Tree Sparrow, _Passer montanus_ (Linn.).--None north of Spurn, but
south of this at several stations, as far as the Godwin L.V.'s, in
October and early in November. In North-east Lincolnshire large flocks
of both species came in with the Greenfinches, feeding with them in the
same localities.
Chaffinch, _Fringilla cœlebs_, Linn.--First at Spurn, Oct. 9th, females
and young; last at Gull L.V., Nov. 13th, 8 a.m. to noon; continuous to
W. with Linnets. None recorded north of Spurn. Large numbers crossed
Heligoland, Oct. 3 8th or 24th, with Bramblings.
Brambling, _Fringilla montifringilla_, Linn.--Spurn, Oct. 3rd, single
old males; 26th, one or two; 27th, flock of about two hundred males:
examples obtained had their stomachs filled with the husked seed of
the common charlock. Bramblings passed Heligoland on the 24th with _F.
cœlebs_ and _L. cannabina_. E., very strong; and again some Nov. 30th.
Linnet, _Linota cannabina_ (Linn.).--Gull L.V., Nov. 13th, 8 a.m. to
noon, with Chaffinches, continuous to W.
Mealy Redpole, _Linota linaria_ (Linn.).--Spurn, considerable flight
night of Oct. 24th; subsequently observed in small flocks, twenty to
thirty, more generally three or four together, on stalks of ragwort
or _Aster Tripolium_; a few old males, very light coloured and mealy
looking, having the breast and rump washed with crimson-rose, which
colour some kept in captivity retained throughout the winter. Out of
twenty-four obtained during the last week in October twenty-two were
males, either old or young. Examples shot, from the same flock showed
great disparity both in the length and depth of the bill, indicating
probably an immigration from widely separated districts in Scandinavia.
These Redpoles were feeding on seeds of _Scirpus maritimus_ and _Daucus
Carota_, rejecting the husks. Very large numbers crossed Heligoland in
October, and again on Nov. 30th, and almost daily in December to 20th.
At the Inner Farne L.H., on Oct. 6th, many were noticed.
Lesser Redpole, _Linota rufescens_ (Vieill.)--Oct. 26th, three at
Inner Farne L.H.; and under date of Oct. 24th, Redcar, Mr. T. H.
Nelson writes, five came and alighted in front of my window, evidently
very tired; they came from seaward, 10 a.m.; two or three were in the
garden, and I saw several on the South Gore; E.S.E., snow and rain.
Oct. 25th a large flock in an adjoining field. As the range of _L.
rufescens_ is confined to the British Isles these occurrences are
probably referable to a closely-allied species, the _Linota exilipes_
of Coues, the Common European Redpole, which, so far, has not been
recognised as occurring in Great Britain.
Twite, _Linota flavirostris_ (Linn.)--Spurn, Oct. 25th to 27th,
numerous; examples obtained had the rump rosy pink.
Common Bunting, _Emberiza miliaria_, Linn.--Spurn, Oct. 25th to 27th,
large arrival.
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