BIRDS 76. Crossbill. Lox'ia curvifostra, Linn. A spring and autumn visitant of irregular occurrence, remaining frequently for some weeks in the favoured locality. In Novem- ber 1898 small parties were observed near Cranbrook. Several specimens were obtained and also from the neighbourhood of Hawk- hurst. These parties were noticed from time to time in the locality till late in the following spring. On 27 July 1868 a pair of fine adult birds were seen by Mr. Oxenden Hammond at Wingham. There is not a doubt that this crossbill breeds occasionally in Kent, and there is an instance on record (Harting, Handbook Brit. Birds, 1 901, p. 89) ; at the best how- ever the nesting of this species in Kent can only be regarded as of very exceptional occur- rence. There are not enough pines and fir woods in this county to attract this species. In the Maidstone Museum there is a young crossbill which was killed by a boy with a stone on the Loose Road near Maidstone on 25 May 1899. 77. The Two-barred Crossbill. Loxia bijas- ciata (C. L. Brehm) On 26 December 1902 a female specimen of this rare wanderer was shot by Mr. H. Dale on Cold Blow farm, Woodchurch, and was exhibited by Mr. N. F. Ticehurst at the British Ornithologists' Club on 18 February 1903. The bird is now in my collection. This is the first recorded occurrence for Kent. 78. Corn-Bunting. Emberiza miliaria, L n^ Locally, Bunting Lark. A resident, but distributed sparingly on the low ground near the coast, frequenting the clover and pea fields, where it breeds. The bird is decidedly uncommon in the interior of the county. I have found nests near Lydd. Towards the end of September a migration movement takes place, and then these bunt- ings may be found consorting with flocks of linnets near the shore-line. Very few stay with us throughout the winter. 79. Yellow Hammer. Emberiza citrinella, Linn. A common resident. Congregates in winter on the stubble fields. 80. Cirl Bunting. Emberiza cirlus, Linn. A resident but of local distribution. Mr. Prentis writes : ' There is only one patch in my district where the cirl bunting is to be found. I once found a nest containing eggs in an old dried-up decoy pond ; it was built on the ground amongst the dead stems of the reeds. This bird is sometimes taken by the bird-catchers in winter.' 81. Ortolan. Emberiza hortulana, h'mn. This is one of those birds whose occurrence must be looked upon with a certain amount of suspicion, since numbers are annually imported from the continent and escapes are notorious. There is however a genuine example in the collection of Mr. Prentis obtained in 1874 near Dover and preserved by Mr. Charles Gordon of the Dover Museum. This bunting is an irregular spring and autumn visitor. 82. Reed-Bunting. Emberiza schceniclus, h'mn. A well distributed resident in the vicinity of the coast, breeding in the osiers and sedges of our marsh land. At the end of August migration takes place and large flocks people the reed beds and dykes on the south coast till the end of September. In winter it is distributed sparingly. Its numbers in the interior of the county at that season have increased very much of late owing to the increase of young larch plantations, which these birds seem fond of haunting. 83. Snow - Bunting. Plectrophenax nivalis (Linn.) A cold weather visitor of uncertain occur- rence on our shore-line. Small flocks, chiefly immature birds, appear in November and December. They are often to be found in company with larks on the stubble fields close to the shore. 84. Lapland Bunting. Calcarius lapponicus (Linn.) A rare visitor in autumn and winter on our coast. In Mr. Oxenden Hammond's collection there is a specimen obtained near Wingham in November 1882. I have also examined two specimens in Mr. Prentis' col- lection, killed near Dover in 1872 and 1890 respectively. In the latter specimen there is a considerable amount of black on the chest, while the breast is whitish. 85. Starling. Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. Locally, Stare. An abundant resident. A migration move- ment takes place in autumn, when throughout September enormous flocks frequent our marsh land both on the north and south coast prior to leaving the county, the direction generally taken being to the south-westward. During severe droughts our currant and rasp- berry bushes are attacked by this bird. In early spring a return migration takes place, 283
