The House Sparrow is mentioned by Professor Ansted in his list, but no letters are given marking the general distribution over the Islands, probably because it is so generally spread over them.  The local Guernsey-French name is “Grosbec,” for which see Metivier’s ‘Dictionary.’

66.  HAWFINCH. Coccothraustes vulgaris, Pallas.  French, “Grosbec.”—­The Hawfinch or Grosbeak, as it is occasionally called, is by no means common in Guernsey, and I have never seen it there myself, but I have a skin of one killed in the Catel Parish in December, 1878; and Mr. MacCulloch informs me it occasionally visits that Island in autumn, but in consequence of its shy and retiring habits it has probably been occasionally overlooked, and escaped the notice of the numerous gunners to whom it would otherwise have more frequently fallen a victim.  The bird-stuffer and carpenter in Alderney had one spread out on a board and hung up behind his door, which had been shot by his friend who shot the Greenland Falcon, in the winter of 1876 and 1877, somewhere about Christmas.  I know no instance of its remaining to breed in the Islands, though it may occasionally do so in Guernsey, as there are many places suited to it, and in which it might well make its nest without being observed.  As it seems increasing in numbers throughout England, it is by no means improbable that it will visit the Channel Islands more frequently.  The Hawfinch is included in Professor Ansted’s list, and by him marked as occurring only in Guernsey.  There are two specimens in the Museum.

67.  GREENFINCH. Coccothraustes chloris, Linnaeus.  French, “Grosbec verdier,” “Verdier ordinaire.”—­The Greenfinch is a common resident, and breeds in all the Islands, but is certainly not quite so common as in England.  It is more numerous perhaps in Guernsey and Sark than in Alderney; it is also pretty common in Jethou and Herm.

It is included in Professor Ansted’s list, but only marked as occurring in Guernsey and Sark.  There is no specimen in the Museum.

68.  GOLDFINCH. Carduelis elegans, Stephens.  French, “Chardonneret,” “Grosbec chardonneret.”—­The Goldfinch is resident in and breeds in all the Islands.  In Guernsey I was told a few years ago that it had been much more numerous than it then was, the bird-catchers having had a good deal to answer for in having shortened its numbers.  It is now, however, again increasing its numbers, as I saw many more this year (1878) than I had seen before at any time of year.  There were several about the Grand Mare, and probably had nests there, and I saw an old pair, with their brood out, at St. George on the 5th of June, and soon after another brood about Mr. De Putron’s pond, where they were feeding on the seeds of some thistles which were growing on the rough ground about the pond.  I have also seen a few in Alderney; and Captain Hubbach writes me word that the Goldfinch was quite plentiful here (Alderney) in the winter of 1862 and 1863.  But he adds—­“I have not seen one here this year.”  So probably its numbers are occasionally increased by migratory flocks in the winter.