustes vu/garis, Pallas. Locally, Grosbeak (E. Brown), Haw Grosbeak (Pilkington). Originally only a winter visitor at irregular intervals, the hawfinch is now well established as a regular breeding species in many parts of the county. Mr. E. Brown in 1863 sus- pected that they bred in the Burton district, and between 1876 and 1880 isolated nests were found in many places in south and central Derbyshire. At the present time it breeds rather locally, but in considerable numbers, in well wooded parks and gardens all over Derbyshire, with the exception of some parts of the High Peak. Like the greenfinch, the hawfinch at times appears to build almost gregariously. In 1901 no fewer than seven nests were found in the grounds of a house near Ashbourne. Hawfinches are exceedingly shy birds and almost invariably forsake their nests if disturbed before the eggs are laid. They have a curious habit of cutting off twigs from yew trees in order to get at the berries, so that a tree frequented by them has the appearance of having been recently clipped. The bill is sufficiently strong to crack the hard kernel of the cherry with ease, and when undisturbed the noise can be clearly distinguished some distance off. 57. Goldfinch. Carduelis e/egans, Stephens. Locally, Proud Tailor, Common Goldwing (N. Wood), Thistle Finch or Seven- coloured Linnet (Glover). Formerly a common breeding bird, but now only found in small numbers and chiefly in the southern half of the county. A slight increase in numbers has taken place during the last year or two, perhaps because fewer young are taken from the nest. In the Dove valley a good many pairs nest among the damson orchards, but chiefly on the Stafford- shire side. On October 2, 1901, a nest containing three young nearly fledged was found in an apple tree between Sudbury and Marchington, a remarkably late date. In the autumn small flocks are occasionally met with. 58. Siskin. Carduelis spinus (Linn.). An irregular winter visitor, sometimes in fair numbers. Mr. Neville Wood was of opinion that a pair or two bred in the woods near Foston in 1831 and following years, but although the birds were seen throughout the summer the nest was never found. In the Field for August 2, 1 902, is a communication from C. R. Gurney, in which it is stated that a siskins' nest with eggs was found near Rep- ton in a small tree, about six feet from the ground, during the summer of 1902. Large flocks occurred in the winter of 1844-5, m January, 1846 (J. J. Briggs and R. J. Bell), and April, 1857 (Sir O. Mosley). Small parties have been met with on many occa- sions since that time. 59. House-Sparrow. Passer domesticus (L'mn.). Common everywhere except on the moors. Variations in plumage are not uncommon. Whitlock records two albinos, also buff- coloured, smoky white and mottled birds. Nests have occasionally been found in the winter months (Zoo/, i. 76). 60. Tree-Sparrow. Passer montanus (Linn.). Rather a local and scarce species compared with the house-sparrow, usually found breed- ing in small colonies. According to Mr. H. Seebohm (Hist. Brit. Birds, ii. 70) it is found nesting in rocks in the High Peak. Holes in trees and walls are more generally used but it has been known to nest in trees like the house-sparrow, and in 1885 I found several pairs breeding in holes in old magpies' nests in Bradley Wood, near Ashbourne. 61. Chaffinch. Fringilla ccelebs. Linn. Locally, Pied Finch, Piedy, Spink. A very common resident everywhere ex- cept on the moors. A pretty variety of the well-known eggs without spots or only faintly clouded is not infrequently met with. In the spring of 1 900 a nest was found at Clifton studded all over with bits of newspaper in place of the usual lichens. Mr. E. Brown says a variety with green plumage has been shot (Nat. Hist, of Tutbury, p. 99), and a white bird was obtained early in 1902 (A. S. Hutchinson). 62. Brambling. Fringilla montifringilla. Linn. A somewhat irregular winter visitor, occa- sionally occurring in large flocks, while in other years only small numbers are met with. 63. Linnet. Linota cannabina (Linn.). Locally, Brown Linnet, White Linnet (N. Wood). Not so numerous now as formerly, although a fair number still breed with us. Mr. G. Pullen has recorded a white bird (excepting 130
